UAFS 2023 Student Research Symposium

16th Annual

Student Research

SYMPOSIUM April 7, 2023

Student Research Symposium

Acknowledgements Jessica Martin Editor/Production Coordinator - Marketing & Communications Rachel Putman Associate Director for Strategic Communications UAFS Marketing & Communications Jo Donna Collins and the A/V group 2023 Student Research Symposium Committee Carolyn Fillippelli Casey Harmon Brandon Hutchison Kevin Jones Julie Martin Noel Sagullo Sharon Wu

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Student Research Symposium

Greetings!

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith proudly welcomes you to the 16th Annual Student Research Symposium. Our faculty and staff are committed to fostering an environment that promotes learning and discovery. As you will see in today’s presentations, our students have accepted the challenge, explored unique areas of research, and synthesized their results in the form of lectures, studio art, demonstrations, posters, and performances. These presentations represent the academic diversity of UAFS’s programs and the intellectual excellence of our students and their faculty mentors. On their behalf, thank you for your participation. I invite you to engage the presenters during the question-and-answer segments of their presentations. Your active involvement ensures that UAFS remains a dynamic and engaged academic community.

Namárië

Dr. Shadow Robinson Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

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Student Research Symposium

Oral Presentations Library 122 – Presentations in Biology, Geoscience, and Statistics Noon 12:30 1:00 1:30

Annie Keel – The Immortality of HeLa Cells Luke Barnes – Least Flycatchers Empidonax minimus Under-Reported During Fall Migration in Arkansas: A Citizen Science Conundrum Kelsie Baker – Citizen Science: Role of iNaturalist in Biodiversity Documentation and Education in Arkansas Kaitlyn Cavaness – Earthquake Risk in the Heartland: The New Madrid Seismic Zone

Library 202 – Presentations in Psychology, Education, Media Communication, Physiology, and Medicine Noon 12:30 1:00

Sandra Torkelson – Correlations in Aggressive Behaviors and Violent Video Game Preference Destiny Stine – Hype of the Swipe: The Role of Dating Apps in Our Search for Connection Michael Dunham – On the Exploration of Psychosomatic Phenomena

Library 206 – Presentations in English, Rhetoric, Music Performance, and Musicology Noon 12:30 1:00 1:30

Avreigh Watson – I Know What You Are: Meyer and the Misappropriation of the Quiluete Tribe Sophia McLain – Minecraft as a Platform for Exploring Political Ideologies Sarah Chiles – Religious Asceticism and Masochism: A Common Motivation Destiny Riddle – Flourishes and Fantasies: Exploring Malcom Arnold’s “Fantasy for Flute”

Library 209 – Presentations in Engineering Noon 12:30

Rebecca Martinez, Alex Yang, Issair Rodriguez, Griffith Johnson, & Dylan Jetton – Lunar Terrain Vehicle Project Devin Yocum, Chaarlee Hickman, Cody Merrell, Julia Thai, & Daniel Balmaceda – Autonomous Vehicle Challenge

Health Science 121 – Presentations in Electrical Engineering Technology, RFID Technology, and Robotics Noon 12:30 1:00 1:30

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Hayden Coble, Andrew Gardner, & Sifredo Magana – My Inventory Counter Sebastian Barber & Vincent Allard – Automate Green Samuel Keolaphan, Noah Ketter, Brock Slater, & Kevin Sandoval – RFID Door Courtney Edmonds – Project Barduino

Student Research Symposium

Health Science 124 – Presentations in Computer Science Noon 12:30 1:00 1:30

Marco Garcia Montes & Michael Resendiz – NumaTALK: Neural Language Gneration Model Austin Figueroa & Josue Martinez – UAFS VPN Secure-IT: A Deep Neural Model for the De-anonymization of Encrypted Traffic Tahlia Bergeron, Carter Freeze, & Cody Mizell – Fake Review Identification Using Deep Learning Adrian Cuevas – NumaROVER: The UAFS AI Lab Autonomous Rover

Health Science 222 – Presentations in History Noon 12:30 1:00

William Troi Winters – Wakanda’s Blessings: The Importance of Education to the Osage People’s Survival Rochelle Thomas – The Chickamauga Cherokee Korina Lopez – If This Land Could Speak: A Brief Introduction into the Indigenous History Linked to Fort Smith

Health Science 223 – Presentations in Marketing, Food Pantry Logistics, English, and English Literature Noon 12:30 1:00 1:30

Simone Campise & Mikaila Cobbler – Marketing a Small Church Brandon Heitz, Keaton Boyd, & Angela Her – Understanding Poverty in the Fort Smith Region Gabriella Stokes – The Whimsical Domestic Fairy and Expressive Masculine Individual: Gender Roles, Age, and Class in “Jane Eyre” Indigo Kroll – Performances of Femininity: Class and Gender in “Jane Eyre”

Health Science 227 – Presentations in History, Political Science, and Latin American Studies Noon 12:30 1:00

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Madeline Brennan – “This is my corner of the world”: Dr. John Montgomery and the Fight for Civil Rights in Poteau, Oklahoma Maranda Leeper – Abraham Lincoln: Complexities of Racial Beliefs Gabriella Hernandez Donato – Gritos Silenciosos/Silent Screams (*In Spanish)

Student Research Symposium

Poster Presentations Noon to 2 p.m.

Boreham Library Table 1 – Chemistry: David Sanford – Study of Small Molecule Interaction with Surfactant-Based Micelle Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations Table 2 – Chemistry: Zane Neal – Towards a Greener Aldol Condensation: Exploring Alternative Solvents and Catalysts Table 3 – Molecular Evolution: Austyn Russell, Karen Garduza, & Anabell Bruning – Expression Level, Codon Composition, and Mutation Rate Table 4 – Developmental Biology: Elizabeth Willhite & Aravinda Murali – Can the Genetic Programs be Reversed?

Exploring and Understanding Dedifferentiation in Dictyostellium discoideum Table 5 – Geoscience: Mariah Thomas, Abigale Kelly, & Alex Burns – 3D Model Project of the Second Fort Walls at the Fort Smith National Historic Site Table 6 – Geoscience: Cassaundra Huggins & Ross Metcalf – Hydrothermal Alteration in Carboate Rich Igneous Complex of Magnet Cove, Arkansas, as Analog to Nili Fossae and Gusev, Mars Table 7 – Geoscience: Matthew Neal & Jon Turco – Determining the Impact of a Flocculant or Surfactant on Microplastic Recovery Table 8 – Geoscience: Payton Karr – Virtual Storyboard Creation of the Navajo Sandstone Geologic Formation Table 9 – Mathematics: Molly Kingston – The History of π Table 10 – Music: Erica Verkamp & Katherine Lockhart – The Importance of the Relationship Between Music and the Brain Table 11 – Cultural Visual Design: Matti Youngblood – Cross-Cultural Color Theory

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Student Research Symposium

Table 12 – Business Development: Angel Fernandez & Daniel Lafuente – Future Rock Stars Researching and Developing a Hispanic Business Panel Table 13 – Business Development: Brooke Johnson, Paola Cury Fagalle, & Chloe Ezell – The Silver Bullet Table 14 – Grant Writing: Connor Ware, Anthony Tramonte, & Tara McKinney – Grant Grabbers for Community Park Table 15 – Second Language Assessment: Hope Carmack – Technology Platforms in Education: Friend or Foe? Table 16 – Clinical Dental Hygiene: Alissa Wagner, Jacob Martin, Kevin Villeda, & Kenzie Gonzales – Can You Hear Me? An Overview of the Risk of Hearing Loss for the Dental Professional Table 17 – Clinical Dental Hygiene: Loren Icenhower, Taylor Walker, & Melissa Kea – The Correlation Between Periodontal Disease and Alzheimer’s Table 18 – Clinical Dental Hygiene: Kaylee Purifoy, Kylie Scott, Melissa Perez, & Tena Tran – Ergonomics and the Effects on the Dental Community

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Student Research Symposium

Library 122

Presentations in Biology, Geoscience, and Statistics Noon Annie Keel 12:30 Luke Barnes 1:00 Jacob McLain 1:30 Kaitlyn Cavaness

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Student Research Symposium The Immortality of HeLa Cells Presented by Annie Keel Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Rebecca Mroczek Field of Research: Biology

Henrietta Lacks was a woman who went to the hospital for concerning symptoms between menstrual cycles. She was diagnosed with a cervical carcinoma and when a biopsy was performed, it was sent to George Gey in the pathology department. Gey discovered that the cells were immortal, and it became the first immortal human cell line known as HeLa cells. Lacks’s cancer was caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) 18 DNA, which can have oncogenic effects. The true cause for Lacks’s cancer being so immortal is telomerase, which adds repetitive DNA sequences to chromosomes. The purpose of this project is to obtain knowledge about telomerase and how it can affect the cell cycle in high amounts. The main focus of the project is to analyze how immortality can be reached in cells using the first human case, Henrietta Lacks.

Annie Keel is currently a sophomore pursuing her B.S. in biology at UAFS. She currently works at a pharmacy and enjoys learning about how different molecules can affect the body in different ways. She also enjoys topics related to genetics and cancer and hopes to research these topics in the future. She would like to become a genetic counselor in the next few years, utilizing what she’s learned from research and different courses.

Least Flycatchers Empidonax minimus Under-Reported During Fall Migration in Arkansas: A Citizen Science Conundrum Presented by Luke Barnes Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Ragupathy Kannan Field of Research: Biology

The Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus is a small transient neotropical migrant bird that regularly passes through Arkansas during spring (northbound) and fall (southbound) migration. The former movement occurs mid-April to early June and the latter happens from the end of August to late September. The birds are vocal during spring passage but relatively quiet and unobtrusive during fall migration. This behavioral difference is at least in part responsible for the many fewer reports of the species by birdwatchers in fall than spring. Here we use eBird (www.eBird.org; Cornell Lab of Ornithology) maps and data to present evidence to support this discrepancy between fall and spring observations. We also show that the species is under-reported in Arkansas during the fall relative to neighboring states. We propose that this may in part be due to some birders’ reluctance to provide the minimal evidence required to substantiate their observations to satisfy eBird reviewers’ queries. To mitigate this in the reporting of important data for rare transient birds, we suggest some public relations initiatives by eBird to educate the public on the need for scrutiny and quality control of this important citizen science database. We also encourage eBird reviewers to be more sensitive to birders’ feelings in their vetting process.

Luke Barnes is majoring in biology with the hope of making a career in the conservation/environment field. He looks forward to many more projects like this to prepare for graduate school.

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Student Research Symposium Citizen Science: Role of iNaturalist in Biodiversity Documentation and Education in Arkansas Presented by Kelsie Baker Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Ragupathy Kannan Field of Research: Biology

With the digital revolution of the last decade, citizen science ventures have played a significant role in the research and documentation of biodiversity and in the education of its participants. iNaturalist (www.iNaturalist.org), a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, is a leading example. It is a global online social network of citizens sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about the living world around them. It is also a crowd-sourced species identification platform to record occurrences of organisms. Through its web-based portal and its easy-to-use mobile application, and its built-in image recognition, artificial intelligence, and human vetting process, citizens help create research quality data for scientists focused on understanding and conserving the world’s biota. Here, I provide an overview of the role played by this online social network in the mostly photographic documentation of biodiversity of Arkansas. I also highlight projects done by the state’s educational and research institutions to promote biodiversity awareness and appreciation, and to document biota of their campuses or taxonomic subjects of interest. Finally, I compare the number of verifiable or research grade observations in Arkansas with other states to highlight the scope for further improving this database to educate our citizenry and document our Natural State’s biota.

Kelsie Baker is a biology major at UAFS where she has been named to the Dean’s List and earned the Chrysalis Award. Upon graduation she plans to pursue a master’s and Ph.D. in wildlife biology to support her career goal of conducting field work as a wildlife biologist for the federal government. Her hope is to use her skills and knowledge in the efforts of wildlife conservation.

Earthquake Risk in the Heartland - The New Madrid Seismic Zone Presented by Kaitlyn Cavaness Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Dave Mayo Field of Research: Geoscience

During the winter of 1811-1812, three enormous earthquakes occurred on the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the northeastern corner of Arkansas. The region was sparsely populated at that time, but nevertheless, homes were destroyed, the landscape was dramatically altered, and the flow of the Mississippi River was disrupted. The estimated magnitude of each of the three earthquakes was 7 to 8, and paleoseismic evidence indicates that similar events occur roughly every 500 years. Today, the region is much more densely populated, and a M7+ earthquake would cause catastrophic loss of life and severe economic disruption. Consequently, the federally funded Central United States Earthquake Consortium, comprising member states Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee, facilitates research, promotes public awareness, and participates in planning scenarios with the goal of mitigating future earthquake disasters.

Katie Grace Cavaness is a studio art major considering a minor in geoscience.

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Student Research Symposium

Library 202

Presentations in Psychology, Education, Media Communication, Physiology, and Medicine Noon Sandra Torkelson 12:30 Destiny Stine 1:00 Michael Dunham

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Student Research Symposium Correlations in Aggressive Behaviors and Violet Video Game Preference Presented by Sandra Torkelson Faculty Sponsor: Dr. James Benjamin Field of Research: Psychology

Research Question: Do persons with aggressive behaviors tend to play violent video games?

• H0: We hypothesize that there is no correlation between aggressiveness and playing violent video games.

• H1: Alternatively, a correlation might be identified to show that aggressive behaviors are significantly correlated with preference to playing violent video games.

Methods:UAFS students and others completed the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ)(Buss & Perry, 1992) with additional questions relating to violent video game usage. UAFS students received a link to the survey via email, while others received the link via social media. Participants were between the ages of 19 and 52.

Results: The results showed a significant correlation between aggressiveness and violent video game usage. Specifically, those scoring higher on the BPAQ tended to show a preference for first person shooter and battle royale video games (p 0.039) and indicated usage on three or more days (p 0.006).

Additionally, the physical aggression and hostility sections of the BPAQ correlated with usage on three days or more. The physical aggression and anger sections of the BPAQ correlated with preference for first person shooter and battle royale games. The results reflect no significant difference in males and females, nor in ethnicity.

Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that there is a statistically significant correlation between aggressive behaviors and usage of violent video games.

Introduction: The problem is we do not know the exact correlation between violent video games and aggressive behaviors. For many years it has been the supposition that exposure to violence (in movies, family environment and violent video games) lead to aggressive behaviors. The research is inconclusive as to whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship. This study attempts to reframe the question as to “Do aggressive people tend to play violent video games?”

Raised in Southern Oklahoma, Sandra Torkelson is one of eight children and a first-generation college student. Her mother stayed at home and took care of the family while her father had a long career with the National Park Service, affording him the opportunity to transfer to different locations, which gave Sandra and her siblings a unique upbringing in some beautiful places.She is a third-year non-trad student at UAFS pursuing a degree in B.A. in psychology with a minor in social work. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda and the National Society of Leadership and Success organizations. Psychology has been her lifelong passion of mine, and she believes that pursuing your passion is a journey that takes hard work and dedication.

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Student Research Symposium Hype of the Swipe: The Role of Dating Apps in Our Search for Connection Presented by Destiny Stine Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Nicki Stancil Field of Research: Media Communication

Dating apps are highly recognized by millions as a prime source of meeting potential partners in our digital era, challenging the ways of our grandparents. Despite the convenience, app users maintain complaints of fake profiles, uninteresting users, poor communication techniques, and a lack of desire to make authentic emotional connections (Hobbs et al., 2016). Negative matches aren’t cohesive with the capabilities of dating apps regarding the inner workings of combined algorithms. Statistically, apps should be successful in providing quality suggestions based upon similarities between user profiles and habits. Accurate technology still results in failed matches, which leads to the notion that dating apps are designed not for compatibility, but matchmaking entertainment relying on probability and gamification (Mackinnon, 2022). The effects of this dynamic are directly contributing to shifts in societal dating norms, rapidly mutating as a result of using technology generated from data collection, algorithms, gamification tactics, and user insecurities. Relying on dating apps to discover a potential romantic partner significantly reinforces hook-up culture (Berkowitz, et al., 2021). More than casual sex between individuals, the overload of digital options is creating a general lack of emotions and vulnerability in often temporary romantic connections, resulting from ever evolving societal expectations.

Destiny Stine completed her bachelor’s degree in media communication at UAFS in December of 2022. Since then she has found a wonderful career in a local non-profit which assists members of the community living with various disabilities. The skills she learned from her field of study have allowed her to advocate for the people she serves. Her greatest intention is to continue her education and earn more advanced degrees at the cross section of society and media, as we are all influenced by each other, from the actions we take and the messages we share.

On the Exploration of Psychosomatic Phenomena Presented by Michael Dunham Faculty Sponsor: Dr. David McClellan Field of Research: Physiology and Medicine

At the intersection of the faculties inherent to the body and mind are their psychosomatic interactions, a paradigm of the relationship between the abstract and the corporeal, which dictates in whole or in part the response of an individual to stimuli. Principally, via the analysis of emergent literature, this work will endeavor to disambiguate these phenomena at a molecular level by first illustrating their relevant biochemical pathways, by accounting for the ramifications of their genetic influences, and by tracing their avenues through the nervous system with the application of a lens both physiological and anatomical. This review will proceed by reconciling this perspective with praxis, examining the tremendous relevance of its constituent placebo and nocebo effects in clinical settings, as well as the efforts and procedures employed by practitioners to subvert or otherwise account for these variables. This work will recapitulate the significance of psychosomatic phenomena by discussing the most emergent revelations pertaining thereto, while adapting the sophistication of their language to the budding education of an undergraduate.

With the guidance of the Myles Friedman Honors Program and the collaboration of his professors, Michael Dunham has secured myriad opportunities to research and write of intrigues such as the frightening side of pharmacology, the workings of the limbic system, the process of regeneration, and even the evolution of the saxophone. As a senior at UAFS, he plans to matriculate in a graduate institution and further his studies in physiology and medicine. Outside of the classroom, he is a member of the UAFS Wind Ensemble and has a passion for deconstructing Chopin, discovering all manner of classical art, and endeavoring always to broaden his horizons.

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Student Research Symposium

Library 206

Presentations in English, Rhetoric, Music Performance, and Musicology Noon Avreigh Watson 12:30 Sophia McLain 1:00 Sarah Chiles 1:30 Destiny Riddle

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Student Research Symposium I Know What You Are: Meyer and the Misappropriation of the Quileute Tribe Presented by Avreigh Watson Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Laura Witherington Field of Research: English

The issues facing Native American communities within the United States are often underrepresented in the modern conversation surrounding equity. Many tribes struggle with economic stability and gross misrepresentation in the spheres of pop culture.

Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series exhibits an example of this phenomenon as the latter issue exacerbates the former for the Quileute tribe. This series, and its famous indigenous werewolves, first gained traction in the 2010’s as the movie franchise garnered unexpected mainstream appeal. A decade after the original interest waned, however, the series experienced a resurgence of popularity due to the accessibility of the film series as well as Meyer’s publication in 2020, “Midnight Sun.” My research analyzes the effects of this “Twilight Renaissance” upon the Quileute tribe, illustrating the relationship between Meyer’s “borrowing” of indigenous lore and the consequences engendered from careless inclusions of diverse cultures in media.

Avreigh Watson is enrolled as an English major at UAFS and is a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Council. She received the 2021 Florence Kahn Memorial Award from the National Federation of State Poetry Societies for her first chapbook “Nicodemus,” and is currently completing her teaching internship at Rogers Heritage High School. After graduation Avreigh plans to continue teaching in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In the time she does not spend on academic writing, she may be found tutoring at the Writing Center, grumbling about the latest Batman movie, and reading the poetry of Tony Hoagland, just maybe not at the same time.

Minecraft as a Platform for Exploring Political Ideologies Presented by Sophia McLain Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Laura Witherington Field of Research: English and Rhetoric

Video games force us to make decisions, emulating the sense of reality we seek to escape. While many games model our lives, sandbox games take a different approach. Sandbox games give us a platform to do practically anything we want, the only stipulation being the game mechanics. Minecraft—a sandbox game—is a form of expression that allows for a large amount of escapism, giving us the option to live in whichever way we choose, following the systems we prefer. Minecraft relies heavily on emergent narratives for its rhetorical significance. It lets players explore different political systems using the game as a platform while being influenced by real-world systems. Minecraft—when discussing multiplayer gameplay, can represent anarchy, socialism, capitalism, and other political systems, including political functions, found within those systems. In this paper, procedural rhetoric is used to examine Minecraft as a persuasive medium for political systems, using components of sandbox games, such as emergent narratives. Due to its sandbox nature, Minecraft does not represent one set claim about the world but instead represents a variety of claims from different players’ perspectives and is used as an emergent narrative for politics.

Sophia McLain graduated high school from the Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts and is now a student at UAFS. She has worked as an editor for the Arkansas English Journal, currently tutors at the UAFS Writing Center, and has published in the Journal of Student Research. Her research and work interests include video game studies, sociolinguistics, and ESL pedagogy. After graduating with a B.A. in rhetoric and writing, she plans to pursue an M.A. and Ph.D. overseas.

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Student Research Symposium Religious Asceticism and Masochism: A Common Motivation Presented by Sarah Chiles Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Laura Witherington Field of Research: English and Rhetoric

It may seem scandalous to compare religious asceticism and masochism because the former is an exercise in denial while the latter is indulgent. However, there is a more neutral reason scholars would discuss masochism and asceticism adjacently. While the two are different in various ways, one could argue that deferred pleasure is the motivation for both masochism and asceticism. By studying the ascetic practices of several medieval saints, specifically those who practice ascetic sexual abstinence, we find that there is one common motivation that they share with those who practice masochism: deferred pleasure.

Sarah Chiles is a senior at UAFS studying rhetoric and writing with a minor in speech. She currently works as a driver for a local transitional shelter and plans to attend graduate school to study linguistics after earning her baccalaureate degree. Sarah collects garden gnomes and likes to hike, paint, and play racquetball in her spare time.

Flourishes and Fantasties: Exploring Malcom Arnold’s “Fantasy for Flute” Presented by Destiny Riddle Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Alexandra Zacharella Field of Research: Music Performance and Musicology

Donald Mitchell in The Musical Times writes that “The pure sound of Arnold’s music, to a degree, an expression of his exceptional musical practicality-practicality, that is raised to the very high level of virtuosity.” Sir Malcolm Arnold was born in 1921 in Northampton, England. In his early life, Arnold grew up in a family of musicians. His mother was a pianist, and his grandmother was a violinist. Arnold saw Louis Armstrong perform in Bournemouth and started playing trumpet at the age of 12. He later attended the Royal College of Music where he studied composition with famed composer Gordon Jacob and orchestral trumpet with Ernest Hall. He spent his career as a professional orchestral musician as well as being a notable composer. He wrote nine symphonies, seven ballets, more than 20 concertos and 132 film scores, winning an Academy Award for “The Bridge on the River Kwai.”

This lecture recital will discuss Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy for Flute, composed in 1966. Arnold’s Fantasy for Flute was commissioned by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for the Birmingham International Wind Competition of 1966. This work is an invigorating and challenging piece that incorporates Arnold’s compositional techniques that are frequently witty and unfashionably tonal. Arnold’s music has a quality to it that can reach audiences and it explores a huge range of human emotions. This lecture recital will conclude with a performance of Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy for Flute.

Destiny Riddle is a senior instrumental music education major at UAFS. She has served as principle flute of the UAFS Wind Ensemble, Athletic Band, Flute Choir, and Jazz Catz. She has also served as the vice president and president of NAfME at UAFS and recording secretary for Lambda Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, a band service fraternity. Destiny has participated in the Oklahoma All District Honor Bands and All State Bands, been a member of the College Band Directors National Association Arkansas Intercollegiate Band, and CBDNA Southwestern Intercollegiate Honor Band. She has served as a UAFS Cub Camp cEounselor and flute coach for UAFS summer music programs.

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Student Research Symposium

Library 209

Presentations in Engineering Noon Rebecca Martinez, Alex Yang, Issair Rodriguez, Griffith Johnson, & Dylan Jetton 12:30 Devin Yocum, Chaarlee Hickman, Cody Merrell, Julia Thai, & Daniel Balmaceda

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Student Research Symposium Lunar Terrain Vehicle Project

Presented by Rebecca Martinez, Alex Yang, Issair Rodriguez, Griffith Johnson, and Dylan Jetton Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Kevin Lewelling Field of Research: Electrical Engineering Technology A team of UAFS mechanical and electrical engineering students led by a junior mechanical engineering student, Rebecca Martinez, is designing and constructing a Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) at UAFS. This LTV will be capable of carrying two astronauts with speeds up to 10 miles per hour on the lunar surface. The LTV design team is divided into four groups: frame, suspension, controls, and human integration. At this point in the process, our suspension, base frame, and seats have been designed and will be completely constructed within the next month.

During the presentation, each group member will give an overview and update on their part in designing and constructing the LTV. Rebecca Martinez is a junior level mechanical engineering student from Greenwood. She currently has an internship at Trane Technologies and is trying to get one at NASA Johnson Space Center this summer. She has chosen engineering as my major because her dad is an engineer and she has always wanted to help people.

Alex Yang is a sophomore-level mechanical engineering student from Mena. He is pursuing an engineering degree so he can work on projects that benefit society.

Issair Rodriguez is a sophomore-level mechanical engineering student. He is the group leader of suspension and fabrication and wanted to help on this project because he has had a fascination for space since he was little.

Griffith Johnson is a sophomore-level electrical engineering student. He also leads the controls team of the project and chose to be on this project because he wanted to apply and learn more coding skills.

Dylan Jetton is a sophomore-level electrical engineering student. He chose an engineering degree because he wanted to learn how to develop new technology and be a part of the group that creates and improves systems that benefit our society.

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Student Research Symposium Autonomous Vehicle Challenge

Presented by Devin Yocum, Chaarlee Hickman, Cody Merrell, Julia Thai, and Daniel Balmaceda Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Kevin Lewelling Field of Research: Electrical Engineering Technology A team of UAFS electrical engineering and computer science students have entered a competition to design and construct an autonomous vehicle; this competition is known as the Autonomous Vehicle Challenge (AVC). This vehicle is designed to navigate a 60 ft. by 60 ft. course over ramps and avoid obstacles autonomously on a $500 budget. The national competition will be held this spring in Ohio on April 13. The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium competition will be held April 21 at Mt. Petit Jean. Our AVC will use a Raspberry Pi camera, sonar distance sensors, and adjustable lights to navigate the course. The AVC will use a remote-controlled car that is adjusted to allow for microcontrollers to autonomously pilot the vehicle.

Each team member will give an overview of their part of the AVC project in this presentation.

Devin Yocum is from Van Buren, Arkansas, graduating from Van Buren High School in 2020. He is an electrical engineering student with a minor in mathematics set to graduate in fall 2023. He aspires to spend his career working on the power grid to increase the reliability and sustainability of the country’s electrical infrastructure. Devin intends to pursue graduate education in operations analytics or business administration to combine his technical background with the practical skills needed to succeed in industry.

Chaarlee Hickman is a second-year student who is pursuing a double major in computer science and electrical engineering with a minor in mathematics. In her studies Chaarlee is focusing on machine learning and artificial intelligence while also furthering her knowledge of robotics. Her interests stem from the importance of proving new tools to improve and understand the world. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to continue her education to further her knowledge toward a career as a researcher.

Cody Merrell is from Van Buren. He is set to graduate with a degree in electrical engineering by spring of 2024. After graduating with a bachelor’s in EE, he plans to continue college until he receives his Master in Business Administration. In May of 2023 he is starting an internship at SWEPCO in hopes to pursue a career in electrical distribution. He wants to have his hands in getting businesses and people electricity in the Northwest Arkansas area for the near future.

Julia Thai is a junior electrical engineering student from Fort Smith who is expected to graduate in May 2024. She is interested in working on renewable energy and green building design and construction. Her interests are motivated by wanting to produce electricity with fewer environmental impacts. She intends on furthering her education in order to prepare her for specialized positions in her future career.

Daniel Balmaceda is a junior studying electrical engineering at UAFS. He is set to graduate in May 2024 and has hopes of pursuing a career in hardware design.

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Student Research Symposium

Health Science 121

Presentations in Electrical Engineering Technology, RFID Technology, and Robotics Noon Hayden Coble, Andrew Gardner, & Sifredo Magana 12:30 Sebastian Barber & Vincent Allard 1:00 Samuel Keolaphan, Noah Ketter, Brock Slater, Kevin Sandoval 1:30 Courtney Edmonds

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Student Research Symposium My Inventory Counter

Presented byHayden Coble, Andrew Gardner, Sifredo Magana Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Kyun Han Field of Research: Electrical Engineering Technology In today’s industry, everyone is looking for a tool that reduces the chances of human error and work. Our project will provide an easier method of organizing and counting small components to ensure a more accurate form of inventorying materials. This project uses a series of small scales, capable of measuring less than a gram to upwards of fifty kilograms, a microprocessor, a LCD display, and a plastic organizing container. The process needed to complete this will require weight scales to be calibrated with a microprocessor to measure material placed within its designated area. This will adjust the LCD to display an updated measurement.

Because our product is in the prototyping stages, we have not implemented IoT and Industry 4.0 technology yet. It is our goal to improve upon our product to ensure it can quickly and accurately update an online inventory system. This will reduce time spent manually counting inventory. Further research and development into our product will allow us to implement a system compatible with AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), giving them access to the online system and providing them with the information needed to know what parts are available and where they are located.

Hayden Coble is a senior in the electrical engineering technology program. He attended UAFS throughout high school via the Regional Workforce Grant. Hayden is currently working as an advanced manufacturing technician at ABB in Fort Smith.

Andrew Gardner is a senior in the electrical engineering technology program set to graduate in the fall of 2023. Andrew is a non-traditional student who is currently serving in the Arkansas Army National Guard and has returned to the EET program after a deployment in Germany.

Sifredo Magana is a first-generation student and is set to graduate from the electrical engineering technology program in the fall of 2023.

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Student Research Symposium Automate Green

Presented by Sebastian Barber and Vincent Allard Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Kyun Han Field of Research: Electrical Engineering Technology This project is focused on designing and building a system to automate gardening. By utilizing the properties of capacitance, we designed a device that can measure and monitor the moisture content in soil. This device will use corrosion resistant capacitors connected to a microcontroller to determine the moisture level. This data will then be processed and, should the moisture level fall below acceptable levels, send a signal to relay terminals to activate water pumps until the soil reaches a pre-determined level. This device will also enable users to monitor and control the pumps from their phone by utilizing a Wi-Fi connection. Our goal for this project is to improve efficiency of water distribution in farms by charting out watering patterns and adapting water dispersal to suit the needs of the crops.

Sebastian Barber graduated from Southside High School (Fort Smith) in 2020. He is currently finishing his bachelor’s degree and is an active member of scouting. Last semester he was part of the UAFS ATAME competition. He built the basic controls for the movement of the robot arm and did all the 3D modeling used to 3D print the robot’s outer shell. His most significant accomplishments with scouting include earning Eagle Scout and attending Philmont, where I hiked 80 miles in 10 days.

Vincent Allard is a senior in the electrical engineering technology program. His original goal when joining the program was to learn how to program robots, and during his time here, he has learned that and so much more. When he started at UAFS, he didn’t even know what a volt was, but now he is able to design circuits that can communicate with each other and turn things on or off from his phone. As for robotics, he wrote 50,000 lines of code so he could play chess using the robot arm located in the Baldor Technoloy Center. While this may be his last semester at UAFS, he is hopeful he can end it well.

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Student Research Symposium RFID Door

Presented by Samuel Keolaphan, Noah Ketter, Brock Slater, and Kevin Sandoval Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Kyun Han Field of Research: RFID Technology The most important aspect of a home is security. With modern technology at our fingertips, we have the possibility of implementing these conveniences into our daily lives, without decreasing the sense of security. The project will include the construction and implementation of a hardware concept to show the ability that technology can have when used alongside security. With the use of RFID, the struggle of old locks, lost keys, or substandard equipment can be rectified to create a standard for the future of household safety. RFID will be utilized to unlock a secure deadbolt within a door that has extra security measures that a traditional key does not. Additionally, the system will be used for a pet to have easy and secure access to a home without the owner needing to be present through the use of an automatic pet door. Safety measures will be included to ensure the pet door does not hurt animals and to ensure the locks cannot be manually overridden in order to keep up to date with standard practices. Utilizing Doortech will result in a more secure household with improved satisfaction through enhancing the current hardware.

Samuel Keolaphan graduated from Charleston High School in 2020 and is currently working toward a bachelor’s in electrical engineering technology. He is employed at Walmart as an associate in the Online Delivery Pickup department.

Noah Ketter graduated from Charleston High School in 2020 and is currently working toward a bachelor’s in electrical engineering technology. He is employed at ABB as an automated guided vehicle technician.

Brock Slater attends UAFS, majoring in electrical engineering technology. He prides himself on being involved on campus through various organizations. He is the student event assistant in the Office of Campus and Community Engagement where he helps plan events for students; the director of logistics for Cub Camp and Campus Activities Board; and the Interfraternity president. As a leader on campus, he represents the university in a bright light and continues to promote it. Brock is a determined individual who works diligently to provide the best college experience for students in the community. Through his experience he has learned the importance of project management and delegation through event planning and constantly working alongside other students.

Kevin Sandoval graduated from Van Buren High School in 2020 and is currently working toward a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering Technology. He is employed at ABB as an automated guided vehicle technician.

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Student Research Symposium Project Barduino

Presented by Courtney Edmonds Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Kyun Han Field of Research: Robotics With the rise of autonomy in recent years, I decided to pursue a project that showcases the potential of robotics. Project Barduino is an Arduino based Bluetooth controllable robot that dispenses beverages of your choosing. This project will include an Arduino Uno to operate the machine while hardware will include a pulley system, stepper motors and various 3D printed parts. An HM10 Bluetooth module will serve as the connection between the machine and your phone to be able to choose your beverage. While this is a fun approach to the technology, this design can be applied to many automation standards such as large-scale part dispensers in factories or automatic greasing sectors for bearings on self-automated machines, medication organizing, food processing machines, and even self-serve restaurants. This project is designed to highlight the capabilities of programmable Bluetooth, Arduino programming, and robotics.

Courtney Edmonds is a senior electrical engineering technology student with a background in autonomous technology and manufacturing currently working as a quality specialist at ABB. After graduation she will continue her education and pursue a master’s in robotics.

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Student Research Symposium

Health Science 124

Presentations in Computer Science Noon Marco Garcia Montes & Michael Resendiz 12:30 Austin Figueroa & Josue Martinez 1:00 Tahlia Bergeron, Carter Freez, & Cody Mizell 1:30 Adrian Cuevas

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Student Research Symposium NumaTALK: Neural Language Generation Model Presented by Marco Garcia Montes and Michael Resendiz Faculty Sponsors: Andrew Mackey and Israel Cuevas Field of Research: Computer Science

Neural language generation is a rapidly growing field of research that focuses on using deep learning techniques to generate natural language text. The core idea behind neural language generation is to train a neural network on a large corpus of text data, and then use this trained model to generate new text that mimics the style and content of the original text. This technology has a wide range of applications, including automated content creation, machine translation, and chatbot development. NumaTALK is a neural language generation model that can simulate natural language based on probabilistic likelihood over sequences of data. In this work, we will introduce our deep neural network model for natural language generation.

Marco Garcia Montes is a student in the computer science department at UAFS where he specializes in data science and artificial intelligence and minors in mathematics. His academic areas of interest are in artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and data science. He is currently an active member of the UAFS Artificial Intelligence Research Lab and intends to pursue a graduate degree with a specialization in artificial intelligence and data science.

Michael Resendiz is a student in the computer science department at UAFS where he specializes in data science and artificial intelligence and minors in mathematics. His academic areas of interest are in artificial intelligence, information retrieval, natural language processing, deep learning, and data science. He is currently an active member of the UAFS Artificial Intelligence Research Lab and intends to pursue a graduate degree with a specialization in artificial intelligence and data science.

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Student Research Symposium UAFS VPN Secure-IT: A Deep Neural Model for the De-Anonymization of Encrypted Traffic Presented by Austin Figueroa and Josue Martinez Faculty Sponsors: Andrew Mackey and Israel Cuevas Fields of Research: Computer Science

De-anonymization is the process of identifying the real-world identity of an individual or group from anonymized data. Deep learning techniques have shown promise in de-anonymizing data, as they can learn complex patterns and relationships in large datasets, even when the data is highly dimensional and noisy. Recent research in this area has focused on developing deep learning models that can de-anonymize user identities in social media networks, financial transactions, and healthcare records. In this research, we present an attack that demonstrates that it is possible to de-anonymize encrypted traffic through our deep learning model that complex patterns through sequences of encrypted data captured over given time intervals. We also present our proposed method for mitigating this attack through our successful experimentation.

Austin Figueroa is a student in the computer science department at UAFS, specializing in data science and artificial intelligence and minoring in mathematics. His academic areas of interest are artificial intelligence and data science. He is an active member of the UAFS Artificial Intelligence Research Lab. Josue Martinez is a student in the computer science department at UAFS, specializing in data science and artificial intelligence and minoring in mathematics. His academic areas of interest are artificial intelligence and data science. He is an active member of the UAFS Artificial Intelligence Research Lab.

Fake Review Identification Using Deep Learning Presented by Tahlia Bergeron, Carter Freeze, and Cody Mizell Faculty Sponsors: Andrew Mackey and Israel Cuevas Field of Research: Computer Science

Fake review identification aims to detect and flag fraudulent or biased reviews in online platforms, such as e-commerce websites, social media, and travel review sites. With the increasing influence of online reviews on consumer decisions, the detection of fake reviews has become a crucial task for ensuring the integrity of online markets and protecting consumer interests. Deep learning techniques have shown promise in identifying fake reviews, as they can learn complex patterns and features in large datasets, such as review texts, user profiles, and product attributes. There are several challenges associated with fake review identification, such as the lack of ground truth data, the variability of review types and languages, and the adversarial nature of fake reviews. We investigate the effects of deep learning on the task of fake review identification and present our resulting neural network model to perform this task.

Tahlia Bergeron is a computer science student at UAFS, specializing in data science and artificial intelligence and minoring in mathematics.

Carter Freeze is a computer science student at UAFS, specializing in data science and artificial intelligence and minoring in mathematics.

Cody Mizell is a computer science student at UAFS, specializing in data science and artificial intelligence and minoring in mathematics.

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Student Research Symposium NumaROVER: The UAFS AI Lab Autonomous Rover s

Presented by Adiran Cuevas Faculty Sponsors: Andrew Mackey and Israel Cuevas Field of Research: Computer Science

This undergraduate research project aims to explore the technology and principles behind the autonomous rover self-driving car.

The autonomous rover self-driving car is an advanced vehicle that can operate and navigate without human intervention, powered by artificial intelligence and deep learning algorithms. The research will investigate the key components of the autonomous rover self-driving car, including its sensors, cameras, and deep learning algorithms. We propose a new data set, autonomous rover, and state-of-the-art deep neural network architecture to allow our prototype to autonomously traverse the UAFS campus.

Adrian Cuevas is a computer science student at UAFS, specializing in data science and artificial intelligence and minoring in mathematics. His academic areas of interest are in artificial intelligence, natural language processing, machine learning, and data science. He is currently an active member of the UAFS Artificial Intelligence Research Lab. Upon graduation he intends to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science.

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Student Research Symposium

Health Science 222

Presentations in History Noon William Troi Winters 12:30 Rochelle Thomas 1:00 Korina Lopez

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Student Research Symposium Recentering the Past: Honoring the Land and Indigenous People Organizer: Dr. Svetla Dimitrova

The following three presentations are based off of papers that were submitted to the Fall 2022 Research Paper Competition on “Recentering the Past: Honoring the Land and Indigenous Peoples’’ organized by the History, Social Sciences, and Philosophy (HSSP) department as part of its “Creating an Actionable HSSP Land Acknowledgement Statement” initiative. The initiative is funded by the Provost’s Research and Innovation Mini-Grant for 2022-2023. Two of the papers focus on the history of indigenous peoples who recognize Arkansas as part of their ancestral land: the Osage and the Chickamauga Cherokee. The third paper focuses on Fort Smith as a site of indigenous history and everyday reality. Together, these papers help complicate our understanding of settler colonialism and further an open dialogue about how we can address this problematic history and its impact on the realities of area indigenous peoples.

Wakanda’s Blessings: The Importance of Education to the Osage People’s Survival Presented by William Troi Winters Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Steve Kite Field of Research: History

In this paper I show that the Osage revere their children’s success very highly, seeing them as blessings from the creator being they worshiped. As such, the Osage considered education to be the most important path forward for their children in this regard. I argue that the Osage approached new White order educational opportunities offered by religious missions and the federal government as a success strategy for their children. However, embracing religious and institutional education was to a detriment for the Osage, who struggled to resist the suppression and assimilation of their culture. The tribe deals with the ramifications of assimilation to this day, though there is a great effort to revitalize their culture through tribal education institutions.

William Troi Winters is a senior at UAFS, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, with a minor in Creative Writing. He is a 29-year-old non-traditional student and has lived in the River Valley area most of his life. He is currently working two jobs, with one being a writing tutor at the Writing Center on the UAFS campus. He plans to graduate in May 2024, and pursue a graduate program the following Fall. His career plans are to teach at the college level, while also writing Science Fiction/Fantasy novels

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Student Research Symposium The Chickamauga Cherokee Presented by Rochelle Thomas Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Steve Kite Field of Research: History

This paper tells the story of the Chickamauga Cherokee of Arkansas. I examined documents such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830, The New Echota Treaty of 1835, and looked at the anti-miscegenation laws passed in Arkansas in 1837. I also had oral history provided by Chief Jimmy Kirsch of the Chickamauga Cherokee current day. I argue that the Chickamauga gave up tribal recognition and land granted to them in Arkansas by the United States government rather than accept resettlement to Indian territory in what is present day Oklahoma. Numerous land treaties, allotments, and land tract agreements as well as anti-miscegenation laws resulted in the erasure of the Chickamauga’s presence in our collective and shared history. Arkansas became the last stand for the Chickamauga against government relocation. The loss of traditional hunting grounds, sacred burial grounds, tribal language and traditions set the Chickamauga on the path to becoming ghosts of our past.

Rochelle Griffith-Thomas is 58 years old, born accidentally in Las Vegas, Nevada, but raised in Greenwood. She is a history major with intent to pursue a master’s degree in history. She is married to Bryan Thomas and is a proud mother of two sons and grandmother to one grandson. She has always been surrounded by indigenous people’s influence and was excited to delve deeper into the story of the Chickamauga Cherokee and their brave resolve to stay true to their traditions and sense of self.

If This Land Could Speak: A Brief Introduction into the Indigenous History Linked to Fort Smith Presented by Korina Lopez Faculty Sponsor: Tom Wing Field of Research: History

This paper explores the interconnected histories of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the indigenous peoples and nations who acknowledge the area as part of their ancestral lands and who passed through it due to various removal acts. Fort Smith is a growing and ever-changing city, but it is essential to understand how it all started. From the Osage and Cherokee conflict to the Civil War and Federal Court years, an exploration of historical moments illustrates the interconnected nature of indigenous peoples and the city.

Examples such as the Trails of Tears, the Treaty of Peace and Amity, and the Curtis acts are used to illustrate the strong influence the federal government exerted on the relationship between indigenous peoples and the city. If the land that includes Fort Smith could speak, this relationship between indigenous peoples and the city would be described as foundational. The introduction of this history established by this paper depicts moments of bravery, suffering, darkness, and light that can serve as lessons and a basis for further inquiry into this topic.

Korina Lopez is a 20-year-old from Elkins. She is a first-generation student, which has fueled her drive and passion for education. She is pursuing her bachelor’s in political science with a minor in history and will be graduating in May 2024.

Korina is a member of the Myles Friedman Honors Program and serves as the Lions R.O.A.R coordinator for the Campus Activities Board. After graduating from UAFS, she intends to further her education at the University of Arkansas School of Law and pursue a career as an immigration lawyer.

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Student Research Symposium

Health Science 223

Presentations in Marketing, Food Pantry Logistics, English, and Literature Noon Simone Campise & Mikaila Cobbler 12:30 Brandon Heitz, Keaton Boyd, & Angela Her 1:00 Gabriella Stokes 1:30 Indigo Kroll

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Student Research Symposium Marketing a Small Church

Presented by Simone Campise and Mikaila Cobbler Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Kristin Tardif Field of Research: Marketing Ozark Free Will Baptist church is a small church off Puddin Ridge in Ozark, Arkansas. Recently, Denise Ross and her husband have taken over as pastors of the church. Denise has helped the church and food pantry grow tremendously. Although she has done a good job, she needs help from the community with the church’s social media and food pantry. Denise Ross requested that she needed help with her livestream during their church service. Certain angles of the live stream aren’t that great and have a “fishbowl” effect. We will be helping her improve the presentation of the service livestream. We will also be helping with providing shirts, vests, and gloves for the food pantry volunteers at the church. We will help provide reflective gear and shirts for more of the “permanent” volunteers. I (Mikaila) have a heat press and all colors of vinyl for putting the logo of the food pantry on these clothing items. Denise will buy multiple shirts of each size and we will help with putting “staff” or “volunteer” on these shirts and vests, so that they stand out to the community.

Simone Campise is a senior business administration major from Lewisville, Texas. For the past four years, she has played on the UAFS women’s golf yeam. After she graduates she plans on moving back to Lewisville and being a full-time golf instructor for a smaller golf company called Champions Golf Training.

My name is Mikaila Cobbler is a business administration major from Van Buren. She will graduate this May with a bachelor’s in business administration. After graduation she plans to run her own business since she currently has her own boutique Southern Junkie Boutique - which is run inside of Main Street Mercantile in Van Buren. She hopes to one day have her own full-size brick-and-mortar store after she graduates.

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Student Research Symposium Understanding Poverty in the Fort Smith Region Presented by Brandon Heitz, Keaton Boyd, and Angela Her Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Kristin Tardif Field of Research: Food Pantry Logistics

Our group is researching food pantries to help our local communities. After looking into these pantries, our group has decided to support a local food pantry in Ozark with efficiency and production. The food pantry we will be assisting is called “Ozark Free Will Baptist Food Pantry”. As of right now they are serving mass quantities of people in the community and their logistical situation requires some improvement. We plan to assist Mr. and Mrs. Ross with the logistical situation by observing and researching ways to improve production and logistical errors. We will start by helping serve with them so we can observe the inside and outside logistical frustrations firsthand. Then we will brainstorm and research together to come up with the best possible idea. When we find something that works, we will bring this to Mr. and Mrs. Ross. We will then work alongside with the food pantry to implement whatever they need to make this more efficient.

Brandon Heitz is a senior majoring in business administration. He is from Rogers Arkansas where he runs a small landscaping operation and enjoys participating in volunteer activities with local food pantries. In his free time, he enjoys training at a local jiu jitsu and kickboxing gym.

Keaton Boyd is a senior from Mansfield pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on human resources management. He is a worship leader and enjoys helping out with local churches.

Angela Her is a junior majoring in business administration with a concentration in international management and management from Lansing, Michigan. On the weekends she enjoys serving at Trinity Alliance Chuch in Paris as part of the worship team and youth president.

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Student Research Symposium The Whimsical Domestic Fairy and Expressive Masculine Individual: Gender Roles, Age, and Class in “Jane Eyre” Presented by Gabriella Stokes Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Lindsy Lawrence Field of Research: English

This essay analyzes Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre” from the perspective of feminist literary theory to analyze the influence of gender roles, age, and class on the character development of the main protagonist and her love interest. Both Jane and Rochester exhibit typical traits associated with their class position and gender that develop and evolve throughout the novel. Jane’s transition from a working class performance of gender as a child to then a feminine middle class performance as a young governess highlights the significance of her class, gender, and age when in contrast with Rochester’s character. Rochester’s hypermasculine performance of gender is in direct correlation with his class position and, in relationship to Jane, his seniority. Brontë transfers attributes of authority and wealth to Jane’s character to arrive at a domestic ending, but also to challenge traditional concepts associated with women in positions of power in the Victorian era.

Pulling from the works of Simone De Beauvoir and Nancy Armstrong, I argue that the concepts of age, class, and gender shape the character qualities of Jane and Rochester. This essay will also be informed by Esther Godfrey’s “Jane Eyre, from Governess to Girl Bride” and “Double Gender, Double Genre in ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Villette’” by Robyn Warhol to provide support and criticism of this analysis. These texts offer insights into the role of age and class in Brontë’s writing of “Jane Eyre” and how her writing rebels against societal gender and class norms.

Gabriella Stokes is a sophomore English major with a minor in diversity studies at UAFS. She is a member of the Myles Friedman Honors Program and works with the Upward Bound Program as an English and ACT prep tutor. She plans to attend law school after obtaining her undergraduate degree to fulfill her lifelong goal of starting her own firm. In her free time, Gabriella loves to cultivate her creative hobbies including gardening, journaling, and designing and sewing clothes.

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Student Research Symposium Performance of Femininity: Class and Gender in “Jane Eyre” Presented by Indigo Kroll Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Lindsy Lawrence Field of Research: English Literature

Charlotte Brontë’s ”Jane Eyre,” set in the early nineteenth century, reflected and questioned the values of Victorian-era society, particularly the role of women in different classes. Using Judith Butler’s description of gender as a performance, along with analysis from other scholars on social roles in the period, I look at how gender and class have an effect on character. The different ways class and gender intersect and affect women in the Victorian era can be seen in the comparison of Jane and Blanche Ingram. While Blanche maintains a privileged class position, she is captive to her role, consigned to seeking a profitable marriage to maintain status. Jane, while suffering status incongruence, rejects such performances and forges her way to economic independence. Being a lady or governess are such “gendered performances” that I argue “become acts that are increasingly tied to material wealth” (Godfrey 856). Brontë’s novel reveals Victorian society’s paradoxical expectations of the governess in terms of class and gender as a superficial performance. By refusing to be something she is not and asserting herself as an equal to man, Jane gains economic independence and freedom from a society that mirrors Victorian social norms and expectations of gender and class.

Indigo Kroll, from Rogers, is pursuing an English degree with teacher licensure at UAFS. She transferred to UAFS in the fall of 2022 after receiving a general arts associate degree from Northwest Arkansas Community College. She is the treasurer for UAFS’s English honor society chapter Sigma Tau Delta. She substitute teaches at the city high schools and plans on continuing to do so while considering graduate school.

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Student Research Symposium

Health Science 227

Presentations in History, Political Science, and Latin American Studies Noon Madeline Brennan 12:30 Maranda Leeper 1:00 Gabriella Hernandez Donato

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Student Research Symposium “This is my corner of the world”: Dr. John Montgomery and the Fight for Civil Rights in Poteau, Oklahoma Presented by Medeline Brennan Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Evan Rothera Field of Research: History

In 1951, Dr. John Montgomery arrived in Poteau, Oklahoma, to start a veterinary practice. He moved there against the advice of everyone he consulted beforehand, including the state veterinarian. They all told him that Poteau, a town nestled in the southeast area of Oklahoma and dubbed “Little Dixie”, would never accept a Black veterinarian. Nevertheless, Montgomery moved to Poteau anyway. Over the course of fifty years, Montgomery built a successful veterinary practice and became a pioneer of civil rights in the community. Thanks to his activism, Poteau Public Schools became the first in the state to integrate after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. In this paper, I examine Montgomery’s life and the significant role he played in Poteau’s development, in particular the desegregation of its schools and public properties, and how his efforts permanently altered the town.

Additionally, I demonstrate just how important people like Montgomery are in communities like Poteau, places that many people have written off as hopeless or beyond help. Surprisingly little attention has been devoted to Montgomery and civil rights activism in Poteau, which my work, in part, aims to remedy.

Madeline Brennan is a history and media communication major currently in her second year at UAFS. She graduated from Poteau High School in 2020 and received her associate degree from Carl Albert State College in 2021 before transferring to UAFS in 2022. She plans to graduate with her bachelor’s this December. She is a member of the history club and was included on the fall 2022 Chancellor’s List. She would like to teach history one day and after graduating from UAFS intends to begin studying for her master’s degree.

Abraham Lincoln: Complexities of Racial Beliefs Presented by Maranda Leeper Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Evan Rothera Field of Research: History

Abraham Lincoln is one of the most recognizable figures in history. More books have been written about Lincoln than almost any other historical figure. Lincoln is revered for saving the Union and emancipating the slaves, although a persistent anti-Lincoln tradition casts him as a vulgar buffoon or a bumbling, would-be dictator. Given all this, it is fair to ask how well do we know the man behind the marble monument? How firm is the pedestal so many have placed him on? My research focuses on the complicated relationship Lincoln had with race and slavery, a story that began well before his election as President of the United States. I examine how the racial views of the time influenced his personal views on race, and how the changing political climate shaped his views and actions. Using sources that highlight both positive and negative aspects of Lincoln’s life and political career, I offer an unbiased portrayal of “Honest Abe.” Maranda Leeper is a returning student finishing her Bachelor of Arts in history. She has been married for 14 years and has three children ages 20, 16, and 9. She is active in Civil Air Patrol as the deputy commander for cadets and manages her church’s food pantry. She is published and hopes to continue writing and working toward teacher licensure.

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Student Research Symposium Gritos Silenciosos/Silent Screams Presented by Gabriella Hernandez Donato Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Mary Sobhani Field of Research: Latin American Studies

Abstract. Gender violence is defined as any act that seeks to harm a person because of his/her/their gender. In this study, the objective is to analyze the different types of gender violence against women (economic, psychological, emotional, physical and sexual) in the Latin American countries of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. To carry out this research, I use UN articles and related statistics specific to these countries. At the same time, I examine the national laws against gender violence that are enforced in these countries, as well as the different campaigns carried out against gender violence and for the prevention thereof. This analysis demonstrates the need to enforce stricter laws that protect women (and men), while requiring extensive continuing education on the subject for law enforcement personnel so that police forces can better assist these victims. *This oral presentation will be delivered in Spanish.

Gabriella Hernández Donato is a senior at UAFS pursuing a B.A. in Spanish with a minor in TESL. She is from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, but moved to Fort Smith in 2009 and graduated from Southside High School in 2016. She has been a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity and Student Government Association and is currently a member of the Non-Traditional Student Organization. She has been on the university’s Dean’s List and is a recipient of the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Arkansas Scholars scholarships. After graduation she plans to pursue a master’s in speech language pathology with a certification in myofunctional therapy.

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Student Research Symposium

Poster Presentations Boreham Library

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Student Research Symposium Study of Small Molecule Interaction with Surfactant-Based Micelle Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations Presented by David Sanford Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Archana Mishra Field of Research: Chemistry Table 1

Surfactants play an important role in the solubilization, and localization of reactants and ligands by providing a pseudo phase that is different from the bulk solvent. Cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA+) and cetylpyridinium (CP+) surfactants form cationic micelles in water and have wide pharmaceutical and industrial applications. In this project, we have studied the effect of these surfactant head groups on the interactions of selected small molecules using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The small molecules are selected with and without aromatic rings along with symmetric and asymmetric geometry. We have used the analytical tools in the GROMACS package to study the changes in the structural and dynamic properties such as size, shape, surface behavior, and spatial distribution of solvent around the micelle and surfactant head group to predict the types of interactions. The results of MD simulations show differences in the orientation of symmetric vs asymmetric molecules in both micelles without significant effect on the overall assembly of the micelle.

David Sanford is a freshman STEM major originally from Fayetteville with an interest in chemistry and molecular dynamics.

Towards a Greener Aldol Condensation: Exploring Alternative Solvents and Catalysts Presented by Zane Neal Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jordan Mader Field of Research: Chemistry Table 2

As prices of the materials for chemical synthesis keep increasing, so do the costs of the products. To improve the costs and waste management for the Aldol Condensation, using cost-effective, greener options as solvents and catalysts to produce favorable yields is a promising step in the right direction. Water and ethanol were explored as possible solvents. Experiments were performed with these solvents in a 125-mL Erlenmeyer flask by adding 0.5mL of cyclohexanone, 2.0mL of trans-cinnamaldehyde, 10mL of the respective solvent (water or ethanol), and 7.5mL of 2M NaOH in the matching solvent. Initial experiments show that an oil can be isolated from water and a solid precipitate isolated from ethanol. The addition of L-Proline as a catalyst was studied to help facilitate the reaction. Additional experiments were performed using a microwave synthesizer with the goal of a 50 percent yield or better. The yields of each experimental set up were analyzed and compared. The products, where possible, were analyzed through melting point, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy.

Zane Neal is a senior biochemistry major who plans to seek employment as a chemist after graduation. He is an active member of the United States Marine Corps. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing disc golf, and precipitation reactions.

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Student Research Symposium Expression Level, Codon Composition, and Mutation Rate Presented by Austyn Russell, Karen Garduz, and Anabell Bruning Faculty Sponsor: Dr. David McClellan Field of Research: Molecular Evolution Table 3

This study investigates the impact of gene expression levels on codon usage bias and mutation rates across diverse organisms.

The presentation sheds light on how gene expression levels can influence the evolution of specific codon frequencies in the genome, which in turn affects the efficiency of protein synthesis. Moreover, the study delves into the relationship between mutation rates and codon usage and gene expression in various genome regions. The results suggest a complex interplay between codon usage bias, mutation rate, and changes in gene expression levels. Overall, the study highlights the importance of understanding these interactions in shaping the molecular mechanisms underlying gene expression regulation and evolution across different organisms.

Austyn Russell is a junior majoring in biology with a concentration in biomedical professions. She is also the president of the UAFS sorority Delta Gamma and a Student Alumni Ambassador. She intends to attend medical school after graduation.

Karen Garduza is a senior majoring in biology with a concentration in biomedical professions. After graduation she intends to attend graduate school in one of the health professions.

Anabelle Bruning is a senior majoring in biology. After graduation she intends to attend graduate school to become a veterinarian.

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Student Research Symposium Testing of Quinazolinone-Based Drug Candidates as Treatments for Antibiotic Can the Genetic Programs be Reversed? Exploring and Understanding Dedifferentiation in Dictyostellium discoideum Presented by Elizabeth Willhite and Aravinda Murali Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sandhya N Baviskar Field of Research: Developmental Biology Table 4

Dedifferentiation is the process by which cells with specialized functions grow in reverse direction to become less differentiated.

Understanding the process of dedifferentiation is a new focus in stem cell and regenerative medicine research because stem cells derived by dedifferentiation would pose no risk of genetic incompatibility or immune rejection. To understand dedifferentiation at fundamental level, soil amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum, is a suitable model as it readily transits back and forth between both unicellular and multicellular stages. During its developmental life cycle, Dictyostelium starving amoebae go through several stages to form a multicellular fruiting body which has a basal disc, stalk and spore at the top. Prior to the formation of a fruiting body, starving amoebae form multicellular tubular structure called slug. A slug looks relatively undifferentiated but contains several cell types such as anterior pre-stalk cells, posterior pre-spore cells, and in the posterior region, anterior-like cells. Can these differentiated cells of slug undergo dedifferentiation, that is, can these cells revert to their original form? To answer this question, Dictyostelium slug would be physically disaggregated. The disaggregated cells of the slug would be divided into two groups, one group would be given food (bacteria) and the other would be without food. Cell morphology and behavior of both groups of disaggregated cells would be observed and compared to normal Dictyostelium amoebae.

Elizabeth Willhite is a junior at UAFs. She graduated from Rogers Heritage High School in 2020. She is graduating next spring with a bachelor’s in biology in hopes to pursue a career in microbiology and eventually work for the CDC where she will study microbiota emerging from the melting permafrost as well as antibiotic resistant bacteria. She spends her free time as the president of the UAFS Biology Club and educating others about different animals as well as the wonders of biology.

Aravinda Murali is a junior studying biochemistry at UAFS. He is a resident of Fort Smith and graduated from Southside High School. Aravinda has always wanted to become a doctor and is now passionate about pursuing a medical school program to help all but particularly those that do not have access to medical care due to financial issues.

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Student Research Symposium 3D Model Project of the Second Fort Walls at the Fort Smith National Historic Site Presented by Mariah Thomas, Abbigale Kelly, and Alex Burns Faculty Sponsors: Lisa Cady and Dr. Maurice Testa Field of Research: Geoscience Table 5

Participants from various areas of discipline including geoscience, GIS, Animation, and CADD students and faculty will be working to digitally model and recreate the old Second Fort wall, found located at the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Currently, only a few of the original buildings (or reconstructions) remain, the commerce building and courthouse still stand, and the second fort’s stone walls has have been altered cut down leaving only the foundation ground outline and remains of bastions an outline where it was located once stood. GPS points will be acquired are taken along the existing foundation line of the fort walls using Onyx application and elevation data will be acquired from existing data and research material is gathered using land survey equipment. This information is will be uploaded into ArcGIS to approximate the accurately place and position the fort walls. Polycam is being tested to help recreate the fort wall using 3D digital images taken from mobile devices. From the photos, 3D modeling software is used to reconstruct the fort walls within the map space. This project will also create 3D models of the fort that can be viewed in a virtual space or printed using a 3D printer.

Mariah Thomas is a geoscience major and GIS minor and plans to pursue geoscience education and GIS. Abigale Kelly is a geoscience major who is interested in environmental science and the National Park Service. Her plans are to join the NPS after graduation.

Alex Burns is a geoscience major with a GIS minor from Greenwood. He is interested in environmental geology and GIS. Alex has been offered full scholarships with stipend to both Auburn University and East Tennessee State University to pursue his master’s degree in geoscience.

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Student Research Symposium Hydrothermal Alteration in Carbonate Rich Igneous Complex of Magent Cove, Arkansas, as Analog to Nili Fossae and Gusev, Mars Presented by Cassaundra Huggins and Ross Metcalf Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Maurice Testa Field of Research: Geoscience Table 6

While Mars is no longer volcanically active, it once was home to many active volcanoes, implying the presence of magma chambers below its surface. Magma chambers are a common source of heat necessary for hydrothermal activity, such as hot springs. One such location is Magnet Cove, an igneous complex in central Arkansas. Petrographic and X-ray powder diffraction analysis were performed on core samples taken from Magnet Cove and the carbonate-rich rocks are likely carbonatite, a calcium-rich igneous rock, indicative of volcanic activity. Near the center of the core the composition changes drastically; natrolite and epidote, along with other trace minerals, were found. These minerals are commonly found in environments where hydrothermal alteration occurs.

Hydrothermal alteration is the process in which hot fluids flow through preexisting rock and chemically alter the rock. Compositions of both the fluid and rock, temperature, and pressure all contribute to the alteration process. Because the pluton was highly calcitic, the formation of epidote would require the fluid to contain both Al3+ and Fe3+ and natrolite needs both sodium and aluminum silicate. This area of probable hydrothermal alteration in a preexisting pluton suggests volcanic activity may be a driving force for the geothermal heating of water in central Arkansas. Utilizing the data collected along with CRISM spectrometer data of Nili Fossae and Gusev, central Arkansas could be analogous to carbonate-rich areas of Mars, providing evidence for once-active geothermal springs driven by volcanic activity.

Cassaundra Huggins is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental geoscience with a double minor in geographic information systems and chemistry from UAFS. She has accepted a full scholarship with stipend to the University at Buffalo graduate program, specializing in planetary volcanology on Venus and Io. Ross Metcalf is a geoscience major at UAFS. After he graduates in 2024, he plans to attend graduate school with a focus in paleontology. Ross will be working in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan this summer, researching silurian aged reef systems.

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Student Research Symposium Determining the Impact of a Flocculant or Surfactant on Microplastic Recovery Presented by Matthew Neal and Jon Turco Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Maurice Testa and Dr. Jordan Mader Field of Research: Geoscience Table 7

Microplastics are defined as either synthetic solid particles or polymers smaller than five millimeters. These particles are insoluble in water, which allows them to accumulate in water sources. Their size allows them to be ingested by wildlife such as fish and other food sources which can lead to bioaccumulation up the food chain. Additionally, microplastics can act as vectors to heavy metals, increasing the concentration of these toxins in those exposed. This project started as a preliminary investigation into the effects of adding flocculants or surfactants on microplastic recovery and removal from water samples. From this, a novel methodology for aggregating and quantifying microplastics within water samples was developed by University of Arkansas FortSmith undergraduate researchers. This project’s current focus now is on expanding the understanding of the concentration effect of surfactant (Tween80 or Span80) and methodology of surfactant solution preparation on microplastic recovery. A standardized mixture of common commercially used plastics has been purchased for this project. Varying concentrations of surfactant (0.1, 0.5, and 1 v/v%) and surfactant solution preparation methodology were tested to determine the outcome on sample aggregation.

Matt Neal is a geoscience major at UAFS. He is an amazing student who motivates his teammates and is not afraid to take on a challenging project. After UAFS he plans to pursue his master’s degree in environmental geology.

Jon Turco is pursuing a degree in geoscience from UAFS. He is extremely passionate about everything that involves geoscience and research. Jon has been offered a full scholarship with stipend to Mississippi State University to pursue his master’s degree in geology. He will be studying the environmental impact of microplastics in caves.

Virtual Storyboard Creation of the Navajo Sandstone Geologic Formation Presented by Payton Karr Faculty Sponsors: Lisa Cady and Dr. Maurice Testa Field of Research: Geoscience Table 8

The Navajo Sandstone (of the Glen Canyon Group) is a geologic formation that spreads across the Western United States and was deposited in the early Jurassic period. Over the last 180 million years, groundwater flow has altered the color of the Navajo Sandstone. The Navajo Sandstone makes up many national parks and national monuments and there are diagonal cross-beds patterns in the sandstone that are related throughout each of the National Parks. The purpose of this project is to create a virtual storyboard for the National Park Service. Because the Navajo Sandstone can be found in five national parks, it is an excellent landmark to teach geological history. The Navajo Sandstone has been studied to better understand the Earth’s climate and has been used as an analog for sections of Mars.

Payton Karr is from Sallisaw, Oklahoma. She is working on her bachelor’s in geoscience and plans on working in the GIS field once she graduates this May.

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Student Research Symposium The History of π

Presented by Molly Kingston Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jack Jackson Field of Research: Mathematics Table 9 This project looks at the history and development of the mathematical constant π, the ratio found by dividing a circle’s circumference by its diameter. We examine the mathematics of approximating π via fractions, formulas, or series used by mathematicians from ancient to modern times. We include detailed mathematical methods, and we also include a timeline of these approximations and a poster presenting this information to a general audience. We also provide proofs that π is irrational and transcendental, and we give examples of its use throughout time.

Molly Kingston is a senior mathematics with teacher licensure major. She lives in Van Buren with her husband and their dog Smokey.

She is a coach to a national team at the Fort Smith Juniors Volleyball Club and is the assistant volleyball coach at Van Buren High School. Molly loves to read and travel. After graduation she plans to be a high school mathematics teacher and coach volleyball.

The Importance of the Relationship Between Music and the Brain Presented by Erica Verkamp and Katherine Lockhart Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Andrew DeBoer Field of Research: Music Table 10

For centuries music has been an integral part of society and culture. In fact, music may be one of the oldest forms of art that we have as a species. Because music was not notated until relatively recently in history and because our knowledge of the practice of music is limited to primitive bone flutes in the archaeological record, it is difficult to know exactly how long it has been with us. Yet, music continues to be an integral part of the human experience all over the world. Western societies are accustomed to the idea of music being a form of entertainment and leisure; however, music in other cultures has been and continues to be more integrated into the everyday lives of individuals and communities. Research is also beginning to show that music is more intricately woven into the very fabric of our lives than previously thought.

Studies have shown that the actual neurological connections and processes that occur when our brains are met with music are much more complex than previously thought. These neurological processes turn sound from the external world into emotion, memories, and meaningful experience to enrich lives and create connections between people. Through the study of music’s effect on the brain, we can begin to more fully understand the impact that music has on our society and the way we might use it as a tool for the betterment of us all.

Erica Verkamp is a senior music major at UAFS. She is a clarinetist with the UAFS Wind Ensemble and a member of the 2023 Arkansas Intercollegiate Band and the UAFS fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi - Lambda Kappa chapter. She plans on pursuing a career in optometry upon receiving her degree. Erica’s passion for science and her passion for music propelled her into the research she is doing today.

Katherine Lockhart is a senior psychology major at UAFS with a minor in music. She is a clarinetist with the UAFS Wind Ensemble.

Neuromusicology is a passion of hers, combining all of her passions and interests: music, teaching, and psychology. She presented more of her research at the 2022 UAFS Psychology Symposium titled “Correlations in Music Therapy, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Management Among College Students.” Upon receiving her degree, she intends to begin work on a master’s degree in teaching while continuing her research in neuromusicology.

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Student Research Symposium Cross-Cultural Color Theory Presented by Matti Youngblood Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Lynda McClellan Field of Research: Cultural Visual Design Table 11

Color theory has a profound impact on an individuals’ perceptions of brands and products, and these perceptions can vary depending on the cultural background of that individual. An eight-country study showed “cross-cultural patterns of both similarity and dissimilarity in color preferences and color meaning associations.” (Madden, Hewett, Roth 90) Brands must navigate this ever-changing landscape by being well informed and equipped to be diverse while also maintaining brand integrity and authenticity. A study conducted with 522 participants from seven different countries “showed that color does influence online purchasing intention, so companies should consider this when persuading consumers to buy their products.” (Broeder, Scherp 53) This project will follow along the creation, development, and use of a resource that is focused on color theory and perceptions across multiple cultures to be used by brands as they move into countries that may have different cultural markets than their own. This resource will be in the form of a website which is accessible to the public. This website will give users the ability to select an attribute and see the color associated with it across the globe as well as the ability to select a particular country and see a breakdown of its generalized color associations. It will be a tool in the research process as brands are moving into new and different countries, and thus cultures, with their visual marketing. Participants will be involved in the process by user testing to verify that the information on the website is accurate, easily accessible, and well-designed While the final intention of this website will be to display the entire globe with generalized color perceptions, this portion of the project focuses on three countries and their most prominent cultural populations. The countries that are represented in this preliminary study are Japan, Peru, and Nigeria.

Matti Youngblood is a senior graphic design major at the UAFS. While she loves design for its ability to create solutions that make their way to people, she is most passionate about identity design, user experience design, and print and publication design. She has experience designing solutions in digital and physical environments and uses these skills at her current internship at Gerdau steel mill in Fort Smith where she works on inter-mill communications. In her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing, reading and writing, researching concepts and ideas, and spending time with friends and family. She aims to enter a career working with emerging brands and companies that are equally as passionate about creating products that have a lasting impact on people, the environment, and the economy.

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Student Research Symposium Future Rock Stars Researching and Developing a Hispanic Business Panel Presented by Angel Fernandez and Daniel Lafuente Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Kristin Tardif Field of Research: Business Development Table 12

We will work together with the Arkansas Small Business and Development Center to conduct research and discuss the development issues and challenges with small Hispanic businesses in Fort Smith. These businesses are in growing numbers and play a vital role in not only the River Valley but across the world. The fastest growing demographic of people who startup business are Hispanic women. In Fort Smith there are little to no opportunities for Hispanics to have an informed, business-related discussion. In this area, language-barriers have impeded against having these discussions. As Spanish- speaking students, we will get in contact with Hispanic business owners, entrepreneurs, and creators to gather information about general challenges faced with startup businesses. Bill Sabo, a director at the ASBDC, will also help guide us with the correct research for this project. The Arkansas Small Business and Development Center hosts panels for Hispanics. We will get the right people on these panels to discuss our research and their challenges. We will take interest in speaking with past panelists and upcoming panelists who would like to participate in this project. One of the members of the project team, Angel Fernandez, will take also take interest about speaking in this panel about the entrepreneurial challenges he had to face. For our symposium presentation, we will create a poster showcasing the topics and information that will be brought up by each panelist. We would like to illustrate common, relatable challenges faced by Hispanic owners, and collaborate to come up with solutions going forward.

Born in Van Buren but raised in Fort Smith, Angel Fernandez is a 20-year-old senior at UAFS majoring in business administration with concentrations in digital marketing and management. In his free time, he plays music in a Mexican band.

Daniel Lafuente is a 21-year-old born and raised in Van Buren. He is majoring in business administration with concentrations in management and finance. He likes to game, work out, be outside, and always try to learn new things.

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Student Research Symposium The Silver Bullet

Presented by Brooke Johnson, Paola Cury Fagalle, and Chloe Ezell Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Kristin Tardif Fields of Research: Business Development Table 13 Our team will be working with the Hanna brothers to create a small business or service to fill the empty trailer space at the Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith. The Bakery District is a growing redevelopment for community members to host gatherings and hang out together. Part of their current success is from the continuation of growing businesses. That is why we will be working together to create a use to continue the growth of that area. Business ideas include a boutique, soap shop, flower bouquet making, and permanent jewelry. Service ideas include a mothers nursing pod and a mini monthly art show for artists to rent out. Our plan is to work with the Hanna brothers to decide what company will be the best fit for the space and what the community is wanting to see. We will then work with them to get funding for whichever business or service is decided upon, then begin to carry out our plan.

Brooke Johnson is a senior business administration major concentrating in human resources and management from Fort Smith.

Paola Cury Fagalle is a senior majoring in business management and international management from Sao Carlos, Brazil.

Chlor Ezell is a senior business administration major concentrating in digital marketing and leadership from Cabot.

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Student Research Symposium Grant Grabbers for Community Park

Presented by Connor Ware, Anthony Tramonte, and Tara McKinney Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Kristin Tardif Fields of Research: Grant Writing Table 14 Rural Economic Action Plan is the first grant that we could try to get. The grant’s only requirement is for the community to be around or under 7000 residents and must go towards economic development. The maximin amount that we could get is up to $100,000. The contact for the grant is Christopher Bluth, a community and economic development manager. Mr. Bluth’s number is 405-234-2264.

The second grant we can investigate is the Community Development Block Grant. The grant’s primary objective is the development of viable urban communities. The grant targets areas with a high population of low and moderate-income. Two areas that are important to the consideration of this grant are a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunity. I feel that this will be a close fit with what we are trying to achieve. Fixing up a park would create a more suitable living environment. Creating a hub for new businesses like food trucks will expand that community’s economic opportunities. To get into contact with the people for this grant we would need to talk to Christopher Bluth.

Air Quality Small Grant Program is another grant that we can try to get. The grant is more targeted at trying to get fewer people to drive their vehicles when possible. The grant is given out when people are creating bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and bicycle racks. I think since we are fixing up a park, we could include more bicycle-related ideas. Try to get more people to walk or ride a bike instead of driving their cars to the park. The grant will give out up to $200,000, but the recipients must put up 20 percent of their own funds.

The funds can come from the local government, or we could get money from another grant. We would need to contact Hannah Nolen at hnolen@acogok.org.

Connor Ware is a junior studying business marketing and management hoping to finish out school next semester. He is from Rogers, lives in Fort Smith during the school year, and returns to Grove, Oklahoma, during summer breaks.

Anthony Tramonte is a junior studying business management and small business management, graduating in the spring of 2024. He is from Fayetteville, where he returns in the summer to work for his dad’s pool company.

Tara McKinney is a senior business administration major from Fort Smith. When she graduates she plans on traveling.

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Student Research Symposium Technology Platforms in Education: Friend or Foe? Presented by Hope Carmack Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Lynda McClellan Field of Research: Second Language Assessment Table 15

The research will be conducted to gain knowledge if using computers/online platforms in the education system is benefitting or holding back students in learning. Each of the participants will be asked a list of questions to see if they learned/preferred doing their school on a computer or pen and paper. The answers will be coded.

Hope Carmack is an English with teacher licensure (7-12) major at UAFS. She wants to be a teacher to be able to help her students as she had many teacher role models who helped her get where she is today. Hope is a photographer and has two Pomeranian puppies. She loves music, dancing, baking, reading, and writing and wants to travel the whole world.

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Student Research Symposium Can You Hear Me? An Overview of the Risk of Hearing Loss for the Dental Profession Presented by Alissa Wagner, Jacob Martin, Kevin Villeda, and Kenzie Gonzales Faculty Sponsor: Roxy Reed Field of Research: Clinical Dental Hygiene Table 16

Dental offices are common occupational settings that cause acquired hearing loss due to noise exposure. However, this is not a concern unless it reaches a specific intensity, frequency, or duration. Tinnitus symptoms are prevalent among dentists. Dental hygienists suffer from permanent or temporary hearing loss as a result of working with ultrasonic scalers. Acoustic trauma can cause vestibular dysfunction, which can result in dizziness. Dentists are encouraged to implement preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Noise can be reduced by ensuring the rotary equipment is maintained efficiently, reducing ambient noise levels in the clinic, and wearing ear plugs to protect workers. Hearing protective devices (HPDs), educational programs, insulated noise-absorbing materials, and regular noise-monitoring are effective preventive measures.

Alissa Wagner is a senior dental hygiene student at UAFS. She has been a member of the Arkansas Dental Community since 2019 working as a registered dental assistant. She is from Jimtown, Oklahoma, but currently resides in Fort Smith. Alissa is a current member of the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) and Arkansas Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA) and has been involved in many community service activities throughout her college career including Lion’s Heart Community Outreach. Traveling and visiting new places are her favorite activities, and she hopes to travel to new destinations throughout her life. She enjoys hiking the great outdoors with her family. After graduation she plans to continue developing relationships with her patients and educating them on the importance of oral health.

Jacob Martin was born and raised in Fort Smith. He pursued dental hygiene because of his interest in learning about the human body and the distinctive roles dental hygienists play in providing patient care. He enjoys building relationships with his patients and being able to build trust with them to motivate them in achieving optimal oral health. Upon graduation Jacob plans to work as a full time dental hygienist in Northwest Arkansas or in the River Valley. Jacob is excited to begin his career and grow even more as a dental hygienist.

Jon Kevin Villeda is a senior dental hygiene student at the UAFS. He was born and raised in De Queen and was awarded the Academic Excellence Scholarship, Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, and the Tilles Memorial Scholarship. Kevin is a first-generation college student and will become the second person from his family to become a dental hygienist. During his free time, he likes to spend time with family and friends and play soccer in a Sunday league in De Queen. After graduation, Kevin plans to work somewhere close to De Queen so he can be closer to his family. He also plans to go back to school to get his master’s degree in dental hygiene to become a dental hygiene instructor.

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Student Research Symposium The Correlation Between Periodontal Disease and Alzheimer’s Presented by Loren Icenhower, Taylor Walker, and Melissa Kea Faculty Sponsor: Roxy Reed Field of Research: Clinical Dental Hygiene Table 17

Periodontal disease and its effect on systemic health has been researched for years. Recently, there are many studies investigating the correlation between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease of the oral cavity that can lead to many negative effects and destruction of the structures of the periodontium. Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of the brain that causes gradual loss of cognitive and physical abilities. Older adults that are 65 years of age and older are at an increased risk of periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease (Desta, 2021). This is important because as time goes on, more and more of the population are senior citizens, meaning that these diseases continue to become more common. Studies have shown a possible correlation between the role of inflammation and bacteria in periodontitis and that of Alzheimer’s disease. It has been found that these diseases may be associated with some of the same species of bacteria (Borsa et al., 2021). Our research aims to look into studies and learn more about the correlation of these two diseases. The topics we will cover include: periodontal disease, Alzheimer’s disease, the relationship between the two, and possible prevention methods. With the evidence available, there does seem to be a developing association between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s, but there is still so much that needs to be researched and discovered on this topic.

Loren Icenhower is a senior in the dental hygiene program at UAFS. She first fell in love with dentistry at 15 when she went through orthodontic treatment. Her dentist made a lasting impact that changed her life and inspired her to be a part of the dental field. Before being accepted into the program, Loren worked as a registered dental assistant for a few months before COVID-19 struck the globe. She joined the program because she wanted to impact people’s lives the way her dentist impacted hers. Now she enjoys building relationships with her patients in the clinic. In her spare time, Loren enjoys creating art, being outdoors, spending time with loved ones, and cuddling her two miniature dachshunds. After graduation she wants to join the Team Placement program to further her experience as a dental hygienist through travel and networking.

Taylor Walker is a 25-year-old senior dental hygiene student at UAFS from Ozark. She currently fulfills the position of treasurer of the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) at UAFS and has been awarded the Jim and Carole Williamson Scholarship and the American Rescue Plan Act Scholarship. Taylor has a 3-year-old daughter and an amazing family who help motivate her to reach her goals every day. Her hobbies include spending time with her family and friends and doing arts and crafts. After graduation Taylor plans to stay and work in the River Valley in a clinical setting. She would love to eventually return to UAFS to get her master’s degree in dental hygiene. With this degree she hopes to help educate and mentor future dental hygienists.

Melissa Kea is a senior dental hygiene student at UAFS. She was raised in Rison and moved to the Fort Smith area for college after deciding to pursue a career in dental hygiene. She is a member of the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) and enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors. After graduation she plans to practice dental hygiene in the state of Arkansas where she hopes to make a positive impact on her patients and their oral health.

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Student Research Symposium Ergonomics and the Effects on the Dental Community Presented by Kaylee Purifoy, Kylie Scott, Melissa Perez, and Tena Tran Faculty Sponsor: Roxy Reed Field of Research: Clinical Dental Hygiene Table 18

Developing musculoskeletal disorders is prevalent within the dental community and identifying the cause and how to prevent it is crucial. This research project analyzes several sources to determine the proper ergonomics techniques along with acknowledging musculoskeletal disorders with the research question: In dentistry, how does practicing and implementing techniques for proper ergonomics compared to neglecting ergonomics affect the longevity of one’s career? Ergonomics is defined as “the study of human behavioral and biological characteristics for the appropriate design of the living and working environment” (Sluchak, 1992).

Without the proper use of ergonomics, the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders increases. Musculoskeletal disorders affect the soft and hard tissues of the body which include the muscles, tendons, cartilage, joints, nerves, and blood vessels (Netanely, Luria, Langer, 2020). Dental professionals mainly develop issues in their neck, shoulders, and lower back. However, the use of equipment to help maintain a neutral spine helps such as saddle chairs and loupes. In addition, exercises such as stretching will decrease the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Kaylee Purifoy is a senior year dental hygiene student at UAFS. After graduation and receiving her license to practice, she plans on working at Farmington Dental and Orthodontics. She graduated from Farmington High School in 2019 and is excited to return home to practice her skills she has obtained. Kaylee was involved in Delta Gamma and served as vice president of Panhellenic Council. She is currently the president of the Student American Dental Hygienist Association and has made the dean’s list for several semesters throughout her college career. She enjoys watching baseball games, playing golf on the weekends, and spending time with her friends and family and her dog Beau.

Kylie Scott is a senior dental hygiene student at UAFS. She was born in Fayetteville and grew up in the small town of Prairie Grove,.

She plans to find a job wherever she is needed to serve after hygiene school. Kylie hopes to be able to travel in her future as well as spend time with her family, friends, and dogs. She loves the atmosphere of the dental hygiene clinic, and being able to engage with patients is very rewarding to her. Kylie loves to serve others and hopes to positively impact every patient that sits in her chair.

Melissa Perez is a senior dental hygiene student at UAFS. She started her career in the dental field in 2019 when she graduated from an accelerated dental assisting program. She decided to pursue dental hygiene after meeting the dental hygienist while completing her training at Dallas Dental in Fort Smith. Melissa is a first-generation college student and the youngest of five siblings. Her goal is to give back to the community and provide her services to community dental clinics and federal prisons throughout the state of California. She is historian for the Student American Dental Hygiene Association (SADHA) at UAFS and enjoys the trust and unique relationships created while treating patients, along with educating and providing them with resources to help improve their oral health. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, spending time with her family, and going on long road trips.

Tena Tran is a senior dental hygiene student from Lowell. She is vice president for the Student American Dental Hygienists Association (SADHA) at UAFS and a member of the Chemistry Club. Tena was awarded the Arkansas Academic Distinction scholarship, John and Kim McFarland Health Sciences scholarship, and Mollie Wilson Scholarship. She has been on the dean’s list since fall 2018. She is passionate about building strong relationships with her patients and places importance on encouraging others in the community on oral health. She plans to move close to North Little Rock after graduation before moving out of state and traveling while also working.

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Student Research Symposium

Student Index

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Vincent Allard

Loren Icenhower

Kelsie Baker

Dylan Jetton

Daniel Balmaceda

Griffith Johnson

Sebastian Barber

Brooke Johnson

Luke Barnes

Payton Karr

Tahlia Bergeron

Melissa Kea

Keaton Boyd

Annie Keel

Madeline Brennan

Abigale Kelly

Anabelle Bruning

Samuel Keolaphan

Alex Burns

Noah Ketter

Simone Campise

Molly Kingston

Hope Carmack

Indigo Kroll

Kaitlyn Cavaness

Daniel Lafuente

Sarah Chiles

Maranda Leeper

Mikaila Cobbler

Katherine Lockhart

Hayden Coble

Korina Lopez

Adrian Cuervas

Sifredo Magana

Gabriella Hernández Donato

Jacob Martin

Michael Dunham

Rebecca Martinez

Courtney Edmonds

Josue Martinez

Chloe Ezell

Tara McKinney

Angel Fernandez

Sophia McLain

Austin Figueroa

Cody Merrell

Paola Cury Fagalle

Ross Metcalf

Carter Freeze

Cody Mizell

Andrew Gardner

Marco Garcia Montes

Karen Garduza

Aravinda Murali

Kenzie Gonzales

Matthew Neal

Brandon Heitz

Zane Neal

Angela Her

Melissa Perez

Chaarlee Hickman

Kaylee Purifoy

Cassaundra Huggins

Michael Resendiz

Student Research Symposium

Student Index Destiny Riddle

Tena Tran

Issair Rodriguez

Jon Turco

Austyn Russell

Erica Verkamp

Kevin Sandoval

Kevin Villeda

David Sanford

Alissa Wagner

Kylie Scott

Taylor Walker

Brock Slater

Connor Ware

Destiny Stine

Avreigh Watson

Gabriella Stokes

Elizabeth Willhite

Julia Thai

William Troi Winters

Rochelle Thomas

Alex Yang

Mariah Thomas

Devin Yocum

Sandra Torkelson

Matti Youngblood

Anthony Tramonte

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Brandon Hutchison at 788-7414 Symposium@uafs.edu