THE UNIVERISTY OF ALABAMA - Graduate School - The University ...

THE UNIVERISTY OF ALABAMAFirst Annual Undergraduate Researchand Creative Activity ConferenceProgram and Abstracts forOral and Poster PresentationsAPRIL 21, 2008Third Floor, Ferguson Center2:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Table of ContentsExecutive Vice President and Provost Judy Bonner’s Letter 2Schedule of Events 3-4Schedule of Oral and Poster PresentationsCollege of Arts and Sciences 5-18College of Commerce and Business Administration 19-20College of Communication and Information Sciences 20-21College of Education 21-22College of Engineering 22-24College of Human Environmental Sciences 24-25School of Nursing 26School of Social Work 26-27Oral and Poster Presentations Abstracts 28-68Oral and Poster Presentations Presenters 69-73Faculty Mentors 74-76Acknowledgments 77

Office of the Provostand Vice Presidentfor Academic AffairsApril 21, 2008Dear Participants:THE UNIVERSITY OFALABAMAACADEMIC AFFAIRSWelcome to the First Annual University of Alabama UndergraduateResearch and Creative Activity Conference. We are excited to havealmost 200 students representing all academic disciplines participating inthis inaugural event. This inaugural university wide event builds on thehighly successful program that the College of Arts and Sciences initiatedfive years ago.Increasingly, participation in original research and creative activities isbecoming a hallmark of the undergraduate experience at The University ofAlabama. Our faculty constantly seeks new opportunities to engage ourundergraduate students in quality research, discovery and creativeendeavors that will define their academic experience at the Capstone. Wewant to provide special thanks to our distinguished faculty members whohave mentored our student presenters today as these talented studentsbegin what we hope will be a long journey of scholarly achievement anddiscovery. We also offer hardy congratulations to each student participantfor his / her contribution to this impressive body of work presented today.Dr. Jimmy Williams, associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences,developed the Research and Creative Activities program for the College ofArts and Sciences. Dr. Williams and Dr. David Francko, dean of theGraduate School, partnered with an outstanding Undergraduate Researchand Creative Activities Committee to make this a university wide and apremier event. Sincere thanks to this leadership group for making today'sconference possible through your tireless efforts in planning anddevelopment.We celebrate today's event knowing that it will be the first of many suchconferences as we begin a new tradition of annually recognizing theresearch and creative accomplishments of our best and brightestundergraduate students.Judy BonnerExecutive Vice President andProvostJoe BensonInterim Vice President forResearch254 Rose Administration BuildingBox 870114Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0114(205) 348-4890fAX (205) 348-9137

The University of AlabamaFirst Annual Undergraduate Researchand Creative Activity ConferenceSchedule of EventsApril 21, 2008Oral Presentations, Ferguson Student CenterCollege of Arts and SciencesRoom 300 2:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.Room 301A 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Room 301B 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Room 305 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.Room 307 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.Room 309 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.College of Commerce and Business AdministrationRoom 312 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.College of Communication and Information SciencesRoom 313 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.College of Human Environmental SciencesRoom 358 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.School of NursingRoom 3122:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.School of Social WorkRoom 312 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.Poster Presentations, Ferguson Student Center (All Colleges)Ball Room 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.Convening of Judges, Ferguson Student CenterAnderson Room 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.3

Awards Presentations, Ferguson Student CenterCollege of Arts and Sciences, Ball Room, 6:00 p.m.College of Commerce and Business Administration, Room 312, 4:00 p.m.College of Communication and Information Sciences, Room 313, 4:30 p.m.College of Education, Room 313, 4:00 p.m.College of Engineering, Room 312, 5:00 p.m.College of Human Environmental Sciences, Room 358, 4:30 p.m.School of Nursing, Room 312, 3:30 p.m.School of Social Work, Room 312, 3:45 p.m.4

Schedule of Oral and Poster PresentationsCollege of Arts and SciencesFifth Annual Undergraduate Researchand Creative Activity CompetitionOral PresentationsRoom 3002:00Andrew Bishop and Anna Slagle, School of Music, and the Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Noffsinger, School of MusicWeb-Enabled Saxophone Database2:15Megan Nicole Hipp, School of MusicFaculty Mentor: Professor Shelly Meggison, School of MusicAn International Look at Makes of Oboes and Reed Styles in North America, France, Germanyand England2:30Peyton Blankenship, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor: Professor Donna Meester, Department of Theatre and DanceCostume Design for Government Inspector2:45Joe Kimbrough II, Department of Religious StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Steven Ramey, Department of Religious StudiesLighting Muharram: Multi-perspective Analysis of Shia Muharram Rituals3:00Christie Ledbetter, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor: Professor Allison Hetzel, Department of Theatre and DanceActing: Hazardous to your Health? An Artistic and Psychological Perspective3:15Cody Head, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeConstruction of a Personal Pantheon5

3:30Mary Margaret Randall, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeA Nostalgic Reconnection3:45Kendall Smith, Department of Modern Languages and ClassicsFaculty Mentor: Dr. Aida Toledo, Department of Modern Languages and ClassicsNicanor Parra, the Creator of Anti PoetryRoom 301A2:00Tonorey W. Bishop, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishWilliam Jelani Cobb: Reading Hip Hop as Poetry2:15Amber Cunningham, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishIs It Art or Is It Not? An Analysis of William Jelani Cobb’s To the Break of Dawn2:30Corrine Harris, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishHip-Hop and Its Effects on Young Black Women2:45Roberta Melissa Hirschbuehler, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishHip Hop as Art3:00Christy McGee, New College, and Honors CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishThe Socio-Sexual Implications of Modern Day Hip Hop on Women3:15Dakota J. Moore, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishArgument for the Artistic Merit of Hip Hop6

3:30Allison Michalke, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor: Professor Sarah Barry, Department of Theatre and DanceSylvia Plath’s Life through DanceRoom 301 B2:00Regan Stevens, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor Professor Seth Panitch, Department of Theatre and DanceThe Necessity of the Arts in Education2:15Natileigh O’Shields, Department of Modern Languages and ClassicsFaculty Mentor: Dr. Aida Toledo, Department of Modern Languages and ClassicsArt in the Hispanic World2:30Laughlin Tagg, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeInterdisciplinary Art: Deep Research and Experimental Animation2:45Daniel Milton Wooten, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeSumi-, Eisenstein on Disney, and Animation as an Interdisciplinary Art3:00Courtney Marr, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeRelationship of Timing in Animation and Dance as Choreography3:15Jonathan Mark Hinnen, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor: Professor Seth Panitch, Department of Theatre and DanceJohan and Wilhelm: Brother Meets Brother3:30Laura Godorecci, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New College“Untitled”7

Room 3052:00Harold William Bloom III, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Utz McKnight, Department of Political ScienceTrotsky’s Ghost: The Role of a Non-Person in the Soviet Regime2:15Sean Kilpatrick, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Barbara Chotiner, Department of Political ScienceEvolution of Democracy in Post Communist Society2:30William A. McCracken, III, Department of History, and Honors CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Norman Baldwin, Department of Political ScienceThe Organizational Structure of the European Union2:45Michael Sanchez, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Barbara Chotiner, Department of Political ScienceThe Role of Courts in the Democratization of Post Communist Nations3:00John Agricola, Department of American StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Edward Tang, Department of American StudiesScalping: Trans-Atlantic Cultural Exchange and the Wildly Successful Buffalo Bill Cody3:15Andrea Mabry, New College, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joe Brown, New CollegeDetermining Tuscaloosa’s Demand for Sustainable FoodRoom 3072:00Darin Allen, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Utz Mcknight, Department of Political ScienceThe Affects of Segregation on Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama2:15Amber Baker and Amber Cheung, Department of HistoryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kari Frederickson, Department of History, and Summersell Centerfor the Study of the SouthSearching for Wallace A. Rayfield, Alabama’s Only African American Architect, 1872-19418

2:30India D. Williams, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeBlack Bodies: Dancing Out Loud2:45Michelle Hawthorne, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Melissa Jackson, Department of PsychologyParental Alienation Syndrome3:00Daniel Rolotti, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Beverly Roskos-Ewoldsen, College of Arts and SciencesPerceptions of Campus: A Comparison between 2008 and 20073:15Jarrod Stanley, New College, and McNair Scholars ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Celia Lo, Department of Criminal JusticeSchool-Related Factors and Methamphetamine Use: A Study of High School SeniorsRoom 3092:00Kurt Barry and Evan Niner, Department of Physics, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Andreas Piepke, Department of PhysicsPreparation and Testing of Plastic Scintillation Detectors for the EXO Double Beta DecayExperiment2:15Cassandra Coleman, Karen Ross, Ross Pritchard, and Eric Dunkerley, Department ofBiological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. John L. Clark, Department of Biological SciencesShuaria (Gesneriaceae), a New Flowering Plant Genus from the Cordillera del Cóndor andAmazonian Ecuador2:30Eric Edwards, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Tim Mewes, Department of Physics and AstronomyNon-local Damping Effects in Py-Cu-FeMn trilayers2:45Samuel Kyle Lee, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department Biological SciencesSeize the Worm: Genetic Analysis of Aberrant Neuronal Activity9

3:00Britton O’Shields, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Juan M. Lopez-Bautista, Department of Biological SciencesIn the Search of New Phylogenetic Markers for the Bar Coding of Life Project: Alagae3:15Renee Rivas, Department of Biological Sciences, and Howard Hughes Medical InstituteIntern ProgramFaculty Mentor: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesHypothesis-based RNAi Screening Identifies Neuroprotective Genes in a Parkinson’s DiseaseModelBall RoomPoster Presentations1ACaroline Ball, Department of Mathematics, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Drs. Julia Hartman and Carmen Taylor, College of Arts and SciencesSecond Life and the College of Arts and Sciences1BCarri Burgjohann, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Drs. Julia Cherry and Janeann Dill, New CollegeRoro the Puppet and Wetland Ecology2AHallie C. Carroll, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeBehind the Scenes of Ourselves2BNicolette Corbin, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, andComputer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Professor Shelly Meggison, School Of MusicOboeLit: Searchable Online Oboe Database3ARobert Kyle Driggers, Department of PhilosophyFaculty Mentor: Dr. H. Scott Hestevold, Department of Philosophy“Thank Goodness that’s Over!”10

7BFolashade' Olaitan Ayanwale, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Martha Crowther, Department of PsychologyA Comparison of Custodial and Non-Custodial Rural Grandparents on Emotional Health andWell-Being8ATravis Hartin, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Drs. Ed Merrill and Frances Conners, Department of PsychologyImplicit Learning of Young Children and Adults8BMelanie Holland, Departments of Criminal Justice, and PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. David R. Forde, Department of Criminal JusticeProfiling Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter in Alabama, 1985-20069AAndrea Mabry, New College, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joe Brown, New CollegeDetermining Tuscaloosa’s Demand for Sustainable Food9BDale Maddox, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Frances Conners, Department of PsychologyRhythmic Awareness in Reading Development: The Influence of ProsodicSensitivity on Word Identification10AJessie McAlpine, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Allen, Department of PsychologyCognitive Incapacity in the Prison System: Attitudes towards Sentence Completion andCompassionate Release10BTiffany Mueller, Department of Political Science, and Blount Undergraduate InitiativeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Barbara Chotiner, Department of Political ScienceEast Germany’s Transition from Communism11ASheenal Patel, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Utz McKnight, Department of Political ScienceRacial Discrimination on Campus12

11BCatherine Qualls, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Kelly, Office Health Promotion and WellnesswellBama Database Development12AMary Harmon Rountree, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Utz McKnight, Department of Political ScienceHow to Involve College Students in Service?12BKathryn Tippey, Department of Mathematics, and Computer-Based Honors Program, and TomBerryman, Department of Economics, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Judge Joseph Colquitt, School of LawCriminal Sentencing: Exploring a New Paradigm13AAltan F. Ahmed, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Margaret Johnson, Department of Biological SciencesDelineating the Origin of a Newly Discovered 20kDa 1L-myo-Inositol-1-Phosphate Synthase inthe Brain of Mus musculus13BRussell Allinder, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesProtective Effect of Green Tea on Drosophila Model of Parkinson’s Disease14AKevin Anderson, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryElectronic Structure Predictions of the Tthermodynamics of Substituted borane amines andGroup IVA Analogs14BChristopher Jay Antico and Catherine Grace Raulston, Department of BiologicalSciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Harriett Smith-Somerville, Department of Biological SciencesPhagocytosis of Tetrahymena thermophila NP1: An Analysis of Protein Localization in theFormation of Food Vacuole15AKalen Berry, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesCombined Genetic and Pharmacological Modulation of Neuronal Function in an Animal Modelof Epilepsy13

15BD. Denise Boykin, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin H. Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryPalladium Catalyzed Sonogashira Coupling with Water-soluble phosphine ligands to PromoteActivation of aryl halides16AFallon Brown, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryPalladium/phosphine catalized coupling of aryl bromides with phenyl selenates: Synthesis ofastymetric diphenyl selenides16BNathan Burttram, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Schwartz, Department of Geological SciencesSEM and BSE imaging of accessory mineral from Jurassic plutons17ARebecca Candler, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesA Catsup mutation Effects Dopamine Transport via the Modulation of VMAT in Drosophilamelanogaster17BGavin Daigle and Gabriel Hammarquist, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesThe Regulation of Drosophila GTP cyclohydrolase by phosphorylation18AWilliam Dwayne Clark, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin H. Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryPalladium Cataylzed enolate Coupling of arly halides Using neopentyl Derivatives of tri-tertbutylphosphine18BJoni Corbin, Department of Civil Engineering, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Steinberg, Department of Geography, and New CollegeDistribution and Conservation Status of Remaining Old-Growth Forests in the Southeast UnitedStates19AJason Crowell and Strud Tutwiler, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryInvestigations of Hartwig-Buchwald amination reactions in air with new bulky neopentylphosphine palladium catalysts14

19BSusan DeLeon, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesCharacterization of a Novel Protein That Can Protect against the Neuronal Loss Associated withParkinson’s Disease20AStacey Fox, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesMechanistic Analysis of torsinA Function by RNAi20BJonathan Gilliam, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Amy Weislogel, Department of Geological SciencesPredacious Boring Intensities of Upper Cretaceous Ripley and Demopolis Formations21ASteven B. Glass, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. John L. Clark, Department of Biological SciencesUsing an iPod as a Biodiversity Tool21BJacob Haley and J.D. Gramlin, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Joshua Schwartz and Harold Stowell, Department of GeologicalSciencesMineral Composition of Partially Melted Rocks of New Zealand22APatrick Sean Harris, Department Geological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Harold Stowell and Joshua Schwartz, Department GeologicalSciencesRocks of Fiordland22BJamie Hennigan, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David A. Dixon, Department of ChemistryDensity Functional Theory Studies of the Binding Energies of Group IVB Transition Metal OxideNanoclusters23ABrittany Hollon and Maeve Yaden, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Schwartz, Department of Geological SciencesPetrography and Geochemistry of Lower Crustal Rocks, Canyon Mountain, Oregon15

23BJohn Killian, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryGas Phase Acidities of Peptides: (Glycine) n n = 1-324AMary E. Killian and Sarabeth McLendon, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin H. Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryPalladium Catalyzed Coupling Reactions Using Water-soluble phosphine ligands: DTBPSP andDAPSP and Their Ability to Promote Coupling Reactions24BAdam Knight, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesAssociation between Insulin Pathway and Development of Parkinson’s Disease25ALaura Kyser, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Silas C. Blackstock, Department of ChemistryPreparation of dipolar crystals of m-phenylenediamines25BRebecca T. Long, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David A. Dixon, Department of ChemistryDFT Benchmarks of the M-F, M-H, and Total Binding Energies of Transition Metal Fluoridesand Hydrides26AMatthew McKay, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Harold Stowell, Department of Geological SciencesMetamorphic Conditions in the Santa Marta Region of Colombia26BEmily Meadows, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesHeterozygous 14-3-3 Mutation Up-Regulates Dopamine Transport Through a FunctionalInteraction with VMAT27AJack Steven Parker, Jr, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Harriett E. Smith-Somerville, Department of Biological SciencesCorrelations Between Neuroretinal Rim And Nerve Fiber With Visual Function Tests InAdvanced Glaucoma Patients16

31BMaxwell Thompson, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesToward the Identification of Genes Associated with Dystonia and Parkinson’s Disease32AAndrew Vincent, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryHomogeneous Catalysis: Metal-Phosphine Bond Energies and Carbon-Carbon Bond CouplingReactions32BSavannah Watts, Department of Chemistry, and AIMEFaculty Mentor: Dr. Dan Daly, AIMESlow Release of an Active Ingredient from Ionic Liquid Regenerated Cellulose Beads33AEmily Wayman, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryComputational Studies of Titanium Nanoclusters33BShane Welch, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesSporadic Exposure of Paraquat to Early Adults and Larvae34AKayla M. White and Eric Mucinskas, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Schwartz, Department of Geological SciencesOrigins of Cretaceous Sedimentary Rocks within the Mitchell Inlier of the Forearc Basin inCentral Oregon34BLuke Wiggins and Tyler Richardson, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesGenetic Complementation, Pharmacological and Behavioral Analysis of Mutations AffectingDopamine-regulating Genes35ATara Wood, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Julie Olson, Department of Biological SciencesBacterial Warfare: Assessing the Effects of Competition on Antibiotic Production18

College of Commerce and Business AdministrationOral PresentationRoom 3122:00Marion Armstrong Departments of Management and Marketing, and Modern Languages andClassicsFaculty Mentor: Dr. Lonnie Strickland, Department of Management and MarketingWhat’s the Word?Ball RoomPoster Presentations35BRandy Beavers, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Brooks, Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal StudiesRisk Derivatives Online36ADavid Hardin, John Duffey, Britton Farrell, and Stephanie Cantu, Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Uzma Raja, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, andManagement ScienceText Mining In Deaths of Premature Infants36BWill Lankford, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Mr. Stephen Black, Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, and HonorsCollegeSave First Tax Preparation and Financial Literacy Initiative: Best Practices Report37AHudson Moore, Ashley Holmes and Lorie Box, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Hale, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, andManagement ScienceAlabama Virtual Incubator Project19

37BBradford Patterson, Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal Studies, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. James Cover, Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal StudiesThe Effects of Inflation Targeting on Monetary Policy Goals38AMalcolm Reddoch and Josh Hamilton, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, andManagement Science, and Computer Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Uzma Raja, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, andManagement ScienceApplying Text Mining to Open Source Software MaintenanceRoom 313College of Communication and Information SciencesOral Presentations2:00Nicholas Adam, Department of Telecommunication and FilmFaculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Tran, Department of Telecommunication and FilmSkateboarding; Boxing2:15Tiffany Danielle Blevins, Department of Telecommunication and FilmFaculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Tran, Department of Telecommunication and FilmGreek Tailgating and Alabama Crew2:30Danielle Jean Fortner, Department of Telecommunication and FilmFaculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Tran, Department of Telecommunication and FilmShooting Club, Barbershop Quartet2:45Emily Roberson, New College, and Honors CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeAn Exploration of Animation in Advertising3:00Adam Shivers, Department of Telecommunication and FilmFaculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Tran, Department of Telecommunication and FilmOutdoor; Entrepreneur20

Poster PresentationsBall Room38BCourtney Bowland and Tricia Masucci, Alabama Public RadioFaculty Mentor: Dr. Butler Cain, Alabama Public RadioPrototype – A Podcast by Alabama Public Radio39AJewel Hazelton, Department of Adverting, and Public RelationsFaculty Mentor: Dr. Caryl Cooper, Department of Advertising, and Public RelationsLeadership throughout the University of Alabama Campus over the years39BDana Lewis, Department of Advertising and Public Relations, and Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Ms. Denise Smith, Office of Disability ServicesHow to Reach and Teach All Students40ALauren Nicole Messer, Department of Communication StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Beth Bennett, Department of Communication StudiesRec and Rhetoric: UA’s Student Recreation Center40BJames Ziegelbauer and Tee Thomasson, Center for Public Television and RadioFaculty Mentor: Ms. Amy Eifler, Center for Public Television and RadioDigital SavagesCollege of EducationBall RoomPoster Presentations41AStephanie Baker, Programs in Secondary Education, Program in Educational Psychology, andComputer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: J. Ashley Carroll, Program in Educational Psychology, and Program inEducational Research; and Dr. Shane Sharpe, Honors College, and Computer-Based HonorsProgramAn Exploration into Moral Disengagement and Sexual Aggression on a College Campus21

41BAmanda Hall, Programs in Elementary EducationFaculty Mentor: Ms. Carolyn Palmer, Programs in Elementary EducationFile Folder Games42ATyler House, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Rick Houser, Program in Educational Psychology, and Program inEducational ResearchSecond Life Building Construction42BKimberly Ray, Department of KinesiologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Oleg A. Sinelnikov, Department of KinesiologyNew PE: Teaching Track and Field Sport Education StyleBall RoomCollege of EngineeringPoster Presentations43ALauren Blue, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Dr. Chris Brazel, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringNew Cancer Therapy using Magnetic Nanoparticles for Heat Generation43BMichael Brown, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Dr. Subhadra Gupta, Department of Metallurgical and Materials EngineeringFabrication of Silicon Sharp Tips for the Local Electrode Atom Probe (LEAP)44AAlex Burns, Department of Computer Science, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Vivian Wright, Department of Curriculum and InstructionExamining Cyber-Bullying through Simulation44BKyle Cruz, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Paul Puzinauskas, Department of Mechanical EngineeringOptimization of a Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Engine22

45AMatthew Ferguson, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Computer-BasedHonors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joseph Weber, Department of GeographyIntegrating Google SketchUp and Google Earth to Create a 3-Dimensional Campus Map45BCourtney Guenther, Department of Mathematics, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Subhadra Gupta, Department of Metallurgical and Materials EngineeringDOE of Top-pinned FeMn CIP Spin Valves46AJonathan Lanctot, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, andComputer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Batson, Industrial Engineering ProgramTraffic Queuing at Highway Work Zones: Accuracy and Improvements Needed in SpreadsheetbasedPredictive Models46BJared Lauridsen, Department of Art, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Dr. IlhanTuzcu, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, and Dr.Phillip Bradford, Department of Computer ScienceOptimizing to a Professional Web Site47AGregory M. Poole, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and Center forMaterials for Information TechnologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. David E. Nikles, Department of Chemistry, and Center for Materials forInformation TechnologyFeCoPtNanoparticles for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia Therapy. Effect of Co Content of theMagnetocrystalline Anisotropy47BAnderson Renaud, Ryan Nelms and Christina Ibrahim, Department of MechanicalEngineeringFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Chou, Department of Mechanical EngineeringIntegrated Design and Analysis of Diamond-Coated Cutting Tools48AMary Kathryn Sewell, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Dr. Christopher S. Brazel, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringMultifunctional Magnetic and Thermally Sensitive Hydrogels for Drug Delivery23

48BCarter Slappey, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Dr. Pauline Johnson, Department of Civil, Construction, and EnvironmentalEngineering, and Dr. Larry Bowen, Center for Teaching and LearningEvaluating the Effectiveness of NSF-EMAP in the Retention of COE Freshmen49AVera Victoria Welch, Department of Modern Languages and Classics, and Computer-BasedHonors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Karen Boykin, Department of Civil, Construction, and EnvironmentalEngineering, and Environmental InstituteUniversity Waste Audit UpdateRoom 358College of Human Environmental SciencesOral Presentations2:00Caliste Boswell, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Elizabeth Curtner-Smith, Department of Human Development andFamily StudiesLessons Learned from Childhood Corporal Punishment2:15Travis Hartin, Department of Psychology, and Andrea Miller, Department of HumanDevelopment and Family StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Scofield, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesDo Movement or Proximity Help Children Learn Words?2:30Anna Beth Keith, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Scofield, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesPreschool Children’s Multimodal Word-Object Learning2:45Betsy Meadows, Department of Consumer SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Courtney McGahey, Department of Consumer SciencesModes of Consumer Service- You Have a Choice24

3:00Andrea Miller, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Scofield, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesDo Children Trust Reliable over Unreliable Speakers?Ball RoomPoster Presentations49BCamille Caprio and Ginny Cornelius, Department of Human Nutrition and HospitalityManagementFaculty Mentor: Dr. Olivia Kendrick, Department of Human Nutrition and HospitalityManagementBuilding Healthy Work Environments on the UA Campus50AEricka Lorraine Gibbs, Department of Health ScienceFaculty Mentor: Ms. Michelle Darst, Department of Health ScienceThe Quality of Life in Traumatic Brain Injuries and Its Effect in Society for the Individual50BHeather Griffin, Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior DesignFaculty Mentor: Ms. Michelle Lee, Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior DesignSupplemental Guide for AutoCAD and Architecture51APhillip Earl Jordan, Department of Psychology, and McNair Scholars ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif, Department of Human Development and FamilyStudiesRe-examination of Young Children’s Racial Attitudes and Skin Tone Preferences51BElicia Juarez, Sara Kruse and Ashleigh Jarrell, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif, Department of Human Development and FamilyStudiesPreschool Children’s Play Behaviors52AMiles Kiser and Eric Shuman, Department of Health ScienceFaculty Mentor: Ms. Stephanie Baller, Department of Health ScienceA Survey of Food and Drink in Tuscaloosa High Schools25

School of NursingOral PresentationRoom 3122:15Catherine Lyndsey Prickett and Mary Katherine Alsip, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Dr. Felecia Wood, School of Nursing, and Dr. Julia Hartman, College of Artsand SciencesInteractive DVD Tailored to Enhance Diabetes Health Literacy and Self- ManagementBall RoomPoster Presentations52BLynnette Moats, School of NursingFaculty Mentor: Dr. Ruby S. Morrison, School of NursingOutcomes of Inpatient Heart Failure Patients53AJustin Vines, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Melondie Carter, School of NursingUse of Diabetes and CVD Health Information Websites in a Black Belt WorksiteRoom 312School of Social WorkOral Presentations2:30Beth Blalock, School of Social WorkFaculty Mentor: Dr. Shadi Martin, School of Social WorkStudents Helping Students Understand Substance Abuse and Mental Illness26

2:45John Goetz, Vetrica Hill and Shelley Rawlings, School of Social WorkFaculty Mentor: Dr. Cassandra Simon, School of Social WorkBarriers to Successful Prisoner Reentry27

Oral and Poster Presentations AbstractsNicholas Adam, Department of Telecommunication and FilmFaculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Tran, Department of Telecommunication and FilmSkateboarding; BoxingTV packages aired on WVUA-TV and chosen to represent our school in the national HearstFoundation Broadcast News Competition. “Boxing” is about a local boxer that has qualified forthe Olympics. “Skateboard” is about a local teen that is one of the best in the nation in her sport.John Agricola, Department of American StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Edward Tang, Department of American StudiesScalping: Trans-Atlantic Cultural Exchange and the Wildly Successful Buffalo Bill CodyDuring the 19 th century, an incipient cult of celebrity was simmering to a boil. One such figurecapitalizing on Victorian’s fascination with frontier violence was the plainsman jack-of-all-tradesBuffalo Bill Cody. Before Cody’s Wild West, George Catlin’s tableax vivants were instrumentalto the encouragement of recreational travel among those who could afford to do so. The impulsetoward exotic travel was also incited by traditional American literature, such as the JamesFenimore Cooper series. This form of high American culture sparked the imaginations ofEuropean elites who could afford to engage European artists and illustrators to document theirexcursions into the frontier of the new world. Aside from the more traditional literary forms,new mediums evolved to take advantage of popular western interest such as the dime novel,storytelling from frontier participants, as well as theater. Indeed it was these lowbrow Americancontributions that fostered English artist Valentine Bromley’s imagined reality of what a scalpwould be like, as very few artists ever witnessed this kind of trophy taking. By examiningvarious cultural mediums from the 19 th century we begin to understand how English artistValentine Bromley came to paint, The Scalping. This painting is the European high art reflectionof an authentic American experience, and it is used by Cody’s publicists to market the showabroad. The reverberation of these forms of culture illustrates the notion of trans- Atlanticcultural exchange.Altan F. Ahmed, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Margaret Johnson, Department of Biological SciencesDelineating the origin of a newly discovered 20kDa 1L-myo-Inositol-1-Phosphate Synthase inthe brain of Mus musculusThe expression of 1L-myo-Inositol -1-Phosphate Synthase (mIPS), the only enzyme known tosynthesize inositol phosphate, de novo, was characterized in wild-type(Wt) and curly tail(CT)mutant mice to study the regulation of inositol-phosphate biosynthesis in the mammalian brain.Inositol, a six-carbon cyclitol, plays a pivotal role in biological processes such as signaltransduction, membrane formation, and stress response. This study uncovered a previouslyunknown 20kD isoform of mIPS that is temporally and spatially regulated. Biochemical andmolecular analyses, designed to delineate the origin of the 20kD mIPS, suggest that the protein isencoded by a mIPS gene on chromosome 17.28

Darin Allen, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Utz Mcknight, Department of Political ScienceThe Affects of Segregation on Tuscaloosa and the University of AlabamaRecently the city of Tuscaloosa rezoned the schools. This rezoning sparked a great deal ofcontroversy. The city was one of the last school systems in the nation to integrate and continue toshow signs of racism toward students attending inner city schools. The University of Alabamahas not helped in the struggle. Many of the organizations, clubs and activities at the universityremain segregated for various reasons. I would like to explore these issues and provoke somethought as to how we, a student body of roughly 25,000 can overcome the racial issues still oncampus and maybe influence the city as a whole to be more unified.Russell Allinder, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesProtective effect of Green Tea on Drosophila model of Parkinson’s DiseaseParkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic degenerative disorder of the central nervous systemcharacterized by rigidity of muscles, tremors, and slow physical movement along with loss ofdopaminergic neurons in the brain. Recent research has shown that oxidative stress andneuroinflammation as an important factors contributing to PD pathogenesis. Well known geneticcauses of PD are mutations in alpha-synuclein, parkin genes. and Using Drosophila, we havegenerated an in vivo model to study the gene-environmental interaction (Chaudhuri et al., 2007).Recently, green tea extract has been shown to provide protection to toxic model of PD but theexact mode of its action in genetic model of PD are not yet known. Therefore, by exposing theflies expressing alpha synuclein, gene known for to the Green Tea extract, we were able to seethe slowing of Parkinson’s symptoms and were therefore able to determine that the extract had apositive effect on the organism’s ability to overcome the disease. The main focus of our researchnow is to determine by what mechanism the Green Tea Extract works.Kevin Anderson, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryElectronic structure predictions of the thermodynamics of substituted borane amines and GroupIVA AnalogsThere is substantial interest in the development of hydrogen as a fuel for the transportation sectoras it is environmentally friendly and, in principle, not dependent on petroleum as a feedstock. Weare using quantum chemistry to predict the thermodynamic properties of large borane aminecompounds and the effect of substituents on borane amines for hydrogen storage systems as wellas for hydrogen regeneration systems. This is relevant to improving the solubility of the fuel. Thestudy includes the substitution of Al, Ga, and In for B for the regeneration of spent fuel forchemical hydrogen storage and metal hydrides.Christopher Jay Antico and Catherine Grace Raulston, Department of BiologicalSciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Harriett Smith-Somerville, Department of Biological SciencesPhagocytosis of Tetrahymena thermophila NP1: An Analysis of Protein Localization in theFormation of Food VacuoleThe role of the proteins Actin, Dynamin, and Tubulin involved in phagocytosis in Tetrahymenathermophila NP1 has been investigated using antibody detection and western blot analysis. T.29

thermophila NP1, a temperature-sensitive vacuoleless mutant at 37° C does not engage inphagocytosis. The oral apparatus of the mutant does not function properly because of thedifferent arrangement of the microtubules. Thus, the functional proteins associated with themicrotubules are localized differently. Markers target proteins with fluorescence thus allowingobservation of the cellular position of proteins. Function of the oral apparatus is due to theproper arrangement of the microtubules and proteins.Marion Armstrong Departments of Management and Marketing, and Modern Languages andClassicsFaculty Mentor: Dr. Lonnie Strickland, Department of Management and MarketingWhat’s the Word?How much do a business's ethical practices influence potential customers' attitudes and buyingdecisions? Can a business be considered "ethical" or "socially responsible" if it simply stayswithin legal boundaries and acceptable business practices? Is a company responsible for thepotentially harmful effects of its product on consumers, or are consumers personally responsiblefor what they purchase and use? Through a strategic assessment of E.J. Gallo Winery, alongwith various industry evaluations, I plan to investigate what it means for companies to besocially responsible, and the changing importance of this aspect of business and its influence oncorporate success.Folashade' Olaitan Ayanwale, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Martha Crowther, Department of PsychologyA Comparison of Custodial and Non-Custodial Rural Grandparents on Emotional Health andWell-BeingThe largest percentage of custodial grandparents lives in the South and have incomes below thepoverty level. The responsibility of raising a grandchild often coincides with decreasedemotional health and well-being. This may be a particularly relevant issue for rural custodialgrandparents given their lack of needed resources. The present study examined 200 African-American rural grandparents, half custodial and half non-custodial, on depression and subjectivewell-being measures. The impact of the number and type of care recipients receive as well asclinical and research implications will be discussed.Amber Baker and Amber Cheung, Department of HistoryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kari Frederickson, Department of History, and Summersell Centerfor the Study of the SouthSearching for Wallace A. Rayfield, Alabama’s Only African American Architect, 1872-1941In 1900, the United States could boast only two professionally trained African Americanarchitects. One of those architects, Wallace A. Rayfield, lived and worked in Alabama. Over hislifetime, Rayfield created hundreds of churches, homes, schools, and professional buildingsacross the South. Yet with the exception of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham(which is more famous for the 1963 bombing than for its construction), Rayfield’s work has gonevirtually unnoticed. Our project seeks to recover the life, work, and historical significance ofWallace A. Rayfield and his contributions to the built environment in the South. Our presentationwill be divided into three parts. Part I will present a narrative of Rayfield’s life and career, andwill offer some conclusions about his historical significance. Part II will demonstrate the level ofdetective work that goes into reconstructing someone’s biography. We hope to show that history30

does not just fall, fully formed, from the sky; it needs to be constructed by historians looking atwide-ranging pieces of information. Part III of the presentation will look at Rayfield’sarchitectural legacy, asking the question: What, exactly, defines a Rayfield structure?Stephanie Baker, Programs in Secondary Education, Program in Educational Psychology, andComputer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: J. Ashley Carroll, Program in Educational Psychology, and Program inEducational Research; and Dr. Shane Sharpe, Honors College, and Computer-Based HonorsProgramAn Exploration into Moral Disengagement and Sexual Aggression on a College CampusMany studies have found that episodes of sexual assault on college campuses happen bymembers in fraternities and at fraternity parties. There are two main theories as to why mostepisodes of sexual assault happen in fraternities 1) higher incidents of sexual assault arecorrelated with high alcohol consumption which is typical of fraternity parties 2) fraternitiespromote traditional gender roles that sexually objectify women. The hypothesis for this study isthat Bandura’s theory of moral disengagement and his mechanisms for disengagement areemployed in fraternity members’ acts of sexual assault. Also, we are creating a new measure ofsexual aggression that has the participant reason and justify why an individual may commit anact of sexual assault.Caroline Ball, Department of Mathematics, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Drs. Julia Hartman and Carmen Taylor, College of Arts and SciencesSecond Life and the College of Arts and SciencesSecond Life is an internet-based virtual world with social, educational, and business applications.The project studies how Second Life can be used in the College of Arts and Sciences at TheUniversity of Alabama to provide a unique, innovative, educational environment for students andfaculty. Research emphasized current trends in design and use of Second Life by institutions ofhigher education. The poster will present the process of creating a presence for the College ofArts and Sciences and the implementation of Second Life in the College of Arts and Sciences.Kurt Barry and Evan Niner, Department of Physics, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Andreas Piepke, Department of PhysicsPreparation and Testing of Plastic Scintillation Detectors for the EXO Double Beta DecayExperimentOur project involves calibrating plastic scintillation panels and photomultiplier tubes that will beused to screen out background events in the form of cosmic ray muons for the Enriched XenonObservatory (EXO) Project, which is an international collaboration that aims to confirm theexistence of double beta decay and to measure the mass of the neutrino. We are responsible forthe design, setup, and implementation of equipment and software to perform these tests.Randy Beavers, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Brooks, Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal StudiesRisk Derivatives OnlineDr. Brooks is currently teaching graduate students in the Masters of Science in Finance programabout risk derivatives by providing them information on how to program applications to makecomplex computations. The goal of the project is to create free online modules so that anyone31

can access this information. The project involves creating modules with Microsoft Visual StudioC++, Excel, and Dreamweaver. The modules will contain handouts, Visual Studio C++ code,and Excel worksheets. These items can be downloaded to teach the user how to createdynamically linked libraries (DLLS) used in Excel and how to apply theories of finance.Kalen Berry, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesCombined Genetic and Pharmacological Modulation of Neuronal Function in an Animal Modelof EpilepsyMaintenance of proper neuronal activity relies upon a delicate balance between excitatory andinhibitory neurotransmission. Unfortunately, imbalances within this system result in erraticneuronal communication manifesting itself as seizures or epilepsy. To identify genetic factorsrequired for maintaining this vital equilibrium, we have utilized the nematode C. elegans as amodel system. This microscopic roundworm has a defined neuroanatomy and displays specificbehavioral responses to subtle changes in neurotransmitter function. Through genetic andpharmacological manipulation of C. elegans, we have revealed previously unexplored geneticrelationships underlying neuronal regulation and possibly epilepsy.Andrew Bishop and Anna Slagle, School of Music, and Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Noffsinger, School of MusicWeb-Enabled Saxophone DatabaseThe purpose of the Web-Enabled Saxophone Database project is to provide a consolidatedsource to explore saxophone literature and identify pieces for purchase. This project will increasethe general knowledge of saxophone repertoire and allow musicians to engage in the same typeof information sharing that has been created for other disciplines through the internet. We havecreated a website and database using PHP and MySQL that enables users to search for pieces,then view and listen to excerpts of these pieces. We are currently editing and entering thosepieces with publisher permission.Tonorey W. Bishop, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishWilliam Jelani Cobb: Reading Hip Hop as PoetryIn William Jelani Cobb’s book To the Break of Dawn, the major focus of his study is to educatepeople on the fact that hip hop is actually a part of literature. He wants people to accept rap asthe new poetry. Cobb wants readers to look at hip-hop as a literary form, this is evident when hesays, “To the Break of Dawn is my attempt to enter this dialogue; it examines the aesthetic,stylistic, and thematic evolution of hip hop from its inception in the South Bronx to the presentera of distinctly regional sub-divisions and styles.”Beth Blalock, School of Social WorkFaculty Mentor: Dr. Shadi Martin, School of Social WorkStudents Helping Students Understand Substance Abuse and Mental IllnessThe main reason why students do not seek help with mental health related issues is that they areafraid of what others may think (Peradotto, 2005). My presentation entitled: “Students HelpingStudents Understand Substance Abuse and Mental Illness” will be the culminating activity of a32

two-week long marketing campaign aimed at helping social work students understand issuesrelated to substance abuse, suicide and mental illness. During the campaign, students will beinvited to participate by tying ribbons on the branches of the “Tree of Life” in memory of friendswho have struggled with substance abuse, suicide and mental illness.Peyton Blankenship, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor: Professor Donna Meester, Department of Theatre and DanceCostume Design for Government InspectorCostume design requires thorough research. The designer must study what clothing was worn ina particular country and time period. For “The Government Inspector”, the director and I choseto place the play in its original setting, 1830’s Russia in a provincial town. After researching theperiod, lifestyles and environment for this particular piece, I collaborated with the director andother designers to design appropriate costumes for each character in the play. My presentationwill focus on the many areas of research that I did. I will discuss how I translated that into actualclothing for the stage.Tiffany Danielle Blevins, Department of Telecommunication and FilmFaculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Tran, Department of Telecommunication and FilmGreek Tailgating and Alabama CrewRadio mini-docs chosen to represent our school in the national Hearst Foundation BroadcastNews competition. The Greek Tailgating piece is about a Greek family tradition of meeting atUA games and what it was like to attend UA many years ago. The Alabama Crew piece is aboutthe dedication of some Alabama athletes that aren’t in the spotlight like the football team.Harold William Bloom III, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Utz McKnight, Department of Political ScienceTrotsky’s Ghost: The Role of a Non-Person in the Soviet RegimeIn a rudimentary study of Soviet politics, much is made of the involvement of figures such asLenin, Stalin, and Khrushchev and their contributions, for good or ill, to the Soviet system. Atthe same time, Trotsky, himself intricately involved in the rise of the USSR, is studied only in asmuch as he was used by Stalin as a tool to further the Purges. It is my intention to show thecontribution of Trotsky to the Soviet regime and the lasting impact he had, even after he wasmade a “non-person.”Lauren Blue, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Dr. Christopher Brazel, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringNew Cancer Therapy using Magnetic Nanoparticles for Heat GenerationBy creating systems of magnetic nanoparticles and thermally-responsive hydrogels it would bepossible to develop a self-limiting hyperthermia treatment suitable for cancer therapy. Magneticnanoparticles can be heated by an A/C magnetic field and this heat can be localized withincancer tissue. Nanoparticles can be designed not to exceed a temperature detrimental to healthytissue. The resulting hydrogel is also suitable for delivery of chemotherapy during hyperthermiatreatment. Studies were performed to characterize the composite hydrogels and analyze heatgeneration associated with different concentrations of magnetic nanoparticles.33

Caliste Boswell, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Elizabeth Curtner-Smith, Department of Human Development andFamily StudiesLessons Learned from Childhood Corporal PunishmentIn this study, young adults recalled a specific memorable experience of receiving childhoodcorporal punishment. An analysis of qualitative and quantitative survey data revealed nearly aquarter of the sample recalled learning a message that was likely unintended by the parent whoadministered the corporal punishment. Mothers were more likely than fathers to administercorporal punishment that resulted in learning an unintended lesson. In addition, corporalpunishment experiences that were recalled as more severe or as unfair were also more likely toresult in learning an unintended lesson. Implications for parents and practitioners are discussed.Courtney Bowland and Tricia Masucci, Alabama Public RadioFaculty Mentor: Dr. Butler Cain, Alabama Public RadioPrototype – A Podcast by Alabama Public RadioPrototype was conceived as a vehicle for Alabama Public Radio to showcase reporting byuniversity students. Originally created using the acronym “Public Radio of tomorrow, Tellingyour Personal Experience,” the program has evolved into one that features a witty host, “Howto…” segments, and news and features about all manner of topics. Prototype is designed fortoday’s mobile society and is crafted with the idea that students can listen to the entire showwhile walking across campus.D. Denise Boykin, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin H. Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryPalladium Catalyzed Sonogashira Coupling with Water-soluble phosphine ligands to PromoteActivation of aryl halidesThe development of new reaction conditions for Sonogashira coupling reactions has become anarea of interest over the past several years. Palladium/phosphine catalysts have been employedto allow for easy functionalization from an arene to a corresponding alkynal product. The use ofthe water-soluble ligands, di-tert-butylpropylsulfonlyphosphine (DTBPPS) and the watersolubleligand di-adamantyl-propylsulfonyl phosphine (DAPPS) have been demonstrated toactivate electron rich and deficient aryl bromides with 63-90% yield at room temperature. BothDTBPPS and DAPPS have been used in coupling of electron rich aryl chlorides halides and havedemonstrated reasonable coupling ability with at 80°C.Fallon Brown, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryPalladium/phosphine catalized coupling of aryl bromides with phenyl selenates: Synthesis ofastymetric diphenyl selenidesPalladium catalysts along with phosphine ligands have allowed for the synthesis of astymetricdiphenyl selenides. Our efforts have been to utilize palladium phosphine catalysts to convertaryl bromides and phenyl selenates to desired products, diphenyl selenides, in moderate to highyield. Josiphos ligand in tandem with tris-dibenzylideneacetone dipalladium ( Pd 2 (dba) 3 ) havebeen investigated in DMF with temperature ranges from 100°C to 120°C. Our isolated yieldshave ranged from 62-95% for electron rich aryl bromides. Current work has been ininvestigating and improving upon reaction conditions, with a focus complete conversion of aryl34

omide to product. Additionally, we will investigate aryl iodides as an alternative to arylbromides.Michael Brown, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Dr. Subhadra Gupta, Department of Metallurgical and Materials EngineeringFabrication of Silicon Sharp Tips for the Local Electrode Atom Probe (LEAP)The University recently acquired a Local Electrode Atom Probe (LEAP). In this instrument,samples need to be sharpened to a fine tip (>100 nm diameter), and an electric field is applied topull atoms off. Preparation of the sharpened sample tips is a challenge. Currently, these presharpenedtips are purchased from the vendor at fairly high prices. We have investigated variousetching techniques for fabrication of these pre-sharpened tips in-house. We have achieved pillarswhich are 100 µm tall and 1 µm in diameter at the tips using our technique, which can be furtheroptimized for better results.Carri Burgjohann, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Drs. Julia Cherry and Janeann Dill, New CollegeRoro the Puppet and Wetland EcologyThere are cultures and ecosystems in potential danger because of climate change and humaninteraction. Researching wetland ecology, puppetry design, culture and literature I haveexplored ways to communicate to children this problem and its related science. I translate thelanguage of science to art and model creativity for science. I will demonstrate these connectionsbetween creativity and science by joining field research in wetland ecology completed inSouthern Louisiana to research completed at The University of Maryland’s Jim Henson Archiveof animation, puppetry and educational media. This presentation points to the interdisciplinarityof art and science.Alex Burns, Department of Computer Science, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Vivian Wright, Department of Curriculum and InstructionExamining Cyber-Bullying through SimulationCyberbullying is an emerging phenomenon that is affecting today's youth. My project consists ofcreating simulated cyberbullying situations that can be used to measure the reactions ofsecondary school age children towards online misbehavior. The popular virtual world SecondLife will be used as the platform for these simulations due to the versatility of user-generatedcontent and its history of cyberbullying. Simulations will consist of AI constructs acting out acyberbullying incident while the child is the audience. Additionally, I am looking into otherpossibilities for testing such as streaming video or playing out scenarios with human actors.Nathan Burttram, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Schwartz, Department of Geological SciencesSEM and BSE imaging of accessory mineral from Jurassic plutonsThe Rattlesnake Creek terrane of the north-central Klamath Mountains in California preserves adeep crustal cross-section through an ancient island arc complex. These rocks weremetamorphosed and deformed in response to mountain building processes in the Jurassic.However, the precise timing of these events and the crust on which these rocks are built remainspoorly documented. To understand the magmatic history of these rocks, we examined internaltextural and chemical variations of igneous zircons from a crosscutting leucotrondhjemitic dike.35

This imaging will help us evaluate the role of pre-existing rocks during the magmaticdevelopment of this rock.Rebecca Candler, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesA Catsup mutation effects Dopamine transport via the modulation of VMAT in DrosophilamelanogasterThe neurotransmitter dopamine plays an important role in many cellular and signaling processes.Dopamine synthesis is initiated by the action of tyrosine hydroxylase, the first and rate limitingenzyme in this pathway. Previously, our lab has shown that the Drosophila geneCatecholamines up, a seven transmembrane domain protein, negatively regulates tyrosinehydroxylase and GTP cyclohydroxylase, the first and rate-limiting enzyme in thetetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis pathway. Mis-regulation of dopamine is associated withneurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Here we test tosee if Catsup regulates DA transport, by affecting VMAT (a monoamine transporter), as well asDA synthesis.Camille Caprio and Ginny Cornelius, Department of Human Nutrition and HospitalityManagementFaculty Mentor: Dr. Olivia Kendrick, Department of Human Nutrition and HospitalityManagementBuilding Healthy Work Environments on the UA CampusThe purpose was to determine if buildings on campus endorse a healthy work environment. Aftercompiling a list of suitable buildings, students physically surveyed all assigned buildings todetermine problems and concerns. The following concerns could be easily corrected: fix out-oforderwater fountains; place posters encouraging healthy habits in visible areas; make EAP cardsand flyers available to all employees; place signs encouraging stair usage; position additionalbike racks outside of each building; and change at least fifty percent of food and beverages invending machines to healthier options. By implementing these suggestions, the faculty and staffat the University of Alabama will be able to work in an environment that promotes health.Hallie C. Carroll, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeBehind the Scenes of OurselvesBehind the Scenes of Ourselves is a video that will look at the ‘goings on’ before, during, andafter the Director called “Action” on the film set of the project Moving Around Heidegger, acollaboration project by Drs. Janeann Dill and Hank Lazer. As research, I source the bookDocumenting Ourselves by Sharon R. Sherman, writings by Heidegger, and a range of behindthe scenes special features released from award winning films. This video will accompany theMoving Around Heidegger digital project. The poster will incorporate video interviews of theundergraduate crew and photos shot on set.William Dwayne Clark, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin H. Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryPalladium Cataylzed enolate Coupling of arly halides Using neopentyl Derivatives of tri-tertbutylphosphine36

Palladium catalysts have been employed in various couplings over the past several decades. Wehave recently reported on the Hartwitg-Buchwald, Heck, Sonagashira, and Suzuki palladiumcatalyzed coupling reactions using neopentyl derivatives of tri-tert-butyl phosphine (TTBP). Ourcurrent work has involved expanding the utility of these catalysts into coupling of enolates witharyl halides. Our initial investigations have focused on di-tert-butylneopentyl phosphine(DTBNpP). We have recently demonstrated DTBNpP has equal activity compared to TTBP.Future work will be to continue to develop a broader scope of aryl halides and other neopentylderivatives of TTBP.Cassandra Coleman, Karen Ross, Ross Pritchard, and Eric Dunkerley, Departmentof Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. John L. Clark, Department of Biological SciencesShuaria (Gesneriaceae), a New Flowering Plant Genus from the Cordillera del Cóndor andAmazonian EcuadorMolecular sequence data was generated from chloroplast (trnL-F) and nuclear (ITS) genomes fora recently collected understory tree from a remote rainforest in southeastern Ecuador. Plantexploration in the Cordillera del Condór, along the border of Ecuador and Peru, has been nearlyimpossible for most of the last decade because of military conflicts between the two countries. Acommon tree in this area has characters that are similar to Loganiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, andGesneriaceae. We present molecular sequence data to determine the phylogenetic placement ofthis enigmatic taxon that is a new genus to science.Joni Corbin, Department of Civil Engineering, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Steinberg, Department of Geography, and New CollegeDistribution and Conservation Status of Remaining Old-Growth Forests in the Southeast UnitedStatesThis poster presents information about the spatial extent and conservation status of old-growthforests in the Southeast United States. Old growth forests are rare in the Southeast, especiallycompared with areas in the Western United States. Old growth forests in the Southeast werelargely destroyed by the mid-20th century because of timber harvesting, agricultural expansion,and hydrological changes associated with flood control. However, small, scattered patches ofboth bottomland and long-leaf pine forests still exist. This poster presents the first regional mapof the specific locations and conservation status of old growth forests in the Southeast.Nicolette Corbin, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Computer-BasedHonors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Professor Shelly Meggison, School Of MusicOboeLit: Searchable Online Oboe DatabaseCurrently, there is no centralized database of oboe literature or method of disseminating suchliterature. Our project aims to correct this by creating a publicly accessible online receptacle ofoboe literature. This database will create a link between the oboe performing community and theoboe composition community that heretofore has not existed. This connection will allow for theenhancement of communication between the two as well as a tool to allow interested parties tolearn more about oboe literature by providing searching functionality to display specific piecesand their information.37

Jason Crowell and Strud Tutwiler, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryInvestigations of Hartwig-Buchwald amination reactions in air with new bulky neopentylphosphine palladium catalystsWe wish to report the development of a new air stable alkyl phosphine catalyst palladium allyldi-tert-butyl neopentyl phosphine chloride used in the Hartwig-Buchwald amination of arylbromides and chlorides. The catalyst gives excellent activity under mild reaction conditions inthe presence of air for the aryl bromides. The amination also occurs for aryl chlorides at lowcatalyst loading and mild temperatures.Kyle Cruz, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Paul Puzinauskas, Department of Mechanical EngineeringOptimization of a Hybrid-Electric Vehicle EngineConventional spark-ignited internal-combustion engines are typically used and developed underlow-load operating conditions, despite their optimal performance at high loads. Hybrid-electrictechnology provides potential for efficiency gains by enabling engine operation at higher loads;however, little efficiency and emission optimization has been performed for these parameters.The broad goal of this program is to run an engine from a Ford Escape Hybrid in the lab underhigh loads determined by a vehicle simulation program to represent normal operation, andcompare the efficiency and emission results to those from an actual production vehicle in asimulated street test.Amber Cunningham, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishIs It Art or Is It Not? An Analysis of William Jelani Cobb’s To the Break of DawnUsing William Jelani Cobb’s book entitled To the Break of Dawn, this paper explores theauthor’s assertion that hip hop deserves recognition as an “aesthetic statement”. Centering onthe artistic principle of expression, he discusses how blues influenced the core desire ofexpression seen in hip hop. He also acknowledges the addition of literary elements and the ideaof storytelling in lyrics—both of which are characteristics of literature. By demonstratingsimilarities in the process of writing seen in “classic” literature and the process of writing in hiphop, this paper seeks to solidify its place among other art forms.Gavin Daigle and Gabriel Hammarquist, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesThe Regulation of Drosophila GTP cyclohydrolase by phosphorylationGTP Cyclohydrolase (GTPCH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of the cofactortetrahydrobiopterin (BH 4 ). BH 4 deficiency results in dopa-responsive dystonia andhyperphenylalaninemia and has been implicated in a variety of neurological disorders; therefore,GTPCH activity must be tightly regulated to ensure proper BH 4 production. Previous studiessuggest that GTPCH is activated upon phosphorylation by protein kinases A and C and possibletargets have been identified. We have undertaken an in vivo study to identify specific amino acidresidues within GTPCH that serve as sites of phosphorylation in hopes of better understandingthe regulation of GTPCH activity and BH 4 production.38

Susan DeLeon, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesCharacterization of a Novel Protein That Can Protect against the Neuronal Loss Associated withParkinson’s DiseaseOur laboratory has recently uncovered an uncharacterized protein, termed HSCP117, which isprotective against cellular insults that cause dopamine-producing neurons to die. Age-dependentdopamine neurodegeneration is the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, thus HSCP117 represents aninteresting protein target warranting further investigation for therapeutic development. Proteinswork together as complex biochemical machines to carry out necessary functions, therefore, wehave performed a large-scale screen of millions of potential protein interactors using the yeasttwo-hybrid system to identify previously undiscovered partners of HSCP117. Here we report theresults of this screen and outline plans for validation of the positive interacting candidates.Robert Kyle Driggers, Department of PhilosophyFaculty Mentor: Dr. H. Scott Hestevold, Department of Philosophy“Thank Goodness that’s Over!”At least two views of time shape the philosophical debate concerning the nature of tense --whether or not there is a past, present, and future or just events prior to and after other events.The former view is known as the A-theory; these theorists postulate the common-sense view thatthere is a robust ‘NOW’ that passes from the past to the future. Tenants of this theory might alsosupport the idea that only “present” objects exist (i.e. an advisor reading this sentence) -- strictlyspeaking, past and future objects do not exist. The latter view is known as the B-theory; thesetheorists understand time to be much like space -- past, present, and future objects all exist in thesame way, but with different temporal properties. In other words, the advisor reading thissentence is as real as a brontosaurus munching on vegetation millions of years ago. The onlysignificant difference is that they do so at different times. This presentation holds the latter viewto be true, and is concerned with a famous objection to it by A. N. Prior. Prior notes that feelingsof dread and relief can never make sense under the B-theory, because one can never dread orrelieve pain that always is occurring at a certain time. The goal of this research then, is toprovide an account of how the B-theory might make sense of dread and relief.Eric Edwards, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Timothy Mewes, Department of Physics and AstronomyNon-local Damping Effects in Py-Cu-FeMn trilayersWe report a non-local enhancement of the Gilbert damping in Py-Cu-FeMn trilayers for in-planeferromagnetic resonance measurements. We observe a 1/t dependence, t being the thickness ofthe permalloy, of the slope of the linewidth vs. frequency measurements indicating non-localcontributions to the damping. With the thickness of the non-magnetic layer, Cu, fixed below itsspin-diffusion length, we understand this effect to be non-local resulting from the injection ofspins by the precessing magnetization at the Py-Cu interface and subsequent scattering at the Cu-FeMn interface.Kayla Evans, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Mrs. Alicia Browne, Housing and Residential CommunitieseHarmony: College Style39

A student’s overall college experience can be influenced by many different factors, including hisor her living situation. A website designed to match students with potential roommates based onthe compatibility of key personality traits, habits, and schedules could aid both new and returningcollege students in their search for roommates.Matthew Ferguson, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Computer-BasedHonors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joseph Weber, Department of GeographyIntegrating Google SketchUp and Google Earth to Create a 3-Dimensional Campus MapThe goal of our project was to model the University of Alabama campus in Google SketchUp, a3-D modeling program. Google Earth, an overhead map viewer, was then used to correctlyposition the campus buildings onto a land map of the University. The second phase of the projectinvolves taking our existing models and modeling the floor plans within the building, in thehopes of creating a virtual, 3-D tour of the campus.Danielle Jean Fortner, Department of Telecommunication and FilmFaculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Tran, Department of Telecommunication and FilmShooting Club, Barbershop QuartetTV packages aired on WVUA-TV and chosen to represent our school in the national HearstFoundation Broadcast News Competition. The Shoot Club piece is on a little publicized sportand the Barbershop Quartet piece in on the unusual hobby of a local lawyer.Stacey Fox, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesMechanistic Analysis of torsinA Function by RNAiCells are continuously exposed to a variety of external and internal stressors. Occasionally,when natural defense mechanisms do not combat these cellular insults, disease develops. Forexample, the accumulation of improperly folded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)triggers an adaptive cellular process termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). Usingselective gene knockdown by RNAi we have discovered that the molecular chaperone proteintorsinA is involved in maintaining ER homeostasis via the UPR. Notably, mutant torsinA,responsible for the human movement disorder dystonia, cannot assist in cellular stressmanagement. These data have implications for diseases associated with protein misfolding.Ericka Lorraine Gibbs, Department of Health ScienceFaculty Mentor: Ms. Michelle Darst, Department of Health ScienceThe Quality of Life in Traumatic Brain Injuries and Its Effect in Society for the IndividualBackground: Annually, 1.5 million Americans suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI)(CDC,2006). The purpose of this discussion is to enlighten and educate on the seriousness andprevalence of TBIs. Methods: Reputable health sources were reviewed to gain insight into thequality of life of individuals with TBI. Results: The findings exemplify the pathways, copingskills, and permanent lifestyle changes of individuals with a TBI. Conclusions: Further researchof individuals with TBIs is warranted in order to be aware of the causes and impact of TBI, tocreate prevention programs, and to assist the emotional and behavioral changes associated withTBI.40

Jonathan Gilliam, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Amy Weislogel, Department of Geological SciencesPredacious Boring Intensities of Upper Cretaceous Ripley and Demopolis FormationsCretaceous marine deposits in the Ripley Formation and Demopolis Formation containmacroinvertebrate fossils with various biogenic borings. The most representative genera wereselected as grounds for comparison of boring intensity within the units. The dominant boringtrace observed in the specimens, Oichnus, yields grounds for comparison of boring intensity forspecies and total boring intensity at each site. Because these units are closely related bothtemporally and spatially, we hypothesize that these units provide opportunity for comparison ofrelationships between biogenic boring and matrix composition. Matrix analyses may alsocontribute to understanding of bioerosive controls on substrate texture.Steven B. Glass, Department of Biological Sciences, and the Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. John L. Clark, Department of Biological SciencesUsing an iPod as a Biodiversity ToolIn biodiversity, many species are only catalogued in textbooks or other obscure sources. Whenworking in the field, sources such as these are unwieldy to use as references. However, if theseresources were consolidated, as in an online database, and made accessible to a mobile source,like an iPod, resources would be much more readily available and convenient to access,especially for field use. As a pilot, we’re expanding Dr. Clark’s Gesneriaceae Image Library(http://bama.ua.edu/~gesner) to include a few thousand Columnea images in an online database.We will then attempt to make this database iPod-accessible, enabling it for field use.Laura Godorecci, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New College“Untitled”To many, the term “history” speaks of facts, of truth built on documentation. Yet if one analyzesthe term closely, one will find that “history” is by its own name a story, encompassing manydefinitions other than the one ascribed to it by the “marketplace.” History is a tale that can beaffected by its sources, rewritten, forgotten in places, remembered in others—a fluid entity. Myfilm seeks to interpret this essence of “what is history?” in a narrative that continuously jumpsand corrects itself, embodying in a work of art an explanation of the greatest story always(re)told.John Goetz, Vetrica Hill and Shelley Rawlings, School of Social WorkFaculty Mentor: Dr. Cassandra Simon, School of Social WorkBarriers to Successful Prisoner ReentryThe purpose of the Ex-offender Forum was to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders focusing onpotential solutions to problems faced by ex-offenders as they reintegrate into local communities.Data gathered from key informant interviews and a review of the reentry literature were used toassess barriers to successful ex-offender reentry and to structure the Ex-Offender Forum.Barriers to successful ex-offender reentry include the lack of emphasis on communitycorrections; dysfunctional social support networks; stigma and alienation; limited opportunitiesfor employment, housing, and education; the availability of comprehensive community-basedoutreach efforts; and availability of mental health services and substance abuse treatment.41

Heather Griffin, Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior DesignFaculty Mentor: Ms. Michelle Lee, Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior DesignSupplemental Guide for AutoCAD and ArchitectureProfessor Lee identified a need within our program for a supplemental guide to better prepareand guide students through AutoCAD software. . An instructional manual was needed to makethe software more user friendly to interior design students of all levels within our college. Sheproposed a format and asked for help because of my experience as an interior design student aswell as my skill with computer programs. . Together we wrote, edited and compiled a manual tohelp AutoCAD become more user-friendly to all interior design students making them morecompetitive in the field of interior design. Data concerning the text’s usefulness for students willbe collected at the end of the semester.Courtney Guenther, Department of Mathematics, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Subhadra Gupta, Department of Metallurgical and Materials EngineeringDOE of Top-pinned FeMn CIP Spin ValvesTop-pinned FeMn spin valves are useful candidates for giant magnetoresistive (GMR) devicesbecause they can align to a small applied magnetic field during dc magnetron sputtering,eliminating the need for post-deposition annealing. A statistical design of experiments (DOE)provides a way to efficiently study multiple variables and their relationships through a minimalnumber of strategically planned experiments. The thicknesses of the pinned and pinning (FeMn)layers of the spin valves were varied to measure their effect on the exchange bias and GMR ofthe spin valves and to discover the ideal conditions for an optimal spin valve.Jacob Haley and J.D. Gramlin, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Joshua Schwartz and Harold Stowell, Department of GeologicalSciencesMineral Composition of Partially Melted Rocks of New ZealandDioritic gneiss in New Zealand conserve peritectic garnet that are bordered by trondhjemiticleucosome and vein networks which are proof of high pressure melting. Rocks are defined as aheterogeneous mixture of minerals with each mineral possessing its own melting temperature.Partial melting happens when temperatures don’t reach a high enough degree to completely meltthe source rock therefore only melting the rock partially at grain boundaries, where the mineralshave the lowest melting temperatures. The composition of the melt can be altered by conditionssuch as pressure, temperature, and overall mineral composition. I will crush the rock into a finepowder which I will put on the XRF machine to distinguish between the chemical make-up ofthe different minerals that compose the rock.Amanda Hall, Programs in Elementary EducationFaculty Mentor: Ms. Carolyn Palmer, Programs in Elementary EducationFile Folder GamesThis poster presentation will provide the results of a study examining whether file folder gameswill help 1 st graders learn mathematics. The research question answered is as follows: “Will theuse of file folder games make teaching mathematics to 1 st graders more effective? Pre-test andpost-test results will be provided demonstrating the impact of 13 games on mathematicsknowledge.42

David Hardin, John Duffey, Britton Farrell, and Stephanie Cantu, Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Uzma Raja, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, andManagement ScienceText Mining In Deaths of Premature InfantsOur research is the application of text-mining techniques to premature infant dischargesummaries from UAB hospital. We have created a parsing program to clean the data in thedischarge summaries, and we are using text mining to build a predictive model. This model willhelp predict infants that may be at risk of further health problems. Our research will benefit UABhospital, specifically, and these techniques may be applied in models throughout the healthcareindustry.Corrine Harris, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishHip-Hop and Its Effects on Young Black WomenHip hop is forced to deal with many social problems which may influence its content andstructure. One effect that hip hop has had is in how beauty is portrayed. When people begin to setthe standard of beauty as the solitary, acceptable form there can be detrimental effects on society.Another effect of hip hop is how many artists portray sex as a commodity. Young people seethese images and replicate them accordingly. Many young women therefore experience highlevels of “internalized low self-esteem” and try to gain some control and power in their lives byusing sex.Patrick Sean Harris, Department Geological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Harold Stowell and Joshua Schwartz, Department of GeologicalSciencesRocks of FiordlandWestern Fiordland on the South Island of New Zealand is interpreted as a Paleozoic to Mesozoiccontinental margin volcanic that was active along the eastern edge of the Gondwanasupercontinent. A large part of this region includes most of the rocks dating back to the Permianand Mesozoic eras. Previous tests preformed on these rocks shows slight errors in the rocks’crystal chemistry. I will crush the rocks to a fine powder to put on the XRF machine todistinguish between the different chemistry of the minerals. I will then polish thin sections to putin the electron microprobe to distinguish any zoning that may occur.Travis Hartin, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Drs. Ed Merrill and Frances Conners, Department of PsychologyImplicit Learning of Young Children and AdultsImplicit learning is an important form of learning to both children and adults. While implicitlearning is typically viewed as age-independent, other abilities that vary with age, such asselective attention, may influence the outcome of implicit learning. Young children and collegestudents were administered two visual search tasks to analyze possible relationships betweenimplicit memory, age, and selective attention. Participants were asked to locate a target letter (ablue rotated T) amongst distractors (red and blue rotated L’s) over a series of trials. Resultsindicated both groups displayed implicit learning, whether selective attention was required forlearning or not.43

Travis Hartin, Department of Psychology, and Andrea Miller, Department of HumanDevelopment and Family StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Scofield, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesDo Movement or Proximity Help Children Learn Words?A variety of cues help children learn words, including social and language cues. Two studiesaddressed whether cues in the physical environment can also help children learn words. In bothstudies, children saw three objects. In Study 1 (Movement), one object was moving and two werestationary. In Study 2 (Proximity), one object was close and two were far. Children were thenasked to select the object that corresponded to a word (e.g., “Which is the koba?”). Both studiesfound that children selected the moving or close object suggesting that cues in the physicalenvironment can help children learn words.Michelle Hawthorne, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Melissa Jackson, Department of PsychologyParental Alienation SyndromeParental Alienation Syndrome, or ‘PAS’, is the effect alienation has on children when they arepurposefully or inadvertently turned against one or both parents by either parent or a third party.While divorce research is plentiful, focusing on areas such as adultery, abuse, or generalincompatibility, little to no attention has been given to child-related divorce issues such as PAS.While PAS is not a recognized clinical diagnosis, the information presented will include data thatwill demonstrate that symptoms and outcomes related to PAS are worthy of further research andinvestigation.Jewel Hazelton, Department of Adverting, and Public RelationsFaculty Mentor: Dr. Caryl Cooper, Department of Advertising, and Public RelationsLeadership throughout the University of Alabama Campus over the yearsThe University of Alabama campus is a historic landmark in the southeast. Many importantevents have taken place on this campus. In the past many heroic acts of leadership have madechange for the future student body on this campus. In my research project I would like to designa poster illustrating the great acts of leadership on this campus and allow students to find outhow they can become the future leaders of the University of Alabama. My poster design willserve as a timeline of what important events have allowed change on this campus. I will alsohighlight all of the great characteristics these leaders had. I think my presentation will allowstudents to find the leaders within themselves.Cody Head, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeConstruction of a Personal PantheonBy researching Joseph Campbell’s work with the archetypical “Hero’s Journey” and the mythicstructures in James Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, I evaluate the necessity of themythic dimension/perspective in the pursuit of the transcendental personal ideal. From thisresearch I compose a large-scale drawing to forecast an ever-expanding body of drawings thatmanifests my own pantheon of mythic icons. Collectively these create a personal mythologyrendered in the visual language of a self-formed cosmology. My presentation will demonstratethis integration between the research and the drawings.44

Jamie Hennigan, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David A. Dixon, Department of ChemistryDensity Functional Theory Studies of the Binding Energies of Group IVB Transition Metal OxideNanoclustersThere is recent interest in transition metal oxides as photocatalysts for the control of chemicaltransformations in energy production and transformation to minimize environmental impact. Theproperties of these oxides are also relevant to new electronic materials. This project focuses onusing density functional theory with different exchange-correlation functionals to predict thebinding energies for nanoclusters of the Group IVB oxides: (TiO 2 ) n , (ZrO 2 ) n , and (HfO 2 ) n for n =1-4. This will allow us to determine the best functionals to use in developing thermodynamic andreactivity models of larger nanoclusters, e.g., small anatase and rutile particles, of technologicalimportance.Jonathan Mark Hinnen, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor: Professor Seth Panitch, Department of Theatre and DanceJohan and Wilhelm: Brother Meets BrotherMy project is an original monologue, in which Johan, a Germanic noble, meets Wilhelm, thebrother he never knew he had.Megan Nicole Hipp, School of MusicFaculty Mentor: Professor Shelly Meggison, School of MusicAn International Look at Makes of Oboes and Reed Styles in North America, France, Germanyand EnglandThe first objective of this presentation is to research the different makes of oboes in NorthAmerica, France, Germany and England. This research will investigate the key systems used onthese oboes, the materials used to make them and the dimensions of the instrument’s bore. Thesecond objective is to research the various reed styles used in these countries. A combination ofdifferent reeds and oboes will affect a player’s tone. Subsequently, I will determine if thesedifferences prevent oboists from pursuing successful performing careers in other countries.Roberta Melissa Hirschbuehler, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden. Department of EnglishHip Hop as ArtWilliam Jelani Cobb’s To the Break of Dawn examines the importance of the musical genre ofhip hop. Cobb studies various aspects of the music and culture of hip hop by showing how hiphop functions as a serious art form, rather than merely entertaining music. Although critics ofhip hop often dismiss the music because of its graphic language and subject matter, Cobbillustrates how the genre is actually an art form that merits critical analysis. To the Break ofDawn raises hip hop to the level of high art by analyzing its history, evolution and song writingtechniques.Melanie Holland, Departments of Criminal Justice, and PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. David R. Forde, Department of Criminal JusticeProfiling Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter in Alabama, 1985-2006This study examines trends in murder and non-negligent manslaughter in Alabama. The State ofAlabama provides an annual snapshot of murder. This study uses longitudinal data to examine45

trends in homicide to develop a detailed profile. Information includes sex of offender, sex ofvictim, victim/offender relationship, type of weapon used, location and the clearance rate. Datawas collected from the Supplemental Homicide Reports for the years 1985 to 2006 gathered bythe Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center archive. Preliminary findings show similartrends in weapon use by male and female offenders and a substantial drop in the clearance rate.Brittany Hollon and Maeve Yaden, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Schwartz, Department of Geological SciencesPetrography and Geochemistry of Lower Crustal Rocks, Canyon Mountain, OregonThe Canyon Mountain ophiolite complex is a fragment of a back-arc basin created in response tothe dynamic formation an island arc system during the early Permian. During a period ofsubduction in the mid to late Triassic, the back-arc basin was thrust upwards to become part ofthe continental crust. Collection of gabbros and keratophyres from Canyon Mountain give aunique insight into the formation of relatively unknown back-arc basins, which are generallykilometers underwater. The geochemistry and petrography of these rocks illustrate acomplicated geologic history that, for the most part, is a mystery to geoscientists.Tyler House, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Rick Houser, Program in Educational Psychology, and Program inEducational ResearchSecond Life Building ConstructionSecond Life is a virtual world that encompasses many members, and thus holds great potentialfor a variety of uses. The project I am working on involves building the various structures of theUniversity of Alabama campus so that they may be used to further benefit the school. Onceconstruction is complete, these buildings could be used as research tools with embedded linksleading to informational sites, recruiting tools where prospective students could see the buildingson campus and their layout, or a virtual classroom where enrolled students could go to viewonline presentations or get class material.Laura Jacobs, Department of Theatre and Dance, and University Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Professor Seth Panitch, Department of Theatre and DanceRepresent!I would like to focus my poster presentation on the various means of representation available toartists in the performing and visual arts communities. This would include defining the functionsof these organizations, comparing the benefits with the hassles of being a member/client, and theobstacles one must overcome to secure representation. I plan to discuss guilds, agents,associations, commissions, and possibly some charitable organizations either run by artists orwhose efforts go to support the arts. Some points of interest (strikes, in particular, in light ofrecent events) may be given additional focus under the “pros v. cons” subheading.Susannah Jones and Katie Stephenson, School of Music, and Capstone Music TherapyFaculty Mentor: Professor Andrea Cevasco, School of MusicTypes of Distraction Used During Cardio Exercise by Patrons at the Student Recreation CenterStudent members of the Capstone Music Therapy Association implemented a research project onthe University of Alabama campus. The committee reviewed research literature concerningmusic and exercise and developed a survey to be distributed to patrons of the University’s46

Student Recreation Center. The purpose of the study was to determine the types of distraction(television, music, and other) and how frequently they were used during cardio exercise.Additionally, songs reported by participants were compiled and organized by age group to beused as a reference for music therapists creating interventions involving exercise or movement.Phillip Earl Jordan, Department of Psychology, and McNair Scholars ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif, Department of Human Development and FamilyStudiesRe-examination of Young Children’s Racial Attitudes and Skin Tone PreferencesThis study continues the research by Kenneth and Mamie Clark's (1939, 1947) onchildren's racial preferences that showed that Black children preferred and attributed morepositive characteristics to White dolls than to Black dolls. In the current research, we examined40 Black and White preschool children's preferences for cartoon characters of different skintones. When asked which cartoon they would choose for their best friend, White but not Blackchildren chose the White cartoon more often. However when asked the same question and shownBlack, Brown, Light Brown and White cartoons to choose from, the children showed no skintone preferences.Elicia Juarez, Sara Kruse and Ashleigh Jarrell, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif, Department of Human Development and FamilyStudiesPreschool Children’s Play BehaviorsFor preschool children, play is a form of social interaction that helps them develop in manyareas. In this study we examined 12 preschool children and their play type (solitary, onlooker,parallel, associative, cooperative, talking with adult, and talking with peer) in relation to theirlevel of impulsivity and focus. The children were videotaped while 1) playing alone, 2) playingwith one peer, or 3) in the classroom. When preschool children are given the chance to play, 75%choose to interact. We also found that the more time a child spends in parallel play, the moreimpulsive their behavior.Anna Beth Keith, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Scofield, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesPreschool Children’s Multimodal Word-Object LearningChildren learn object words by seeing the object and hearing a word. The current study examinedwhether children would learn an object word by touching the object and hearing a word.Preschool children (n=60) touched a hidden object while hearing a novel word, then saw twoobjects (the original and a distracter) and were asked to select the object that best correspondedto the novel word. Results indicated that 2-year-olds touched the object longer but were lesslikely to learn the novel word than older children, suggesting 2-year-olds learn object wordsdifferently and are less efficient at touching objects.John Killian, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryGas Phase Acidities of Peptides: (Glycine) n n = 1-3The gas phase acidities (ΔG for AH → A - + H + ) for glycine peptides ((glycine) n , n =1-3) for allpossible proton losses were calculated. Conformational searches of the neutrals and anions were47

performed with density functional theory with the B3LYP functional. These structures werestarting guesses for the more reliable G3MP2 method. The freedom afforded by skeletal bondrotation allowed intramolecular hydrogen bonding to play a key role in stabilizingconformations. The acidities of the C-H and N-H bonds were much stronger than expected due tothe formation of enolate anions and show that the protein backbone can be deprotonated.Mary E. Killian and Sarabeth McLendon, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin H. Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryPalladium Catalyzed Coupling Reactions Using Water-soluble phosphine ligands: DTBPSP andDAPSP and Their Ability to Promote Coupling ReactionsThe development of water-soluble phosphine ligands for coupling reaction has been anexpanding area of research over the past several years. The motivation of this research is todemonstrate the utility of the ligands 3-(di-tert-butylphosphino)propanesulfonate (DTBPSP) and3-(diadamantylphosphino)propanesulfonate (DAPSP), which offer an alternative to ammoniumbased water-soluble ligands previously used (Buchwald's ligands or t-BuAmphos ). BothDTBPSP and DAPSP are being investigated in a number of coupling reactions and will bereported including Heck coupling, palladium catalyzed 1,4 addition, and palladium-catalyzedenolate coupling with aryl halides. Future work will also include further expansion of theseligands to other metal centered coupling reactions.Sean Kilpatrick, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Barbara Chotiner, Department of Political ScienceEvolution of Democracy in Post Communist SocietyIn evaluating democracy in the post communist era, attention will be given to free and fairelections. In Eastern Europe democratic transitions were smooth and largely accepted among thecitizens of each nation. From this region, Hungary’s emergence from a communist nation to ademocratic one will be discussed. Central Asia provides a different idea of transition fromCommunism. In Kazakhstan, the transition from communism to presidential authoritarianismwill be discussed. Lastly, Russia will be evaluated from its first election after the downfall ofcommunism up to the elections that take place in March.Joe Kimbrough II, Department of Religious StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Steven Ramey, Department of Religious StudiesLighting Muharram: Multi-perspective Analysis of Shia Muharram RitualsTo apply multiple theories to particular subjects, a metaphor of lights upon a theatricalperformance, with a multitude of angles, enables for dynamic analysis of a single subject to bedemonstrated by combining several theories and perspectives simultaneously. Using theexamples of the Shia Muslim rituals during Muharram, the metaphor illustrates thisincorporation of theories such as Durkhiemian sociology and performance theory with of Shiaself-perspectives and representations in American media, even the dominant Sunni perspectivesaffect the views of such rituals. Beyond more dynamic analysis, the metaphor serves as aheuristic device to express more clearly integrating academic models.Miles Kiser and Eric Shuman, Department of Health ScienceFaculty Mentor: Ms. Stephanie Baller, Department of Health ScienceA Survey of Food and Drink in Tuscaloosa High Schools48

Background: The national prevalence of overweight teens has greatly increased. Researchersattribute this to changes in dietary behaviors. Purpose: To investigate dietary choices in selectedTuscaloosa High Schools. Methods: A cross-sectional convenience sample was used to collectdata from Tuscaloosa Schools as a portion of a class project (n=33). Univariate analysis provideddescriptive results. Results: Sixty-six percent of students believed schools provided healthyoptions. Approximately 70% of teens prefer sugary drinks to water or juice.Conclusions/Implications: Improvements in school policies will require coordination to improvedietary habits, thereby increasing quality and number of healthy years of life.Adam Knight, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesAssociation between Insulin Pathway and Development of Parkinson’s DiseaseParkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-related disorder that results from the progressive loss ofdopamine neurons. Because the insulin-signaling pathway is a major factor in the developmentof several diseases with an increased incidence in older individuals, such as cancer and diabetes,we hypothesized that it might be involved in the development of PD, as well. We used geneticanalyses to examine whether worms with dopamine neuron loss could be rescued by modulatingthe insulin-signaling pathway. Our results have uncovered, for the first time, an associationbetween the insulin-signaling pathway and the degeneration of dopamine neurons, a hallmark ofPD.Bethany Knowles, Department of English, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Shane Sharpe, Computer-Based Honors ProgramComputer-Based Honors Program Online Historical ArchiveI am developing an online archive to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of the Computer-BasedHonors Program. The website will give users access to photographs, media articles, past projects,and alumni information. During this process, I have used social tagging as a means for photoidentification, and I have enlisted help from alumni. I met with an archivist at the Hoole Libraryto learn about archiving standards and metadata. I will write an appropriate metadata descriptionfor each of the primary sources that I am working with. The project will give me a greaterunderstanding of archiving and handling primary sources.Laura Kyser, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Silas C. Blackstock, Department of ChemistryPreparation of dipolar crystals of m-phenylenediaminesWe have prepared a m-phenylenediamine which readily forms a polar crystal; its crystal packingis based on polar anisidine hydrogen-bonded layers which stack in parallel fashion to givealigned molecular dipoles throughout the lattice. We have varied the conditions ofcrystallization, aiming to discover alternative polymorphs (specifically a nonpolar polymorph) inan effort to determine the propensity for dipole alignment in the crystal packing of this molecule.Additionally, we have synthesized derivatives of this parent compound to (a) alter the moleculardipole moment and (b) alter the hydrogen bonding ability of the structure and determine theaffects on crystal structure. AM1 calculations have been performed to estimate molecular dipolemoments. These studies are designed to help us understand the basis for the three-dimensionaldipole alignment in this family of m-phenylenediamine structures.49

Jonathan Lanctot, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, andComputer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Batson, Industrial Engineering ProgramTraffic Queuing at Highway Work Zones: Accuracy and Improvements Needed in SpreadsheetbasedPredictive ModelsTraffic slow-downs and waiting lines are commonly experienced on U.S. freeways, often due towork zones with lane closures. Several state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) havedeveloped spreadsheet-based tools to estimate when queues might form, how large the queuemight become, and associated costs to the public. ALDOT is sponsoring research at UA intothese questions for Alabama freeways, and the purpose of this CBH project is to investigate theinternal logic of the tool currently in use, its behavior as the inputs change, and its accuracy inpredicting the formation and dissipation of traffic queues using real-world data.Will Lankford, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Mr. Stephen Black, Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, and HonorsCollegeSave First Tax Preparation and Financial Literacy Initiative: Best Practices ReportThe goal of the SaveFirst initiative (a division of ImpactAlabama) is to train college, graduate,and law students to provide free tax preparation services, financial literacy information, andopportunities for savings and economic improvement to low-income, working families---especially targeting those eligible for an Earned Income Tax Credit refund. To keep SaveFirst onthe forefront of nonprofit projects dealing with financial literacy, research is being conducted tocompile a best practices report regarding community-based tax preparation and asset buildingefforts from around the country, including comparison of current loan programs versus fairmarket rebate loans present during the tax season.Jared Lauridsen, Department of Art, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Dr. IlhanTuzcu, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, and Dr.Phillip Bradford, Department of Computer ScienceOptimizing to a Professional Web SiteThis project’s goal is to take a basic web site and optimize it for a professional look and function.This goal is reached using techniques of visual software and direct line coding of html as well asCSS and JavaScript. Tools involved with professional optimization include knowledge ofAccessibility Standards, search engine inclusion, media support, and other user-friendly focus.This is a creative project due to its emphasis on development of a website that functions beyonda simple web page with text and links. It is submitted under engineering as it is a web site for anengineering research group.Christie Ledbetter, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor: Professor Allison Hetzel, Department of Theatre and DanceActing: Hazardous to your Health? An Artistic and Psychological PerspectiveThe art form of being an actor is not the simple task of memorizing lines to deliver to anaudience. An actor must be psychologically prepared to tackle a role. Research involved willquestion: how psychologically involved should an actor be with his/her role, what psychologicallevel(s) the actor experiences in order to realistically transform into character, how actorsmanage to keep their personal and professional psyches separate, and when roles prove to50

psychologically overpower the actor leading to physical/mental health problems and/or death.Examples: Heath Ledger’s death, commentaries of actors’ struggles, and psychologicalviewpoints associated with acting.Samuel Kyle Lee, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentors: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department Biological SciencesSeize the Worm: Genetic Analysis of Aberrant Neuronal ActivityEpilepsy is a multifaceted disorder characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain thataffects ~2% of the world's population. The vast majority of epilepsies have no clear cause, thus,the identification of novel susceptibility factors is vital for understanding this disorder. We havedeveloped a C. elegans epilepsy model whereby screening for genetic susceptibility factors canbe rapidly performed. In this regard, we have identified conserved genes that constitute a novelpathway governing neuronal transmission. Since this pathway has not been previouslyconnected with epilepsy, these findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic targetsfor this disease.Dana Lewis, Department of Advertising, and Public Relations, and Computer-Based HonorsProgramFaculty Mentor: Ms. Denise Smith, Office of Disability ServicesHow to Reach and Teach All StudentsResearch for web-based teaching modules on disability accommodations, Universal Design, anddisability etiquette for faculty and staff. Researched top universities disability services andprograms for students and faculty Development for modules to be posted on Faculty ResourceCenter website This semester, the first module is completed with information on disabilities,common accommodations, and legal protection of students with disabilities in higher educationGoal after faculty completion of modules is to enhance the professor’s ability to not only reachand teach students with disabilities, but with the practices taught, enhance their ability to reachand teach all students.Rebecca T. Long, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David A. Dixon, Department of ChemistryDFT Benchmarks of the M-F, M-H, and Total Binding Energies of Transition Metal Fluoridesand HydridesThere is substantial interest in the behavior of transition metal (M) compounds for catalyticreactions yet little is known about their accurate thermodynamic properties. Computationalchemistry using ab initio molecular orbital theory and density functional theory (DFT) have beenused to predict the electronic structure of transition metal fluorides and hydrides. Thesecalculations have been used to obtain the first and average M-F and M-H bond energies. Thegoal of the work is to determine the best exchange-correlation functionals for DFT predictions ofsuch binding energies as DFT is the most commonly used method for predicting catalyticbehavior.Andrea Mabry, New College, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joe Brown, New CollegeDetermining Tuscaloosa’s Demand for Sustainable Food51

Through the implementation of online surveys, New College hopes to collect data about thedemand the University and surrounding community have for local, sustainable food. First, a website will be developed. This website will contain information related to sustainability and theNew College organic farm, such as farmer's markets and New College classes, as well as links tothe surveys. Statistics collected from the surveys, which will be used to askquestions concerning the user's wish to have local, sustainable food, will be compiled todetermine the amount of demand there is for sustainable organics in the community.Dale Maddox, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Frances Conners, Department of PsychologyRhythmic Awareness in Reading Development: The Influence of ProsodicSensitivity on Word IdentificationThe present study examines the role of prosodic sensitivity in word-level readingdevelopment. Prosody, which refers to linguistic rhythm, has received very littleattention from reading researchers. But awareness of, and attentiveness toward, therhythmic aspects of language have a potentially facilitative effect on phonologicalawareness (PA), lexical retrieval, and word identification. A sample of 31 participantscompleted three testing sessions designed to measure prosodic sensitivity, PA, speed oflexical retrieval, and word identification skills. Four separate hierarchical regressionanalyses revealed that prosodic sensitivity contributed to word-level reading abilities byfacilitating both PA and rapid lexical retrieval.Daniel R. Marbury, School of Music, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Mr. Jason J. Battles, Gorgas LibraryAlternate Reality Gaming to Promote Research AwarenessThe University Libraries Web Services department is developing a prototype for a web-basedgame to showcase lesser-known library resources, online multimedia and internet research toolswhile improving the searching and critical thinking skills of participants. This story-basedmystery game will lead the player through clues on a variety of sites and resources, somefictionally created by the game design team and some utilizing actual library and electronicresources to create an interactive learning experience while remaining entertaining and fun on asurface level.Courtney Marr, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeRelationship of Timing in Animation and Dance as ChoreographyMy research in the concept of timing in animated film in relationship to the choreographicelements in dance performance is sourced from the work of Norman McLaren (CanadianExperimental Animator) and the works of Walt Disney (Fantasia). I applied this research asprinciple choreographer for a collaborative film project, “Moving Around Heidegger,” by facultymembers Dr. Janeann Dill and Dr. Hank Lazer. I drew inspiration for my choreography from Dr.Dill’s monumental drawings and Dr. Lazer’s poetry. Through this collaborative project I grewas an undergraduate choreographer and recognized how closely related these art forms are intheir timing.52

Jessie McAlpine, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Allen, Department of PsychologyCognitive Incapacity in the Prison System: Attitudes towards Sentence Completion andCompassionate ReleaseThe current study explores public opinions about prisoners and cognitive incapacity (CI) in the prisonsystem. Specifically, we are interested in younger and older adults’ attitudes toward completion of asentenced-term or compassionate release for youthful, middle-aged, and older offenders in the context ofCI compared to same-aged offenders who are cognitively intact. Thus far, participants include 28 youngeradults (50% female; 14% African American). We ran a 3 (age-of-offender) x 2 (health-of- offender)repeated measures ANOVA. The interaction between non-organizational religiousness (reading Bible)and the capacity and age of the prisoner depicted in the vignette was significant (F[5,14]=2.43, p=.041).William A. McCracken, III, Department of History, and Honors CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Norman Baldwin, Department of Political ScienceThe Organizational Structure of the European UnionThe European Union has been growing in its role as a super-national government since the1950s; however, the institutions that govern the EU have changed very little since the beginning.This has led to the EU’s convoluted organizational structure. My research seeks to understandthe current structure of the EU and propose improvements to make its organization moreefficient and effective.Christy McGee, New College, and Honors CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishThe Socio-Sexual Implications of Modern Day Hip Hop on WomenHip hop is degrading to women - a claim so frequently made that most people have already sidedwith one of two opposite, but equally ill-informed, opinions. One side denies the claim, statingthat hip hop is no worse than any other aspect of a misogynistic society and that the women ofhip hop are sexually liberated. The other side passively accepts the statement, surmising that theexplicit exploitation is blatantly obvious, but neither side can fully explain their positions. TracySharpley-Whiting provides a necessarily interdisciplinary approach to clarify the far-reachingramifications of hip hop culture on women.Matthew McKay, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Harold Stowell, Department of Geological SciencesMetamorphic Conditions in the Santa Marta Region of ColombiaThe majority of earth crust is composed of metamorphic rocks. These rocks are generated by thetransformation of preexisting rocks by means of high temperature and pressure. My project isdirected at determining what conditions were present during the metamorphosis of the SantaMarta region of Northern Colombia. I have determined exact mineralogical composition ofsamples from the region and will use that data, and electron microprobe data, to determine atwhat temperature and pressure the geologic unit was formed. This will allow me to determine thedepth which it was created and what, if any, tectonic forces were present.Betsy Meadows, Department of Consumer SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Courtney McGahey, Department of Consumer SciencesModes of Consumer Service- You Have a Choice53

Phone, face to face, or internet- which methods of service do you prefer? This oral presentationwill address consumer service in the marketplace. I will research making a major purchase($5000+)-in this case a kitchen makeover. Research will be gathered from the consumer’sviewpoint of customer service in three modes of service-phone, face to face, and internet.Comparisons will be made relative to service and information received via each mode.Emily Meadows, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesHeterozygous 14-3-3 Mutation Up-Regulates Dopamine Transport Through a FunctionalInteraction with VMATThe neurotransmitter dopamine, the predominant form of catecholamine in the central nervoussystem, plays an important role in many signaling processes. Mis-regulation of dopamine hasbeen associated with many neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. 14-3-3 isknown to regulate enzymes for dopamine biosynthesis such as tyrosine hydroxylase. 14-3-3proteins belong to a family of highly conserved molecules with functions ranging fromphosphorylation of proteins to signaling. VMAT, also involved in the dopamine pathway, isresponsible for transporting dopamine from the cytoplasm into vesicles. Here we test to see if a14-3-3zeta mutation induces VMAT-mediated effects in dopamine transport.Lauren Nicole Messer, Department of Communication StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Beth Bennett, Department of Communication StudiesRec and Rhetoric: UA’s Student Recreation CenterThis project attempts to analyze the rhetoric presented at the student recreation center. As an areaused for multiple events and by diverse groups of people it is rich with different types ofcommunication mediums ranging from televisions to bulletin board postings. The analysis ofthese texts seeks to provide useful observations pertaining to what is most effective or persuasivewhen communicating with the public.Allison Michalke, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor: Professor Sarah Barry, Department of Theatre and DanceSylvia Plath’s Life through DanceMy research focuses on the life and poetry of Sylvia Plath. My presentation includes a powerpoint describing my choreographic process as well as a short solo dance embodying this process.The dance is based on the life of Plath and performed to a sound score of Plath reading her poem,“The Thin People”. The themes I researched and used in my dance are Plath feeling trapped inher own body, and the struggles with being a woman in a man’s line of work.Andrea Miller, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Scofield, Department of Human Development and Family StudiesDo Children Trust Reliable over Unreliable Speakers?Though children regularly learn words by trusting another's testimony, children do not simplyaccept testimony from all speakers but instead prefer to trust reliable speakers. Three studiesexamined whether children: 1) trust a reliable speaker over an unreliable speaker, 2) reverse trustwhen a trusted speaker proves unreliable, and 3) later trust the reliable speaker. Resultsconfirmed that children trust reliable speakers, reverse trust, and trust the reliable speaker after54

24 hours. Results suggest that speaker reliability can be used proactively to indicate that aspeaker is trustworthy and retroactively to indicate that a speaker should not have been trusted.Lynnette Moats, School of NursingFaculty Mentor: Dr. Ruby S. Morrison, School of NursingOutcomes of Inpatient Heart Failure PatientsThe purpose of this project is to compare outcomes of HF patients before and after theinterventions designed to improve those outcomes. This project included a thorough review ofcurrent HF treatment guidelines; revision of the computerized medical record; staff developmentfor Registered Nurses; and publication and distribution of updated patient education materials.Between 2004 and 2006, these interventions have resulted in a decrease in readmission ratesfrom 23.31% in 2004 to 19.82% in 2006. However, further work is needed with post-dischargeinterventions to further improve clinical and financial outcomes of HF patients.Dakota J. Moore, Department of EnglishFaculty Mentor: Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of EnglishArgument for the Artistic Merit of Hip HopIt is undeniable that throughout the past two decades hip hop has become an idiosyncraticphenomenon that has had immeasurable influence on global pop-culture. Yet the question stillremains, at its core how is hip hop defined? Is it merely a mindless compilation of words andsounds, or is it much more. William Jelani Cobb thoroughly examines this issue in his book Tothe Break of Dawn. The result is a novel argument in which Cobb articulates and evaluates theorigins and evolution of hip hop in a successful expression of hip hop’s aesthetic credibility as aninfluential art form.Hudson Moore, Ashley Holmes and Lorie Box, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Hale, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, andManagement ScienceAlabama Virtual Incubator ProjectThe Alabama Virtual Incubator Project is part of an initiative started by the Governors ofAlabama and Mississippi to increase economic viability and quality of life throughout the region.The goal of this project is to provide an online resource of information for entrepreneurs as wellas to aid in the development of a network of service providers that is better prepared to servebusiness owners' needs. Our group has been responsible for identifying and researching similarprograms that exist in other states as well as developing a marketing plan to promote theendeavor to entrepreneurs in the states.Maggie Moore, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeAnimation as a ScienceI explore animation as a scientific discipline of physics and biology. As physics, animatorsconstruct complex equations to determine a character’s weight and speed of movement in anenvironment: gravity, weight, timing, action, reaction, and anticipation. As Biology, animatorshave an extensive knowledge of the anatomy of a character so, by necessity, they study skeletalstructures of real creatures in order to achieve natural motion. With my background as a student55

in marine biology, my research has included trips to natural science animal collections and zoosto study and sketch animals up close. My poster will include animations and sketches.Tiffany Mueller, Department of Political Science, and Blount Undergraduate InitiativeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Barbara Chotiner, Department of Political ScienceEast Germany’s Transition from CommunismThe basic premise of my project is to try to project the importance of Germany’s political andsocial history and the growth that has come from the many transitions the country has gonethrough. The only way to understand the changes that have occurred within the East Germannation since the reunification, is to look at the history of the two parts of Germany, the waysocial roles have grown and developed since the unification, how the ideals of both thegovernment and the people have changed since the unification, and the East German transitionfrom socialism to capitalism.Britton O’Shields, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Juan M. Lopez-Bautista, Department of Biological SciencesIn the Search of New Phylogenetic Markers for the Bar Coding of Life Project: AlagaeThe goal of this investigation is to assess the usefulness of the initial subregion of the largesubunit of rDNA versus other phylogenetic markers currently used in systematics. Algal sampleswere sequenced and analyzed for this assessment, and compared with other published reports.My results show similar evolutionary topologies when compared with those of the SSU rDNAand rbcL markers. These outcomes strongly suggest that LSU rDNA is a valuable phylogeneticmarker. Moreover, given its short size (660 bp) our proposed marker can be sequenced easierand faster than other markers, resulting in a cheaper alternative for the Barcoding for Lifeproject.Natileigh O’Shields, Department of Modern Languages and ClassicsFaculty Mentor: Dr. Aida Toledo, Department of Modern Languages and ClassicsArt in the Hispanic WorldI will be presenting an oral presentation of Art in the Hispanic World. Various Hispanic artists Iwill include will be works by: Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, Yreina Cervántez, GildaRengifo, Frida Kahlo y Salvador Dalí. I will include works from each artist on in a power pointformat and give a short description of the painting. I will also include in the description how eachpainting fits into Hispanic culture.Jack Steven Parker, Jr, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Harriett E. Smith-Somerville, Department of Biological SciencesCorrelations Between Neuroretinal Rim And Nerve Fiber With Visual Function Tests InAdvanced Glaucoma PatientsTo determine the structure-function relationship between neuroretinal rim and retinal nerve fiberlayer with peripheral and central field functional tests in glaucoma patients with advanced fieldloss. 41 patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma with advanced to severe field and bestcorrectedvisual acuity of 20/60 or better were enrolled in the study.Visual function tests that concentrate on the central field showed a higher correlation to globaland temporal anatomical measures of rim and nerve fiber layer in advanced glaucoma patients.56

Visual fields of the central 10° and reading tests are better tools to monitor progression in thesepatients.Sheenal Patel, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Utz McKnight, Department of Political ScienceRacial Discrimination on CampusI would like to do my research on racial discrimination in a social environment on collegecampuses. Particularly, I would like to examine the amount of discrimination that exists in smallcollege towns in the South, like Tuscaloosa. Do minority students have a harder time gettinginto bars or local nightclubs? Is racial discrimination increasing on college campuses? I want toconduct a study on some various race issues that may occur in the college scene.Bradford Patterson, Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal Studies, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. James Cover, Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal StudiesThe Effects of Inflation Targeting on Monetary Policy GoalsIt has become increasingly popular around the world for countries to establish mandates forcentral bankers, rather than letting them use monetary policy instruments entirely at theirdiscretion. Ordinarily, a mandate comes in the form of a target inflation range. This project useseconometric analysis to attempt to observe the ceteris paribus effects of an inflation target onthree macroeconomic variables for about 40 countries: GDP variance, average annual GDPgrowth rate, and average unemployment rate. The goal is to evaluate a mandate’s success inmeeting the key priorities of maximizing long-term growth, maintaining stability, and keepingemployment high.Harrison Pearl, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Harriett Smith-Somerville, Department of Biological SciencesLack of Prenatal Antiretroviral therapy and High Rates of Breast feeding associated to VerticalHIV Transmission and Postnatal HIV Diagnosis Among Children in San Pedro Sula, HondurasThis experiment was intended to assess the epidemiology of pediatric human immunodeficiencyvirus infection at Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. A retrospectivechart review of pediatric patients at the HMCR was performed. Demographic and clinical datawere obtained of patients diagnosed with HIV between 1994 and 2007. Results concluded thatthere is minimal prenatal screening and a high rate of late postnatal HIV diagnosis in children inthe study population. It is necessary to establish a more widespread process for prenatalscreening of HIV in pregnant mothers in this setting. In addition, methods that have been proveneffective in the prevention of perinatal HIV transmission, including prenatal administration ofARV therapy, delivering via cesarean section and avoidance of breast feeding need to beimplemented in order to decrease vertical transmission.Lauren Perry and Courtney Johnson, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Schwartz, Department of Geological SciencesTiming and Emplacement Conditions of the Gold Bug Pluton, Northeastern OregonThe Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon consist of two island arc terranes (Wallowa andOlds Ferry) and an intervening mélange terrane known as the Baker terrane. The Baker terraneis comprised of two parts: the Bourne and the Greenhorn subterranes. The Greenhorn subterrane57

was thrust over the Bourne subterrane, and this fault zone was intruded by the Gold Bug pluton.Three samples were collected from the Gold Bug pluton and analyzed to determine mineralogyand textural relationships. We will use thermobarometry, geochemistry, and geochronology datato establish the temperature, pressure, and timing of the Gold Bug intrusion.Desiree Picone, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryDFT Benchmarks of the Binding Energies of 2 nd Row Transition Metals with Model Zeolite AcidSitesThere is a critical need to develop catalysts which combine the best features of heterogeneousand homogeneous catalysts. This study involves the use of density functional theory (DFT) andmolecular orbital (MO) theory to predict the binding energies of isolated metal ions in acidiczeolite sites to aid in the design of such single-site heterogeneous catalysts. We generated a metalion binding scale for the acidic sites in zeolites by predicted the binding energies of transitionmetal ions to Al(OH) 4 - . DFT with a variety of exchange-correlation functionals and the highlyaccurate CCSD(T) MO method were used in the calculations.Sarah Pitts, School of MusicFaculty Mentor: Dr. Carl Hancock, School of MusicThe Effect of Melodic Presentation and Repeated Testing on the Recall of Story EventsThis study examined the effect of static and melodic presentation styles on immediate anddelayed recall of story events in a musical performance. University students (N = 32) listened toeither a sung or spoken presentation of Chapin’s Cat’s in the Cradle and then recalled eventsfrom the performance storyline. Half of the participants were tested immediately after stimuluspresentation and again 24 hours later. The other half was tested only after 24 hours. Results of a2 x 2 ANOVA indicated no significant main effects or interaction for presentation style andrecall conditions.Gregory M. Poole, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and Center forMaterials for Information TechnologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. David E. Nikles, Department of Chemistry, and Center for Materials forInformation TechnologyFeCoPtNanoparticles for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia Therapy. Effect of Co Content of theMagnetocrystalline AnisotropyMagnetic hyperthermia is an exciting new treatment for cancer. Magnetic particles are localizedand a magnetic field heats the particles, which heat the cells, thereby killing them by ahyperthermia mechanism. This has created interest in developing new materials for thisapplication. Fe 3 O 4 and FePthave been studied, giving candidates for clinical application.Mathematical models for heating efficiency include the magnetic anisotropy. FePt hashighmagnetocrsytalline anisotropy. We have preparedFeCoPtnanoparticles, where some sitesinFePt are replaced with Co,moderating anisotropy and affecting efficiency. We report thesynthesis ofFeCoPtnanoparticles and also report results.Catherine Lyndsey Prickett and Mary Katherine Alsip, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Dr. Felecia Wood, School of Nursing, and Dr. Julia Hartman, College of Artsand Sciences58

Interactive DVD Tailored to Enhance Diabetes Health Literacy and Self- ManagementThis multidisciplinary intervention research targets improvement of health literacy in adults withtype 2 diabetes experiencing the disparities of rurality and poverty. The purpose of this researchis to test the effectiveness of a tailored, interactive DVD to improve health literacy and,ultimately, self-management skills for daily living with type 2 diabetes, thus reducing theeconomic and physiologic devastation of this chronic health problem. The DVD scenarios werescripted, filmed, and programmed by Computer Based Honors Students. The DVD incorporatescritical self-management skills for living with diabetes including nutrition, activity, and dailycare. Pilot data will be collected spring 2008.Catherine Qualls, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Kelly, Office of Health Promotion and WellnesswellBama Database DevelopmentThe wellBama program is an initiative started by Dr. Rebecca Kelly in the Department of Healthand Wellness. This program is being developed to encourage healthy lifestyles for the facultyand staff of the University of Alabama. A database is in the process of being created that willhold demographic as well as health information about the members of the faculty and staff.Through this database, information will be analyzed and associated with a risk factor score.Incentives will be offered to those with a low risk factor, therefore encouraging members of thewellBama program to live a healthy way of life. Outcomes of this database are projected toimprove the general well being and to better meet the any specific health needs for the facultyand staff of the University.Mary Margaret Randall, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeA Nostalgic ReconnectionAs society is transformed by technology, there is a loss of the simplicity found in storytelling.Allowing the visual world to overtake us, we forget the significance of our imagination. In orderto keep our creativity alive, we must return to the power of a child-like imagination. This hasbrought me to the concept of nostalgia. By writing and recording a story using sounds of nature,I have returned to a forsaken love of story-telling. Through researching John Cage and MichaelNyman’s usage of “found sounds” I composed my own nature recordings in the composition ofnarrative.Catherine Grace Raulston and Simpla Mahato, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Harriet Smith-Somerville, Department of Biological SciencesComparison of Phagocytosis in Wild type and Revertant Cells in Tetrahymena thermophila NP1Phagocytosis is the formation of food vacuoles. In Tetrahymena thermophila NP1, wild cellsform a normal oral skeleton and produce vacuoles at 30C, but not when incubated at 37C.Mutant cells may regain the capability to form vacuoles after prolonged incubation at 37C. Weare using immunoflorescence and biochemical methods are being used to investigate how themutants have gained the capability to form vacuoles .To date no difference has been detectedbetween the wild and the revertant cells based on the study of proteins actin and dynamin whichhave been implicated to have role in phagocytosis.59

Kimberly Ray, Department of KinesiologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Oleg A. Sinelnikov, Department of KinesiologyNew PE: Teaching Track and Field Sport Education StyleSport Education is a contemporary curriculum model in physical education (Siedentop, 1996).The goals of sport Education are to develop competent, literate, and enthusiastic sportspeople.Sport Education has been successfully implemented in the secondary physical education (Hastie,1996, 2000). Students have shown a favorable response to the model (Wallhead & O’Sullivan,2005). The purpose of the project was to teach track and field unit at a local school using SportEducation curriculum model and to gauge middle students’ response to the model.Malcolm Reddoch and Josh Hamilton, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, andManagement Science, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Uzma Raja, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, andManagement ScienceApplying Text Mining to Open Source Software MaintenanceOur project is applying text-mining techniques in the field of open source software maintenance.We are using text mining on large quantities of open source bug reports and using thisinformation to build a predictive model. This model will be used to predict the amount of timeneeded to fix a bug in the software. We are currently in the data cleaning stage where we areremoving non-relevant terms that distort our model. This research would be beneficial to opensource software maintenance and help in the continuing trend of its application in today’sbusiness world.Anderson Renaud, Ryan Nelms and Christina Ibrahim, Department of MechanicalEngineeringFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Chou, Department of Mechanical EngineeringIntegrated Design and Analysis of Diamond-Coated Cutting ToolsDiamond-coated cutting tools are attractive alternatives to polycrystalline-diamond tools formachining lightweight, high-strength components. However, residual stresses induced by thediamond deposition process significantly impact the tool performance in machining. Theobjective of this research is to investigate the effects of tool geometry on the residual stressaugmentations around the tool tip. Pro/Engineer software was used to create the solid model ofvarious tool geometries. The model was then exported to ANSYS software for 3D finite-elementsimulations of residual stresses generated in the tool with given deposition conditions. Inaddition, a white-light interferometer is employed to assess the tool geometry.John Ricketts, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Guy Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesCellular Stress is Reduced by torsinA: Implications for dystonia, a Human Movement DisorderHuman torsinA is a protein with “chaperone” activity and a resident of the endoplasmicreticulum, a cellular compartment involved with proper protein folding and alleviation of cellularstress. When torsinA is mutated, it causes a severe movement disorder, called early-onset torsiondystonia. We hypothesized that the normal function of torsinA is the amelioration of cellularstress and that mutant torsinA is unable to perform this necessary function. Using fluorescentmarkers that highlight the difference between normal and stress scenarios, we determined that60

torsinA functions to reduce cellular stress, thereby providing a major molecular insight into themechanism underlying this disease.Renee Rivas, Department of Biological Sciences, and Howard Hughes Medical InstituteIntern ProgramFaculty Mentors: Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesHypothesis-based RNAi Screening Identifies Neuroprotective Genes in a Parkinson’s DiseaseModelParkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. PD can becaused by excess of a protein named alpha-synuclein within dopamine neurons. Here we reportthe largest screen ever performed for genetic factors affecting alpha-synuclein misfolding; wehave identified 20 genes that may represent novel susceptibility markers for PD. As a secondarytest, we overproduced each gene in the dopamine neurons of the nematode C. elegans todetermine if they are neuroprotective against age-dependent neuron loss. Thus far, 5 of 7 genestested protect against neurodegeneration. This strategy represents a paradigm for investigatinggenetic factors influencing PD.Emily Roberson, New College, and Honors CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeAn Exploration of Animation in AdvertisingWith animation’s reputation as a pure art form and its history of captivating audiences withinfinitely imaginative content, its effectiveness in the achievement of advertising’s goals iscomprehensive. For more than a century, animation has been used to promote products, services,and actions, which are the primary goals of advertising. Research provides an overview of thecomplex relationship between animation and advertising and how, when combined, they supportelements of hyper-real theories as they have been influenced by theorists Jean Baudrillard andMarshall McLuhan. Furthermore, the research also approaches the effectiveness of animation asit is used in advertising.Daniel Rolotti, Department of PsychologyFaculty Mentor: Dr. Beverly Roskos-Ewoldsen, College of Arts and SciencesPerceptions of Campus: A Comparison between 2008 and 2007Studying the University of Alabama’s Master Plan’s impact on campus life 302 psychologystudents were surveyed during 2007 or 2008. Students were queried on feelings of personalsafety, sense of community, and perceptions of the boundaries of campus. On a 7-point scale,feelings of personal safety declined from 2007 (M = 5.07, SD = .84) to 2008 (M = 4.33, SD =.56). Sense of community decreased from 2007 (M = 4.55, SD = .86) to 2008 (M = 4.33, SD =.80). Both differences were true across genders. The perceived borders of campus expanded toinclude the recreation center.Mary Harmon Rountree, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Utz McKnight, Department of Political ScienceHow to Involve College Students in Service?While students are academically engaged at The University of Alabama, that may merely be“tourists” in Tuscaloosa. Rarely do students become involved in meeting the needs of theresidents of Tuscaloosa County. The University of Alabama can make students aware of service61

opportunities in our community. The old “town and gown” mentality canbe changed if students assume more responsibilities. My poster will list steps that could be takento involve more students in service activities.Michael Sanchez, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Mentor: Dr. Barbara Chotiner, Department of Political ScienceThe Role of Courts in the Democratization of Post Communist NationsAn examination of the influence Judicial Systems have on the democratization of Post-SovietCommunist Nations. It is achieved by using four countries, Poland, Hungary, Russia, andBelarus, as examples of different levels of democratization. A brief history of each country andthe Soviet System works as a way to judge the background and the reasons why certain JudicialSystems worked and others did not. It takes the struggle between Constitutional Courts andExecutives to the present. A use of a wide variety of theories and commentaries work to makesense of the Post-Communist world.Mary Kathryn Sewell, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Dr. Christopher S. Brazel, Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringMultifunctional Magnetic and Thermally Sensitive Hydrogels for Drug DeliveryIncorporating nanomagnets into thermally responsive hydrogels creates a novel cancer therapyplatform; this platform is suitable for both chemotherapy and hyperthermia applications. Byincluding FePtnanomagnets in the hydrogels, a system is created that could deliver a localizeddosage of anti-cancer therapies while a patient is undergoing hyperthermia treatment. Thecombination of therapies has the potential to increase efficacy of cancer treatment, as well asreduce the negative side effects of such treatments. The effects of temperature and nanomagnetconcentration were studied for diffusion of a model drug, theophylline, from a thermallyresponsive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-acrylamide) hydrogel.Adam Shivers, Department of Telecommunication and FilmFaculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Tran, Department of Telecommunication and FilmOutdoor; EntrepreneurRadio mini-docs aired on Alabama Public Radio and chosen to represent our school in thenational Hearst Foundation Broadcast News Competition. “Outdoor” is about a camp to helpgive women self-esteem by teaching them outdoor skills. “Entrepreneur” is about people startingtheir own business. It was featured in a series of stories on APR’s podcasts.Carter Slappey, Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentors: Dr. Pauline Johnson, Department of Civil, Construction, and EnvironmentalEngineering, and Dr. Larry Bowen, Center for Teaching and LearningEvaluating the Effectiveness of NSF-EMAP in the Retention of COE FreshmenMy project is with the Engineering Math Advancement Program. EMAP is a summer program,funded in part by the National Science Foundation. The program’s goal is to help accelerate mathskills for incoming engineering freshmen in order to help increase retention in the College ofEngineering. Fall semester was spent obtaining and compiling data from the three years ofEMAP. This semester data is being analyzed to determine which factors significantly affect astudents’ performance in EMAP. Finally, a statistically based article for the Journal forEngineering Education will be drafted to see what factors contribute to success in EMAP and to62

assist EMAP with recruitment. Project results should be instrumental in increasing the success ofEMAP.Kendall Smith, Department of Modern Languages and ClassicsFaculty Mentor: Dr. Aida Toledo, Department of Modern Languages and ClassicsNicanor Parra, the Creator of Anti PoetryThe Chilean poet Nicanor Parra created the idea of Anti Poetry, from which he has gainedworldwide fame. What distinguishes Parra's "Anti Poetry" from other genres of writing? Whatrole does Parra play in the development of Latin American poetry in South America, especiallyChile? How has Chile's political, economical and social background and history affected Parra asa person and as a Poet? What does the Nobel Prize mean for Parra & why has he yet to receiveit?M. Quentin Sonnier, Jr., Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Shaughnessy, Department of ChemistryPalladium Catalyzed Suzuki Coupling with Water-soluble phosphine ligands to PromoteActivation of aryl halidesThe development of new reaction conditions for Suzuki a coupling reactions has become an areaof interest over the past several years. Previous studies have been undertaken with moderate togood yields under relatively benign reaction conditions. Our motivation is to utilize watersolublephosphine derivatives to improve on these reaction conditions, improve yields, reactiontime, allow for reactions to be carried out at ambient temperature, and lower catalyst loading. Itis thought that increasing electronic donation into the palladium metal center from the phosphinewill aide in oxidative addition into the aryl halide bond. Additionally it is thought that stericallydemanding groups on the phosphine ligand increase subsequent reductive elimination ormigratory insertion steps. Water-soluble phosphines have been developed to be electronicreleasing and sterically demanding, while offering potential for recyclability due to watersolubility. Moreover, the water-soluble ligands we have developed are phosphonium salts,which are easily deprotonated, that offer greater stability when shipping or in open atmosphere.The use of the water-soluble ligand, 3-(di-tert-butylphosphino)propanesulfonate (DTBPSP) hasdemonstrated good activity towards Suzuki coupling of electron rich and deficient aryl bromideswith 73-84% yields at room temperature. The water-soluble ligand 3-(diadamantylphosphino)propanesulfonate (DAPSP) has demonstrated activitation of electronrich and deficient aryl bromides with 64-92% yield at room temperature. Future work willinclude expanding these ligands to aryl chlorides. We also will be to expand these ligands toother coupling reactions and into generating palladium-ligand complexes.Jarrod Stanley, New College, and McNair Scholars ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Celia Lo, Department of Criminal JusticeSchool-Related Factors and Methamphetamine Use: A Study of High School SeniorsThis study sought to identify the factors that influence a high school senior's decision to trymethamphetamine. Using data from the 2005 Monitoring the Future survey, a model was developed andtested using logistic regression techniques. Social bonding variables, including absenteeism, cognitiveconfidence, educational efficacy, and goals were first entered into the model with the control variables,race and gender. Social learning variables, including peer use, perceived risk, and prior marijuana usewere entered in the model in a second step. The results showed that while absenteeism and educational63

efficacy had some impact on the likelihood of methamphetamine use, these effects were mediated by themore proximal role of the social learning variables. Policy implications are briefly discussed.Regan Stevens, Department of Theatre and DanceFaculty Mentor: Professor Seth Panitch, Department of Theatre and DanceThe Necessity of the Arts in EducationIn today’s education system, as budget cuts are prevalent in public schools, arts education mustremain a facet of the K-12 education system. Art is an important aspect of an effective educationdue to its unequaled capacity to instill positive cultural values. Art teaches tolerance throughexposure to the arts of many different cultures, creativity through the realization of one’spotential to formulate and manifest an idea, and socialization through learning a variety of modesfor personal expression.Jackson Switzer, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryEnergetics Relevant to the Atmospheric Decomposition of Chemical WeaponsHigh level molecular orbital theory has been used to predict the electronic structure andenergetics for the decomposition of sarin, tabun, and soman (chemical weapons of massdestruction) in the environment. Very high accuracy methods on model compounds were used tobenchmark the calculated results leading to new ideas about bond energies. We are predicting:(1) how quickly these compounds can decompose in the atmosphere; (2) what gases could beadded in a region where they have been dispersed to enhance their decomposition; and (3) theirdestruction by chemical means.Laughlin Tagg, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeInterdisciplinary Art: Deep Research and Experimental AnimationThe critical point of view I am arguing is that we as a culture lack a strong social consciousness.Our perceptions are distorted, primarily because of cultural dependence on mass media andtechnology. Exploring how media dependency affects American cultural perception, TheSimpsons and the animated sitcom are relevant entertainment to the public. The creator, MattGroening’s personal background and central concept provide full understanding of hisinterdisciplinary approach to sending the American public a message, as well as the role of artand experimental animation in contemporary American culture.Russ Terry, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. Silas Blackstock, Department of ChemistryLooking for Isomorphs of Tetramethylpyrazinedioxide to tune Barrier to DA CoCrystal LatticeIsomerizationI am attempting to synthesize isomorphs of tetramethylpyrazinedioxide (TMPDO) as part of alarger effort to create a CoCrystal between it (my product, the isomorph) and tetracyanoethylene(TCNE). This work is important because CoCrystals exhibit unique properties that are distinctfrom any other type of crystals—particularly in regard to the way they share electrons—and weare hoping in the future to delve more deeply into this interesting property through the use of myisomorphs.64

Maxwell Thompson, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological SciencesToward the Identification of Genes Associated with Dystonia and Parkinson’s DiseaseEarly-onset torsion dystonia is the most severe heritable form of dystonia, a human movementdisorder. To identify enhancers of the affected gene product, torsinA, two genetic screens wereperformed in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. These identified six mutations that alter thecellular activity of torsinA. Because the identity of these mutations is unknown, we arenarrowing down candidate chromosome regions using genetic mapping techniques. Geneidentification will reveal cellular pathways necessary for torsinA function and enhance futuretherapeutic interventions for dystonia, as well as Parkinson’s disease, since we have showntorsinA has the capacity to protect dopamine-producing neurons from dying.Kathryn Tippey, Department of Mathematics, and Computer-Based Honors Program; and TomBerryman, Department of Economics, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Judge Joseph Colquitt, School of LawCriminal Sentencing: Exploring a New ParadigmIn order to combat well documented disparities in criminal sentencing, some court systems usestrict sentencing guidelines to curtail judicial sentencing discretion. However, prisons in theU.S. are overcrowded, and the U.S. Supreme Court has found fault with many state mandatorysentencing schemes. Hence, the goal of this work is to analyze data from states currently usingdifferent types of sentencing guidelines via SPSS to determine the viability of a new approach tostate sentencing guidelines that is based more on the shifting of financial support as a catalyst forjudicial restraint.Andrew Vincent, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryHomogeneous Catalysis: Metal-Phosphine Bond Energies and Carbon-Carbon Bond CouplingReactionsThere is substantial interest in developing C-C bond coupling reactions such as the Heck, Suzuki,and Sonogashira reactions in aqueous rather than organic solvents. We are interested in thedevelopment of homogeneous catalysts based on a phosphine bonded to a Pt, Pd, or Ni. A criticalparameter is the M-PR 3 bond energy (BE). In order to design new catalysts we need to findaccurate density functional theory (DFT) approaches to predict such BEs. We have benchmarkedthe M-PH 3 BEs for M = Pt, Pd, or Ni for M(0) and M(II) compounds for a wide range of DFTexchange-correlation functionals.Justin Vines, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Melondie Carter, School of NursingUse of Diabetes and CVD Health Information Websites in a Black Belt WorksiteThe research question that we have asked is this: Will employees in a Black Belt industry accessand use health information websites in a Self Care Station to promote health and reduce risks ofdiabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease? Such stations have been proven effective in otherareas of the world and we plan to test their effectiveness in the Black Belt. If our Self CareStation proves to be effective, then we will be able to move forward with a new method ofdisease prevention.65

Savannah Watts, Department of Chemistry, and AIMEFaculty Mentor: Dr. Dan Daly, AIMESlow Release of an Active Ingredient from Ionic Liquid Regenerated Cellulose BeadsThis project utilizes the ability to encapsulate functionalized polymers into cellulose beadsregenerated from ionic liquids (ILs). Cellulose, a common resource, is usually extremelydifficult to dissolve. However, ILs, a unique class of solvents, dissolves cellulose easilyallowing encapsulation of components. Ideally molecular release mechanisms can be added tothe cellulose beads creating many possible applications. One, a slow-release mechanism,enables a chemical’s controlled release into the body. We have formed functionalizedpolyetheramine polymers and chemically attached active ingredients to the polymers. We haveencapsulated these polymers in cellulose successfully exhibited slow release of the ingredientinto an acidic environment.Emily Wayman, Department of ChemistryFaculty Mentor: Dr. David Dixon, Department of ChemistryComputational Studies of Titanium NanoclustersThere is substantial interest in the development of new photocatalysts for the conversion of solarenergy as well as supports for transition metal/transition metal oxide nanocatalysts. We arestudying the structures and binding energies of titanium oxide nanoparticles to better understandtheir potential catalytic properties. Density functional theory with different exchange-correlationfunctionals and basis sets has been used to study the partially hydrogenated titanium oxides:Ti 2 O 2 (OH) 4 , Ti 3 O 3 (OH) 4 , and Ti 3 O 5 (OH) 2 . The results enable us to compare the properties ofthese clusters to other partially hydrogenated transition metal oxides such as those derived fromGroup VIB metals.Keith Weber, Computer Science, and Computer-Based Honors Program; and Jessica Triplett,Department of Theatre and Dance, and Computer-Based Honors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Professor John Virciglio, Department of Theater and DanceStandardizing Subjectivity: Grading for the Modern AgeThe Department of Theater and Dance does not have a concrete and consistent systematicmethod of evaluating its performance based classes, nor does it have an efficient method ofproviding feedback regularly to the students. The aim of this project is to create an interactivetool that will allow for easy communication of feedbackand grading for any highly subjective discipline, especially Theater and Dance. This tool willintegrate the standards of the College of Arts and Sciences with the creativity and grading stylesof professors to greatly enhance students’ observation of their progress and heightenperformance to ever-increasing standards.Shane Welch, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesSporadic Exposure of Paraquat to Early Adults and LarvaeParkinson’s disease (PD), the second most common cause of neurodegenerative disease in thegeriatric population, is caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the centralnervous tissue. The degeneration of these neurons causes impaired motor functions and tremors.Recently, PD has been diagnosed in patients who are in their fifties and unfortunately the causeof such early onset of PD among this age group of the population is unknown. Using66

Drosophila, as a PD model we have determined that sporadic exposure of paraquat causestruncation of life and mobility defects in juvenile and early adult flies. We now intend todetermine the factors or genes which could modify this response.Vera Victoria Welch, Department of Modern Languages and Classics, and Computer-BasedHonors ProgramFaculty Mentor: Dr. Karen Boykin, Department of Civil, Construction, and EnvironmentalEngineering, and Environmental InstituteUniversity Waste Audit UpdateThe immediate goal of the University Waste Audit Update is to update a previous waste auditperformed in 1992, which included only academic buildings. The 2008 audit focuses onresidence halls, specifically suite-style halls such as the Lakeside Community. If time permits,the audit may be expanded to include a campus dining facility, such as Lakeside Dining Hall.Each type is waste is separated, weighed, and categorized, and particular attention is given torecyclable materials. Such data is invaluable for the promotion of expanded recycling efforts,and the final report will include data such as potential revenues from recycled materials.Kayla M. White and Eric Mucinskas, Department of Geological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Schwartz, Department of Geological SciencesOrigins of Cretaceous Sedimentary Rocks within the Mitchell Inlier of the Forearc Basin inCentral OregonSedimentary rocks in the Mitchell Inlier of Central Oregon preserve a record erosion andsedimentation during mountain building along the western margin of North America in theCretaceous. The Gable Creek Formation is a prominent unit in this area and consists ofsubmarine-fan conglomerates and sandstones. Conglomerates contain clasts of chert,intermediate to silicic volcanic rocks, and minor granitic to intermediate plutonic rocks. Theoriginal source and tectonic setting of these rocks are poorly understood. We performed thinsection petrography and geochemical analyses to determine the chemical makeup and origin ofthe volcanic clasts.Luke Wiggins and Tyler Richardson, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological SciencesGenetic Complementation, Pharmacological and Behavioral Analysis of Mutations AffectingDopamine-regulating GenesDopamine, a neurotransmitter and neurohormone, has numerous important functions in all higherorganisms, including regulation of learning, stress response and locomotion. Dopaminedysfunction is associated with numerous human diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, inwhich dopamine-expressing neurons die. Dopamine is synthesized and regulated in a complexpathway involving many genes. Two mutations in an unknown gene that affects dopaminerelatedprocesses and dopamine-regulating genes in the model organism Drosophilamelanogaster are being analyzed by genetic complementation with known dopamine-modifyinggene mutations to identify the specific gene affected. Behavioral and drug testing are being usedto investigate their role in the pathway.67

India D. Williams, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeBlack Bodies: Dancing Out LoudPeople of African descent have a close connection between communication and movement. Myresearch points to significant linkages between the Civil Rights Movement in the United Statesand apartheid in South Africa. These times of oppression in history birthed creative spirits andconnected a people that had been torn apart many years prior. As evidenced in laws made duringapartheid, slavery, and the Civil Rights Movement to suppress, limit or prohibit dance and songout of fear of unity and empowerment among the oppressed, I will present their specific impacton contemporary African-American dance and ultimately communication.Tara Wood, Department of Biological SciencesFaculty Mentor: Dr. Julie Olson, Department of Biological SciencesBacterial Warfare: Assessing the Effects of Competition on Antibiotic ProductionMicroorganisms produce a wide variety of antibiotics, but the factors regulating the productionof these compounds are largely unknown. To address this question, three sample organisms,RB72, Streptomyces kentuckensis, and Streptomyces hachijoensis, were selected based onmeasured antibiotic activity against the test organisms Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Competition chambers were inoculated so as to place RB72 andS. kentuckensis in flasks separated by a membrane to allow small molecules to pass through, anddisk diffusion assays were conducted to determine the effect that this competition had on therespective levels of antibiotic production. Future directions of this project include repetition oftrials and subsequent trials between all possible combinations of the sample organisms.Daniel Milton Wooten, New CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Janeann Dill, New CollegeSumi-, Eisenstein on Disney, and Animation as an Interdisciplinary ArtIn his book Eisenstein on Disney, Sergei Eisenstein critiques and praises Disney animationswhile delving into the principles of animation as movement. Through the lens of Eisenstein’score principles, this research relates these ideas to sumi-e as animation. Comparing theprinciples and art of sumi-e artists, Shozo Sato and Hitoshi Komatsu, and the way in which thesumi artists interact with the natural environment recalls the animated motion described byEisenstein. My own hand-drawn animation is a manifestation of these ideas and research as aninterdisciplinary approach to art, philosophy, and personal experience.James Ziegelbauer and Tee Thomasson, Center for Public Television and RadioFaculty Mentor: Ms. Amy Eifler, Center for Public Television and RadioDigital SavagesOur first conception was to create a short three-minute movie based upon the life of a videogamer and his obsession with Halo 3. As our thoughts wandered about plotline, we discovered itwould be humorous to create conflict with this so called “gamer” and his roommates. We thenprogress with the idea of his roommates hiring a “virtual” hit man, who would “take out” theirvideo game obsessed friend.68

Oral and Poster Presentations PresentersNicholas Adam, Department of Telecommunication and Film 20John Agricola, Department of American Studies 8Altan F. Ahmed, Department of Biological Sciences 13Darin Allen, Department of Political Science 8Russell Allinder, Department of Biological Sciences 13Mary Katherine Alsip, Computer-Based Honors Program 26Kevin Anderson, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors Program 13Christopher Jay Antico, Department of Biological Sciences 13Marion Armstrong, Departments of Management and Marketing, and Modern Languagesand Classics 19Folashade' Olaitan Ayanwale, Department of Psychology 12Amber Baker, Department of History 8Stephanie Baker, Programs in Secondary Education, Program in Educational Psychology,and Computer-Based Honors Program 21Caroline Ball, Department of Mathematics, and Computer-Based Honors Program 10Kurt Barry, Department of Physics, and Computer-Based Honors Program 9Randy Beavers, Computer-Based Honors Program 19Kalen Berry, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based Honors Program 13Tom Berryman, Department of Economics, and Computer-Based Honors Program 13Andrew Bishop, School of Music, and Computer-Based Honors Program 5Tonorey W. Bishop, Department of English 6Beth Blalock, School of Social Work 26Peyton Blankenship, Department of Theatre and Dance 5Tiffany Danielle Blevins, Department of Telecommunication and Film 20Harold William Bloom III, Department of Political Science 8Lauren Blue, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering 22Caliste Boswell, Department of Human Development and Family Studies 24Courtney Bowland, Alabama Public Radio 21Lorie Box, Computer-Based Honors Program 19D. Denise Boykin, Department of Chemistry 14Fallon Brown, Department of Chemistry 14Michael Brown, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering 22Carri Burgjohann, New College 10Alex Burns, Department of Computer Science, and Computer-Based Honors Program 22Nathan Burttram, Department of Geological Sciences 14Rebecca Candler, Department of Biological Sciences 14Stephanie Cantu, Computer-Based Honors Program 19Camille Caprio, Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management 25Hallie C. Carroll, New College 10Amber Cheung, Department of History 8William Dwayne Clark, Department of Chemistry 14Cassandra Coleman, Department of Biological Sciences 9Joni Corbin, Department of Civil Engineering, and Computer-Based Honors Program 1469

Nicolette Corbin, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, andComputer-Based Honors Program 10Ginny Cornelius, Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management 25Jason Crowell, Department of Chemistry 14Kyle Cruz, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Computer-Based HonorsProgram 22Amber Cunningham, Department of English 6Gavin Daigle, Department of Biological Sciences 14Susan DeLeon, Department of Biological Sciences 15Robert Kyle Driggers, Department of Philosophy 10John Duffey, Computer-Based Honors Program 19Eric Dunkerley, Department of Biological Sciences 9Eric Edwards, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Computer-Based HonorsProgram 9Kayla Evans, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based Honors Program 11Britton Farrell, Computer-Based Honors Program 19Matthew Ferguson, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Computer-Based Honors Program 23Danielle Jean Fortner, Department of Telecommunication and Film 20Stacey Fox, Department of Biological Sciences 15Ericka Lorraine Gibbs, Department of Health Science 25Jonathan Gilliam, Department of Geological Sciences 15Steven B. Glass, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based HonorsProgram 15Laura Godorecci, New College 7John Goetz, School of Social Work 27J.D. Gramlin, Department of Geological Sciences 15Heather Griffin, Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design 25Courtney Guenther, Department of Mathematics, and Computer-Based Honors Program 23Jacob Haley, Department of Geological Sciences 15Amanda Hall, Programs in Elementary Education 22Josh Hamilton, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, and Management Science,and Computer Based Honors Program 20Gabriel Hammarquist, Department of Biological Sciences 14David Hardin, Computer-Based Honors Program 19Corrine Harris, Department of English 6Patrick Sean Harris, Department Geological Sciences 15Travis Hartin, Department of Psychology 12, 24Michelle Hawthorne, Department of Psychology 9Jewel Hazelton, Department of Adverting, and Public Relations 21Cody Head, New College 5Jamie Hennigan, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors Program 15Vetrica Hill, School of Social Work 27Jonathan Mark Hinnen, Department of Theatre and Dance 7Megan Nicole Hipp, School of Music 5Roberta Melissa Hirschbuehler, Department of English 670

Melanie Holland, Departments of Criminal Justice, and Psychology 12Brittany Hollon, Department of Geological Sciences 15Ashley Holmes, Computer-Based Honors Program 19Tyler House, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Computer-Based HonorsProgram 22Christina Ibrahim, Department of Mechanical Engineering 23Laura Jacobs, Department of Theatre and Dance, and University Honors Program 11Ashleigh Jarrell, Department of Psychology 25Courtney Johnson, Department of Geological Sciences 17Susannah Jones, School of Music, and Capstone Music Therapy 11Phillip Earl Jordan, Department of Psychology, and McNair Scholars Program 25Elicia Juarez, Department of Psychology 25Anna Beth Keith, Department of Psychology 24John Killian, Department of Chemistry 16Mary E. Killian, Department of Chemistry 16Sean Kilpatrick, Department of Political Science 8Joe Kimbrough II, Department of Religious Studies 5Miles Kiser, Department of Health Science 25Adam Knight, Department of Biological Sciences 16Bethany Knowles, Department of English, and Computer-Based Honors Program 11Sara Kruse, Department of Psychology 25Laura Kyser, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors Program 16Jonathan Lanctot, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering,and Computer-Based Honors Program 23Will Lankford, Computer-Based Honors Program 19Jared Lauridsen, Department of Art, and Computer-Based Honors Program 23Christie Ledbetter, Department of Theatre and Dance 5Samuel Kyle Lee, Department of Biological Sciences 9Dana Lewis, Department of Advertising and Public Relations, and Computer-BasedHonors Program 21Rebecca T. Long, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors Program 16Andrea Mabry, New College, Computer-Based Honors Program 8Dale Maddox, Department of Psychology 12Simpla Mahato, Department of Biological Sciences 17Daniel R Marbury, School of Music, and the Computer-Based Honors Program 11Courtney Marr, New College 7Tricia Masucci, Alabama Public Radio 21Jessie McAlpine, Department of Psychology 12William A. McCracken, III, Department of History, and Honors College 8Christy McGee, New College, and Honors College 6Matthew McKay, Department of Geological Sciences 16Sarabeth McLendon, Department of Chemistry 16Betsy Meadows, Department of Consumer Sciences 24Emily Meadows, Department of Biological Sciences 16Lauren Nicole Messer, Department of Communication Studies 21Allison Michalke, Department of Theatre and Dance 771

Andrea Miller, Department of Human Development and Family Studies 24, 25Lynnette Moats, School of Nursing 26Dakota J. Moore, Department of English 6Hudson Moore, Computer-Based Honors Program 19Maggie Moore, New College 11Eric Mucinskas , Department of Geological Sciences 18Tiffany Mueller, Department of Political Science, and Blount Undergraduate Initiative 12Ryan Nelms, Department of Mechanical Engineering 23Evan Niner, Department of Physics, Computer-Based Honors Program 9Britton O’Shields, Department of Biological Sciences 10Natileigh O’Shields, Department of Modern Languages and Classics 7Jack Steven Parker, Jr, Department of Biological Sciences 16Sheenal Patel, Department of Political Science 12Bradford Patterson, Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal Studies, andComputer-Based Honors Program 20Harrison Pearl, Department of Biological Sciences 17Lauren Perry, Department of Geological Sciences 17Desiree Picone, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors Program 17Sarah Pitts, School of Music 11Gregory M. Poole, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and Centerfor Materials for Information Technology 23Catherine Lyndsey Prickett, Computer-Based Honors Program 26Ross Pritchard, Department of Biological Sciences 9Catherine Qualls, Department of Chemistry, Computer Based Honors Program 13Mary Margaret Randall, New College 6Catherine Grace Raulston, Department of Biological Sciences 13, 17Shelley Rawlings, School of Social Work 27Kimberly Ray, Department of Kinesiology 22Malcolm Reddoch, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, and ManagementScience, and Computer Based Honors Program 20Anderson Renaud, Department of Mechanical Engineering 23Tyler Richardson, Department of Biological Sciences 18John Ricketts, Department of Biological Sciences 17Renee Rivas, Department of Biological Sciences, and Howard Hughes Medical InstituteIntern Program 10Emily Roberson, New College, and Honors College 20Daniel Rolotti, Department of Psychology 9Karen Ross, Department of Biological Sciences 9Mary Harmon Rountree, Department of Political Science 13Michael Sanchez, Department of Political Science 8Mary Kathryn Sewell, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering 23Adam Shivers, Department of Telecommunication and Film 20Eric Shuman, Department of Health Science 25Anna Slagle, School of Music, and Computer-Based Honors Program 5Carter Slappey, Computer-Based Honors Program 24Kendall Smith, Department of Modern Languages and Classics 672

M. Quentin Sonnier, Jr., Department of Chemistry 17Jarrod Stanley, New College, and McNair Scholars Program 9Katie Stephenson, School of Music, and Capstone Music Therapy 11Regan Stevens, Department of Theatre and Dance 7Jackson Switzer, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors Program 17Laughlin Tagg, New College 7Russ Terry, Department of Chemistry 17Tee Thomasson, Center for Public Television and Radio 21Maxwell Thompson, Department of Biological Sciences 18Kathryn Tippey, Department of Mathematics, and Computer-Based Honors Program 13Jessica Triplett, Department of Theatre and Dance, and Computer-Based Honors Program 11Strud Tutwiler, Department of Chemistry 14Andrew Vincent, Department of Chemistry, and Computer-Based Honors Program 18Justin Vines, Department of Biological Sciences, and Computer-Based Honors Program 26Savannah I Watts, Department of Chemistry, AIME 18Emily Wayman, Department of Chemistry 18Keith Weber, Computer Science, and Computer-Based Honors Program 11Shane Welch, Department of Biological Sciences 18Vera Victoria Welch, Department of Modern Languages and Classics, and Computer-Based Honors Program 24Kayla M. White, Department of Geological Sciences 18Luke Wiggins, Department of Biological Sciences 18India D. Williams, New College 9Tara Wood, Department of Biological Sciences 18Daniel Milton Wooten, New College 7Maeve Yaden, Department of Geological Sciences 15James Ziegelbauer, Center for Public Television and Radio 2173

Faculty MentorsDr. Rebecca Allen, Department of Psychology 12Dr. Norman Baldwin, Department of Political Science 8Ms. Stephanie Baller, Department of Health Science 25Professor Sarah Barry, Department of Theatre and Dance 7Mr. Jason J. Battles, Gorgas Library 11Dr. Robert Batson, Industrial Engineering Program 23Dr. Beth Bennett, Department of Communication Studies 21Mr. Stephen Black, Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, and Honors College 19Dr. Silas C. Blackstock, Department of Chemistry 16, 17Dr. Anthony Bolden, Department of English 6 (6)Dr. Larry Bowen, Center for Teaching and Learning 24Dr. Karen Boykin, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering,and Environmental Institute 24Dr. Phillip Bradford, Department of Computer Science 23Dr. Christopher Brazel, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering 22, 23Dr. Robert Brooks, Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal Studies 19Dr. Joe Brown, New College 8, 12Mrs. Alicia Browne, Housing and Residential Communities 11Dr. Butler Cain, Alabama Public Radio 21Dr. Guy Caldwell, Department of Biological Sciences 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17Dr. Kim Caldwell, Department of Biological Sciences 9, 10, 15 (2), 16, 18J. Ashley Carroll, Program in Educational Psychology, and Program in EducationalResearch 21Dr. Melondie Carter, School of Nursing 26Professor Andrea Cevasco, School of Music 11Dr. Julia Cherry, New College 10Dr. Barbara Chotiner, Department of Political Science 8 (2), 12Dr. Kevin Chou, Department of Mechanical Engineering 23Dr. John L. Clark, Department of Biological Sciences 9, 15Judge Joseph Colquitt, School of Law 13Dr. Frances Conners, Department of Psychology 12 (2)Dr. Caryl Cooper, Department of Advertising, and Public Relations 21Dr. James Cover, Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal Studies 20Dr. Martha Crowther, Department of Psychology 12Dr. Mary Elizabeth Curtner-Smith, Department of Human Development and FamilyStudies 24Dr. Dan Daly, AIME 18Ms. Michelle Darst, Department of Health Science 25Dr. Janeann Dill, New College 5, 6, 7 (4) 9, 10, 11, 20Dr. David A. Dixon, Department of Chemistry 13, 15, 16 (2), 17 (2), 18 (2)Ms. Amy Eifler, Center for Public Television and Radio 21Dr. David R. Forde, Department of Criminal Justice 12Dr. Kari Frederickson, Department of History 8Dr. Subhadra Gupta, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering 22, 2374

Dr. David Hale, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, and Management Science 19Dr. Carl Hancock, School of Music 11Dr. Julia Hartman, College of Arts and Sciences 10, 26Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif, Department of Human Development and Family Studies 25 (2)Dr. H. Scott Hestevold, Department of Philosophy 10Professor Allison Hetzel, Department of Theatre and Dance 5Dr. Rick Houser, Program in Educational Psychology, and Program in EducationalResearch 22Dr. Melissa Jackson, Department of Psychology 9Dr. Margaret Johnson, Department of Biological Sciences 13Dr. Pauline Johnson, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering 24Dr. Rebecca Kelly, Office of Health Promotion and Wellness 13Dr. Olivia Kendrick, Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management 25Ms. Michelle Lee, Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design 25Dr. Celia Lo, Department of Criminal Justice 9Dr. Juan M. Lopez-Bautista, Department of Biological Sciences 10Dr. Shadi Martin, School of Social Work 26Dr. Courtney McGahey, Department of Consumer Sciences 24Dr. Utz McKnight, Department of Political Science 8 (2), 12, 13Professor Donna Meester, Department of Theatre and Dance 5Professor Shelly Meggison, School of Music 5, 10Dr. Ed Merrill, Department of Psychology 12Dr. Tim Mewes, Department of Physics and Astronomy 9Dr. Ruby S. Morrison, School of Nursing 26Dr. David E. Nikles, Department of Chemistry, and Center for Materials for InformationTechnology 23Dr. Jonathan Noffsinger, School of Music 5Dr. Janis O’Donnell, Department of Biological Sciences 13, 14 (2), 16, 18 (2)Dr. Julie Olson, Department of Biological Sciences 18Ms. Carolyn Palmer, Programs in Elementary Education 22Professor Seth Panitch, Department of Theatre and Dance 7 (2), 11Dr. Andreas Piepke, Department of Physics 9Dr. Paul Puzinauskas, Department of Mechanical Engineering 22Dr. Uzma Raja, Department of Information Systems, Statistics, and Management Science 19, 20Dr. Steven Ramey, Department of Religious Studies 5Dr. Beverly Roskos-Ewoldsen, College of Arts and Sciences 9Dr. Joshua Schwartz, Department of Geological Sciences 14, 15 (3), 17, 18Dr. Jason Scofield, Department of Human Development and Family Studies 24, 25Dr. Shane Sharpe, Honors College, and Computer-Based Honors Program 11, 21Dr. Kevin Shaughnessy, Department of Chemistry 14 (4), 16, 17Dr. Cassandra Simon, School of Social Work 27Dr. Oleg A. Sinelnikov, Department of Kinesiology 22Dr. Harriett E. Smith-Somerville, Department of Biological Sciences 13, 16, 17 (2)Ms. Denise Smith, Office of Disability Services 21Dr. Michael Steinberg, Department of Geography, and New College 14Dr. Harold Stowell, Department of Geological Sciences 15 (2), 1675

Dr. Lonnie Strickland, Department of Management and Marketing 19Dr. Edward Tang, Department of American Studies 8Dr. Carmen Taylor, College of Arts and Sciences 10Dr. Aida Toledo, Department of Modern Languages and Classics 6, 7Dr. Pam Tran, Department of Telecommunication and Film 20 (4)Dr. Ilhan Tuzcu, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics 23Professor John Virciglio, Department of Theater and Dance 11Dr. Joseph Weber, Department of Geography 23Dr. Amy Weislogel, Department of Geological Sciences 15Dr. Felecia Wood, School of Nursing 26Dr. Vivian Wright, Department of Curriculum and Instruction 2276

AcknowledgmentsUndergraduate Research/Creative Activities Committee, 2007-08Members of the Undergraduate Research/Creative Activities Committee organized today’s eventand solicited papers from their respective students. We gratefully acknowledge their hard workin making this conference possible.DivisionGraduate SchoolArts and SciencesCommerce and BusinessAdministrationCommunication and InformationSciencesEducationEngineeringHuman Environmental SciencesSocial WorkNursingUniversity LibrariesHonors CollegeMcNair ScholarsCapstone InternationalProvost’s OfficeOffice of ResearchRepresentativeDr. Dave Francko, ChairDr. Natalie AdamsDr. Jimmy WilliamsDr. Mike HardinDr. Caryl CooperDr. Jamie SatcherDr. John WiestDr. Lori TurnerDr. Kathleen BollandDr. Susan GaskinsDr. Millie JacksonDr. Shane SharpeDr. Nancy CampbellDr. Jane StanfieldDr. Mark NelsonMrs. Janet GriffithDr. Joe BensonAnd our thanks toDean Robert Olin, College of Arts and SciencesDean Barry Mason, College of Commerce and Business AdministrationDean Loy A. Singleton, College of Communication and Information SciencesDean James McLean, College of EducationDean Charles L. Karr, College of EngineeringDean Robert Halli, Honors CollegeDean Milla Boschung, College of Human Environmental SciencesDean Sara Barger, Capstone College of NursingDean James P. Adams, School of Social WorkDean Louis A. Pitschmann, University Libraries77