Dianne M. Holcomb
assistant director, Office of Sponsored Programs, 308.865.8481
The 13th annual University of Nebraska at Kearney Student Research Day will give more than 100 students an opportunity to present their academic research on Thursday, April 7.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will be in the Ponderosa Room of the Nebraskan Student Union. Oral presentations begin at 11 a.m. followed by poster and performance presentations at 1:30 p.m.
According to Dr. John Falconer, director of UNK Sponsored Programs, Student Research Day is an event that showcases the research, and other scholarly activities of undergraduate and graduate students. All disciplines participate in the poster session. In addition, there will be oral presentations, musical performances and art exhibitions.
“Student Research Day is designed to give UNK students an opportunity to display the results of collaborative research conducted with faculty mentors as well as the results of independent research,” Dr. Falconer said.
UNK students involved in Student Research Day are listed below, alphabetically by hometown, along with their research project titles and their faculty advisers:
AINSWORTH– Benjamin Lentz, “Wii, Kinect, and Move for Physical Activity,” Dr.
Gregory Brown, physical education
AMHERST– Tyler Adelung, “A-mazing Robots,” Dr. Sherri Harms, computer science
ARCADIA– Robert Roth, “UNK Alma Mater,” Dr. Darleen Mitchell, music
ATKINSON– Kelli Garwood, “Lanthanide-Containing Pharmaceuticals: Chemical Bone
Growth Agents for the Use in Bone Fusion Surgeries,” Dr. Cheri Barta, chemistry
AUBURN– Jason Teten, “Characterizing and Describing Light Waves,” Dr. Liubov
Kreminska, physical science
BAYARD– Amy Long, “Bone Density and Its Relationship to Incidence of Injury in
Collegiate Female Athletes ,” Dr. Scott Unruh, physical education
BEATRICE– Krista Zarybnicky, “Changes in Metabolism Based on Breakfast
Consumption,” Dr. Kate Heelan, human performance laboratory
BLAIR– Helen Breuer, “Masdar City and Its Potential Influence on the World,” Dr. Jason
Combs, geography
BRIDGEPORT– Jaicee Post, “Degeneration of a Plastid Group II Intron,” Dr. Dawn
Simon, biology
BRIDGEPORT– Kelli Batterman, “Using Aims Web Math Curriculum Based
Measurements as a Predictor for the Measures of Academic Progress Standardized Test,” Dr. Max McFarland, counseling and educational psychology
CAMPBELL– Rachel Hall, “Effects on Longevity of Drosophila Melanogaster After Using Mutational Insertions to Knockout Genes,”
Dr. Kim Carlson, biology
CENTRAL CITY– Noland Broekemier, “Synthesis of Bronsted Acid Catalysts for Esterification and Transesterification Reactions,”
Dr. Hector Palencia, chemistry
CENTRAL CITY– Noah Broekemier, “Novel N-Heterocycle Carbenes-Palladium Complexes for the Synthesis of Biaryls in
Aqueous Solutions,” Dr. Hector Palencia, chemistry
CHADRON– Melissa Burrows, “Counselors: Making a Difference Wherever You Are Through Community Engagement,”
Dr. David Hof, counseling and educational psychology
COZAD– Emily Stevens, “Cold Weather and Recess,” Dr. Jason Combs, geography
CURTIS– Heather Wills, “Shrewd Shrews Prefer Sloughs: A Look at Small Mammal Distribution in Response to
Hydrology and Management,” Dr. Mary Harner, biology
DAVENPORT– Emily Kubalik, “Individual and Social Factors that Influence Self-Concept Resiliency,”
Dr. Richard Miller, psychology
DAWSON– Benjamin Clancy, “Cross Culture Relationships,” Dr. Joseph Benz, psychology
DICKENS– Brooke Harris, “National Flute Association Collegiate Flute Choir,” Franziska Nabb, music
DONIPHAN– Jeremy Stromer, “Image Analysis of Liquid Crystal Polarizers,” Dr. Liubov Kreminska, physical science
EDGAR– Jeff Shaw, “Fungal Diversity of a Cottonwood Root System,” Dr. Dawn Simon and Dr. Mary Harner, both biology
EUSTIS– Brennon Malcom, “Free Speech at Military Funerals,” Dr. Peter Longo, political science
FIRTH– Melissa Gochenour, “Counselors: Making a Difference Wherever You Are Through Community Engagement,”
Dr. David Hof, counseling and educational psychology
GENEVA– Kevin Ward, “Population Change in the United States,” Dr. Jason Combs, geography
GERING– Bradley Peters, “Validation of Omron Pedometers Using MTI Accelerometers With Children,” Dr. Kate Heelan,
human performance laboratory
GERING– Cody Flower, “Parental Satisfaction of a BMI Report Card Program,” Dr. Kate Heelan, human performance laboratory
GOTHENBURG- Dani Butterfield, “Counselors: Making a Difference Wherever You Are Through Community Engagement,”
Dr. David Hof, counseling and educational psychology
GRAND ISLAND– Ethan Cordes, “Differential Gene Expression Related to Nora Virus Infection of Drosophila,”
Dr. Kim Carlson, biology
GRAND ISLAND– Samantha Mitchell, “Production and Purification of OTK18 Protein to Determine Potential DNA
Binding Regions,” Dr. Kim Carlson, biology
GRAND ISLAND– Benjamin White, “Use of Chromatography to Characterize a Substrate Binding Constant for a
His-Tag Immobilized Enzyme,” Dr. Frank Kovacs, chemistry
GRAND ISLAND– Stephen Carlson, “Internet Service Across Nebraska,” Dr. Tim Obermier, industrial technology
GRAND ISLAND– Collin Grimes, “A Tale of Two Towns: The Emergence of Trust and Mistrust in Two Nebraska
Communities,” Dr. John Anderson, political science
GRAND ISLAND– Jamie Brisbin, Antioxidant Treatment Alters Behavioral and Biochemical Indices of Depleted
Uranium Treated Mice,” Dr. Wayne Briner, psychology
GREENWOOD– Hayley Rudder, “The Effects of School Consolidation on Rural Communities,” Dr. Peter Longo,
political science
HASTINGS– Anthony Bridger, “Nebraska Specimens of Amphibians and Reptiles in the UNK Natural History Collection,”
Dr. Keith Geluso, biology
HASTINGS– Alexandra Zysset, “Investor Sentiment,” Dr. Frank Tenkorang, economics
HASTINGS– Laura Ahlman, “A Plea for Authority: The King James Only Movement and 1970’s Conservatism,”
Dr. Stephen Glazier, sociology
HOLDREGE– Heather Towndrow, “A Descriptive Analysis of Burnout in the Social Work Fields Using the Maslach
Relationship to Work Inventory,” Dr. Tobi DeLong-Hamilton, social work
HOWELLS– Kyle Brandyberry, “The Effects of Interrogator Gender and Personal Space Violation on False Confessions,”
Dr. Krista Forrest, criminal justice
HUMPHREY– Jacob McPhillips, “Growth of the Catholic Church in Nebraska: From Rural to Urban,” Dr. Jason Combs, geography
KEARNEY– Thomas Dircksen, “Steam Bending Wood,” Chad Fonfara, art
KEARNEY– Andrew Prososki, “Production and Purification of Nora Virus ORF 3 Protein,” Dr. Kim Carlson, biology
KEARNEY– Jeremiah Carlson, “Comparison of Fall to Spring Captures of American Burying Beetle Reveals Sex and Size
Biases,” Dr. Wyatt Hoback, biology
KEARNEY– Audra Kennedy, “Influence of 5-Hour Energy Drink on the Spontaneous Physical Activity of Mice,”
Dr. Janet Steele, biology
KEARNEY– Bobbi Stromer, “Characterization of Ascorbate Peroxidase of Switchgrass,” Dr. Frank Kovacs, chemistry
KEARNEY– Jason Webb, “Enabling Intuitive Control of 3D Models Using an Accelerometer-Enabled Wristwatch,”
Dr. Kenneth Trantham, physical science
KEARNEY– Nicholas Volpe, “Desertification Modeling for the Rio Puerco Watershed Using Remote Sensing Techniques,”
Dr. Vijendra Boken, geography
KEARNEY– Jennifer Linder, “Tall Grass Prairie Restoration in Eastern Nebraska,” Dr. Jason Combs, geography
KEARNEY– Ross Brunkhardt, “Damages from the 1811-12 New Madrid Earthquake,” Dr. Jason Combs, geography
KEARNEY– Katlyn Heiserman, “Comparison of Muscle Activation in the Rectus Abdominis and Rectus Femoris Between
Different Food Positions During the Use of an Abdominal Exercise Weight Machine in College Aged Females,”
Dr. Gregory Brown, physical education
KEARNEY– Lerrin Rowe, “Incorporation of Curriculum-Based Physical Activity Lessons to Meet a Mandated Physical Activity
Policy,” Dr. Erin Holt, physical education
KEARNEY– David Hayes, “Continued Construction and Testing of a Distributed Computing Environment,” Dr. Aaron Clark, mathematics and statistics
KEARNEY– Anthony Ward, “The Role of Music in 2001: A Space Odyssey,” Dr. Darleen Mitchell, music
KEARNEY– Josh Beck, “Polarizing Efficiency of Thin Films of IR806,” Dr. Liubov Kreminska, physical science
KEARNEY– Carl Corder, “The Investigation of Optical Vortices and Hexagonal Patterns in Three Plane Wave Interference,”
Dr. Liubov Kreminska, physical science
KEARNEY– Adrianne White, “Laypersons’ Interrogation Prototypes: Can Police Detect Suspect Legal Experience From
Interrogation Descriptions?,” Dr. Krista Forrest, psychology
KEARNEY– Destinee Nelson, “The Effects of Interrogator Gender and Personal Space Violation on False Confessions,”
Dr. Krista Forrest, psychology
KEARNEY– “Mackenzie Bohl, “The Effects of Reflective Journaling on Content Comprehension,” Dr. Krista Forrest, psychology
KEARNEY– Mandy Yendra, “Internet Personals: How Men Socially Construct Themselves Based on Who They Are
Seeking,” Dr. Diane Kholos-Wysocki, sociology
KEARNEY– Cheeri Theesen, “Grief Patterns in Family Caregivers of Those With Dementia,” Dr. Tobi DeLong-Hamilton,
social work
KEARNEY– Stephanie Klein, “The International Adoption Experience,” Dr. Maha Younes, social work
KEARNEY– Monluedee Luecha, “Genetic Variation of Isopods in Nebraska,” Dr. Keri Farnsworth Hoback, biology
KEARNEY– Amber Alexander, “The Fairmont Army Air Field,” Dr. Mark Ellis, history
KEARNEY– Destinee Nelson, “The Effects of Journaling on Self Efficacy and Course Engagement Among College Students,”
Dr. Krista Fritson, psychology
KEARNEY– Ryota Tanaka, “Monitoring Aral Sea Using Landsatt Satellite Data,” Dr. Vijendra Boken, geography
KEARNEY– Trish Holen, “Counselors: Making a Difference Wherever You Are Through Community Engagement,”
Dr. David Hof, counseling and educational psychology
KEARNEY– Liz Sizer, “Counselors: Making a Difference Wherever You Are Through Community Engagement,”
Dr. David Hof, counseling and educational psychology
KEARNEY– Crystal Vanderslev, “Counselors: Making a Difference Wherever You Are Through Community Engagement,”
Dr. David Hof, counseling and educational psychology
LINCOLN– Sada Hotovy, “Discovering Character with Sandburg: New Territory in an Annotated Transcription,”
Dr. Kathryn Benzel, English
LINCOLN– Meaghan Hill, “The Impact of Social Media,” Dr. Toni Hill, family studies
LOUP CITY– Matthew Day, “Effects of Swimming Exercise on Glucose Tolerance in Diabetic KK-Ay Mice,” Dr. Janet Steele, biology
MCCOOK– Charles Sepers, “Efficacy of Two Theory-Based 12-Week E-Mail Mediated Walking Programs: A Pilot Study,”
Dr. Todd Bartee, physical education
MCCOOK– Hannah Vontz, “Self-Reported Crimes by College Students: An Examination of Gender Differences,”
Dr. Theresa Wadkins, psychology
MCCOOK– Charles Sepers, “From Theory to Practice: The Development of an Internet Based Walking Program,”
Dr. Todd Bartee, physical education
MCCOOK– Hannah Vontz, “The Effects of Journaling on Self Efficacy and Course Engagement Among College Students,”
Dr. Krista Fritson, psychology
MINDEN– Adrian Enrique Sanabria-Diaz, “Modeling Nonvolatile Memory Elements based on Ferroelectric Polymers,”
Dr. Timothy Reece, physical science
NEWMAN GROVE– Ashley Nelson, “Presence of Chytrid Fungus in Bullfrogs Along the Central Platte River,” Dr. Mary Harner, biology
NORFOLK– Alexandra Frohberg, “Interacting Effects of Land Management and Hydrology on Bird Communities Along the Platte River,” Dr. Mary Harner, biology
NORFOLK– Mariah Ramold, “Self-Reported Crimes by College Students: An Examination of Gender Differences,”
Dr. Theresa Wadkins, psychology
NORTH PLATTE– Sarah Hille, “The Impact of Time on Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony,” Dr. Julia Campbell,
criminal justice; and “Effects of Empathy and Just World on Sentencing Recommendations,” Dr. Richard Miller, psychology
NORTH PLATTE– Shannon Foley, “Public Perceptions of Marriage Counseling,” Dr. Theresa Wadkins, psychology
NORTH PLATTE– Kristi Chessmore, “Social Emotional Development,” Dr. Robyn Sobansky, counseling and educational psychology
OGALLALA– Travis Kirchner, “Characterization of Intron in Fungi,” Dr. Dawn Simon, biology
OMAHA– Sarah Siebrandt, “Wii, Kinect and Move for Physical Activity” and “Oxygen Consumption in Interactive Video Games,”
Dr. Gregory Brown, physical education
O’NEILL– Taylor Carlson, “Immunoextraction of Nicotine from Serum Samples using Magnabind Beads to Create a Standard
Curve for Nicotine Quantitation,” Dr. Annette Moser, chemistry
O’NEILL– Rita Hood, “Progress Report on Dibenzacridines as G-quadruplex Stabilizers,” Dr. Michael Mosher, chemistry
ORCHARD– Eliot Wondercheck, “Active Love Against Ivan’s Madness,” Dr. Tom Martin, philosophy
ORD– Casey VanZandt, “Counselors: Making a Difference Wherever You Are Through Community Engagement,”
Dr. David Hof, counseling and educational psychology
PALMER– Jayme Davis, “Counselors: Making a Difference Wherever You Are Through Community Engagement,”
Dr. David Hof, counseling and educational psychology
PETERSBURG– Megan Faust, “Increasing Competitiveness in the Area Job Market,” Dr. David Palmer, management
PLAINVIEW– Jared Jensen, “Do Criminal Justice Students Fear Crime More Than Non Criminal Justice Students?,”
Dr. Julia Campbell, criminal justice
RALSTON– Andrew Miller, “A Comparison of Two Early Automobile Route Guides,” Dr. John Bauer, geography
RAVENNA– Britni Hervert, “The Use of Organocatlysts in Sustainable Chemistry,” Dr. Hector Palencia, chemistry
SCHUYLER– Joel Lemus, “Counselors: Making a Difference Wherever You Are Through Community Engagement,”
Dr. David Hof, counseling and educational psychology
SHELTON– Travis Claybrooks, “Beetle Juice! Characterization of Antimicrobial Proteins in Nicrophorus Carolinus,”
Dr. Julie Shaffer, biology
SIDNEY– Jennifer Merlino, “Records of Cryptotis Parva and Sorex Merriami in Banner County, Nebraska,” Dr. Keith Geluso, biology
ST. PAUL– Krista Scheer, “Wii, Kinect and Move for Physical Activity” and “Physically Active Video Games,” Dr. Gregory Brown, physical education
ST. PAUL– Jared Krejci, “House Committees and Leadership: Autonomy Versus Collective Action,” Dr. Joan Blauwkamp,
political science
ST. PAUL– Leanna Brase, “Effects of Religiosity on Young Adult Sexual Behavior,” Dr. Jody VanLaningham, social work
TILDEN– Danielle Larson, “Whiteclay: Historical Underpinnings of Political, Social and Legal Injustice,” Dr. Peter Longo,
political science
TILDEN– Kelli Oelsligle, “Antioxidant Treatment Alters Behavioral and Biochemical Indices of Depleted Uranium Treated Mice,”
Dr. Wayne Briner, psychology
WAKEFIELD– Kelsey Bard, “A Database Information System for Aviation Programs,” Dr. Sherri Harms, computer science
OUT OF STATE
COLORDO
HOLYOKE – Shannon Bornhoft, “Cross Culture Relationships,” Dr. Joseph Benz, psychology
INDIANA
GREENSBURG– Jill Abrell, “Lake Kearney: A Study of Urban Impact,” Dr. Michael Mosher, chemistry
KANSAS
GOODLAND– Jillian Parker, “Lotte Lenya Competition,” Dr. Sharon Campbell,music
OTTAWA– Amanda Fields, “Currency as a Potential Vector for Staphylococcus Aureus,” Dr. Julie Shaffer, biology
NEW MEXICO
NEW MUNICH– Christopher Uphoff, “Sexual Size Dimorphism and Rensch’s Rule Among Yellow Perch Populations,” Dr. Casey Schoenebeck, biology
WYOMING
MOUNTAIN VIEW– Kelsey Van Dusen, “NASP Accredited Education Specialist Programs vs. Non NASP Accredited Education Specialist Programs,” Dr. Max McFarland, counseling and educational psychology
INTERNATIONAL
ZIMBABWE– Roy Machamire, “The Analysis of Small Business Economic Standing in Kearney, Nebraska, during the 2007- 2009 Recessionary Period,” Dr. Frank Tenkorang, economics
