The University Research Symposium is held each spring and offers an exciting opportunity for enrolled Illinois State graduate and undergraduate students to present what they have learned through their research, scholarship, and creative endeavor to a large audience in a professional setting. This collection shows select abstracts and poster presentations from the Symposium.
Submissions from 2024
INFLUENCE OF TILE WATER ON NITRATE CONCENTRATIONS IN THE GROUNDWATER: A CASE STUDY OF A SATURATED RIPARIAN BUFFER, MCLEAN COUNTY, CENTRAL ILLINOIS, Aminat Abdulsalam, Eric Peterson, and Jonathan Thayn
Geography, Geology and the Environment
Assessing the Impact of Water Salinity on Women’s health in Coastal Areas: An Analysis Based on the Right to Water and Sanitation, Md Imran Ahsan and Suriya Akter
Politics and Government
Influence of Tile flow on Transport-Fate of Nitrate in the Vadose Zone of a Saturated Riparian Buffer, Benedicta Karl Akrofi
Geography, Geology and the Environment
THE ROLE OF EMPLOYEE ADVOCACY IN PROMOTING POSITIVE CORPORATE REPUTATION: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF EMPLOYEES OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, Janet Laadi Anani
Communication
Application of Floating Wetlands to Improve Urban Stream Quality, Daniel Chukwunonso Chukwudi and Eric Peterson
Geography, Geology and the Environment
“Meme-ing” for Change: An Exploration of Ghanaian Socio-Political Memes, Millicent Elewosi
Communication
Global Citizenship One Step at a Time: Starting with Your Classroom, Ashlyn Fisk
Teaching and Learning
System Validation of a Virtual Reality-Based Teen Driver Training Programe, Dolly Gupta and Nathan Ji
Technology
Human Rights and Democratization: The Role of the Universal Periodic Review, Allison Henrichsmeyer
Politics and Government
The Interesting Effects of Tryptamine, Harmine, and Harmaline on Leishmania tarentolae in a Rocking Environment, Grace Hohman
Biological Sciences
EXPLORING NITRATE REDUCTION IN A SATURATED RIPARIAN BUFFER THROUGH A THREE-DIMENSIONAL REACTIVE CONTAMINANT TRANSPORT MODEL:IMPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNING BETTER RIPARIAN BUFFERS, Franklin O. Ijigade and Wondessen Seyoum
Geography, Geology and the Environment
The Connection Between Interest in Politics and Perceptions of Corruption, Zachary Johnson
Politics and Government
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A YOUNG ADULTS CANCER PATIENT PEER MATCH APPLICATION, Mojde Kalantari
Creative Technologies
Testing for loss of Sk-3-based spore killing after deletion of three Neurospora crassa DNA intervals: V377, V382, and V383, Makenna Klann, Carolina Okleiteris, Paulina Paulikas, and Tom Hammond
Biological Sciences
Determining the Best Predictor Variables for CMJ Performance in NCAA Division I Athletes, Jadon Konkel, Michael Torry, Samantha McDonald, Chris Carter, and Marcel Lopes dos Santos
Kinesiology & Recreation
Investigating Sk-3-based spore killing through DNA deletions in Neurospora crassa, Sophie Krivograd, Madison Lynn, and Tom Hammond
Biological Sciences
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES' USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: AN ANALYSIS OF PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU'S UTILIZATION OF TWITTER, Isaac Asare Kwakye
Communication
Evaluating Student Stress In An Animal Science Course With Unsupervised Livestock Experience, Jayden Lawrence
Agriculture
Employing CRISPR genome editing to improve seed meal quality in the oilseed plant pennycress, Arjuman Lima, Liza Gautam, and John Sedbrook
Biological Sciences
INTEGRATING GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION (GCED) INTO YOUR LANGUAGE LESSONS, Watsachol Narongsaksakul
Teaching and Learning
TRACING SULFATE SOURCES IN GROUNDWATER FROM AN AGRICULTURAL AREA MCLEAN COUNTY, CENTRAL ILLINOIS, Christabel Obi and Eric Peterson
Geography, Geology and the Environment
Generative AI’s Risk of Copyright Infringement and Its Potential Intellectual Property Rights, Sara O'Dowd
Politics and Government
Factors Contributing to an MTSS Team Decision for Special Education Referral, Joie Pecoraro
Social Work
Addressing IoT Vulnerabilities: An Analysis of Risks Facing Smart Homes, Erik Peterson
Technology
QUEERNESS THE ILLNESS: THE VICTORIAN INVENTION THAT CHANGED HOW WE UNDERSTAND SEXUALITY, Louane Rimer
History
Questioning God: A Critical Media Analysis of Netflix's Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, Courtney Smith and Andrew Ventimiglia
Communication
Impact of Winter Cover Crops on Soybean Yield and Seed Quality, Ashley Stockmaster
Agriculture
AI Chatbot for ISU Recreation Center, Amisha Suryadevara and Sowmya Suryadevara
Information Technology
U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan: A Critical Analysis of American South Asia Policy, Kerem Tasdan
Politics and Government
Effects of Delay on Short- And Long-Term False Memories for Semantic and Phonological Lists, Ece Yuksel and Dawn M. McBride
Psychology
Submissions from 2023
BEING IN A FOREIGN LAND: AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES USED BY AND WITH HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, Agnes Amoakwa
Communication
Teachers in the Educational Overseas: Stress, Burnout, and Resilience, Robby Anggriawan
Teaching and Learning
Training a Physically Simulated Virtual Spider, Daniel Beyer and Joseph Wittrock
Techno-Economic Analysis to Optimize Solar Photovoltaic System Implementation on Illinois State University Campus, Michael Duncan and Melker Isaksson
Technology
Do Animals Use Streams As Corridors?, Lacey Fever, Catherine O'Reilly, and Michael Brown
Geography, Geology and the Environment
To Blame or Not to Blame: Beliefs on Why Crime Occurs, Kimberly A. Ingold
Criminal Justice Sciences
REDUCING CYBERSICKNESS IN VIRTUAL REALITY DRIVING SIMULATION, Savanah Kinney
Technology
Study Abroad Programs and Student Stress: An Animal Science Curriculum Case Study, Jayden Lawrence
Agriculture
It's Happening in Your Hometown: The Wrongful Convictions of Everyday People, Megan Lowe
Sociology/Anthropology
Assessing Educator Needs to Promote Well-Being, Jessica A. McKinley
Psychology
Overcoming Heterologous DNA Silencing in Neurospora crassa, James C. Mierendorf
Biological Sciences
Determinants of Loan Forgiveness in the Paycheck Protection Program, Rudy Morr and Wyatt Frere
User-Centered Approach to Interactive Mapping: A Case Study of District 87’s Community Wellness Resources, Zachary Mueller
Kinesiology & Recreation
Understanding Groundwater Flow in a Saturated Buffer Zone (SBZ) using Numerical Models: Case Study of T3 Site, McLean County, Central Illinois, Henry N. Nsude
Geography, Geology and the Environment
Ethos of Absence, Sara O'Dowd
Philosophy
HOW ORGANIZATIONS CAN CREATE PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN GEN Zs, Ebuka Okoli
Communication
ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF CHARACTER CREATORS IN ROLE PLAYING VIDEO GAMES TOWARDS A MORE INCLUSIVE GAMING ENVIRONMENT, Ellie Parvin
Creative Technologies
Spatializing Digital Drugs in Virtual Reality for Mental Health, Rochele Pereira Gloor
Creative Technologies
Use of social media by the international students to manage stress in their initial days at the university, Eshrat Rahman
Communication
You Go, I Go: Assessing Student Loneliness on Campus, Aubrey Richter
Health Sciences
Electron Affinity Equilibrium Studies of N1-and N2-Phenyltriazole Isomers, Joe Santarelli
Chemistry
Gender Offenders: Investigating Gender Representations of Serial Killers over 100 Years: A Critical Media Analysis, Courtney Smith
Communication
Computational Molecular-level Study of Porphyrin Systems, Sivanujan Suthaharan
Chemistry
Human Impacts on Erosion Rates in Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, Savannah Thielbar
Geography, Geology and the Environment
Implications of Parent and Educator Communication, Katie Tilford
Special Education
One Homeless Hero is Too Many: Hopeless to Homeless to Hired to Housing. Eliminating housing insecurity and food insecurity by getting the right job and the right job training to the right veteran, Jeff Walsh
Politics and Government
Submissions from 2022
MUTATIONS IN LAMIN GENE AND HOW IT CAUSES MULTIPLE TISSUE-SPECIFIC DISORDERS, Bismark Acquah
Biological Sciences
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' TRUST IN SCIENTISTS AND THE CDC WHEN EVALUATING INFORMATION ABOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, Tae'lor Allen and Kendy Reyes-Cruz
Biological Sciences
NATIONAL ATHLETE'S PERCEIVED IMAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS IN MALAYSIA, Danial Bin Azizan Durisic
Kinesiology & Recreation
ADDRESSING THE FINANCIAL AND ENERGY POLICY DIFFICULTIES OF INSTALLING PV SYSTEMS AT ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY AND CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY IN PENNSYLVANIA, Anthony Baumann and James Smith
Technology
ESL TEACHERS' PERSPECTIVES: INCLUSION OF STUDENTS DESIGNATED AS ENGLISH LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN THE GENERAL CLASSROOM, Sukanya Bhat
Teaching and Learning
FLIPPED CLASSROOMS AND HOW THEY CAN BE USED TO MAKE CONTENT CONNECTIONS, Jessie Botello
Chemistry
A HEDONIC ANALYSIS OF THOROUGHBRED HORSES FROM ONLINE AUCTIONS, Madalynn Camp
Agriculture
RESTRICTIVE DIETARY PATTERNS AND WEIGHT REGAIN IN ADULTS BETWEEN 18-40, Isaac Casas
Family and Consumer Sciences
TEACHERS OF THE D/DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PERCEPTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Cora Colón
Teaching and Learning
ASSESSMENT OF TEMPORAL VARIATIONS IN CHLORIDE CONCENTRATION IN AN AGRICULTURAL TILE-DRAINED AREA IN MCLEAN COUNTY, CENTRAL ILLINOIS, Okiemute Commander
Geography, Geology and the Environment
ONLINE SEX WORK IN THE TIME OF COVID-19, Courtney Ebersole
Sociology/Anthropology
TRANSPORT OF SUSPENDED SEDIMENT AND PHOSPHOROUS IN AN AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED: A CASE STUDY OF THE MONEY CREEK WATERSHED, CENTRAL ILLINOIS, Oghenevwede Efobo
Geography, Geology and the Environment
PREDICTORS OF CROSS-RACIAL SHARING BEHAVIOR IN EARLY CHILDHOOD, Miranda Ellis
Psychology
GERT SIMULATION TO STRENGTHEN THE KNOWLEDGE AND EMPATHY OF INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENTS, Erica Elsey
Family and Consumer Sciences
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PARTHENON, William Fick
History
SPECULATIVE OBJECTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: ZERO WASTE VIRTUAL FASHION, Rochele Gloor
Creative Technologies
IMPROVING THE HEALTH TRAJECTORIES OF FUTURE GENERATIONS, Gabrielle Goytia
Kinesiology & Recreation
TEACHER PERSPECTIVES AND EXPERIENCES ON IMPLEMENTATION OF SEL CURRICULUM, Bailey Greenaberg
Teaching and Learning
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SOCIAL IDENTITY AND ENGAGEMENT IN PERSONAL ACTION TO REDUCE HUMAN IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE, Alyssa Hayes
Biological Sciences
THE EFFECTS OF QUIZLET ON LEARNING AND CONTENT RETENTION, Delaney Hepp
Psychology
MATUSARAGATÍ SI VIVÉ!, Catalina Hernandez-Ramos
Creative Technologies
BREAKING DOWN A TRACER IN A SATURATED BUFFER ZONE: COMPARING THE USE OF RHODAMINE WT TO SODIUM CHLORIDE, Joseph Hoberg
Geography, Geology and the Environment
PEER SUPPORT SYSTEMS, Kyle Howard, Matt Feeney, and Nathaniel Parson
English
ADOLESCENT STRATEGIES TO INTERVENE ON MICROAGGRESSIVE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, Keeley Hynes
Psychology
SOCIAL MEDIA, MICROAGGRESSIONS, AND ADOLESCENT EFFORTS TO INTERVENE, Keeley Hynes
Psychology
MEASURING THE IMPACT OF THE 2010 EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI ON GDP PER CAPITA USING SYNTHETIC CONTROL METHOD, Benael Jean-Louis
Economics
WHO GOVERNS THE VIRTUAL WORLDS: TENSIONS BETWEEN DEVELOPERS AND PLAYERS AS FORMS OF CULTURAL GOVERNANCE IN MMO VIDEOGAMES, Mojde Kalantari and Ellie Parvin
Creative Technologies
USING AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A MULTISPECTRAL SENSOR TO VISUALLY MAP WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS IN DRINKING WATER RESERVOIRS., Jerome Komas
Geography, Geology and the Environment
EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND WAGES IN THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY, Kate Kostrub
Economics
EFFECT OF SEXUAL SELECTION ON INVESTMENT BY MALE DECORATED CRICKETS IN NUPTIAL FOOD GIFTS, Will Kuna
Biological Sciences
PURIFICATION OF SECRETED ACID PHOSPHATASE FROM LEISHMANIA TARENTOLAE, Quyen Lai
Chemistry
PEOPLE WHO FEED THE WORLD: UNDERSTANDING U.S. FARMER POPULATION, Emily Lopata
Agriculture
FREEDOM WITH CONTINGENCIES: OBSTACLES TO LIFE AFTER PRISON, Megan Lowe
Sociology/Anthropology
MUSIC, MOOD AND MEMORY: THE INTERACTION BETWEEN MOODINDUCING STIMULI AND SHORT-TERM FALSE MEMORIES, Amanda Martin
Psychology
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION EFFORTS OF FASHION RETAILERS, Danielle McCleish
Family and Consumer Sciences
WHY DO WE PRECRASTINATE? THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRECRASTINATION AND COGNITIVE OFFLOADING, Liz Michaels and Elizabeth Marsh
Psychology
INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE RELATIONSHIP OF COMPETITION LIFTS TO STRENGTH LIFTS IN OLYMPIC-STYLE WEIGHTLIFTERS, Bronson Mintun
Kinesiology & Recreation
IMPACT OF THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM ON THE BANKING INDUSTRY, Rudy Morr
ON NEURAL CODE SEARCH FOR SOFTWARE GENERATION, Usama Nadeem
Information Technology
HOW WE SEE OURSELVES: SELF-ESTEEM, PERCEIVED PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS AND PERCEPTIONS OF BEING OVERWEIGHT, Yasmin Odeh
Sociology/Anthropology
FACTORS DRIVING NUTRIENTS TREND IN THE ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN., Olaoluwa Oladuji
Geography, Geology and the Environment
MEASURING THE MARKETING EFFECTIVENESS OF A SPECIAL EVENT - A CASE STUDY OF 2022 ADAPTAPALOOZA, Jonathan Olivares
Kinesiology & Recreation
DEFENSE MECHANISMS OF THE SELF AGAINST REIFICATION, Dani Park
Sociology/Anthropology
COULD INVASIVE SPECIES REDUCE THE RISK OF PARASITISM FOR NATIVE SPECIES? TESTING THE DILUTION EFFECT ON AEDES TRISERIATUS AND AEDES ALBOPICTUS, Emerson Roden
Biological Sciences