Poster Session (4:10 - 5:00 pm)
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Biochemistry
Poster 1: Poster File | Audio Overview
Brynna Hansen and Matthew O'leary. Purification, Characterization, and Antibody Binding Analysis of Recombinant Mycoplasma genitalium Protein Fragments Before and After Resistance-Associated Variation. Advised by: Dr. Ben McFarland, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry. [abstract]Mycoplasma genitalium is a pathogen that causes persistent reproductive tract infections. It may evade the host immune response through antigenic variation of regions of the MgpB and MgpC surface proteins, possibly by reducing antibody binding. We designed and purified two recombinant protein fragments in the variable B region of the MgpB protein recombinantly and assessed in vitro stability using size-exclusion chromatography, and will determine the rate and strength of antibody binding using Surface Plasmon Resonance.
Poster 2: Poster File | Audio Overview
Suzanne Stafford. Antigenic variation in Mycoplasma genitalium reduces antibody-antigen association kinetics. Advised by Dr. Ben McFarland, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry. [abstract]Infections caused by the pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium often persist for months to years and are associated with novel genetic variants. We used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to study the binding of antibodies from experimentally infected primates to recombinant bacterial protein fragments. We measured binding affinities of primate antibodies collected up to 8 weeks after infection to wild-type antigen and post-infection variants. Antibody affinity tends to increase after infection, but this is counteracted by bacterial variation.
Poster 3: Poster File | Audio Overview
Victoria Bowman. Construction of MG281 mutants in Mycoplasma Genitalium. Advised by Dr. Gwen Wood, University of Washington. [abstract]Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen of men and women. MG infection is often asymptomatic and prolonged, indicating immune evasion mechanisms. MG281 is an antibody binding protein hypothesized to have an innate immune evasion role. MG281 mutants were constructed by cloning and electroporation. MG281 mutants will be confirmed by whole genome sequencing utilizing Nanopore technology, for future experiments to observe the interactions with the host immune response.
Poster 4: Poster File | Audio Overview
Zoie Bailey. Modeling Individual Recombinant Protein Fragments of Mycoplasma genitalium to Measure Antibody Binding Activity. Advised by Dr. Gwen Wood, University of Washington. [abstract]Mycoplasma genitalium is a pathogen that causes persistent infection in the reproductive tract. The adherence proteins, MgpB and MgpC, consist of regions that undergo antigenic and phase variation to evade the local immune response. Here, we explore antibody interactions with the conserved MgpC-2a domain by modeling individual fragments in this region, and producing recombinant proteins to measure antibody binding. These studies will aid in understanding why antibodies fail to clear infection.
* Best Poster awardee
Biology
Poster 5: Poster File | Audio Overview
Yohannes M. Abraham. Mining military autoantibodies data to observe their presence over time in SLE patients. Advised by Dr. Jessica Hamerman, Benaroya Research Institute. [abstract]Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects patients whose immune system misidentifies endogenous DNA/RNA as exogenous, triggering an inflammatory response. While previous literature focused on IgG, IgM, and IgE autoantibodies, this research project analyzed 177 military patients’ serum specimens, to unveil any IgA autoantibody’s role in SLE. IgA autoantibodies were identified early in SLE development, meaning that they could function as early markers for the diagnosis of the disease.
Poster 6: Poster File | Audio Overview
Casey Tolcser and Samuel Madasu. Effects of exogenous glutamate application in hydroponic systems on chlorophyll modulation of plant defense signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. Advised by Dr. Charlotte Pratt, Dept. of Biology. [abstract]A unique mechanism of wound detection and response involves the glutamate-calcium signaling observed in Arabidopsis. Previous research showed exogenous glutamate application upregulates plant defense genes that is suggestive of an amplified plant defense response. This research examined the long-term dynamic modulation of chlorophyll with varying concentrations of exogenously applied glutamate through hydroponic systems during plant wounding.
Poster 33: Poster File | Audio Overview
Samuel Madasu and Casey Tolcser. The Effect of Mechanical Wounding and Exogenous Glutamate Treatment on Plant Structure and Healing in Arabidopsis thaliana. Advised by Dr. Charlotte Pratt, Dept. of Biology. [abstract]Arabidopsis thaliana was wounded and treated with exogenous glutamate to determine if either of the two can affect the plant’s growth and healing processes. Physical measurements such as height, weight, and carbon to nitrogen ratio were taken as well as color measurements using photographs of the plants. The resulting data was largely inconclusive due to the limit in sample size, but it did show some noticeable differences between the different treatment groups that suggest that previous wounding can help heighten the defense response in plants and that treatment with exogenous glutamate can alter the plant’s composition.
Poster 7: Poster File | Audio Overview
Amy Castle. Salicylic acid response to simulated herbivory in geographically distinct T. heterophylla and H. discolor populations. Advised by Dr. Ryan Ferrer, Dept. of Biology. [abstract]This project represents the initial findings of a study evaluating the baseline salicylic acid response to simulated herbivory in western hemlock and ocean spray, two common targets of deer grazing. It has been shown that plants may have stronger salicylic acid responses to wounding when deer saliva is present, so samples were obtained from locations exposed to differing deer population densities to also assess the possibility that these species acclimate to herbivory.
Poster 8: Poster File | Audio Overview
Kaylie Nelson, Roxy Ruther and Sophia Chilczuk. The Hunting Women: Women's Contribution to the Hunt. Advised by Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler, Dept. of Biology. [abstract]The sexual division of labor within hunter-gatherer populations has long been recognized with males as hunters and females as gatherers. Recent research has challenged this well-established notion with evidence that females hunted. The current project aims to shift the paradigm to account for the significant role females had in hunting.
Poster 9: Poster File | Audio Overview
Anna Bursch. Cardiovascular health and locomotive efficiency: The relationship between walking speed, heart rate variability, and stress.. Advised by Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler, Dept. of Biology. [abstract]Walking speed and stress (physiological and psychological) influence the large-scale movement patterns and social organization of human populations. We examined the relationship between stress and walking speed by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) of participants walking at different speeds around a track. At slow speeds, HRV was highest, indicating low physiological stress. Faster speeds were associated with lower HRV. Participants who reported high levels of psychological stress had difficulty maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis across all speeds.
* Best Poster awardee
Poster 10: Poster File | Audio Overview
Gloria Foster. Bioinformatics provides evidence for a PUM homolog in the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris. Advised by Dr. Jenny Tenlen, Dept. of Biology. [abstract]Pumilio is a well characterized protein for germ line development in species such as fruit flies and nematodes. A PUM homolog has yet to be established in the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris. In this research we used bioinformatics to find a candidate PUM gene for future wet lab analyses. In doing this we hope to be able to understand how Pumilio functions in H. exemplaris germ line development as well as further illustrate evolutionary relationships in arthropods.
Poster 11: Poster File | Audio Overview
Renick Meyer and Mari MacLane. Investigating the evidence of renal dysfunction, consistent with satin disease in a heterozygous population, Cavia porcellus. Advised by Dr. Cynthia Bishop, Dept. of Biology. [abstract]Satin cavies, recognized by their characteristic hair sheen, emerged in the United States in 1977 as a spontaneous mutation and commonly present with Fibrous osteodystrophy. In Phase one of our research, the mechanism of osteodystrophy in satin cavies was demonstrated to be hyperparathyroidism. Phase two results showed renal disease as the cause to secondary hyperparathyroidism. Our current research, Phase three, is investigating the presence of renal dysfunction associated with satin disease, within the satin carrier population.
Poster 32 Poster File | Audio Overview
Cecilia Krause. Decomposition of leaf litter in two varying microhabitats on Blakely Island, Washington. Advised by Dr. Ryan Ferrer, Dept. of Biology.
* Best Poster awardee
Health and Human Performance
Poster 12: Poster File | Audio Overview
Abril Rexach-Roure and Keyaira Corbray. The Influence of Lifestyle, Posture and Muscle Imbalances on Low Back Pain. Advised by Dr. Dale Cannavan and Dr. Katie Butte, Dept. of Health and Human Performance. [abstract]Low back pain effects over 84% of adults in their lives. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the given shift into online learning, college students are likely to be sitting for extended periods, and as such they might be more susceptible for low back pain risk factors without presenting low back pain symptoms. Therefore, this research was to explore the relationship between various low back pain risk factors and time spent sitting in college aged adults.
Poster 13: Poster File | Audio Overview
Jake Ferry and Nik Reierson. Effects of stretching intervention on anterior pelvic tilt and range of motion in lower extremities among collegiate soccer players. Advised by Dr. Dale Cannavan, Dept. of Health and Human Performance. [abstract]Anterior pelvic tilt is a common occurrence among soccer players due to the nature of the sport. College athletes are also more susceptible as they sit for long durations doing school work and this time has been further extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The quadricep and hip flexor muscles become short and tight as athletes sit with these muscles in a short position for long periods of time between training sessions. This may have implications on the range of motion of not only the quadriceps and hip flexors, but the hamstrings as well because the hamstrings are biarticulated muscles which are effected by the positioning of the pelvis. Our study aimed to investigate if a PNF stretching protocol targeting the hip flexors and quadriceps could increase hamstring range of motion as well as quadricep and hip flexor range of motion. The study analyzed this change in male collegiate soccer players. The implications of this research are novel and could help reduce hamstring strains, and overall tightness of the hamstrings which is a common phenomenon in the soccer community.
* Best Poster awardee
Poster 14: Poster File | Audio Overview
Michaela Abueg. The relationship between lifting experience and posterior pelvic tilt during a barbell back squat. Advised by Dr. Dale Cannavan, Dept. of Health and Human Performance. [abstract]The squat exercise is used to induce total body strength and this movement is performed various ways depending on the type of athlete that is doing it. For example, experienced lifters perform squats differently than recreational athletes. Variations in stance width, ankle mobility and barbell placement are common. A major bodily deviation at the bottom of the squat is a posterior pelvic tilt, often referred to as the “butt wink”. While there are many factors that affect the butt wink, it is unclear if the athlete’s experience level can change the magnitude of the pelvic tilt. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the experience of lifters on the magnitude of posterior pelvic tilt (butt wink).
Poster 15: Poster File | Audio Overview
Melissa Revere. The impact of athlete identity and perfectionism on mental health in student athletes. Advised by Dr. Katie Butte and Dr. Dale Cannavan, Dept. of Health and Human Performance. [abstract]The survey aims to determine the strength of the relationships between athletic identity, perfectionism, and mental health of collegiate athletes during the time of COVID-19. It is hoped that the data will allow the research team to further identify what other factors impact these relationships such as gender identity, major, on/off season, and sport.
Poster 16: Poster File | Audio Overview
Madison Simmons. High School Sports Participation as a Predictor of College Activity Levels and Well-being. Advised by Dr. Dale Cannavan, Dept. of Health and Human Performance. [abstract]This project aims to determine if participating in sports in high school can predict physical activity levels in college, as well as body image, self-esteem and overall well-being.
Computer Science
Poster 17: Poster File | Audio Overview
Eli Green, Trent Howell, Ben Edmonds and Skyler Vez. Prodipal. Advised by Professor Andrew Cameron, Dept. of Computer Science. [abstract]Prodipal is a productivity app based around a pet that helps motivate the user to reach their own personal goals. These goals can be created and managed as the user sees fit. Completing goals will impact the level and stats of your pet Prodipal causing it to grow and improve alongside the user.
Poster 18: Poster File | Audio Overview
Timothy Drews, Duncan Hook, Briley Hanson and Jorge Ramirez-Radilla. aYo. Advised by Professor Andrew Cameron, Dept. of Computer Science. [abstract]aYo is a product that focuses on making the development process easier and more efficient. to this end, aYo is a tool that improves a programmer's efficiency by providing voice-command quick access to programming language documentation, and other online web-searching needs. The purpose is to help quickly answer questions mid development without interrupting the flow of thought.
Poster 19: Poster File | Audio Overview
Junwon Song, Riley Richards and Matthew Tang. Nice Defense Game. Advised by Professor Andrew Cameron, Dept. of Computer Science. [abstract]We at Nice Team are developing a web embedded tower defense game, that is age appropriate, accessible, and entertaining for all ages. The game will have both single player and multiplayer options available to users on our website.
Poster 20: Poster File | Audio Overview
Carl Cederborg and Andrew Harris. CHATI. Advised by Professor Andrew Cameron, Dept. of Computer Science. [abstract]Sporty social media
Poster 21: Poster File | Audio Overview
Joe Bartlett, Kelby Sandvick, Logan Van Vuren and Emma Zimmerman. Pretenify. Advised by Professor Andrew Cameron, Dept. of Computer Science. [abstract]Using Spotify API, we are building a data visualization web application.
* Best Poster awardee
Poster 22: Poster File | Audio Overview
Max Briggs, Katie Honsinger, Nathan Lee, Kevin Mach and Jordan Mielbrecht. PLOT: Personal Library Organization and Tracking. Advised by Professor Andrew Cameron, Dept. of Computer Science. [abstract]PLOT is a home library cataloging and reading tracker application that enables the user to catalog their physical and digital collection of media.
Poster 23: Poster File | Audio Overview
Daniela Castro, Nicholas Sutanto, Pravitha Pratheep and Richard Wicaksono. Basket. Advised by Professor Andrew Cameron, Dept. of Computer Science. [abstract]Our team created a mobile grocery shopping application that caters to local mom and pop shops. Our goal is to help underrepresented businesses and deliver groceries you are unlikely to find in big brand stores!
Poster 31: Poster File | Audio Overview
Safe Sirijirakarn, Yanlin Li, Allie Hanson and Quynh Vu. Movies. Advised by Professor Andrew Cameron, Dept. of Computer Science. [abstract]This product is a progressive web application called Movie Stack (MS). It allows users to store a list of movie titles, and it is not a streaming service. MS will use movie data from themoviedb.org, and users can add in their movie titles. Progressive web applications are cheaper to develop compared to standard applications and do not have platform restrictions. In other words, this product can reach users using Android, iOS, PC (and other devices) as long as they have a web browser, and it does not require the dev team to create multiple applications.
Poster 25: Poster File | Audio Overview
Computer Science Team: Janine Santos and Shawn Wilcox. ARTEMIS - Aquatic Removal of Trash for Ending Messes In Seas. Advised by Professor Andrew Cameron, Dept. of Computer Science. [abstract]ARTEMIS is a consumer-based remote-controlled boat designed to collect trash from local waterways to help mitigate ocean pollution. ARTEMIS' market is aimed at anyone interested in drones or the environment – thus encouraging as many people as possible to take part in a collective effort to improve the Earth!
* Best Poster awardee
Engineering Team: Andrew Josselyn, Kellie Cobb, Jordan Barde, Colt Hawley. ARTEMIS - Aquatic Removal of Trash for Ending Messes In Seas. Advised by Dr. James Walker, Dept. of Engineering.
Mathematics
Poster 26: Poster File | Audio Overview
Emily Bogle and Logan Muñoz. Confirming the Buzz About Hornets. Advised by Dr. Wai Lau, Dept. of Mathematics. [abstract]This project includes the work we submitted for the Mathematical Contest in Modeling for Problem C (data science). Using the data set and images provided, regarding potential sightings of the Asian Giant Hornet in Washington state, we created, analyzed, and discussed a marker survey and binary logistic regression model that predicts the likelihood of a positive identification. This survey and model can be utilized to prioritize the investigation of certain reports at WSDA labs.
Poster 27: Poster File | Audio Overview
Keagan Byers, Hannah Roosendaal, Madison Licari. An Analysis of Genre and Influence in Music. Advised by Dr. Wai Lau, Dept. of Mathematics. [abstract]An analysis detailing a method of comparing the similarity of music, as well as the development of this method. As well, a detailed analysis of the similarities of specific musical artists & genres.
Poster 28: Poster File | Audio Overview
Allie Hanson. AI and Facial Recognition. Advised by Dr. Wai Lau, Dept. of Mathematics. [abstract]Whether it’s to unlock one’s phone or to catch a criminal, the use of facial recognition is rapidly gaining popularity. However, it is still possible for such a program to mistake one face for another. This project will explore an open-source facial recognition software and determine whether its ability to properly analyze faces is dependent on the information it is given by the user or if the bias already exists in the code.
Physics
Poster 29: Poster File | Audio Overview
Mikayla Valentin. Exploring Student Conceptual Resources About Heat and Temperature. Advised by Dr. Amy Robertson, Dept. of Physics. [abstract]Previous literature about students’ understanding of heat and temperature emphasizes students’ misunderstandings of canonical physics concepts. In our study, we used a resources-oriented approach to analyze data from 653 students’ responses to questions about thermal phenomena, highlighting ways in which their responses could serve valuable resources for continued learning. We categorized our findings into four common conceptual resources.
Poster 30: Poster File | Audio Overview
Brynna Hansen. Identifying student resources for understanding linear momentum. Advised by Dr. Amy Robertson, Dept. of Physics. [abstract]Existing physics education research (PER) on student ideas about momentum focuses on the difficulties that students face when learning this topic. These difficulties are framed as obstacles for students to overcome in order to develop correct understandings of physics. We take a resources-oriented approach to analyzing student responses to momentum questions, viewing student ideas as valuable for learning, over and above correctness. In this presentation, we highlight four conceptual resources that provide insight into students’ ideas about momentum.