Undergraduate Research Symposium
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Item Transgender voice therapy: A path to self-acceptance(Oklahoma State University, 2024-04-16) Eaton, Abigail; Pascale, EmilyThis presentation highlights a novel therapy practice of providing vocal treatment to transgender clients. Based on findings from therapy sessions, this presentation will showcase results of therapy, the client’s evolving perception of desired vocal traits, and education on effective diagnosis and treatment.Item Aluminum-enhanced filament for additively manufactured hybrid rocket fuel(Oklahoma State University, 2024-04-16) Dorrell, TreyThis poster presents the impact of aluminum powder additives on Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) filaments for additively manufactured fuel grains for hybrid rockets, which combine solid fuel with liquid oxidizers for safer handling. Aluminum integration into ABS aims to enhance thrust and efficiency, potentially rivaling solid and liquid rocket performance. The research involves designing, fabricating, and testing hybrid motors with aluminum-infused ABS fuel grains, using Nitrous Oxide as the oxidizer. Standardized fuel grains of 54 mm diameter are produced via additive manufacturing for consistent testing. Experiments on a hybrid rocket test stand measure thrust and specific impulse, comparing aluminum-enhanced ABS to pure ABS and traditional materials. Preliminary results suggest significant performance gains, underscoring the potential of advanced materials in improving hybrid rocket propulsion and safety. This work contributes to aerospace engineering by demonstrating the benefits of material innovation in propulsion systems.Item Deploying feminism at the UN: Do more gender equal missions better protect civilian populations.(Oklahoma State University, 2024-04-16) Campbell, AmyUnited Nations Resolution 1325 affirmed the UN’s commitment to including women in peacekeeping missions. Some scholarly work has examined the impact of increased women’s activity on mission effectiveness, but this work has largely been limited to case studies or theoretical arguments. Even so, this work does suggest that missions with more women may be better able to interact with local populations, improve public attitudes towards missions, and help maintain greater internal accountability. Women police might be especially important as they would be able to gather more effective intelligence. I predict these factors would also make those missions more effective in supporting their peacekeeping mandates. To test this hypothesis, I use cross-national data from post-civil war African countries between 2000 and 2017 in which the UN deployed a peacekeeping mission with a civilian protection mandate. I specifically examine whether missions with more women serving as troops and police translate into a reduction in violence against civilians.Item Determining DNA differences: Using PCR to determine the genetic material in Deltochilum gibbosum fed on either dung or carrion(Oklahoma State University, 2024-04-16) Shaw, Ethan; Youssef, Noha; Mills, Emma; Jones, AmeleaDung beetles of the subfamily Scarabaeinae are notable for their coprophagous, or dung eating, behavior. They feed on animal dung as adults, use the resource as a part of reproduction, and when their eggs hatch the larvae feed on that dung as well. However, a species of dung beetle native to Oklahoma is just as comfortable using animal matter, such as fur, feathers, and carrion, as they are using dung. Deltochilum gibbosum, the humpbacked dung beetle, is a large (> 2 cm) dung beetle that displays this feeding behavior. A beetle that can perform the ecosystem service of nutrient recycling using both dung and carrion is not only ecologically important but is also valuable to cattle operations looking to keep their pastures healthy. Since Deltochilum gibbosum can utilize both dung and carrion, they would need to have a gut microbiome suited for both resources. However, the microbiome of these beetles has never been examined. We acquired eight Deltochilum gibbosum, four male and four female, from the Insect Adventure. Two of the males and two of the females were fed on pig dung, while the other beetles were fed using dead laboratory mice. After staying on their target diet for a period of four weeks, the beetles were dissected, and their guts were preserved in a freezer in ethanol. The DNA was extracted using a DNeasy Plant Pro Kit and the associated process. A PCR test will be performed on the extracted DNA. This data will allow us to get an idea of the microbiome of these beetles while also determining if there are any differences between the beetles fed on dung and those fed on carrion. We hypothesize that the microbiome of Deltochilum gibbosum fed on carrion will be different than the microbiome of those fed on dung.Item Passing to play: Examining student-athlete academic motivation(Oklahoma State University, 2024-04-16) Berry, ElsaStudent-athletes at all levels are tasked with managing academic success and athletic performance simultaneously. Many of these students may only achieve passing grades in order to remain eligible to participate in their sport. This is when the idea of “passing to play” comes about (Lapchick, 1989). To gain insight on this, I conducted a survey with Oklahoma high school students who are or were student-athletes, and the professionals who work with these students. Within the survey it asks for demographic information and questions about their academic performance and its relationship to their athletic participation. It also included the opportunity to be interviewed and answer further questions to examine personal motivations and influences on academic performance. This study was conducted and once the data was collected, it was coded for common themes across the participants' answers. Knowing what motivates this population of students can influence teaching practices, administration, and school policies, as well as how teachers, coaches, and other staff members frame academics in relation to these students’ athletic endeavors. By understanding how students are motivated, their experience and success in school can be improved.