2016 Honors Research Highlights
Research Presentations
Viviane Baji (’16, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill, the 2016 Utah Council on Undergraduate Research conference, and the 2016 National Council on Undergraduate Research conference.
Matthew Barnett (’16, Sociology) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill, the 2016 Utah Council on Undergraduate Research conference, the 2016 International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, and the 2016 Pacific Sociological Association conference.
Justin Campbell (’18, Philosophy/Psychology) presented research at the 2016 Cognitive Neuroscience Society conference.
Danielle Christensen (’16, Psychology) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill, the 2016 Utah Council on Undergraduate Research conference, and the 2016 USU Ignite event.
Daisha Cummins (’16, Human Movement Science) presented research at the 2016 USU Ignite event.
Audrianna Dehlin (’17, Psychology) presented research at the 2016 Rocky Mountain Psychological Association conference.
Renee Delcambre (’16, Communication Studies) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill and the 2016 Utah Council on Undergraduate Research conference.
Madelyn Fife (’17, Political Science/Economics) presented research at the 2016 Southern Political Science Association conference and 2016 Midwest Political Science Association conference.
Jesse Fleri (’17, Conservation & Restoration Ecology) presented research at the 2016 Society of Freshwater Science conference.
Melissa Funk (’18, Economics) presented research with Dr. Jeannie Johnson to Central Intelligence Agency analysts in Washington, D.C.
Danielle Gaztambide (’17, Biological Engineering) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill.
Erica Hawvermale (’17, Anthropology) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill, 2016 Washington, D.C., Research on Capitol Hill, the 2016 Utah Council on Undergraduate Research conference, and the 2016 Society for Applied Anthropology conference.
Michael Hoggard (’16, Economics) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill, the 2016 Utah Council on Undergraduate Research conference, and the 2016 National Council on Undergraduate Research conference.
Ashli Hunter (’17, Biology) presented research at the 2016 Utah Council on Undergraduate Research conference and the 2016 Experimental Biology conference.
Danielle Keaton (’16, Psychology and Music Therapy) presented research at the 2016 Rocky Mountain Psychological Association conference.
Jamie Kingsford (’16, Biochemistry) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill.
Benjamin Lovelady (’18, Physics) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill.
Kari Norman (’16, Conservation and Restoration Ecology) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill and the 2016 National Council on Undergraduate Research conference.
Brianne Palmer (’16, Conservation and Restoration Ecology) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill, the 2016 Utah Council on Undergraduate Research conference, and at the 2016 International Meeting for the Society of Range Management.
Kirsti Patterson (’18, Political Science) presented research at the annual Society for Applied Anthropology conference.
Bradley Robinson (’16, Psychology) presented research at the 2016 Cognitive Neuroscience Society conference.
Heather Shipp (’16, Wildlife Science) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill.
Joshua Smith (’16, Economics) presented research at the 2016 Association of Private Enterprise Education conference.
Justin Smith (‘16, English) presented research at the 2015 Western Conference of the Association for Asian Studies.
Alex Torgesen (’16, Biological Engineering) presented research at the 2016 International Genetically Engineered Machine conference and competition.
Ben Vegel (’18, Mechanical Engineering) presented research at the 2015 American Nuclear Society Winter meeting and Nuclear Technology Expo.
Ryan Wallentine (’16, Mathematics) presented research at 2016 Utah Research on Capitol Hill.
Darianne Willey (’18, Watershed & Earth Systems) presented research at the 2016 National Council on Undergraduate Research conference.
Elizabeth Wynn (’17, Psychology) presented research at the 2016 National Council on Undergraduate Research conference.
Research Awards and Grants
Colin Anderson (’17, Theatre Arts ): Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunity (URCO) grant for “History and Social Studies Enhancement Through Drama”
Lindi Andreasen (’16, Elementary Education): URCO grant for “Diversity Education: Are We Preparing Teachers to Teach All Learners?”
Lori Caldwell (’17, Biological Engineering): URCO grant for “Development of In Vitro Bruch's Membrane for Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Growth”
Justin Campbell (’18, Philosophy/Psychology): URCO grant for “Theory of Mind and the Game of Chicken”
Natalie Ferguson (‘16, Human Movement Science): URCO grant for “Assessment of Postural Sway during Different Attention Focus States in Post-surgery ACL Tears”
Jesse Fleri (’17, Conservation and Restoration Ecology): URCO grant for “Impacts of Hydroelectric Dams on Aquatic Invertebrate Life Cycles: The Role of Desiccation”
Jenna Hawley (’17, Chemistry): URCO grant for “Environmental DNA: Using Salt Licks to Recover COI Sequences and Microsatellite DNA from Wildlife Species”
Grant Holyoak (’16, Sociology): URCO grant for "The Enemy?" Perceptions of the United States in Salvador Allende's Chile”
Bret Mossman (’18, Wildlife Science): URCO grant for “Comparing the Effects of Duck Ingestion and Natural Cold Stratification on Bulrush Seed Dormancy Loss”
Alyssa Quinn (’16, English): URCO grant for “The Marrow of Life: Nature and Spirituality at Walden Pond” and Joyce Kinkead Award for Outstanding Honors Thesis/Capstone Project (“A Triangular Bargain: Narration and Power in Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin and Alias Grace”)
Bradley Robinson (’16, Psychology): URCO grant for “The Effect of Cognitive Dissonance in Social Dilemmas: An EEG Analysis”
Kaylee Simmons (’17, Vocal Performance): URCO grant for “Comparing Performance Practice of Vocal Vibrato in J. S. Bach's Saint Matthew Passion”
Nathan Stacey (’16, Mechanical Engineering): URCO grant for “USU Numerical Integrator for Computational Orbit Analysis: A Swarm Gravimetry Simulation”
Amanda Stoudt (’17, Biological Engineering): URCO grant for “Composite PHB/Algae Bioplastic”
Jacklyn Sullivan (’18, Economics): URCO grant for “Identifying Multiple Predictors of Physical Rehabilitation Outcomes”
A.J. Walters (’18, Biological Engineering): URCO grant for “Development of Archaeal and Alga-lytic Bacteria Detection Systems”
Michael Williams (’17, Psychology): URCO grant for “Attentional Resources”
Sarah Woodbury (’17, Environmental Studies): URCO grant for “Variation in Alkali Bulrush (Bolboschoenus maritimus) Functional Traits: Implications for Restoring Desired Ecosystem Functions to Wetlands”
Elizabeth Wynn (’17, Psychology): URCO grant for “Modeling Change Trajectories for Mental Health Symptoms and Functioning During Psychotherapy”
Research Internships and Field Opportunities
Elizabeth Bingham (’17, Anthropology): USU International Initiative doing cultural anthropology study of race and class in Brazil
Mary Briggs (’17, Sociology): Politics and Society in Post-Colonial States doing study abroad/internship in Georgia and Armenia
Bronte Forsgren (’18, Political Science): Politics and Society in Post-Colonial States doing study abroad/internship in Georgia and Armenia
Ashley Houston (’18, Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences): Esther Honey Foundation South Pacific island veterinary internship
Rylee Jensen (’19, Wildlife Science): San Juan Island Orcinus orca behavioral preference field research
Michael Paskett (’17, Biological Engineering): 2016 Neuroprosthetics internship with Washington University in St. Louis
Frost Mitchell (’18, Computer Engineering): 2016 internship at the Air Force Research Laboratory
Bret Mossman (’18, Wildlife Science): 2016 research internship with Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program
Sarah Peck (’17, Economics): Politics and Society in Post-Colonial States doing study abroad/internship in Georgia and Armenia
Casey Trout (’19, Environmental Studies/Statistics): 2016 service-learning internship with the Environmental, Cultural, and Recreational Park in Costa Rica
Molly Van Engelenhoven (’17, Political Science): 2016 small-scale cultural topography analysis of the culture of Jordan
Completed Honors Theses/Capstone Projects
Clarice Ambler (’16, Psychology): “Exceptionally Cleared Cases in Intimate Partner Violence: A Comparison of Same-Sex Couples Versus Heterosexual Couples”
Viviane Baji (’16, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics): “The Relationship between Water Shortage Concern and Age in Utah”
Matthew Barnett (’16, Sociology): “Interaction with Water: Water-Based Outdoor Recreation and Water Quality Perception and Concern Among Residents of Utah”
Taylor Bjerk (’15, Marketing): “The Impact of Visual Cues and Service Behavior on the Consumer Retail Experience”
Jacob Blotter (’16, Biology): “The Role of Orexin Receptors in Diurnal Variations in Learning and Memory”
Andrea Thomas Brandley (’16, Theatre Arts Education): “Student Perceptions of High School Theatre Programs: An Investigation of Social Issues and Call for Replication”
Jacob Briscoe (’16, Agricultural Systems Technology): “Factors of Profitable Field Crop Selection”
Jeffrey Briscoe (’16, Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences): “Relationships of Beef Cattle Temperament with Feedlot Performance”
Christie Bunnell (’16, Human Movement Science): “Dynamic Stability on Land and in Waist-Deep Water: Comparison Between Young and Middle Aged Adults”
Britany Chamberlain (’15, Mechanical Engineering): “Design for Reduction of Noise Produced by Natural Gas Regulator”
Danielle Christensen (’16, Psychology): “Trauma and Touch: Apprehension of Touch and Relationship Quality in Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma”
Braiden Colemen (’16, Accounting): “Entrepreneurship: The Why and How of Starting Your Own Business”
Daisha Cummins (’16, Human Movement Science): “The Influence of Prior Motor Actions on Motor Planning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder”
Alexander Daines (’15, Finance): “Ogden Valley Development Analysis and Plan”
Joanna Daines (’15, Psychology): “Personal Vulnerability, Cultural Expectations, and Coping Mechanisms Among University Student Mothers”
Renee Delcambre (’16, Communication Studies): “Domestic Violence in Mass Media: An Analysis of Messages, Images, & Meanings in Motion Pictures”
Kyle Draper (’15, International Business): “A Step in the Right Direction”
John Ellis (’15, Mechanical Engineering): “Lightweight Deployment Mechanism of Solar Arrays for Use in Cubesats”
Allison Fife (’15, Economics): “Women, Higher Education, and the Labor Market: A Cross-Cultural Understanding of the Impact of Religion”
Michael Hoggard (’16, Economics): “Barriers to Health Care Access for Refugees in Cache County, Utah”
Grant Holyoak (’16, Sociology): “Institutional Constraints Limiting Social Services for Immigrants”
Mickelle Hymas (’16, Social Work): “Perception of Real and Perceived Anger in Various Races”
Bo Johnson (’16, Finance): “A Look at the Controversies of the United States Export-Import Bank”
Danielle Keaton (’16, Psychology and Music Therapy): “Impact of Participation in a Small Music Group on the Academic Achievement of Primarily Hispanic Youth”
Antonia Keller (’15, Psychology): “Researching Back: Towards a Postcolonial Perspective on Islamic Terrorism for American Psychological Science in Light of the Hoffman Independent Review”
Jamie Kingsford (’16, Biochemistry): “SPA47 is an Oligomerization: Activated Type Three Secretion System (T3SS) Atpase from Shigella Flexneri”
Ilana Kornfeld (’16, Social Work): “Qualities that Influence Guardian Ad Litem Effectiveness”
Dylan Lasson (’15, English): “Research Methods and Documentation Design”
John Maynes (’15, Elementary Education): “Alabama and Mississippi: A Case Study in School Trust Land Management”
Rebekah Miner (’16, Professional and Technical Writing): “Graffiti Art and Professional Communication: Where Art and Communication Conventions Converge and Diverge”
Kari Norman (’16, Conservation and Restoration Ecology): “Biodiversity Prioritization: A Comparison of Data Types”
Brianne Palmer (’16, Conservation and Restoration Ecology): “Stomatal Differences in Western Aspen and Linkage to Drought Tolerance”
Arshak Papazyan (’15, Business Administration): “Targeting the Weak: A Content Analysis of Violence in Advergames”
Alyssa Quinn (’16, English): “A Triangular Bargain: Narration and Power in Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin and Alias Grace”
Victoria Rasmussen (’16, International Business): “Why Despite Bipartisan Support, the Embargo Against Cuba Won’t go Down Without a Fight”
Dakota Reed (’16, Wildlife Science): “The Effects of Hazing on Urban Coyotes”
Michael Ryan (’16, Economics): “The Affordable Care Act and Health Care in America”
Heather Shipp (’16, Wildlife Science): “Using Accelerometer Data to Remotely Assess Predation Activity of Arctic Wolves”
Nathan Stacey (’16, Mechanical Engineering): “XHAB Microgravity Food Growth Chamber”
Rachel Telfer (’16, English): “A Book of Conversations: Trauma, Representation, and Reconstruction in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”
Bethany Unger (’15, Wildlife Science): “Non-Suitable Habitat a Cause for Declining Bobolink Populations in Northern Utah”
Bryce Walker (’16, Electrical Engineering): “Creating a 3D Imaging Device”
Ryan Wallentine (’16, Mathematics): “Sexual Assault and the Doctrine of Chances”
Michael Wheat (’16, Accounting): “The OPM Data Breach: Lessons Learned”
Jordan Wilkes (’16, Biochemistry): “The Effect of Pure Infrared Light on the Growth of Rhodospirrilum Rubrum”
Maria Williams (’16, English): “Under Cover: An Exploration of Book Cover Design and Reader Perception of the Text”
David Wood (’16, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering): “Pedicle Lengthening Spacer”