SUpr Summit Program - Shenandoah University

SUpr Summit 2015
Student Project and Research Symposium
Projects, research, artistic endeavors, works-in-progress, and graduate theses
April 23, 2015
Shenandoah University students working in their fields,
practicing their arts, contributing to their communities,
and leaving a positive imprint on the world.
Sponsored by:
Student Research and
Publication Committee
Office of
Academic Affairs
Forward
Welcome, one and all, to this year’s SUPR Summit celebrating the creativity and achievement of
Shenandoah students!
Shenandoah’s vision statement affirms that “Shenandoah University will be a strong leader of higher
education, committed to educational excellence, creativity, and global citizenship.” Here, you will find
examples illustrating our commitment to these principles across many disciplines.
This event was the brainchild of Dr. Mark Chan, in Psychology, who has been a tireless champion of
student research and creative work. With support from the Student Research and Publication Committee
and my office, we held the first SUPR Summit last year with 14 projects submitted. This year, we have
over 40 projects and expect even more submissions next year!
This year we’re delighted to welcome this year’s Global Citizenship Project participants as they share
their experiences and insights from abroad. Special thanks to Bethany Galipeau-Konate of the GCP for
collaborating with the SUpr Summit.
Hats off to the many students who are presenting today! We hope that you will find this experience both
memorable and formative and that it encourages you to continue your research and creative efforts
wherever your path may lead. Thanks too, to the faculty mentors who have nurtured these efforts. This
event would not be possible without the great support from Sodexo, the Copy Center, the Physical Plant,
and Lyn Bacha from Nursing. And a very special thank you to Virginia Armagh, who organized and
managed this year’s event!
Anne Marchant, Director
Center for Teaching and Learning
Presented Alphabetically by College
Arts & Sciences
Analysis of C. Parasitica Fungal Strains via DNA Isolation, PCR Amplification, and Gel
Electrophoresis
1 Amanda Pettyjohn & Airiel Renner
CARES
1 Juli Carbone, Eric Hobby & Amber Kelly
Challenges of Course Registration
2 Mohamed Ali, Kasey Sydnor, Holly Chittenden, Megan Tripp & Emily Maddox
Common Treatments of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and their Effectiveness
2 Lauren Kesler
Cops, Courses and Careers: Why Females Study Criminal Justice at Shenandoah University
2 Lindsay Wolverton
Creating Leaders: Henry V In The Classroom
3 Hilary Lam
Customized Solar Chimney Power Plant
3 Juan Daniel Panuco
Effect of ZO1 and ZO2 Depletion on Focal Adhesion Assembly and Disassembly During
Epithelial Cell Migration
3 Erin Weddle & Lauren Richardson
Expression of Tissue Plasminogen Activator in the SCN 2.2 cell line
4 Kathleen Lasick & Chad Smith
Freedom of Speech
4 Donya Akhawan Jam
Gender Differences in Mathematics Attitudes
5 Kevin Cappello
Global Citizenship Project: Cultural Inspiration
5 Alana Meadows
Healthy Signs: A Health Promotion Program for Deaf Youth
5 Mohamed Ali, Daniel Fairman & Ashley Landes
Invisible Wounds: Compassion through Words
6 Kaliegh Winters, Elizabeth Orndorff & Jeroline Fai
It's Not Yours, It's Mine! The Cueca and Identity Formation in Chile
6 Sarah Lahasky
A Shakespearian Leader Within America’s Education System
7 Michaela Ibrahim & Aileen Burke
Life's a Bitch: What Does it Mean When You're Called One?
7 Emily R. Howdyshell
Mothering Bodies and the Transformative Evolution of Ethnicity through Mothering: In
Specific Correlation to the Holocaust
7 Ashley Harris & Breanna Stewart
On Huntington's Disease: A Mathematical Model
Lauren Richardson, Kevin Cappello, Lowell Edkins, Kathleen Lasick, Juan Panuco, Jasper Jade Raguindin
& Erin Weddle
8 Physics of the Droplet
8 Lowell Edkins
Piecing the Puzzle of How Gender and Suicide Interconnect
8 Jessica Brown
Rage Quit: Casual Video Games and Frustration
9 Ashley Suk
Reclaiming Herstory: A Study of Women in Religious Leadership
9 Emily R. Howdyshell
Registration Revolution
9 Caroline Meuschke, Dylan Derflinger, Shannon McGuirl, Lisa Merriman, Enlin Qing & Victoria Finney
Relationships between Edges and Diagonals of Regular Polytopes
10 Jessica N. Copher
Shakespeare Going Global
10 Elizabeth Anne Britton & Ian Alonso
Sisters As Siblings: Who Washes The Dishes? And Who Mows The Lawn?
11 Emily Kogler
Social Perception Through Instagram
11 Jacob Belkin
Structure of a Hemlock-hardwood Slope Forest at Shenandoah Retreat, Virginia
11 Ashley Lauren Landes
Testing Procedural Techniques for DNA Extraction from C. Parasitica
12 Kaitlin Kaldmaa, Kayla Buechner & Laurel Rodgers
The 1930s Called, They Want Their Anti-Semitism Back
12 Lila Portman
The Benefits of Physical Therapy and Exercise for People with Multiple Sclerosis
13 Mary E. Kogler
The Hatred Starts With You
13 Haley Urben
Type 2 Diabetes and its Effect on the Crossover Point in Exercise
13 Emily Heiston
Conservatory
Musicological Analyses as means to Informed Performance Practice: Three Songs without
Words (1952) by Paul Ben-Haim
Service Learning in Middle School Academia
14 14 Norie Ann Noll-DeHaven
Health Professions
The Immediate Effects of Thoracic Spine Manipulation on the Upper Limb Tension Test and
Seated Slump Test
Victoria Miller, Colleen Johnson Rachel Bell, Justin Bittner, Kathryn Dolinar & Dorothy Earner
Alina Kirshon Goldman
Education and Human Development
15 School of Pharmacy
Assessing Knowledge and Attitude about Ebola in the U.S.: A Cross Sectional Survey
15 Kyle Startsman, Alykhan Jamal & Jason Guy
Beliefs, Attitudes and Self Use of AYUSH Medicines among Senior Pharmacy Students: An
Exploratory Insight from Andhra Pradesh, India
16 Stephanie Perez Rodriguez, Akram Ahmad, Muhammad Umair Khan, Bandari Deepak Kumar & Isha Patel
Investigation Of Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) in Asia, Europe, and North
America
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Jason Guy, Rachel Rarus, Jongwha Chang & Isha Patel
Pharmacists in Accountable Care Organizations: Decreasing Costs and Improving Outcomes
in Chronic Disease States
17 Cassandra Rose Robertson
The Importance of Medication Reconciliation in Hospitals: A Literature Review
17 Sereen Sultana
Global Citizenship Project
Cambodia
Fiji
Malaysia
Nepal
Philippines
18 18 18 19 19 Arts & Sciences
Analysis of C. Parasitica Fungal Strains via DNA Isolation, PCR Amplification, and Gel
Electrophoresis
Amanda Pettyjohn & Airiel Renner
Faculty Sponsor: Laurel Rodgers, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
Cryphonectria parasitica is a pathogenic fungus that causes an often-fatal blight in American chestnut
trees, but leaves European, Chinese, and Japanese chestnuts largely untouched. Some American
chestnuts have developed a natural defense mechanism with which to deal with the fungus once they
have been infected, but a majority of the trees do not have this resistance, and thus die at an early age,
eliminating a valuable source of food and shelter for many animals. While current research is
underway to develop a blight-resistant strain by crossing American chestnuts with the blight resistant
Chinese chestnut, little is understood in regards to what causes one tree species to have resistance,
while the other does not. Our goal is to compare the natural microbiome of American chestnut trees to
that of Chinese chestnut trees. This comparison will be completed through sample extraction, DNA
isolation, PCR, and gene sequencing to determine the composition, relative prevalence, and identities
of endophytes within each tree species. In this semester, we have developed, practiced, and improved
techniques required for DNA isolation and PCR. By learning more about the natural endophytes in
healthy American chestnuts and comparing them to endophytes in other chestnut species, we hope to
uncover clues regarding why American chestnuts are particularly susceptible to C. parasitica.
CARES
Juli Carbone, Eric Hobby & Amber Kelly
Faculty Sponsor: Audra Gollenberg, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public Health
Background: People with one or more extremities traumatically or surgically removed are referred to
as amputees. Amputees make up a significant portion of the disabled population in America and face
challenges such as not having access to a safe physical activity environment.
Aims: The Certified Amputee Recreation and Exercise Specialist (CARES) and Layout of
Environmental Standards (CARE-LES) will be a two-pronged program that aims to change the
physical fitness environment, increase access to certified trainers, and reduce social stigmas that are
associated with amputees and exercise.
Theoretical Framework: Based on Bandura’s reciprocal determinism triad, linking the amputee
population to a safe environment will change the population’s behavior to increase physical activity
and improve or maintain health status. As the amputee population becomes more prevalent in
community fitness centers, this will decrease the negative stigma associated with amputees and in
turn, encourage more to participate in physical activities.
Intervention Design: The CARES program, in collaboration with interested associations, will develop
a valid standardized exam and study materials for individuals who want to safely train the amputee
population. Simultaneously, the development of CARE-LES to standardize the safety of the fitness
environment and equipment for amputees will be implemented through local seminars, online
tutorials, and as a part of the CARES certification, will be available to all community fitness centers.
Conclusion: The CARES program will be the first of its kind to create a standardized amputee-safe
physical activity environment and aim to reduce health inequalities in the physically disabled
population.
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Challenges of Course Registration
Mohamed Ali, Kasey Sydnor, Holly Chittenden, Megan Tripp & Emily Maddox
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Chan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology
The design challenge we are working on is to reconstruct the course registration process so that it’s
easier to understand, more efficient, less time consuming, and reasonably simple for both the student
and the advisor. We create personas to exemplify the user experience. The new system may seem
nicer and pleasing to the eye, but did it really fix the problem of people not registering, or are people
still facing the same issues as before?
Our approach is human centered and focuses on matching knowledge in the head with knowledge in
the world. Creating an environment or a condition where the user knows and understands exactly
what the designer planned. We need to understand the user in order to create the best course
registration experience for both the students and advisors.
Our interviews led to a great amount of insight from students using the course registration system,
which showed a lack of knowledge of advising and registration dates. Having to wait until midnight
to sign up for classes, scroll through the long list of courses, and having limited courses with
scheduled times are other serious problems. The faculty have many students to advise but a lack of
time.
We have taken two approaches for solutions, focusing on both the students and the faculty involved
with the registration process. Possible solutions are to register for classes freely, make advising
mandatory, and online advising. The faculty would have an incentive for student graduation rates.
Common Treatments of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and their Effectiveness
Lauren Kesler
Faculty Sponsor: Rodney Bragdon, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, commonly known as OCD, is an anxiety disorder that often has
many misconceptions regarding the disorder. For example, many think of OCD as a condition where
you have to keep your pens straight on your desk or having books stacked neatly on a shelf. However,
while these stereotypical symptoms may hold true for some, there is much more to understand. To
start, it must be understood that OCD is a two-part disorder… in other words, the individual starts
with obsessions, or intrusive thoughts or urges that the individual tries to resist. The second part,
compulsions, is the actions to suppress the obsessions and provide relief from the anxiety. For
example, an individual may have an obsession of needing things to be asymmetrical or to do things
repeatedly. Other symptoms include forbidden thoughts or actions, cleaning/contamination, and
hoarding. This disorder can prove to be very debilitating, often affecting an individual’s job,
relationships, and daily activities. It’s also important to remember that once OCD develops, it has a
tendency to become chronic. Therefore, it is important to implement treatment that can help these
symptoms. Treatment for OCD is complex that often requires the use of psychotherapy, medication,
and often both. Psychotherapy includes the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure
response prevention (ERP). Medication is also used: most commonly anti-anxiety and antidepressants are prescribed. The purpose of this literature review is to provide a review of OCD and
more specifically the most common treatment options and their effectiveness.
Cops, Courses and Careers: Why Females Study Criminal Justice at Shenandoah University
Lindsay Wolverton
Faculty Sponsor: Gina Daddario, PhD, Professor of Mass Communications and Lin Rong Song Chair
The purpose of the research is to find out why female criminal justice majors at Shenandoah
University chose to pursue the criminal justice field. According to Yim (2009) in a study on college
undergraduates and their reasons for selecting the criminal justice major, the three most frequently
cited reasons include: a desire to help one’s community, an interest in aspiring to careers portrayed on
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police television drama, and a general interest in criminal justice. An earlier study conducted by
Raganella and White (2004) among police recruits examined participants’ reasons for pursuing law
enforcement careers and analyzed them according to gender. They found women ranked “opportunity
to help people” as the most common reason for choosing the criminal justice field, followed by
“opportunities for career advancement,” and job security/benefits. This project explores a similar
phenomenon at Shenandoah University and designed a survey for distribution via email to all 22
declared female criminal justice majors; 14 completed questionnaires were returned resulting in a
63% response rate. My respondents all had a high desire to help their community and expressed an
interest in aspiring to careers as portrayed on police television drama.
Creating Leaders: Henry V In The Classroom
Hilary Lam
Faculty Sponsor: Rachael Hammond, PhD, Assistant Professor of English
In recent educational conversations, the question has been raised “How do we create exemplary
leaders out of high school students?” Some school systems have implemented entire classes devoted
to leadership, while others have incorporated leadership lessons into their humanities classes. In either
capacity, educators struggle with finding a medium to use in their respective curricula. Various forms
of research have concluded that William Shakespeare’s play Henry V provides educators with an
impeccable resource for creating leaders in the classroom. Henry V is comprised of characters and
occurrences that provide students with examples of authentic and inauthentic leadership while also
providing students with a relatable story about a young man coming of age. Research has shown that
reading Shakespeare increases brain activity and allows students to wrestle with complex ideas by
using higher-level thinking, a core goal in the American education system.
Customized Solar Chimney Power Plant
Juan Daniel Panuco
Faculty Sponsor: Paula Grajdeanu, PhD, Associate Professor of Mathematics
For two semesters, I’ve been researching solar chimney power plants and their purpose in generating
electricity from sunlight. While solar energy has been one of the most efficient renewable energy for
society, it never quite replaces fossil fuels in terms of costs, performance, and orientation. For my
research, I’ll be modeling a solar updraft tower that can compete with a natural gas fired power
station, a commonly used station in towns, in terms of energy production as well as costs. The results
will be calculated based on theories to verify if a town version of a solar chimney power plant can be
viable substitute for a natural gas fired power plant. To model a solar chimney power plant, I studied
the three major components of the system: the chimney, the collector, and turbines. By understanding
how these components function, we can determine if this system can contend with a natural gas fired
power plant that can produce enough electricity to power approximately 325,000 homes.
Effect of ZO1 and ZO2 Depletion on Focal Adhesion Assembly and Disassembly During
Epithelial Cell Migration
Erin Weddle & Lauren Richardson
Faculty Sponsor: Laurel Rodgers, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
Cell migration is critical for tissue development, immune responses, and wound healing. The
continuous assembly and disassembly of focal adhesions are critical for normal cell migration. Focal
adhesions (FA) are large protein complexes that allow cells to attach to surfaces and pull themselves
forward. As FA forms on the leading edge between the migrating cell and the surface, FA on the
trailing edge must rapidly disassemble to allow contraction. Preventing either assembly or
disassembly of FAs will prevent a cell from migrating. Disassembly of focal adhesions is regulated by
microtubules, a component of the cellular cytoskeleton. MDCK cells lacking ZO1 and ZO2 are
known to stall out during cell migration. We are investigating whether this inability to migrate
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correctly is a result of either faulty assembly or disassembly of FAs. To accomplish this goal, we will
treat wild type and ZO1/ZO2 knockdown cells with nocodazole, a drug that causes microtubules to
disassemble. Once the nocodazole is removed, the microtubules will regrow all at once and activate
the disassembly of all FAs at one time. We can then compare wild type MDCK cells and MDCK cells
lacking ZO1 and ZO2 to see if there is a difference in FA size and number, which would indicate a
difference in assembly and/or disassembly. Discovery of faulty focal adhesion assembly or
disassembly in cells lacking ZO1 and ZO2 could identify a role of ZO proteins in the dynamic
instability of focal adhesions that is required during cell migration.
Expression of Tissue Plasminogen Activator in the SCN 2.2 cell line
Kathleen Lasick & Chad Smith
Faculty Sponsor: Laurel Rodgers, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
The circadian clock regulates everyday activities and behaviors like getting tired at night and waking
up when the sun rises. Circadian rhythms also affect many physiological aspects of our daily lives,
including colon permeability and gene expression. Understanding how circadian rhythms are
regulated is increasingly important because of the many pharmaceutical and health-related
implications. Our research focuses on the cells of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which comprise
the central pacemaker that regulates circadian rhythms. We looked specifically at the presence of
tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) expression by the SCN cells. tPA allows the expression of brain
derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is required for activation of SCN cells by glutamate
released by retinal neurons when they detect light. So, the expression of tPA by SCN cells would
show us when the cells are sensitive to the presence of light. We used immunohistochemistry and
western blot analysis to see if there is a rhythm in the expression of tPA and where it is located in the
cells of the SCN. This information will allow us to create an expression profile to be used in future
research.
Freedom of Speech
Donya Akhawan Jam
Faculty Sponsor: Petra Schweitzer, PhD, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages
In the United States Constitution, the first amendment grants us the freedom of speech. “Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (U.S. Constitution, Amend. I).
In some countries, people do not have this freedom. An example is the country I’m originally from,
Iran.
Iran has been ruled by a brutal dictatorship for the past 36 years. Anyone who attempts to speak up
against the regime could be arrested, tortured, and possibly executed. An example of this is when the
2009 pro-democracy protests erupted in Iran. Neda Soltan, a young woman, was shot and killed
during a massive peaceful protest in the streets of Tehran, for simply wanting democracy. Thousands
more just like Neda were killed for wanting what she was looking for, a free democratic Iran.
In relation to this, I would like to pose the question, what can I do as a young Iranian-American
activist to raise awareness? I would like to show in this poster how to give a voice to those who have
been silenced. Since I was a little girl, I’ve taken part in protests from Washington DC, New York,
and Europe to give the oppressed Iranians a voice. I also use social media now, such as Facebook and
Twitter.
I will show in this poster how to be a voice to the voiceless.
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Gender Differences in Mathematics Attitudes
Kevin Cappello
Faculty Sponsor: Cindia Stewart, PhD, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Mathematics has long been thought of as a male domain. A study done in 1985 found that children in
third grade thought of math as a male activity. It is possible that this way of thinking has been
discouraging females from math and other STEM careers. However, as times change we must wonder
if students still think this way. A study from 2013 reported that perhaps math is viewed as a male
domain simply because young males are more interested in math than young females.
The purpose of this study was to determine if students’ attitudes towards mathematics affected their
performance. To examine the relationship between attitude and perceived performance, 175 students
from Shenandoah University mathematics service courses were surveyed. On average, male students
reported a higher level of confidence in their work than their female peers, even though the average
grade for males was lower than the female average grade. Additionally, females, on average, reported
that they thought males did not perform better than females.
Global Citizenship Project: Cultural Inspiration
Alana Meadows
Faculty Sponsor: Warren Hofstra, PhD, Professor of History and Director of SU Community History Project
Motivating people to use their skills to impact different parts of the world and serve others is very
important to me. I recently participated in the Global Citizenship Project (GCP) and it was an eyeopening and educational experience. The GCP’s purpose is to give an “opportunity to experience
another culture while focusing on a universal theme.” I went to Nepal and was influenced by this
country’s social structure and culture. Initially, unpacking our suitcases at the hotel in the capital city,
Kathmandu, we drove up a path to begin trekking near the Himalayan Mountains. After this, we got a
ceremonial welcome from Nepalese school children who were smiling and were dressed in colorful
clothing. They gave us Tika, which is a red powder applied to the forehead and is a sign of respect
and gratitude. My GCP group and I were open-minded about the trip because we wanted to personally
experience everything in order to understand their everyday lives. There were different scenery and
clothing styles that I don’t see every day. Women were covered, not showing much skin due to their
religious beliefs. This is important because different regions around the world do not have the same
cultures, resources and access to things you and I might. Traveling abroad opens up opportunities like
trying new things and meeting different people. I think it is important for people to understand
cultural differences and how the world can influence you as a person because it makes people realize
more about themselves.
Healthy Signs: A Health Promotion Program for Deaf Youth
Mohamed Ali, Daniel Fairman & Ashley Landes
Faculty Sponsor: Audra Gollenberg, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public Health
Background: Globally, hearing loss affects millions of people and is the 2nd most common disability
in the United States; yet, the deaf and hard of hearing population is a silent group to many healthcare
providers, policymakers and public health programs. The increased prevalence of obesity in
minorities is a multifactorial phenomenon, which includes, in part, linguistic lack of access to health
information.
Aims: The goal of our program, Healthy Signs, is to increase basic health knowledge and health
literacy in culturally deaf youth. This health intervention utilizes program methods, such as modern
video technology and ASL.
Methods: The Healthy Signs program is founded on the Transtheoretical Model, a model that
postulates that behavior change occurs through sequential stages. To increase health knowledge,
literacy, and competency, we will create 20 Healthy Habits videos using ASL that cater to deaf youth
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nationally. The videos designed in Healthy Signs will help motivate the entire target population.
Participants will be encouraged to seek additional education afterwards for maintenance of health
behaviors. The major constructs of self-efficacy, decisional balance, process of change, and
temptation will be included in the program. These constructs will be used to help deaf youth
recognize unhealthy behaviors and make good health choices.
Conclusion: Healthy Signs will deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate health information to
deaf youth to increase their health knowledge and change their health behaviors. The program will
allow deaf youth to get an effective health education in a manner that is culturally and linguistically
appropriate to the Deaf Community.
Invisible Wounds: Compassion through Words
Kaliegh Winters, Elizabeth Orndorff & Jeroline Fai
Faculty Sponsor: Audra Gollenberg, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public Health
Background: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an increasingly common occurrence in military
personnel who have experienced a traumatic event. One in three returning service members are
diagnosed with PTSD, with less than 40% of them actively seeking treatment. PTSD symptoms can
cause significant problems in both social and work settings and without a strong social support
system, veterans are left isolated and forced to cope alone.
Aims: The goal of our program “Invisible Wounds: Compassion Through Words” is to benefit
veterans suffering from PTSD through small peer to peer groups that offer social support and through
the use of the written word, in the form of free writing and journaling.
Methods: The program is influenced by the Health Belief Model by using peer discussion groups and
journaling to build self-efficacy and emotional/psychological strength. Pre and post self-administered
tests will use social Cognitive Theory allowing participants to self-evaluate their progress. Finally, by
assisting veterans through teaching coping skills and the ability to communicate through journaling
and discussion, we aim to see 60% of participants meeting a median score of 3.3 on the PTSD
Checklist-Military version (PCL-M) by the end of the first six-month phase.
Conclusion: Our program will offer a safe social support system, encourage self-regulation of
emotions, and foster creativity and communication.
It's Not Yours, It's Mine! The Cueca and Identity Formation in Chile
Sarah Lahasky
Faculty Sponsor: Andrea Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages
The cueca, a traditional folk music and dance with highly debated origins, is revered as a national
cultural icon most prominently in Chile, but also occupies a large presence in Peru, Argentina, and
other South American countries. Over the past two hundred years, the cueca has evolved into several
sub-genres, each of which have been claimed by different sectors of Chilean and Latin American
identity. Due to the limited materials that exist pertaining to the cueca, especially from sources
outside of Chile, Peru, and Argentina, it is difficult to confirm with certainty that the information is
unprejudiced concerning the origins of the genre, as well as its role and purpose in society. This
project examines cueca sources from an external perspective and analyzes the identity roles that the
cueca cultivates throughout Latin America. The project focuses mainly on the cueca’s intersectional
identities within the borders of Chile, and includes a brief analysis of cueca and national identity in
Peru and Argentina, as well as a broader, Latin American identity component. By closely examining
the different sub-genres of the cueca, as well as the various identities that claim the genre as an
important cultural aspect, this project will demonstrate the versatility of societal function and
elements of unity of the cueca in Chilean and Latin American culture through an impartial lens.
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A Shakespearian Leader Within America’s Education System
Michaela Ibrahim & Aileen Burke
Faculty Sponsor: Rachael Hammond, PhD, Assistant Professor of English
To many, the world of Shakespeare may seem far and distant due to language or the time period. His
dramas are merely stories of entertainment that hold strong themes and sometimes, moral lessons.
Yet, when closely analyzing Shakespeare’s characters, we can begin to uncover how “he invented
us,” the human*. Shakespeare incorporates every type of human characteristics, but the leadership
role is strongly emphasized. Whether villainous, tragic, or victorious, one can compare the leadership
traits of Shakespeare’s characters with the hierarchal education system. From a teacher to the
Department of Education, there are leaders trickling and being molded through the education system.
Each leader is responsible for creating a vision, setting a goal, and fulfilling the steps to achieve their
goal.
This project will attempt to define Shakespeare’s ultimate leader and apply the definition to leadership
positions into the education system. The first step will analyze the leadership skills in Shakespeare’s
characters to gain an in-depth understanding of their traits. When analyzing the leaders, some research
in psychology and leadership will be conducted. Second, the American educational system’s structure
and the implementation of leadership within will be researched and analyzed. Lastly, these two
theories will be combined to create the ultimate and ideal leader for the education system.
* Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. New York: Riverhead Books, 1998.
Life's a Bitch: What Does it Mean When You're Called One?
Emily R. Howdyshell
Faculty Sponsor: Gina Daddario, PhD, Professor of Mass Communications and Lin Rong Song Chair
The purpose of this study is to explore the meaning and common use of the word “bitch” among
college students as well as faculty and staff at Shenandoah University. Inspired by the methods used
by Frank Warren in his community art project known as PostSecret, I designed a postcard that
included my campus address and a short explanation of my project. On the reverse side of the card, I
asked participants to identify their age, race, and gender and then to write an explanation of what the
word bitch means to them. I used a non-probability convenience sample by distributing 100 postcards
to students in my residence hall and classes as well as random locations throughout campus.
Approximately 75 of the cards were returned, 41 were female students and 34 were males. A
rhetorical analysis was used to explore themes that emerged. Noticeable gender differences became
evident in the means offered by female and male respondents. Females tend to use the word to
identify friend groups, as in “ that’s my bitch.” They also used the term bitch to belittle or demean
females. Males tend to use the word “bitch” to identify females who are seen as “bossy” or who try to
assume some form of leadership. They also use the term to identify males who “aren’t meeting a
standard.” The results of this will be used to consider ways in which the word bitch can be redefined
on the Shenandoah University campus in a less derogatory and more empowering way.
Mothering Bodies and the Transformative Evolution of Ethnicity through Mothering: In
Specific Correlation to the Holocaust
Ashley Harris & Breanna Stewart
Faculty Sponsor: Petra Schweitzer, PhD, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages
According to Nazi ideology in regards to “rassenschande”, or the defilement of “pure Aryan blood”,
one’s race and ethnicity was a crucial aspect of their worth. When dissecting the ideology of Nazi
Europe and the notion of there being a pure race of people based on their race and ethnicity, it
portrayed that although Germany, the Fatherland was patriarchal, one’s pureness was determined
mainly through their maternal line. Nazi ideology portrayed that although Germany, the Fatherland
was patriarchal, one’s pureness was determined mainly through their maternal line. What exactly is
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ethnicity and how does that alter the perception of oneself? When mentioning the Holocaust, many
immediately think of the cruel laws and punishment carried out by the German population on Jewish
Europeans. Specifically, our presentation will focus on German and/or Jewish mothers and the
concept of ethnicity. Many individuals view ethnicity as a singularly biological trait. However, what
many scholars, free thinkers, and people indoctrinated into the concept of post-modern theory seem to
forget is that heritage and ethnicity are not a singular biological aspect. Through our theories and
research, we will tie our definition of ethnicity to 21st Century America and Europe in relation to
Jewish communities and the ongoing importance of the mother to explain how an individual defines
their ethnicity. Our research will provide evidence that although we live in a patriarchal society, the
matriarchal lineage of heritage/ethnicity has carried greater importance than that of the patriarchal.
This is why we propose that the parental form of mothering is crucial in transferring the essence of
ethnicity, especially, in environments of war, terror, oppression, and genocide.
On Huntington's Disease: A Mathematical Model
Lauren Richardson, Kevin Cappello, Lowell Edkins, Kathleen Lasick, Juan Panuco, Jasper Jade Raguindin &
Erin Weddle
Faculty Sponsor: Paula Grajdeanu, PhD, Associate Professor of Mathematics
This is a collaborative project between mathematics majors and biosciences majors, aiming to explore
mathematical tools and computer programming concepts that could be relevant to Huntington's
Disease (HD). Specifically, our research is focused on better understanding the role of Huntingtin
(Htt) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) proteins in HD. Results from various laboratories
suggest that production of BDNF is stimulated by the normal, wild type Htt, the protein whose
mutation causes HD. In HD patients, reduced wild Htt would lead to BDNF depletion in the striatum,
which may furthermore contribute to the clinical manifestations of the disease. We model this
underlying mechanism by a system of differential equations. To explore the model computationally,
the differential equations are solved numerically in FreeMat/Matlab. By computational experiments in
which inputs and parameters are varied, we explore the model to answer questions related to HD
(disease onset, disease dynamics, therapeutic implications, etc).
Physics of the Droplet
Lowell Edkins
Faculty Sponsor: Darren Bly, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physics
With the use of variational calculus and Lagrangian mechanics, I am mathematically depicting the
behaviors of water droplets, demonstrating nature minimizing its energy. I intend to show that the
droplet shape is the effect of gravity on a droplet with a steadily increasing mass. Also, I will show
that a steady droplet will exhibit certain simple harmonic motion when small enough energy is
added to the system. Finally, I will show the threshold at which the minimizing effect will cause
the droplet to separate from the other water molecules and begin falling. Further research will
include under what situations a droplet of any liquid will splash.
Piecing the Puzzle of How Gender and Suicide Interconnect
Jessica Brown
Faculty Sponsor: Gina Daddario, PhD, Professor of Mass Communications and Lin Rong Song Chair
This study examines gender differences among men and women pertaining to attempting and
completing suicide. According to the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, in 2013 there
were 41,149 suicides reported which means suicide is the 10th leading cause of deaths for Americans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in 2013 a person in the United
States completed suicide every 12.8 minutes. Studies by the CDC also shows suicide rates among
males are about four times higher than those of women; in 2013, 77.9% of suicides were completed
by males while 22.1% were completed by females. While this shows that men are more likely to
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complete suicide, it does not show that women are more likely to have suicidal thoughts, commit acts
of self-harm and attempt suicide than men. It has also been noted that sexuality is a factor when it
comes to suicide. LGBTQ members are found to be more likely to have suicidal thoughts and
attempts, than the straight population. In a study of 140 minority undergraduate students with a mean
age of about 20 years old with 71.4% female, 58.6% white, and 34.3% openly identifying as lesbian
gay or bisexual, suicidal attempts or actions were prevalent (Silva, Caroline; Chu, Carol; Monahan,
Kierstan R.; Joiner, Thomas E. 2015). After an extensive review of the literature on gender and
suicide, I believe that although we know a lot about suicide there is much more that can be researched
about a suicidal person.
Rage Quit: Casual Video Games and Frustration
Ashley Suk
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Chan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Casual video gaming has grown enormously over the last few years, but its effects on players have not
been as extensively studied as hardcore video gaming. This study attempted to determine if there is a
causal relationship between difficulty of a casual video game (Social Hunter), violent or non-violent
content, and frustration experienced by participants. Forty participants, age 17-44, were randomly
assigned to four groups. Each group played one of four versions of the game, and then filled out a
survey of frustration, a survey on video game specific frustration, and a video game usage and
preferences questionnaire. While other findings were not significant, there was a significant positive
main effect found between violent content and video game specific frustration. Participants’
preference for puzzle games was found to have a moderately positive correlation with frustration, but
a strongly negative correlation with video game specific frustration.
Reclaiming Herstory: A Study of Women in Religious Leadership
Emily R. Howdyshell
Faculty Sponsor: Meredith Minister, PhD, Assistant Professor of Religion
The focus of this research is to examine both religious texts and religious communities to understand
how women are denied leadership opportunities and working as leaders within Judaism, Christianity
and Islam. Through a historical study of texts such as Genesis 29, 1 Corinthians 14:33-35, 1 Timothy
2: 10-12, Sura 2:224, and Sura 4, I locate these texts in their cultural contexts to show how they have
historically shaped religious communities, and in some cases limited women in the ability to become
leaders. I also look to female religious leaders to share their stories of becoming leaders and
practicing their faith in contemporary religious communities. Through these stories I found common
themes of sexism, the glass ceiling and, although there is suffering in the stories, hope for the future
of women’s leadership in religious communities.
Registration Revolution
Caroline Meuschke, Dylan Derflinger, Shannon McGuirl, Lisa Merriman, Enlin Qing & Victoria Finney
Faculty Sponsor: Mark Chan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Our group in Human Factors challenged the task of figuring out what students and teachers
experienced during the registration process. We are tackling this issue because we’ve all heard of the
horrors of WebAdvisor. But is the new system really any better? Is the system really the problem to
begin with?
Design thinking is a human-centered approach to solving problems. Instead of looking solely at the
problems, we investigate the experience of registration for students and faculty. Based on the
information we gather, we brainstorm solutions and design prototypes to try and make the interaction
more enjoyable and convenient. One of the main problems we encountered was students not knowing
when to register for classes. There is knowledge we know (prior assumptions) and information out
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there (system assumptions). When these two get out of balance, we encounter problems. We find
solutions. We are Students Against Problems.
We interviewed both students and faculty to synthesize a typical user interacting with the registration
system. Based upon information gathered, we created rapid prototypes trying to solve problems users
encountered. Currently we are prototyping the following four solutions: 1) Having seniors work as
mentors to students in need of registration assistance 2) Separate e-mail system to provide reminders
to students 3) Changing the layout of the Sun-E to maximize number of readers 4) Changing the
registration time to be earlier.
It’s not necessary that our prototypes work perfectly, but they are used to help develop a better
prototype and understanding of the problem.
Relationships between Edges and Diagonals of Regular Polytopes
Jessica N. Copher
Faculty Sponsor: Jessica OShaughnessy, PhD, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
“Polytopes” are fascinating geometric shapes that include both the familiar polygons (2-dimensional
polytopes) and polyhedra (3-dimensional polytopes, e.g., cubes and tetrahedra [pyramids with
triangular bases]) and the less familiar, higher-dimensional analogues of these shapes (4- and higherdimensional polytopes). Previous mathematical inquiry concerning polygons, the 2-dimensional
polytopes, has led to the discovery of at least four relationships between a polygon’s side length,
diagonal lengths, and number of sides for regular (i.e., “sides of equal length”) polygons inscribed in
circles of 1-unit radii. However, there are no published investigations concerning whether any of these
relationships generalize to any of the higher-dimensional regular polytopes. Consequently, the present
study explored the generalizability of these four relationships to higher-dimensional polytopes by (a)
replacing the “unit circle” of the earlier, polygon-specific investigations with a “unit n-sphere” of the
same dimension as each higher-dimension polytope under consideration and (b) computing the sums
and products defined for these four relationships in the earlier studies. One of these relationships did,
in fact, generalize to all of the higher-dimensional regular polytopes (except, possibly, the 4dimensional 24-cell, 120-cell, and 600-cell polytopes) with an interesting corollary, but the other three
relationships did not appear to generalize in any universal manner. Although the sums and products
defined in these last three relationships yielded intriguing results in the 3-dimensional case, further
investigation is needed (and is being made) into the sums and products for 4- and higher-dimensional
polytopes with the hope that these results will shed additional light on the 3- and 2-dimensional cases.
Shakespeare Going Global
Elizabeth Anne Britton & Ian Alonso
Faculty Sponsor: Rachael Hammond, PhD, Assistant Professor of English
William Shakespeare wrote many plays that featured generals, princes, and kings. Othello, Hamlet,
Macbeth, King Lear, King Henry V and King Richard III, for example, are not flat, two-dimensional
characters, but rather round and complex characters that leap off of the page. The Myers-Briggs
personality traits of these leaders appear in both ordinary people and in the great leaders of today’s
society. The fictional and historical leaders in Shakespeare's plays compare, in particular, to the
leadership styles and behaviors of two of G8 leaders, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel. These current leaders have been born into positions of power, had
to work their way through hardships, and have a vast amount of knowledge from previous experience
and life lessons. The lessons learned through Shakespeare's leaders could predict, by comparisons, not
only the leadership strengths and weaknesses of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and Chancellor Merkel,
but also the directions of the nations they represent.
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Sisters As Siblings: Who Washes The Dishes? And Who Mows The Lawn?
Emily Kogler
Faculty Sponsor: Gina Daddario, PhD, Professor of Mass Communications and Lin Rong Song Chair
As tradition holds, children within a household are typically assigned responsibilities of caring for the
home. Parents assign their children chores in the hopes of teaching cleanliness, responsibility, and
discipline. According to previous studies (Kroska, 2003; Lackey, 1989), boys tend to be assigned
more masculine chores like taking the trash out, shoveling snow, and completing yard work.
Conversely, girls tend to be assigned more feminine chores like doing laundry, doing the dishes, and
vacuuming.
My research question is: how are chores divided in a family with all females as children? Based on
personal experience, this study investigates the assumption that one daughter is assigned more
masculine chores by her parents, while the other(s) is assigned more traditionally feminine chores.
Participants were women who have only sisters as siblings. General demographic information was
collected from the participants.
Survey interviews were designed and conducted to collect the participants’ experience with chores:
what kind of chores did they complete, how many hours they spent completing them, what kinds of
chores did their sisters complete, and their thoughts on the gender of chores.
Social Perception Through Instagram
Jacob Belkin
Faculty Sponsor: Scott King, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology
This two-phase study investigates whether we can assess someone’s personality purely based on
Instagram profiles, and what personality traits correlate with accuracy in judging and being judged
through Instagram. In Phase 1, 79 participants completed personality tests and consented for their
Instagram profiles to be viewed by others. In Phase 2, 294 participants completed personality tests,
and attempted to assess personality traits of one of ten different Instagram users from Phase I. The
results of the study show that there is some correlation between personality traits perceived over
social medial and the actual traits of others. It was seen that the raters’ perceived traits were accurate
in regard to some of the actual traits of the judged participants. For example, the perceived
extraversion of the target was related to the target’s actual extraversion, neuroticism, openness, and
narcissism. The personality traits of the raters also correlated with judging personality traits. Raters
with higher self-esteem were better able to judge agreeableness and narcissism. Overall, the results
imply that people can tell personality through Instagram, but only a limited selection of traits.
Structure of a Hemlock-hardwood Slope Forest at Shenandoah Retreat, Virginia
Ashley Lauren Landes
Joshua Kincaid, PhD, Associate Professor Environmental Studies
Tsuga canadensis (Eastern hemlock) is a shade tolerant coniferous tree species that dominates
portions of eastern forests in North America. The distribution and abundance of T. canadensis is
currently changing as the result of a nonnative insect pest, the hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA, Adelges
tsugae). The loss of T. canadensis may substantially alter canopy composition, diversity, ecosystem
structure, and ecosystem function. The overall goal of this research is to document the structural
characteristics of a hemlock- hardwood slope forest in Shenandoah Retreat, Virginia, prior to
significant change in forest composition and structure. To sample this forest, a 20x50 meter plot
composed of 10x10 meter quadrats was established. Within each quadrat, all living and dying trees
(snags) ≥ 5 cm diameter at breast height were counted and identified. Increment borers were used to
extract cores from all T. canadensis stems in the sample plot. The rings were then visually counted
and dated. The data showed there are a large number of T. canadensis snags in the 5.0 to 20.0 cm size
classes, which indicate a lack survival. The lack of recruitment, largely resulting from the observed
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HWA infestation, suggests this forest will soon experience significant shifts in species composition
and structure. Observational field evidence suggests the forest will likely experience increases in
species such as red maple (Acer rubrum) and tree of heaven (Alianthus altissima). The information
presented by this research provides a baseline for forest monitoring and management efforts at
Shenandoah Retreat, Virginia.
Testing Procedural Techniques for DNA Extraction from C. Parasitica
Kaitlin Kaldmaa, Kayla Buechner & Laurel Rodgers
Faculty Sponsor: Laurel Rodgers, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
The American chestnut tree was once in high demand for timber and a valuable nut source for
wildlife. It has high levels of tannins throughout its bark, which makes the American chestnut a longlasting, sturdy wood that is excellent for building fences or homes. In the early 1900s, the fungus
Cryphonectria parasitica was accidentally introduced into New York from China. This fungus causes
the disease known as Chestnut Blight, which infected and killed nearly all American chestnut trees by
1950. However, the Chinese chestnut tree is immune to the blight caused by C. parasitica. The goal
of our project is to use genetic sequencing to compare the endophyte populations present within the
Chinese and American chestnut trees. An endophyte is an organism, usually fungi or bacteria, which
lives within a plant without causing harm. These endophytes frequently help protect their host species
from disease causing organisms. The information we gain from studying endophyte populations in the
American and Chinese chestnut trees may allow us to better understand what causes the Chinese
chestnut tree to be resistant to C. parasitica, and why the American chestnut tree does not have
resistance. The short-term goal for this semester was to test DNA extraction protocols and sequencing
methods in order to make sure our research findings are accurate. Based on our study we have
concluded that our current protocols were optimized for effective DNA extraction from fungi.
The 1930s Called, They Want Their Anti-Semitism Back
Lila Portman
Faculty Sponsor: Petra Schweitzer, PhD, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages
Increasing trends of anti-Semitism reminds one of the horrific crimes of Nazi Germany against Jews.
In the 20th century, nations of Europe failed to protect their Jewish communities, leading to the
murder of 6,000,000 Jews. What are the similarities between treatment of the Jewish people prior to
World War II and treatment of the Jewish people today?
There is increasing vocalization and public promotion of the condemnation and attack against Jews. I
had an opportunity to bare witness to atrocities of the Holocaust in Poland. I remember a quote in
Auschwitz that read, “The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again”George Satayana, an essayist and poet.
I wish to draw attention to recent attacks against Jews happening in places like France, Ukraine, and
even America. For example, Jews in Ukraine were told to register so the city could identify the Jews.
Before WWII, Jews were forced to wear yellow stars for identification. A survey by European Jewish
Congress and TAU revealed Jews were the target of 40% of all racist crimes in France in 2013,
despite the fact that they make up less than 1% of the population. Attacks on Jews increased sevenfold
since 1990.*
I hope to educate about the danger of hatred and show the importance of learning from history. If
people remain uneducated they are susceptible to blind intolerance.
*Pollard, Stephen. "Antisemitism in France: The Exodus Has Begun." The Telegraph. Telegraph
Media Group, 09 Jan. 2015. Web. 30 Mar. 2015.
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The Benefits of Physical Therapy and Exercise for People with Multiple Sclerosis
Mary E. Kogler
Faculty Sponsor: Barry M. Parker, PhD, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurological disease of the central nervous system. MS
occurs when the myelin sheath that is wrapped around neurons that connect to send messages to and
from the brain and spinal cord gets destroyed and thus signals going out to the rest of the body are
slow and disconnected. This leads to mental and physical impairments such as poor balance and
walking mechanics, and muscle weakness (White & Dressendorfer, 2004).
There are a four types of MS: Relapsing-remitting, Secondary progressive, Primary progressive and
Progressive-relapsing. The focus of this research is going to be for people who have Primary
progressive Multiple Sclerosis, which is the most chronic type of MS. Primary progressive MS is
diagnosed when neurological functioning continuously worsens over time. There are no well-defined
inflammatory attacks on the myelin sheath and functional abilities continue to decline. There may be
temporary small improvements, but there is little or no recovery from the attacks (Dawson, 2013).
People who have MS and are receiving Physical Therapy and/or following an exercise program
benefit greatly from treatment.
There are many components when receiving Physical Therapy and/or following an exercise program,
which include muscular strength and endurance, and most importantly flexibility. Exercise performed
by people who have MS is effective in improving/maintaining a number of aspects of physical, mental
and overall health. Exercise can improve the abilities of a person with MS when performing activities
of daily living and can also enhance quality of life, especially when conducted in groups for social
support.
The Hatred Starts With You
Haley Urben
Faculty Sponsor: Petra Schweitzer, PhD, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages
Discrimination, murder, war, and Genocide all begin with an internal hatred or an alternative belief
system. Humans feel it is necessary to take extreme measures to express and spread these feelings. To
be able to prevent or stop the destruction of human lives people need to realize that all of the hatred
and negative views towards different people are only detrimental to us individually. To stop the hatred
within ourselves we must be open to new possibilities and learn to worry more on the importance of
life and less on the minuscule details that separate us from one another. In this proposal, methods on
how to make these individual changes are explained. To stop the hate and learn to live with others all
begins within oneself, the individual.
Type 2 Diabetes and its Effect on the Crossover Point in Exercise
Emily Heiston
Faculty Sponsor: Sallie Hamilton, PhD, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that arises due to the body’s decreased sensitivity to insulin.
Evidence indicates consistently that physical activity promotes blood glucose uptake by muscles and
results in decreased blood glucose levels during and after exercise. Current consensus is that in order
to realize blood glucose and weight loss benefits, exercise must occur 5-7 times per week, be between
45-60 minutes long, and at an intensity that is 50% of VO2 max. However, recent publications
corroborate that type 2 diabetes causes an earlier shift from lipid oxidation to carbohydrate oxidation,
i.e. the crossover point, at all intensities compared to non-diabetics. This literature review examines
the effect type 2 diabetes has on the utilization of lipids and carbohydrates during different intensities
of exercise. The review also assesses whether the knowledge of this crossover point alteration can be
utilized to design a more appropriate exercise prescription to aid those who suffer from type 2
diabetes. Contrary to current practice, this review of literature suggests that a reduction in the duration
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of exercise may be more beneficial due to the earlier shift to carbohydrate utilization. To maximize
lipid metabolism and maintain blood glucose, exercise should occur 5-7 times per week, be between
20-40 minutes long, and remain at an intensity that is 50% of VO2 max. More research will need to
be conducted to validate these conclusions; however, the recent discoveries have provided a good
foundation to promote further questions and breakthroughs.
Conservatory
Musicological Analyses as means to Informed Performance Practice: Three Songs without Words
(1952) by Paul Ben-Haim
Alina Kirshon Goldman
Faculty Sponsor: Rosemary Green, PhD, Graduate Programs Librarian
Many essays and studies have addressed musical interpretation and performer's creative processes
(Elliott, 1995; O’Dea, 2000, Kramer, 2002, 2003, Leppert, 1985, 1993, McClary, 1987, 1991, 2000,
Scruton, 2009, and Subotnik, 1991). This study addresses musically relevant historical, social,
cultural, and theoretical understandings of the song cycle Three Songs without Words (1952) by Paul
Ben-Haim (1897-1984), and provides suggestions for informed, vivid, and authentic interpretation of
this song cycle. The song cycleThree Songs without Words was composed by Paul Ben-Haim almost
twenty years after the composer first encountered Mizrahί (literally, Orien tal; Arabic, JudeoSephardic, and Yemenite) ethnic sources. During that time nationalistic sensibilities in Israel were
strongly felt and expressed. This song cycle exhibits Mizrahί influence on Ben Haim’s compositional
style. Current scholarship shows that orientalism, nationalism, and displacement have deeply
influenced the social and cultural landscape of 20th century (Hirshberg, 2008, 2010, Locke, 2009,
Seter, 2004, Ziff, 1971). Performers of Israeli classical music should become acquainted with variety
of musical genres and philosophical ideas that influenced over the years Israeli classical music.
Conclusion section of this study will include some performance suggestions addressing nasality,
delayed vibrato and vibrato rate, dynamics and phrasing in the light of historic, cultural, and social
background discussed in the study.
Education and Human Development
Service Learning in Middle School Academia
Norie Ann Noll-DeHaven
Faculty Advisor: Sarah Daniel, PhD, Assistant Professor of Education
Data has been collected for a quantitative pilot research study that will, upon completion, analyze how
grades and behaviors are affected, if at all, by participation in a service-learning organization for
middle school adolescents. Grades and behaviors will be analyzed by gender and socio-economic
status of each participant. Grades were collected for both reading and math at three points in time as a
pre, mid, and post assessment from December 2014 thought April 2015. Likewise, the number of
behavior incidents were collected at the same intervals as grades. Behaviors relevant to this study, are
based on Virginia State Code and were only included if a disciplinary action ensued. Participants of
this study are middle school students who are members of a service-learning after-school club.
Simultaneously, a Directed Study course focusing solely on research of "volunteerism" and "service
learning" offers a means of comparing and contrasting these two phenomenon. At the same time,
adult volunteer activities in a local adult service organization are being analyzed to determine
appropriateness for adolescents, with reflection upon incorporating these volunteer activities in a
service-learning opportunity for adolescents. The goal for participation in the SUpr Summit is to
receive critical feedback from colleagues regarding the quantitative pilot research project in order to
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further understanding and perspective for continued research in a qualitative proposal and pilot
research project, and ultimately, a dissertation.
Health Professions
The Immediate Effects of Thoracic Spine Manipulation on the Upper Limb Tension Test and
Seated Slump Test
Victoria Miller, Colleen Johnson Rachel Bell, Justin Bittner, Kathryn Dolinar & Dorothy Earner
Content Advisors: Aaron Hartstein, MPT, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Arthur Lievre, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Faculty Sponsor: Ruth Maher, PhD, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Objectives: No previous studies have examined the effects of thoracic spinal manipulation on the
mobility of nervous system tissue in the periphery as a treatment for neurodynamic dysfunction.
Patients with neurodynamic dysfunction often describe their symptoms as a throbbing, shooting, or a
burning sensation when the nerve is placed on tension. The purpose of this study is to determine the
immediate effects of a thoracic spine manipulation on the Upper Limb Tension Test (ULTT) and
Seated Slump Test (SST) in asymptomatic healthy adults.
Methods: A single-blinded, single group, pretest-posttest design was used. Subjects (n=50) were
randomly allocated to the pretest and posttest order of the ULTT and SST. Elbow extension and knee
extension ROM were measured by the ULTT and SST respectively. Subjects who met established
cutoff scores for the ULTT and SST for at least one limb, received a supine thoracic thrust
manipulation between T4-T7.
Results: A dependent t-test (a <.05) was conducted using data from subjects who tested positive in at
least one limb, to determine significance of treatment from pretest to posttest. Subjects who tested
positive for neural tension in at least one limb demonstrated significant improvements in elbow
extension (a <.001) and knee extension (a <.001) ROM following a supine thoracic thrust
manipulation.
Conclusion: Preliminary evidence suggests that a thrust joint manipulation technique directed at the
thoracic spine immediately improves neurodynamic mobility in the upper and lower extremities. Such
findings may be applicable in a clinical setting when treating patients with neurodynamic symptoms.
School of Pharmacy
Assessing Knowledge and Attitude about Ebola in the U.S.: A Cross Sectional Survey
Kyle Startsman, Alykhan Jamal & Jason Guy
Faculty Sponsor: Isha Patel, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biopharmaceutical Sciences
Objectives: The world’s worst outbreak of Ebola occurred in 2014 with 21,296 cases and 8,429 deaths
reported in total. The first case of Ebola was recorded on 30th September by Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US. Pharmacists can play an important role in treating Ebola
patients. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge and attitudes about Ebola among U.S. pharmacy
students.
Methods: This was a cross sectional survey study. An Ebola questionnaire was distributed among
third year pharmacy students in a private university in the U.S. before and after delivering an
educational Ebola seminar based on the CDC and World Health Organization Ebola fact sheet N103.
The questionnaire, comprised of 33 questions, was divided into three components: demographics (3),
Ebola knowledge (25) and attitude about Ebola (5). Paired t test and McNemar test were employed
using SPSS version 21.
Results: A total of 103 pharmacy students participated in the survey. The study population had a
highly significant increase in Ebola related knowledge about species (p<0.001), incubation period
15
(p<0.001), diagnosis (p<0.001), vaccination (p<0.05), treatment (p<0.001), complications (p<0.001)
and immunity (p<0.01). Also, a significant number of study participants had a positive attitude about
treating Ebola patients and believed that Ebola patients should be kept isolated (p<0.05) and
communities should actively participate in preventing the spread of Ebola (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Students, upon becoming PharmD professionals can apply the knowledge acquired
through this study for effectively treating patients. Focused seminars are a valuable tool to improve
student awareness of infectious disease.
Beliefs, Attitudes and Self Use of AYUSH Medicines among Senior Pharmacy Students: An
Exploratory Insight from Andhra Pradesh, India
Stephanie Perez Rodriguez, Akram Ahmad, Muhammad Umair Khan, Bandari Deepak Kumar & Isha Patel
Faculty Sponsor: Isha Patel, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biopharmaceutical Sciences
Objectives: To assess the beliefs and attitude of pharmacy students about Ayurveda, Yoga &
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH).
Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted among pharmacy students in
two pharmacy schools located in Andhra Pradesh in South India. The study was conducted from the
1st August to 31st August. The study population included all pharmacy students enrolled in PharmD,
BPharm and DPharm programs respectively. The AYUSH survey had eight questions on AYUSH
related beliefs and eight questions on AYUSH related attitudes. The survey also asked participants
about AYUSH related knowledge, frequency of use of AYUSH and the reason for using AYUSH.
The data analyses were performed using SPSS v.20. Chi square test and Mann-Whitney U test were
employed to study the association between the independent and dependent variables.
Results: A total of 428 pharmacy students participated in the survey. 32.2% of the study population
were females and 32.5% of the population resided in rural areas. Males were significantly more likely
to hold positive beliefs about AYUSH as compared to females (OR=4.62, CI=2.37-8.99, p<0.001).
Similarly, students living in hostels were 100% more likely to hold positive beliefs about AYUSH
compared to students living at home (OR=2.14, CI=1.12-4.07, p<0.05). Students living in hostel also
had a significantly positive attitude about AYUSH use (OR=1.74, CI=1.03-2.93, p<0.05).
Conclusion: Pharmacy students held favorable attitude and beliefs about AYUSH use. This baseline
survey provides important information about the pharmacy students’ perception about AYUSH.
Further research is needed to explore the reasons that shape the pharmacy student’s beliefs and
attitudes about AYUSH.
Investigation Of Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) in Asia, Europe, and North
America
Jason Guy, Rachel Rarus, Jongwha Chang & Isha Patel
Faculty Sponsor: Isha Patel, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biopharmaceutical Sciences
Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) is an important branch of pharmacoeconomics that
systematically studies and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of medical interventions. CER plays
instrumental roles in guiding government public health policy programs and insurance. Countries
throughout the world use different methods of CER to help make medical decisions based on
providing optimal therapy at a reduced cost. Expenses to the healthcare system continue to rise and
CER is one way in which expenses could be curbed in the future by applying cost-effectiveness
evidence to clinical decisions. China, India, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are of essential
focus, because these countries’ economies and healthcare expenses continue to expand. The structures
and use of CER are diverse throughout these countries and each is of prime importance. By
conducting this thorough comparison of CER in different nations, strategies and organizational set ups
from different countries can be applied to help guide public health and medical decision-making in
order to continue to expand the establishment and role of CER programs. The patient centered
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medical home has been created to help reduce costs in the primary care sector and to help improve
effectiveness of therapy. Barriers to CER are also important as many stakeholders need to be able to
work together to provide the best CER evidence. The advancement of CER in multiple countries
throughout the world provides a possible way of reducing costs to the healthcare system in an age of
expanding expenses.
Pharmacists in Accountable Care Organizations: Decreasing Costs and Improving Outcomes in
Chronic Disease States
Cassandra Rose Robertson
Ranjani Varadarajan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacogenomics
The U.S. healthcare system is continually being reformed as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is
progressively implemented and modified. Changes are being made in many areas of healthcare to
ensure costs are kept low, while patient care and therapy outcomes are maximized. This requires
eliminating extraneous procedures in healthcare protocols. Unfortunately, many of the early changes
implemented by the ACA reduced the amount that healthcare providers are reimbursed by insurance
plans; particularly plans that are a part of Medicare. The reduced reimbursements leave providers in a
difficult position, since they have had to find new ways to cut costs. In response to the reimbursement
issues, congress is encouraging providers, through monetary incentives, to unite and form
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Within an ACO, many types of providers work in teams,
maximizing each member’s abilities and reducing costs associated with patients traveling between
offices of general practitioners, specialists, pharmacists, and lab facilities. In institutions utilizing
pharmacists as a primary member of the ACO provider team, there have been dramatic cost
reductions, significant improvements in outcomes of chronic disease states, and notably lower bills
for the patients receiving care. These savings increase relative to the level of clinical involvement the
pharmacist has. As the U.S. healthcare system continues to adapt to the ACA and Medicare funds are
increasingly strained by the baby-boomer generation reaching the qualifying age, utilizing clinically
trained pharmacist in ACO organizations will ensure that costs are reduced and that patients are
receiving optimal care.
The Importance of Medication Reconciliation in Hospitals: A Literature Review
Sereen Sultana
Faculty Sponsor: Isha Patel, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biopharmaceutical Sciences
As patients are discharged from hospitals and other health care facilities, they usually leave with
medications to continue their recovery period. However, they often do not know how to properly use
the medications and find themselves being readmitted to the healthcare facility within a matter of
days. Re-admissions increase the mortality of patients with each hospitalization, and are a financial
burden on both the hospital and the patient, costing in the value of billions yearly.
Pharmacists and pharmacy students are playing an active role to decrease readmission rates via a
method called Medication Reconciliation. From the moment the patient enters the hospital,
pharmacists are already reviewing their current medications to decrease any adverse effects the
patient will feel with new medications they will need at the hospital. During the patient’s stay, each
medication ordered for the patient is reviewed to reduce prescribing errors, and then the therapy is
continually monitored and adjusted as needed. Finally, when the patient is discharged, pharmacists
talk with the patient to review which medications to continue, discontinue, or add to their regimen to
ensure the best treatment possible.
This article summarizes the current literature that shows Medication Reconciliation is a beneficial
process that should continue in all health care facilities. The literature garnered provides statistically
significant results of Medication Reconciliation helping both patients and hospitals. Pharmacists and
pharmacy students should implement Medication Reconciliation techniques as it helps healthcare
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facilities and patients financially, decreases medication errors, and ensures proper medication use by
patients.
Global Citizenship Project
Cambodia
The GCP Cambodia members spent 10 days in Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and Phnom Penh exploring
the landscapes, people, food, wildlife, and marine life. In Siem Reap, the group took a step back in
time to tour the majestic temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm (also known as the “Tomb Raider”
temple), Bayon, and Beng Mealea. The downtown nightlife of Siem Reap offered a striking contrast
to the sacred ruins with its lights, sounds, and activity reminiscent of Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
Sihanoukville, the second leg of the group’s journey, provided a welcomed break from Cambodia’s
heat and humidity with an overnight boat excursion. By day the group members snorkeled in the
warm, clear blue-green waters, and by night, they stirred up the bioluminescent phytoplankton to
make the water glow with tiny, neon dots and slept under the stars. After finding their land legs, the
GCP Cambodia members traveled to Phnom Penh, the capital of the country, where they visited the
Royal Palace, a complex of many buildings gleaming in gold and opulence and residence of King
Norodom Sihamoni. For their last full day in Phnom Penh, the group traveled to “The Killing Fields”
and Taol Sleng (also known as S-21). Both sites honor the lives of the approximately 3 million people
who were tortured and executed by Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979.
Fiji
Guided by SU alum ('13) and current Peace Corps Volunteer Tim Doak, 11 students, faculty, and staff
traveled throughout the Fiji islands with the Global Citizenship Project. After a night in Savusavu, we
spent three memorable days living on Doak's home island of Kioa, which was settled by transplanted
Tuvaluans in the mid 1900’s. There we lived with host families and experienced village life,
highlighted by being guests of honor at a Tuvaluan ceremonial dance and feast, leading an outdoor
games day with the primary school children, snorkeling through a rainbow-colored reef, and enjoying
innumerable bonding moments with the Kioan islanders. The next few days were spent in the capital
city of Suva, where we were immersed in bustling modern Fijian life. Welcoming students and faculty
from Fiji National University gave us a glimpse into the university system, tailoring tours for each of
our academic backgrounds and then wowing us with a formal cultural program performed by nursing
students. Despite inclement weather because of impending Cyclone Pam, we hiked the nearby forest
park of Colo-I-Suva and were able to enjoy scenic waterfalls and a rope swing over a natural pool. In
Suva we also learned more about the Peace Corps’ integral work in Fiji, visiting the South Pacific
headquarters and meeting several volunteers. After a sad goodbye with Tim, we continued to Nadi,
where we spent our last night in a beachside hostel, toured a Hindu temple, and visited the first Fijian
settlement.
Malaysia
From “roughing it” in the jungle to exploring new heights in modern cities, one can never know what
to expect from a GCP trip! Malaysia offered a wide array of experiences and sensations—new sights,
new tastes, and new sounds. Kuala Lumpur was our first stop. No two buildings looked alike in the
capital! Each building had its own unique architectural style and one of the world’s leading research
rainforests sat only a short distance away. The markets offered much. We practiced our haggling
skills and even found a fish spa! Some of Malaysia’s top exports include tin and palm oil. Royal
Selangor was kind enough to show us their tin-making process.
The people we met were welcoming and open. The villagers near the Asli Farm Resort greeted us
with songs. They taught us how to play their instruments and showed us their basket weaving skills.
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Pictures were taken by visitors and locals, a common theme on this trip. Our next stop in Melaka
consisted of many historical buildings, some of them revealing the Dutch influence in the port city’s
past. Our adventure ended in Singapore, a city-state bordering Malaysia. The modern city marveled us
with skyscrapers and stunned us with their environmental conscience. This trip truly opened our eyes
to a new world. Ask anyone who went on a GCP trip and they’ll be happy to share their experiences
with you!
Nepal
The Global Citizenship Project is an incredible program that allows Shenandoah students, staff and
affiliates the opportunity to explore the world. Before my trip I did not know where Nepal was. I
could not name it’s capital or label it on a map. I didn’t even know that Mt. Everest was located there.
Even when I found out that I was going to Nepal and did some research I still didn’t fully understand
the bright and vibrant culture that exists there. You can study the world, but the only way to fully
understand it is to see it for yourself. The amazing thing about seeing another part of the world is that
it puts your life in perspective. Growing up in America, I have been given so many opportunities for
education that I have taken for granted. After watching children walk several miles to attend school
every day and seeing how incredibly thankful they were that they had school at all, made me rethink
my entire philosophy about education. It made me realize that education is the single most important
thing that you can give to a child. As the saying goes, “If you give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish, and he eats for life.” GCP is about showing people that the world is not as small
as it seems on the Internet. It is another way that Shenandoah prepares its students to be global
citizens.
Philippines
TEAM Philippines boarded a plane destined for the Philippine islands, not knowing what exactly to
expect from the GCP. What we discovered was not your average tourist experience. GCP has been
unique in that it allowed us to experience the Filipino culture first-hand. We witnessed the hardships
of the citizens and their children, the strength of their fascinating history, and their deeply engrained
sense of community. We explored breathtaking landscapes; coconut tree covered mountains bordering
beautiful seashores. We became adventurers; snorkeling with sea turtles, zip lining, waterfall
swimming, etc. Most importantly, we all found family. Our developing partnership with Silliman
University is one that can draw on many similarities: strong health professions, business, music, and
open-minded religious affiliations, etc. And the thirteen of us, as a group, became much closer than
we ever expected. This trip gave us the opportunity to become conscious of our many connections and
commonalities, despite our vastly different paths. We had the privilege of witnessing our group
members interact with the Philippine communities in ways that highlighted their skills, leadership,
and uniquely positive qualities. We will all reflect warmly on our trip to the Philippines for a long
time to come and consider the SU Mission Statement in our reflection: During this trip we were truly
challenged, empowered, educated, and inspired to become compassionate citizens of the world.
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