Join us for Virtual URCAD, April 22-29, 2020!

You will be able to view student presentations and interact with the presenters.

URCAD.umbc.edu

Jonathan Bolanos | Physics

Correlation Of Ground-Based Aerosol Optical Depth to Particulate Pollution Over The Baltimore

Mentor: Ruben Delgado

 

Aaleyah Lewis | Information Systems

Conflict Mediation At Scale: Leveraging Big Data To Mediate Online Conflicts

Mentor: Kathy Bryan

 

Chandler Louden| Sociology and Anthropology

Building Suburbia: An Analysis Of The Planned Community Of Columbia

Mentor: Sarah Chard

 

Tanya Ramsey| English

Peer Education Impacts On Student Outcomes: A Case Study From The UMBC McNair Scholars Program

Mentor: Elaine MacDougall

 

Diane Stonestreet| Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering

Design And Fabrication Of A Housing For A Wearable, Low-cost Particulate Matter Sensor

Mentor: Christopher Hennigan

Peter Bailer | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Molecular Basis For Discrimination Of DNA And RNA By The Human Mutator Enzyme APOBEC3A

Mentor: Rahul Kohli

 

Samar Behdin | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemical And Structural Analysis Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Spliced RNA

Mentor: Michael Summers

 

Ridhi Chaudhary | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

INITIAL RECOGNITION OF THE HIV-1 RNA PACKAGING SIGNAL

Mentor: Michael Summers

 

Isaac Chaudry | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemical Evidence For A Novel Structural Element Characteristic To The Dimeric Conformation Of The HIV-1 Genome

Mentor: Michael Summers

 

Jason Ejimogu | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

HIV-1 Matrix Protein Interactions With Cellular TRNAs

Mentor: Michael Summers

 

Olumide Fagboyegun| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Set6 Plays A Role In Proteostasis Via Interactions With The GIM/Prefoldin Chaperone Complex

Mentor: Erin Green

 

Frances Ghinger| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Determining The Structure Of The HIV-1 5’ Leader Monomeric And Dimeric Confirmations

Mentor: Michael Summers

 

Darin Gilchrist | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Characterization Of CDK12 Protein Inhibitor In Osteosarcoma

Mentor: Rani George

 

 

Elizabeth Hawkins | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

BioSentinel: Optimizing Yeast Preparation For Long-duration Spaceflight Missions

Mentor: Sergio Santa Maria

 

Elisabeth Kan | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

ELUCIDATION OF THE HIV-1 5’ LEADER THROUGH PARAMAGNETIC TAGS

Mentor: Michael Summers

 

Crystal Parry | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

IL-1β-VEGF-A Signaling Axis In Atherosclerotic Calcification

Mentor: Alan Morrison

 

Saiprasad Ravi | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Post-Translational Modifications Of Human Phosphofructokinase 1 And Their Role In Glucosome Formation

Mentor: Songon An

 

Kierra Regis | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

OPTIMIZING HIV-1 REV EXPRESSION AND PURITY FOR STRUCTURAL STUDIES

Mentor: Michael Summers

 

Claudia Walker| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Elucidation Of HIV-1 5' Leader Secondary Structure Through Novel Long Range Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Techniques

Mentor: Michael Summers

 

Abstract:

Nativism stems from an adverse reaction to immigration in the U.S., resulting in exclusionary immigration policies. This project studies nativism and racialized rhetoric surrounding immigration to identify parallels between the Trump administration’s Muslim ban and restrictive immigration rhetoric and legislation in two other periods of U.S. history. The legislative policies were chosen to represent a range of racialized experiences, as well as the indiscreet, racialized, and pejorative language used within the policies themselves. By comparing the rhetoric underpinning exclusionary policies of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Operation Wetback, and Executive Order 13780 (Muslim ban); this research will demonstrate how language connected to these policies is used to justify the discriminatory and inhumane treatment of immigrants in the US. Given that the breadth of sources is so vast, this project has only focused on rhetoric appearing in the New York Times. Additionally, this study examines scholarship on American nativism to analyze how such rhetoric describes migrants as criminal, amoral, or less-than-human, to justify biased and inhumane treatment of these potential migrants and encourage anti-immigrant sentiment among Americans.

Mentors: Tamara Bhalla, AMST and Sarah Fouts, AMST

Kyle is a Linehan Artist Scholar and a Visual Arts major, with a concentration in cinematic arts. He is also the SGA coordinator of photography and videography. His film, "The Last Roadshow" will be presented as part of at Virtual URCAD 2020!

Abstract:

Mentor: Cathy Cook, Visual Arts, UMBC

Keren is an Individualized Study major, a member of the Honors College, Meyerhoff Scholar, and LSAMP participant. She will be presenting her research: "Children Raising Children: A Qualitative Study of the Social Determinants of Adolescent Pregnancy in Rural Ecuador" at Virtual URCAD 2020!

Abstract:

According to Ecuador's most recent census, 1/5 of pregnancies are from adolescent mothers -- elevating rates of poverty, maternal and child mortality, and birth complications. Hence, our research question: how do social determinants of health (SDOH) cause adolescent pregnancy in rural Ecuador?

Our research team analyzed 3 focus groups composed of 5-7 adolescent (14-21 years old) mothers who had recently (within two years) given birth in El Quinche, Lumbisi, and Pifo. In depth interviews with 10 key informants (health officials, providers, and policy-makers) were also organized to explore perceptions regarding interventions and causes of adolescent pregnancy. Our team interviewed until reaching saturation of information, validating collected data through triangulation. We applied grounded theory for analysis via open, axial, and selective coding using NVivo software. 

Our data revealed that the root SDOH causing adolescent pregnancy includes compromised sexual education, shame in discussing the topic, and troubled households. Therefore, we recommend that Ecuador focus on improving the quality of sexual education in schools, creating a positive sexual environment, and encouraging female empowerment. Ultimately, gaining a better understanding of the causes of adolescent pregnancy can inform the formulation of more effective interventions in Ecuador and beyond.

Mentors: Rebecca Dillingham, UVA; Ivan Palacios, Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Come see Keren's  poster and other undergraduate research and creative work , April 22-29th at URCAD.umbc.edu!

Joanna is a Visual Arts major, and an intern in the art department at Catonsville High School. She will be exhibiting her work: "Portraits: An Exploration of the Human Spirit" at Virtual URCAD 2020!

Artist's Statement:

UMBC's 24th Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day
(URCAD) was originally scheduled to be held on campus on April 22, 2020. Due to the campus closure, URCAD will be moving online, April 22-29th.

Converting URCAD from an on-campus, day-long symposium to an online event will be supported by a technology called VoiceThread (VT), an asynchronous (“not in real time”) platform for media-rich conversations that can occur anytime, anywhere. This means attendees will still be able to see students' research posters and slides, as well as art, performances, films, and video games, and be able to leave video, voice, or text feedback for the presenters. This way, participants create a sense of personal “presence” in the online environment, and students will be able to respond to questions and receive feedback during the week-long event.

We hope to preserve the spirit of URCAD and make this a meaningful, learning, sharing, and celebratory event for our campus community.

Check in with urcad.umbc.edu for updates.