A Planned Device for Solar Powered Water Purification for Disaster Relief
Evelyn Fuentes, Utah Tech University
Thomas Keate, Utah Tech University
Christian Riordan, Utah Tech University

Faculty Mentor: Aaron Davis, Utah Tech University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B29

Studies predict that extreme weather events, due to climate change, are expected to increase in frequency and magnitude. Specifically, the flooding impacts from a hurricane may lead to the loss of necessary infrastructure like water treatment plants. This is especially concerning due to the loss of drinkable water available. In response we, as a multidisciplinary team, plan to develop a purification device that is able to effectively filter waste and sewage-contaminated water to allow communities and families, without available infrastructure, to receive drinkable water. We will be testing different processes of filtration to find the most efficient and cheapest method. This process of filtration would be possible due to a foldable solar array that would power a pump to push water through a filtration system. The solar array would supplement other disaster relief options due to its ability to be used without constant supervision, and it would be capable of continuous, reliable use. This would allow for the production of drinkable water in the event that water purification infrastructure was down, but contaminated water was available. The solar array and water purification device would be portable for fast deployment, with options of building a larger device, as part of a disaster relief preparedness package. If successful, this device has the potential to increase disaster preparedness and save lives through providing clean water.

Isolation and Identification of Soil Fungal Species Associated with Juniperus osteosperma
Hailey Sermersheim, Utah Valley University
Tyler Shaver, Utah Valley University
Kylee Larsen, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Olga Kopp, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B30

Juniperus osteosperma, known locally as Utah Juniper, is one of the most abundant trees in the Utah desert and commonly found in higher montane areas. Endemic to Utah and surrounding western states, J. osteosperma is a monoecious perennial evergreen characterized by its bushy appearance, rounded crown, small scale-like leaves, and berry-like cones. J. osteosperma provides important habitat and forage for many native plants and animals, with several bird species depending on the cones for forage during fall and winter months. The identification and cataloging of native plants such as J. osteosperma and their associates is of utmost importance for proper rangeland management. Understanding how the sum of individual factors within an environment affect one another leads to informed decisions on land use and species management. Fungal associates, particularly root mycorrhizae, are a severely understudied environmental factor and have been shown to play an important role in the health of their associated plants and the surrounding environment. The purpose of this research was to isolate and identify soil fungal species associated with J. osteosperma in order to determine similarities of fungal associates between several J. osteosperma individuals; as well as the overall richness of fungi associated with J. osteosperma compared to its surrounding environment. The identification of fungal species associated with J. osteosperma will give insight into the richness and species of mycorrhizae required by J. osteosperma in order to thrive in its environment. Soil collections were obtained from inside and outside the rhizosphere of three J. osteosperma individuals. The fungus was isolated and colonized on antibacterial agar plates and identified through PCR sequencing. The isolation and identification are ongoing, at its completion this abstract will be finalized with a list of found associates.

Comparative transcriptomic assay of ectomycorrhizal fungi isolates to identify the genetic responses of environmental stress
Tiffany Do, University of Utah
Ben Young, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Bryn Dentinger, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B31

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) are a diverse group of soil organisms that play an essential role in ecosystems by forming mutualistic relationships with trees. These fungi provide nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in exchange for photosynthetically derived carbon sugars. There is little understanding of how EMF responds to environmental conditions and what genetic mechanisms are utilized to thrive under those conditions. One way EMF interact with their environment is through the breakdown of soil organic matter to acquire nutrients for their host (Frey, 2019). Previous work has suggested that EMF have a reduced capacity to decompose soil organic material compared to their saprotrophic ancestors, represented by the consistent loss of saprotrophic enzymes to decompose lignocellulose (Kohler et al., 2015). However, not all saprotrophic enzymes are lost, with the number of enzymes retained varying dramatically between species (Kohler et al., 2015). It is unknown whether EMF utilize the same genetic pathways to degrade soil organic matter as saprotrophs or if they use novel genes. In addition, it is unknown whether the remaining saprotrophic enzymes represent a diverse array of decomposition behaviors. To identify this, I conducted a transcriptomic assay of cultures of seven EMF species grown on varying types of media to distinguish genes used in degrading carbon and whether they vary in decomposition behavior. Mimicking environmental stressors and using transcriptomic analysis can allow a better understanding of how different EMF responds to climate-related stimuli. I extracted and sequenced mRNA from flash-frozen cultures to identify the genes that are differentially expressed in the presence or absence of an ecological stressor. Through comparative transcriptomics, I expect to identify contrasting patterns of gene regulation in response to stressors. Through these analyses, we will gain a better understanding of gene regulation and behavior in response to environmental conditions, which are essential for understanding why EMF are so diverse.

Conservation of the Endemic Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle, Cicindela albissima
Kate Ehlert, Southern Utah University

Faculty Mentor: Fredric Govedich, Southern Utah University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B32

Coral Pink Sand Dunes, located in southwestern Utah (Figure 1), is a unique desert dune system that has a number of endemic species including the Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle, Cicindela albissima (Rumpp, 1962) (Figure 2). This species of tiger beetle has adapted to the unique conditions found in this dune environment. Geographical separation between this system and other similar systems has resulted in the speciation of this tiger beetle, but it has also meant that this species is potentially sensitive to any changes in its environment. Anthropogenic impacts such as recreation and climate change have resulted in fluctuations in the number of individuals of C. albissima. This study has focused on monitoring the population of adults and larvae of this sensitive species to ensure its continued survival. This project is supported by the BLM, Utah DNR, US Fish and Wildlife, University of Utah and Southern Utah University.

Longitudinal analysis of Anatoxin-a in Utah Lake
Tyler Hill, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Emily Heider, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B33

In the summer of 2022, 13 of Utah’s 18 freshwater bodies that are monitored by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) were issued health advisory conditions due to the presence of harmful algal blooms (HAB).  With limited resources, DWQ reports the cyanobacteria cell counts relative to the warning advisory threshold of 100,000 cells/mL and health advisories are issued annually for Utah Lake due to exceeding the danger advisory threshold of 10,000,000 cells/mL.  In addition to the eutrophic conditions resulting from the presence and decay of these algae, the toxic products they produce pose a hazard. The Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ) monitors the liver toxin microcystin, which is produced by blue-green algae. Concentrations of other toxins such as anatoxin-a have not been regularly reported by DWQ due to the cost and complexity of the analysis. This research conducted a longitudinal (2-year) 2021-2022 analysis of the concentrations anatoxin-a  in Utah Lake. The concentration profile shows increasing anatoxin-a in the warm summer months with a decline in late fall. All measured concentrations exceeded the amount last measured by Utah DEQ in 2019, 0.2 ppb. Although the United States doesn’t have a regulatory limit for anatoxin-a, all measured anatoxin concentrations were below the New Zealand limit of 6.0 ppb. Such analysis is crucial to detecting and intervening in the rampant increase of neurotoxins in fresh-water bodies. This analysis will be valuable particularly since exposure to such neurotoxins has been indicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Is there a link between male gonopodium size and mating strategies amongst fish in the family Poeciliidae?
Ryen Hunsaker, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Jerald Johnson, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B34

The association between distinct male mating strategies and gonopodium size in the Poecillidae family is a topic that has been suggested in several scientific papers and studies. However, many of these works merely acknowledge that there is likely a relationship between these factors, without having collected data across species as evidence. The purpose of our study is to provide physical and conclusive data testing the connection, or lack thereof, between male reproductive traits and behavioral modes of reproduction. We will take measurements of gonopodium size using collections of Poeciliid fish species. We will then test for an association between gonopodium traits and mating strategies using several species. The main reproductive modes that we will be using to categorize each species being studied are mating attempts by means of coercive force copulations, courtship display, or both. Following the analysis of our findings, we hope to be able to come to a conclusion if there is statistically significant evidence that supports the correlation between male gonopodium size and mating strategies. By doing so, this study will provide key insights into the behavioral ecology and evolutionary adaptations of male fish within the Poecillidae family.

High wind impacts on the Wasatch Front – Saratoga Springs
Jennifer Jentzsch, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Anne Arendt, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B35

 The Wasatch Front Range has experienced major windstorms causing Utah citizens to be concerned about how future events could affect them. In our research project, we concentrated on the city of Saratoga Springs, Utah. The methods we used for gauging wind event impact involved researching statewide weather information utilizing local news and historical weather information with a focus on Saratoga Springs. Our goal was to develop information on what the public could do to prepare for a wind event and what to do during the event. We then compiled an informational document that could be potentially used on a web-based platform. After additional research and recommendations from future cohorts of students with a focus on other cities along the Wasatch front. These findings could then be consolidated and offered for use to different emergency sites, which currently have no materials that are specific to wind events such as BeReady Utah. (https://beready.utah.gov/)

Raptors in the City: Site Occupancy and Abundance of a Top Predator Inhabiting Urban Green Spaces Within a Megacity
Elias Johnson, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Byron Adams, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B36

How organisms persist under extreme conditions has received a lot attention in ecology.  Some extreme environments are natural and pristine (e.g., open lands and wilderness), while others are highly impacted (e.g., large cities).  Unfortunately, we know little about the ecology of species that live in urban environments relative to those in pristine environments.  My research  focuses on population ecology of birds in Mexico City, one of the largest urban landscapes in the world.  Specifically, I study how birds utilize green spaces across Mexico City.  Previous work suggests that parks are occupied by dozens of different species, including top-predator raptors. I will spend two months in Mexico City surveying birds at 101 parks to determine how native and exotic species interact to shape population dynamics of these species. I use occupancy models to determine how birds utilize urban habitats, how they interact with each other, and if some species facilitate or limit the persistence of other species.

Phylogenomics of Baetidae: A Comparison in Classification
Avery Larsen, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Heath Ogden, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B37

This study focused on the evolutionary relationships of the family Baetidae, one of the three largest families in Ephemeroptera. Baetidae is of phylogenetic interest because of its somewhat basal position in the order and its diverse and variatied life histories and morphological characteristics. This analysis was carried out using Anchored Hybrid Enrichment from over 450 protein coding loci from 45 baetid ingroup taxa and 5 outgroup taxa. The data was analyzed as DNA (1st and 2nd positions in the codons) and as translated amino acid sequences in both maximum likelihood and Bayesian methodological frameworks. The results are compared to the recognized clades and classifications seen in previous phylogenetic proposals (Cruz et al. 2021) and suggest monophyly within subgroup Cloeoninae. Central Research questions: 1) What can anchored hybrid enrichment analyses show about the relationships and supposed subgroups of the Baetidae family? 2) Are the main lineages (subfamilies) supported as monophyletic with all combined data?Keywords: Ephemeroptera, Phylogenetics, Anchored hybrid enrichment, Baetidae
References
CRUZ, P. V. et al. A cladistic insight into the higher level classification of Baetidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera). Systematic entomology, [s. l.], v. 46, n. 1, p. 55-44, 2021. DOI 10.1111/syen.12446. Disponível em: https://discovery.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=5d85bd40-1821-39d9-971d-2641e9db98c9. Acesso em: 10 out. 2022.

A Comparative Study on Breast Cancer Prediction
Rosemary Mwithiga, Utah Tech University

Faculty Mentor: Md Sazib Hasan, Utah Tech University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B39

Breast cancer is one of the most recurrent types of cancer. Each year the number of deaths due to breast cancer increases significantly. It is estimated that the number of people who will be diagnosed with cancer will be higher in the near future. Detecting, diagnosing and preventing breast cancer became a necessity. Developments and progress made to predict and diagnose breast cancer are vital in treatment and care plans for patients. Researchers around the world are working on how to detect breast cancer in the most efficient way. Our project is to study breast cancer detection based on the different characteristics of the diagnosed cancer cell. Applied statistical and machine learning techniques will be applied to accurately detect the possibility of breast cancer. Comparative studies for different techniques will be made.

Discovering Trichome Development and Genetics in the Genus Gilia
Bryce Nielson, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Clint Whipple, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B40

Trichomes are hairlike structures on the surface of many plant species. They are used to protect plants and store important compounds for plants. They are also important targets in many industries including the pharmaceutical industry as these compounds can be extracted and purified. Despite the possible monetary gains in understanding genetic factors in trichome development, there has yet to be a research focus specifically on loci of genes that influence trichome type. Gilia capitata and Gilia yorkii are organisms of interest for this research due to their fast growth, ability to hybridize, and different trichome morphologies. G. capitata has villous trichomes that are long and wispy. G. yorkii has glandular trichomes that have a large sphere at the tip. When these organisms hybridize, they form an F1 generation that has both villous and glandular trichomes. After the creation of an F1 generation, the plants can be further backcrossed to produce a fertile backcross population that also exhibits the glandular and villous trichome combination. When the backcross population is scored with a simple count comparing glandular to villous trichomes, the ratio ranges from 50% of each type of trichome to nearly 100% glandular trichomes. Using an analysis of over 200 individuals from this backcross population, we determine that trichome development in Gilia is likely polygenic due to a unimodal curve of the trichome distribution. Using a QTL analysis, we show that genes for trichome development are most likely present on chromosome 8 of the G. yorkii and G. capitata genomes.

Comparing highly heterochromatic cactophilic Drosophila genome assemblies
Marissa Ohran, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Carl Hjelmen, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B41

Insect genomes vary extensively in size, chromatin structure, and chromosome number, but tend not to vary in gene number. Therefore, larger genomes tend to have more gene-poor heterochromatic regions. Previous work on cactophilic Drosophila in the nannoptera species group found that these specialist dipterans had highly heterochromatic chromosomes, suggesting they had large genomes.  However, follow up work on genome size found that while these genomes are highly heterochromatic, they do not have a larger genome size than would be expected for most Drosophila species.  Therefore, we are asking what types of rearrangements in the genome allow for such compaction and where do these heterochromatic sequences occur. In order to address this problem, we performed long-read sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technology on males and females of D. acanthoptera and D. bromeliae, with subsequent Illumina sequencing. Drosophila acanthoptera is from the cactophilic nannoptera group, while D. bromeliae is sister to this group, and does not have a highly heterochromatic genome. As preliminary assemblies of D. acanthoptera have been found to be difficult due to repetitive heterochromatic content (genomes assembling smaller than estimated sizes), we assembled the genomes using multiple parameter configurations from three commonly used long-read genome assembly programs (Canu, Flye, and NextDenovo). We then performed BUSCO analysis to determine the completeness of these assemblies. Here we are presenting comparisons of the assembly statistics and BUSCO scores for male and female genomes for both species.

Multiple liver enzymes underlie toxic creosote bush metabolism in woodrats
Noah Armstrong, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Dylan Klure, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B44

Plants and herbivores have been in an evolutionary arms race for millions of years; however, ongoing climate change is modifying the global distributions of plant and animal species at an accelerated pace, exposing herbivores to plants with novel chemical defenses. Little is known about the physiological mechanisms that enable mammalian herbivores to feed on toxic plants, although the liver is thought to play a key role. To improve our understanding of the liver’s role in facilitating toxin tolerance, we investigated the mechanisms that enable the desert woodrat (Neotoma lepida) to feed on the highly toxic creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), a desert shrub that rapidly expanded across the Southwestern United States at the end of the Pleistocene. We brought woodrats into captivity, fed them experimental diets containing creosote bush, sequenced total liver RNA, and isolated protein from liver tissue. Using this approach, we identified a high diversity of detoxification enzymes that were induced in response to creosote bush feeding, including several cytochromes P450 (CYPs), UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), and ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs). We used chemiluminescence western blotting to confirm the presence of several of these highly-expressed enzymes. Our results further implicate the role of the liver in facilitating toxin tolerance, improve our understanding of what substrates induce the expression of endogenous liver enzymes, and broaden our knowledge of how mammalian herbivores may adapt to environmental change.

Assessing Yellowstone seismic velocity structure using a dense seismic array
Chloe Barry, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Jamie Farrell, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B45

The Yellowstone magmatic system represents one of the largest continental silicic volcanic centers, notable for three explosive eruptions occurring in the last 2.1 million years [1,2]. The volcanic system is marked by frequent earthquakes, episodic ground deformation, high heat flux, and hydrothermal features [1,2]. The system is underlain by two magma reservoirs that are largely constructed of stacked sill complexes [2] and is fed by a west-northwest dipping plume in the upper mantle. The plume generates basaltic partial melts which collect in the lower sill complex located in the lower crust. These partial melts then further fractionate, and the less-dense silicic melt rises to the upper rhyolitic sill complex located in the upper crust [2]. These two sill complexes are likely connected by dikes and have been imaged through seismic tomography, however the resolution of the models is often limited by the earthquake-station ray path distribution. In order to improve these models, it is necessary to improve the ray path coverage and identify areas of the models that do not agree with the new observations. To achieve this, a temporary dense array of 608 Zland 3-component geophones were deployed along the main roads of Yellowstone National Park from 08/18/2020 through 09/21/2020 (Figure 1). This is the first dense array of its kind to be deployed in Yellowstone. In this study, we measured body wave arrivals, or P-wave and S-wave arrivals, from local earthquakes across the dense array to better understand the subsurface magmatic structure of Yellowstone. The measured travel times are compared with predictions based on a 1D reference velocity model. The observed travel time discrepancies are then used to assess areas where the model needs to be adjusted (Figure 2). We will use body wave ray tracing to determine the 3D sensitivity of our measurements and to understand how the Yellowstone magma body, which has low velocity, contributes to our observation. This process of modeling and comparing will help us to evaluate the most recent 3D velocity model of Yellowstone [2] and provide insight for a future tomographic inversion.
[1] Farrell, J., R. B. Smith, S. Husen, and T. Diehl (2014), Tomography from 26 years of seismicity revealing that the spatial extent of the Yellowstone crustal magma reservoir extends well beyond the Yellowstone caldera, Geophys. Res. Lett., 41, doi: 10.1002/2014GL059588
[2] Huang, H.H., F.-C. Lin, B. Schmandt, J. Farrell, R.B. Smith, and V.C. Tsai (2015), The Yellowstone magmatic system from the mantle plume to the upper crust, Science, 348, doi: 10.1126/science.aaa5648

Utilizing Genomic and Metabolic Data to Investigate the Evolutionary Ecology of Ant-Farmed Fungi
America Cox, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Bryn Dentinger, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B46

Neotropical ants of the Attini tribe evolved the innate ability to farm fungi. Agaricomycetidae (mushroom forming fungi) contains two clades that are cultivated by ants: the lepiotaceous and pterulaceous cultivars. However, there are free-living relatives phylogenetically distributed throughout each cultivar clade. Comparison between the free-living relatives and attine system cultivars may identify the evolutionary differences caused by, or initially enabling, agricultural symbiosis. Our research compares free-living relatives and cultivars through genomic and metabolic analysis. We first performed DNA sequencing of the ITS barcode region and then whole genome sequencing of the cultivars. ITS sequencing allowed us to build phylogenetic trees to examine the relationships between the free-living fungi and cultivars. Whole genome sequencing allowed genomic cultivar to cultivar comparison. Attines undertake significant cultivar maintenance through the regulation of pathogenic contamination of their fungal “gardens” as well as the provision of specific growth substrates, including frass (insect feces). Noting the apparently specialized substrates cultivars receive from the ants, we conducted a pilot test for a growth media preference between a lepiotaceous cultivar, a pterulaceous cultivar, and a free-living pterulaceous relative. We placed the fungi on regular PDY media and PDY media infused with caterpillar frass and observed their growth. Cultivars either changed growth form or had improved growth on the frass-infused media. Following the pilot test, we will run metabolic assays on the cultivars and free-living relatives on different media types for further investigation that may indicate a media preference and give further insight to the relationship between the cultivars and free-living relatives. By looking at fungal metabolic assays and genomic data, we hope to gain insight into the fungi’s evolutionary history and agricultural symbiosis.

Creation of Landslide Database in Iceland Assessing Mechanisms, Occurrences, and Hazards
Claire Cruz, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Leif Anderson, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B47

A landslide is a movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are serious geological hazards and can result from other hazards such as volcanic eruptions, wildfires, tsunamis, and earthquakes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) between 1998 and 2017, landslides caused more than 18,000 deaths worldwide. The impact of landslides can be detrimental causing loss of life, property damage, and loss of natural resources, thus knowing where they previously occurred can help mitigate damage. Additionally, once we know their distribution we can begin to understand what controls where they occur.  The proposed project will identify the locations and parameters of landslides in Iceland by creating the first comprehensive landslide database of Iceland. We are collaborating with the Icelandic Meteorological Office, specifically Dr. Tómas Jóhannesson and Dr. Jón Kristinn Helgason, in a joint effort to complete the project. Today with more and more remote sensing data available creating landslide databases is easier and easier. The focus will be on Iceland because Iceland has few trees making it easy to identify the landslides, and the rock type is almost completely basaltic (with some rhyolite) which removes one of the most difficult variables for understanding landslide occurrence, namely, variability in rock type. Iceland was completely covered by ice during the last age and glaciers helped form the steep fjord topography near the coasts.

Biochemical analysis of the Smoothened cytoplasmic tail  / protein kinase A binding interaction in Hedgehog signaling
Nate Iverson, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Ben Myers, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B48

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is an essential player in vertebrate embryotic organ development, controlling the formation of nearly every organ in our bodies. Insufficient Hh pathway activity during development results in birth defects, while improper activation postnatally is associated with many cancers including basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. Smoothened (SMO) is an atypical G protein-coupled receptor that is integral to Hh signal transduction. SMO signals intracellularly by directly binding to the protein kinase A catalytic subunit (PKA-C), sequestering it at the membrane and inhibiting its downstream enzymatic activity. The biochemical and structural basis for the SMO-PKA interaction remains largely unknown. Analysis of this protein interaction via crystallography or cryogenic electron microscopy remains difficult due to the unstructured nature of the SMO cytosolic tail. Information regarding the structural basis for how the SMO cytosolic tail binds with PKA-C can be improved upon using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. An optimized expression protocol was used to purify the SMO cytosolic tail, and then biochemically modify the protein for structural studies. Specifically, a covalently attached nitroxide spin label, methanethiolsulfonate (MTSL) was added to various positions in the SMO cytosolic tail to enable paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE)-NMR studies with isotopically labeled PKA-C. The information provided from the PRE-NMR study uncovers a better picture of the binding interaction between SMO and PKA-C. Understanding the structural basis for the SMO-PKA complex can provide critical insights into an essential step in Hh signal transduction and may lead to more effective therapeutic agents to treat a range of different cancers.

Associations between Anthropogenic climate change and pollen season trends of various genera in the continental United States.
Derek Kober, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: William Anderegg, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B49

Anthropogenic climate change is tied to higher concentrations in airborne pollen and extended pollen seasons. Research indicates that pollen concentrations are positively correlated to temperature. This study aims to analyze the pollen trends in different genera, determining which plants are most impacted by anthropogenic climate change. Here we use retrospective data analysis from 60 pollen stations located in the continental United States spanning from 1990 to 2018 which had quantitative records of pollen concentrations from multiple pollen taxa. With historic climate data corresponding to each pollen station’s location and measurement years, we contextualize the pollen concentrations and season duration of the genera with changes in temperature and precipitation to derive significant correlations. This research is currently being conducted and there are no conclusive findings.

Characterization of protein degradative pathway targets
Brooke Larson, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Julie Hollien, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B50

A hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease is the accumulation of misfolded proteins in neuronal cells. These improperly folded proteins become toxic to the cells and can cause neuronal cell death if not properly disposed of. Disposal of proteins in a cell is also known as degradation. All cells have four pathways it can utilize to degrade proteins when they accumulate in the cell. The pathways are Macro-autophagy, Endosomal micro-autophagy, Chaperone mediated autophagy, and Proteasome degradation. Proteins degraded by these pathways are not randomly targeted to one of the four pathways. A protein is most often specifically targeted to and degraded by only one pathway. However, it is unknown what makes a specific protein a target of each of these pathways. My research aims to better understand why a specific protein would be disposed of at one pathway over another. To test this question, I have created three mice cell lines expressing three different proteins of interests each tagged with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). The level of fluorescence in the cell can then be measured via Flow Cytometry or Western Blot technology to indicate the amount protein in the cell. Measuring fluorescence after treatment of the cells with chemical drugs that block each of the four degradative pathways can reveal the degradative fate of these proteins. Through characterization of the degradation of these three target proteins insight can be gained into how the cells four degradation pathways chose what proteins to target. Better understanding and characterization of the pathway’s cells utilize to degrade proteins can reveal potential targets for therapeutic drug treatments of neurodegenerative diseases that affect millions.

Developing a Protocol for Detecting Volcanism Through Andean Lake Sedimentary Records
Lauren Page, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Mitchell Power, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B51

In the Andes, volcanism is likely a main contributor to disturbances made on the surrounding ecosystems.  Volcanism can be a powerful force, creating a range of changes from blasting impacts, to ash fallout nutrient enrichment, to completely overriding the system. In the Colombian Andes, with San Diego Cerro Machin Volcanic Tectonic Providence (SCVPT) -evolving over 5 million years, volcanism is clearly a large contributor to disturbances on the ecosystem. This proposed project will seek to understand the potential role and impact of volcanism as a disturbance has on the tropical Andean ecosystems. This project also seeks to confirm laboratory protocols of detecting volcanism by analyzing lake sedimentary records using Micro-XRF and Transmission Electronic Microscopes and/or Light Microscopes machines to discover tephra. For the research community, this project would help validate use of the Micro-XRF elementary analysis data to confirm tephra deposit on Andean lake sedimentary records. For environmentalists and ecologists it would help in learning how volcanism affects ecological communities over time on this area.

AEBP1 as a potential anti-fibrotic target in cardiac fibrosis.
George Polishchuk, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Stavros Drakos, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B52

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. Increased myocardial fibrosis is one of the main drivers of systolic heart failure (HF), which limits the heart’s ability to pump blood adequately to the rest of the organs. To prevent cardiac rupture following cardiac stress, fibroblasts are activated as a response to stress signaling to form myofibroblasts which secrete extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, like collagen, in a process referred to as fibrosis.
Interestingly, single-cell RNA sequencing data of human HF myocardium showed an upregulation of adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1 (AEBP1) expression compared to donor myocardium. Expression of AEBP1 has been associated with fibrosis progression in other organs, and AEBP1 inhibition has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target in hepatic and pulmonary fibrosis. The role of AEBP1 in cardiac fibrosis is not studied and needs further investigation. With AEBP1 overexpression (OE), smooth muscle actin (SMA, marker of myofibroblast, n=6, p=0.06), transgelin (SM22, early marker of smooth-muscle cell differentiation, n=6, p=0.03), and collagen (n=6, p=0.002) were also observed. Likewise, AEBP1-KD resulted in significant downregulation of SM22 (n=6, p=0.02) and collagen1 (n=6, p=0.06) indicating an AEBP1-dependent pathway in cardiac fibrosis. Additionally, mice which had multi-organ fibrosis induced through angiotensin and phenylephrine 4-week treatment. 2 weeks following induction, a group of mice was treated with adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) containing shRNA targeting AEBP1 to induce KD while the remaining received control AAV9 (n=5 each). A significant reduction in SM22 (n=5, p=0.06) displayed a significant reduction of fibrosis within KD mice with additional conformational data from immunohistochemistry. Thus, our study suggests AEBP1 could emerge as a potential antifibrotic target in HF due to its significant role in cardiac fibrosis.

Optimization of Cobalt Catalysts in the Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol
Rachel Whipple, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Caroline Saouma, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B53

As greenhouse gas emissions increase, the capture of carbon dioxide has become a point of interest. This captured CO2 can be utilized as a cheap, abundant carbon source that can then be converted back to fuels, such as methanol [1]. Current methods to produce MeOH emit greenhouse gases, so CO2 conversion to MeOH would be beneficial as it would both reduce CO2 emissions and utilize the CO2 that is already in the atmosphere.  While this conversion has been proven possible, it has been accomplished with heterogeneous catalysts that require elevated temperature and pressure to produce methanol. Homogenous catalysts can react under milder conditions, but are often made from non-abundant metals, such as ruthenium [2,3]. Exploring the possibility of using more earth-abundant metals, such as cobalt, to form the catalyst has been done, but these have been with ill-defined catalysts [1]. To optimize these cobalt catalysts and investigate the catalytic cycle, we are synthesizing a variety of well-defined homogeneous complexes and proposed cobalt(I) and cobalt(II) hydride intermediates based on a cobalt-triphos system. The performance of these catalysts is then analyzed by GCMS and compared to each other to determine the most effective catalysts.
[1] Schneidewind, J.; Adam, R.; Baumann, W.; Jackstell, R.; Beller, M. Low-Temperature Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol with a Homogeneous Cobalt Catalyst. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed Engl. 2017, 56 (7), 1890-1893.
[2] Kothandaraman, J.; Goeppert, A.; Czaun M.; Olah G. A.;Prakash G. K. S. Conversion of Co2 from Air into Methanol Using a Polyamine and a Homogenous Ruthenium Catalyst. JACS. 2016, 138 (3), 778-781.
[3] Wesselbaum, S.; Vom Stein, T.; Klankermayer, J.; Leitner, W. Hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol by using a homogeneous ruthenium-phosphine catalyst. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2012, 51 (30), 7499-7502.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Metal Coordination Complexes Using “Chiragen” Ligands
Cole Clark, Weber State University

Faculty Mentor: Timothy Herzog, Weber State University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B54

Chiral metal complexes are commonly used for enantioselective catalysis in the synthesis of biologically active compounds and pharmaceuticals, but they generally suffer from the difficult process of obtaining one enantiomer of the complex over another. The purpose of this research is to synthesize a family of ligands that can coordinate to a metal center in an enantioselective fashion to produce chiral metal complexes that do not need to be post-synthetically separated from other enantiomers of the compound. These “Chiragen” ligands are based on two bipyridine moieties linked by a chiral backbone that can only wrap around a metal center in a certain way due to steric hindrance. The backbone of these Chiragen ligands is highly customizable, so while only the length of the backbone is being adjusted here, future works could easily test many sizes, flexibilities, and functional groups to see how different effects could improve or hinder several properties or configurations. Since bipyridines are known to complex to nearly all of the transition metals, the synthesized Chiragen ligands will be coordinated to multiple different metals to investigate the properties of the formed compounds and their potential utility in other areas. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and X-Ray Diffraction Crystallography (XRD) will be used to characterize the ligands and the metal complexes. Some of the complexes are also expected to exhibit interesting optical properties, which could make them useful in photo redox applications or photovoltaics. For these, UV/Vis Spectroscopy may be used to characterize the complexes even further. Currently there are few results to report on. Fortunately, once the family of ligands has been created, the formation and characterization of metal complexes will provide a lot of data and results in a relatively short timeframe. The results obtained from this should provide plenty of useful information that could guide future investigations.

Culvert Failure in Burned Utah Watersheds
Christian Stewart, Utah State University

Faculty Mentor: Patrick Belmont, Utah State University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER 55

Cross-Frame Technique for Flasher Pattern Thickness Accommodation
Lais Oliveira, Brigham Young University
Andy Avila, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Spencer Magleby, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B56

The advantages that satellites, telescopes, and similar objects offer have engineers searching for the best methods of sending these objects into orbit. Such items are limited by volume and weight, which sparks the development of devices that launch in a stowed state and deploy once in space. One attractive option is the Flasher because of its great stowed volume to deployed surface area ratio. The radial folds of the pattern wrap around each other to make a kind of spiraling shape when viewed from above. This pattern works well enough when it is paper thin but the thickening process produces panel interference, an overall non-rigid surface, and manufacturing difficulties. Previous research has attempted to solve this thickness accommodation challenge, resulting in the membrane technique and the tapered panel technique. A new area of research, the cross-frame technique, is presented as an alternative solution to thickening the Flasher pattern. Influenced by the tapered panel approach, geometric design for a single cross-frame panel consists of two arms at different levels. This creates a discretized step that provides multi-level hinge points. Unlike the tapered panel approach, the cross-frame members pass through the interior of the panel rather than border the perimeter. The panels are joined together at the middle of their shared edge, leaving the corners free from interference. Consequently, the members of the cross-frame panels can be thickened to the point where a hard stop between panels can be developed. This reduces floppiness throughout the device while in its deployed state.  A 2-meter diameter prototype was created using 3D printed PLA parts and spinnaker tape. Folding tests have proven that the cross-frame method successfully avoids panel interference while maintaining a level of rigidity in the overall device. Future research includes designing stronger joints, selecting material for the members, and developing a method for inserting an optical membrane. As it is, the cross-frame technique stands as a viable thickness accommodation for the Flasher pattern as well as for other similar folding devices.

Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Histidine Ammonia Lyase
Dallin Billings, Southern Utah University

Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Pierce, Southern Utah University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B57

Histidine ammonia lyase (HAL) is a metabolic enzyme whose mechanism has not been fully characterized. Deamination requires the presence of an electrophilic prosthetic group (MIO), which is formed by cyclization of the protein backbone involving alanine, serine, and glycine. This is similar to the cyclization reaction that forms the chromophore in green fluorescent protein (GFP), though the process in HAL positions the active site exposed to the solvent, whereas the GFP chromophore is buried in the protein. Backbone cyclization results in the formation of an alkene by elimination of the serine hydroxy group. This serves as the electrophile for the enzymatic mechanism. The covalent enzyme-substrate intermediate during the catalysis of L-histidine to ammonia and urocanate is unclear, however, there are two main hypotheses of the intermediate’s structure-namely an N-MIO complex formed from nucleophile attack of the amino group in the substrate, and a Friedel-Crafts complex formed by nucleophile attack from the aromatic ring of the substrate. We are optimizing the purification of HAL from Streptomyces griseus using ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Once protein purification methods have been refined, we plan to probe the protein using analogs of L-cysteine (shown to irreversibly inactivate the enzyme) and to monitor changes to the enzyme activity and UV-visible spectrum. One preliminary focus of interest is to determine whether a nitrogen or sulfur serves as the attacking nucleophile in the primary step of the inhibition mechanism, which might be observed spectroscopically with L-cysteine derivatives using highly conjugated substituents near the sulfur and nitrogen heteroatoms. Once we have determined the attacking nucleophile, we would like to see if this correlates to the mechanistic nucleophile in the catalysis on histidine. Additionally, we would like to determine if HAL can be utilized to form fluorescent chromophores after the addition of L-cysteine derivatives with highly conjugated systems. Additional collaborators: Kyson Muhlestein, Southern Utah University

Designing inducible DNA Constructs to be expressed in avian models
Megan Crother, Brigham Young University
Dalyn Davis, Brigham Young University
Lant Jenkins, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Jeffery Barrow, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B58

Currently, nematodes, fruit flies, and zebrafish are effective models for gene manipulation.  Avian models have served as embryonic models and have historically proved to be powerful in exploring developmental processes such as neural tube or limb development.  Because of high chick fecundity, a relatively short period of development, and the accessibility of the chick embryo, the development of chick models is ideal for gene manipulation and would allow for an increased ability to study the relationship between genes and phenotypes.  However, the inability to access single cell zygotes has led to an inability to derive stem cells that contribute to the germ line.  As part of a larger project to develop the chick as a model for ontogeny, we are designing drug inducible, lineage traceable DNA constructs that we will introduce to the germ line of chickens.  Briefly, these constructs are first introduced into chicken primordial germ cells (cPGCs).  The genetically modified cPGCs are injected into chick embryos where they colonize the gonad of the embryo.  These embryos are allowed to develop, hatch, and grow to adulthood where they can pass on genetic constructs to progeny.  In transgenic progeny, we can activate the expression of transgenes through injection of a drug whenever or wherever we desire to examine the consequences of aberrant gene activity in an otherwise normal embryo.  We have generated constructs that through the introduction of a drug activate or inactivate important developmental pathways and express green fluorescent protein (GFP).  Therefore, we are able to examine the fates of cells subjected to abnormal signaling at any given time or place in development.  We anticipate that the development of these powerful genetic tools will be of broad interest to the scientific community.

Variability of atropine and scopolamine levels in Datura
Lia Rabellino, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Michael Rotter, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B59

There are approximately 12 species in the genus Datura, a member of the nightshade family known for its toxic chemical content. This herbaceous plant can reach up to two meters in height and has large, trumpet-shaped flowers. Datura is an opportunistic genus that tolerates arid climates and can be invasive outside its native range. Our research is concerned with two toxic compounds, atropine and scopolamine, that are present in all Datura species and are believed to have evolved as a response to herbivore attack. Atropine and scopolamine are thought to exist in erratic levels, making it difficult to predict chemical concentrations. In addition to being powerful predator deterrents, these compounds can cause severe poisoning and death in humans. Conversely, both chemicals are commonly used in pharmaceuticals to treat conditions such as gastrointestinal spasms and colic. Datura also has a long history of use in various cultures as a sacred entheogen. To understand the chemical variation in Datura, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis. Through the Web of Science database, we recovered 89 peer reviewed papers using the search terms “Datura atropine scopolamine” and extracted chemical concentration data from 18 of these. We also added additional papers from a citation search. We then looked at the variation of these compounds within species of Datura and throughout the genus. Our intention is to provide evidence that the variability of scopolamine and atropine concentrations in Datura are a result of genetics, and that this trait has allowed the plant to combat predation. Determining the degree of unpredictability in these compounds will give us important insights into evolutionary processes, invasive species management, and a deeper appreciation of the ethnobotanical uses of this mysterious plant. We hope our study will be the first to supply direct evidence supporting this hypothesis of evolved variability.

Effects of immune system activity and methamphetamine on dopamine terminal function
Erin Taylor, Brigham Young University
Lauren Ford, Brigham Young University
Eliza White, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Jordan Yorgason, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B60

Much of addiction research in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathway is focused on immune interactions due to high correlation of drug use with infection. Recent work suggests that microglia, native immune cells of the central nervous system, may interact with methamphetamine (METH) to alter its effect on DA release in this pathway. However, the mechanism and effects of microglial function on addictive behavior are unclear. Recent work using lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an antigen that activates microglia, has demonstrated that microglia in the ventral tegmental area contribute to methamphetamine effects on dopamine release through cell body interactions. However, it is unknown whether microglia at terminal regions like the accumbens are involved in psychostimulant effects. Using FSCV in brain slices, the present study attempts to quantify the effect of microglial activation on DA terminal function in the mesolimbic DA pathway, particularly the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The present study also uses two-photon microscopy to examine morphological changes in microglia in response to LPS and METH. Together, FSCV and two-photon microscopy demonstrate the connection between microglia activation and DA terminal function. Bath-application of 1 µg/mL LPS significantly increased the amplitude of DA release after four hours, but had no effect on reuptake. LPS also changed morphology of microglia consistent with an inflammatory immune response. In contrast, acute administration of 10µM METH did not affect the amplitude of DA release at the DA terminal but did significantly decrease the rate of DA reuptake. METH application showed similar morphology changes to LPS. Co-administration of METH after 4 hours of LPS attenuated METH’s effect on DA reuptake, showing that inflammation is interacting with DA terminal function. Though further exploration is required to elucidate their exact mechanisms, there is a clear connection between microglial activation and DA terminal function in the NAc.

Investigation of the utility of various detergents to disrupt Staphylococcus aureus biofilms
Jocelyn Wells, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Brad Berges, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B61

Staphylococcus aureus is a dangerous human pathogen that causes about 20,000 deaths per year in the US as well as costing the US healthcare system billions of dollars annually. One of the reasons that S. aureus is so deadly is that it forms biofilms. Bacterial biofilms are surface associated assemblages of bacteria embedded in an extracellular matrix. Biofilms are extremely difficult to treat because neither the host immune response nor antibiotics can easily penetrate the matrix. In addition, S. aureus cells adhere tightly to one another, forming dense “grape clusters” of cells that are difficult to separate. Both of these factors, in addition to complicating treatment, make it difficult to study the bacterium, since many methods require isolating individual cells. One way of breaking up biofilms and bacterial clusters is to use a chemical surfactant in combination with mechanical agitation. We tested 5 different detergents (Triton X-100, Tween 20, Sodium deoxycholate, CHAPS, and N-lauroylsarcosine (Sarkosyl)) at various concentrations. Each detergent was deposited into a well containing a S. aureus biofilm and vigorously pipetted up and down. The resulting mixture was then streaked on agar plates in serial dilutions and colony forming units (CFU) were counted.  Ideally, a detergent with a higher CFU count than the bacterial media control would indicate that a detergent successfully separated bacterial cells that would have otherwise remained bound and formed the same colony. Our results showed that a 0.01% solution of Triton X-100 was the only detergent tested to show more CFU than the control. Most of the other detergents produced less CFU, indicating that they were too strong of a concentration and were killing the cells. Future work will be done to determine whether 0.01% Triton X-100 shows statistically significantly more CFU than the bacterial media control.

Discovering effects of Fatty Acids on Nr4a1-NBRE interactions.
Alex Benbrook, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Jeffery Tessem, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B62

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The main cause of diabetes is a reduced viable beta cell mass, the basis for this being reduced proliferation, increased cell death, and a decrease in glucose stimulated insulin secretion. Proper beta cell function is reliant on the transcription factor Nr4a1. Loss of Nr4a1 leads to a reduction in Beta cell proliferation and glucose stimulated insulin secretion. Not only do patients with type 2 diabetes exhibit a loss of viable beta cell mass, they also show a decreased expression of Nr4a1. Recent studies have shown that Nr4a1 binds to unsaturated fatty acids. We have shown that this binding reduces Nr4a1 transcriptional activity and cellular localization. We hypothesized that Nr4a1’s ability to bind to its response element, NBRE, is impaired by the same fatty acids that are prevalent in type 2 diabetes. In order to test this hypothesis, we used an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), which uses a fluorescently labeled DNA to determine Nr4a1-DNA interactions. We ran the EMSA in the presence of Fatty acids and observed the change they had on the band noting the effects carbon chain length and degree of unsaturation had on the band. Here we present the results of our studies.

Effects of Post-Translational Histone Modifications on Transcription Rate
Aaron Bohn, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Steven Johnson, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B63

The structural organization of DNA in eukaryotic cells is highly implicated in the regulation of gene expression and thus cellular properties and behavior. At the most fundamental unit of this organization, approximately 147 base pairs of DNA wraps about 1.7 times around a histone octamer core, forming a collective unit called the nucleosome. The positioning and occupancy of these nucleosomes around the promoter elements of genes is known to be a strong regulator of transcription in eukaryotic nuclei, and post-translational modifications (PTM’s) to the protruding N-terminal tails of histone proteins are known to influence chromatin structure and thus gene expression; however, relatively little is known about the residual effect of histone PTM’s on transcription rate. Here, we present a novel method for measuring the transcription rate of chromatin with variable histone composition using an engineered DNA construct consisting of C. elegans promoter elements and high-affinity nucleosome positioning sequences1 followed by the Broccoli2 aptamer, a more versatile derivative of the Spinach3 aptamer. This terminal RNA aptamer will bind a DFHBI fluorophore molecule and fluoresce upon completion of RNA transcripts, allowing for the quantification of real-time transcription rates using common qPCR instruments. After using salt dialysis to reconstitute chromatin in vitro from the engineered DNA construct and histones with varying PTM’s, this technique will enable us to measure the hypothesized changes in transcription rate as histones in the gene body are differentially modified. If successful, the data collected using this technique will offer insights into the effects of PTM’s on transcription rate, ultimately allowing for more precise manipulation of transcriptional output and thus gene expression in living organisms.
Literature Cited:
1. Lowary, P.T, and J Widom. “New DNA Sequence Rules for High Affinity Binding to Histone Octamer and Sequence-Directed Nucleosome Positioning.” Journal of Molecular Biology, vol. 276, no. 1, 13 Feb. 1998, pp. 19-42., https://doi.org/10.1006/jmbi.1997.1494.
2. Filonov, Grigory S., et al. “Broccoli: Rapid Selection of an RNA Mimic of Green Fluorescent Protein by Fluorescence-Based Selection and Directed Evolution.” Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 136, no. 46, 22 Oct. 2014, pp. 16299-16308., https://doi.org/10.1021/ja508478x.
3. Paige, Jeremy S., et al. “RNA Mimics of Green Fluorescent Protein.” Science, vol. 333, no. 6042, 2011, pp. 642-646., https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1207339.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of (E)-stilbene derivatives by palladium- catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction
Madison Brown, Southern Utah University

Faculty Mentor: Nathan Werner, Southern Utah University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B64

Microwave irradiation is a useful method to heat food and organic reactions. It can provide shorter reaction times and unusual reactivity when compared to traditional, conduction heating on a hotplate. The conduction heated palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of (E)-2-phenylethenylboronic acid pinacol ester with aromatic bromides was discovered and developed at SUU. However, the analogous reaction heated by microwave irradiation was unknown. Here, we describe the synthesis of (E)-stilbene derivatives by palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of (E)-2-phenylethenylboronic acid pinacol ester with aromatic bromides heated by microwave irradiation. The reaction conditions developed for conduction heating were evaluated for reactions heated by microwave irradiation. Various electronically diverse aromatic bromides were studied in reactions heated by microwave irradiation. The yields and reaction times of reactions heated by microwave irradiation were improved when compared to reactions heated by conduction. Interestingly, the scope of compatible aromatic bromides bearing challenging electron-donating substituents was increased when microwave heating was used.

Identifying Biological Remnants in Fossils with Raman Spectroscopy
Molly Christensen, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Dustin Shipp, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B65

Recent research suggests that soft tissues are preserved in ancient fossils as far back as the dinosaurs. However more micro-analytical methods are needed to continue learning about our ancient ancestors. Raman spectroscopy is an excellent candidate for studying ancient soft tissues because it is flexible for measuring many types of samples and is known for its high sensitivity to molecular differences. This research is focused on finding biological markers of fossils in reducing and oxidative geologic environments. The task is to collect fossils from reducing and oxidative environments to find out how many of those fossils have traces of proteins and other biological signatures with a Raman spectrometer. If biological material is not lost by fossilization, then we can peer into our predecessors proteins and see how they evolved.  This kind of research would open a new door in paleontology. It would allow for studies to be done on evolutionary processes and learning about the biochemistry of ancient organisms.

Mechanotransduction at the septate Junction in Planaria compares to the Hedgehog pathway phenotypes during regeneration
Austin Hanna, Brigham Young University
Ricardo Romo, Brigham Young University
Dallin Wassmer, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Dario Mizrachi, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B66

The use of stem cells is fast advancing regenerative therapies. To fulfill the promise of regenerative medicine it is required that we understand fully both the stem cell and the endpoint tissue we aim to regenerate. Cells have three sources of energy: chemical, electrical, and mechanical. We know a fair amount about the first two, and very little about the third. The study of mechanical transduction is difficult because the stimulus at the site of a transducer is generally unknown. It is now evident that biomechanical stimuli are as crucial for regulating stem cell behavior as biochemical stimuli. In the case of degenerative diseases, recent advanced therapies promise to slowdown/stop progression, but there is no evidence brain health can be restored. In our laboratory, using a regenerative model, fresh water Planaria, we identified that cell-cell contact and concomitant mechanotransduction, mediated by the membrane protein occludin (OCLN), is one important stimulus during brain regeneration. The discovery of homology between the planarian and the mammalian CNS opens a door to examine parallels in regeneration and plasticity. Thus, it will be essential to understand how brain regeneration is controlled by mechanical transduction. Brain regeneration is under the control of biochemical stimuli through the Hedgehog signal transduction pathway. We aim to compare the effects of biomechanical stimuli of OCLN and biochemical stimuli of Hedgehog pathway during Planaria brain regeneration. Our laboratory is in a unique position to expand our knowledge of brain regeneration and plasticity, and provide new tools and evidence to better understand mechanobiology.

Elucidation of radical quenching mechanisms for five novel antioxidants.
Wes Christiansen, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Emily Heider, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B67

The purpose of this research is to determine the mechanism of radical quenching of novel antioxidants. In chemistry, a free radical is defined as a compound with a single unpaired valence electron. These species are usually unstable and can damage molecules such as DNA by uncontrolled oxidation reactions. When a radical reacts with a molecule and single electron transfer occurs, the compound which lost the electron has been “oxidized.” As a result, a new radical is produced, and the process is repeated in a chain reaction. This process is potentially dangerous to many living organisms including human tissues and is related to aging. Antioxidants, as the expression implies, exist to counter this phenomenon by ‘quenching’ the radical thus inhibiting further oxidation reactions. Vitamin C and E are common antioxidants that most individuals are familiar with in everyday life. This research investigated two reaction mechanisms: single electron transfer (SET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). By reacting the antioxidants with the stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, or DPPH, the rate of radical reaction can be determined under controlled conditions that favor either the SET or HAT mechanism. While both are mechanisms are possible in the DPPH quenching reaction, one will dominate over the other in certain conditions. These conditions include pH, solvent, and antioxidant strength. Current data show that methanol and ethanol solvents favor single electron transfer due to the alcohol’s tendency for hydrogen bonding. Our research studied the rate of DPPH quenching for five novel antioxidants: 3-hydroxythiophene-2-carboxylic acid (HTC), 2H,4H,5H,6H,7H,7aH-thieno[3,2-C] pyridin-2-one (TPO), Methyl 3-hydroxy-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate (MHPC), 2,5-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (PCME), and 5-Trityl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydrothieno-[3,2-c] pyridin-2(4H)-one (TTTP).

Anti-Microbial Properties of Cobalt
Maren Dawson, Weber State University

Faculty Mentor: Timothy Herzog, Weber State University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B68

Disease can be transmitted in a variety of pathways, including bacteria. The study and eradication of disease is important to help increase the general health of the population. Cobalt is an element known to contain anti-microbial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria. To test the inhibition of bacteria, tris ethylenediamine cobalt iodide was synthesized in two enantiotopic, Dextrorotary and Levorotary, forms. Three other cobalt complexes were also synthesized for use. The chemical formula for these complexes are [Co(NH3)4CO3]SO4, [Co(NH3)4CO3]NO3, and Co(NH3)5Cl3. The next step is examining the anti-microbial properties cobalt complexes contain by using a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) plating technique. Four types of bacteria will be tested in combination with each cobalt complex, in triplicate, using a 96 well plate. The four types of bacteria being tested are E. Coli, Klebsiella Pneumoniae, MRSA, and Streptococcus A. The five different concentration levels that will be used are 0.1M, 0.01M, 0.001M, 0.0001M, and 0.00001M. Triplicate data for each compound at each concentration will be recorded for the results. The purpose of the project is to discover the most effective technique and determine which cobalt complex is the best inhibitor. Using that information, we could propose a drug treatment that can be used to prevent diseases and conditions caused by the bacteria. With future projects, we hope the medicinal applications and toxicity levels of the cobalt complexes from this research project are explored. This would help increase the chance of finding a cure for the diseases and conditions these bacteria cause.

Measuring Odonates with Flying Colors: Building a Database of Odonate Coloration in Vietnam
Eva Driggs, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Seth Bybee, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B69

Odonata (dragonfly and damselfly) color vision is broad and extremely interesting at both the physiological and molecular level. Odonates appear to be almost entirely visual using color cues to find mates and discriminate between species. However, their diversity in body coloration is less well known. Vietnam’s high diversity of odonate species allows for a large range of visible spectrum color: from ultraviolet to infrared. A spectrophotometer was used to objectively measure the full spectrum of reflected light from 250 to 750 nm. We measured a compilation of various body parts from live specimens collected in Vietnam. As we started to find particularly interesting color patterns in families or genera – specifically Chlorocyphidae and Rhipidolestes – we narrowed our focus to certain species. We compared and contrasted the color patterns of species from these groups as they had overlapping distributions, habitats, and diel patterns.  This is the start of a database that has the potential to address questions about the evolution of community color composition and coloration as a possible indicator of odonate and ecosystem health. We have also taken coloration measurements from French Guiana, Gabon, and the US and hope to build the database on a more global level in the future.

A Potential for Reproductive Diapause in Neotropical Butterflies
Kyri Forman, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: T. Heath Ogden, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B70

Reproductive Diapause is a trait commonly used by butterflies and other insects to survive harsh conditions in the more temperate regions of the world. In temperate species, diapause is triggered by various environmental factors including changes in temperature, photoperiod, or humidity, and is commonly used to survive colder climates brought on by winter. While diapause is well-studied in temperate species of insects, there is very little known about the usage of diapause in tropical species. This research is a preliminary to find possibilities of reproductive diapause in neotropical butterflies in the Madre De Dios Region of Southeastern Peru. This region has distinct wet and dry seasons, impacting the numerous organisms found there. For many species of Lepidoptera present in this region, necessary host plants may dry up or become otherwise inaccessible during the dry season, creating unfavorable conditions during this time of the year. Individual butterflies were collected during the onset of the dry season in June and July and dissected to analyze for signs of reproductive diapause. Potential signs of reproductive diapause were seen in Eunica pusilla (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae), and up to 6 species of Satyrinae. This signifies a possibility of reproductive diapause being used as a strategy in neotropical butterflies, a previously unknown phenomenon in any insect occurring in the Amazon Rainforest.

Chytrid Studies in Washington County, Utah
Asheley Atkin, Utah Tech University
Sarah HeiNz, Utah Tech University

Faculty Mentor: Curt Walker, Utah Tech University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B71

Chytrid fungus causes a disease that attacks the keratin in amphibian skin and damages their nervous systems. Over the summer of 2022, we swabbed local Baja tree frogs throughout Washington County, Utah then performed PCR to determine if there was any chytrid present. There was no chytrid found on any of the frogs swabbed. Since chytrid cannot live above 23°C, any chytrid that may have been in the area likely died due to the high temperatures experienced locally. We believe this explains the persistence of Baja tree frogs in the area.

Time flies: Chromosome number changes in the evolutionary history of Drosophila
Audrey French, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Carl Hjelmen, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B73

Historically, chromosome number has been one of the first pieces of information collected about an organism’s genome. These numbers have been shown to vary widely across organisms (Blackmon and Demuth 2015, Perkins et al. 2019, Sylvester et al. 2020, Morelli et al. 2022). Chromosome numbers change due to fission events, where chromosome number increases, and fusion events, where chromosome number decreases. As Drosophila species have been used as model organisms for nearly a century, there is an abundance of information on chromosome number, chromosome shapes, and sex chromosome systems. Chromosome shapes are described as rod (telocentric), j (submetacentric), v (metacentric), and dot (small and heterochromatic). Sex chromosome systems present in this genus include the XY, X0, and neo-sex chromosome systems. There are more than 1,600 species of Drosophila identified and classified into two large subgenera which have diverged for 40-65 million years: Drosophila and Sophophora. Recently, Drosophila genus karyotype data were compiled into an open source database (Morelli et al 2022). While there is a plethora of information on chromosomes in the Drosophila genus, no work has specifically focused on the rates of chromosome number change in this genus. To address this problem, I am using comparative phylogenetic analyses through the chromePlus package in R (Blackmon et al., 2019) with a previously published phylogeny of 152 species in the Drosophila genus (Hjelmen et al., 2019). Specifically, I am investigating how the rate of chromosome number and shape evolution differs between subgenera and sex chromosomes systems. Through these methods, I am able to compare the rates of fusion and fission between the groups of interest. In the future, these methods will be expanded to the entire Diptera order. These works contribute to the growing body of knowledge on chromosome and genome structure evolution.

Effect of Climate Change on Papilio Indra Lepidoptera
Colton Gardner, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Wayne Whaley, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B74

Climate change may be responsible for the extinction of numerous plant and animal species. Recently, drought in the Western United States caused by climate change has raised concerns. Amongst these, it was hypothesized that climate change has had detrimental effects on the Indra Swallowtail butterfly and their host plants. This rare butterfly is endemic to the Western United States. This is concerning because these butterflies are pollinators with mutualistic symbiotic relationships such that its extinction will have a cascading effect on the environment. In this research study, 7 locations throughout Nevada, California, and Arizona were chosen to determine the fitness of the butterfly populations in drought conditions. This butterfly deposits eggs on a specific plant of family Apiaceae which serve as maturation sites for caterpillars. The locations were studied before the drought and had healthy plants with an abundance of caterpillars, meaning that the butterflies were reproducing and thriving. To determine the health of these populations, several factors were studied including plant health, egg numbers, and caterpillar activity. Drought caused decreased plant health, with reduced plant numbers. Moisture is important for Indra butterflies because they will not exit diapause until water has fallen. Under drought conditions they sometimes wait years before exiting diapause to reproduce. In all locations Indra swallowtails had not left their diapause for a substantial amount of time. In addition to not seeing Indra adults near host plant locations, there was no evidence of caterpillars or eggs on plants that in years past were filled with them. The data from the locations were compared with prior data when there was normal moisture. The findings were obvious: climate change had a negative effect on the Indra butterfly. Water is imperative for these populations, and evidence shows that the lack of moisture has severely reduced plant and butterfly fitness.

Creating Universal Caddisfly Rearing Enclosures for in Lab Use
Danyon Gedris, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Paul Frandsen, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B75

Several methods have been used to rear caddisfly larvae over the many years they’ve been studied. This means that the ways and means are diverse. However, most studies have relied on the creation of custom aquarium tanks or flow chambers and provide few specifics about how to construct their enclosures. Also, since every study has its own objectives and hypotheses to test, the tanks made often are tailored to the experiment instead of being universal in scope. This means that future projects like the ones being worked on in the Frandsen Lab require additional time and resources to create new tanks. Current projects in the lab focus on using these caddisfly larvae in experiments outside of their tanks. Consequently, efforts to create aquarium tanks for rearing have focused on making optimal living conditions instead of tailoring the tanks to the experiment. So far 3 proposed tanks are being tested: simple aquariums using air stones to introduce dissolved oxygen, a lab stream that cools the water and provides a sterile stream like environment, and flow inducing aquariums that use the aeration to introduce directed flow into the system. This research aims to find the optimal conditions that will allow caddisfly larvae to live through all 5 instars and emerge. In addition to simply replicating what past studies have done, the goal is to make an easily replicable lab enclosure so future research can rear caddisflies without the hassle of adapting every tank to the needs of the experiment. Preliminary results have found that the caddisflies of the families Helicopsychidae, Limnephilidae, Brachycentrus and Leptoceridae survive well in simple aquarium tanks. Hydropsychidae thrive more often in the flow inducing aquariums where they can produce their nets to collect organic material moving in the tank. The simulated stream so far has not been favorable for any caddisflies retrieved from the wild.

The Gains in Effort Belief and Self Competence in Mastery-Based Grading in Active General Chemistry 1 classrooms.
Grant Hendrickson, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Heather  Wilson-Ashworth, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B76

Due to the pressure of having one opportunity to show proficiency on assessments, some students struggle in science classes despite knowing the material they are taught. This pressure discourages students, can promote academic failure, and ultimately result in students leaving the sciences. Mastery-Based Grading (MBG), a nontraditional grading approach, provides multiple opportunities for students to show mastery of the course learning objectives. Hypothesis: MBG leads to increased student self-competence and effort belief compared to non-MBG courses. This hypothesis is based on self-determination (Deci & Ryan and others, 1991) and expectancy-value theory (Eccles, 1983). At a private midwestern college, general chemistry I students in an active learning, MBG course (53 students) and a lecture course (48 students) with a traditional grading policy were surveyed. Reflection questions based on the impact of MBG on students’ self-competence and effort belief were administered. Surveys were given during week 2 and week 14 of the semester. Using anonymized data, a coding scheme was developed, and the data was coded to consensus. The preliminary data suggest that students perceived professor and tutor assistance to be contributors to their success in the course. Students also recognized MBG components such as test retakes and test analysis as valuable tools for improving their grades. MBG has the potential to increase students’ self-competence and effort belief which promotes student retention and success in difficult science courses and majors.
Deci, E. L., Vallerand, R.J., Pelletier, L.G. & Ryan, R.M. (1991) “Motivation and education: The self-determination perspective” Educational Psychologist, 26, 325-346.
Eccles (Parsons), J.  (1983) “Expectancies, values, and academic behavior.” in J.T. Spence (Ed.) Achievement and Achievement Motivation.  San Francisco:  W.H. Freeman.

The Gains in Effort Belief and Self-Competence in Mastery-Based Grading in Active General Chemistry 1 classrooms.
Christian Moody, Utah Valley University
Nicholas Jeffery, Utah Valley University
Grant Hendrickson, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Heather Ashworth, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B76

Due to the pressure of having one opportunity to show proficiency on assessments, some students struggle in science classes despite knowing the material they are taught. This pressure discourages students, can promote academic failure, and ultimately result in students leaving the sciences. Mastery-Based Grading (MBG), a nontraditional grading approach, provides multiple opportunities for students to show mastery of the course learning objectives. Hypothesis: MBG leads to increased student self-competence and effort belief compared to non-MBG courses. This hypothesis is based on self-determination (Deci & Ryan and others, 1991) and expectancy-value theory (Eccles, 1983). At a private midwestern college, general chemistry I students in an active learning, MBG course (53 students) and a lecture course (48 students) with a traditional grading policy were surveyed. Reflection questions based on the impact of MBG on students’ self-competence and effort belief were administered. Surveys were given during week 2 and week 14 of the semester. Using anonymized data, a coding scheme was developed, and the data was coded to consensus. The preliminary data suggest that students perceived professor and tutor assistance to be contributors to their success in the course. Students also recognized MBG components such as test retakes and test analysis as valuable tools for improving their grades. MBG has the potential to increase students’ self-competence and effort belief which promotes student retention and success in difficult science courses and majors.
Deci, E. L., Vallerand, R.J., Pelletier, L.G. & Ryan, R.M. (1991) “Motivation and education: The self-determination perspective” Educational Psychologist, 26, 325-346.
Eccles (Parsons), J.  (1983) “Expectancies, values, and academic behavior.” in J.T. Spence (Ed.) Achievement and Achievement Motivation.  San Francisco:  W.H. Freeman.

Effect of Inlet Tube Diameter and Residence Time on the Evaporation of Organic Aerosol Particles During Airborne Sampling
Lucia Fortado, Weber State

Faculty Mentor: Demetrios Pagonis, Weber State

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B77

Evaporation is crucial in airborne sampling, where air outside of the research plane is very cold and the air inside of the research plane is contrastingly hot. The evaporation occurs from the time the aerosols enter the inlet tubes of the research plane to the time the aerosols reach the measuring instrument. In this study, the effect of inlet tube diameter size and the residence time of air in an inlet tube on organic aerosol (OA) evaporation was researched through a semi-volatile organic concentration partitioning model to study such evaporation. The mass fractions remaining (MFRs) in three different OA atmospheric conditions were collected and plotted against varying diameters and residence times. After comparing the summary plots, it was concluded that the extent of evaporation was lowest when diameter was as large as possible-given the range of 0.0038m to 0.051m-and residence time inside of the inlet tube was as short as possible-given the range of 0-10s. This partitioning model was made within the computer program of Python, version 3, to allow for open-source distribution.

Time flies: Chromosome number changes in the evolutionary history of Drosophila
Audrey French, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Carl Hjelmen, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B78

Historically, chromosome number has been one of the first pieces of information collected about an organism’s genome. These numbers have been shown to vary widely across organisms (Blackmon and Demuth 2015, Perkins et al. 2019, Sylvester et al. 2020, Morelli et al. 2022). Chromosome numbers change due to fission events, where chromosome number increases, and fusion events, where chromosome number decreases. As Drosophila species have been used as model organisms for nearly a century, there is an abundance of information on chromosome number, chromosome shapes, and sex chromosome systems. Chromosome shapes are described as rod (telocentric), j (submetacentric), v (metacentric), and dot (small and heterochromatic). Sex chromosome systems present in this genus include the XY, X0, and neo-sex chromosome systems. There are more than 1,600 species of Drosophila identified and classified into two large subgenera which have diverged for 40-65 million years: Drosophila and Sophophora. Recently, Drosophila genus karyotype data were compiled into an open source database (Morelli et al 2022). While there is a plethora of information on chromosomes in the Drosophila genus, no work has specifically focused on the rates of chromosome number change in this genus. To address this problem, I am using comparative phylogenetic analyses through the chromePlus package in R (Blackmon et al., 2019) with a previously published phylogeny of 152 species in the Drosophila genus (Hjelmen et al., 2019). Specifically, I am investigating how the rate of chromosome number and shape evolution differs between subgenera and sex chromosomes systems. Through these methods, I am able to compare the rates of fusion and fission between the groups of interest. In the future, these methods will be expanded to the entire Diptera order. These works contribute to the growing body of knowledge on chromosome and genome structure evolution.

Advanced Alkaline Fuel Cell
PJ Martin, Utah Valley University
Jackson Rose, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Kevin Shurtleff, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B79

In the modern era, perhaps the most pressing issue is that of power generation. It is important that a source which is inexpensive, reliable, efficient, sustainable, and carbon free be developed. One such effort has been to develop the hydrogen fuel cell. Fuel cells meet many of the requirements listed above save one, current designs are too expensive. The catalysts used in most modern hydrogen fuel cells are often platinum group metals, which significantly increases the cost of manufacturing. The resulting high price has proved a significant barrier to adoption. Alkaline fuel cells are comparatively cheap as the catalysts are relatively inexpensive, but they suffer from some reliability issues. One problem with alkaline fuel cells is the formation of carbonates, which are often produced when carbon dioxide reacts with the potassium hydroxide electrolyte. During operation, carbonates tend to build up on the catalytic sites rendering the fuel cell completely inoperable. However, the chemistry can be manipulated to eliminate this failure. The potassium hydroxide electrolyte in an alkaline fuel cell can be replaced with an organic amine. Carbonates are soluble in many amines and thus will not precipitate out of solution. This will prevent carbonates from building-up on the catalytic site and may and even clean these sites. At Utah Valley University, strategies for extremely low-cost fuel cell production are being designed and tested. Currently, nickel and silver nanoparticle catalysts are being electrodeposited onto carbon cloth samples, which are then examined via S.E.M. The purpose of this is to establish what size of electrodeposited particles will afford the maximum catalytic activity. Optimizing particle size for the hydrogen oxidation reaction will help to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the fuel cell, which will reduce costs. Smaller model samples are to be built to test both the amine as well as the different catalyst samples. Once an optimal particle size and amine have been identified, scaling the process is next. The goal for this identification is by the end of the year this year. Early into next year, the scaling will begin. A full-scale alkaline amine fuel cell system will be built. It will be tested as a twelve volt system for current density, lifetime and total costs for comparison to other fuel cell systems.

Effect of Climate Change on Papilio Indra Lepidoptera
Colton Gardner, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Wayne Whaley, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B80

Climate change may be responsible for the extinction of numerous plant and animal species. Recently, drought in the Western United States caused by climate change has raised concerns. Amongst these, it was hypothesized that climate change has had detrimental effects on the Indra Swallowtail butterfly and their host plants. This rare butterfly is endemic to the Western United States. This is concerning because these butterflies are pollinators with mutualistic symbiotic relationships such that its extinction will have a cascading effect on the environment. In this research study, 7 locations throughout Nevada, California, and Arizona were chosen to determine the fitness of the butterfly populations in drought conditions. This butterfly deposits eggs on a specific plant of family Apiaceae which serve as maturation sites for caterpillars. The locations were studied before the drought and had healthy plants with an abundance of caterpillars, meaning that the butterflies were reproducing and thriving. To determine the health of these populations, several factors were studied including plant health, egg numbers, and caterpillar activity. Drought caused decreased plant health, with reduced plant numbers. Moisture is important for Indra butterflies because they will not exit diapause until water has fallen. Under drought conditions they sometimes wait years before exiting diapause to reproduce. In all locations Indra swallowtails had not left their diapause for a substantial amount of time. In addition to not seeing Indra adults near host plant locations, there was no evidence of caterpillars or eggs on plants that in years past were filled with them. The data from the locations were compared with prior data when there was normal moisture. The findings were obvious: climate change had a negative effect on the Indra butterfly. Water is imperative for these populations, and evidence shows that the lack of moisture has severely reduced plant and butterfly fitness.

Creating Universal Caddisfly Rearing Enclosures for in Lab Use
Danyon Gedris, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Paul Frandsen, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B81

Several methods have been used to rear caddisfly larvae over the many years they’ve been studied. This means that the ways and means are diverse. However, most studies have relied on the creation of custom aquarium tanks or flow chambers and provide few specifics about how to construct their enclosures. Also, since every study has its own objectives and hypotheses to test, the tanks made often are tailored to the experiment instead of being universal in scope. This means that future projects like the ones being worked on in the Frandsen Lab require additional time and resources to create new tanks. Current projects in the lab focus on using these caddisfly larvae in experiments outside of their tanks. Consequently, efforts to create aquarium tanks for rearing have focused on making optimal living conditions instead of tailoring the tanks to the experiment. So far 3 proposed tanks are being tested: simple aquariums using air stones to introduce dissolved oxygen, a lab stream that cools the water and provides a sterile stream like environment, and flow inducing aquariums that use the aeration to introduce directed flow into the system. This research aims to find the optimal conditions that will allow caddisfly larvae to live through all 5 instars and emerge. In addition to simply replicating what past studies have done, the goal is to make an easily replicable lab enclosure so future research can rear caddisflies without the hassle of adapting every tank to the needs of the experiment. Preliminary results have found that the caddisflies of the families Helicopsychidae, Limnephilidae, Brachycentrus and Leptoceridae survive well in simple aquarium tanks. Hydropsychidae thrive more often in the flow inducing aquariums where they can produce their nets to collect organic material moving in the tank. The simulated stream so far has not been favorable for any caddisflies retrieved from the wild.

Representations of the Symmetric Group from Geometry
Emil Geisler, University of Utah

Faculty Mentor: Sean Howe, University of Utah

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B82

Throughout this abstract, \C represents the complex numbers, \Q represents the rational numbers, and S_n represents the symmetric group with n elements. Representation stability was introduced to study mathematical structures which stabilize when viewed from a representation theoretic framework. The instance of representation stability studied in this project is that of ordered complex configuration space, denoted PConf_n(\C):
PConf_n(\C) := { (x_1, x_2, …, x_n) | x_i != x_j }
PConf_n(\C) has a natural S_n action by permuting its coordinates which gives the cohomology groups H^i(PConf_n(\C);\Q) the structure of an S_n representation. The cohomology of PConf_n(\C) stabilizes as n tends toward infinity when viewed as a family of S_n representations. From previous work, there is an explicit description for H^i(PConf_n(\C);\Q) as a direct sum of induced representations for any i, n, but this description does not explain the behavior of families of irreducible representations as n tends toward infinity. We implement an algorithm which, given a Young Tableau, computes the cohomological degrees where the corresponding family of irreducible representations appears stably as n tends to infinity. Previously, these values were known for only a few Young Tableaus and cohomological degrees. Using this algorithm, results have been found for all Young Tableau with up to 8 boxes and certain Tableau with more, which has led us to conjectures based on the data collected.

The use of niche modeling to characterize the microhabitat of hybrid oaks (Quercus undulata) in Utah
Carson Veazie, Southern Utah University
Sydney Chatfield, Southern Utah University 

Faculty Mentor: Matt Ogburn, Southern Utah University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B83

Western Utah is home to two distinct species of oak, Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) and Dixie live oak (Quercus turbinella), which can hybridize to form an intermediate species that has been named Quercus x undulata. In spite of previous research on these shrubs, we are still unsure of how the hybrid has survived in small isolated locations well outside of the range of one parent species (Q. turbinella, which is restricted in Utah to Washington, Kane, and San Juan Counties). We performed a microhabitat niche modeling study at the Three Peaks Recreation Area (Iron County, Utah) to characterize the abiotic and biotic factors most predictive of Q. x undulata, and to contrast the niche of Q. x undulata with Q. gambelii, which also occurs locally at Three Peaks. We collected plot-level data to determine abiotic and biotic niche factors correlating with the presence/absence of Q. x undulata, including slope, aspect, soil type, soil chemistry, vegetation cover, and other associated woody plant species.  We found that, while both oaks prefer shallow-soiled areas at Three Peaks with exposed granitic bedrock, Q. x undulata was significantly more likely to occur in south-facing exposures, while Q. gambelii showed less evidence of preference in aspect. We hypothesize that this microhabitat preference of Q. x undulata reflects the adaptation to hotter conditions of its Q. turbinella parent, and that growth in hotter, drier microhabitats may explain the persistence of similar hybrid patches throughout western Utah, including more northerly sites even further removed from the current distribution of Q. turbinella. Our surveys also revealed the presence of a few Q. turbinella individuals at Three Peaks, representing a first report of this hot-desert species in Iron County. These results will provide the basis for further studies of the evolutionary history and ecological requirements of these fascinating native Utah plants.

Scale patterns of Uta stansburiana through time and place
Hunter Gordon, Utah Tech University

Faculty Mentor: Geoff Smith, Utah Tech University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B84

As global change continues to disrupt weather patterns and local climate, understanding animals’ responses to water and heat stress becomes more important. Scalation patterns in desert reptiles might vary depending on water availability and temperature. Common side-blotched lizards, Uta stansburiana, are found in a variety of habitats spanning north to central Washington State and south to Baja California and represent an ideal model organism to explore the relationship between aridity and scalation. This study examines scale patterns from different time periods, weather conditions, and geographical locations using a combination of museum specimens and recently-caught individuals. By investigating multiple locations across different times, we can better predict what kinds of responses animals might have in the hotter, drier future climate models predict for the American Southwest.

Phage-Host Interactions in FhuA Dependent Bacteriophages
Ian Baeten, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Bill McCleary, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B85

Bacteriophages are the natural enemy of bacteria. They infect and kill bacterial cells similarly to how animal viruses infect and kill our (eukaryotic) cells. Being viruses, bacteriophages need to get inside of their host to be able to replicate and survive. To do this, phages use receptor binding proteins (RBPs) to bind to various molecules on the surface of bacterial cells, which allows them to attach and initiate the first step of infection. Several novel bacteriophages were isolated from sewage samples across the Wasatch Front of Utah that infect Escherichia coli strain MG1655 and are being used to gain greater understanding of that initial step of binding and attachment between phage and host.  Over 40 phages were tested against four different potential phage receptors, and approximately 25% of them were found to use the FhuA protein. FhuA is an outer membrane transport protein that helps the bacterial cell acquire essential iron, especially in low concentration amounts.  FhuA  looks like a barrel within the membrane that has multiple loops that extend out from the surface. FhuA proteins can be a factor in the pathogenicity of some microbes, and as such, studying and characterizing the interactions between host FhuA and phage RBPs is of medical interest. It was found that bacteriophages JLBYU37 and JLBYU41 are among those that use FhuA as their receptor. Their genomes were sequenced and annotated and submitted to NCBI. Further characterization was done on these two organisms, including Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), one-step growth experiments to determine burst size, and analysis onto which loop of the FhuA protein they attach. JLBYU37 belongs to the Demerecviridae family, and it has an icosahedral capsid that is 61 nm tall and a long non-contractile tail that is 128 nm in length. JLBYU41 is part of the Drexlerviridae family and has a capsid height of 65 nm, and a non-contractile tail that is 140 nm long. JLBYU37 and JLBYU41 have burst sizes of 10 PFU/mL and 41 PFU/mL, respectively. The analyses reported in this poster presentation help us understand how phages interact with their host cells, and this information may aid in developing future applications such as phage therapy or ecological projects.

Changes to morphine sensitivity in the ventral tegmental area after morphine conditioning
Caylor Hafen, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Jordan Yorgason, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B87

Dopamine circuit function in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) is implicated in the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse including opioids. Previous investigations have reported sensitization of the VTA after morphine conditioning. Further characterization of sensitivity changes to the mu receptor and other receptors in the opioid family as well as further characterization of intra-VTA circuitry is necessary. Previous research has also demonstrated that women often use drugs differently and that addiction treatment is not equally effective between sexes thus requiring further invesigation into sex differences in the addiction pathway. Our data supports the hypothesis that mu opioid receptor desensitization occurs during acute and prolonged exposure to opioids such as morphine, which may have long lasting effects on dopamine circuit function. We performed fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in morphine-conditioned mice. We report that in NAc brain slices, morphine has no apparent direct effects on dopamine release. In contrast, morphine bath application increases VTA dopamine release, which is reversed by naloxone. Interestingly, morphine induced increases in VTA dopamine release were greater in morphine vs saline conditioned mice, supporting a model of circuit sensitization. We report that this circuit sensitization is supported by sensitization of mu opioid receptors in both sexes and delta opioid receptors in females. This is possibly biologically counteracted by a desensitization of kappa opioid receptors. Surprisingly, blocking voltage gated potassium channels resulted in a switch in morphine effects, where morphine reduced VTA dopamine release. Morphine treated mice had reduced sensitivity to morphine effects on dopamine release in the presence of potassium channel blockers, suggesting that potassium channels possibly underlie the increases in sensitivity observed in morphine conditioned mice.

Characterization of E. Coli specific, FhuA dependent bacteriophage
Colton Hansen, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: William McCleary, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B88

Antibiotic resistance is a new issue faced by the medical field, and as a result there has been a push for research into alternative forms for treatment of bacterial infection. The focus of our efforts in Dr. William McCleary’s research lab have been centered around the characterization of E. coli specific bacteriophages. The hope is to better understand the bacteriophage host interaction with the long term goal of investigating the use of bacteriophages to treat antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. The cellular infections of These bacteriophages have been shown to only target the FhuA protein which is an outer membrane iron siderophore transporter. This transports ferrichrome specifically. The three bacteriophages that have been the focus of our studies are named phage 37, phage 41, and phage 60. Many tests have been performed to characterize these novel bacteriophages. These include the sequencing of the individual phage genomes, electron microscopy, and the identification of which protein loop is bound by each phage. The focus of my work has been centered around identifying the lysogenic potential of P37, P41, or P60. During our research we have seen that E. coli quickly mutates to develop resistance to these phage when grown in favorable conditions. E. coli becomes resistant to all of these phage as soon as the FhuA gene is knocked out or mutated. In order to test if these phage could become lysogenic, the E. coli strain, MG1655, was grown on fully nutritious LB agar plates for 3 to 5 days at a time, spotted with 5uL of phage. This promoted the formation of bacterial mesas which are healthy phage resistant colonies inside of a clearing caused by the phage. Subsequent verification of phage resistance led us to perform polymerase chain reaction tests that would hopefully show us that the phage DNA had been integrated into the host genome. These tests have been done under normal rich media and also under nutrient poor/growth limiting media. Despite the presence of genes that code for recombinase proteins, none of the tests that have been run have indicated a tendency for these bacteriophages to become lysogenic. The tests run to confirm this have not ever shown an example of a lysogenic strain of E. coil with these three bacteriophage. Being able to show that it does not happen or at least it is very unlikely for a certain phage to become lysogenic means that it can be trusted as a good ingredient for any antibiotic-resistant phage treatments. The conclusion of this part of the experiment is that Phages 37,41, and 60 are non-lysogenic and do not achieve phage resistance through super infection exclusion.

Microplastics in the Snowpack on the Wasatch Mountains
Andersen Haslam, Utah Valley University

Faculty Mentor: Sally Rocks, Utah Valley University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B89

Andersen W. Haslam, Anthony Phasay, Sara S. Rocks. Department of Chemistry, Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah, USA. Microplastics have been contaminating natural waters and lands in even the most remote areas of the globe. Microplastics are synthetic particles less than 5 mm in diameter and are the result of mismanaged plastic waste. Most research regarding the concentrations of microplastics has been carried out on the world’s oceans. Little is known about the effect of microplastic distribution in terrestrial environments and the long-term health impacts for humans.  This research is focused on quantifying the concentration of microplastics in snowpack located in the Wasatch mountains in Utah, USA. The snowpack blanketing the Wasatch mountains serve as the major water supply for Salt Lake City and surrounding cities. While these mountainous regions remain mostly uninhabited, that does not eliminate the threat of microplastic pollution due to their ability to travel large distances in the wind. Snow samples were taken in various locations on the Wasatch mountains at different depths to determine the prevalence of microplastics. Plastics were then identified and counted using fluorescent dye and light microscopy. Quantifying the plastic content in the snowpack will contribute to the scientific evidence combatting the overconsumption of plastic.

Treatment of Ins-1 Beta Cells with Oleate Affect the Expression of The Glycolytic Downstream Targets of Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 and Insulin Secretion
Emily Hill, Brigham Young University

Faculty Mentor: Jeffery Tessem, Brigham Young University

SESSION B (10:45AM-12:15PM)
POSTER B90

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a serious disease in which beta cells of the pancreas have decreased or lost their ability to secrete insulin. The orphan nuclear receptors Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 are necessary for proper insulin secretion. Furthermore, unsaturated fatty acids preferentially bind to Nr4a1 and Nr4a3, which decreases the ability of the Nr4a’s to bind DNA promoters and drive gene expression. Therefore, we hypothesized that Ins-1 beta cells treated with oleate have decreased expression of succinate dehydrogenase (SdH) and enolase-1 (Eno1), two of the downstream genetic targets of Nr4a1 and Nr4a3, and that insulin secretion is decreased. Here we present our findings from our measurements of mRNA and protein expression of SdH and Eno1 in Ins-1 beta cells cultured with varying concentrations of oleate via qPCR and western blotting. In addition, we measured glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) under the same experimental conditions. A more thorough understanding of the effects of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids on Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 will have serious implications on the dietary habits of pre-diabetic individuals.