Enjoy student presentations by choosing any of the links, found below. Each presentation is given in a slideshow, which includes audio and/or video of the presenter(s) giving their presentation. They are posters displaying student research with explanations by presenters. Each poster is given as a single-slide presentation, lasting 5-7 minutes.
The format adopted this year allows presenters and their audience to interact in an asynchronous fashion:
| Posters (in alphabetical order, by last name) |
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Metab Almutairi, Jason Miller, and Japheth Tesfaye, On-Track: New Hire Candidate Tracking System Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19903788/ The On-Track project goal is to develop a software application that facilitates quick and easy access to new hire information at First Energy in Fairmont, WV. This system captures candidate information from the interview selection through the new hire onboarding process. The On-Track software functionality includes data entry, tracking, importing, exporting, and reporting options for improved user administration efficiency. This web-based application allows for multiple hiring managers to access the site simultaneously and includes a back-end database for data management. The application is being developed to fulfill the collaborative capstone requirement for the Information Systems Management and Computer Science programs. Major: Information Systems Management -- Faculty Mentor: Rebecca Giorcelli |
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Mychaela Antill, Comparison of body composition among different positions of NCAA football players Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19882179/ The goal of the study was to identify if there are differences among positions of NCAA football players in body mass index (BMI), percentage of muscle and fat. Before offseason training, players (N=68) from eight positions (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and defensive back) were analyzed. The offensive line and defensive line BMI was significantly higher than all other positions; however, the offensive line had a higher body fat percentage and lower muscle mass percentage when compared to the other positions, except the defensive line (p<0.05). The difference in body composition could help to determine the player's position in NCAA football. Major: Exercise Science -- Faculty Mentor: Julia Dos Santos |
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Patricia Best, Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Mutations in West Virginia Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19881076/ The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has impacted the world for over 2 years now. The purpose of this project was to investigate how the variants of concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2 that were discovered in West Virginia differed from the original SARS-CoV-2 strain found in Wuhan, China, as well as the first of each VOC that was found in the world. Using the NCBI SARS-CoV-2 database, sequences were selected and sorted based on the location of the mutation in the genomic sequence. The genomic sequences were analyzed, and a phylogenetic tree and protein alignment of each VOC were produced. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Rachel Cook |
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Noah Bragg, Justin Brown, and Skeeter Murray, Pin-A-Plot: Woodlawn Cemetery Historical Grave Finder Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19880622/ This project involves the creation of a grave finder mobile app for the Woodlawn Cemetery, located in Fairmont, WV. With over 15,000 graves, the Woodlawn Cemetery is the resting place of many historical figures with significance to the nation, and specifically Fairmont. The walk-to-site mobile navigation provides users with biographical information, photos, and a map to the exact location of graves, and other points of interest. An intuitive interface using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is designed for both Apple and Android phones. This application is being developed through a collaborative capstone course between Information Systems Management and Computer Science students. Major: Information Systems Management -- Faculty Mentor: Rebecca Giorcelli |
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Mackenzee Buck, The Effect of Smoke on the Photosynthetic Gas Exchange Rate of Sunflower (Helianthus annus) Seedlings Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19882571/ As the earth’s climate continues to change, there is an increased prevalence of wildfires across the globe, particularly in the western United States and Australia. Many chemical compounds found within smoke have the potential to decrease rates of photosynthetic gas exchange in plants. In this study, 3-week-old sunflower seedlings were subjected to 10 minutes of plant-derived smoke exposure and their recovery was monitored at 5-minute intervals. Photosynthetic gas exchange rates were measured before and after the exposure period using a LICOR LI-6400XT. Preliminary results indicate a significant difference between gas exchange rates before versus after smoke exposure. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Rachel Cook |
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Jakob Cousin, Jack Layman, and Samuel Wilson, FLOWER: Helping Young Minds Blossom into Financial Literacy! Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19913921/ The Financial Literacy Operation with Educational Resources (FLOWER) project provides an online educational application to reinforce classroom instruction. The project deliverable is a simple learning management system (LMS) with a game-based environment to promote 5th-8th grade financial literacy concepts. The web-based application allows access from any device. Teachers can upload instructional materials and track student progress. Students can watch educational videos, answer polls, complete assessments, and participate in online group discussions. This work fulfills the required collaborative capstone project for students in the Project Management and Software Engineering courses as part of the Information Systems Management and Computer Science programs. Major: Information Systems Management -- Faculty Mentor: Rebecca Giorcelli |
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Karlie Deboard, Comparison of Alcohol and Sugar Levels during Ripening of Bananas (Musa sapientum) Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19884469/ Exposure to the plant hormone ethylene promotes ripening in bananas. As a continuation of previous research on the effectiveness of hacks used to delay ripening, three bunches of bananas were coated in coconut oil and three bunches were left uncoated as a control. Over a two-week period, bananas were sampled every other day and extracts were obtained from the bananas. The extracts were tested using refractometers to measure sugar and alcohol content and were then frozen for further study. Bananas coated in coconut oil appeared less ripe and the extracts were more viscous than those of the control. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Rachel Cook |
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Sarah Glover, Comparison of Basil Plants (Ocimum basilicum) Grown Under Hydroponic, Aquaponic, and Soil Conditions Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/17374875/ Imagine being able to grow plants without using soil, all year round, and without using a lot of space. Hydroponics and aquaponics give people that option. Hydroponics is a soilless agriculture technique where crops are grown in water. Aquaponics is the combination of both agriculture and hydroponics. In aquaponics, plants are grown hydroponically, but in a symbiotic relationship with fish. The waste products from the fish are cycled to fertilize the plants. This project involved growing basil under these conditions as well as in potting soil as a control. Early results indicate that the plants grown aquaponically out-performed the others. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Rachel Cook |
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Chris Griffith, The Effect of Bisphenols Exposure on Dyslipidemia and their Impact on Glucose Uptake Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19882182/ The type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) epidemic has obesity as its major risk factor with chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) being correlated to it. Acute exercise has been shown to increase the rate of glucose uptake in normal subjects and T2DM patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of exercise-induced glucose uptake regarding T2DM risk factors. Subjects participated in a two-day test where data was collected. One day was an exercise day while the next contained rest. Blood glucose was assessed in a fasted state. Overall, exercise increased the rate of glucose transport. The hypothesis was rejected; however, the data showed exercise positively affected glucose metabolism. Major: Exercise Science -- Faculty Mentor: Julia Dos Santos |
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Chad McCann II, Josh Messe, and Michael Richmond, Visitor Quick Check: A Cloud-based Visitor Check-In System Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19914339/ The goal of the Visitor Quick Check project is to develop an online sign-in and tracking system for visitors at M&S Consulting. Instead of pen and paper sign-in sheets, visitors will access a web-based interface to answer a series of questions. Administrators can add, edit, and delete information, as necessary. Data tracking functionality provides administrators with the ability to generate reports of visitor activity for a selected timeframe. Microsoft AWS is used to provide a cloud-based solution. This project was completed in collaboration with students from the Computer Science Software Engineering class to fulfill the Information Systems Management capstone requirement. Major: Information Systems Management -- Faculty Mentor: Rebecca Giorcelli |
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Samantha O’Brien, Analysis of Stomach Acid Extraction of Lead from Children’s Jewelry Click to view presentation: TBD Ingesting small jewelry is a common occurrence with children. Lead poisoning treatment occurs when the concentration of lead in blood is above 450 ppb. The CDC uses 35 ppb as a reference as to when a pediatrician should consider “follow-up services” to reduce possible long-term effects. This experiment measures the concentration of lead extracted by simulated stomach acid from samples of children’s jewelry. The samples were analyzed for lead content using AA spectrophotometry. Preliminary results indicate that while stomach acid does not dissolve jewelry, it does extract lead. Major: Chemistry -- Faculty Mentor: Matthew Scanlon |
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Priscila Richmond, Does body composition affect balance of acrobatics and tumbling athletes Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19882017/ Balance is a crucial element of the performance in acrobatics and tumbling. The study aimed to identify if body composition affects the balance of acrobatics and tumbling athletes. Body mass index (BMI), fat and muscle percentage of top and base athletes were assessed using an impedance device and balance by the time holding a handstand. BMI and fat percentage were higher in base when compared to the top, whereas the percentage of muscle was higher in tops (p˂0.05). There was no difference in balance between the positions. Body composition does not influence the balance of athletes in acrobatics and tumbling. Major: Exercise Science -- Faculty Mentor: Julia Dos Santos |
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Tyler Sine, The Interrelationship Between Type 2 Diabetes, Nutritional Behavior, and Bisphenol A Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19876484/ Bisphenol A is a chemical that has been associated with adverse effects on glucose metabolism and obesity. The purpose of this study was to identify if there is an association between T2DM, nutritional behaviors, and BPA concentrations. Subjects participated in a study where anthropometric stats and urine samples were taken on day one, followed by a ten-day food log. Food logs were gathered, and data was analyzed on day two. The hypothesis states that sources of BPA-laden foods can be identified with a food log, and increased consumption of those foods will be correlated with increased FBG, and T2DM risk factors will be tested. Major: Exercise Science -- Faculty Mentor: Andrea Haney |
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Ella Wilson, Analysis of Copper Hyperaccumulation in Sunflowers (Helianthus annus) Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19883841/ Phytoremediation is a favored approach for cleaning up heavy metal polluted areas due to the safe, inexpensive, and efficient nature of this technique. In this study, Helianthus annuus, which is a known effective hyperaccumulator, was utilized in the uptake of copper from an aqueous solution. The sunflowers were grown in a hydroponic set up of cupric sulfate dissolved in complete plant nutrient solution. Copper concentration was then measured in the roots, stems, and leaves to identify the location of copper storage within the plant, and to determine the best course of action for safe disposal of the now contaminated plants. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Rachel Cook |