Office of Undergraduate Research

Presentation Schedule

Presentation Schedule

Time	Topic	Presenter
8:00 - 8:20	Free Registration
8:20 - 8:30	Welcoming comments	President Chris Kimball
8:30 - 10:00	Oral Presentation Session I - Richter Hall
8:30 - 8:45	Are Mammalian Signaling Pathways Mediating Retinal Damage Response Evolutionarily Conserved in Zebrafish?	Thomas Estus, Bioengineering
8:45 - 9:00	The Effects of Varying Landing Conditions on Three-dimensional Impact Forces	Joy Cyprian, Exercise Science
9:00 - 9:15	Online Social Networking and the Christian Church	Nicole Sparkman, Business
9:15 - 9:30	Evolutionary Search and Multi-Component Kinetic Approaches for Modeling Dynamic Chemical Processes	Jennifer Arceo, Chemistry
9:30 - 9:45	Physiological and Mechanical Parameters of Cycling at Critical Power in Two Age Groups	Scott McClave, Exercise Science
9:45 - 10:00	Sequencing the Hypervariable Region of the Hepatitis C Virus and Comparing it to Different Blood Cell Types	Peter Henderson, Biochemistry
10:00 - 11:30	Interactive Poster Session - Overton Hall
	Immigration Policy and Gangs: Los Angeles & Special Order 40	Paul Dilger, Political Science
	Thinking Space: Exploring Issues in the Representation of Our Built Environments	Erin Hacker, Psychology
	The Acute and Chronic Effect of Wii Fit Exercise in Older Adults	Danielle Kirk, Exercise Science
	Synthesizing an Organic Sensor for Determining Nitrite Concentrations	Katina Landon, Chemistry
	Synthesis of Through-Space Conjugated Materials and Novel Suzuki Coupling Methodology	Jennifer Norman, Chemistry
	Contemporary Quinceañera Practice in Chicano/Latino/Hispanic Families	Sergio Salazar, Religion
	Los Angeles High School Walkouts 2006	Sergio Salazar, Political Science
	Coupled Numerical/Experimental Investigation of Optical Stress Birefringence	Travis Severt, Bioengineering and Physics
	Nanostructured Materials Imaged by Atomic-Force Microscopy	David Sievert, Bioengineering and Physics
	Synthesis of Helicenes via Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling	Sasha Sommer, Chemistry
	Apocalypsis	Evan Sponseller, Music and Religion
	RNAi and its Impact on the Singed Gene of Drosophila Melanogaster	Andrew Walker, Biology
11:30 - 12:45	Oral Presentation Session II - Richter Hall
11:30 - 11:45	The Effects of Ground Reaction Forces and Muscle Forces on Bone Parameters in Runners	Cole Olmon, Exercise Science
11:45 - 12:00	Civic Engagement and Citizen Participation: Case Study Ventura County	Yeraldy Torres, Political Science
12:00 - 12:15	Cross-Testing of Antibodies Against the Viral Proteins of Hepatitis C Virus	Trung Nguyen, Biochemistry
12:15 - 12:30	Validity of Uniaxial and Triaxial Accelerometers for Assessment of Physical Activity in Adults	Alexandra Anderson, Exercise Science
12:30 - 12:45	Suzuki Coupling Methodology for Advanced Organic Electronic Materials	Lindsay Lawrence, Chemistry

Abstracts

Abstracts

All abstracts for the 2009 SRS

Student Bios

Student Biographies

Alexandra (Aly) Anderson is a junior at California Lutheran University.  She is studying in the field of Exercise Science emphasizing in Human Performance and Pre Physical Therapy.  After graduation from Cal Lutheran, Aly plans to work in a physical therapy clinic for a year to earn experience hours while preparing for the GRE.  After gaining experience in the field, she plans to apply to many different graduate programs towards achieving a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy.  Aly plans to one day have her own physical therapy clinic geared toward the rehabilitation of injured athletes.

Jennifer Arceo is a double Chemistry/Environmental Science major with research interests in the development of robust analytical methods and modeling techniques for bio- and environmental analytical chemistry applications. She is a recent recipient of a $46,500 Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Undergraduate Fellowship Program awarded by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency. After graduation, Jennifer will pursue her goal of entering a competitive Ph.D. program in the sciences.

Joy Cyprian is currently a senior at CLU majoring in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Human Performance. She is the co-captain of the women’s water polo team, member of ODK and in pursuit of a Master’s in Nursing degree. The results of this study will be presented at the Southwest American College of Sports Medicine meeting this October in San Diego.

Paul Dilger is a Political Science major at CLU, and also serves as a first year mentor and President of Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society).  This summer, he was selected as a Pearson Scholar for Leadership and Engagement in Global Society and conducted intensive research in Los Angeles for 12 weeks.

Thomas Estus is a Senior Bioengineering major at CLU. Recently he has participated in a research experience at the University of Idaho in the field of neuroscience focusing on determining an evolutionarily conserved response following damage within mammalian and zebrafish model organisms. He has tried to broaden his depth of understanding of the clinical applications and needs of bioengineering by participating in research at CLU during the summer of 2007, and volunteering in a clinical setting at St. John's Hospital in Oxnard. Research, funded by the Swenson family and undergone in the summer of 2007, detailed a novel method to measure diffusivity constants within collagen hydrogels, which is currently being used to observe the effects human foreskin fibroblasts have upon the diffusivity constants of collagen scaffolds. During the summer of 2008 he underwent experiments to determine the effect of cells upon diffusivity within collagen hydrogels thanks to funding from the Eddie Bergfield Scholarship. He has been active within the IEEE and was asked to present the middle-school outreach program developed for the IEEE-EMBS to the EMBC conference in Vancouver where our local chapter won chapter of the year award. He plans to pursue a graduate degree after graduating from CLU.

Erin Hacker is a junior at California Lutheran University and is pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with an International Studies minor. She is currently on the research team for a CLU professor’s psychological research study, as well as conducting a study of her own on bystander intervention with regard to internal and external locus of control. She will be studying in England at Richmond, The American International University in London during the spring, and plans on pursuing a career in family and marriage counseling.   

Peter Henderson is a senior Biochemistry major in the honors program at CLU.  He received the Community Leaders Association Scholarship in 2006 and the James R. Treiberg Memorial Scholarship from the Alumni Association in 2008.  Peter works during the school year in Dr. Revie's lab on the Hepatitis C Virus project.  Thanks to a Swenson Summer Internship, he was able to continue working on his own research project during the summer.  In addition to going to school and working in the lab, Peter also works part-time as a math and reading tutor.  His goal after graduation is to attend graduate school, while pursuing a career in clinical research.  Ultimately, his goal is to obtain a Doctorate in Pharmacogenetics.

Danielle (Dani) Kirk is from Ventura and is a senior in the Exercise Science Department, obtaining her degree with an emphasis in Athletic Training. Her main passion has become advocating and volunteering for social justice issues. Following graduation, she plans on spending a year volunteering before pursuing a Master’s Degree in Social Justice.

Katina Landon is a senior biochemistry and molecular biology major set to graduate in May 2010.  She is currently Vice President of the Biological Students Association and Treasurer of the CLU chapter of the American Medical Student Association.  During her senior year she will be working with Dr. Collins to test local southern California beaches for bacteria, and she plans to pursue a career in dentistry after graduation.

Lindsay Lawrence, from Denver, Colorado is currently a junior at California Lutheran University.  She is majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.  Lindsay plans on attending medical school to pursue a career as a pediatrician.  She will be continuing her organic chemistry research until she graduates, and she hopes to present her findings at the American Chemical Society national conference in March, 2010.

 

Scott McClave is a senior completing his B.S. in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Human

Performance and Pre Physical Therapy. Following graduation from CLU, Scott plans to attend graduate school towards a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Outside of CLU Scott is an expert level mountain bike racer and enjoys pursuing an active lifestyle outdoors.  The results of this study will be presented in San Diego at the Southwest American College of Sports Medicine meeting in October.

Trung Nguyen is a senior Biochemistry major at CLU. He was a transfer student last year. He received the Swenson Internship to support his summer research in 2009. He is continuing his research and plans on publishing his results. He enjoys tutoring children, hiking and biking in his spare time.

Jennifer Norman is a senior majoring in Biochemistry at CLU.  She is also a Department Assistant for chemistry.  She will continue working in Dr. Tannaci’s lab until she graduates, at which point she plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in nutritional science, followed by a career in nutritional research.

Cole Olmon is a senior from Thousand Oaks, California majoring in Exercise Science.  He has a passion for exercise training and plans on continuing his study after graduation towards either a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology or a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.  The results of this study will be presented in San Diego at the Southwest American College of Sports Medicine meeting in October.

Sergio Salazar is a senior, double majoring in International Studies and Political Science, and anticipates a minor in Religion.  He is Secretary of Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society).  This summer, he was selected as Pearson Scholar for Leadership and Engagement in Global Society and conducted intensive research in Los Angeles for 12 weeks. As part of this project, he organized a panel to promote high school graduation targeting at-risk youth in Pasadena, Ca.   He is continuing his research on the project on Los Angeles High School Walkouts 2006 and on the project Contemporary Quinceañera Practice in Chicano/Latino/Hispanic Families during the academic year.  The latter project was funded by a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) during the summer of 2009.

Travis Severt is currently a sophomore at CLU and is a double major in Math and Physics.  He is part of the University Honors Program.  He is planning to attend graduate school for Mechanical Engineering. 

David Sievert is currently a sophomore double major in Physics and Chemistry at CLU.  He is also participating in the University Honors Program.  After receiving his degree, he plans on attending graduate school and pursuing a career in applied research, focusing on the field of chemical engineering.  

Sasha Sommer is currently a senior at California Lutheran University and is pursuing a BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.  She is President of the American Medical Student Association, Secretary of the Biological Student Association, a Department Assistant for biology, an organic chemistry tutor, a St. John’s Regional Medical Center intern, and a founder of the Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society at CLU.  She is currently working in the Tannaci Research Group to develop novel synthetic strategies for organic electronic applications, with a particular emphasis on solar cells.  She hopes to pursue a career path in the medical field, eventually becoming an orthopedic surgeon.

Nicole Sparkman is a junior at California Lutheran University, and is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Chemistry.  She works as a business departmental assistant and tutor on campus and actively participates in a number of intramurals, clubs, and campus organizations (including indoor soccer, the economics club, student government, and campus symphony).  After graduation, she intends to attend medical school and pursue a career in healthcare.

Evan Sponseller is a senior Music Composition Major at CLU. Over the past year he has written a piece of music for a cappella choir based on a class he took last fall called American Apocalypse. This past summer he had the opportunity to participate in the SURF program as one of the first students to do so in the arts. This year Evan's focus will be putting together a small choir to sing some of his music and writing for smaller chamber pieces.

Yeraldy Torres is currently a junior at California Lutheran University. Yeraldy is completing a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Business Administration and is set to graduate in the spring of 2011. She plans on attending law school or graduate school after graduation. This past summer Yeraldy worked on a research project of redistricting Ventura County. The research has included information from the 2000 U.S. Census, interviews of the County’s Board of Supervisors, members of the Ventura County Redistricting Task Force, and will include data from the 2010 U.S. Census.

Andrew Walker is a senior Biology student at CLU with a minor in Psychology and Chemistry.  He has been performing research in Dr. David Marcey’s genetics lab working with Drosophila for the last six months.  The Swenson Scholarship has allowed him to further his knowledge and curiosity in the field of genetics as he looks forward to studying it further after he graduates.