Symposium Program2011

Table of Contents

Welcome Letter

Venue Map

Schedule

AM Session Panels

AM Session Posters

Creative Presentations

PM Session Panels

PM Session Posters

Index

Partner Pages

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May 12, 2011

Dear Students-

I congratulate you as pioneers! I hope each of you has experienced the personal thrill of discovering or creating something new, and of being a pioneer in that sense. But all of you are also pioneers as participants in the University’s very first Undergraduate Symposium. Today, you’ll have the chance to start a tradition that will inspire future UO students, and you’ll join a company of scholars that goes back to the first glimmerings of human curiosity and creativity. My favorite college professor always called it the “ancient and honorable company of scholars” and although I wondered whether those folks would really think my experiments were any good, the notion of a centuries-old bond was wonderful.

So, whether your work takes the form of experiment, sculpture or sleuthing in the library, know that it makes you part of a very special community. Have a wonderful time today, and welcome to the Symposium!

Sincerely,

Karen U. Sprague

Professor of Biology Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies

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D 1-8 C 1-8 A 1-

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Alsea Room

CenturyE

CenturyA Century

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Second Level2

Undergraduate Symposium AgendaThursday, 12 May 2011

8:30-10:00am: Registration. Fir Room.

10:30-11:00am: Welcome Reception. Address by Karen Sprague. Fir Room.

11:00-12:00pm: Session 1: Concurrent Poster and Panel Presentations.

* Posters in Fir Room Lobby, Concourse Lobby & Main Concourse. * Panels in Century Rooms A, D, E, and Alsea Room.

12:00-1:00pm: Lunch. RSVP Invitation Only.

1:15-2:15pm: Session 2: Concurrent Poster and Panel Presentation.

* Posters in Fir Room Lobby, Concourse Lobby & Main Concourse. * Panels in Century Rooms A and Alsea Room.

2:30-3:15pm: Closing Celebration. Distribution of Certificates of Participation. Fir Room.

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AM Session Panels

Name LocationTime

Genes, Jaws & Cells Century A11:00am - 12:00pm

Presenter: Ariel Morrison, BiologyPanel: Genes, Cells & JawsMentor: Eric Selker, Institute of Molecular Biology

Identification and Study of Genes Involved in DNA Methylation in Fungal Species Neurospora crassaDNA methylation is an essential feature for proper development in many mammalian and plant species. However it is absent or nonessential in some organisms, including the fungal species Neurospora crassa. I am studying the effects of DNA methylation on Neurospora, with hopes to isolate all known genes involved in the process. Neurospora is sensitive to the drugs Basta and Hygromycin, due to two inactive genes, bar and hph. However, a loss of methylation activates these genes, creating a resistancy to these drugs. By mutagenising samples of Neurospora, I can selectively isolate dim (defective in methylation), mutants by their response to the drugs. Their genome can then be studied and the information gained can be applied to the eukaryote genome.

Presenter: Vishesh Khanna, BiologyPanel: Genes, Cells & JawsMentor: April DeLaurier, Biology

Hdac4 is Required by Early Cranial Neural Crest Cells for the Development of the Zebrafish PalatePalate deformities are one of the most common congenital birth defects. It is estimated that one in 1000 babies is born with either a cleft lip or a cleft palate. In 2006, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene HDAC4 were found to be linked to cleft palate-like defects in humans. In zebrafish, Morpholino-mediated knockdown of hdac4 results in cartilage abnormalities at 6 days post-fertilization, specifically a clefting of the skeletal elements in the roof of the zebrafish mouth. By using fluorescent in situ hybridization, we show that hdac4 knockdown results in the loss of a specific subset of neural crest cells that normally migrate deep to the eye rudiment. Based upon our findings in this animal model, we can propose that human cleft palate resulting from the HDAC4 mutation might ultimately be due to defects in a homologous subset of neural crest cells.

Presenter: Anita Kasina, BiologyPanel: Genes, Cells & JawsMentor: Rui Galvao, Institute of Molecular Biology

Effects of Tamoxifen on Cell Labeling in the Mouse Brain: A Model for Studying Glioma FormationMalignant gliomas are an aggressive and incurable form of cancer with thousands of new cases annually, many of which result in death within one year. Previously, we identified Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells (OPCs) as the cell of origin for glioma. We are now examining wild-type (WT) and cancer-prone OPCs on a molecular level to understand the mechanisms by which OPCs form gliomas. Specifically, we are investigating whether brain injury, known to stimulate transient proliferation of WT OPCs, can cause uncontrolled proliferation of mutant OPCs, and ultimately cancer. We inactivated the tumor suppressor genes p53 and NF1 specifically in adult brain OPCs using an OPC-specific gene promoter, NG2, to drive the expression of an inducible form of the DNA recombinase Cre, which is activated by the drug Tamoxifen (TMX). We are currently optimizing TMX delivery to better control the number of mutated cells. We have found that delivering TMX over consecutive days greatly increases the number of mutant OPCs. Mice given 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of TMX had a significant increase in labeling from 1 to 3 and 3 to 5 days but not from 5 to 7 days, indicating 5 days as the ideal maximal dose. We are now quantifying TMX-induced mutagenesis in other brain areas to identify regional differences. Overall, this data provides a solid basis for future experiments using TMX to induce mutations in OPCs, giving us the level of control necessary to understand the differences between WT and mutant OPC proliferation that ultimately cause cancer.

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Gender, Power & Change Century D11:00am - 12:00pm

Presenter: Lauren Goss, HistoryPanel: Gender, Power & ChangeMentor: Ellen Herman, History

Femininity and Athleticism: Title IX at the University of OregonTitle IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 addressed the discrimination of students at any educational institution that received federal funding. Intended to focus on unfair admission practices, Title IX is best known for improving the treatment of female intercollegiate athletes. However, the intricacies of reconciling the federal standards of equality presented substantial challenges, and each institution confronted the ideological intersection of femininity and athleticism in various ways. The University of Oregon administration remedied cases of overt discrimination, most notably in facility access, but acute examples persisted. Becky Sisley, the first and only women’s athletic director for the University of Oregon, served as the driving force for changing athletic policies for women athletes. In extensive interviews, former female athletes corroborate this struggle for recognition. Archival evidence shows the University of Oregon administration presented concerns about increased funding for women’s athletics during the 1970’s. However, the Women’s Intercollegiate Association survived on a meager budget and remained autonomous until the Athletic Department combined men’s and women’s athletics in 1977. The merger, and Sisley’s resignation shortly thereafter, hindered any further attempts for reaching true equality. Discrimination against female athletes persists at the University of Oregon and there is just cause to explore gender equality in all aspects of higher education.

Presenter: Nicole Snyder, International Studies: Focus on Gender and PowerPanel: Gender, Power & ChangeMentor: Deborah Baumgold, Political Science

Power and Control in the lives of Female Victims and Perpetrators of Domestic Violence: An Empirical InvestigationThe discourse of domestic violence typically defines domestic violence in terms of physical assault. This project critically examines this assumption using the insights of Steven Lukes’ theory of power. He theorizes that power is wielded in three dimensions. The first dimension is overt conflict. The second dimension is having the power to control the conversation. The third dimension is power over another. Each dimension builds and reinforces the next, resulting in powerlessness. It brings to bear as evidence the oral stories of ten women concerning their personal domestic violence experience. It demonstrates that, as experienced by these women, there is more to domestic violence than domestic assault. Rather, the design and purpose of domestic violence is to reduce and eventually remove agency. Victims are survivors of a process that erodes their sense of self, stifles their liberty and obstructs access to rights.

Presenter: Alexandra Fus, English, Clark Honors CollegePanel: Gender, Power & ChangeMentor: Jennifer Levin, Clark Honors College

Bridget Jones as the New New Woman: What She Reads and What She Wants; a Postfeminist Literary Criticism “Chick lit” is not nearly so familiar a term as “chick flick,” but since the phenomenal success of Helen Fielding’s novel, Bridget Jones’s Diary, this popular women’s fiction genre has become the subject of serious debate among even high literary critics. As the ur-text for chick lit, Bridget Jones’s Diary’s protagonist offers a postmodern, postfeminist revision of the New Woman-- a cultural and literary female archetype who has been continually re-modified since her emergence at the turn of the nineteenth century. As a symbol for what it means to be modern, liberated, and female, Bridget Jones has been condemned by critics as antifeminist, while writers and fans insist that she personifies empowering possibilities for feminism and popular women’s fiction. Using textual analysis, I argue instead that Bridget Jones’s role as the newest New Woman merits consideration free from either fans’ pride or critics’ prejudice, for its simultaneous rejection and engagement with all the New Women that came before, Bridget Jones’s Diary presents an individualistic reimagining of postmodernist postfeminism. Indeed, Bridget’s alternately anxious and empowering expression of a multiplicity of female identities suggests that women of the twenty-first century have become so modern and liberated that they can now choose not to be contained within any New Woman archetype.

Foreign Accent & Foreign Policy: An Analytical Perspective

Century E11:00am - 12:00pm

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Presenter: Lauren Dickey, Asian Studies & ChinesePanel: Foregin Accent & Foreign Policy: An Analytical PerspectiveMentor: Maram Epstein, East Asian Languages and Literatures

Guns for Oil: An Analysis of Contemporary Chinese Weapons Sales to Africa in Exchange for OilBeginning in 1949, China has gradually increased the scope of its weapons sales overseas to include 40 countries, 21 of which are located in Africa. With Chinese weapons sales in 2009 reaching 900 million U.S. dollars, the global community cannot help but pay attention to China’s overseas weapons sales model. At the same time, resource-rich African nations have become the center of China’s new geopolitical strategies and starting point for oil development and extraction programs. With decades of cooperative experience in the energy sector, Africa has become an important area through which China is able to further diversify its energy resources. In the process of China’s assistance to help Africa develop an oil market, many other forms of aid and investment were also necessary. The most important form of aid can be best seen through “goods for goods” bartering transactions, especially in the form of Chinese weapons for African oil. My paper examines the realities of weapons-for-oil transactions as well as other Chinese involvement in Africa’s natural resources and domestic economies, illustrating the implications for U.S.-China policy and the international community, in hopes that other researches will pay even closer attention to weapons-for-oil exchanges in the future of Sino-African relations.

Presenter: Lucy Gubbins, LinguisticsPanel: Foregin Accent & Foreign Policy: An Analytical PerspectiveMentor: Kaori Idemaru, East Asian Languages and Literatures

Foreign Accent Production and Perception: An Acoustic Analysis of L2 JapaneseThe acquisition of a second language (L2) is wrought with potential difficulties. Not only must a learner establish grammatical competency in order to effectively communicate, but he/she must also adopt the pronunciation of the target language. This often proves to be an insurmountable task: even after acquiring native-like grammatical fluency in a second language, it is extremely difficult to speak without traces of a foreign accent. When native speakers are confronted with non-native speech, a number of acoustic characteristics can lead to the perception of foreign accent, which is what the present study explores. The first experiment investigates the acoustic qualities of vowels (i.e., F1 and F2) and stop consonants produced by native English speakers who are 2nd- and 4th-year learners of Japanese. The second experiment examines native listener judgments of foreign accent and how they compare with the segmental differences found in the production data. Preliminary results from the production experiment show that non-native learners differ significantly from native speakers in their production of the high back vowel /u/, as well as in the duration of voice-onset time before stop consonants. These findings reveal that even after significant exposure to Japanese in the classroom, L2 learners struggle to achieve native-like production of these features, giving language instructors significant insight into specific problem areas native English speakers might encounter when learning Japanese pronunciation.

AM Session PostersPresenter: Andrew Delapaz, BiologyPoster: A-6Mentor: Braedan McCluskey, Biology

Zebrafish and Related Species as a Model of Evolutionary DevelopmentOut of the nearly 60,000 species of known vertebrates, fish comprise nearly half of the group. Natural selection has created the spectrum of sizes, shapes, and colors seen in fish. However, the developmental mechanisms underlying these differences are still unknown. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a common model for development and genetics. Our specific purpose is to understand differences in anatomical structure development between zebrafish and related species. The sensory “whiskers” found on fish, also known as barbels, differ greatly within this genus and therefore are ideal to study. To investigate the genetics behind barbel development in Danio, we measured and compared barbel size and number in different species and hybrids between these species. These hybrids can be used to determine if a characteristic is inherited in a dominant or additive fashion. The species we used were zebrafish (D. rerio), and dwarf zebrafish (D. nigrofasciatus). We chose these species because in addition to clear differences in body size, D. rerio has two pairs of barbels, while D. nigrofasciatus has only one. The hybrids obtained from crossing these species had a single set of barbels, which were intermediate in length compared to the two parent species. These data indicate that barbel length and number are not determined by the same mechanism. / By further researching barbels and other traits among this genus, we can deepen our understanding of how species diversity of vertebrates evolves.

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Presenter: Kimberly Davidson, ChemistryPoster: A-5Mentor: Marina Guenza, CHemistry

Theoretical Study of the Molecular Dynamics of DiubiquitinIn eukaryotic cells, polyubiquitin chains attach themselves to proteins that are ready for proteolysis. When the proteolysis pathway is disturbed, diseases such as cancer can result. This study focuses on the molecular dynamics of diubiquitin on a small time scale. Diubiquitin contains two ubiquitin chains connected by an isopeptide bond between Gly76 and Lys48. We used GROMACS to simulate the protein chain for ~10 ns with an average RMSD of ~0.2 nm. A change in RMSD was observed at ~4 ns indicating a conformational change in diubiquitin. Calculation of T1 and T2 values revealed the theoretical spin-relaxation time for each residue. Further study of diubiquitin will be useful in understanding the proteolysis pathway and how disruption can occur.

Presenter: Jesus Fernandez, ArchitecturePoster: A-9Mentor: James Tice, Architecture

Exploring Rome through Guiseppe Vasi’s EyesGuiseppe Vasi (1710 – 1782) created over 240 vedute or city landscape views of Rome during his lifetime and in the process provides us with a vivid document of the city and its people during the period. Vasi methodically and accurately depicts every corner of the city from impressive monuments to more humble quarters. His views of daily life also provide a fascinating social commentary rendering all classes with a witty and candid eye. The research project in which I have been involved highlights five spectacular panoramas that Vasi created at the height of his career. The largest of these, the Panorama of Rome taken from the Janiculum Hill, is over 9 feet long and shows 390 individual monuments that are carefully keyed to an index on the print. Working with faculty in the Department of Architecture and the InfoGraphics Lab in the Geography Department on campus, my research has been to carefully analyze and create a multi-media display, allowing the viewer to understand the wealth and breadth of the information, portrayed. The resulting work was formatted into an innovative iPad installation and included in the recent exhibition, “Giuseppe Vasi’s Rome: Lasting Impressions from the Age of the Grand Tour” sponsored by the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art last fall. The exhibition is currently showing at the Princeton University Art Museum.

Presenter: Jared Barak, Josie Baldner, ArchitecturePoster: A-1Mentor: Alison Kwok, Architecture

Solar Reflector PrototypeSkylights are a lovely addition to most rooms, but they are also major contributors to building heat loss in cold weather. Because glass is such a poor insulator, an improperly placed skylight can make a room retain heat poorly, resulting in a chilly space and an expensive utility bill. In an attempt to increase the solar penetration into one such room, a prototype solar reflector was constructed and placed above a skylit bathroom. Temperature and light intensity data collected from beneath the retrofit skylight indicated that the additional reflected sunlight significantly increased the brightness of the room, but had a negligible effect on the temperature. The study implies that reflecting additional sunlight through an existing aperture could make a skylight perform as if it were a larger skylight without any additional building heat loss.

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Presenter: Korrin Bishop, Planning, Public Policy and ManagementPoster: D-8Mentor: Laura Leete, Planning, Public Policy and Management

Reversing the Homeless Trend: A Case Study of the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program in Lane County, OregonThe Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) is a $1.5 billion stimulus program that came out of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funds were distributed to qualifying communities to provide Housing First and housing stabilization services. Lane County received a total of $1,490,050 from combined City of Eugene and Oregon state grant funds to coordinate HPRP services for the Lane County community. As a locally active participant in the HPRP, Lane County lends itself as a case study for exploring this new federal policy. The research question explored through interviews with HPRP staff members and an analysis of reported program data follows: Despite its time limitations as a short-term, stimulus program, is the HPRP building upon long-term, sustainable solutions to homelessness in Lane County, Oregon? Upon completion of research, highlights of the program focused on positive collaborative efforts and forward changes in organizational thinking, while challenges centered on burdensome reporting requirements and struggles with low funding and time. Overall, the HPRP has helped to build upon long-term, sustainable solutions to homelessness both in Lane County and nationwide. However, a commitment to collaborative efforts and the establishment of a substantial funding source are vital for continued sustainability. This research is significant to the field, as it explores best practices for ending the homelessness epidemic and discusses the challenges they face in implementation. currently showing at the Princeton University Art Museum.

Presenter: Alexandria Russell, Matthew Silva, Matthew Liston, Environmental SciencePoster: C-5Mentor: Peg Boulay, Environmental Science

Oak Habitat Mapping and Monitoring in the Southern Eugene RidgelineThe prevention of fire regimes, in combination with increasing urbanization, has led to a drastic decline in woodland oak habitats over the past 150 years in the Pacific Northwest. Currently, less than 2% of pre-European settlement oak habitat remains in the Southern Willamette Valley. Oak habitats are home to a wide range of rare plants and animals. As a result, the City of Eugene made conserving oak habitats one of their top priorities. As members of the Ridgeline Oaks Team, we collected data within these native oak habitats to help the City of Eugene implement a future management plan and protocol. We compared the accuracy of previous habitat delineations to the data we collected in the field and found that the former habitat delineations were only 55% accurate. We collected baseline data as well as data on heritage trees, which are mature trees that are important for their ecological and historical value. We also modified the protocol to adapt to the conditions in the field and improve efficiency. Our implementation of the original protocol helped us to develop more efficient ways to collect the data. The ecological data will assist the City in determining priority restoration and management areas within the Ridgeline. In addition, the data we collected will serve as a baseline against which future changes can be compared.

Presenter: David Bauer, Kris Haenderson, Allison Wilbur, BiologyPoster: A-2Mentor: Chris Doe, Biology

Enhancer-GAL4 Database Yields Subsets of Gene ExpressionEnhancers and suppressors are major controls in the tempro-spatial expression of a gene. Prior work has shown that enhancers may be made up of small modules, each driving only a small subset of expression in an overall pattern that we associate with a gene. The Rubin lab at Janelia Farms Research Center created over 70,000 fragment sequences from more than 1,100 neural gene regions. These fragment enhancer sequences were used to generate site-specific transgenic GAL4 expressing Drosophila lines. These lines are currently being screened by several collaborating labs for their ability to function as transcriptional enhancers to drive limited subsets of UAS-GFP expression. Our lab’s role is to screen Drosophila embryos for neural expression patterns of the transgenic enhancer fragment lines. As a test analysis, we took a subset of 82 individual fragment enhancer lines derived from seven gene regions in embryonic nerve cords (VNC). These 82 lines produced 77% of fragments with expression in the VNC. Within that expressing set, 62% drove small patterns of less than ten cells per hemi-segment. This data complements the screening results collaborative labs are finding in Drosophila larval brains. Together, these results show that the theory of enhancers being a set of modules acting in concert to yield an overall pattern of gene expression seems quite likely. The end result should be a valuable tool that can be used for studies of gene control, patterning, and neuronal circuitry.

Presenter: Alexandra K. Hartman, Biology (Neurobiology)Poster: B-4Mentor: Michael Wehr, Institute of Neuroscience

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Optogenetic Silencing of Parvalbumin-expressing Interneurons in Mouse Auditory Cortex: Mechanisms of Gain Modulationology (Neurobiology)Mammalian sensory systems detect relevant stimuli with remarkable sensitivity. This holds true in both high-and low-contrast sensory environments—that is, both when the signal an organism is trying to isolate (say, a pure tone or a visual object) is the strongest signal detected, or is detected in the context of irrelevant signals of equal intensity. The firing rate (‘output’) of a typical auditory neuron increases with stimulus intensity (‘input’). The rate-intensity function is not fixed: gain adjustments—an increase or decrease in response magnitude, relative to baseline—depend on the context in which the stimulus is presented. Contextual gain modulation is thought to be regulated by synaptic input from inhibitory interneurons, but little is known about the connection patterns and cell types that enable it. We use optogenetic tools to address this. Archaerhodopsin is a proton pump activated by yellow-green light. When illuminated, these pumps generate dramatic outward currents that hyperpolarize —or ‘silence’—the neurons in which they are expressed. We will obtain in-vivo recordings from single units in the auditory cortex of anesthetized transgenic mice, in which Archaerhodopsin is expressed in conjunction with Parvalbumin, a protein specific to cortical GABAergic interneurons. The shift in the rate-intensity function of pyramidal cells—before and after Parvalbumin interneurons are dropped from the network—will reveal the physical target(s) of synaptic inhibition.

Presenter: Greg Hanak, BiologyPoster: B-3Mentor: Joe Thornton, Biology

Effect of Mutations Within the DNA Binding Domain on Ancestral Steroid Hormone Receptors’ Specificity to DNA Response Elements and Protein StabilityThe steroid hormone receptor (SR) family is a group of proteins that activate transcription via the binding of DNA response elements. We believe that the present day SRs found in animals, which include the estrogen, androgen, progestagen, mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor, all evolved from one ancestral receptor protein (ancSR1). The ancSR1, which had the ability to activate transcription via the binding of DNA estrogen response elements (EREs) in response to estrogens, gave rise to another ancestral receptor (ancSR2) that carried the ability to bind the DNA response elements associated with all the SRs except the EREs that were recognized by ancSR1. Examination of the ancSR1 and ancSR2 on a molecular level showed a number of differences in the amino acid sequence between the two receptors, some being within the P-box of the DNA binding domain (DBD). The question then becomes how are these P-box mutations contributing to the specificity of the ancSR2 protein. We predict that the derived P-box in ancSR2 is eliminating positive contact with EREs. To prove this, biophysical and biochemical experiments such as thermal melts, guanidine melts and DNA binding assays will be run on the DBDs of these two ancestral proteins and two different supposed intermediates of ancSR1 and ancSR2. The data gained from these experiments and the inferences made will help us better understand the series of events leading up to the formation of the current, distinct SRs and, more importantly, how and why they function as they do.

Presenter: Taylor Wilson, BiologyPoster: D-6Mentor: William Cresko, Biology

Genetic Basis of Evolution of Armor Phenotypes in Threespine SticklebackDifferences in physical traits among species arise first as variations within and among populations. Studying this intraspecific variation provides important new knowledge about the process that gives rise to biodiversity. To better understand this variation and its geneticand developmental basis I am studying a small fish, the threespine stickleback (Gasteroseus aculeatus). The threespine stickleback isundergoing rapid evolution in bodies of water recently formed by uplift and glacial melt, diverging into very different anadromousand freshwater life history forms. With each saltwater-to-freshwater evolutionary transition, there is a reduction in the stickleback'sbony armor plates and characteristic spines. In order to discover the genetic basis for the diversity of armor phenotypes, I am measuringvariation in the size and number of lateral and pelvic armor structures of 148 stickleback collected from the McKenzie River in Springfield, OR. The genetic variation in these same individuals has been measured using high-throughput sequencing techniques.We are correlating these genetic data with specific aspects of the armor variation, such as spine lengths and plate sizes. This is the firstsuch study in stickleback, and is providing us with key information on which genes are responsible for the rapid evolution in some ofthe phenotypes of the threespine stickleback. My results will have general importance beyond stickleback by providing new knowledgeabou the genetic and genome basis of evolution in the wild. Presenter: Kelsey Stilson, GeologyPoster: C-7Mentor: Samantha Hopkins, Geology

Deposition Bias in the Late Miocene McKay ReservoirFossils found in association have the potential to tell us about the ecology of a specific time and place in geologic history, suggest something about the changing prehistoric world, and give clues about the effects of present-day anthropogenic climate and habitat

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change. However, this is no simple process of counting up the number of bones found. A community is rarely, if ever, fossilized in the same proportions as it lived. This study suggests ways to measure the preservation bias in a system and extrapolate the composition of original fauna. My site is McKay Reservoir in north-central Oregon, where fossils were deposited by fluvial transport in the late Miocene (5.5 million years ago). Current approaches to depositional bias in such systems use the shape and evidence of postmortem damage to the bones in an assemblage to estimate the degree of sorting due to river flow. Voorhies diagrams, which use bone type (e.g. radius or metapodial) to determine the degree of sorting, indicate the McKay bones were transported at high velocity and were deposited relatively close to where they entered the water. Another method suggests that the bones were not exposed to air for long (little to no weathering) and rolled a medium distance along the stream bed (moderate abrasion). These results show that the bones came from nearby, perhaps as little as a mile from the site of desiccation to the site of final burial, and would therefore be relatively accurate indicators of ancient local species distribution.

Presenter: Catherine Ituarte, BiologyPoster: B-5Mentor: Bill Cresko, Biology

Differences in Acute Stress Response between Lab Adapted and Non-Lab Adapted Caenorhabditis remaneiOrganisms can adapt to the environments they inhabit in amazing ways, but sometimes adaptation to one environment can lead to a decrease in fitness in another environment. One example of this phenomenon is the potential difference in an organism’s ability to respond to stress depending on if the organism is kept in laboratory conditions or in its natural environment. I used the small nematode worm, Caenorhabditis remanei, to address the interplay between lab adaptation and stress response. I hypothesized that populations that have adapted to laboratory conditions would be less stress resistant than non-lab adapted populations. Six populations of C.remanei were maintained under standard laboratory conditions for four months while six populations did not have prolonged exposure to laboratory conditions. These populations were then assayed for their resistance to acute heat and oxidative stress. The populations that were in the lab for four months had a lower average percent survival after an acute stress event than the populations that were not, supporting my hypothesis. These results suggest that evolving under laboratory conditions compromises an organism’s ability to respond to environmental stress, highlighting the importance of considering adaptation to laboratory conditions when designing experiments. My experiments form the basis for studying the complex relationship between an organism and its environment in this model organism, opening the possibility of identifying the genetic basis of this laboratory adaptation.

Presenter: Alex Goodell, BiologyPoster: B-2Mentor: Janis Weeks, Biology

Scaling Up: Expanding Community Health Worker Programs for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in the Bururi Province, Burundi, East AfricaBurundi, a small and often-forgotten country in East Africa, lies directly south of Rwanda. Though poorly covered in the media, Burundi suffered a similar conflict as its northern border, with ethnic-driven violence plaguing the nation for 13 years. When the conflict officially ended in 2006, Burundi was ranked as the poorest country in the world. Its health statistics are equally low. According to the WHO, one in five children die before their fifth birthday, half of those driven by malaria. Only 200 doctors serve the population of 8 million and most of the poor have no access to healthcare. In some areas, days of walking are required to reach the closest physician. Additionally, hundreds of thousands became refugees or internally displaced persons during the conflict and have little access to resources. In this setting, the use of “Community Health Workers” (CHWs) is appropriate. Village Health Works, a small clinic in the rural Bururi province, has implemented a small CHW program similar to Partners in Health. Over a six-month period in 2009 and 2010, data was collected on 10000 patients regarding their medical status, location, and demographic information at VHW. Additionally, GPS data was collected on the location of the CHWs. This presentation looks at the history of CHW programs worldwide and analyzes the health metrics of the area surrounding VHW. It then makes a series of suggestions on how VHW could better serve its patients with CHWs, specifically focusing on refugees and internally displaced persons.

Presenter: Shannon Ladner, Gina Realmuto, Ayla-Mae Vedder, ArchitecturePoster: B-6Mentor: Alison Kwok, Architecture

Lack of Ventilation - Intoxication: Studying Carbon Dioxide Levels in a Student’s ApartmentAs building technology increases, buildings are being sealed tighter to reduce heating and cooling costs. With this increase in energy efficiency comes a decrease in quality. Air quality, specifically, has become a major concern as people spend more time indoors. In a student’s small apartment near the University of Oregon, ventilation has become a pressing problem. Our team set out to test the build-up of the highly known chemical compound carbon dioxide in a four-hundred square foot apartment. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers has set the ventilation standard at a maximum of one-thousand parts per million of carbon dioxide. After testing the apartment with carbon dioxide meters, we found the average amount of carbon dioxide to be one thousand six-hundred and fifty parts per million. Determined to find a solution to this ventilation problem, we decided to test

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the effectiveness of a common remedy: opening a window. Our hypothesis was that an open window would bring in enough fresh air to reduce the apartment’s carbon dioxide level to one thousand parts per million within four hours. The results were a success and in fact only took an average of forty-five minutes. However, it being winter, this method of ventilation sacrificed the residents’ thermal comfort. This research jump-started our interest in finding more convenient and passive ways to ventilate spaces as an alternative to mechanical ventilation systems.

Presenter: Anna Crist, BiologyPoster: A-4Mentor: Patrick Phillips, Biology

Effects of a Natural Environment on Caenorhabditis elegansThe nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model organism in the field of biology and yet little is known about how it lives in its natural environment. In order to study C. elegans in a more naturalistic setting, we created artificial soil microcosms. Populations of C. elegans were estimated over time by taking small periodic samples. We were able to maintain large, stable populations for over one month, or twelve generations. This methodology could be a useful tool in many areas of C. elegans biology. We are investigating the effects that this naturalistic environment has on a known aging mutant, daf-2. The effect of this mutation, although well characterized in a laboratory setting to have an extension in lifespan, is unknown in a natural environment. Artificial soil microcosms will aid future C. elegans studies in determining the effects of a natural setting on lab-characterized traits.

Presenter: Matthew Garish, BiologyPoster: B-1Mentor: Kyrn Stankunas, Institute of Molecular Biology

Chromatin Regulation During Fin Regeneration in ZebrafishVertebrate organisms such as the Zebrafish have developed molecular processes to regenerate their fins after amputation by epigenetic cell reprogramming. An insight into the molecular processes could prove clinically useful in addressing such problems as tissue repair. The transcript of KDM6B.1, a histone demethylase (me3K27H3), has already been established in caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish via in situ hybridization. I hypothesize that KDM6B.1 plays a crucial role in zebrafish fin regeneration. I propose to spatially and temporally establish expression patterns of KDM6B.1 during fin regeneration. To address this question, I have purified a KDM6B.1 antigen and antibodies against the antigen. I performed techniques to surgically remove a portion of the Zebrafish’s fin. I have characterized the antibody using such in vitro methods as affinity purification and immunocytochemistry (ICC) analysis. After characterizing the antibody, I performed studies on the zebrafish such as immunohistological analysis during fin regeneration. The results concluded higher expression of KDM6B.1 specifically in regenerating tissue. I believe that understanding the results of a histone demethylase during fin regeneration has given insight to the ability of a cell to reprogram itself in response to injury which will give insight to tissue repair.

Creative PresentationsPresenter: Shannon Knight, DanceCreative Presentation: 1:15-2:15pm Century D Mentor: Brad Garner, Dance

Jazz Project-A Dance FilmJazz Project-A Dance Film, is an exploration in choreography for the camera, and layering of urban footage and still photography set to music that includes works by George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. The overall appearance of the short film is reminiscent of early cinematography. It is in black and white, and includes period costumes, and creative use of lighting. Over thirty hours of footage have been collected from studio rehearsals, live stage performances and site-specific improvisations. The research and editing process for this film began one year ago, and has ultimately helped to manifest a product that is nostalgic, unique and takes the viewer on a journey through urban scenery of Eugene, Portland, OR and Pittsburgh, PA. Most of the performers featured in this film are University of Oregon Dance students or Alumni. This film has earned remarks for being so original, and exhibiting a very well developed abstract of Classical Jazz Movement. The music, imagery and overall aesthetic of the film suggests close attention to a time in early twentieth century industrial America, and reflects one artist’s interpretation of a form perhaps now lost, but not forgotten.

Presenter: Alison Brown, SpanishPoster: A-3

Campus SculturesThe lost wax method of casting a bronze sculpture is centuries old, yet pieces from ancient times still survive to tell the stories of our

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ancestors. This is the spirit of a bronze: an emotion and a message, immortalized. As a bronze artist, I believe it is my purpose to celebrate the tales we tell as humans through sculpture. To tell my own story, I have gathered my experiences of joy and intrigue from the University of Oregon and have commemorated them in a statue of the Oregon Duck Mascot. As an entrepreneurial sculptor, my goal is to share my creativity with other alumni who want their experiences remembered in bronze.

PM Session PanelsName LocationTime

Strategies for Support & Recovery

Century A1:15pm - 2:15pm

Presenter: Julie Reid, Planning, Public Policy and ManagementPanel: Strategies for Support & Recovery Mentor: Jessica Greene, Planning, Public Policy and Management

Access to Critical Oncological Support Systems For Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer PatientsA woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer is required to have a team of doctors who work together to carry out the various phases of treatment. It is important to new patients that they trust their doctor, yet women rarely are given the choice about who that doctor will be. Women lack knowledge about local support groups and patient advocates, are confused about who may attend support groups, and unclear about where to go to find answers to basic questions. This is a qualitative study of thirteen breast cancer patients diagnosed within the last seven years in Eugene, Oregon. The study examines the knowledge and accessibility of critical support systems, such as a good doctor-patient relationship, a support group, and a patient advocate. Results suggest that doctor trust and support is more likely to develop when the patient receives a referral from a familiar source. Results also suggest that support groups are important sources of information and comfort for patients that medical professionals could utilize. The role of a patient advocate needs to be further defined and expanded to provide resources for patients seeking ways to fill the gaps of a fragmented medical system in Eugene, Oregon.

Presenter: Eric Pisciotta, Human PhysiologyPanel: Strategies for Support & Recovery Mentor: Chou Li-Shan, Human Physiology

Center of Pressure Trajectory Differences Between Shod and Barefoot RunningThe trajectory of the center of pressure (COP) has been shown to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing foot function. The purposes of this study were to quantify changes in the position of COP relative to the foot during stance, examine changes in the AP and ML excursions of the COP, and to quantify changes in the variability of the COP trajectory between shod and barefoot (BF) running conditions. Utilizing a force plate and an 8-camera motion capture system, the average AP and ML position of the COP trajectory was calculated relative to the heel marker at each instant, for each foot, in a group of ten habitually shod recreational runners. (Mean age 32.4 ± 4) The variability was also calculated and plotted in increments of 10% stance. The COP was located significantly more medially at all time points in the BF condition compared to shod running. The trajectory of the COP during the BF condition was marked by a more medial location under the foot throughout stance, a more anterior position at initial contact, and reduced AP excursion. No significant differences were found in the variability of the COP trajectory or ML excursions. This suggests, apart from the initial contact position, the dynamics of foot roll over are similar between shod and BF conditions. The few COP differences that were observed in this study are similar to COP characteristics that have previously been shown to be related to injury. Therefore future studies should examine how or if these changes may be related to injury risk during BF running.

Presenter: Elizabeth Foster, Dance, Human PhysiologyPanel: Strategies for Support & Recovery Mentor: Steven Chatfield, Dance

Rehabilitation of Injured Dancers with a Transition Dance ClassHuge demands are placed on the bodies of dancers who often push through pain and injury to continue pursuing their art. Most dancers have to retire by the age of 30 due to injuries and premature physical deterioration. Standard rehabilitation practices are

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not specific to the needs of injured dancers. This research incorporates physical therapy into a dance class as a transition dance class for injured dancers, allowing the dancers to be able to apply everything they learn in the class directly to dance. It not only retrains dancers in their technique and alignment but it also allows them to continue being artists in a time when they might not be able to otherwise. The class curriculum is designed from the physiological goals of the exercises that an athletic trainer would recommend to the participants. The participants are UofO dancers with persistent low back pain that requires them to modify their dance activity. Upon entering the study they took a survey asking them subjective questions concerning their injuries and when they leave the study they will be asked to complete a post-survey concerning their injuries and their views on the effectiveness of the study. There is a strong focus on refining alignment and dance technique. This research is currently in progress; preliminary results will be ready by May 12th. Human Subjects approval has been acquired and the first cohort is currently being worked with.

Art & Popular Culture Alsea Room1:15pm - 2:15pm

Presenter: Marissa Ochsner, MusicPanel: Art & Popular Culture Mentor: Loren Kajikawa, Music

All the Things It Was: Milton Babbitt and American Popular CultureThe recent death of the composer Milton Babbitt has inspired a number of articles recounting his life and works. These accounts typically present Babbitt as the pinnacle of academic modernism, praising his accomplishments in the realm of theory and “serious” music composition and emphasizing that his music is difficult and complex. Many of these accounts also include, usually as a matter of trivia, the paradoxical fact that Babbitt was an avid jazz fan who grew up listening to and performing popular music. In this paper, I use the writings of Milton Babbitt, Roger Sessions, Joseph Horowitz, Dwight Macdonald, and other contemporary intellectuals to argue that Babbitt’s love of pop tunes is not incongruous with his interest in “serious” music. Babbitt’s advocacy of “serious” music composition is related to several cultural innovations of the early twentieth century, including the rise of the phonograph and radio, which accelerated the shift from song-based music composition in the style of Tin Pan Alley to artist-based music marketing of “stars” like Arturo Toscanini, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley. Babbitt’s love of pop tunes from the 20s and 30s and advocacy for “serious” music composition in the 1950s and beyond wasn’t just a funny quirk — it was a reflection of what Babbitt wanted for American music culture: a more active and engaged public with an appreciation for the act of music composition.

Presenter: Hei Ting Wong, MathematicsPanel: Art & Popular Culture Mentor: Mark Levy, Music

Recent Developments in Canto-pop with YouTube – A Case Study of G.E.M. TangCantonese is a dialect of the Southeast region of China. Cantonese popular music (Canto-pop) is music with Cantonese lyrics, but most Canto-pop songs are produced in Hong Kong. Although Hong Kong is only a dot on the world map, Canto-pop can be found all over the world because of the migrated population and students who study overseas. With the development of the Internet, new media serves as an important channel in spreading recent as well as older Canto-pop songs all over the world. / G.E.M. Tang is the most successful new singer of Canto-pop in recent years. There are several reasons for her success, including promotion strategies which are different from those used by singers in previous generations. Her YouTube channel is her primary promotion medium. The content of her videos and the interactivity between her and her subscribers are attractive especially to the young generation – the main group of users of the Internet and the predominant audience for popular music. This project aims to investigate recent developments in Canto-pop. Canto-pop has been declining since the millennium due to the semi-withdrawal of the “four heavenly kings,” the four greatest male singers of the 1990’s, and problems of pirating. It is believed that the success of G.E.M. is based on a clearer understanding of the preferences of the current Canto-pop audience. This shows the industry a better way in promotion and music production, which hopefully to draw audience’s attention back to Canto-pop music.

Presenter: Alyssa Gentry, DancePanel: Art & Popular Culture Mentor: Steven Chatfield, Dance

American Sign Language As a Choreographic Inspiration and Directive for DanceAmerican Sign Language for ‘journey’ has the dominant hand with the index and middle fingers slightly bent, moving forward from the signer in an ‘s’ shaped pathway. I have created a dance work exploring this concept of ‘journey’ that finds inspiration in the singular source of American Sign Language. ASL and Dance are intricately connected through their use of abstract movement as a means of communication and the strong influence of emotions on movement quality. This piece has been derived from ASL

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for the formations of the dancers, their pathways in space, their individual and group movement, and their emotional output. To interpret and abstract sign movements to the full body and then to a larger group of dancers was challenging. Using improvisation, I explored the movement of signs like ‘journey,’ a wandering side to side pattern, that could be interpreted in an ‘s’ shaped pathway, a formation of dancers, or a movement contained within the body, like the ribs swaying from side to side. After finding movement, I built a piece where each dancer has a different pathway, coming together at certain moments and then parting, like the comings and goings in life. ASL mimics life, just as art mimics life, and this piece was given focus, opportunity, and a realism through its incorporation, which allows viewers to connect with the piece. Like the sum that is greater than its parts, this piece is more meaningful and cohesive through the incorporation of ASL.

Presenter: Laura Barton, Art HistoryPanel: Art & Popular Culture Mentor: Kate Mondloch, Art History

Interdependent Parts of the Whole: Edward Weston’s 1925 Studio Nudes Art HistoryPhotographer Edward Weston has long been hailed as one of the heroes of modern photography and has been praised for his stunning approach to landscapes, nudes, and still-lifes. This paper examines his treatment of the nude female form and examines the relationship that his photographs establish between the human body and the natural world. Through a series of in-depth visual and formal analyses of his early nudes and still-lifes, this paper shows that Weston un-animated the human body, while animating the vegetables, shells, and landscapes that he photographed. Thus, he created not a vertical hierarchy where humans are placed above the natural world, but instead created a horizontal plane where all natural forms are equalized. This approach differs from most of the pre-existing scholarship on Weston, which has long interpreted his work using either the biographical method or feminist theory, both of which serve primarily to either maintain or reject Weston’s heroic status; this paper attempts instead to explain how the photographs themselves serve to create meaning.

PM Session PostersPresenter: Patricia Macqueen, Geological SciencesPoster: B-8Mentor: Katherine V. Cashman, Geological Sciences

Using Forward Modeling to Optimize the Geometry of Geophysical Networks at the Summit of Kilauea Volcano: A Matter of Great GravityMinute changes in the gravitational field of a volcano can give early warning of subsurface magma accumulation or withdrawal long before other more traditional precursors (e.g., seismic and deformation) and provide a valuable data set that is complementary to other data sets. Scientists have been monitoring gravity changes at the summit of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii for decades, and these data sets have yielded valuable insight into volcanic activity at Kilauea. However, we currently have a poor understanding of the bias imposed by network geometry. My work focuses on using forward models of three known magma storage areas beneath Kilauea’s summit to test the resolving power of the current network. This forward modeling indicates that the current network can distinguish changes from sources near Halema`uma`u Crater and Keanakakoi Crater very well, but that additional station coverage is needed to decrease bias from network geometry in the south caldera region — known to be the primary magma storage reservoir beneath the summit. To this end I have suggested 5 new station sites in the south caldera area and evaluated the improvement that these stations would bring to the network. Forward modeling has also clarified the ability of the network to resolve sources with different mass changes and depths, and given insight on which stations are most useful for monitoring known sources of subsurface magma storage.

Presenter: Tracy Zapf, SpanishPoster: D-7Mentor: Karen McLaughlin, Communicatgion Disorders and Sciences

Acquisition of Second Language Vocabulary for Kindergartners with Speech Sound DisordersResearchers and educators alike have raised concerns over the potential lack of inclusion of children with speech and language disorders in immersion programs. The purpose of this study was to determine if children with speech sound disorders acquired Spanish vocabulary at a similar rate as a typical peer when learning in an immersion program, and if there was a difference between rates of acquisition for expressive versus receptive vocabulary. Participants included five kindergartners attending a partial, early elementary immersion school, one control participant and four participants with speech sound disorders. Expressive and receptive vocabulary probes were used to test the number of Spanish vocabulary words children could produce and comprehend within an eight-week period. Results showed that children with speech sound disorders acquired expressive Spanish vocabulary at a similar rate as their typical peer, but had lower levels of acquisition overall; rates of receptive vocabulary acquisition varied across participants.

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The results of this pilot study suggest that children with speech sound disorders are able to acquire Spanish vocabulary and, as a result, should continue to be included in immersion programs in the future.

Presenter: Kelsey Wahl, ChemistryPoster: D-2Mentor: Hui Zong, Institute of Molecular Biology

Investigating Early Effects Following Glia Cell Ablation in MedulloblastomaMedulloblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumor in children. During cerebellar development, granule neuron precursor cells (GNPs) proliferate along the external germinal layer in response to the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway. In our lab, medulloblastoma is modeled in mice by inducing heterozygous mutations in both the sonic hedgehog signaling receptor patched (Ptc) and the tumor suppressor gene p53. These mutations lead to a brain tumor in the cerebellum through over-proliferation of GNPs. From previous research, it is shown that unipotent GNPs in a tumor can somehow give rise to glia cells. In order to determine the role of glia cells within the tumor, they were selectively ablated through thymidine kinase (TK)-mediated cell ablation with administration of Ganciclovir (GCV). Amazingly, the proper dosing regime of GCV leads to complete tumor regression. To further understand the ablation process, we studied early time points during GCV injections to observe cellular processes within the tumor.

Presenter: Kelly Mabry, ArchitecturePoster: C-3Mentor: James Tice, Architecture

Nolli, Lanciani, and the Spatial History of RomeGiambattista Nolli’s 1748 Baroque Map of Rome remains one of the most engaging and accurate maps of the city ever created. Rodolfo Lanciani’s 1902 archeological map of Rome, based on Nolli, depicts the city as a series of layers extending from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. By carefully comparing these two cartographic sources, one can create a clearer understanding of Rome’s spatial history and how, among other things, Rome’s famous seven hills have influenced the city’s growth over the centuries. By using the geo-database software, ArcGIS, both the Nolli and Lanciani maps can be further geo-rectified with recent satellite imagery and data to achieve an even richer, layered, spatial understanding of the city. This enhanced layered approach opens new possibilities toward the understanding of Rome’s spatial history and its evolution over two millennia.

Presenter: Angela Stelson, Political SciencePoster: C-6Mentor: Daniel Ho Sang, Political Science

Affirmative Action and White Males: A Study of the Impacts of FramingBallot measure campaigns have served as a discursive battleground for various arguments (or “frames”) of affirmative action. Using this historical backdrop, this study tests three models designed to predict the success of frames using demographic attributes: liberal vs. conservative, group dominance, and parent morality. The study used a survey of 104 Caucasian males to analyze the relationship between demographic factors, political ideology and morality models for frames found in the campaigns for affirmative action ballot measures. The survey was based around a fictitious ballot measure which the respondent could vote on, and then change their vote based on exposure to frames. The findings ascertained that no one model could completely explain the effect of the frames. However, different model predictions correlated positively with different types of frames; the parent morality model best described frames which addressed the same socioeconomic group (“in-group”), and the liberal-conservative model best fit frames which were oriented toward other demographics (“out-group”). These results help to contribute to the body of framing knowledge by providing a comparative test of these models and indicating their flaws, while providing an alternative model which combines the strengths of each model.

Presenter: Brianna McHorse, BiologyPoster: C-1Mentor: Samantha Hopkins, Geology

Biostratigraphy of Miocene Camelids in the Juntura FormationPaleoecological research relies largely on the accuracy with which fossil specimens can be identified. Species-level identifications provide the most precise data for measuring diversity and communities through changing environments, space, and time. While cranial (skull) fossils allow a researcher to quickly identify specimens to the species level because of the density of characters (teeth, foramina, sutures, etc.), postcranial elements tend to be less diagnostic. However, postcranial material is favorably preserved in the fossil record. Previous studies have shown that the dimensions of camelid metapodials (cannon bones) tend to cluster in a species-specific way, as well as provide some indication of the presence or absence of a pacing gait. This study carries out measurements on Miocene camel metapodials from the Black Butte site in the Juntura Formation to identify each specimen more precisely, suggest

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the presence or absence of pacing, and examine whether sexual dimorphism was likely. A more precise understanding of the Juntura camel paleoecology will help to place them in ecological context relative to the other animals with which they lived. Preliminary results suggest that the two different camels present in this fauna had similar but distinct patterns of locomotion.

Presenter: Braden Larson, Biology, Russian and Eastern European Studies (REES)Poster: B-7Mentor: Charles Kimmel, Institute of Neuroscience

Genetic Interaction in the Developing Danio Rerio JawGenes act in concert during animal development to form complex anatomical structures. For example, the jaw skeleton requires precise expression and interaction of a multitude of genes to develop correctly. Our research focuses on the gene endothelin-1 (edn1), which encodes a signaling molecule required for ventral jaw development in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Because elements of the jaw remain in the edn1 mutant, we hypothesized that other genes function within the edn1 genetic pathway. To test this, we generated double mutant zebrafish, pairing the edn1 mutant allele with mutant alleles of candidate genes based on previous literature. We then analyzed the double mutant skeletons for evidence of genetic interaction, and discovered an enhanced phenotype in one of the double mutants. Specifically, mutants for edn1 and fibroblast growth factor-8a (fgf8a), a gene that encodes another signaling molecule, are missing a portion of their upper jaw, a phenotype not present in either single mutant. To investigate the cell biology behind this phenotype we imaged the cells that constitute the jaw precursor tissue in live transgenic zebrafish. Strikingly, the cells that give rise to this structure appear missing in double mutant fish. Furthermore, we used Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization to observe gene expression of edn1, fgf8a, and potential shared target genes in wild type and mutant embryos. We conclude that cross talk between edn1 and fgf8a signaling is required for development of the jaw skeleton.

Presenter: Dylan Udy, BiologyPoster: D-1Mentor: Alice Barkan, Institute of Molecular Biology

Determining the degree to which chloroplast genome copy number limits the expression of chloroplast genesThe relationship that exists between chloroplasts and the plant cells they occupy is very complex. Chloroplasts evolved from a cyanobacterial endosymbiont, and throughout evolution many of the ancestral bacterial genes have been transferred to the plant nuclear genome. The proteins from many such nuclear genes are sent back to the chloroplast where they perform a variety of functions. We identified a non-photosynthetic maize mutant that accumulates reduced levels of several chloroplast mRNAs. We showed that the causal mutation is a transposon insertion in a nuclear gene encoding a protein that is closely-related to bacterial DNA polymerase I. Angiosperm genomes include two closely related paralogs encoding this protein. These have been studied in Arabidopsis (a dicot plant), where they are dual-targeted to both the mitochondria and chloroplast and have redundant functions. I have shown that our maize mutant has a 10-fold reduction in chloroplast DNA but normal levels of mitochondrial DNA, suggesting that the two paralogs have become specialized for either chloroplast or mitochondrial DNA replication in maize (a monocot plant). I am using the maize mutant to investigate the degree to which the abundance of chloroplast DNA limits chloroplast gene expression. I have found that the abundance of some chloroplast mRNAs decreases in parallel with the abundance of chloroplast DNA, whereas the abundance of other mRNAs does not. These results show that different factors limit the expression of different genes in the chloroplast.

Presenter: A.J. Risenmay, BiologyPoster: C-4Mentor: Jim Remington, Physics, Institute of Molecular Biology

Investigating an Unusually Bright Variant of the Red Fluorescent Protein mKeima.mKeima is a monomeric red fluorescent protein (λem¬¬max ~620 nm) that is maximally excited in the blue (λex¬¬max ~440 nm). This extraordinarily large stokes shift can be significantly reduced following chromophore deprotonation under acidic conditions. By designing mutants to exploit the varying excitation species of mKeima, our lab was able to develop a redox-sensitive red fluorescent protein to be used as a quantitative reporter of the thiol/disulfide status in reducing subcellular compartments. This ratiometric variant was identified as mKeima M159K_TDCC and was found to be unusually fluorescent under green light (580 nm). Further examination revealed that mKeima M159K_TDCC is colorless when expressed in the dark, but irreversibly becomes pink when exposed to blue light. Here we combine x-ray crystallography and fluorescence/absorption spectroscopic techniques to investigate the fascinating chemistry behind this mKeima mutant.

Presenter:Wade Sugden, Nathan Johnson, BiologyPoster: C-8Mentor: Mark Sasaki, Institute of Neuroscience

The Use of Gateway® Cloning and Modified BAC Trangenesis to Study Zebrafish Craniofacial Development18

Transgenesis techniques have revolutionized the study of cellular, developmental, and molecular biology by allowing researchers to visualize the proteins they study and manipulate the expression of genes in vivo. Through the use of genetic regulatory elements, transgenes can be tailored to over-express genes of interest, label tissue-specific cell types, and express genes in atypical locations. When expressed in skeletal elements of the zebrafish (Danio rerio), transgenes can be used to explore cell behavior and the genetic pathways involved in craniofacial morphogenesis. Two methods in particular have streamlined the process of creating transgenic animals: Gateway®-mediated and BAC-mediated transgenesis. Here we discuss the use of both techniques to create zebrafish that express transgenes in craniofacial elements using the runx2b, sp7, col11a2, and sox10 promoters. These promoters were chosen because runx2b and sp7 mark bone at different time points during development, while col11a2 and sox10 serve as cartilage markers. In the future, these fish will be vital tools for conducting cell tracking experiments, distinguishing cell types, and expressing genes of interest in craniofacial structures to determine their function.

Presenter: Christina Wilson, GeologyPoster: D-5Mentor: Samantha Hopkins, Geology

Climate Change and Preservation Bias in the Pliocene Ringold FormationBefore oscillations of glacial and interglacial cycles began, the climate within the Pliocene epoch, (5.3 - 2.6 Ma) was relatively temperate --similar to more conservative projections for the next 100 years of our current climate. Therefore, this time period provides an excellent basis for predicting how present fauna may respond to climate change. This study compares sites with different geologic ages but similar locations to examine faunal changes over time. This will show how different factors, including climate, impact the ecosystem. I researched the Ringold Formation, located in South-Central Washington, which is early Blancan in age (4.75-1.80 Ma) and within the Pliocene epoch. I picked fossils from screened sediment, identified different types of fossil, and classified those most amenable to identification. One of the main components of the collection is Mimomys teeth. Classification of 419 teeth shows that the morals are not in the same proportions as in living Mimomys, suggesting preservation bias and highlighting the importance of sampling all members of an ecosystem. Rabbit and squirrel teeth were also classified. These were fewer in number, so conclusions could not be drawn as clearly. Further identification and cataloguing of species will enable a fuller picture of the environment preserved and continue to shed light on the changing fauna through time.

Presenter: Katharine Dwyer, Ian Austin, Aidan Tart, ArchitecturePoster: A-7Mentor: Allison Kwok, Architecture

Glazing PeanutsIn our consumer society the ultimate and most lasting product is, without a doubt, the landfill. We produce massive amounts of materials and products that have a functional lifespan of a month or a year and then discard them as waste to decompose for hundreds or thousands of years. Our goal is to discover which materials can be reused so that such destructive cycles can be slowed or even reversed. Responding also to the inefficiency of buildings, we have honed in on Styrofoam. We believe that this material, which is otherwise thrown away, can be used to add insulative value to double pane windows. During the night, hot days, or whenever views are not desired, Styrofoam peanuts would drop from within storage units in the walls to fill the gap between the panes of glass to add extra insulation. We tested our theory by building a custom hotbox that contained a 3” double paned window section in the center. With the help of HOBO data loggers, we then tested for the insulative value of our window with and without Styrofoam peanut filler. Our tests resulted in an insulative value of the Styrofoam peanuts to be about R-8, a significant improvement over the glass panes alone. Glazing makes up a significant percentage of a building envelope, and is a main source of heat loss for a building. By implementing simple insulative technologies such as this, great amounts of energy can be saved with virtually no effort or sacrifice.

Presenter: Margo Werner, BiologyPoster: D-3Mentor: Ingo Braasch, John Postlethwait Biology

Genomic News From an Old Fish: Understanding Gene Regulation by Sequencing the Genome of a Living Fossil, the Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus)Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) are important regions of the genome that modulate the expression of nearby genes. However, their role in the evolution of genes is not yet well understood. To examine the function and evolution of CREs in fish, we study the spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus). The gar is a ‘living fossil’ that diverged from teleost fishes just before a teleost-specific whole genome duplication. Comparing the genome sequence of gar to teleosts allows us to investigate the appearance of CREs in relation to this genome duplication. We screen a genomic library of the gar in order to find regions of the genome containing developmentally relevant genes and their CREs. These genomic regions are then sequenced using next generation sequencing techniques. The results will potentially help us to understand the evolution of gene regulation in fish.accurate indicators of ancient local species distribution.

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Presenter: Christina Wickman, Marine BiologyPoster: D-4Mentor: Chuck Kimmel, Institute of Neuroscience

What is the genetic basis of evolution? Looking at the shape of the opercle bone in Alaskan stickleback fishWhat is the genetic basis of evolution? For this study, we used the three spine stickleback fish, which is a model for evolution as both the ancestral and derived populations can be gathered, and crossed to form viable offspring. Our study concentrated on the facial bone known as the opercle and we hypothesized that the shape of the opercle was controlled by Mendelian genetics in a co-dominance relationship. To test this hypothesis a model was created and both the parent and F1 populations were land marked choosing 12 points along the bones edge and the variation between the points were graphed using Principle Component Analysis. From the land marking of the F1 progeny it appeared that the alleles were expressing a dominance relationship and based on our findings we revised our hypothesis proposing this. To test this hypothesis the F2 progeny were landmarked, but did not show a dominance relationship, so we again revised our hypothesis proposing that quantitative genetics are at work: where multiple genes are acting to form different regions of the opercle bone. From this we concluded that the opercle shape is specified by multiple genes acting on different areas of the bone and we can infer that the changing of these genes provides the basis for evolution of the opercle, which provides for more skeletal variation, which can be advantageous evolutionarily.

Presenter: Andrew Mckay, BiologyPoster: C-2Mentor: Kryn Stankunas, Institute of Molecula Biology

Determining roles of Wnt signaling in mammalian heart valve developmentHeart defects occur in 2% of live births, and of these, valve defects are the most common. By studying normal heart valve development we hope to find the genetic causes of these defects. Our primary question is: what signals direct the remodeling of embryonic heart valves into thin, elongated leaflets? We hypothesize that local Wnt signals direct heart valve remodeling by regulating cell proliferation and morphogenesis through activation of the NFATc1 transcription factor. To accomplish this, we use transgenic mice that allow us to block Wnt signaling during narrow time windows of embryogenesis. We inject transgenic mice with doxycycline, a molecule that causes the transgenes to temporarily express the Wnt antagonist Dkk-1 and inhibit Wnt signaling in particular cell types. I helped determined which of three transgenic lines best inhibits Wnt signaling and produces the most consistent and robust phenotype for valve defects. This line will be used for future experiments in which we will stain the sections for various cell type markers, indicators of proliferation, and localization of the transcription factor NFATc1. We will then use these results to determine if Wnt signaling affects cell proliferation and NFATc1 localization in targeted cell types in the developing valve.

Presenter: Emily Ebel, BiologyPoster: A-8Mentor: Patrick Phillips, Biology

Quantitative Mapping of Male Traits Affecting Female Longevity and Fecundity in C. RemaneiDiffering reproductive interests between the sexes can manifest in surprising ways, including a conflict, or tradeoff, between female reproductive effort and longevity. In some species, including the soil-dwelling nematode Caenorhabditis remanei, the act of mating has been demonstrated to reduce female lifespan by up to 50%. Interestingly, males from different genetic backgrounds affect female longevity—and fecundity— to varying degrees. To understand the genetic basis of these differences, and why they may have evolved, I am cataloguing the effects of males from 30 unique C. remanei strains on female lifespan and reproductive output. When this phenotypic data is combined with Restriction site Associated DNA (RAD) marker data from each line, I will be able to generate a Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) map to approximate a genomic region that may be responsible for the male effects. Gaining this insight into the “battle of the sexes” in C. remanei will elucidate how sexual conflict, as an evolutionary force, can shape the morphology and behavior of many animals.

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Austin, IanBaldner, JosieBarak, JaredBarton, LauraBauer, DavidBishop, KorrinBrown, AlisonCrist, AnnaDavidson, KimberlyDelapaz, AndrewDickey, LaurenDwyer, KatharineEbel, EmilyFernandez, JesusFoster, ElizabethFus, AlexandraGarish, MatthewGentry, AlyssaGoodell, AlexGoss, LaurenGubbins, LucyHaenderson, KrisHanak, GregHartman, Alexandra K.Ituarte, CatherineJohnson, NathanKasina, AnitaKhanna, VisheshKnight, ShannonLadner, ShannonLarson, BradenListon, MatthewMacQueen, PatriciaMcHorse, BriannaMcKay, AndrewMabry, KellyMorrison, ArielOchsner, MarissaPisciotta, EricRealmuto, GinaReid, JulieRisenmay, A.J.Russell, AlexandriaSilva, MatthewSnyder, NicoleStelson, Angela

Name

A-6A-1A-1Alsea Rm, 1:15pm-2:15pmA-2D-8A-3A-4A-5A-6Century E, 11am-12pmA-7A-8A-9Century A, 1:15pm-2:15pmCentury D, 11am-12pmB-1Alsea Rm, 1:15pm-2:15pmB-2Century D, 11am-12pmCentury E, 11am-12pmA-2B-3B-4B-5C-8Century A, 11am-12pmCentury A, 11am-12pmCentury D, 1:15pm-2:15pmB-6B-7C-5B-8C-1C-2C-3Century A, 11am-12pmAlsea Rm, 1:15pm-2:15pmCentury A, 1:15pm-2:15pmB-6Century A, 1:15pm-2:15pmC-4C-5C-5Century D, 11am-12pmC-6

Poster / Panel Location Abstract Page #

17771488111176617187125111310568981016441110168141518154131210121688515

Index

19

Stilson, KelseySugden, WadeTart, AidanUdy, DylanVedder, Ayla-MaeWahl, KelseyWerner, MargoWickman, ChristinaWilbur, AllisonWilson, ChristinaWilson, TaylorWong, Hei TingZapf, Tracy

C-7C-8A-7D-1B-6D-2D-3D-4A-2D-5D-6Alsea Rm, 1:15pm-2:15pmD-7

91617161015171881791314

Name Poster / Panel Location Abstract Page #

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A thesis or project developed over more than a single term. Entries in this category must have been completed by fall 2011. You must obtain a support letter from your course instructor.

Winners will be selected from two categories of competition:Papers or projects completed during a single course at the 300 level or above. These entries must have been completed during a course offered in winter, spring, summer, or fall term, 2011. Team entries are welcomed. You must obtain a support letter from your course instructor.

Submissions due February 2012

Win up to $1,500

For complete information, ask a librarian, e-mail libaward@uoregon.edu,or visit library.uoregon.edu/libaward.html

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Oregon UndergraduateResearch Journal

Student Editorial Board PositionsNow accepting applications

The Oregon Undergraduate Research (OUR) Journal is a new student-run, peer-reviewedpublication showcasing the scholarly work of UO rising seniors in all academic disciplines

including the sciences, humanities, and creative arts. Applications are now being accepted to serveon OUR Journal’s editorial board from Fall 2011 to Spring 2012.

The selection committee will choose students who represent the College of Arts and Sciences, theCollege of Education, Lundquist College of Business, the School of Music and Dance, the School ofJournalism & Communication, the School of Architecture and Allied Arts, and the Robert D. Clark

Honors College. Undergraduate students from every �eld are encouraged to apply.

Applications can be found at http://journals.oregondigital.org/OURJ/ Email applications as a .pdf attachment to Lucy Gubbins at Lgubbins@uoregon.edu

Please email applications by 5pm, Friday, May 20th, 2011

Questions?

Contact Lucy Gubbins at Lgubbins@uoregon.edu

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