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McNair Scholars
Woody Hall 347
Mail Code: 4719
900 S. Normal Ave.
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-4582 | F: 618-453-4596
rseymour@siu.edu
Main Content
We are quite proud of our current McNair Scholars. Meet these leaders of tomorrow:
Natalie Becker
Major: Zoology
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest: Terrestrial gastropos (land snails) in Southern Illinois
Dorcas Brou
Major: Cinema
College: College of Arts and Media
Mentor: Rob Spahr
SRI 2022 Research Title & Abstract: Searching for Freedom: An Investigation of Form in Japanese Storytelling and Animation
This project investigated characteristics of storytelling within Japanese animation known as anime. Using textual analysis and historical research methods, I explored aspects of theme, character development and story structure of the anime Attack on Titan, by Hajime Isayama. I identified three storytelling themes: 1) Cruelty, Oppression of man and world; 2) Searching and Fighting for freedom against the cruel world; 3) Hope, doubt, and defeat. These themes informed my creative activity where I completed a film scenario, a short excerpt of the script, as well as a director’s look book to communicate the visual aesthetic of the final film production. This project resulted in a better understanding of Japanese storytelling within anime and strengthened my own creative practice.
Alexander Cottrell
Major: Zoology
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest: Endangered animal species rehabilitation project
Myla Croft
Major: Political Science
College: College of Liberal Arts
Mentor: Stephen Bloom
SRI 2022 Research Title & Abstract: Politics Prevails: A Comparative Analysis
of Trump and Biden’s Executive Actions on Mexican Asylum Seekers
The United States-Mexico border crisis has divided Americans along partisan lines. During former President Donald Trump’s administration, he implemented policies that discouraged Mexican immigrants from entering the country. When President Joe Biden took office, it became his prerogative to overturn Trump’s policies to create a more inclusive, American society. Regardless of who’s in the oval office, the border crisis has continued. Many politicians enforce laws based on potential factors including the massive influx of immigrants, the backlog of immigration courts, their party’s platform, and the need to maintain a humanitarian image. On the other hand, Mexican asylum seekers flee to the United States due to the instability, poverty, violence, and persecution occurring in their home country. The objective of this project is to complete a comparative analysis of Trump and Biden’s executive actions. Using a qualitative approach, this project examined executive orders and other government documents to analyze the changes in immigration policy across two administrations and how they impact asylum seekers from the country of Mexico. This project is significant in the development of America’s future immigration policies.
Anthony Easton
Major: Zoology
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest: Trophic transfer of nutrients in freshwater ecosystem
Janiyah Gaston
Major: Communication Studies
College: College of Liberal Arts
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest: Desensitization and influence of media on society
Chandler Gaydos
Major: Cinema
College: College of Media and Arts
Mentor: Howard Motyl
SRI 2022 Research Title & Abstract: “Cause any Bronc Could Be Your Last”: Chloé Zhao’s take on the Mythical West in The Rider (2017)
“The mythical image of the Western cowboy is a character type that has been ingrained in American culture since the late 1800’s. One reason for its continued popularity today has been through its inclusion in the Western film genre. Classical Hollywood Westerns often portrayed cowboys as self-reliant individuals torn between the lure of civilization and the call of the wilderness (Bordwell). Throughout the years, this common trope has been portrayed in a multitude of different ways and the Western genre has proven to be flexible with many divisions and subgenres being made within it. In recent times, the term “post-Western” has been ascribed to films set in contemporary times that focus on the haunting of the West’s legacy on the present (Campbell). Chloe Zhao’s The Rider (2017) stands at an intersection of post-Western film techniques and a long tradition of the classical Western genre. This project seeks to place the film into context of the genres and give insight into its unique elements within its contemporary Western setting.
David Hernandez
Major: Zoology
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Kamal Ibrahim
SRI 2022 Research Title & Abstract: Mapping Gene Flow and Biodiversity Across the Mississippi River Using ndscape Genetics and DNA Barcoding of Formicidae.
The ability to quickly propagate as well as engineer the nutrient low and other qualities of ecosystems makes them excellent models of the diversity present in an environment. Using andscape genetics, we can visualize how the physical barriers of a location can affect the genetic diversity present by blocking or promoting gene flow. In the Mississippi River, landscape genetics has observed the river as both a hindrance and boon to the migration of different genes among populations. By looking at ants of the Camponotus genus we can assess another perspective of how the river and the recent human development around it, affects biodiversity. Ants were collected from different locations n Southern Illinois and Southeastern Missouri. This was done by extracting and amplifying the Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) of heir mitochondrial genomes and comparing their relatedness or diversity across the different locales they originated. We expect see high diversity across the Mississippi which confirms he notion that large bodies of water can limit the migration of species.
Truc (Prue) Hoang
Major: Radiological Sciences
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest: TBD
Aleida Iriarte
Major: Zoology
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest:
The Relationship between Remediation, Self EAQ Practice, and Assigned EAQ with the HESI Specialty
Scores
Brenda King
Major: Horticulture
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Karla Gage
SRI 2021 Research Title and Abstract: Sensitivity of germinating hemp seeds to glyphosate residue in soil
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been cultivated since ancient times, and is harvested for its seeds, oil, fiber, and medicinal properties. Hemp production is growing, and the market value of hemp is expected to increase. However, basic agronomic information is lacking since the 1970 Controlled Substances Act prohibited hemp cultivation until the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills. As with any cultivated crop, weed control is considered one of the most important factors in crop success, and hemp appears to be most affected by weeds in the seedling stage, making a weed free field desirable for planting hemp. While glyphosate is promoted as having no residual activity in the soil after application, sensitivity of germinating seeds has been documented for other crops. The objective of this study is to determine the sensitivity of germinating hemp seeds to glyphosate at various planting timings following glyphosate application. A benchtop germination study was conducted at the SIUC Horticultural Research Center using seeds of the fiber hemp cultivar ‘Jinma’. Twenty hemp seeds were planted at 0, 3, 6, and 12 Days After Application (DAA) of glyphosate. Counts of live and dead seedlings were taken at 5 and 10 Days After Planting (DAP). There was no difference in counts of living plants at 5 or 10 DAP. There were differences in the number of dead plants at 5 and 10 DAP; at 10 DAP, the 0 DAA planting date had the highest mortality but was not significantly different than 3 DAA or the control. While results are not conclusive because of variable mortality in the control treatments, this study suggests that cautious hemp growers may need to wait 6 days after glyphosate application to plant a crop. An understanding of hemp production and glyphosate usage is important and will add to knowledge of best management practices for hemp growers.
Sarah Lukavsky
Major: Zoology
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest: TBD
Aliyl McKinzie
Major: Marketing
College: College of Business and Analytics
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest: International impact on US marketing ideals.
Jonathan Montoya
Major: Nursing
College: College of Health and Human Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Kelli Whittington
SRI 2022 Research Title & Abstract: The Relationship between Remediation, Self EAQ Practice, and Assigned EAQ with the HESI Specialty Scores
Passing the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is the final and most important step in becoming a Registered Nurse. Many nursing schools use the program HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) to help students prepare for successful completion of this exam. This exam is a
strong indicator of a student’s ability to pass the NCLEX. This project examined the relationship between remediation, self EAQ and assigned EAQ, and HESI scores. This research presupposes that Nursing students that have higher scores on the HESI and spend more time studying will have a greater execution than the ones who took less time to prepare.
Mariyah Parson
Major: Africana Studies
College: College of Liberal Arts
Mentors: Dr. Pamela Smoot
SRI 2022 Research Title & Abstract: Double Jeopardy: Black Women’s Struggle to Control their Bodies
For more than 400 years, the legacy of slavery has been deeply embedded in the U.S. healthcare system creating disparities that gravely affect African American women. Before the Civil War, race, gender, and social status subjected enslaved Black women to poor health, sexual exploitation, and medical experimentation.
This study carefully examines maternal mortality, and the role institutional racism plays in Black women controlling their own bodies. It also suggests ways in which these women can navigate the healthcare system to receive fair and equitable medical treatment.
Santino Resonno
Major: Zoology
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest: TBD
Israel Ruiz
Major: Geology
College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentor: TBD
Research Interest: Hydrology
Olajuwon Sally
Major: Biomedical Engineering
School: Electrical, Computer and Biomedial Engineering
Mentors: Dr. Chilman Bae
SRI 2022 Research Title & Abstract: Novel Activator of Biomedical Mechanosensor
Mechanotransduction is an important process of biological events including cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Piezo1 mechanosensitive ion channel (MSC) are required for cellular mechanotransduction, yet little is known regarding the role and function of Piezo1 in neuroinflammation. Astrocytes are sensitive
to mechanical stimuli and are critical in the development and maintenance of neuroinflammatory disorders. Calcium imaging and electrophysiological recordings were performed on C8-S astrocytes in lipopoly-saccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammatory conditions. It was found that LPS increased calcium influx and MSC currents in C8-S cells. Piezo1 activator, Yoda1, further augmented calcium influx and MSC currents in LPS-induced astrocytes, but were reduced by the Piezo1 inhibitor, GsMTx4. These findings demonstrate that Piezo1 is upregulated by neuroinflammatory conditions in C8-S astrocytes, suggesting that Piezo1 may play a crucial role for the development of therapeutic agents to prevent or treat neuroinflammation. Cell migration can be initiated and regulated by a myriad of stimuli which includes mechanical forces. Through mechanotransduction, MSC responds to the physical forces or deformation of the plasma membrane. Through the optimization of a new astrocytic motility experiment, we were able to reproduce verify the effect of LPS on C8-S astrocyte migration and modulate Piezo1 functionality through the Novel Activator or mechanosensors.
Zendaya Scott
Major: Political Science
College: College of Anthropology, Political Science, and Sociology
Mentors: TBD
Research Interest: Voter restrictions on the minority voters
Aaryana Stringfellow (Recent Graduate December 2022)
Major: Biological Science
School: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences
Mentors: Dr. Buffy Ellsworth
SRI 2022 Research Title & Abstract: Expression Patterns of the Cilia Protein RPGR1P1L during Pituitary Gland Development
The gene RPGRIP1L codes for a protein found in cilia. The protein is hypothesized to play a regulatory role in pituitary gland development, but the specific functions of the protein are unclear. We will be testing mouse embryos ranging from e12.5 through adult to determine both when and where the protein is present during pituitary gland development. After embryos are collected, fixed, embedded, and sectioned, in situ hybridization will be used to tag the gene with a labeled probe that specifically binds to RPGRIP1L in order to visualize the protein under the microscope. It is hypothesized that the protein will be localized within the pituitary gland and that it will be more prominent around e12.5-e16.5. It is also likely that protein will be more prominent when the pituitary gland is still developing and will be less opaque in the later developmental days. By using the in-situ hybridization, we will be able to visualize which ages the gene is most prominent, and from there we will be able to determine if it is located in the pituitary gland.