Current Scholars

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We are quite proud of our current McNair Scholars. Meet these leaders of tomorrow:


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Natalie Becker

Major: Zoology

College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: Dr. Frank Anderson

SRI 2023 Research Title & Abstract: Abundance and Diversity of Terrestrial Gastropods in Nature Preserves of Southern Illinois

Terrestrial gastropods are important components of many terrestrial ecosystems, but due to their small size and patchy distributions, accurate estimates of land snail species diversity and abundance can be difficult to obtain. Furthermore, these factors, along with limited mobility and lack of migratory behaviors, may make land snails particularly sensitive to many environmental factors and anthropogenic disturbances such as urbanization and climate change. To determine how much sampling is required to obtain an accurate estimate of land snails’ diversity and abundance, I sampled land snails in seven urban nature preserves in Carbondale, IL, three times. To assess potential long-term impacts on diversity and abundance, we compared our diversity and abundance estimates to the findings of a 2017 survey of the same sites conducted using identical sampling methods. This research will provide insight into 1) the repeatability of land snail sampling studies, 2) the adequacy of repeated sampling across two seasons for assessing land snail diversity and abundance, and 3) long-term changes or lack of changes in urban land snail communities.

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Aliyah Bendix 

Major: Zoology

College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: TBD

Research Interest: Marine Invertebrates: Echinoderms

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Itzel Campos

Major: English

College: College of Liberal Arts 

Mentor: Dr. George Boulukos

SRI 2023 Research Title & Abstract: I Have As Much Soul As You—And Full As Much Heart!: Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, and the Role of Women in Nineteenth Century Society

Jane Eyre, an 1847 novel by Charlotte Brontë, is a key early feminist literary text. My research focused on the portrayal of social roles in the novel, specifically the ones expected to be fulfilled by women, which were tightly intertwined with religious beliefs. My paper responds to the following question: How did Brontë explore the intersection between religion and gender roles in Jane Eyre, and why is this intersection still significant in the present? Current research does well to cover the novel’s critique of religion and its influence on gender and social norms, but still lacks analysis of how this critique is portrayed through secondary female characters. After analyzing the text by using Feminist Theory and New Historicism, I conclude that Brontë sharply critiques religion, gender, and social norms. Moreover, I argue that Brontë wrote a fairytale-like ending for practical purposes, because if she had written a different ending – one where Jane remained alone but happy – the novel would have had fewer readers, or, most likely, would not have been published at all.

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SIU Alex Cottrell

Alexander Cottrell

Major: Zoology

College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: Dr. Justin Boyles

Research Interest: Endangered animal species rehabilitation project

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Katherine Elliott

Major:  Chemistry

College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: Dr. Mary Kinsel

SRI 2023 Research Title & Abstract: Content vs. Label Claims of Δ8-THC Consumer Products

A legal loophole in the regulation of hemp-derived products exposes consumers to untested and potentially dangerous products. Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) is produced naturally by the hemp plant in very small quantities. Large quantities of Δ8-THC are synthetically produced by reacting Cannabidiol (CBD) with acid. These unregulated Δ8-THC containing products have had adverse effects across many states. Liquid chromatography with UV-visible and mass spectrometry detection was used to separate and quantitatively detect the Δ8-THC from any other cannabinoids/reagents. Δ8-THC containing consumer products (i.e., gummies, oils, distillates, vape cartridges, etc.) were purchased legally from area stores. Samples were extracted or diluted, analyzed, and the mass % of Δ8-THC, Δ8- Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and CBD were compared to the product certificate of analyses. Examples of proper, as well as under and over, reporting of these components are discussed in the poster.

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Isaiah Francis 

Major: Biomedical Engineering

College: College of Electrical, Computer, and Engineering

Mentor: Dr. Chilman Bae

SRI 2023 Research Title & Abstract: Effect of a Novel Piezo1 Mechanosensitive Channel Inhibitor: Calcium Imaging

The Piezo1 channel is a mechanosensitive ion channel that plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, including respiration, urination, and blood pressure regulation. Like other ion channels, the identification of Piezo1 channel modulators (activators or inhibitors) is of utmost importance. This study aims to investigate a novel Piezo1 inhibitor (NIP) using calcium imaging in combination to complement the electrophysiology findings. The Cal-520AM dye was employed to monitor calcium influx in the hP1-CL cell line, which stably overexpresses Piezo1- mCherry. The experimental results indicated that Yoda1, an activator, significantly increased the fluorescent intensity induced by Ca2+ influx. However, NIP alone did not cause any alterations in fluorescence in the hP1-CL cells. Remarkably, when NIP was applied alongside Yoda1, the increase in fluorescent intensity induced by Yoda1 was significantly diminished. These findings suggest that NIP effectively blocks Piezo1-mediated Ca2+ influx. This study introduces NIP as a promising inhibitor for Piezo1, providing a valuable experimental tool for future research on Piezo1. Further investigations could potentially lead to the development of pharmacological applications targeting Piezo1, given the administrable nature of NIP, and pave the way for potential treatments for conditions associated with Piezo1 dysfunction.

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Janiyah Gaston

Major: Communication Studies

College: College of Liberal Arts

Mentor: TBD

Research Interest: Desensitization and influence of media on society

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Lauren George 

Major: Zoology

College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: Dr. Karolina Kwasek

SRI 2023 Research Title & Abstract: It’s Getting Hot in Here: An Investigation into the Environmental Plasticity of Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) was used as a model organism to determine if exposure to high temperatures at the larval stage can cause phenotypic plasticity, and how this could affect factors including growth, survival, and food conversion ratio (FCR) when exposed to similar conditions later in life. The experiment was divided into two parts, first, with the environmental programming (EP) at the larval stage. Two treatments of zebrafish in three replicates were separated at 3dph (days post-hatch) and exposed to two different temperatures. The environmental control (EC) group remained at the control (optimal) temperature for zebrafish of 27°C, while the EP group was raised to 33°C and remained at that temperature for 24hr before returning to the optimal level at 27°C. After allowing a grow out of all treatments to 30dph at 27°C, the second part of the experiment, the environmental challenge proceeded. Half of the EP and EC groups remained at 27°C, while the other half of each group were raised to 33°C (three replicates each, 30 fish per replicate) and remained at that temperature until the fish tripled their weight. After completion of both parts of the experiment, all fish were measured, weighed, and mortality determined. My hypothesis was that the fish in the EP group would have a better response to the environmental challenge, including better growth rate, survival, and food conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the EC group.

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SIU Carlos Gomez

Carlos Gomez

Major: History

College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences 

Mentor: TBD

Research Interest: TBD 

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SIU Lauren Griffin

Lauren Griffin

Major: Psychology

College: College of Health and Human Sciences 

Mentor: TBD

Research Interest: The Concept of Gender 

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SIU Aleida Iriarte

Aleida Iriarte

Major: Zoology

College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: Jason Brown

Research Interest:
Phylogenetics & Spatial Distributions of Poison Dart Frogs.

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Sarah Lukavsky 

Major: Zoology

College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: Dr. Jenn Weber

SRI 2023 Research Title & Abstract: Over a century of data reveals climate driven earlier flowering in a native annual

A critical problem in biology today is understanding how species respond to climate change. Many species respond via phenological shifts, or changes in the timing of life cycle events. Many flowering plants have shifted to flowering earlier in the year. This is associated with warmer spring temperatures, but the consequences of these phenological shifts for things like pollinator or resource mismatch are very poorly understood. Even fewer studies have examined how these phenological shifts vary across regions that experience different extents of climate change. Here, I examined flowering time shifts in a widespread native annual, Triodanis perfoliata (Campanulaceae), using data ranging over 120 years and the entire contiguous United States. This work builds significantly on previous work that examined flowering time shifts in this species. By using the power of digitized herbarium specimens (preserved plant vouchers) and bioinformatics, I built a robust and highly vetted data set (n = 1494 records) to better understand spatio-temporal flowering shifts in this species. I found that T. perfoliata flowered earlier through time and across the sampling range. I also began examining the specific roles of different climate parameters (e.g., temperature, precipitation) and regional differences in climate change in driving flowering time shifts. Overall, my research project emphasizes the role of climate change in influencing phenology and how these patterns may change across regions and time.

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Jonathan Montoya

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.

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Hannah Phillips

Hannah Phillips

Major:Microbiology

College: College of Agriculture, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: TBD

Research Interests: TBD

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SIU Santuino Resonno

Santino Resonno

Major: Zoology

College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: TBD

Research Interest: TBD

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SIU LaMya Roach

LaMya Roach 

Major: Information Technology 

College: College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics 

Mentor: TBD

Research Interest: Significance of User Authentication 

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SIU Israel Ruiz

Israel Ruiz

Major: Geology

College: College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Mentor: TBD

Research Interest: Hydrology

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SIU Zendaya Scott

Zenaya Scott 

Major: Political Science

College: College of Anthropology, Political Science, and Sociology

Mentors: TBD

Research Interest: Voter restrictions on the minority voters

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SIU Dylan Sneed

Dylan Sneed

Major: Psychology/ Sociology

College: College of Health and Human Sciences 

Mentor: TBD

Research Interest: Human Behavior: Empathy

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Briana Ugalde-Galvan

Major: Nursing and Healthcare Management 

College: College of Health and Human Sciences 

Mentor: Dr. Erica Blumenstock

SRI 2023 Research Title & Abstract: Understanding Barriers to Student Enrollment in Nursing Programs: Assessing Cultural Responsiveness and the Role of Holistic Admissions

This research aims to assess the current climate of multicultural issues in SIU’s nursing program using the Cultural Awareness Scale (CAS). Initially designed for nursing students on a small scale, the CAS offers a valid and reliable method for assessing cultural awareness. By employing this scale, we can obtain scores that effectively measure cultural awareness within the nursing program. Cultural awareness in nursing is defined as the nurse’s capability to engage with patients who come from diverse backgrounds that can include religion, socioeconomic status, sexuality or gender, and race. Knowing the barriers to care and learning more about diverse cultures within a community allow for holistic care. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing released data this year showing a decline in students enrolled at all levels (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2023). With an ongoing demand for nurses and a decline in nursing enrollment, understanding barriers to student enrollment can facilitate nursing student enrollment. With a rapidly growing diverse population, it is essential to improve the diversity of the student nurse population and the population in the workforce. Assessing the current student demographics and cultural awareness is the initial step in revising the admission process.

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Jessica White 

Major: Exercise Science 

College: College of Health and Human Sciences 

Mentor: Dr. Phil Anton

SRI 2023 Research Title & Abstract: Student Athletes Perspective on Their Mental Health

 Student athletes handle the typical stressors related to college; school, work, finances, etc. but what sets them apart is the additional stress of having to excel at their athletic performances for their given sport. The purpose of this study was to examine how student athletes at a Division I school feel that their mental health is being prioritized and how improvements could be made to the current systems in place. This research brings awareness to the current state of athletes’ psychological health and resources that are available or should be made available to them. 

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Robert Wray 

Major: Zoology 

College: College of Agriculture, Life and Physical Sciences 

Mentor: TBD

Research Interests: TBD 

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