1. education
2. graduate school
3. college

CAL STATE FULLERTON  UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM
Senior Honors Project Presentations
Spring 2015
Monday, April 20
9:15 a.m.
PLN-130
10:00 a.m.
PLN-130
Integrative Review of Current Approaches to Tinnitus Management
Alexandra Lithgow
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Davis
SEC Comment Letters: A Look into the Entertainment Industry
Allison Fukano
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa Eiler
10:45 a.m.
PLN-130
Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty? The Effects of Optimism versus
Pessimism on Parent-Child Relationships
Sara Kong
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katherine Bono
11:30 a.m.
PLN-130
Lost Among the Rubble: A Screenplay Exploration into the 1906
San Francisco Earthquake and its Cultural Impact
Melanie Bottini
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rosanne Welch
2:15 p.m.
PLN-130
Identification of the Chemical Signature of α, ω-Dicarboxylic Acids
(C2-C6) in Aqueous Solutions
Nicole Horita
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Paula Hudson
3:30 p.m.
SGMH-1505
Tuesday, April 21
8:30 a.m.
PLN-130
9:15 a.m.
PLN-130
Chew: Boba Business Plan
Jason Khoo
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Catherine Atwong
Development of a Device to Convert CO2 to Power
Brenna Biggs
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Haan
The Efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in the
Treatment of Dysphagia in Infants
Samantha Voisan
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kurt Kitselman
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10:00 a.m.
PLN-130
10:45 a.m.
PLN-130
11:30 a.m.
PLN-130
12:15 p.m.
PLN-130
1:30 p.m.
PLN-130
2:15 p.m.
PLN-130
College Success for Moms
Dianna Blake
Faculty Mentor: Mary Becerra
How Taking Specific Breaks May Increase Work Efficiency
Angus Nguyen
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melinda Blackman
Empowerment Through Complaints
Brenda Bautista
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Charles Royston
Type 1 Diabetes: Patient Education
Shelby Sawyer
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Otten
The Lived Experience of an American Nursing Student in Argentina
Juliana Blackburn
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maryanne Garon
A Review of Knee Osteoarthritis:
Risk Factors, and Prevention Techniques
Nicole Umekubo
Faculty Mentor: MacKenzie MacSween
3:00 p.m.
PLN-130
3:45 p.m.
PLN-130
Wednesday, April 22
10:00 a.m.
PLS-299
11:30 a.m.
PLS-299
12:15 p.m.
PLS-299
An Acoustic Analysis of Children with Autism
Ethan Richtsmeier
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Minjung Kim
Microbiome and its Effects on the Psychological Disorders
Monica Bardon
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Merri Lynn Casem
From Mind to Movement: Using Motor Learning to Treat Childhood
Apraxia of Speech
Janelle Gumayagay
Faculty Mentor: Dr. HyeKyeung Seung
Christian Theological Frameworks of Social Justice
Daniel Worden
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Doyle
Distortions of Toeplitz Matrices
Susan Deeb
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tyler McMillen
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1:30 p.m.
PLS-299
Investigating Defense Responses of Nicotiana benthamiana
Involving the 14-3-3 Gene Family Using Virus-induced Effectortriggered Immunity
Jennifer Spencer
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melanie Sacco
2:15 p.m.
PLS-299
3:00 p.m.
PLS-299
Thursday, April 23
8:30 a.m.
Titan Shop Conference Room
9:15 a.m.
Titan Shop Conference Room
Title
Andrea Sanchez
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Heather Osborne-Thompson
Intramolecular Cyclization Reactions of Iminoxyl Radicals with
Alkyne Derivatives
Michael Ko
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter de Lijser
The Effect of the Coaches’ Perception of Athlete Ability on Athlete
Sport Confidence
Lauren Stupin
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Patrica Laguna
The Fairest of Them All: A Study of the Disney Princess and
Portrayal of Gender and Race
Linda Hoang
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Andi Stein and Dr. Rebecca Dolhinow
10:00 a.m.
Titan Shop Conference Room
10:45 a.m.
Titan Shop Conference Room
3:30 p.m.
Titan Shop Conference Room
4:00 p.m.
KHS-221
Tapa Joe BBQ Business
Mari Uytiepo
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Atul Teckchandani
The Sweet Tweet Spot: Engaging Effectively in Social Media
Alexis Demandante
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Steven Chen
Concept Maps in Organic Synthesis: Theory and Application
Jason Sterris
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Philip Janowicz
Nurse Advocacy for U.S. Vietnam Veterans Affected by Agent
Orange and Available Resources
Coral Roseberry
Faculty Mentor: Kathleen Griffith
Friday, April 24
10:00 a.m.
PLN-130
MIRRORS + MAPS
A CELEBRATION OF THE HUMAN EXISTANCE IN THE NATURAL
WORLD
Jamie Morales
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Edward FInk
10:45 a.m.
PLN-130
Altered: A Young Adult Science Fiction Novel
Serena Bleeker
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Martha Webber
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11:15 a.m.
PLN-130
Design and Synthesis of Monoamide Derivatives for the Purpose of
Maintaining Stem Cell Pluripotency
Neha Ansari
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter de Lijser
12:00 p.m.
PLN-130
Math Anxiety in High School Geometry Classrooms: An Emphasis
on Proofs
Jessica Wightman
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Cadwallader Olsker
1:00 p.m.
PLN-130
Poppies in the Trenches: A Post-WWI Novel
Kris Choe
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Susanne Gaskins
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Integrative Review on Current Methods of Tinnitus Management
Alexandra Lithgow, a President’s Scholar, will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of
Arts in Communicative Disorders. Some of her accomplishments include: working as Student
Coordinator with CSUF’s University Outreach office for two years; serving on the Executive Board of the
Vietnamese Student Association; and involvement in the University Honors Program and President’s
Scholars Student Association throughout her undergraduate experience. Alexandra was also a volunteer at
an elementary school for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, where she facilitated classroom
projects and observed students’ therapy sessions with a Speech Language Pathologist. For her Senior
Honors Project, she conducted an Integrative Review of current therapeutic approaches for patients
suffering from distressing tinnitus. Alexandra will be attending UCSD & SDSU’s joint doctoral program
in the Fall 2015 to pursue her Doctor of Audiology.
Tinnitus, a perceived ringing in the ears, is a widely variable disorder affecting
approximately 50 million individuals in the United States. Of these individuals, approximately
20% experience significant distress as a result of their tinnitus. In this group, the tinnitus may
affect the individuals’ sleep, concentration, emotional balance, and social activities, thus
impairing their quality of life. While there is currently no known cure, there are multiple
methods of management and therapy for individuals struggling with tinnitus. However, there is
not yet a consensus on the best or most effective form of tinnitus management. This study is an
integrative review of the current literature regarding tinnitus management. Objective: To identify
the most effective therapeutic approaches in different demographics suffering from distressing
tinnitus. Method: An exhaustive review was conducted of the research on tinnitus management
approaches within the past ten years. The initial search process yielded 465 results. After
eliminating studies based on exclusion criterion and duplications, 39 studies remained.
Reliability and validity of each study were analyzed for conclusion accuracy. The management
approaches examined included: tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT); cognitive behavioral therapy
(CBT); acceptance commitment therapy (ACT); sound therapy; auditory discrimination therapy
(ADT); tinnitus masking (TM); Neuromonics tinnitus treatment (NTT); Auditory Perceptual
Training (APT); and biofeedback. Patient demographics analyzed included gender, age, duration
of tinnitus, and comorbidities (particularly focusing on hearing loss and hyperacusis). Results:
Significant improvement was found across all therapeutic approaches with the exception of APT.
NTT, sound therapy, and TRT emerged with the highest mean percentages of improvement, with
CBT, ACT, and ADT emerging as mid-range effective therapies. Future research focusing on
demographic variables and attenuation of improvement is needed to confirm the efficacy of these
leading therapies.
SEC Comment Letters: A Look into the Entertainment Industry
Allison Fukano will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Business
Administration with a concentration in Accounting. She is a President’s Scholar and University
Honors Student. She made the Dean’s List for the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics
every semester. Allison served as Treasurer for the President’s Scholar Student Association. She
has also been involved with Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi. For her Senior Honors
Project, she analyzed comment letters issued to the top five entertainment companies regarding
financial statement disclosures. After graduation, Allison will attend California Polytechnic State
University in San Luis Obispo in the fall to pursue a Master’s of Science in Accounting with a
specialization in Financial Accounting.
The basis of this project is to examine comment letters issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) to the top five entertainment companies based on revenues from 2012. The
purpose of the comment letters is to help improve the quality of financial statements to help
users make more informed decisions about a company. In comparing the comment letters for
The Walt Disney Company, Time Warner, Twenty-First Century Fox, Viacom, and CBS, in
this project, I examine if there are any recurring trends in the comment letters issued by the
SEC. I look at comments specifically relating to a company’s 10-K financial statement
between the years 2010 and 2014. The comments from the letters are sorted into six categories
depending on the nature of the comment. The Walt Disney Company has the highest revenue
in the entertainment industry. Therefore, this project also analyzes whether the SEC issues
more comments to this company versus the other companies in my sample. I hypothesize there
is a negative market reaction due to the release of the comment letters because these comments
state the areas where a company needs to revise its financial statements. I perform a t-test to
determine if there is enough evidence to conclude there is a market reaction. From my results, I
cannot conclude that the release of a company’s comment letters result in a market reaction.
The Effects of Pessimism on Parent-Child Relationships: Is the Glass Half
Empty or Half Full?
Sara Kong will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Child and
Adolescent Development with a concentration in Elementary School Settings. She was a Dean’s
Honor List recipient in the College of Health and Human Development every semester. She
served as a teacher assistant and peer mentor for Child and Adolescent Studies 101, 201, and 301
under Professor Shelli Wynants. She also served as a research assistant for Dr. Katherine Bono
and Dr. Melanie Mallers. As a University Honors Program student, Sara conducted her own
research study on how optimism versus pessimism in parents affects their parent-child
relationships. Sara plans to attend Chapman University to pursue a Masters Degree in School
Counseling.
Parent-child relationships are important because they are the first relationships children
experience and because they predict child outcomes throughout development. The current study
looked at how optimism, as well as pessimism, in parents is related to their relationships with
their children. Children, within the age range of 8 to 12, were recruited, and a total of 27 parentchild dyads participated in this study. Parents were surveyed on their life orientation (optimism
and pessimism), recent emotions, and their parent-child relationship. Children were interviewed
about their parent-child relationship in a separate room away from their parents. To test the
hypothesis that parents with optimistic attitudes, rather than pessimistic attitudes, would be
associated with better parent-child relationships, a Pearson correlation was computed between
the average Life Orientation Test—Revised score and the average Child-Parent Relationship
Scale score. There was a significant correlation (r = .509, p = .007). Other significant findings
are discussed.
Lost Among the Rubble: A Screenplay Exploration into the 1906 San
Francisco Earthquake and its Cultural Impact
Melanie Bottini will graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio-Television-Film
and a minor in English. She is a member of Golden Key International Honour Society and the
National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She studied abroad in Florence, Italy with the College of
Communications to study Italian Cinema. Melanie uses her experience as a film major to work as
a professional photographer at Disneyland and independently. For her senior honors project,
Melanie used her passion for history to write a screenplay about the San Francisco Earthquake in
1906. After graduation, she hopes to find employment in the film industry as a screenwriter for
feature films and commercials.
The historical film genre is one which receives ample praise in the film industry. However, the
majority of these films are criticized by historians for their various inaccuracies and overdramatizations. There are many issues that arise when trying to adapt historical stories and
information into the cinematic form; this presentation is about the struggles faced while adapting
the true stories of the Great Earthquake in San Francisco into a full-length screenplay following
the narratives of four different families from various parts of the city. This project exemplifies
the thematic qualities of racism, gender, responsibility, and family. Pulling from the work of
multiple historians such as Robert A. Rosenstone, this presentation also discusses the criticism of
historical films. Through fictionalized characters, the information regarding the 1906 Earthquake
is articulated throughout my screenplay, making it obvious how difficult it is to make historically
accurate films while keeping the story cinematically captivating.
Identification of the Chemical Signature of α, ω-Dicarboxylic Acids (C2-C6) in
Aqueous Solutions
Nicole Horita will graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. She is a
member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and participated in the University Honors
Program. Off campus, she has taken management and leadership roles at both her previous and
current part-time jobs and at the dance studio she has been attending for over ten years. Since
February 2014, she has conducted her research under the direction from her mentor, Dr. Paula K.
Hudson in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and has had the opportunity to
present her research at several conferences. Nicole plans to pursue a Ph.D. after spending some
time working in industry to find her specific area of interest.
Aerosol particles, solid or liquid particles suspended in air, can affect climate through interactions with
radiation. The climate effects are strongly dependent on particle composition and concentration, both of
which are variable in the atmosphere due to reactions with water and with other atmospheric compounds.
In this study, we focus on short chain C2 – C6 α, ω-dicarboxylic acids, one of the more prevalent organic
aerosol present in atmospheric aerosol. Using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer with an
attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) cell, we have characterized the composition of four particular
acids, oxalic, malonic, succinic, and glutaric acid, in the infrared (IR) fingerprint region from 1500 – 1000
cm-1. We examined four regions that contain peaks for these acids, which are directly related to the
chemical structure of the acids. Little variation in peak position is observed as a function of concentration
with the exception of oxalic acid which shows a blue shift in peak position of 5 cm-1 over a change of
1.00 M. The identified signatures of the pure acids were further analyzed in mixtures of these acids. The
spectra of different mixtures were found to be dependent on the concentrations of the acids in solution.
Using the established concentration dependent pure acid chemical signatures, a predicted mixture spectra
was determined using the additive property of Beer’s law. Various quantitative methods were used to
better determine differences between measured and predicted spectra. The identification of these
compounds in the IR region can be used by climate modelers and field measurers to understand the effect
of aerosol on the climate change and to better quantify and identify the composition of the aerosol present
in the atmosphere.
Chew: Boba Business Plan
Jason Khoo
The basis of this project is to launch a business centered on the Taiwanese/Asian American
product Boba into a new market. Currently Boba drinks are heavily centered on demographic
pockets that have high levels of Asian Americans. These Boba shops are seeing unprecedented
success with the number of stores exponentially growing in the last 5 years, however this growth
is only seen in Asian dominated markets. Beyond these demographic pockets Boba still has yet
to make big strides. Through my project I study how to introduce this product to new markets
and what these new markets might like to see once the product has been introduced to new
demographic groups. For the sake of this project, the target market centers on the Hispanic
American millennial market. This demographic was chosen after a thorough analysis of Boba
shops around Orange Country and identifying certain patterns. By conducting taste tests,
preferential and perceptual mapping I will collect crucial information that will help identify the
proper locations, menu items, and marketing campaigns that will be utilized at business launch.
The project will culminate with a complete set of projected financials, store operations, and an
introductory marketing campaign that will support the launch of Chew Boba and its long term
success. The ultimate goal is to unite all aspects of the business student’s education to create a
complete business plan that will address the continual diverse American market but also
contribute to the continuing study of successfully introducing new/foreign products to market.
Development of a Device to Convert CO2 to Power
Brenna Biggs, a Dean’s Scholar, will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of
Science in Chemistry. She conducts research with Dr. Haan in the department of Chemistry, Dr.
Suceavă in the department of Mathematics, and Dr. Kate at Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
She has presented her research at numerous conferences including ACS, SCCUR, SRC,
PCUMC, MAA, and JMM. She won first place in the CSUF Student Research Competition for
her creation of a new alternative energy device, and also won an NSM award for Achievement in
Analytical Chemistry. She currently facilitates Fullerton Math Circle, where she educates gifted
young mathematicians. Brenna plans on attending graduate school in a rigorous program that
blends her passion for both science and mathematics.
A 3D-printed electrochemical device has been created that solves the geographical limitations
and intermittency of current alternative energy sources such as solar power, wind power, and
hydropower.
The device uses solar power to reduce dissolved carbon dioxide to formate,
essentially storing sunlight as a liquid fuel. It then oxidizes the formate fuel back to dissolved
carbon dioxide. This cyclical process is capable of producing continuous electricity. The device
consists of a conversion side, which uses solar power to reduce dissolved carbon dioxide to
formate, and a fuel cell side, which oxidizes formate to carbonate. The created formate fuel is
used as a portable, continuous, carbon-neutral energy source; this solves both the intermittency
and geographical limitations inherent to alternative energy sources.
The Efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in the Treatment of
Dysphagia in Infants
Samantha Voisan will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in
Communicative Disorders. She is a member of the University Honors Program and National
Student Speech Language Hearing Association. During college, she was a volunteer at Casa
Colina Hospital as well as St. Jude Rehabilitation Center, helping individuals with speech and
language difficulties. Samantha’s senior honors project assesses the efficacy of neuromuscular
electrical stimulation to treat swallowing disorders in infants and she is passionate about
continuing this research in graduate school. In the fall, Samantha will attend Loma Linda
University to pursue a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.
The ability to swallow is something we don’t often dwell on and may even take for granted.
However, individuals with swallowing disorders (dysphagia) experience difficulty eating and
drinking every day. Although this disorder also occurs in adults, swallowing impairment in
infants are cause for heightened concern due to the risk of aspiration, malnutrition, and long-term
growth and development. While therapy procedures exist for adults, they surpass the cognitive
ability of infants who are left with no treatment option aside from a feeding tube. For this reason,
my senior honors project explores the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), the
application of electrical current to the nerves of targeted muscles to elicit skeletal muscle
contraction, as a substitute. NMES is said to increase muscle strength, range of motion, and
neuromuscular coordination all while requiring no participation from the infant. There are few
studies that examine the effects of NMES on infants so my research discusses its longtime use in
physical therapy, application with adult dysphagia, and existing literature on pediatric dysphagia
to assess the efficacy of the treatment method. This research will serve as an addition to the
limited information on NMES and swallowing disorders in infants as well as a foundation for a
study I would hope to conduct in graduate school.
College Success for Moms
Dianna Blake will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is a
Dean’s scholar in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and participated in the
University Honors Program. After transferring with distinction from Mt. San Antonio College in
2013, Dianna became a member of several honors societies on campus, including Sigma Tau
Delta and Phi Kappa Phi. Dianna also became the inaugural president of Alpha Sigma Lambda
Nu Pi, the first honor society for nontraditional students at CSUF. A mother of three, Dianna
understands the struggles of being successful in college while raising a family. For the last two
years she has run a blog devoted to supporting moms in college. For her senior honors project,
Dianna wrote a guidebook for moms in college where she highlights specific actions that led to
her success. After college Dianna plans to return to the classroom as a professor of English.
In 2014 the Institute for Women’s Policy Research stated that 26% of undergraduate students are
parents and of that number, 71% are mothers. As a mom in college life is not easy, especially for
single mothers who have little to no support. And while the numbers are high (roughly 2 million
students), the graduation rates are low. Why? As a mom in college, I believe that pregnant and
parenting students feel a lack of support: they aren’t aware of the resources available to them and
they don’t feel that they belong on a college campus. I know this because I, myself, have
experienced it. After authoring a blog by the same name for the last two years and meeting
several moms in college from varying backgrounds, I have chosen to reach out to more moms in
college. In the book, “College Success for Moms,” a student will not find the traditional how-to
guide for college success because these students aren’t traditional. Instead, I use my own
experience as a mom in college to encourage others to explore college with confidence and
eagerness. “College Success for Moms” is filled with advice on such issues as balancing time
between school and family, knowing the rights of a pregnant student through Title IX, and the
value of having a mentor, to name a few. Overall, the aim of my project is to reach out to moms
who feel lost or unsure of the college experience with the hope that they will realize their worth,
persevere through their struggles, and graduate from college.
How Taking Specific Breaks May Increase Work Efficiency
Angus Nguyen will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in
Business Administrations. He is a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society. Angus has also
volunteered as a member of the Peer Mentors program, a club dedicated to helping Psychology
students through tutoring, publishing newsletters, and community outreach programs.
Furthermore, he has also worked as a teacher assistant for Dr. Kris Beals and Dr. Christy Ake in
the Department of Psychology. With Dr. Melinda Blackman as his advisor, Angus is currently
conducting research concerning how various type of breaks influence an individual’s capability
to work efficiently. Angus will attend California State University, Long Beach to obtain a
master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Breaks are a necessity when it comes to working on projects. Often times, these breaks vary in
length and the type of activities engaged in to encourage relaxation. Depending on how these
factors are accounted for, breaks can result in more productivity or less productivity. The study
conducted will attempt to see how varying types of breaks (respite, chore, and necessity) affect a
person’s productivity. Primarily, the focus will be towards how individuals study for exams.
Specifically, this will be examined through a variety of questionnaires which will include
questions such as the length of their break, the type of breaks they take, how their emotions are
affected before and after the break, and more.
Empowerment Through Complaints
Brenda Bautista will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Human
Services. Brenda serves as an Inter-Club Council Representative in the college of Humanities
and Social Sciences. She also serves as membership coordinator for the Society for
Interdisciplinary Research on Evolution. She has been awarded the Dean’s List for four
semesters. Brenda interns for the Orange County Department of Education as a case manager in
the Safe Schools program. For her senior honors project, Brenda developed a manual that will
help individual’s empower others through understanding the use of complaints. After college,
Brenda anticipates a career centered in social work and counseling.
This manual intends to help counselors, paraprofessionals, professors, and individuals learn how
to empower others through understanding something that is universal in human nature; the use of
complaints. The manual will show individuals that we all have the power to produce change and
create a difference in the lives of others. In this manual, you will learn about the characteristics
that make up a complaint, the mechanisms associated with complaints, and the way of being that
is effective when working with others. The manual will also provide instruction on how to
conduct the empowerment exercise with small and large groups. By gaining an understanding
about complaints, any individual will be empowered and able to empower others.
Type 1 Diabetes: Patient Education
Shelby Sawyer, a University Honors student, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree
in Nursing. She has appeared on the Dean’s list many times and has received various
scholarships including the California Community Foundation award. She has spent many hours
in the hospital participating in teamwork and patient care in a variety of settings including
medical-surgical, oncology, labor and delivery, pediatrics, telemetry, trauma, neonatal intensive
care, postpartum, perioperative, and mental health nursing. For her senior honors project, she
researched and produced patient education targeting the pediatric population who are diagnosed
with type-1 diabetes. After graduation, she intends on pursuing a career in labor and delivery
nursing.
This project explains the importance of patient education in the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetic
children between the ages of 6-8. The purpose of this project is to provide holistic educational
resource materials for newly diagnosed diabetic children and their families. It begins with an
introduction that explains why patient education is important in the profession of nursing. Then,
it explains why the children’s activity book and parent manual formats were chosen. For each
resource, it explains the research behind the target age group and language as well as the
programs used to create each resource. It then explains why it is important to educate the family
as well as the child. Following the introduction, the resources are provided.
The Lived Experience of an American Nursing Student in Argentina
Juliana Blackburn will graduate in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is
a University Honors Program student and her name regularly appears on the dean’s honor list. As
a student in the esteemed and highly competitive nursing program, Juliana has dedicated
hundreds of hours to working with patients, staff, and peers in hospitals throughout Southern
California. During the summer of 2014, Juliana travelled to Argentina and studied nursing for six
weeks. She drew on her experience to create her senior honors project about studying abroad as a
nursing student. After graduating and passing the licensing exam, Juliana plans to pursue a career
as a labor and delivery nurse.
This paper explores the subject of studying abroad as a nursing student. The purpose of this
paper is to provide insight to nursing students considering studying in a foreign country. A
literature review was conducted consisting of scholarly articles outlining a variety of experiences
involving students who travelled abroad to study nursing. A number of common findings are
identified and discussed. The paper then shifts to address my personal experience. This paper
provides a brief overview of the healthcare system in Argentina. A detailed account of my
experience as nursing student studying in Argentina for six weeks is included in the paper. The
detailed account contains excerpts from my travel journal. This paper then addresses the question
“is studying abroad something that a nursing student should consider?” by examining some pros
and cons of studying abroad as nursing student, drawing from information provided in the
literature review as well as from my experience.
A Review of Knee Osteoarthritis:
Risk Factors, and Prevention Techniques
Nicole Umekubo, a University Honors Program student, will graduate Magna Cum Laude
with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She is an adviser for the high school ministry at
South Bay Community Church and is also very involved in the college ministry. Nicole has
volunteered and interned at Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance in both the
physical therapy and cardiac rehab departments. She combined her experience working in
physical therapy and knowledge of kinesiology to develop her senior honors project about
preventing knee osteoarthritis from early adulthood. Nicole plans to return to CSUF to obtain her
Masters of Science in Kinesiology prior to becoming a Certified Exercise Physiologist.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disabling disease identified by loss of cartilage, osteophyte formation,
synovial inflammation, subchondral bone remodeling, pain, and loss of function in the affected
joint. Knee OA currently affects one-fifth of the American population, and is expected to rise by
50% in the next ten years. Risk factors of knee OA include obesity, previous knee injuries, and
lack of muscular strength in the lower extremities. There are a multitude of treatment methods
ranging from pharmacological agents to surgical intervention. This paper will provide
educational information about knee OA as well as exercises and corrective movement patterns to
prevent the onset of and reduce the incidence of knee OA in young adults.
An Acoustic Analysis of Children with Autism
Ethan Richtsmeier will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders. He is
member of Circle K International, Alpha Phi Omega, NSSHLA and the University Honors
program. He has volunteered extensively within the community and with OC Autism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources for the in-need families of children with
Autism. His senior honors project has involved his ongoing research with Dr. Minjung Kim
concerning speech disorders and Autism. He has presented at both ASHA and CASHA. He
hopes to attend CSUF in the fall to pursue his masters of speech.
These series of studies examine the acoustic characteristics of children with autism and how they
differ from the acoustic characteristics of a typically developing child. Research in the area of
acoustic analysis and autism is limited, and these studies attempt to define the acoustic
characteristics of vowel duration, pitch variation, harmonic to noise ratio, segmental duration,
formant patterns, and the acoustic characteristics of multisyllabic stress patterns. The first study
was concerned primarily with the search for acoustic differences in children with autism speech,
and the second concerned with the presence of characteristics related to speech sound difficulties
in a single child. The children's utterances were elicited through a visual presentation of selected
token words, and the Goldman Fristoe Test of Articulation. Results discuss the differences
between the children with autism and the typically developing child in all the aforementioned
areas, and the degree to which variability exists within the utterances of children with autism.
Acoustically, differences on the segmental level were discovered to exist, and more specifically,
characteristics possibly related to motor planning and control were found in the child who was
examined more in depth.
Microbiome and its Effects on the Psychological Disorders
Monica Bardon will graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor
in Chemistry. She is a University Honors program student and a member of the international
Honor Society Golden Key. In her free time, she volunteers at the UC Irvine Medical Center
where she aids the Orthopedics department in keeping patients happy, satisfied and safe. She
used her knowledge of chemistry, biology and psychology to write about the intricate interaction
between psychological disorders and microbiota for her senior honors project. Monica
anticipates attending medical school in the fall of 2016 where she hopes to obtain an M.D.
Psychological disorders are a prevalent issue in the United States with the majority of patients
suffering depression and/or anxiety. To combat these issues, people normally take pills but they
often have ghastly side effects. Fortunately, there is research that suggest that consumption of
live bacteria (probiotics) commonly found in the microbiome may limit symptoms without the
adverse side effects. This paper scrutinizes the mass of experiments that test the relationship
between mental illness and microbiota as well as analyzes the mechanism between them. While
there is an array of psychological illnesses, this review focuses on depression, anxiety and autism
spectrum disorders (ASD) as these are the only disorders examined so far with probiotics. In
addition, stress is studied as, while it is not classified as a psychological disorder, it often
accompanies one. Based on the research, there is ample evidence to support that taking bacteria
decreases depression, anxiety and ASD (behavior symptoms) with little to no known side effects.
These results are mostly due to bacteria belonging to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
genus. Furthermore, based on the gathered information, there is a possibility that the microbiome
influences the human mind through the gut-brain axis and an increased production of
neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA. In conclusion, there is plenty of positive results
to support bacteria as a psychobiotic – live bacteria that provide health benefits for people with
mental disorders. In the future, scientists should broaden this topic by incorporating other mental
illnesses and studying a wider range of microbiota.
From Mind to Movement: Using Motor Learning to Treat Childhood Apraxia
of Speech
Janelle Gumayagay will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in
Communicative Disorders. She is a President’s Scholar and a member of the University Honors
Program. Throughout college, she was a member of the National Student Speech Language
Hearing Association and a volunteer at Providence Speech and Hearing Clinic. Janelle also
volunteered at St. Jude’s Communication Recovery Groups, helping individuals with aphasia.
She was an involved member of the President’s Scholars Student Association, serving as social
chair and vice president. Janelle’s senior honors project investigates motor learning principles
used in treatments for childhood apraxia of speech, a motor speech disorder. In the fall, Janelle
will attend San Diego State University to pursue a Master of Arts in Speech-Language
Pathology.
Imagine knowing what you want to say, but not being able to plan the movements necessary to
say it. This is the struggle that children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) face every day
when they try to speak. CAS is described as a motor speech disorder, characterized by the
inability to plan and program the sequence of movements necessary for speech. Because CAS is
considered a motor speech disorder, researchers have looked at motor learning theory and the
way the brain programs motor movements to create treatments for CAS. My senior honors
project explores how principles of motor learning are implemented in CAS treatments. I have
also designed a study that I can carry out at the graduate school level to test the efficacy of motor
learning principles in treating CAS. Based on my research, I have discovered that many
treatments for CAS rely on manipulating motor learning principles in a way that facilitates
learning during the acquisition phase of a skill, but does not support long-term retention or
transfer. My research examines ways that motor learning principles can be used to foster the
long-term retention of speech motor skills in individuals with CAS. Furthermore, very few
studies have investigated speech motor control in individuals with impaired motor systems. As a
result, my project helps fill in some gaps in current knowledge about CAS.
Christian Theological Frameworks of Social Justice
Daniel Worden is a University Honors student who will graduate Cum Laude with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration. His Senior Honors Project includes his interest
in history and social science and uses his spiritual framework to conceptualize social justice. He
is very proud of his project, which is entitled “Christian Theological Frameworks of Social
Justice.” On campus, Daniel was an involved student. He was a member of Cru for four years,
beginning his involvement with the Christian community during his first week on campus. He
held several leadership positions in the organization, and started a faith discussion group for the
University Honors Program during his senior year. Daniel hopes to continue his social justice
research and to be involved with social concerns in his community throughout his life. Daniel’s
next step is getting a teaching credential in secondary education for Social Science.
This paper studies varying perspectives on what it means to pursue social justice, looking
through several Christian theological frameworks. This research is especially important to a
growing generation of Christians who hope to reach across aisles and cultural boundaries toward
a fuller view of what it means to serve God by pursuing justice, as well as to the larger human
audience that will observe and be affected by the practices and beliefs adopted by Christians. The
theological frames looked through include: Catholic social teaching, Liberation Theology, and
Evangelicalism. For each of the frameworks, twentieth century thought will be explored with
developments leading up to the present day. Each of these viewpoints is important in its own
right, as each leads a following of devotees who take the values taught into all areas of life.
Along with laying out important historical points from each of these traditions, I synthesize the
tenets of each. Doing this, I hope to begin the process of landing at a Christian theological
conception of social justice that takes from varying frameworks and that includes unifying
characteristics of the different traditions. On a personal note, it is important for me to learn about
different theories of justice and how there is overlap between them. This will help me better
work with others to pursue social justice. I hope to unify different traditions under a common
understanding of social justice that is an inclusive definition of differing perspectives.
Distortions of Toeplitz Matrices
Susan Deeb will graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Mathematics and a
minor in Physics. In addition to being a University Honors Program student, she served as a
member of the University Honors Board as well as president of the Honors Student Activities
Council. Susan worked as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) leader for math and later became a
Senior SI leader. She has worked on a number of research projects in mathematics, including the
project she will be submitting as her senior honors project. She has received a special recognition
award for undergraduate research from the Department of Mathematics. Susan intends to further
her education by pursuing a master’s degree in either pure or applied mathematics.
A Toeplitz matrix is a matrix whose elements along any diagonal are constant. Toeplitz matrices
have been studied since the early 1900’s and are arguably the most important matrices in
applications. For this reason, mathematicians have found many results about Toeplitz matrices.
However, many matrices that arise in applications are not Toeplitz, but close to being Toeplitz.
This project aims to generalize some theory of Toeplitz matrices by applying it to generalized
Toeplitz matrices. Generalized Toeplitz matrices are defined to be matrices whose diagonals
vary slowly. I will present the effects that distorting a Toeplitz matrix has on its eigenvalues and
spectrum by providing visual examples. Lastly, I will explain how the theory of Toeplitz
matrices could potentially be extended to that of non-Toeplitz matrices.
Investigating Defense Response of Nicotiana Benthamiana Involving the 14-33 Gene Family Using Virus-Induced Effector Triggered Immunity
Jennifer Spencer will graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological
Science with a concentration in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. She is a Dean’s List
student in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and a participant in the Ronald E.
McNair, Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) and University Honors Programs.
Jennifer received the L. Jack Bradshaw Scholarship in Immunology through the Department of
Biological Science and conducted research in plant viral immunity under the direction of Dr.
Melanie Sacco. Her Senior Honors Project investigated the role of a highly conserved gene
family in plant defense responses. Jennifer will attend Baylor College of Medicine in the fall to
pursue a Doctorate in Molecular Virology and Microbiology.
Plants possess multiple tiers of immunity, the most specific of which involves immune receptors that
provide effector-triggered immunity (ETI). ETI is often associated with the hypersensitive response (HR),
a type of programmed cell death. The 14-3-3 gene family is conserved across eukaryotes and acts in
myriad cellular processes, including plant immunity. Previously, a putative interaction between a 14-3-3
isoform from Nicotiana benthamiana and the immune receptor Tm2-2 from Solanum lycopersicum was
seen with co-immunoprecipitation and tandem mass spectrometry. Tm2-2 confers resistance against
Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) by recognition of the virus 30K movement protein and elicitation of
defenses, including HR. Chemical inhibition of 14-3-3 activity in N. benthamiana using 5aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-D- ribofuranoside (AICAR) resulted in delayed onset and reduced
development of HR-like cell death responses in leaves transiently co-expressing 30K and full-length
Tm2-2 by an Agrobacterium tumefaciens infiltration method. HR elicited by the unrelated immune
receptor Bs2 from Capsicum annuum in the presence of the bacterial protein AvrBs2 from Xanthomonas
campestris was also diminished by AICAR treatment. Furthermore, increased expression of wild-type 143-3 proteins increased the onset and intensity of HR on N. benthamiana leaves, while overexpression of
dominant negative 14-3-3 mutants prevented HR from occurring. Taken together, these observations
support a biological function for the Tm2-2 and 14-3-3 physical interaction detected by affinity copurification. These results also indicate that 14-3-3 proteins play a role in Tm2-2- and Bs2-mediated
signaling and may act as a common facilitator for immune receptor signaling in the plant family
Solanaceae.
Andrea Sanchez, a member of the University Honors Program, will graduate Cum Laude
with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio-TV-Film and Communications with an emphasis in
Entertainment and Tourism and a minor in Political Science. Andrea was a member of Alpha
Omega for four years as well as the Associate Director of The College Legal Clinic, Inc. Andrea
completed 4 internships, accumulating over 700 hours of volunteering. She would like to thank
her mentor Dr. Heather Osborne-Thompson for her constant support and guidance.
My project is a critical analysis of four science-fiction television programs. The question at the
core of the project is: How has science-fiction television changed historically due to different
culturally operative forces resulting in four diverse shows? The Twilight Zone is an anthology
set in a theoretical location, Star Trek is a set on spaceship in the future, Doctor Who is a
children's show about a time travelling alien, and Orphan Black is set in a modern anonymous
urban city. The methodology for the project was latent content analysis of the television
programs as well as reading articles and books about genre, television, culture, and fan practices.
I studied The Twilight Zone for a RTVF course, which was the basis for the project. What
intrigued me about science fiction was the ability to comment on a range of issues such as
mortality, beauty standards, gender, politics, and racism while remaining imaginative. My
project focuses on generic dominants (The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Orphan
Black) to illustrate how genre is culturally operative. The television programs are case studies
that demonstrate different elements of genre according to what networks, critics, audiences, and
the television show as a text state. The project begins with an introduction leading into
discussion of science-fiction in different mediums before discussing genre and television.
Specific topics addressed within the case studies are institutional history, authorship, narrative
style, production, and fan practices.
Establishing on an Existing Relationship between Sport Confidence and Game
Performance throughout a Collegiate Soccer Season
Lauren Stupin will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications
with a concentration in Advertising and a minor in Business Administration. Lauren was a
member of the Women’s University Soccer Team where she received academic honors for the
First Team All-Conference award. She has also been a Dean’s Scholar for 4 years, participating
in the University Honors Program. For her senior scholarly thesis, Lauren researched the effect
of the coaches’ perception of an athlete’s ability on that athlete’s sport confidence. She has also
volunteered her time with various youth programs in the community such as Titan Tales and
Soccer for Hope. Lauren anticipates a career in Advertising where she can work as an Account
Director.
The purpose of this present study was to research the relationship between a coaches’ perception
of athletic ability and athletic sport confidence throughout a D1 women’s collegiate soccer
season. It was hypothesized that an athletes’ level of sport confidence would mirror the coaches’
perception of their ability (i.e., when the CE decreased, the athletes’ SC would decrease and
when the CE increased, the athletes’ SC would increase). Two testing instruments Perception of
Athlete Ability Scale (PAAS) and the Static Sport Confidence Scale (SSCS) were developed in
order to gather the scores from both the coaches and the players (N=23). The study also analyzed
the SC results between freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years. Four separate analyzes
were conducted to examine the hypotheses posed within the study. Correlations and a oneway
ANOVA with repeated measures were used to investigate the hypotheses. The results supported
the hypotheses by confirming a strong relationship between mid SC and mid CE. and between
post SC and post CE. In addition, there was a significant difference between freshmen and
juniors on the pre SC. Further research and the important implications of this study are
discussed.
The Fairest of Them All: A Study of the Disney Princess and Portrayal of
Gender and Race
Linda Hoang, a President’s Scholar, will graduate Summa Cum Laude with Bachelor of Arts
degrees in Communication-Public Relations and Political Science. She served as vice-president
and president of community service organization Circle K International. Linda was also a DC
Scholar, completing a public affairs internship with the National Transportation Safety Board in
summer 2014. She was a member of Moot Court, where she and her partner placed 7th in legal
brief writing in the American Collegiate Moot Court Association National Championships.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Andi Stein and Dr. Rebecca Dolhinow, Linda’s senior honors
project studied Disney Princesses and the portrayal of gender and race. After college, Linda
plans to pursue a career in local government.
Disney is a household name, and its Princess line reigns supreme. This study observes Disney’s
portrayal of gender and race in its Disney Princess line and explores how this portrayal may
affect children’s understanding of gender and race. Research focused on the representation of
Disney Princesses spanning from Snow White to the recent blockbuster film Frozen.
Observations of Princess products at Disney stores and Disney resorts found feminine products
with a lack of diverse characters. Observations were also made of Disney shows, meet and
greets, and costumes. In the second part of the project, children’s interactions with the Disney
Princesses were explored. Interviews were conducted with two groups that have strong
relationships with children age 3-6: parents and employees of Cal State Fullerton’s Children’s
Center. Research showed the influence of environment on children’s play and a gender
separation that becomes prominent as children grow older. This study reveals how Disney’s
representation of gender and race can affect children and provides parents and scholars with
information about the power and influence that Disney holds.
The Sweet Tweet Spot: Engaging Effectively in Social Media
Alexis Demandante will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in
Communications-Broadcast Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies. She was a
Dean’s Scholar in the College of Communications and a student of the University Honors
Program throughout college. In her final semester, Alexis was a communications intern with the
City of Anaheim. She was a DC Scholar in summer 2014, during which she completed a
communications internship with the non-profit YWCA. Alexis used this internship experience to
analyze actual Twitter posts and their effectiveness in her senior honors project under the
mentorship of Dr. Steven Chen. After graduation, Alexis hopes to continue her communications
career with a non-profit organization or in government.
Businesses, organizations, government agencies and cities have a tremendous presence on social
media platforms, where “likes” and “retweets” can lead to actual dollars and awareness for a
wide range of issues and movements. In the government sector, where social media is used
primarily not to sell a product but to raise awareness of city services and communicate with
residents, what drives audience engagement is a core question for social media managers. As a
communications and public relations intern with the City of Anaheim in Spring 2015, I often
drafted and published Twitter posts (“tweets”) and watched the “retweets” and “followers” grow,
but with little understanding of why some tweets received more or less engagement than others.
Using a year’s worth of tweets and metrics from the City of Anaheim, this project analyzes the
relationship between the content and timing of a tweet and the amount of engagement a tweet
receives. The goal is for the City of Anaheim and other organizations on Twitter to understand
how to better plan their social media outreach based on the most positive engagement factors
found in this study.
Concept Maps in Organic Synthesis: Theory and Application
Jason Sterris, a President’s scholar, will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts
in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. He applied his knowledge of psychology and chemistry
in a capstone honors project, working to improve organic chemistry synthesis through the use of
cognitive mapping, with mentor Dr. Philip Janowicz. He applied his passion for helping others
by working with the youth of his community through the sports program Kare Youth League as
well as volunteering in the emergency room of Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. He plans to apply
his love of the sciences and helping others by pursuing a career in medicine with the intention of
entering medical school in the fall of 2016.
Organic chemistry is an important class for the foundation of many health professions in addition
to being required for the attainment of biology, chemistry and biochemistry degrees. Historically
students have struggled with organic chemistry, as its structure is decidedly unique; however
there is support for the use of concept mapping in organic chemistry to aid in instruction. A
concept map is a graphical representation of the mental organization of topics as they relate to
each other. Research has shown, experts are better able to organize information using concept
maps than novices, and have the demonstrated ability of physically representing a mental
framework. Organic synthesis is a remarkable process because it is one of the few areas in hard
science that promotes creativity and expression. Consequently, by applying concept maps to this
unique area of study, it has helped to reveal the true nature of concept maps. Furthermore,
concept maps naturally promote rote memory; however, by applying concept maps to a dynamic
creative process, I have worked to understand the potential for the expansion of concept maps in
educational instruction, while also working to improve learning in organic chemistry synthesis.
Additionally I have worked to place concept maps into the framework of psychology; providing
vital insights, allowing for context and meaning.
Nurse Advocacy for U.S. Vietnam Veterans Affected by Agent Orange
and Available Resources
Coral Roseberry, a President’s Scholar, will graduate in the spring of 2016 with a Bachelor
of Science in Nursing. She served as president and social chair of the President Scholars Student
Association. Coral participated in the University Honors Program and Nursing Student
Association. She combined her passion for nursing and her interest in veteran care to research the
effects of Agent Orange on Vietnam Veterans and different avenues of advocacy nurses can
utilize for veteran patients. She spent many hours volunteering with UCI Medical Center and the
Muscular Dystrophy Association at their annual summer camp. She also worked on campus in
the Office of Research Development. After she graduates, Coral plans to pursue a career in
pediatric nursing.
The purpose of this research project was to identify the possible risks for veterans associated
with exposure to Agent Orange, to determine which diseases are covered by the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the ways that nurses can advocate for veterans. The U.S.
government utilized Agent Orange (AO) and other herbicides during the Vietnam War to
defoliate forests and crops. AO was contaminated with TCDD a component that is contended to
have adverse health effects on those exposed to the dioxin. Although not all veterans were
exposed to toxic herbicides, some were, and the effect of that exposure has sparked research,
debates, and disability compensation by the VA. Veterans who served during the Vietnam War
were exposed to herbicides that have caused irreparable health effects. These health problems
now endanger the lives of the veterans as well as their children. Only about 25% of all veterans
seek care in VA hospitals, therefore it is vital that nurses in all setting asses the veteran status of
patients and seek to refer them to appropriate venues. If clients are properly assessed then nurses
can identify possible barriers to care, as well and seek proper services to improve the health and
psychosocial stability of patients who are veterans.
MIRRORS + MAPS
A CELEBRATION OF THE HUMAN EXISTANCE IN THE NATURAL WORLD
A short film by Jamie Suzanne Morales
Jamie Morales will be graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio-TV-Film of
the Communications department. She has been recognized as a student of the Dean’s list in
addition to being a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Jamie has worked
with numerous production companies including Prince Productions and Revolution Pictures.
Jamie's ambitions drove her to seek an internship across the country, allowing her multiple road
trips upon which she created her honors project visually exploring the human experience in the
natural world. Jamie is currently assisting a number of professional photographers and
videographers as well as conducting her own personal work. She hopes to develop a career in
commercial and music video production.
There is a special bond between man and earth that is often difficult to place into words or
expression. As a film major, my passion for storytelling is typically demonstrated visually.
Mirrors + Maps is a short film, 5-10 minutes in length, which visually celebrates the human
existence in the natural world. This cinema verite styled film will contain digital video footage of
my travels across the country, in which I experienced firsthand the magic of this bond. I will
incorporate music and sound to further stimulate the adventure. On this visual journey, I hope for
my audience to be captivated by the images, and moved in a similar way in which many are
moved when immersed in the splendor of nature and good company.
Altered
Serena Bleeker will graduate Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She has been a
member of clubs such as the CSUF Book Club, the Jane Austen Club, the Newman Club, and the
Archery Club and is a member of CSUF’s Archery team. She has also been published on a CSUF
young adult book website for her book review on the Young Adult novel Liar & Spy. She has
been listed on the Dean’s list five times and will graduate with University Honors. For her senior
honors project she wrote a young adult science fiction novel. After college Serena anticipates an
editing career involving young adult novels and strives to publish her own work as well.
Altered is a young adult science fiction novel about a teen named Hermia who finds out that she
has the superhuman powers of being able to will people around her into a sleep-like
unconsciousness. When she finds out about her powers in a terrifying bank incident she has
frightened not only herself, but her father as well. With her father’s immediate repulsion and
rejection, Hermia then runs away with an old woman who recognizes her special abilities and
takes her to her energetic and gregarious superhuman granddaughter, Vella. Vella reveals that
she also had a nearly fatal discovery of her powers which included an attack by a pale man with
the ability to create an explosive liquid from his veins. This attack triggered her ability to fly
away from danger in the form of light-energy. With their newfound powers, Hermia and Vella
head to Northern California to meet another teenage superhuman named Myles, who has a darker
past with his electric controlling abilities. When danger strikes, Myles brings the group to his
Uncle Drew’s mansion where Uncle Drew shows a deep interest in Hermia’s powers
particularly. Together the three must face not only the threats of an overly curious doctor, but
must also go to San Francisco to battle a vengeful and unforgiving villain who has the ability to
control people against their will. This novel explores the themes of parental and personal
acceptance as well as the values of teamwork and forgiveness in an epic conglomeration of
action, thrill, and even a touch of romance.
Design and Synthesis of Monoamide Derivatives for the Purpose of
Maintaining Stem Cell Pluripotency
Neha Ansari, a President’s Scholar, will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of
Science in Biochemistry. Neha has served as an Orientation Leader, the Chemistry and
Biochemistry Editor for Dimensions Science Journal, and as a member of the ASI Board of
Directors. This past year, she was elected Chair of the ASI Board of Directors and served on the
Academic Senate and Titan Student Centers Governing Board. Neha has also worked in Dr.
Peter de Lijser’s research lab on campus, participated in the Amgen Scholars Program at the
University of Washington, volunteered at local hospitals and clinics, and was awarded
Outstanding President’s Scholar of the Year in 2014. After college, she plans to pursue a career
in public service.
Stem cell pluripotency is mediated through the Canonical Wnt Signalling Pathway. In absence of
Wnt, the Axin-GSK3β destruction complex degrades β-catenin, the protein that activates Wnt
target genes to maintain stem cell pluripotency. Previous studies have shown that small organic
compounds are capable of blocking the destruction complex in the pathway by inserting a polar
“head” in the GSK3β hydrophilic pocket and using the “tail” to prevent the interaction between
GSK3β and Axin. This leads to the accumulation of β-catenin in the cytosol, which is then used
to activate the Wnt target genes. In this study, a group of monoamide compounds was
synthesized as potential drugs that maintain stem cell pluripotency. The compounds contained
the same base structure and varied in length and in the functional groups present. Following their
synthesis and purification, the compounds were analyzed via the TOPFlash biochemical assay
using the Firefly and Renilla proteins. The emission of light through TOPflash is proportional to
the amount of β-catenin present; therefore the resulting activity signifies the success of the
synthesized compounds for the purpose of maintaining pluripotency in stem cells.
Math Anxiety in High School Geometry Classrooms: An Emphasis on Proofs
Jessica Wightman will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
with a concentration in Teaching. She made the Dean’s List every semester while enrolled in the
University. She is a member of the University Honors Program. She conducted research on the
causes of math anxiety in high school geometry classrooms with a focus on the unit containing
proofs and reasoning. Her immediate plans are to complete a teaching credential in secondary
education at California State University, Fullerton next year. She hopes she will be able to utilize
her research in her own high school math classroom in the near future.
The purpose of this Senior Honors Project was to investigate the causes of math anxiety in high
school geometry classrooms, specifically during the topic of proof. Two current geometry
teachers and one former geometry teacher were interviewed for their thoughts on math anxiety,
the difficulties faced when learning to write proofs, the intersection between anxiety and proofs,
and fighting math anxiety in their own classrooms. The interviewees came from diverse
backgrounds, each with a different degree and different number of years teaching high school
geometry. Each interviewee’s answers were analyzed in reference to the existing literature, then
in reference to each other. Common themes and contradictory statements were analyzed at the
end of the research. The most common answer for causes of math anxiety were the students’
attitudes towards mathematics and society’s views towards mathematics; and the most common
answer for fighting math anxiety were creating a positive classroom atmosphere and constant
encouragement from the teacher.
Poppies in the Trenches: A Post-WWI Novel
Kris Choe will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society, and has served as Activities
Chair for the Honors Student Activities Council. She worked at the Pollak Library and tutored at
the Writing Center. She is most interested in literary theory and modernist literature, particularly
novels written after the Great War. Advised by Dr. Susanne Gaskins, her project is a novella set
in post-WWI London following artists who create facemasks for war veterans. Kris will attend
New York University in the fall to pursue a Master’s in English Literature, and hopes to
eventually receive her doctorate to become a university professor.
The year is 1919. Erwin Faber, a renowned German-born sculptor based in Brighton, England, is
invited to work at the Gower General Hospital in London, following the end of the First World
War. Two artists from the United States named Maverick Neel and Ida Jones join him as artistsin-residence. The Gower General Hospital commissions these artists to create facemasks for war
veterans suffering from extreme facial injuries that cannot be mended with plastic surgery. Erwin
has difficulty confronting the horrible reality that the aftermath of the war brings, and is initially
unable to even look at the veterans. Meanwhile, Maverick and Ida very naturally bond with
them. The first veteran Erwin talks to is Jonathan Blythe, an English soldier who not only suffers
from physical injuries, but also from shell shock. The one who anchors him to the present when
his mind drifts back to the war is his daughter, Eloise. This is a story that seeks to understand
human relationships during a time when so much was sacrificed and so little was gained. It is a
story exploring what it looks like to love, to lose, and to live. The three artists-in-residence,
Eloise, Frankie Turner (a ward orderly), Clara Bellamy (a nurse), and the veterans work together
to eventually learn that the smallest details in life have the most unexpected power to give one
the greatest happiness.