Contents
The Legacy of Ronald E. McNair ..................................................3
Letter from the Conference Chair ..................................................4
Letter from the MAEOPP President .............................................5
Conference History ..........................................................................6
Fireside Chat with Carl McNair ......................................................7
Luncheon Speaker: David Pate .......................................................8
Keynote Speaker: Will Allen............................................................9
Conference Staff ...............................................................................11
Conference at a Glance ....................................................................12
Detailed Conference Schedule ........................................................13
Oral Presentation Schedules ............................................................18
Poster Presentation Schedules.........................................................43
See full booklet
for this information
Graduate School Fair Exhibitors ....................................................57
Abstracts .............................................................................................75
Conference Center Maps .................................................................137
3
The Legacy of Dr. Ronald E. McNair
An innovative laser physicist, phenomenal researcher and National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) mission specialist, Dr. Ronald Ervin McNair became the second African American astronaut
to travel in space.
Born to Carl and Pearl McNair on October 21, 1950, Ronald E. McNair graduated from Carver High
School in Lake City, South Carolina. With the encouragement and support of his family, friends and
community educators, Ronald McNair pursued higher education and graduated magna cum laude from
North Carolina A&T State University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. Continuing
a tradition of excellence, he was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy in physics from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in 1976.
Recruited to NASA by Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols, Dr. McNair was chosen in 1978 as one of
35 candidates — from more than 8,000 applicants — to train with NASA’s flight program. In February
1984 during his first Challenger mission, STS-41-B, Dr. McNair deployed one of two communication
satellites and operated the historic use of the remote Canadian arm manipulator that guided crew
members around Challenger’s payload bay. During the mission, Dr. McNair also communicated with
President Ronald Reagan via satellite and filmed motion pictures using a Cinema 360 camera.
Throughout his career, Dr. McNair published extensively. He also studied laser physics and molecular
spectroscopy with leading scholars around the world, including research with the Etole d´ete Theorique
de Physique in Les Houches, France. Acknowledging the breadth and significance of his work, honorary
doctorates were presented to Dr. McNair in 1978, 1980 and 1984 from North Carolina A&T State
University, Morris College and the University of South Carolina, respectively. He also was a recipient
of the 1979 National Society of Black Professional Engineers Distinguished National Scientist Award.
In addition to his extensive academic and professional service, Dr. McNair remained dedicated to his
family and community. He was an accomplished fifth-degree blackbelt karate instructor, a performing
jazz saxophonist, avid athlete, culinary enthusiast and a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
On January 28, 1986, Dr. McNair died doing what he loved, when his second Challenger shuttle mission,
STS 51-L, exploded 73 seconds after launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The shuttle
was nine miles above the Atlantic Ocean, and all seven of its crew members perished. Dr. McNair
was survived by his wife, Cheryl; their two children, Reginald Ervin and Joy Cheray; and numerous
family members, mentors, colleagues and friends.
Posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of
Honor, Dr. Ronald E. McNair’s legacy continues to
inspire youth, scholars and colleagues worldwide.
The Annual McNair Conference
honors the research, service and life of
Dr. Ronald E. McNair
Ronald E. McNair Research Conference and Graduate School Fair – 2014
4
Letter from the Conference Chair
Dear McNair National Research Conference and Graduate Fair Attendees,
Welcome to the 23rd Annual MAEOPP National McNair Research Conference and Graduate Fair at
the renovated Lake Lawn Resort in Delevan WI. You are in for a memorable weekend during which
you will receive a wealth of information and access to opportunities to network with potential research
and professional colleagues. There will be workshops assisting in your career progress, opportunities
for you to present your work in a comfortable atmosphere with plenty of student and professional
colleagues, and a pleasant overall environment for networking interactions. It should be a bootstrap
to your participation in professional society meetings and other career-oriented venues where you will
attain your trajectory to a rewarding future.
As McNair scholars, I am confident that your presentations will be outstanding and the relationships
you build this weekend will be memorable. You have developed an expertise that may have started
when you began your projects in your respective programs, and is increasing in strength and perspective every day. You deserve to be confident introducing yourself to Graduate Fair exhibitors from
institutions nationwide, who are there to convince you to achieve your ultimate educational goals at
THEIR institution. You will also converse with fellow scholars from across the country and strengthen
your path towards attaining the doctoral degree.
Diverse University units have pulled together to make this conference work, and its style includes
response to participant comments. The UWM Graduate School, UWM diversity programs, research
mentors and financial supporters, and communications staff all have your development in mind. In
addition, science and humanities faculty from a variety of sponsoring institutions will be giving their
time to understand your work and to guide you to potential mentors within their fields of expertise.
Thank you for using these resources by attending the conference!
The Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) is our
main sponsor, and we appreciate the support from President Annette Horvat and Treasurer Robert
Jenkins. Thanks in advance for making this weekend so memorable!
Carmen Aguilar
Director, Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Graduate School
Chair, 23rd Annual MAEOPP National McNair Research Conference and Graduate Fair
Sponsored by MAEOPP and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
5
Letter from MAEOPP President
Dear Conference Attendees,
Welcome to the 23nd Annual National McNair Research Conference and Graduate Fair presented by
the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) and the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). Hosted at the Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, Wisconsin
which is set on beautiful Delavan Lake with huge oaks and maples shading the sweeping lawns for
which it is named, the conference committee has worked diligently to create a memorable weekend
for all. You will receive a wealth of information and access to opportunities to network with potential
research and professional colleagues.
Under the leadership of our McNair Conference Chair Dr. Carmen Aguilar, our committed conference
staff have worked collaboratively and tirelessly to provide you with an experience full of knowledge
and engagement. I must thank both Dr. Aguilar and Donte McFadden who began this year’s conference planning together and transitioned the chair position seamlessly to Dr. Aguilar this past summer.
I also want to thank the UWM Graduate Diversity and Opportunity Programs – McNair Scholars
Program/Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowship (Carmen Aguilar, Thoy Bouakongxaya, Desere
Liddel), the Office of Undergraduate Research – College of Letters and Science (Kyla Esguerra, Tamara Long, Scott Payne, Nigel Rothfels), the Division of Global Inclusion and Engagement (Linda
Huang), the IT office in the College of Letters and Science (Russell Stetzer, Sean Zettel), and all of
our institutional partners who have given us significant support. On behalf of everyone mentioned, it
is wonderful to have all of you, the McNair Scholars, faculty, staff, and alumni, join us to participate
in this year’s event.
Many attendees have brought their students to this conference since it began in 1992. We send an
abundance of thanks to Michael Jeffries and Priscilla Fortier, the team behind the McNair Scholars
Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that managed this event for seventeen
years. As MAEOPP is the main sponsor, I extend my appreciation for the support and service from
Treasurer Robert Jenkins.
As McNair scholars, I am confident that your presentations will be outstanding and the relationships
you build this weekend will be memorable. You have built an expertise that has started when you began
your projects in your respective programs, and you should find tremendous confidence introducing
yourselves to Graduate Fair exhibitors from the many institutions represented. They came here to visit
with you! Throughout the conference, you will have opportunity to converse with fellow scholars, faculty and staff from across the country and build a network to strengthen your path towards attaining
the doctoral degree.
My best to you and thank you in advance for making this weekend so extraordinary!
Annette E. Horvat, M.Ed.
MAEOPP President
Ronald E. McNair Research Conference and Graduate School Fair – 2014
6
Conference History
The MAEOPP-sponsored National McNair Scholars Research Conference is the oldest McNair Scholars conference in the country. It grew out of the committee work of the first 28 McNair Program
administrators’ efforts from 1990 to 1992 at SAEOPP’s McNair training. Associate Dean of Students
and McNair Director Michael L. Jeffries of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign initiated
the conference with the able assistance of McNair Director Roy Hamilton of Purdue UniversityCalumet, Florence Harris of Michigan State University, the late Yvonne Croston of the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Priscilla Fortier of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Since 1992, the National McNair Scholars Research Conference has hosted most of the nation’s McNair Programs, as well as numerous Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Programs
and students from a wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds. Annually, more than 500 scholars,
faculty and staff from more than 30 states and the Caribbean meet to rededicate themselves to the
pursuit of excellence. Many McNair directors have been able to meet program objectives by sending
scholars to the conference. We are delighted that a number of other annual conferences grew out of
the national one.
After 17 successful years of coordinating this conference, the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign has graciously passed the torch to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and we are
extraordinarily honored to host this important event once again.
Sponsored by MAEOPP and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
7
Annual Fireside Chat
Carl McNair
Since the death of his brother aboard the space shuttle Challenger in 1986, Carl McNair has dedicated
himself to developing and implementing educational programs that motivate and encourage students
to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (also known as STEM fields).
Carl was the first chairman of the National McNair Foundation, Inc., which is located in Atlanta. The
foundation’s mission is to help empower aspiring leaders organizations and individuals to unleash
their human potential to achieve their goals and enjoy a life they love. Under Carl’s leadership, the
foundation created the Challengers Club Space Camp, the Challengers Club Science Mentoring
Educational Program, and the In-Service Teachers Training Program. The foundation’s programs have
been featured on CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS television networks and in a variety of news publications.
Carl’s first book, In the Spirit of Ronald E. McNair, Astronaut, An American Hero, was published in 2005.
He also conducts leadership and space science workshops for Talent Search and Upward Bound
programs across the country. Whether he is speaking to university audiences, Fortune 500 companies
or civic organizations, Carl has a passion for helping people succeed and live purpose-driven lives. He
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology from North Carolina A&T University in
Greensboro, N.C., and an MBA from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
Ronald E. McNair Research Conference and Graduate School Fair – 2014
8
Luncheon Speaker
David J. Pate, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Social Work, UW Milwaukee
Prior to his academic appointment, David worked for 15 years as a
practicing social worker, held a three-year post-doctoral research
fellowship with the Institute for Research on Poverty, University of
Wisconsin-Madison and is the founder and former executive director
of the Center for Family Policy and Practice in Madison, Wisconsin.
Professor Pate’s research projects involve the use of qualitative research methods to examine the
relationship of non-custodial fathers of children on welfare and the child support enforcement system,
and the father’s relationship with the mothers of their children. Professor Pate’s professional interests
lies on issues of poverty, child support enforcement policy, the life-course of black males, fathers of
welfare-reliant children, domestic violence, and the intersection of race, gender, and poverty on social
welfare policy formation.
On sabbatical during the fall of 2013, he was a Visiting Research Professor at the University of York,
SPRU, and City of York, United Kingdom. Professor Pate is a recipient of the 2013 Fromkin Award
– University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Golda Meir Library 44th Annual Morris Fromkin Memorial
Lecturer: “Title of Lecture: Access to Justice: How Lawyers Matter in Civil Proceedings for Low-Income
Litigants.” (November 14, 2013).
Professor Pate is also an invited member to the National Advisory Board of the Responsible Father
Research Network. (2013-2018), member of the Welfare Research and Family Self-Sufficiency Technical
Working Group, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE), Administration for Children and
Families (ACF), and US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC. (Term: 2012-2014).
Professor Pate also participated on the social science research and writing team which submitted two
amicus brief for the Center for Family Policy and Practice (CFFPP) in support of the petitioner in the
Turner v. Rogers case to the United States Supreme Court. Oral arguments were presented on the case
in Washington, D.C. on March 23, 2011. The decision was rendered on June 20, 2011. Professor Pate
also serves as an elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance.
Sponsored by MAEOPP and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
9
Keynote Speaker
Will Allen
Urban Farmer
Will Allen is an urban farmer who is transforming the cultivation, production and delivery of healthy foods to under-served urban populations. As the son of a sharecropper, former professional basketball
player, ex-corporate sales leader and longtime farmer, he is recognized
as a national leader in urban agriculture and food policy. After a brief
career in professional basketball and a number of years in corporate
marketing at Procter & Gamble, Will Allen returned to his roots as a farmer, using his retirement package to purchase a plot of inner-city land with greenhouses, where he established and functions as the
CEO of the country’s preeminent urban farm and non-profit organization, Growing Power.
At Growing Power and in community food projects across the nation and around the world, Allen
promotes the belief that all people, regardless of their economic circumstances, should have access to
fresh, safe, affordable and nutritious foods at all times. Using methods he has developed over a lifetime,
Allen trains community members to become community farmers, assuring them a secure source of
good food without regard to political or economic forces.
In 2008, Allen was named a John D. and Katherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellow, a “genius grant,”
only the second farmer ever to be so honored. He is also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative,
and in February 2010, he was invited to the White House to join First Lady Michelle Obama in launching “Let’s Move!”—her signature leadership program to reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity in
America. In May 2010, Time magazine named Will one of Time 100 World’s Most Influential People.
In 2011, Allen was named one of the World’s Most Powerful Foodies by Michael Pollan and Forbes
Magazine in its World Power Issue and the NEA Security Benefit Corporation Award for Outstanding
Service to Public Education in 2012 for his work with children, teachers and schools.
Allen also experienced an illustrious career in sports. In 1966, he was a member of the Richard Montgomery High School State Championship Basketball Team and named to the Washington Post’s AllMetro Basketball Team, the first player ever to be named three times in the history of the award. As a high
school All-American basketball player, he received over 100 scholarship offers to colleges and universities.
In 1967, Allen became the first African-American basketball player at the University of Miami Florida
and one of Miami’s all-time leaders in scoring and rebounding. Post-college, Allen played professionally
in the American Basketball Association and then for a Belgian team in the European Professional League.
Allen was inducted in the Atlantic Coast Conference Hall of Legends in 2010 and in 2011, received
the highest honor that can be bestowed to a collegiate athlete, the Theodore Roosevelt Award from
the National College Athletic Association, his name enshrined at the NCAA Hall of Champions in
Indianapolis, Indiana.
On May 10th, 2012, Will Allen became a published autobiographer of the book, THE GOOD FOOD
REVOLUTION: Growing Healthy Food, People, and Communities (Penguin/Gotham Books).
In the Fall of 2012, Will Allen was the first ever inductee into the Richard Montgomery High School
Hall of Fame. Richard Montgomery is Allen’s high school alma mater in Rockville, MD. He lives with
his wife in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
Ronald E. McNair Research Conference and Graduate School Fair – 2014
11
Conference Staff
Chair
Carmen Aguilar
Program Director, Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate
Achievement Program
Associate Scientist, School of Freshwater Sciences
Committee
McNair Program at UW-Milwaukee
Thoy Bouakongxaya
Associate Director, Ronald E. McNair Program
Assistant Director, Graduate Diversity and Opportunity Programs
Desere Liddell
Office Manager, Graduate Diversity & Opportunity Programs
Milan Outlaw
Program Assistant, Graduate Diversity & Opportunity Programs
Darius Carr
Program Coordinator, Ronald E. McNair Program
Office for Global Inclusion and Engagement
Linda Huang
Program Manager, Office for Global Inclusion & Engagement
Office of Undergraduate Research
Nigel Rothfels
Director, Office of Undergraduate Research
Kyla Esguerra
Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Research
Tamara Long
Advisor, Office of Undergraduate Research
Scott Payne
Programs Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Research
College of Letters and Science Information Technology Office
Russell Stetzer
Academic Technology, L&S Information Technology Office
Sean Zettel
Academic Technology, L&S Information Technology Office
Ronald E. McNair Research Conference and Graduate School Fair – 2014
12
Conference at a Glance
Lake Lawn Resort is located on 250 wooded acres alongside two miles of Delavan Lake shoreline and
provides all the comforts of home. Reopened in 2011 under new management, Lake Lawn Resort has
been operating for more than 130 years and is the only property of its kind just 90 minutes from Chicago and within 60 minutes of Milwaukee, Madison and Rockford.
As a locally owned full-service leisure getaway, family retreat and meeting facility, we have everything
you’re looking for no matter what kind of vacation or event you’re planning. For many, we are a home
away from home providing recreation and festivities that make lasting memories. As you explore, be
sure to note the location of your own presentation room.
The work agenda for Friday includes the conference’s kickoff activity, a Graduate School Fair from
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ask questions and be sure to pick up plenty of information. Then, enjoy the buffet
dinner! Friday evening features several workshops and a Fireside Chat with Carl McNair, brother of
Dr. Ronald McNair.
On Saturday, the Graduate School Fair continues, and the oral presentations begin at 9:45am. The oral
presentations and the poster session continue through the afternoon. The conference banquet will feature Will Allen as the keynote speaker. After the banquet each school’s spirit will be showcased during
the campus roll call. The evening will finish with an exciting DJ and a dance.
On Sunday morning, we will hear from a panel of graduate students who are eager to tell you about
their experiences and answer your questions.
Have a wonderful and productive conference!
Sponsored by MAEOPP and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Schedule – 13
Conference Schedule—Friday, October 31, 2014
1pm — 8pm
Registration
(Follow the signs to the pre-function area)
1pm — 8pm
PowerPoint Presentation Uploads
(Willams Bay)
3pm — 4pm
Graduate Fair Exhibitors set-up (Lake Lawn & Queens Table)
4pm — 7pm
Graduate School Fair (Lake Lawn & Queens Table)
6pm — 8pm
Dinner (Geneva Ballroom)
7:00pm — 8:35pm
Graduate Preparation Workshops-First & Second Session Presenters
Dr. Pushpa Murthy -- Funding Graduate Education: National Science
Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program
(Wisconsin Room)
Maya Holtzman -- Understanding the Differences Amongst Graduate
Programs and Writing High-Impact, Best-Fit Personal Statements
(Illinois Room)
Dr. Russell Cuhel --- Preparation for Your Quality Application to
Graduate School (Geneva Club)
7:00pm — 7:45pm
First Session of Graduate Preparation Workshops (listed above)
7:30pm — 8:30pm
McNair Staff Reception (Chicago Room)
7:50pm — 8:35pm
Second Session of Graduate Preparation Workshops (listed above)
8:45pm — 10:15pm
Fireside Chat with Carl McNair, brother of Dr. Ronald McNair
(Great Room)
10:30pm — 11:30pm
Annual Karaoke Contest with Great Prizes! Costumes encouraged!
(Great Room)
Ronald E. McNair Research Conference and Graduate School Fair – 2014
14 – Schedule
Graduate Preparation Workshops
1) Dr. Pushpa Murthy -- Funding Graduate Education: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Graduate Research Fellowship Program (Wisconsin Room)
Pushpa earned her PhD in chemistry from Brown University in Providence, Rhode
Island. After her PhD, she conducted postdoctoral research in neurochemistry at
the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan before joining the Research and
Development Department of Stauffer Chemical Company in Dobbs Ferry, New
York. After 2 years of industrial research she realized that her passion was in teaching
and fundamental research so she joined Michigan Technological University as an
Assistant Professor. She is a Professor of Chemistry at her home institution, Michigan Technological
University in Houghton, Michigan. She has taught and conducted research with undergraduate and
graduate students for over 20 years. She has mentored over 50 undergraduate students in her laboratory.
She is passionate about broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM and the
career advancement of underrepresented groups to leadership positions.
Pushpa Murthy has been working at the National Science Foundation for 2 years. She is a Program
Director for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).
2) Maya Holtzman -- Understanding the Differences Amongst Graduate Programs and
Writing High-Impact, Best-Fit Personal Statements (Illinois Room)
Maya Holtzman is Associate Director of McNair Scholars Programs and the Summer
Research Opportunities Programs at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Over
the last 10 years, Maya has helped hundreds of McNair Scholars learn strategies
to gaining admission to highly competitive Masters’ and Ph.D. programs, this
includes understanding the graduate admissions process and ways to fund graduate
education, writing effective graduate application essays, networking with faculty and
self-advocacy, skills on effectively presenting research. Maya has a Master of Science
Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and is currently a
doctoral candidate, in the same program.
Your personal statement is one part of your graduate application that you totally control. Come hear
how to write a statement that will get you where you want to go! Facilitator: Maya Holtzman, Associate
Director, McNair Scholars Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
3) Dr. Russell Cuhel --- Preparation for Your Quality Application to Graduate School
(Geneva Club)
This workshop will present for discussion aspects of different components of an
application including STEM disciplines. The topics include: Application forms
and files, the importance of the personal statement and background experience,
transcripts, and letters of recommendation. Facilitator: Dr. Russell Cuhel, Senior
Scientist and Director of the Research Experience for Undergraduates, School of
Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. He started in Hollywood
with a paper route and selling used hangers to a dry cleaner. His coin collection
helped him attend college at the University of California San Diego, where he earned BAs in Biology
and Chemistry along with a job in Oceanography. His skills and networking earned him a full ride to
the PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
In addition to the more than 2000 days at sea studying marine biology, he has spent much time helping
others pursues their careers in STEM.
Sponsored by MAEOPP and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Schedule – 15
Conference Schedule — Saturday, November 1, 2014
7:30am — 8:15am
Breakfast (please remain seated for the plenary sessions that follow meals)
(Geneva Ballroom)
8:15am — 9:15am
Conference Welcome and Panel of Deans and Directors
Geneva Ballroom
Welcome: Marija Gajdardziska-Josifovska, Dean of Graduate School,
Professor of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Presiding: Gabriel Gallardo, Associate Vice President, Office of Minority
Student Affairs/New Initiatives and Director, McNair Scholars Program,
University of Washington
9:45am — 11:45am
CONCURRENT MORNING ACTIVITIES
Graduate School Fair (Lake Lawn & Queens Table rooms)
McNair Scholar Oral Presentations (check book for room locations)
11:45am — 1:15pm
Conference Luncheon and Plenary Session: Dr. David Pate
(Geneva Ballroom)
1:30pm — 2:15pm
Oral Research Presentations continued (check book for room locations)
2:15pm — 2:30pm
Poster Presentation set-up (Frontier Room)
2:30pm — 4:00pm
Poster Presentation Session (Frontier Room)
4:00pm — 4:15pm
Poster Presentation Session break-down (Frontier Room)
4:15pm — 5:30pm
Oral Research Presentations (continued)
6:00pm — 7:00pm
Reception (Geneva Ballroom)
7:00pm — 9:00pm
Conference Banquet (Geneva Ballroom)
Master of Ceremonies: Annette Horvat, President Mid-America
Keynote Speaker Will Allen, Urban Farmer
Campus Roll Call
9:30pm — 12:30am
Evening Soirée (Geneva Ballroom)
*** NOTE ABOUT SATURDAY: Some presentation rooms are not in the main conference area ***
*** Explore a bit on Friday, and try to locate every room that you will need on Saturday ***
Ronald E. McNair Research Conference and Graduate School Fair – 2014
16 – Schedule
Sunday, November 2, 2014
8:00am — 9:30am
Breakfast and Graduate Student Panel (Geneva Ballroom)
9:30 am — Noon
Checkout and Departure
COME BACK AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
Sponsored by MAEOPP and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee