Aishwarya Benzy '25 (Physiology and Neurobiology & Human Rights, CLAS)
OUR Conference Presentation Award Recipient

Project Mentor: Dr. Robert Astur, Psychological Sciences

Project Title: Conditioned Place Preferences to Nicotine in a Human Virtual Reality Task

Our research addresses the escalating concern of e-cigarette usage among young adults, which is intricately linked to nicotine addiction and its consequent health risks. We examined whether undergraduate students, across a spectrum of nicotine usage, exhibit a Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) for a virtual environment associated with nicotine lozenges as opposed to a neutral setting paired with a placebo. The findings reveal that participants who use nicotine show a distinct explicit preference for the nicotine-associated virtual space. This study sets a critical foundation for further research and informs public health initiatives aimed at mitigating the rising trend of e-cigarette consumption among young adults.

Project Poster: Aishwarya Benzy Frontiers poster

Anabelle Bergstrom '25 (Political Science and Philosophy, CLAS)
SURF Award Recipient - Robert and Elizabeth Subkowsky Award

Project Mentor: Dr. Virginia Hettinger, Political Science

Project Title: Investigating the Influence of Campaign Contributions on State Supreme Court Judicial Decisions

This research seeks to examine if campaign contributions influence subsequent state supreme court decisions. 150 cases were analyzed from six states based on ballot type (partisan, non-partisan, and quasi-partisan). Findings do not show a significant correlation between campaign contributions and state supreme court decisions, though more research is needed to determine the widespread impact of these results.

Project Poster: Anabelle Bergstrom Frontiers Poster

Clark Bray, Dec. '24 (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
SURF Award Recipient

Project Mentor: Dr. Nora Berrah, Physics

Project Title: Ultrafast Molecular Dynamics using a Femtosecond Laser

This proposal aims to investigate the photo-induced ionization and subsequent molecular dynamics, including photodissociation and ring opening, of 2-bromothiophene using laser-pump-laser-probe spectroscopy and cold target ion momentum spectroscopy (COLTRIMS) techniques. By comparing the behavior of 2-bromothiophene with similar molecules like iodothiophene, this study seeks to enhance understanding of their molecular dynamics and photodissociation processes. This approach allows for a detailed comparison with previous studies, offering new insights into the mechanisms of molecular transformations under light exposure.

Project Poster:  Clark Bray Frontiers Poster

Alyssa Brostek '25 (Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR)
SHARE Virtual Summer Apprenticeship Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Sam Sommers, English

Project Title: Teaching Reading From the 18th Century

This project was about teaching reading and racism in education in the 18th century. Research was in articles and texts to provide connections and themes to share the history of teaching reading and the effect racism had on education and specifically the way literature was taught.

Project Poster: Alyssa Brostek Frontiers Poster

Katie Coleman '24 (Elementary Education, NEAG School of Education)
OUR Supply Award Recipient

Project Mentor: Dr. Douglas Kaufman, Elementary Education

Project Title: Multicultural Literature in the Classroom

Multicultural Literature in the Classroom focuses on teacher perspectives on what teachers think and feel about multicultural literature in the classroom. The study interviewed 4 teachers in the state of Connecticut from the same school district.

Project Poster: Katie Coleman Frontiers Poster

Olivia Crawford '24 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS)
SURF Award - Treibick Scholar

Project Mentor: Dr. Daniel Mulkey, Physiology and Neurobiology

Project Title: Molecularly Profiling Expiratory Neurons in the Lateral Parafacial Region

Breathing consists of three stages, inspiration, post-inspiration, and expiration, where each component has a proposed neural mechanism that governs it. Active expiration is thought to be governed by glutamatergic neurons in the lateral parafacial (pFL) region, but no unique genetic markers of this area have been identified. This project aimed at verifying single-cell RNAseq data to define unique markers of the pFL against its anatomical neighbor, the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), through in-situ hybridization. Although our results suggest that the single-cell data is verified, problems with the protocol leave us cautionary, and further verification through viral retrograde labeling of the pFL and successive immunohistochemistry analysis of the area will be conducted.

Project Poster: Olivia Crawford Frontiers Poster

Ellen Flemming '24 (Political Science & German, CLAS)
SHARE Virtual Summer Apprenticeship Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Christopher Shay, Human Rights Institute; Dr. Evan Perkoski, Political Science

Project Title: Assessing Fairness and Rigor of Post-Regime Change Trials

The Post Regime-Change Trial project analyzes the prosecution of former members of qualifying countries' regimes in order to determine if the investigations and trials were free and fair or flawed. The codebook written for this research uses clearly defined criteria to determine qualifying cases and prosecutions in order to improve on previous work in this field. Data was collected specifically on the rigor and impartiality of the proceedings, using credible NGOs, government organizations, and credible media organizations as sources.

Project Poster: Ellen Flemming Frontiers Poster

Giuliana Judge '25 (Chemistry & Molecular and Cell Biology, CLAS)
SURF Award Recipient

Project Mentor: Dr. Ping Yan, Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling

Project Title: Synthesis of voltage sensitive dyes with donor-π-spacer-acceptor structures

Voltage sensitive dyes (VSDs) allow for fluorescent imaging of action potentials in certain cells that rely on electrical signals such as neurons and cardiomyocytes and are essential in circumstances where it is difficult or impossible to use other methods of measuring electronic changes across the membrane, such as patch-clamp. One way to achieve this is to extend the conjugation of existing dyes (increase their length); however, this must be done without compromising the voltage sensitivity of the dye. We present progress that has been made toward the synthesis of chromene-based voltage sensitive dyes with a phenyl group between the donor and acceptor moieties, as well as a 2H-Naphtho[2,3-b]pyran-based dye.

Project Poster: Giuliana Judge Frontiers Poster

Alaina Karp '25 (Political Science and History, CLAS)
SHARE Virtual Summer Apprenticeship Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Heather Wurtz, Anthropology

Project Title: Pandemic Journaling Project: A Look Back at Covid-19 And It's Impact

The Pandemic Journaling Project seeks to make sure history is not forgotten in regards to the Covid-19 pandemic. I specifically researched the affected Covid-19 had on different marginalized groups. Through my research, I was able to discover that marginilized populations such as Indigenous Peoples, POC, and essential employees were affected by Covid-19 differently than other populations.

Project Poster: Alaina Karp Frontiers Poster

Eashwar Krishna '26 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS)
OUR Conference Presentation Award

Project Mentor: Dr. Kristin Guertin, Public Health Sciences

Project Title: A Statistical Analysis of Rural-Urban Mean Emergency Medical Service Response Time Disparities in Connecticut

It is known that ambulance response times are longer in rural regions than in urban regions. Separately, rural regions tend to have a lower median income. This project statistically tests whether the two variables are related in Connecticut.

Project Poster: Eashwar Krishna Frontiers Poster

Miraal Maqsood '24 (Molecular and Cell Biology, CLAS)

Project Mentor: Dr. Patricia Rossi, Molecular and Cell Biology

Project Title: Investigation of Antibiotic Activity from soil of Dieffenbachia

Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern due to the increasing number of highly virulent and resistant bacteria. This issue creates an urgent need to discover new antibiotics that can be used as new treatment options. The Tiny Earth Initiative is a global program that partners researchers and students to search for new antibiotics with the use of bacteria found in soil.

Project Poster: Miraal Maqsood Frontiers Poster

Lauren Miller '24 (Cognitive Science, CLAS)
OUR Conference Presentation Award

Project Mentor: Dr. Eiling Yee, Psychology

Project Title: Are Objects Oriented Towards Your Dominant Hand Easier to Recognize?

Previous research demonstrated that conceptual knowledge of manipulable objects is partially grounded in the motor system. We tested if motor experience through handedness also influences participants’ abilities to name objects that are commonly grasped with their dominant hand. Preliminary data shows that motor experiences and/or action tendencies influence object identification for manipulable objects, suggesting not only that conceptual knowledge of graspable objects includes activation of motor features, but also that this activation contributes to their recognition.

Presentation Slides: Lauren Miller Frontiers slides

Anushka Molugu'24 (Physiology and Neurobiology & Individualized Major: Computational Neuroscience, CLAS)

Project Mentor: Dr. Heather Read, Psychology

Project Title: Behavioral and EEG metrics for detection of speech repetition varies with memory load and temporal modulations in background natural sounds

Past research suggests that brain activity is heightened when attending to foreground-driven speech in the presence of background noise distractors. This activity correlates with temporal modulations of background sounds that can help us predict and better understand where in the brain humans are able to differentiate between sounds. This research aims to look at these predictions by observing performance and visualizing where higher brain activity is localized.

Project Poster: Anushka Molugu Frontiers Poster

Shiv Patel '25 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS)

Project Mentor: Dr. Steven Kinsey, Nursing

Project Title: Minor Cannabinoid(CBN) has Anti-Inflammatory Effects in a Mice LPS model

The research conducted served to find alternative methods to treat chronic pain and inflammation. The current gold standard uses opioids, however, the high abuse potential limits their overall effectiveness. The endocannabinoid system allows us to target pain and inflammation as cannabinoids such as THC have been shown to reduce inflammation, however, their psychotropic effects limit clinical use. Cannabinol (CBN) is a minor phytocannabinoid which can also be used to reduce inflammation and can be used clinically.

Project Poster: Shiv Patel Frontiers Poster

Vraj Patel '26 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS)
Health Research Program and OUR Conference Presentation Award

Project Mentor: Dr. Rajkumar Verma, Neuroscience

Project Title: Modeling Encephalomyosynagiosis After An Ischemic Stroke

I am studying how Encephalomyosyangiosis (EMS) can help patients with an ischemic stroke recover quicker. I do this by conducting an histological assessment by seeing if EMS promotes angiogenesis. We study this in mice and found promising results that help identify EMS as a safe procedure that can promote angiogenesis and help in long term recovery.

Project Poster: Vraj Patel Frontiers Poster

Pranavi Rebala '25 (Economics & Urban and Community Studies, CLAS)
SURF Award Recipient 

Project Mentor: Dr. Phil Birge-Liberman, Urban and Community Studies

Project Title: Examining the Presence of the Growth Machine Model in Small-Mid-Sized U.S. Cities

This is a mixed-methods analysis looking at public-private partnerships and their relation to sociologist Harvey Molotch's "Growth Machine Model." The Growth Machine Model theorizes that urban development is driven by a few key stakeholders, who influence large-scale development projects. While there is much literature examining the Growth Machine Model in large and mid-sized metropolitan regions, there is sparse analysis of its effects in small metropolitan areas. I use Hartford County in Connecticut as a case study to determine how the Model plays a role in urban revitalization.

Project Poster: Pranavi Rebala Frontiers Poster

Trevor Religa '25 (Molecular and Cell Biology, CLAS)
SURF Award Recipient and UConn IDEA Grant Recipient

Project Mentor: Dr. David Martinelli, Neuroscience

Project Title: C1QL3 Facilitates Cognitively Challenging Behavior

My project is studying C1QL3 which is a synaptic protein thought to be involved in disorders like autism, schizophrenia, and ADHD. Synaptic proteins are important for holding our brain cells together and mediating signaling. When C1QL3 is knocked out from mice we see behaviors reminiscent of these behaviors so I tested if C1QL3 was important for cognitively challenging behaviors like attention and adaptability which some individuals with these disorders struggle with. We accomplished this by knocking out C1QL3 in mice and then having them perform specific behavior tasks related to attention.

Project Poster: Trevor Religa Frontiers Poster

Kurt Rueckl '24 (Earth Sciences, CLAS)
OUR Supply Award Recipient

Project Mentor: Dr. Pieter Visscher, Marine Sciences

Project Title: Modeling the Impact of Cyanobacteria on Calcite Precipitation in an Experimental Setting

This experiment is part of a larger project to analyze the impact of cyanobacteria on calcite precipitation with implications for astrobiology and carbon dioxide drawdown. In order to be able to quantitatively assess this impact, a new model is developed and tested experimentally. The goal of this model is to simplify previous models to get easier to obtain and cheaper measurements.

Project Poster: Kurt Rueckl Frontiers Poster

Ruth Salazar '24 (Psychological Sciences & Human Development and Family Sciences, CLAS)
SHARE Virtual Summer Apprenticeship Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Alaina Brenick, Human Development and Family Sciences

Project Title: The Role of Teachers in how U.S. Youth Evaluate and Respond to Immigrant Bias-Based Bullying

A positive school climate is foundational to the socioemotional and behavioral well-being of students within that educational institution.; when teachers promote inclusive and anti-bullting school climates to stop bias-based bullying (BBB) rates of ethnic bullying and victimization decrease significantlyl (Caravita et al., 2021; Ivaniushina & Alexandrov, 2022; Özdemir et al., 2022). The current study examines the relationship between teachers' responses to and acceptance of BBB with immigrants and non-immigrant students' judgments, justifications, and bystander responses to BBB. Some key findings are 1) non-immigrant boys and girls significantly differ on how they rated the Arab scenarios when teachers had low helpfulness, such that girls were rating the Arab scenario as more acceptable, 2) non-immigrant participants tended to justify social exclusion bullying with group functioning, whereas immigrant participants tended to justify with empathy, and 3) when students perceived the teacher acceptance as moderate-high yet perceived teachers’ responses to bullying as unhelpful, both non-immigrant and immigrant background students selected more passive bystander choices.

Project Poster: Ruth Salazar Frontiers Poster

Mikha Shrestha '24 (Individualized Major: Cognitive Neuroscience, CLAS)
OUR Conference Presentation Award Recipient

Project Mentor: Dr. Robert Astur, Psychological Sciences

Project Title: Enhancing Resilience: A Novel Fear Conditioning Intervention for Mitigating Social Anxiety in Undergraduate Students

The phenomenon of fear conditioning can be applied to anxiety disorders, where multiple paired associations of a neutral stimulus with an aversive stimulus can induce fear. However, altering this paradigm can further extinguish the learned fear response. Confrontation of a fear through exposure therapy applies this extinction process, yet, return of the fear response commonly occurs. Hence, a novel addition may improve the duration and strength of extinction. The overall purpose of the current study is to determine the efficacy of the addition of novel tone in mitigating social anxiety in undergraduate students with moderate to severe social anxiety.

Project Poster: Mikha Shrestha Frontiers Poster

Rylee Thomas '24 (English & Communications, CLAS)
University Scholar

Project Mentor: Dr. Ellen Litman, English; Dr. Sean Forbes, English

Project Title: "The Ghostly Dynasty”: Victim-Blaming, the Gothic Novel, and the Modern True Crime Drama

Throughout history, a disturbing trend in social perceptions of domestic abuse and violence against women is a tendency to blame the victim. While feminist movements have changed this culture for the better, contemporary society continually criticizes women for behaving in ways that bring tragedy upon themselves. To examine and criticize this dichotomy, I have written a contemporary young adult horror novel that plays upon the conventions of both the gothic novel and the modern true crime drama. My novel, titled “The Ghostly Dynasty,” explores the double standards that society places on women in both literary and criminal justice.

Project Poster: Rylee Thomas Frontiers Poster

Grace Vaidian '24 (Individualized Major: Drugs, Disease, and Illness & Molecular and Cell Biology, CLAS)
OUR Research Travel Award Recipient

Project Mentor: Dr. Nathaniel Rickles, Pharmacy

Project Title: Exploratory Study of Factors Affecting Medication Use

Medication non-adherence is when patients do not take their medications as prescribed. Poor medication adherence is associated with worse health outcomes and increased healthcare cost. The purpose of this study is to correlate objective measures of adherence with the results of personality questionnaires to determine if personality items add value in predicting medication non-adherence.

Project Poster: Grace Vaidian Frontiers Poster

Isabella Welch, Dec '24 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS; Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR)

Project Mentor: Dr. Stephen Trumbo, Biological Sciences; Dr. John Redden, Physiology and Neurobiology

Project Title: AnimalKind: Evolutionary & Neuroendocrine Perspectives of Animal & Human Prosociality

My senior thesis seeks to evaluate why prosociality and empathy have evolved in modern mammals. Current hypotheses of prosociality evolution include relating brain size and domestication features of modern humans to exhibition of prosocial behaviors. Research has also defined specific brain regions related to different types of empathy, and oxytocin is the primary mediator of empathy and prosociality. I have also investigated how disruption of such empathetic brain circuits, as with some Autism Spectrum Disorders and MDMA drug use, can impact exhibition of prosocial behaviors.

Project Poster: Isabella Welch Frontiers Poster

Madeleine Willett '26 (Nursing, SON)
SHARE Virtual Summer Apprenticeship Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Carrie Eaton, Nursing

Project Title: Examination of Reactions on Social Media to the Overturning of Roe v. Wade and Abortion Bans

This study used nurses’ social media posts to examine reactions to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and abortion bans. The goal was to identify priority nursing interventions that could be enacted to minimize the expansion of the Social Determinants of Health in the patient population impacted from the changing laws. Krippendorf's approach for qualitative content analysis through the categorical distinction of the Healthy People 2030 Social Determinants of Health was used with social media posts from Twitter (now X) and Reddit.

Project Poster: Madeleine Willett Frontiers Poster

About Frontiers in Undergraduate Research 

The Frontiers Poster Exhibition is a multidisciplinary forum showcasing undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative projects at the University of Connecticut. Frontiers 2024 is the twenty-seventh annual Frontiers event sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR). Across modalities, over 240 students are sharing their engagement in experiential learning at Frontiers this year.   

Students’ projects span the disciplines, with some pursued by individuals and others by groups of student collaborators. The projects presented reflect the invaluable contributions of research mentors, including graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty members. We hope you enjoy learning about our students’ innovative projects by viewing the online exhibition. 

About the Office of Undergraduate Research 

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is a resource for students interested in enriching their undergraduate experience through participation in research, scholarship, and creative activity. OUR provides information and advising to assist students in identifying relevant opportunities, as well as several funding programs to support the students and their faculty mentors.  

 Many of the Frontiers presenters have received financial support for their projects; OUR awarded over $640,000 in 2022-23 in support of students’ research and creative endeavors. These awards are funded by OUR with generous support from the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice President for Research, the deans of the schools and colleges, and donations from alumni, parents, and other friends of UConn and undergraduate research.