The College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS) hosted the 2021 CNAS Undergraduate Research Symposium April 29-May 3.

We appreciate the efforts of all who took part in the event and would like to offer special recognition to all who won awards at the symposium.

About the award winners

Award winners at the symposium include:

Biology: Ecology, Wildlife and Conservation

1st Place:  Abigail Giering

Giering presented “Do Ozark Native Duckweed Species Stand A Chance Against Non-Native Landolita Punctata in Ammonia Polluted Waters?”

Dr. La Toya Kissoon-Charles, assistant professor of serves as her advisor.

2nd Place:  Madoch Jamroch and Allison Scott

​​​​​​​Jamroch and Scott presented “Anatoxin-A Detection in Springfield Water Systems.”

Their faculty advisor is Dr. Babur Mirza, assistant professor of biology.

Biology: Cellular, Microbiology and Genetics

1st Place: Nhi Le and Cameron Kirk

Le and Kirk presented “Kinetic Analysis of Cadmium Quantum Dot’s Traffic.”

Their faculty advisor is Dr. Kyoungtae Kim, associate dean of CNAS.

2nd Place: Dailyn Jones

Jones presented “Identification of the Teratogenic and Toxic Effects of the Herbicides Hexazinone, Mecoprop and Thifensulfuron-Methyl on Zebrafish Embryonic Development and Survival.”

Dr. Ryan Udan, associate professor of biology, was the advisor on this project.

Chemistry

1st Place: Autumn Pilarski

Pilarski presented “1H Solution NMR Analysis of an 8MER Non-Palindromic DNA Sequence Containing a U:G Mismatch.”

Her faculty advisor is Dr. Gary Meints, associate professor of biology.

2nd Place: Giselle Campos and Samuel Nack

Campos and Nack presented “Computational Study on Structure of IR Spectral Library Using Cluster Analysis.”

Campos’ advisor is Dr. Keiichi Yoshimatsu, assistant professor of chemistry.

Nack’s advisor is Dr. Razib Iqbal, associate professor of computer science.

Cooperative Engineering

1st Place:  Dominic Zucchini, Tyler Tracy, Cassidy Johnson and Whitney Vermillion

They presented “Contactless Level Acquisition and Monitoring System (CLAMS).”

Their faculty advisors are Dr. Doug Carroll, program director of the cooperative engineering program, and Dr. Matt Pierson, associate professor of engineering.

2nd Place:  Curtis Brumfield, Kyle Doran, Logan Reed and Benjamin Hynes

They presented “Understanding the Basics of Power Factor Correction.”

Their faculty advisor is Dr. Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi, assistant professor of electrical engineering.

Geology

1st Place:  Dorian DeHart

DeHart presented “Temperature and Discharge Monitoring of Springs and Streams to Approximate Water Drainage Bains in the Springfield Plateau, Missouri.”

His faculty advisor is Dr. Doug Gouzie, professor of geology.

2nd Place:  Brianna Williams

​​​​​​​Williams presented “Plagioclase Zoning as an Indicator of Magma Processes at San Pedro Volcano, Central Volcanic Zone, Chile.”

Her faculty advisor is Dr. Gary Michelfelder, associate professor of geology.

Geography, Geospatial and Planning

1st Place:  Ramona Gomez

Gomez presented “Water Quality Analysis of the Springfield Plateau Aquifer.”

Dr. Melida Gutierrez, professor of geology, is her advisor.

2nd Place:  Kara Smith

​​​​​​​Smith presented “Your Personal Tour Through Dublin, Ireland.”

Her faculty advisor is Dr. Krista Evans, coordinator of geography and planning.

Hospitality Leadership

1st Place:  Courtney Roberts, Elijah Sellers, Mara Presot and Bethany Osheim

​​​​​​​They presented “Tourists’ Perceptions of Destination and Its Products: The Case of Italy.”

Their faculty advisor is Dr. Yoshimasa “Nancy” Kageyama, assistant professor of hospitality leadership.

Mathematics

1st Place: Fiona Wu and Slade Gunther

Wu and Gunther presented “Mixed Erdos Type Point Configuration Estimates.”

Their faculty advisor is Dr. Steven Senger, associate professor of mathematics.

2nd Place: Rachel Heili

Heili presented “Using Mathematical Arguments as a Tool to Develop Conceptual Understanding in a Developmental Mathematics Class.”

Her faculty advisor is Dr. Patrick Sullivan, associate professor of mathematics.

Physics, Astronomy and Materials Science

1st Place: Daniel Amuedo

Amuedo presented “Free-Standing Liquid Membranes as a Non-Fouling Filter for the Removal of Micro-Plastics from Water.”

His faculty advisor is Dr. Tiglet Besara, assistant professor of materials science.

2nd Place: Tyler McGilvry-James

McGilvry-James presented “Artificial Intelligence for Defect Examination (AIDE).”

His faculty advisor is Dr. Ridwan Sakidja, professor of physics.

Congratulations, all!