Poster presentations, session I

Asian Studies

"Japanese Ultranationalism and its Influence on Modern Japanese Political Systems"
Presented by Kenaya Allen
Project advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Lawrence

Ultranationalism in Japan has been a sore subject for the country due to its controversial past in the Early 20th Century. Steps have been made and taken to rebrand the country from its troubling past, however recent criticisms of Japan's new nationalism has neighbors and foreign allies wary of the Japanese government when it comes to announcing this new nationalism. Has ultranationalism made it's way back into modern Japan? How is Japan combating it? Will we see a return to past?

Chinese

"Functions of Gei"
Presented by Megan Kitchen and Eli Kruse
Project advisor: Dr. Jen Ma

We are aiming to spread understanding of Mandarin words, which are used on a daily basis. 

Computer Science

"Implementation of a Quasi-spectral Method to Solve Maxwell's Equations in a Thin-film Solar Cell"
Presented by Viet M. Bui
Project advisor: Dr. Benjamin Civiletti

Light diffraction in periodic media is a common problem with many real-world applications, such as modeling thin-film solar cells. This work presents the derivation and implementation of a numerical method called the Rigorous Coupled Wave Approach (RCWA) in the Python language. This method assumes a special form of the material interfaces, which results in straightforward separation of variables. In the periodic direction, the solution is expanded as a Fourier series. In the other direction, a simple spacial discretization is used whereby the domain is decomposed into thin rectangular slices. Transmission conditions are enforced on the inter-slice boundaries and radiation conditions are satisfied above and below the device. This results in an elegant linear system for the unknown Fourier coefficients. 

Economics

"Sustaining the Economy of Contemporary Ethiopia"
Presented by Josh Yenesew
Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Marmé

Drawing upon diverse economic concepts including development strategies, microfinance frameworks, and strategies for intensive investments, this study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the economic landscape in Ethiopia. By synthesizing theoretical constructs with empirical evidence, the paper endeavors to offer insightful recommendations for fostering economic growth, stability, and resilience in Ethiopia.

"Role of WWII in Japan's Post-War Economic Development"
Presented by Rei Aoki
Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Marmé

We briefly looked at the impact of war on the US economic development in ECON404. In ECON406, we talked about the impact of substantial and concentrated investment on successful economic development and the capacity to facilitate the economic growth. I will look into the role of WWII in Japan's post-war economic growth.

"Fertility Rates and Female Labor Force Participation Rate"
Presented by Van Bui
Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Marmé

My research paper sources suggest a strong correlation between the total fertility rate and female labor force participation (in the countries that the paper studied). Overall, an increase in the total fertility rate can either positively or negatively affect the FLFP, while an increase in the female employment rate only harms the total fertility rate. Notably, an increase in TFR would lead to a decrease in FLFP if there is more need for work to be done at home and taking care of the newborns; this, in turn, would often result in the mother choosing to stay at home rather than participating in the workforce. On the other hand, an increase in TFR leading to an increase in FLFP would result from an increase in financial needs due to an extra member in the family. This increased spending would be from newborns’ necessities such as diapers, baby formulas, money for childcare, etc. An increase in FLFP would only lead to a fall in TFR due to the women’s lack of incentives to have children if their careers are on a steep and positive trajectory. Mishra’s work mentioned the role incompatibility hypothesis, stating that when a person enters a new role, their former habits often do not mesh with their new life. In our case, taking on both roles of being a mother and being an active participator in the workforce conflicts with one another. However, this hypothesis does not mention causality, which brings us to an overall conclusion from my sources. They (Mishra and Simba) suggest a unidirectional causal relationship running from total fertility rate to female labor force participation. This conclusion indicates that any shifts in the total fertility rate affect the female labor force participation rate. 

"Addressing Development Disparities: Education and Literacy in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin Region"
Presented by Matias Bidegaray
Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Marmé

The Lake Chad Basin, a region shared by Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, faces a complex web of conflict, climate change-driven instability, and economic hardship.  Home to over 17 million people, this area in Western Africa, sees more than 10 million requiring urgent humanitarian aid.  The region's multifaceted challenges present a critical need for targeted development interventions by governments, IGOs, and NGOs. This research study focuses on Nigeria, examining education and literacy rates within the Nigerian portion of the Lake Chad Basin as pivotal indicators of development amidst prevailing political and social instability.

The selection of education and literacy as central development measures rests upon the acknowledged power of education to reflect societal progress. Effective education signifies organized social support, driving productivity, economic advancement, and overall social well-being. Analyzing the landscape of education within the Nigerian sector of the Lake Chad Basin illuminates the developmental hurdles and opportunities the region faces. This study will scrutinize educational attainment and literacy levels to emphasize the impact of education, even within a setting grappling with humanitarian crises.

"Occupational Success in Senegalese Americans"
Presented by Justin Kornas
Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Marmé

I would like to focus on the history of Senegalese Immigrants in America during the late 20th century and earlier 21st century. They have played a significant role in the development and culture of the United States when settling into New York City. Although key in the development of the United States, they often faced discrimination and prejudice, as they were stereotyped as uneducated, poor, and prone to violence. Despite facing these challenges, Senegalese immigrants worked hard to build a better life for themselves and their families. They often took on difficult and low-paying jobs, such as working in accounting and engineering.

Something I would like to mainly focus on is the structural adjustment programs implemented allowing Senegalese Immigrants to have professional success in the US. The economic instability, labour income, and overcrowding in Senegal is pushing many Senegalese to leave their home to explore new options. This qualitative data leads me to believe that my main argument should relate to the economic impact Senegalese Immigrants have on the United States. This raises the question of how did Senegalese Immigrants positively impact the economy of the United States?

"Criminal or Criminally Underpaid: Exploring the Opportunity Cost Faced by Many in Brazil"
Presented by Jason Grimes
Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Marmé

An analysis looking to decipher the opportunity cost faced by the everyday working man in Brazil to continue finding legal, regulated work or to become involved with organized crime.

"Deaths of Despair Phenomenon"
Presented by Christopher Eckard
Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Marmé

I will go over what the deaths of despair phenomenon is. I then will go on to explain possible causes of the deaths of despair that haven't been talked about in many studies, such as the corruption in the food industry as well as the corruption in the healthcare system. 

"The Benefits of Changing the Work Week in Ethiopia and its Impact on the Country's Economical Landscape"
Presented by Feven Zewdu
Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Marmé

This research investigates the financial implications of altering working hours and shifts in the Ethiopian economy. This topic is of particular interest because it can shed light on how changes in labor practices can influence economic dynamics in a developing country like Ethiopia. The study aims to provide valuable insights into productivity levels, labor market flexibility, income distribution, and overall economic performance by examining the effects of shifts in working hours and schedules. 

"Promoting More Productive, Environmentally Conscious Farming Practice in Northern Brazil"
Presented by Paige Lowery
Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Marmé

I'm now wanting to look at a region of a developing country and see how to promote more productivity, environmentally conscious farming practices. Also might want to reach into why it hasn’t occurred yet, but this will most likely be an overlap issue in figuring out the region's problems.

Having discussed the long-term changes of agricultural land ownership and specialization in the United States as a result of the event of the Dust Bowl in ECON 404, I turn to look in Northern Brazil. To search for similarities and technologies that would be the most beneficial to the region, what skills are needed compared to what they are equipped with, the crop choices they are deciding to plant vs what would could be a better fit crop for the earth/soil, and the supply and demand of crops in the region.

Engineering

"Modulus Aquatic Research Station with Automatic Vertical Profiling"
Presented by Viet M. Bui
Project advisor: Dr. Jackie Opfer

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose a dangerous threat to both aquatic life and human health, largely due to the toxin-producing capabilities of harmful algae. The most common type of bloom-forming algae is cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae (BGA). BGA thrives in warm, nutrient-rich water, and both average surface water temperatures and nutrient loads are increasing in lakes across the globe due to climate change. The ability to forecast HAB formation is becoming an increasingly pertinent task, and it is impossible to give out early warning by manually taking field samples and then analyzing the samples in a laboratory. In order to model bloom dynamics and predict the onset of blooms, a long-duration and high frequency automatic monitoring system is needed. This engineering research project focuses on the development (designing, building, and testing) of such a monitoring station, consisting of an aquatic floating platform, an attached meteorological station, and a multiparameter probe for measuring various water quality parameters. A motorized reel was built to send the probe to specific depths in the water column at pre-configured periods, allowing for pseudo-continuous profiles of water quality parameters. Data is automatically transmitted to a cloud server so the data can be remotely accessed from anywhere there is a WiFi connection. By using this device, future researchers and students will be able to collect high-frequency data over an extended period of time, which will make early warning HAB forecasts possible. Additionally, the data collected from these field studies will enable research which aims to improve our theoretical understanding of HABs formation.

"Simulating Time-Energy Entangled Photon Sources"
Presented by William Emilio Murillo
Project advisor: Dr. James Van Howe

In the optics lab at Augustana we recently built a polarization entangled photon source and are in the process of building a time-energy entangled photon source. Both sources work by a phenomenon called spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC). By illuminating a nonlinear crystal with a laser, we generate entangled photon pairs and detect them by selecting light at specific locations at the output of the crystal. Because the spatial distribution of SPDC photon pairs is complicated, experimenters often choose a simple solution that is similar on every setup without modeling or understanding their source in detail. For my project, I modeled our SPDC source using python code to find out if we are choosing the optimum amount of frequency bandwidth for photon pair detection as well as the precise center frequencies of the pairs. By knowing this, we will be better able to manipulate the degree of entanglement as well as the strength of our source (the brightness). My results indicate there may be better ways of selection which we will verify in future experiments.

German Studies

"English in European Universities: Internationalization Efforts and their Reception in Germany, Iceland, and Estonia"
Presented by Madeline Kusar
Project advisor: Dr. Lisa Seidlitz

A study of literature on the use of English in universities in Germany, Iceland, and Estonia. Particular focus on internationalization efforts and language policies in each country, their presence in higher education, and attitudes of university populations towards them.

Public Health

"Crime Scene Care: Prioritizing Safety, Preserving Justice"
Presented by Nadia Ranieri
Project advisor: Fella Johnson, Illinois State Police Forensic Science Command at Chicago (FSC-C)

Upon interning at the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Command in Chicago (FSC-C), employees take extra precautions to ensure quality results. This Senior Inquiry project aims to increase safety awareness in laboratory work and to remind people of the importance of forensic science. Information will be gathered onto a pamphlet that will be sent out to the internship site and will also be available in the brew at Augustana College. The first stage of this pamphlet will include safety measures that are mandated in a laboratory. The second stage will include how many cases forensic science closes annually and impactful stories of forensic work bringing justice to victims and falsely convicted people.

"Nourishing Change: Impactful Stories From Our Nonprofit Kitchen"
Presented by Elizabeth Considine
Project advisor: Laura Mahn, NEST Café

NEST Café is a nonprofit, pay-what-you-can restaurant that values serving nutritious and locally-sourced meals to everyone in the Quad Cities community regardless of their financial situation. This Senior Inquiry deliverable is to create impact stories from selected customers whose health and wellbeing have benefitted from NEST Café.  These impact stories include, but are not limited to, how NEST Café has impacted their overall health and wellbeing, why they continue to come back, how they found out about NEST, and their involvement within the café. The stories will be shared with the NEST Café board members, the cafe’s donor list, potential donors, and will be posted throughout the restaurant itself along with their website and social media accounts to share the participants’ stories.

"Unlocking literacy: Inspiring readers in after-school programs"
Presented by Alyssa Macias
Project advisor: Jodie Barton, Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley

Literacy in youth is a vital skill that ensures the achievement of developmental milestones and overall success in life. However, factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and home environment influence youth reading motivation. After-school programs (ASP), such as the Boys and Girls Club (BGC), are a resource that better equips itself to provide support to children's individual needs (Minney et al., 2019). This Senior Inquiry Project is influenced by BGC-Moline’s youth members, ages six to eight, who lack strong literacy skills and interest in the reading corner. Therefore, BGC-Moline’s youth reading program asks Youth Development Professionals (YDP) to be trained on a literacy curriculum that includes sequenced activities, reading a book aloud, and more, to inspire motivation to read.

"Beyond Basics : Bridging Gaps for Viking Wellness Through Campus Cupboard and Community"
Presented by RaMaya Johnson
Project advisor: Pastor Melinda Pupillo, Campus Cupboard

The goal of Campus Cupboard is to foster student engagement,  grow partnerships with organizations, and ensure year-round access to quality non-perishable items. The pantry initially faced challenges like low student involvement, communication gaps, and operational issues. Through effective leadership, communication, and structure, the goal is to create a student-operated pantry open year-round. The plan involves creating an online community, leveraging digital marketing, and collaborating with student services for a stronger impact in hopes of creating a working operational environment. Measurable outcomes include weekly staffed volunteer sheets, positive social media engagement, and partnerships with success groups. This aligns with community-based public health by addressing nutritional health, community engagement, social determinants of health, education, and equity.

"Health Screening Saves Lives: Raising Awareness Among Muslims in America"
Presented by Arslaan Naseer
Project advisor: Mohammad Masood Athar, Illinois Department of Public Health

Following a survey to measure awareness of health screenings among Muslims in Rockford, Illinois, we will be doing a health fair in the Rockford Mosque in March during Ramadan. Our survey was about health screenings for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer in the Muslim population in Rockford. The Muslim population is the target population because I am a Muslim, and the Muslim community is a group that I connect with really well. We collected around 100 responses to our survey, and we found that a pretty big percentage of people did not know about these screenings and the recommended age for those screenings. In the health fair, there will be doctors talking about diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, and we will work with them to raise awareness about the screenings for those diseases. They can do blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checks on the people in the health fair. 

"Health Made Personal: A Wellness Workshop for People Impacted by Cancer"
Presented by Makaia Decker
Project advisor: Kelsey Allen, Gilda's Club Quad Cities

Gilda’s Club Quad Cities provides 100% free programming to anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Cancer affects one’s overall wellbeing, with all dimensions of health and wellness impacting one another. The workshop’s goal is to increase an individual’s awareness of their overall well-being and push them to participate in other programs at Gilda’s Club. The workshop will be delivered to Gilda’s Club participants, giving them the tools to assess their own holistic health and decide if they want to utilize certain services at Gilda’s Club or independently address any specific dimension of health.

"Close the Gap: Cervical Cancer Screening Outreach in the West End"
Presented by Karsyn Bennett
Project advisor: Ellie Kenney, MPH, Community Health Care, Inc.

Community Health Care (CHC)’s mission is to provide the communities they serve with excellence in patient-centered health care that is compassionate, affordable and accessible, through a range of health services including gynecology and preventative screenings. The West End of Rock Island has a significantly lower screening rate than other areas of the Quad Cities.

This senior inquiry project consists of an outreach plan and educational flyers on cervical cancer screening to educate the West End of Rock Island about the importance of getting screened for cervical cancer, and how they can access these resources through Community Health Care, in order to address this disparity in the Quad Cities. Using an educational approach, this plan aims to outline how Community Health Care can implement outreach in this area, and allow women to take charge of their health by getting screened for cervical cancer.

"'Where Do I Start?': Mental Health Education for Parents and Caregivers"
Presented by Emily Jenkins
Project advisor: Angela Kight, Vera French Community Mental Health Center

An educational presentation will be held in accordance with Scott County Kids and Vera French on Zoom.com. Parents and caregivers will learn how to foster protective factors at home that guard against severe mental disorders or symptomatology. Information on child mental illness, the importance of protective factors, and an introduction into each protective factor will be discussed. Participants will also be provided preventative information and activities to supplement health resources and alleviate mental health symptoms. Parents and caregivers in the Quad Cities will learn the importance of early intervention as well as ways to be a positive element in their loved ones’ mental wellbeing to prevent severe mental illness symptomatology.

"Save the Tatas, Crush the Cancers: Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention"
Presented by Cipara Tsegaye
Project advisor: Karri Williams, Rock Island County Health Department/Illinois Breast and Cervical cancer program (IBBCP)

In Rock Island County, Illinois, breast and cervical cancers are major concerns, underscoring the importance of education and prevention efforts. This senior year inquiry project, in partnership with the Rock Island County Health Department and the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP), seeks to tackle these issues through culturally tailored strategies. By empowering women with information and resources, the aim is to decrease advanced-stage cancer cases and enhance overall health outcomes in the community. This initiative prioritizes early detection and prevention to address these leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women. The objective is to foster a culture of wellness and empowerment, ultimately building a healthier and more informed community.

"Empowering Caregivers: Navigating the World of Disability Support"
Presented by Anjual Joyner
Project advisor: Ashley Hicks, Hand in Hand

This project, in collaboration with Hand in Hand, aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by disabled children and young adults. By highlighting the prevalence of disabilities and the lack of inclusive support, it addresses societal disregard for the disabled community. Through an informative pamphlet and YouTube Shorts, caregivers will gain crucial information on early intervention, childcare standards, and relevant policies. Leveraging campus resources and creative expertise, the project aims to empower caregivers to support disabled individuals effectively. Through measurable objectives like tracking pamphlet distribution and YouTube engagement, it endeavors to foster a more inclusive society.

"Valued Volunteers: A Recruiting Pamphlet for NEST Cafe"
Presented by Cecilia Ortega
Project advisor: Laura Mahn, NEST Cafe

Volunteers are essential for the functioning of many non-profit organizations. NEST Cafe aims to provide healthy meals regardless of financial means, and volunteers are needed to prep food and serve it to customers. While interning at NEST Cafe, one of the issues that stood out was that there were days when there was a shortage of volunteers. Research shows that people are more likely to volunteer if they have an idea of what the duties and expectations are at the organization. The creation of a pamphlet with information about volunteer duties and NEST’s mission would encourage more people to volunteer. The pamphlet can be digitally shared and physical copies can be handed out at the restaurant and community events.

"Clarity in Complexity: Public Health Data Visualization and Interpretation"
Presented by Blen Buticho
Project advisor: Inna Jurkevich, American International Health Alliance

Ensuring effective communication of health data is crucial for making informed decisions and engaging communities. During my internship with the American International Health Alliance (AIHA), I observed the barriers some individuals face in accessing and understanding public health data and visualizations. This Senior Inquiry Project aims to address this issue by enhancing the accessibility and interpretation of health data visualizations from the current ongoing projects at AIHA. The project seeks to craft a comprehensive guide tailored to enhance the clarity, interpretability, and user-friendly accessibility of visualizations. The approach involves reviewing existing visualizations, extracting key design principles, and collaborating with AIHA's team to develop strategies for implementing them on new visualizations. Anticipated outcomes include the development of a toolkit aimed at enhancing the utilization of health data, which will be integrated into AIHA's website. This will empower individuals to make informed decisions, ultimately improving public health outcomes and fostering community engagement.

"Fueling Change: Food Voucher and Delivery Program Promoting Health Equity"
Presented by Alexis Osei-Kofi
Project advisors: Jessica Seiler and Christa Fredrich, MS, Avera Research Institute

The Avera Research Institute's, "Food as Medicine" (FAM) program aims to bridge inequalities in low-income populations by using food vouchers, and delivery programs to encourage healthier eating habits. This Senior Inquiry aims to create an informative newsletter to empower those with limited income to make the most of their food voucher, as well as fresh produce deliveries to improve their overall well-being. The newsletter will offer guidance on making healthier food choices, including healthcare resources such as recipes, accessible video presentations, and advice on food preservation techniques while encompassing cultural sensitivity. This will be based on the theory of planned behavior specifically focusing on subjective norms and attitudes toward healthy eating choices. This proposal aims to tackle the issues surrounding food insecurity by improving the effectiveness of food programs and fresh produce delivery services with the goal of promoting health equity.

"Clean Hands, Healthy Lives: Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections"
Presented by Addison Larson
Project advisor: Sarah Castro, UnityPoint-Trinity

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are viral, bacterial, or fungal infections caused by hospitalization that put patients at greater risk for disease and death. HAIs put great strain on healthcare systems, and existing literature cites a lack of hand hygiene compliance amongst healthcare staff as the biggest contributor to HAIs. Thus, the most effective way to prevent HAIs is through comprehensive, multicomponent hand hygiene interventions. However, many hospitals in the Quad Cities region, such as UnityPoint–Trinity, have not implemented a hand hygiene intervention in several years. This Senior Inquiry project aimed to address hand hygiene compliance rates at UnityPoint–Trinity by implementing a four-part hand hygiene intervention. The intervention sought to encourage healthcare workers to practice proper hand hygiene techniques, provide them with the resources to do so, and ultimately keep healthcare hands clean and patients healthy. 

"Not Big On Cigs: COVID-19 Impact on Smoking Cessation and Lung Cancer Screening"
Presented by Maddie Feltner
Project advisor: Dr. Lisa Lowenstein, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

The Decision Support Lab at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center aims to create and implement shared decision-making guides to improve cancer care and enhance decision-making between patients, providers and their families. Through research conducted this summer, it was found the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a large effect on interest in lung cancer screening and smoking cessation motivation within the quitline client population. Therefore, this deliverable includes writing a research brief and publishing it in the American Journal of Public Health. Then, members of the science community or those interested in assisting the quitline client population will know how to provide appropriate support, allocate funds, resources and future efforts.

"Amplifying Voices: Promoting Social Support and Community for Adolescent Parents"
Presented by Karli A. Wilson
Project advisor: Therese Crawford, Teen Parent Connection

Teen Parent Connection (TPC) is a nonprofit organization located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois focused on serving the community through education and long-term support through various programs for adolescent parents on their path toward self-sufficiency. This Senior Inquiry Project is a multimedia toolkit with the goal of amplifying voices of adolescent parents– a demographic who has been historically silenced by society. The toolkit includes video interviews, photos, written stories, and various graphics which will be shared on social media platforms. Each piece is specifically designed for the various TPC programs’ social media accounts. By posting a series of impact stories, Teen Parent Connection’s community of past participants, current participants, and stakeholders will be strengthened, further supporting the organization and its mission to support adolescent parents. 

"Improving Access to Diabetes Information for Low-Literacy Audiences"
Presented by Caitlyn Hanulikova
Project advisor: Natalie Roseman, UnityPoint Diabetes Education Center

Type 2 Diabetes cases have significantly increased throughout the last few decades. Research has hypothesized that an increase in diagnosed cases is from a lack of understanding and proper education about Diabetes. UnityPoint Diabetes Education Center strives to help people successfully manage their Diabetes; this is accomplished through coaching, monitoring, managing, and providing education individually and through group classes. This Senior Inquiry will be addressing the low-literacy English-speaking population that the site interacts with. This will be done by collecting, analyzing, revising, and reworking existing booklets, infographics, and papers that patients are typically given during initial appointments and compiling all of this into a picture-friendly booklet with easier-to-digest language. The goal and significance of this work is to facilitate easier conversation between low-literacy speaking patients and their educators and to improve overall Diabetes self-management.

Swenson Center

"Swenson Center Reparative Description Work"
Presented by Kat-Jean Glusick
Project advisor: Janette Foss Garcia

In the spring semester of 2024, I did reparative descriptive work for the Swenson Center through an internship hoping to find the first names of some “Mrs. John Doe”s in our Scandinavian American portrait collection. Throughout the semester I learned many tricks of how to find people from the past. My work is part of a larger library and archival movement. We used the website “Agents Reparative Task Force for Women’s Names” from Yale University as a guide. In my presentation, I focus on the lessons I learned through the Swenson Center–such as material provided to us by the school–while presenting three of the women whose names I searched for, including one woman who is still unidentified.