Poster presentations, session I

Biology

"The Influence of the Madrid Declaration of the XX International Botanical Congress in July, 2024"
Presented by Dr. Bohdan Dziadyk, Emeritus Professor of Biology

In July 2024, I attended the XX International Botanical Congress in Madrid, Spain. Held every five years this Congress is a gathering of botanists from around the world who participate in hundreds of symposia and deliver some 1500 oral talks. Following the conclusion of the Congress a Madrid Call for Action was released to focus on areas of concern among indigenous and professional botanists to address the global biodiversity and related crises. These concerns are codified into ten topics.

1) Plant diversity as the foundation - support of natural history collections and botanical gardens. 2) Botanical education at all levels - from childhood to life-long learning. 3) Collaborative transdisciplinary approaches - of local, indigenous and scientific knowledge. 4) Addressing inequalities in the plant sciences  - for respectful, inclusive and equitable approaches that benefit all stakeholders. 5) Recognizing biocultural diversity - including the co-production of knowledge. 6) Plant diversity as central to ecosystem protection and restoration - from species to ecosystems to landscapes. 7) Better integration of plant knowledge into policy - for evidence-based decision making.  8) Harnessing nature-based solutions - to enhance resilience to climate changes. 9) A stronger role of plants in achieving sustainability and a net zero economy - essential for a just and sustainable future for both plants and people. 10) Increasing awareness of the centrality of plants for planetary health and resilience - for humans and all organisms.  

The breadth of the XX IBC has stimulated a fusion of ancient thoughts with my continuing ecological research at the Augustana field stations.  Namely, I address in my poster, "Is nature - the green biosphere -  too good for us or not good enough?"

"The Effects of Pre-Hibernal Energy Stores on the Freeze Tolerance of Hatchling Turtles"
Presented by Dr. Tim Muir, Charlie Zielinski, Ashar Khan

Many species of ectothermic animals, including painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), survive internal freezing during winter dormancy. The processes by which they do so, including accumulating cryoprotectants and repairing cryoinjury upon thawing, presumably impose high energetic costs. However, energy availability to support freeze tolerance in hatchling turtles is finite and varies considerably depending upon the amount of energy originally apportioned to the egg and the amount of energy used leading up to winter. Although freeze tolerance and energy use during winter have been studied separately, the effects of variable energy stores on freeze tolerance are unknown. To investigate how energy availability impacts the freeze tolerance of hatchling turtles, we removed the residual yolk from a subset of recently hatched turtles, seasonally acclimated them to winter, and exposed them to multiple freezing and thawing trials. Yolkectomized turtles did not recover as well from repeated freezing and thawing as did control turtles. Measures of sub-lethal cryoinjury did not differ between yolkectomized and control turtles, but yolkectomized turtles did have significantly lower post-thaw glucose concentration in both the plasma and liver. Our results suggest that energy availability during winter may afford extra protection against cryoinjury in hatchling turtles, and that protection may be underlain by greater glucose mobilization during freezing.

"Biofilm Formation of Enterococcus faecalis in Conditions Relevant to the Oral Cavity"
Presented by Favour Taiwo Olatunde
Project advisors: Dr. Jacob Grothjan and Dr. Julia Willett

Enterococcus faecalis can be found at low levels in the oral cavity, and accounts for a high percentage of persistent periodontal infections.

1. E. faecalis forms surface-adhering biofilms with a protective extracellular matrix for prolonged survival.
2. The growth and biofilm formation of E. faecalis in relevant oral conditions and its way of interacting with other bacteria in the oral microbiome are unknown.

Previous studies indicate that E. faecalis forms an increased biofilm in sucrose and glucose compared to BHI leading us to further investigate how this bacteria behaves in another relevant oral conditions like SHI1. 
We seek to understand how OG1RF, a strain of E. faecalis, forms biofilms under different growth conditions.

Understanding the growth and behavior of E. faecalis  in these conditions can provide targets for therapeutic intervention to improve oral infections

"Modeling habitat suitability for the endangered rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis): Insights for conservation and management"
Presented by Dakota Serra
Project advisor: Dr. Tierney Brosius

The rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) faces significant conservation challenges as an endangered species, particularly given the lack knowledge on its primary habitat. To estimate the current distribution and predict environmentally suitable habitats, we developed and tested a Presence-only model based on >1,000 Bombus affinis individuals identified throughout the mid-west (concentrated in Illinois and Iowa). The habitat distribution and detection probabilities were used to develop, and validated by, a spatially random field survey, which incorporated representative ecologic habitat variables and deliberate survey effort requirements across its range. By surveying multiple locations within across the bees’ potential range, we assessed the efficacy of our model in capturing seasonal variations and landscape influences on detection probability. A cross-correlation was performed to assess the variables and respective thresholds with the new field data. The final model indicates habitat preference is restricted to specific geographic regions across the study area. Our findings also highlight the importance of accounting for predictive factors such as proximity to forest edge, distance from water, and habitat quality in bumble bee monitoring efforts. Our models provide valuable insights for the conservation and management of B. affinis and other bumble bee species of concern.

"Tracking Residual-Yolk Energy in Hatchling Turtles"
Presented by Aliza Salinas-Cervantes
Project advisors: Aliza Salinas-Cervantes, Dr. Tim Muir, Samira Radi, Tom Pham, Jacob Wyco

Many animals, including hatchling painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), endure extended seasonal dormancy during which they rely solely on endogenous energy stores. Painted turtles do not eat between hatching and a ~7-month hibernation, and are thus reliant on maternally derived energy. Presumably, the large residual yolk gradually fuels dormancy, but recent evidence suggests that the yolk may already be depleted by mid-autumn and that the residual-yolk energy must be either used or transferred to somatic stores soon after hatching. To track the use or transfer of residual-yolk energy, we measured the triglyceride concentration, protein concentration, and mass of the residual yolk, liver, and remaining carcass of hatchling turtles at 0, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 33 weeks post hatching. Within the first two weeks after hatching, residual yolks lost 63%, 68%, and 63% of their mass, total triglycerides, and total protein, respectively. Much of the energy lost from residual yolk during those two weeks was apparently moved into the liver and carcass as triglycerides and proteins, whereas the remainder was likely catabolized to fuel maintenance metabolism or to build somatic glycogen reserves. Ongoing measurements of liver glycogen aim to clarify the latter possibility. Regardless of the fate of the energy, it is clear that hatchling turtles do not gradually draw down their yolk energy, but rather they quickly mobilize yolk substrates for immediate use or storage elsewhere. Early nutrient  transfer from the residual yolk may be necessary as cold-induced downregulation of yolk absorption may otherwise render residual-yolk energy inaccessible. The metabolic cost of this transfer remains unknown, but quantifying it is critical to understanding  the energy budget for hatchling turtles.

Biology and Environmental Studies

"Summer Fungi Research at Nahant Marsh"
Presented by Christian Gonzalez and Joren Weller-VanHollebeke
Project advisor: Jimmy Wiebler

Over the summer of 2024, we scouted Nahant Marsh to experiment with local fungi to assess the importance of their presence. One study focused on finding fungi which had the potential to naturally remediate the land. The other surveyed various substrates and which trophic levels of fungi are present under given environmental conditions, with primary fungi showing notable resilience. 

Chemistry

"Development of Environmentally Friendly Procedure of Electrophilic Aromatic Bromination of Aromatic Rings for Undergraduate Laboratories"
Presented by Alvin Theccanat
Project advisor: Dr. Jose Boquin

Classic bromination of aromatic compounds uses molecular bromine as a brominating agent, often in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts. While these conditions are highly effective, these procedures present significant hazards due to bromine’s corrosive nature and environmental impact. This has led scientists to work on developing greener alternatives to the bromination of aromatic rings. A green and effective protocol for the bromination of 4-methyl anisole with oxone and water was developed. The main benefit of this protocol is that the reaction proceeded without organic solvents. Using KBr as a safe and cheap source of halogens is another advantage. This method can be incorporated into undergraduate organic chemistry teaching laboratories. The procedure has been incorporated in the Augustana teaching laboratories. 

"Titanium Catalysts for 1,2-Diamination of Alkynes using 1,1-Disubstituted Hydrazines"
Presented by Alex Sell
Project advisor: Ian Tonks

Diamines are an important class of molecules with a wide-ranging applications. The most common route for diamine synthesis is diamination. One previously discovered diamination synthesis method uses a titanium catalyst to diaminate an alkyne using 1,1-disubstituted hydrazines, but had very limited scope. Titanium is the second most abundant transition metal in the earth's crust and is relatively nontoxic, representing a green option in catalysis. Inspired by a solid state NMR study of titanium-ligand complexes, this work seeks to synthesize novel titanium complexes with a non-planar, quasi-tetrahedral geometry in order to more effectively catalyze diamination. Three potential ligands were synthesized, although their effectiveness as catalysts has yet to be determined.

Education

"The Effects of Morphology Instruction for Elementary Students with Reading Difficulties"
Presented by Dr. Michelle Hinzman-Ferris, Sarah Stevanovic, Emma Berg, Mary King, Ellen Kleindl, Kayla Ohm, Abbey Peters, Bethanie Ricketts and Ximena Torres-Cantu

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of reading instruction in morphological analysis on the reading achievement of elementary students with reading difficulties in grades four, five, and six. Participating students (n = 33 treatment, 35 control) received 10 weeks of small group reading instruction from Augustana College students majoring in elementary education. The reading instruction occurred 30 minutes each session, 3 days a week for 30 sessions total.  During each intervention session, students were taught to read and write a new morpheme (i.e., prefixes, suffixes, base words), the meaning of the morpheme, and to read key sentences and a passage containing the morpheme. Pre-test and post-test reading data was collected for each student to determine the effectiveness of the morphological analysis instruction. 

Psychology and Neuroscience

"Impact of Empathy on the Ability to Distinguish Real v. AI-Generated Faces"
Presented by Anna Killilea
Project advisor: Dr. Shara Stough

Previous research has determined that people are generally poor at differentiating between AI-generated faces and real human faces (Nightingale & Farid, 2022). However, individuals with high empathy are better at accurately detecting other people's emotions expressed in facial cues (Bird & Vising, 2014). Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs generate novel images by analyzing a set of input stimuli and extracting features that are shared among the input stimuli and recombining them to create new artificial stimuli (Miller et al., 2023). These generated faces could be described as an average of the thousands of input images that train the AI model, which makes the task of distinguishing AI and real faces difficult. However, this amalgamation of features may create faces that do not exhibit genuine human emotion. Therefore, we hypothesize that participants who are higher in empathy will be better able to distinguish genuine emotions (and thus, real human faces) from AI-generated face images (which display more generic facial emotions). 

Public Health

"Nourishing Moms and Moms-to-Be: An NAACP Cooking Session Focused on Nutrition and Wellness for Black Mothers"
Presented by Afi Y. Gati 
Project advisors: Lena R. Hann, Rebecca M. Arnold and Lydia Amissah-Harris

Black women in Iowa are six times more likely to die during or shortly after childbirth compared to White women. Many of these deaths are preventable, yet they persist due to systemic inequities in healthcare access, inadequate prenatal and postnatal care, and a lack of culturally competent health education. Many Black mothers face challenges like limited access to affordable, nutrient-dense foods and a lack of culturally inclusive nutritional guidance. Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in preventing complications like preeclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage by promoting cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall pregnancy wellness. Nourishing Moms and Moms-to-Be is a community-based nutrition program designed to support the health and well-being of Black pregnant and postpartum women in Scott County. Developed in partnership with the NAACP Scott County Health Committee, this initiative addressed significant disparities in Black maternal health. Grounded in Social Learning Theory, Nourishing Moms and Moms-to-Be combines hands-on cooking classes with community-driven discussions to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed food choices. This program contributes to broader efforts to reduce nutritional inequities and address the systemic factors impacting Black maternal health in Iowa.

"Nest Before the Rest: Expanding Housing for Rural, High-Risk Pregnant Women"
Presented by Kylee Contreras
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program, Eileen Setti, PhD PLS; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois

Rural hospital closures in Illinois force high-risk pregnant women to travel long distances for care, increasing complication risks. This Senior Inquiry project proposed expanding Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois (RMHCCI), a nonprofit providing housing for families of hospitalized children, to accommodate these women before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The project explored how improved housing access, financial relief, and community support can enhance maternal and infant health outcomes. A structured proposal outlined policy changes, budget needs, and healthcare partnerships. By easing financial and travel burdens, this initiative aims to improve prenatal care access and provide a sustainable model for rural maternal health.

"The Missing Ingredient? Strengthening Sophia's Kitchen with a Volunteer Recruitment Pamphlet"
Presented by Noah Wertz
Project advisors: Lena R. Hann, PhD, MPH; Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Claire Crone

The Missing Ingredient? is a project that addresses the volunteer shortage at Sophia’s Kitchen, a food assistance program in Peoria, Illinois. Volunteer shortages threaten the organization's ability to maintain and expand its food security services. The Missing Ingredient? utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior framework to create a volunteer recruitment strategy and a marketing pamphlet that, by incorporating data collected from current volunteers and stakeholders. The pamphlets will be delivered to local parishes and schools to strengthen the organization's infrastructure while enhancing community engagement to support essential public health services.

"Volunteers to the Rescue! Volunteer Engagement at Iowa Parrot Rescue"
Presented by Kaitlyn Anderson
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH, Augustana Public Health Program; Sarah Jesse Kadlec, Iowa Parrot Rescue

The Iowa Parrot Rescue is dedicated to providing exceptional care for every bird it serves; however, the growing workload has placed significant strain on current staff and volunteers. This project improved volunteer recruitment and retention by updating the organization's website and creating informative pamphlets for distribution at outreach events. By understanding the motivations of volunteers at nonprofit rescue organizations, the project tailored its approach to effectively communicate involvement opportunities. Volunteers are provided with structured support to help them select tasks that best match the rescue's needs.

"Get Your Pet to the Vet: Informational "Remind-Purr" Cards to Improve Veterinary Compliance at the Quad City Animal Welfare Center"
Presented by Kyla Danielle Painter
Project advisors: Lena R. Hann, PhD, MPH; Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Cameron Johnson, Community Outreach Coordinator

Consistent veterinary care is essential for pet health. Yet many owners struggle to remember key wellness milestones, are unaware of recommended veterinary schedules, or delay care due to cost or convenience. “Remind-Purr” Cards enhance veterinary compliance by providing visually engaging, easy-to-understand reminders for vaccinations, check-ups, bloodwork, and preventative treatments. These cards serve as both educational tools and actionable prompts, empowering pet owners with clear, accessible information to support responsible pet care. This SI Project applied the Health Belief Model to address common barriers to veterinary compliance, reduce preventable illnesses, improve early disease detection, and decrease shelter surrenders caused by unmanaged health issues. By promoting routine veterinary care, “Remind-Purr” Cards aim to measurably improve both public and animal health outcomes.

"Fit To Exercise: Making Fitness Fun for People with Down Syndrome"
Presented by Jesus Murillo
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program, Lena R. Hann, PhD, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program, Pam Lynch; GiGi's Playhouse

GiGi’s Playhouse is a local non-profit that provides programs and services for people with Down syndrome (DS) and their families. People with DS tend to have high rates of obesity and other health conditions. This project created multi-media resources tailored for participants with DS, in order to encourage and motivate them to engage in physical activity independently. Increased physical activity and improved attitudes toward exercise will improve the overall fitness of individuals with DS at GiGi’s Playhouse in the Quad Cities. 

"Improving Access to Clinical Ethics Support in Patient Care"
Presented by Yanet Gezu
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH, Augustana Public Health Program;  Nico Nortjé, PhD, Executive Director of Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care

Ethical dilemmas in medical settings are inevitable and require patients and their families to navigate complex and impactful decisions. Clinical ethics support can play a vital role in such situations, but patients are not often aware of these resources. To bridge this gap, this project developed a clinical ethics brochure for MD Anderson Cancer Center to inform patients and families about ethical consultation services, the importance of ethics in clinical practice, and ways to access these services. Increased awareness of clinical ethics resources empowers patients and families to navigate complex medical decisions with greater confidence, clarity, and ethical integrity.

"An Inner Canvas: Empowering Women Through Mindfulness"
Presented by Iratze Aceves
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH, Augustana Public Health Program; Viminda Shafer, The Project of The Quad Cities

The Project of The Quad Cities (TPQC) is a non-profit organization that provides holistic community-based health care. TPQC embraces positive sexual health behaviors, however had not previously utilized curricula that encourage body image positivity. This project developed an art-based mindfulness workshop named EmbodyHer to support female-presenting individuals to strengthen their internal relationship with their own bodies. The workshop fosters confidence, encourages positive self-talk, and serves as a building block towards empowerment during sexual experiences. 

"Commonly Used Measures of Cancer Impact: What are we measuring?"
Presented by Erik Bergren
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program, Lisa M. Lowenstein, MPH, RD, PhD; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

The 12-question COST-FACIT survey is the most used measure to screen for a cancer’s impact on patients’ lives. However, COST-FACIT may not capture all facets of the patient experience; if this is true, hospitals risk misdirecting resources and diminishing patients’ quality of care. Another measure, developed by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, is the 15-question ENRICh survey which offers a wider breadth of questions covering topics like food insecurity and household assistance. In order to accurately capture patients’ experience of cancer impact, interventions should use multiple measures or a personalized interview if possible. 

"Nourish to Flourish: Cooking up Solutions to Student Food Insecurity at Augustana's Campus Cupboard"
Presented by Sydney S. Tajkowski
Project advisors: Lena R. Hann, PhD, MPH; Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Pastor Melinda Pupillo, M. Div.

Food insecurity is a significant issue affecting college students’ physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance and often these circumstances are more prevalent for marginalized and first generation students. Many students at Augustana College face a variety of barriers including limited cooking facilities, lack of nutritious food options, and stigma surrounding food assistance. Nourish to Flourish challenges these barriers through an educational cooking class and informational session in partnership between Campus Kitchen and Campus Cupboard. Using the Health Belief Model, the program integrated hands-on meal preparation with discussions on nutrition, food safety, and available food assistance programs and resources in Rock Island. Participants received care packages that contain meal ingredients from Campus Cupboard to encourage the future use of campus food resources and the skills they had learned. Post-session surveys assessed changes in food insecurity awareness, cooking confidence, and attitudes toward food assistance. This project created a welcoming environment to promote sustainable solutions that encourage food security and self-sufficiency among Augustana College students.

"The Holistic Care Helper: Improving Health of Will Grundy Medical Clinic Clients through an Informational Dossier"
Presented by Joseph Ruffatto
Project advisors: Lena R. Hann, PHD, MPH; Rebbecca M. Arnold, MPH; Zen Brinner, MBA, MHA

The Will Grundy Medical Clinic (WGMC) provides valuable and typically free holistic care, but many services are underutilized due to lack of knowledge of the program. This Senior Inquiry project used the Diffusion of Innovation Model to develop the Holistic Care Helper, a dossier of informational pamphlets aimed at improving community understanding and utilization of the free services provided at the WGMC. The Holistic Care Helper provides key information and frequently asked questions about each department in the clinic to inform clients about the services provided and how to access them. This approach will improve citizens’ well-rounded care by increasing access to services with a new ease of mind.

"More Than Medicine: Increasing Self-Advocacy Among Cancer Patients"
Presented by Abby McKay
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program  and Kelsey Allen, MSW; CSCIAIL at Gilda's Club

Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club offers free resources, including support groups, to people impacted by cancer. During support group sessions, many cancer patients expressed confusion about at least one aspect of their treatment. This workshop empowered patients to advocate for themselves by asking questions and requesting clarification from providers when necessary, so their treatment is not only happening to them but with them. Feeling confident about cancer treatment takes more than medicine.

"Holidays of Healing: Grief Therapy for Families Coping with Loss from Cancer"
Presented by Maddie Lathrop
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program, Nora Bosslet, MSW; CSCIAIL at Gilda's Club

Gilda’s Club is a community dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families by providing free programs and services to their members. For families who have lost a loved one to cancer, holidays or rites of passage can intensify the weight of grief. Navigating these emotions can be overwhelming, but providing support and a safe place to express their feelings helps participants create new memories and pivot between the different stressors experienced during grief. This senior inquiry project utilized The Dual Processing Model to create grief group therapy plans to facilitate communication among family members and offer healthy coping strategies. 

"Watch and Learn: A Volunteer Information Training System for Closet 2 Closet"
Presented by Kalyn H. Wead
Project advisors: Lena R. Hann, PhD, MPH; Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Allison M. Haskill, PhD, CCC-SLP

Clothing is essential to identity and allows individuals to express their personalities, likes, and interests. Unfortunately, clothing is not easily available in many communities, and this is especially true within the foster care community. Closet 2 Closet (C2C) is a nonprofit that provides clothing care packages to foster youth ages 0-20. Without the extra help of C2C’s volunteers, fewer donations are sorted, care packages take longer to distribute, and less inventory gets stocked, creating a lack of resources for the foster families in need. This Senior Inquiry project utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior to create volunteer training videos with written instructions to facilitate a better volunteer experience and improve volunteer efficiency. Volunteers utilized effective communication to better inform and educate themselves about the organization's operations and created a more efficient team to run Closet 2 Closet.

"For Food's Sake! A Food Insecurity Awareness Campaign for Augustana College's Campus Cupboard"
Presented by Carter Kenney
Project advisors: Lena R Hann, PhD, MPH ; Dara Wegman-Geedey, PhD ; Pastor Melinda Pupillo

Food insecurity describes difficulty in food acquisition and is a prevalent issue for college students who have to juggle the price of groceries with rising rent and tuition.Campus food pantries have become a common way to improve access to food for college students, but only 10% of eligible college students use food pantries and only 30% of all college students are aware of them. Additionally, college students stigmatize the use of food pantries for a variety of reasons, as confirmed by an internship at Augustana’s Campus Cupboard. An awareness campaign guided by the Transtheoretical Model aimed to increase food security awareness as well as decrease the stigma surrounding the use of food pantries. “For Food’s Sake!” consisted of physical posters and social media posts that transformed normative behaviors associated with the “typical college diet” into an appreciation of what it means to be food secure, while promoting Campus Cupboard. This campaign will be updated biannually to empower Augustana students to confidently assess their food security at college and beyond. 

"Empowering At-Risk Youth Through Comprehensive Well-Being Education"
Presented by Addison Becker
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program,  Kimberly Kim, MPH; Bethany for Children and Families, Lena R. Hann, PhD,MPH; Augustana Public Health Program

The Teen Pregnancy Prevention program at Bethany for Children and Families provides education and life skills to prevent pregnancy among teens, while supporting their overall well-being. To make evidence-based information more accessible to students, this project developed a series of infographics and an online resource guide on reproductive, mental, and physical health. These materials cover essential topics such as contraception, healthy relationships, and decision-making in a visually engaging and easily understandable format. By providing these tools, Bethany can better educate, empower, and support youth in making informed choices about their health and well being. 

"Needs assessment for a school-based youth mental health program"
Presented by Hera Merga
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH, Augustana Public Health Program; Katharine McCarthy PhD, MPH, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital

Urban adolescents experience systemic, structural, and social barriers in addition to stigma and disparities in access to mental health care. Such hardships have been compounded in recent years by other factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing levels of socio-economic inequalities. This project developed a needs assessment for adequate youth mental health services in New York City public schools for the Icahn School of Medicine of Mount Sinai Hospital, Department of Health Education. This needs assessment will strengthen the department’s ability to provide sustainable, evidence-based interventions in urban public schools, grounded in cultural relevance and equity.

"Cardiovascular Disease Prevention through Nutrition Education"
Presented by Elena Kuczkowski
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH, Augustana Public Health Program; Elvis E. Munoz, MHA, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital

People who receive food assistance from Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, IL, oftentimes immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries, have dietary habits that put them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). To address this concern, this project created a one-page flyer in Spanish and English to educate individuals on the health benefits of specific foods for CVD prevention, offering practical recipes, cooking tips, and heart-healthy information. The flyer contains a QR code that links to a website with updated and more comprehensive resources for wider outreach. This intervention bridges the gap in nutrition education and supports healthier lifestyle choices.

"From Pantry to Plate: Tackling Food Insecurity with Bilingual Recipe Cards"
Presented by Silvana Leguizamo
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program, Sam Wright, MSW/MBA; Palomares Social Justice Center

Palomares is a social justice organization located in Rock Island, IL that addresses social, legal, and basic needs such as food insecurity. Palomares offers free weekly community meals, as well as coordinates seasonal produce distribution in the Floreciente community. To encourage healthy meal preparation and eating, this project created bilingual recipe cards for community members. The cards share the recipes from the previous week’s community meal and incorporated ingredients available from the seasonal produce distribution as well as other staple food pantry items. By providing simple instructions for low-cost, nutritious meals, Palomares contributed to the alleviation of improving food security within the community of Floreciente.

"Healthy Horizons: An Introductory Health Program Empowering Refugee Youth for Lifelong Wellness at World Relief Quad Cities"
Presented by Danielle Caitlin C. Roxas
Project advisors: Lena R. Hann, PhD, MPH; Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Laura Sauer

Within the last decade, the Quad Cities has seen a notable increase in the number of refugees who have made their home here. World Relief provides resources and services that aim to accustom refugees to life in the U.S., including strengthening English literacy and proficiency among refugee youth. Many refugee youth struggle to adopt health concepts (nutrition, mental health, exercise, etc.) due to their limited understanding of the English language and American culture. This Senior Inquiry project used the Social Learning Theory to create an introductory health program for World Relief’s Refugee School Impact (RSI) summer camp that provided refugee youth a safe space to learn about incorporating health-conscious decisions in everyday life. This course introduced health-based vocabulary with visualizations that guided refugee youth to incorporate new vocabulary into new health actions. Through the power of language, refugee youth increase their ability to both communicate their health needs and establish healthy habits that will last a lifetime. 

"Promoting Time Management Techniques in High School Students"
Presented by Ashley Awbrey
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program;  Scott Rice; Pleasant Valley High School Counselor

A competitive high school academic environment, along with the pressure of extracurricular involvement, has made it challenging for students to maintain a healthy life balance. This poster introduces a comprehensive tool designed to support students at Pleasant Valley High School, school staff, and parents in guiding students to academic and personal success with a public health lens. This tool offers practical strategies for managing a demanding schedule, promoting collaboration between parents and teachers, and providing access to an online calendar for organizing activities, classes, and personal time. By introducing students to effective time management skills, this tool aims to empower them to succeed both during their academic years and beyond, as they develop and maintain these strategies as lasting habits. 

"Making WIC Work: Helping Families Turn Benefits into Meals"
Presented by Zoe Cervantes
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program; and Ellie Kenney, MPH; Community Health Care, Inc.

Community Health Care (CHC) serves low-income families, many of whom rely on the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for nutrition support. However, some mothers do not fully utilize their WIC benefits, limiting their access to a wider range of nutritious foods. This project addressed that gap by developing WIC-friendly recipe cards and partnering with Hy-Vee to offer a hands-on cooking class. The recipe cards provide simple, practical meal ideas using WIC-approved ingredients, while the class offers an opportunity to practice new skills. This initiative helps WIC participants bring healthier meals to the table and feel more confident about feeding their families. 

"The Pantry Files: The Secret Life of the Campus Cupboard"
Presented by Ella Rogers 
Project advisors: Rebecca Arnold MPH; Augustana Public Health Department, Pastor Melinda Pupillo Campus Chaplain and director of Spirtual Development

Food insecurity is a growing issue on college campuses. Campus food pantries help to minimize the detrimental effects of food insecurity. However, these pantries are the most efficient when they are well-organized and run by students. This project examines Augustana’s student-led Campus Cupboard by analyzing data – visit logs, inventory lists, and student surveys – to identify areas for improvement. Based on these findings, this project generated recommendations to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. By compiling essential documents in one location and developing strategic improvements, this project strengthens the Campus Cupboard’s ability to provide vital resources to students. 

"Spicing Up Wellness: Exploring the Role of Spices and Herbs in Cancer Support and Nutrition"
Presented by Christina Dionysia Bourtzoni
Project advisors: Rebecca M. Arnold, MPH; Augustana Public Health Program; and Kelly Craft, MSW; Program Manager/Volunteer Coordinator

For cancer patients undergoing treatment, appropriate nutrition is challenging due to changes in appetite and digestive distress. Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club supports people impacted by cancer by providing essential resources and support. Few individuals understand the significant role spices and herbs play in fostering health, ranging from anti-inflammatory effects to digestion and immune system function. This project used research and nutrition education to develop an interactive workshop to present the benefits of incorporating healing spices and herbs into daily foods for cancer patients and survivors. The workshop included hands-on demonstrations, easy health explanations, and take-home materials to facilitate long-term dietary modifications. By offering education with practical skills, this project allows cancer-affected individuals to make simple, tasty decisions that encourage lifetime wellness.

Scandinavian Studies

"Reordering Time: A Look Back at the Life and Times of One of Moline's Most Prominent Former Families through Formal Archival Research"
Presented by Zach Blair
Project advisor: Janette Garcia

Simply put, I would like to reveal to the Augustana community the depth of the archival-research findings I've made over the past few months (since February's start). I've gone through with rigorous academic scholarship to better understand the legacy of one Moline family, using boxes upon boxes of archives to uncover more about them. On the surface, they're humble, but members part of that family were witnesses to, and sometimes directly involved with, some of the most significant happenings of the 19th and 20th centuries. My goal, then, is to show, much like how director Robert Zemeckis' "Forrest Gump" parades around his protagonist, how the broader and consequential events of the end of the 1800s, the entirety of the 1900s, and portions of the 2000s affected, and arguably shaped, this meek family with deep Swedish roots. I see in them Augustana College itself, and I'd like to reveal that vision of mine to the campus’s community.