Oral presentations, session II

Featured presentation

Olin Auditorium (Session A)

"Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at Augustana"
Presented by Dr. Jane Simonsen, Dr. Chris Strunk, Dr. Jason Mahn

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Music, Communication Sciences and Disorders

Old Main 117 (Session B)

"Data Sonification: The Art of Exploring Space Through Sound"
Music
Presented by Jessica Cotturone
Project advisor: Dr. Robert Elfline

In today’s increasingly data-driven society, scholars from a variety of disciplines are searching for new ways to analyze and explore the massive amounts of data being collected. Interdisciplinary collaborations between scientists, mathematicians, and musicians in recent decades have resulted in the burgeoning field of data sonification, the process of turning data into sound. This form of data representation serves as an alternative to visualization. Astronomy is one field where data sonification is being used both scientifically and artistically. Although sound does not actually travel in the vacuum of space since sound waves need a medium to travel in, we may gain new insights and appreciation for the cosmos by listening to what it may sound like using the power of sonification. Recent years have seen a rapid increase in the prevalence of data sonification endeavors within astronomy, primarily due to the commencement of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s ongoing sonification project “A Universe of Sound” in 2020. I will provide an overview of the ways in which data sonification is being used in the field of astronomy and present a number of different works that we can listen to and analyze.

"Minimalism, Meaning, and Machines: Einstein on the Beach and the Art of Processing Technological Innovation"
Music
Presented by Adele Shirkey
Project advisor: Dr. Hisham Bravo Groover

There is a cyclical fear of innovation that has historically manifested through technological deterministic skepticism. From Plato’s doubts on writing to European resistance to the printing press, there appears to be an endless critique of emerging technology rooted in nostalgia. Today, apprehension towards AI and smartphones reflect a similar anxiety–one that stems not from the technology itself but from a nexus of fundamental concerns.

A compelling medium through which to understand this pattern is the 1976 opera Einstein on the Beach by composer Philip Glass, playwright Robert Wilson, and choreographer Lucinda Childs. Constructed in a period marked by global conflict and technological innovation, the opera transcends a mere critique of nuclear technology and deterministic fears. Rather, the opera reveals itself as a semiotic exercise aimed at expanding consciousness through meditative, minimalist movement and sound.

This presentation will ultimately analyze Einstein on the Beach through a contemporary lens and explore how artistic expressions of technological critique can reinforce the idea that anxieties surrounding innovation derive from enduring existential concerns rather than the technologies themselves.

"Mentor and Mentee Relationship During Undergraduate research"
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Presented by Christina Harvey, Dr. Ann Perreau, Abigail Jones, Chloe Rittenhouse
Project advisor: Dr. Ann Perreau

Since 2012 when Dr. Ann Perreau joined the Communication Sciences and Disorders department at Augustana College, she has mentored more than 80 senior research projects and worked with an average of one to four students in her lab per year. The student research experience in the HEAR-T laboratory led by Dr. Perreau has resulted in numerous local, state, and national presentations and  peer-reviewed articles and book chapters with students as co-authors. Given its successes, student interest in participating in the HEAR-T research laboratory is high. During the 2024-2025 school year, three undergraduate students have worked in the HEAR-T laboratory conducting a research project for patients with Hyperacusis. Their responsibilities include tracking participants’ progress, maintaining clear communication with the participants, preparing study materials, setting up devices, attending discussion forums, and collecting data. The students have a weekly lab meeting with Dr. Perreau to address questions, analyze relevant journal articles, and delegate tasks. The students have shared that their roles and relationship with Dr. Perreau helped them to develop invaluable hard and soft skills such as learning the importance of being empathetic and having sound ethical research practices. Students feel the research mentorship has helped them appreciate the importance of research in clinical practice, especially for improving treatment outcomes. Student researchers have learned to be detail-oriented, ask questions for clarification, and the value of lifelong learning. The HEAR-T lab demonstrates how the strength of the mentor-mentee relationship is vital to the development of these skills as well as the development of a strong community within the research lab.

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Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Olin 209 (Session C)

"Sexual Ethics"
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Presented by Sarah Welker, Keela Sawyer, Helena Smith, Gray Cunnar, Madelyn Garrigan, Lanah Queckboerner, Jillian Hagmann, Olive Woodsmall, Chloe Rosado, Maria Hannah
Project advisor: Dr. Wolff

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Honors

Hanson 102 (Session D)

"Honors 102 Changes Your Mind"
Honors program
Presented by Honors students from FYH 102
Project advisors: Dr. Brian Leech, Dr. Dell Jensen, Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Dr. Andrea Talentino

The students of Honors 102 will try to change your mind! Students in Honors 102: What Changes Minds have selected social issues that affect people on campus and in the Quad Cities. Their goal is to convince people, including you, to care about these issues and to take action. At this series of presentations students will pitch both a community panel of external evaluators and our campus community with their plans to change minds. Come get convinced!

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Religion

Old Main 5, 21, 22, 28 (Session E)

"Museums of Masculinity"
Religion
Presented by Kritika Bajracharya, Sophia Behnke, Hiba Belhaj, Jorja Derer, Austin Dwomoh, Rylon Hall, Ava Jackson, Joey Maish, Sarah Marrs, Abigail Morales, Gavin Nicoson, Julia Plambeck, Krisha Silwal, Michael Steinbecker, Aron Stewart, Jordan Stewart, Eden Suh, Emma Vassallo, Kalyn Wead, Katie West,  Morin Windle
Project advisor: Dr. Eric Stewart

The members of WGSS 335: Masculinity in American Culture will examine and analyze elements of culture in light of the critical study of masculinity. Topics include masculinity and pop music performance, masculinity in rap music, and masculinity and the #MeToo movement.  Each presentation will last approximately 20-25 minutes, and audience members can attend up to three presentations during our session. 

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Augustana Leaders in Vocational Exploration (ALIVE)

Wallenberg Hall (Session F)

"Lifeboat Challenge"
Augustana Leaders in Vocational Exploration (ALIVE)
Presented by ALIVE program participants with HEYWIRE 
Project advisors: ALIVE and Michelle Crouch

The Lifeboat Challenge is an annual Augustana tradition, a chance to hear some of your favorite professors to make their cases for the importance of their discipline to the welfare of the world. The premise is that three faculty members compete via the articulation of their vision for their discipline for the last seat on a proverbial lifeboat. They each make the case for what their discipline brings to the flourishing of the world. The audience will get to grill each one with their toughest questions, and ultimately will vote on the one they feel was the most successful. This year we have the added fun of Augustana's improv troupe, Heywire, facilitating the competition. All are welcome to join the fun and learn about the deeply collaborative vision that emerges when disciplines of knowledge honestly interact with one another.

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Texas Medical Center

Old Main 132 (Session G)

"Emerging adult inpatient mental health outcomes: Examining change in emotion regulation and mental health symptoms across intensive mental health treatment"
Texas Medical Center
Presented by Samuel Vasich
Project advisor: Dr. Heidi Storl

Emotion regulation (ER) skills are critical for all emerging adults (EA) aged 18-29 transitioning into independence. Examining ER problems and mental health outcomes in EA inpatients provides insight into how intensive mental health treatment can impact these outcomes during an important developmental window. I examined how ER difficulties relate to mental health outcomes of emerging adults undergoing inpatient mental health treatment. I hypothesized that emerging adults reporting improved ER after inpatient treatment would have a greater reduction in their mental health symptoms than those that reported no change or worsened ER after inpatient treatment. I conducted statistical analysis on the outcomes data of 299 emerging adults admitted to an inpatient program ranging from 18 to 29 years of age (M=22.8, SD=3.3), who had an average length of stay of 5.6 weeks (SD=2.5). Several mental health outcomes were measured at hospital admission and discharge: difficulties in ER, anxiety, depression, suicide risk, and sleep difficulties. Two ER treatment groups (ERTGs) were created: those that improved their ER from admission to discharge and those that experienced no change/worsened ER. Both ERTGs showed significant improvement across time in anxiety, depression, suicide risk, and sleep difficulties. There was a significant interaction between time and ERTG in three outcomes: anxiety, depression, and suicide risk; the ER responder group demonstrated a greater improvement in these outcomes from admission to discharge relative to the ER non-responder group. There is a trend towards significance between time and ERTG in sleep difficulties. Transitioning to independent adulthood can be hard, but results point to the importance of ER and clinical intervention if necessary.

"A Preliminary Examination of Barriers to Help Seeking Among Latinas with OCD Who Have Experienced Pregnancy"
Texas Medical Center
Presented by Rachel Jocson
Project advisor: Dr. Erika Trent

Individuals seeking treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) commonly face barriers such as stigma surrounding mental health, logistical barriers, and confusion or lack of knowledge regarding treatment options. Such barriers are especially prevalent among minoritized populations and are arguably a driving force behind mental health inequities faced by Latin American individuals with OCD.  A particularly vulnerable population is Latina women with OCD who are experiencing pregnancy. It is well-established that OCD symptoms can exacerbate during pregnancy, and Latina women face additional, unique challenges such as mental health stigma and challenges with accessing treatment. Yet, little is known about the specific barriers to help seeking reported by Latinas with OCD who have experienced pregnancy, and how these barriers may relate to the exacerbation of OCD symptoms. To address this question, we conducted a secondary analysis of a subset of data collected from N = 3,033 participants enrolled in the Latin American Trans-ancestry INitiative for OCD Genomics (LATINO) project, of which n = 516 women endorsed a history of pregnancy. Participants completed a clinician-administered structured interview on OCD symptoms and a battery of self-report questionnaires  which included demographic information, OCD treatment history, and barriers to help seeking. Contrary to hypotheses, barriers to help seeking did not significantly differ than other participants and did not significantly contribute to OCD symptom change during pregnancy. However, furthering our understanding of the trajectory of perinatal OCD among Latinas can advance equitable access to and improve OCD treatment outcomes for an especially understudied and vulnerable population. 

"Improving Access to Clinical Ethics Support in Patient Care"
Texas Medical Center
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.

"Commonly Used Measures of Cancer Impact: What are we measuring?"
Texas Medical Center
Presented by Erik Bergren
Project advisors: Heidi Storl, Department of Philosophy, Lisa Lowenstein, 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. 

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French

Olin 305 (Session J)

"Machiavellian analysis of the tragedies of Racine"
French
Presented by Ian Bischoff
Project advisor: Dr. Taddy Kalas

A Machiavellian analysis of the characters in the tragedies of Jean Racine, a French playwright.

"Sadomasochism in the Works of Racine"
French
Presented by Paige Hoffman
Project advisor: Dr. Taddy Kalas

Racine wrote 11 tragedies in his life, many of which employ off-screen violence and deaths. Characters rarely escape their situations unscathed, often turning on one another in sadistic desperation. With this presentation, I will break down my analysis of the sadistic and masochistic tendancies of Racinian characters.

"L'acharnement voué à l'échec"
French
Presented by Jean-Claude Komla Weka
Project advisor: Dr. Taddy Kalas

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Sociology and Anthropology

Evald 104 (Session L)

"Artifacts in Context: The Cultural Histories of Native American Objects"
Sociology and Anthropology
Presented by SOAN-222 "Popular Culture" students
Project advisor: Dr. Adam Kaul

As part of the spring semester course SOAN-222 "Popular Culture," the students researched Native American objects from the Olsen-Brandelle Collection and learned about the objects historical and cultural contexts. They created posters  from their research and held a poster session in class. Now, they would like to share what they learned with the rest of campus. 

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