2020 Abstracts

Dinehart, Claire; Alvord, Margaret; Holdeman, Alexis (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Kamimura, Akiko (University of Utah, Sociology)

Previous studies suggest uninsured individuals in poverty not only experience higher levels of stress than the general public, but also often have a hard time seeking positive coping strategies. If the exposure to an unsafe environment is prolonged, the individual is subsequently exposed to chronic stress as a result of their constant safety concerns. Yet, little is known how home environmental issues affect stress levels among underserved populations. The purpose of this research project is to examine the association between household environmental safety and stress among uninsured primary care patients who live in poverty. Data have been collected from patients of the Maliheh Free Clinic in Salt Lake City using a self-administered survey in Fall 2019. As of October 14, 2019, 195 patients participated in the survey. The preliminary results suggest that while higher levels of concerns about indoor air pollution, lead exposure, pesticide contamination, and water contamination were associated with higher levels of perceived stress, concerns about mold were not related to stress. None of the demographic characteristics such as educational attainment and marital status affected the association between environmental concerns and perceived stress levels. Identifying these stress-related household environmental safety concerns provides a basis from which stress-reducing interventions can be launched. Remedying household environmental issues can range from simple changes, like proper chemical storage, to large scale remodeling projects, like lead abatement. Providing education about household environmental safety and information about local resources to free clinic patients is the first step towards improving stress conditions in at-risk populations.

Caldwell-Gehring, Kailey (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Haug, Jordan (Brigham Young University, Anthropology)

My research focuses on how young adult men and women are interacting and participating in institutionalized religious and educational settings in Utah Valley. Men and women in these settings choose to interact with authority and participation differently when in situations with historical precedence for a higher concentration of male voices, views and interpretations. This research focuses on not only the amount of participation, but also the type of interaction that men and women choose to engage in as part of these institutional settings. The focus on how male and female participation varies is necessary in order to value and give space to the ideas and voices of those who interact in these institutional spaces. Through ethnographic research methods including participant observation and interviewing, I was able to research this topic. I attended religious and educational events in Utah Valley and focused on types of participation (comments vs questions, prefacing comments, use of and appeal to authority, and many others). The general trends that I found reflect the division in passive versus active participation between men and women in these situations. Within my research. men are far more likely to engage in independent thought, comments and interpretation while women are more often participating by volunteering to read or answering direct questions. When a woman is in a position of authority both men and women are more likely to engage in more personal participation and involvement than they do when a man is in a position of authority. My research on gender and participation within institutional spaces for young adults in Utah Valley focuses on how men and women are participating in these areas and how that kind of space can be more balanced in gender based interaction.

Anderson, Taylor; Lancaster, Alex; Rezaei Shrireen; Goepper, Bradee (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Lancaster, Alex (Weber State University, Communication)

The Weber Morgan Health Department reports that there is a noticeably high rate of opioid overdoses occurring in the respective counties. Current research shows that opioid addiction and opioid related deaths are increasing across the nation. "Between 2013-2015 Utah ranked 7th in the nation for drug chemical related deaths" (CDC, 2017). The purpose of this study is to assess the influence mental health and religiosity have on opioid use and abuse in the Ogden Community. In conjunction with Ogden Civic Action Network (CAN) the Weber State University Community Research Team circulated a cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire. Findings will be utilized to better determine the needs of the Weber State University students and the members of the surrounding communities. The expected outcome of this study is findings that indicate significantly higher rates of abuse and misuse of prescription and street opioids among those who self-identify as having one or more mental disorders.

WISQARS (Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System)|Injury Center|CDC. (2019, September 18).

Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html.

Birmingham, Wendy; Macintosh, Janelle; Vaughn Allison; Graff, Tyler (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Birmingham, Wendy (Brigham Young University, Psychology)

Background: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is transmitted between sexual partners. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease, affecting the majority of sexually active adults at some point. HPV can lead to various cancers, including anal, vaginal, vulva, cervical, penile and oral. Despite the prevalence of HPV within the population, vaccination rates for this virus are extremely low. This could be due to the fallacy that vaccinations are ineffective or unnecessary. Specifically, the misconception that HPV solely impacts women. We hypothesized that parents who do not vaccinate their children are more likely to believe these misconceptions, which could impact vaccine compliance in their boys.

Method: In this study, we surveyed 210 parents to gage their perceptions of the rarity of HPV viral infection among the sexes, the efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease, and the reported vaccination uptake of their children.

Results: We conducted several analyses using SPSS. In line with our hypothesis, results revealed that parents who do not believe that vaccines are effective do not vaccinate their children against HPV. While many parents agree that vaccines protect against disease, nearly half of these parents reported that they have not vaccinated their children against HPV. Contrary to our hypothesis, analysis regarding both boys and girls' necessity to be vaccinated did not show statistically significant results.

Conclusions: Taken together, these results show that parents who do not believe in the efficacy of vaccines indeed do not vaccinate their children against HPV. Furthermore, even though parents may believe that the HPV vaccine is effective, adherence to recommended vaccination is severely low. We hypothesized that this adherence gap would be related to the perception that HPV is a female issue; however, this belief was not shown in our results. Further study into parental justification behind their choice not to vaccinate is needed.

Kamhout, Sarah; Eddington, Hyrum; Orr, Taylor; Gilliat, Stephen; Hayward, Tyler (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Lundwall, Rebecca (Family Home and Social Sciences, Psychology Department and Neuroscience Center)

Human stool contains microbiota that impact brain development and behavior through neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems. Prior studies on adults with autism show differences in microbiota between autistic and control subjects. Since microbiota are normally established early in life, we wanted to know if infants with older siblings with autism had different microbiotal abundance and variety than infants with no first-, second-, or third-degree relatives with autism. We were also interested in sex differences as historically autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been diagnosed more often in boys.

We collected fecal samples from 36 children ages 3-24 months. 18 control samples (no first-, second-, or third-degree relatives with ASD) were matched for age and sex with 18 samples from children with an older sibling diagnosed with ASD. Following triplicate PCR amplification of a single DNA extraction, QIIME software was used to assign operational taxonomic units to each strain. PCoA and PERMANOVA were completed in R. These tests showed gut flora of high-risk individuals was significantly different than controls (p = .008). PCoA showed segregation of experimental from control samples (p = .037), most pronounced in female sub-population (p = .006). A differential abundance test was done with ANCOM. Levels of B. fragilis were significantly lower in the at-risk females (W = 560). One of the taxa groups with the most abundance, Lachnospiraceae, was also significantly lower in the at-risk group (W = 48).

This suggests that microbial markers, including B. fragilis, may help identify individuals at risk for ASD, particularly girls. This is consistent with other research on B. fragilis and ASD. Further study is necessary to determine the predictive accuracy of ASD diagnosis based on biomarkers including B. fragilis. More detailed understanding of the microbiome of at risk individuals may lead to earlier detection, intervention, and ultimately improved outcomes for ASD patients.

Van Kuren, Scott; Dahle, Wendy (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Allison Jim (Family Life Sciences, Anthropology)

I am researching individuality in the design on Pinedale Polychrome Vessels from Fourmile Ruin. Specifically, I will be researching individuality through brushstroke execution based off the research of Scott Van Kuren. According to Van Kuren, variation in the execution of the design can organize pottery style into non-local and local designs, with a specific focus on the individual or specific potter group that created these vessels. Individuality can be seen through choice in variation in design, brushstroke placement and layout. This project is meant to mimic this research on Pinedale Polychrome from Fourmile Ruin to see if this can be applied to a different type of White Mesa vessels. If Van Kuren's theory is correct, then this research should present a variation of individual choices present in this set of Pinedale Polychrome vessels.

James, Marissa; Stevens, Colton; Johnson, Jannea; Gonzalez-Lishman, Diego (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: O'Grady, Kari (Brigham Young University, Psychology)

The awareness of significant global traumas and their impact on future generations has been acknowledged by the scientific community. The degree of consequences from trauma transmission between generations is only recently finding light, and the potential areas for trying to alleviate these consequences is yet to be explored. BYU's Organizational Psychology and Societal Resilience Lab conducted a qualitative meta-analysis on interview data from locals during the Ferguson events, Haiti & China earthquake survivors, and DR Congo sexual trauma victims. Survivors of these traumas carry an altered perception of their trauma and lives in general that distorts their self and cultural place in the world. Patterns of time distortion, poor familial interactions, and faulty processing are major patterns among these cross-cultural samples. The emotionally haunted parent(s) passes on an uncommunicated ghost on to his/her offspring that manifests in ways that often still keep the true, original trauma buried. Each family exists within a community system that often has parallel transmission cycles as well as communal historical experience that creates a large-group transgenerational trauma crisis. The silence becomes the story, and the effects of the trauma lives on. The cyclical transmission can carry on infinitely, without recognition or awareness. Observations of these experiences suggest that there is a critical role for addressing and grounding trauma before, during, and after the time that it becomes transgenerational.

Barton, Melissa. (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Anderson, Chris (Utah Valley University, Behavioral Science Department)

Sex is an important element in the building and maintenance of a successful marriage. The subject of marital sexual relations from a national perspective has been studied (Kinsey, 2010). There also exists much research data specific to conservative Christian populations on this subject (Crosby, 2008). Little research that looks specifically at the sexual beliefs, experiences, and expectations within the community of the active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been conducted. This research provides a baseline and will aid individuals and their clinicians in the support of the health and healing of marriages. This researcher will be presenting what has been discovered in regards to the sexual attitudes and practices among-st the active LDS population.

This research is intended to begin the process of creating a baseline of data that could ultimately change the conversations and even the conventions of the LDS community surrounding elements of sexuality in marriage. This data could assist Marriage Counselors and Sex Therapists in understanding the true nature of sex inside this culture, particularly in regards to LDS women.

This research will be conducted anonymously and with high regard to confidentiality utilizing a Qualtrics survey. This is the first step in a process this researcher is interested in exploring. This report illuminates the sexual attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of active LDS women ages 35-55, it is anticipated that 100 individuals will participate.

Crosby, Cindy. "The Best Sex (Survey) Ever!" Today's Christian Woman, 12 Sept. 2008, www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2008/september/best-sex-survey-ever.html.

Kinsey,"FAQs And Sex Information." Historical Report: Diversity of Sexual Orientation, Indiana University, 2010, kinseyinstitute.org/research/faq.php.

Jackson, Gregory (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Jackson, Gregory (Humanities and Social Sciences, Integrated Studies)

Samir Saleh Abdullah, known better as Ibn Al-Khattab or Emir Khattab, is one of the most famous foreign fighters of the First and Second Chechen Wars. Between 1995 until his death in 2002, Khattab's jihad in the Northern Caucasus was "comparable, if not more ambitious" than famed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin-Laden, recruiting members from nearly everywhere he went. His role in the Chechen insurgency and participation in Islamic extremism would land him on Russia's FSB most wanted list and designated as a terrorist by the United States due to his communication and association with Osama bin-Laden. Khattab's impact on the First and Second Chechen wars was not a military one; his forces' effect on the insurgency itself was negligible. The legacy Khattab left behind instead was an ideological one, based on a unique hybrid of experiences and philosophical stances he used while fighting and participating in the administration of Northern Caucasian religious life. Despite being in contact with Osama bin-Laden and having been inspired to take up jihad by another co-founder of al-Qaeda, Abdallah `Azzam, Khattab's jihad remained exclusively centered on Russia and its oppression of Muslims in the Northern Caucasus, barring Khattab's jihad in the Northern Caucasus to be considered globalist-Salafist. In addition, Khattab was not strictly irredentist, and called on Muslims from around the world to participate in the struggle. Khattab employed the rhetoric much akin to other global jihadist groups like al-Qaeda, all while waging a strictly territorially bounded jihad in the Northern Caucasus, which necessitates an in-depth analysis of his approach to jihad in a modern context.

Garrison, Mackenzie; (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Graul, Antje (Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Marketing and Strategy Department); Thompson, Greg (Brigham Young University, Anthropology)

The means of transportation is forever changing and just recently multiple means of electric transport have emerged in our cities. People are taking full advantage of all means of transportation but the framework for decision making has not adapted to include all means of transport. Current frameworks are largely utilitarian based and do not account for a large portion of travel mode choice behaviors. The goal for this project was to identify alternate decision frameworks for understanding and modeling consumers' personal travel mode choices and determine the appropriateness of a non-compensatory Maslow-like framework for explaining consumers decision making processes for travel mode choice. To complete this goal, we followed two objectives:
1) Qualitatively determine the structure and contents of consumers' pre-consumption perceived satisfaction of needs for understanding the personal transportation mode choice decision-making process and consumers' intention to engage into a particular mode of transport from a consumer behavior perspective, and
2) Quantitatively validate the proposed framework by taking both pre-consumption perceptions and post-consumption evaluations into consideration.
To collect data, we used two means of research: conducting focus groups and collecting surveys. This allowed us to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. From this data we concluded that travel mode decisions are influenced by a number of factors ranging from convenience to environmental concern. Depending on the type of transportation, some factors were considered more than others. Some factors included health when bicycling, traffic when driving an independent vehicle, and relationship building with bicycle and scooter share. As we predicted, there are many factors, both utilitarian and non-utilitarian, that drive transportation decision making.

Kortesmaki, Victoria (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Nagaishi, Garrett (Utah Valley University, I Am First)

This research addresses the limiting labels and language attributed to first-generation college students and the stereotypes imposed upon them. Stereotypes such as belonging to low-income families, having little family support as they are the first in their family to go to college, little academic preparation, and little commitment to a college education. The "first-generation" label itself is something that has been discussed more in recent years and has brought these stereotypes into the light. This has prompted us, as first-generation students ourselves, to study what continuing-generation college students think of first-generation college students' potential and educational choices. We used Utah Valley University's definition of first-generation college student for this research, "if neither parent/guardian has completed a U.S. bachelor's degree" the student is considered a first-generation college student. Previous research indicates that first-generation college students have different learning and career outcomes. We created and distributed a survey among Utah Valley University students asking them a series of questions that related to first-generation college students and the stereotypes associated with them. We also surveyed first-generation college students about their perceptions of themselves. Our study found that while there are stereotypes associated with first-generation college students, not all of them are consistent with how first-generation college students perceive themselves.

Halter, Colt; Jacobsen, Natalia; Wood, Elizabeth; Capitanio, John; Higley, James (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Higley, James (Brigham Young University, Psychology)

Studies show that early parent-infant attachment categorization is not only predictive of child outcomes, but also second-generation parenting behavior. Few studies, however, have longitudinally assessed how infant behavior inhibition affects future adult parenting styles. Studies show that behavior inhibition is interindividually stable across time and situation, with elevated plasma cortisol levels serving as a marker of anxious temperament. In this study, we investigate the relationship between infant cortisol concentrations and later parenting behavior. We hypothesized that high cortisol levels in infancy would predict deficits in maternal behaviors later in adulthood. Due to their biological and behavioral similarities to humans, rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were used. The subjects were 123 females, first studied when they were 3-4 months of age, underwent a 25-hour mother-infant separation, during which four blood samples were obtained: one at 2-hours, 7-hours, 11.5-hours, and 12-hours post-separation. 3-5 years later, these same subjects were observed as mothers, and four 300-second observations of maternal behaviors that are traditionally associated with the quality of the mother-infant attachment relationship were obtained—infant approaches and leaves, and mutual-ventral contact. Other behavioral measures that characterize rhesus monkey anxiety, including self-directed behaviors, were also recorded. Controlling for infant age and sex, results showed that infant cortisol predicted adult maternal deficits, with high cortisol concentrations predicting high rates of infant approaches and leaves (p<.03) and low rates of mutual ventral contact (p<.03). High cortisol concentrations also predicted mothers' anxiety-like self-directed behaviors (p=.04). These results suggest that females with high cortisol as infants show anxiety-like behaviors as adults and exhibit deficient parenting behaviors, leading their infants to drive the mother-infant relationship. To the extent that these results generalize to humans, this study lends empirical evidence to the proposed relationship between early life anxiety and deficits in later parenting behaviors.

Garner, McKenna (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Haug, Jordan (Brigham Young University, Anthropology); Thompson, Greg (Brigham Young University, Anthropology)

Homeschooling has long existed as somewhat of a countercultural alternative to educating children in the United States, and it has grown in popularity nationwide since the beginning of the modern homeschool movement in the 1970s. As of 2016, there were about 16,085 school-age children being homeschooled in Utah (Utah State Board of Education Superintendent's Annual Report 2016), though this number has likely increased as the homeschool movement has continued to sweep the nation. While there exists a sufficient amount of research on the educational outcomes of homeschooled children, the research lacks the perspectives of the mothers who are taking on the responsibility to homeschool their children. This project is focused on understanding why mothers, specifically those of the Latter-day Saint faith, choose to homeschool and what their individual experiences look like. Using ethnographic methods such as participant-observation and person-centered interviews, I sought to understand the experiences of 28 different homeschooling mothers in Utah. The data from interviews suggest that, from the perspective of my informants, there is a clear connection between the responsibilities of homeschooling and the responsibilities of motherhood. My observations also show unique methods of homeschooling within each family that echo unique approaches to mothering. While some arguments exist about the gendered inequalities that homeschooling may perpetuate, I argue that homeschooling mothers demonstrate a great deal of agency and autonomy within their homes, which in turn supports the religious ideologies of these women related to their "divine" roles as mothers and "equal partnership" with their husbands (The Family: A Proclamation to the World).

Chevrier, Amy; Hinkson, Kent; Brooks, Malisa; Bryan, Craig (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Hinkson, Kent (Utah Valley University, Behavioral Science)

According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 8% of the US population will experience PTSD in their lives. An average of 10% of women, compared to 4% of men, will suffer from PTSD in their lifetime. Those struggling with PTSD have difficulty sleeping, irritability, trauma-related nightmares, often avoid leaving their house, and several other adverse symptoms. Certain populations appear to experience more trauma, and thus endorse higher rates of PTSD. Among veterans, the rates of PTSD are significantly higher, with upwards of 18-30% of veterans meeting criteria for PTSD. Some studies have found more than 45% of student veterans with likely PTSD. While research has shown that there is a relationship between trauma type and prevalence of PTSD, as well as shown differences between men and women, this information is not available for student veterans. This study sought to answer if there is a difference in the severity level of PTSD and the type of trauma a person experienced and their gender. Student veterans (n=348) from across the country participated in this study. The results generally showed no significant difference in the severity or prevalence scores across trauma types. However, among those who experienced sexual assault, there were some interesting findings across genders. Men who reported being sexually assaulted endorsed more intrusion symptoms than women, along with more severe alterations to cognition and mood, while 57.14% percent of women (36.14% of men) endorsed full PTSD symptoms after a sexual assault. However, more men (96.39%) screened like for major depressive disorder after a sexual assault than women (73.68%). These results illustrate differences across gender in processing sexual assault and provide insight into potential considerations for treatment.

Bostick, Aubrey; Hill, Huiying (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Hill, Huiying (Weber State University, Sociology and Anthropology)

Infant mortality rates for black women are significantly higher than white women. More specifically, during high risk pregnancies. These include pregnancies for women before the age of 20, and between the ages of 40-54. Through quantitative and qualitative secondary analysis utilizing conflict theory, the research indicates environmental and socioeconomic impacts derived from eugenicist practices that uniquely impact black pregnant women. Eugenicist practices are at the root of infant mortality rates for pregnant black women as a consequence of exploitation that formulates modern reproductive care. First, environmental factors to be explored include food deserts, gentrification, geographic location to healthcare centers, and pollution. These factors are essential to explore because they directly create internal factors. Which is why the second area of exploration is the stress of being a pregnant black woman. These factors include societal pressure, medical pressure, and a lack of preventative reproductive and post pregnancy care. Both environmental and internal factors stem from cyclical poverty, and produce chronic healthcare conditions that yield infant mortality. This research offers the unique consideration of diet, and disproportionate access to medical care while encompassing the history of modern reproductive care. This research has the capacity to create a dynamic approach to reducing infant mortality rates specifically for at-risk pregnant black women.

Shipley, Samantha (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Stevenson, Dr. Mark (Social & Behavioral Sciences, Sociology & Anthropology); Arkush, Dr. Brooke (Social & Behavioral Sciences, Sociology & Anthropology); Yoder, Dr. David (Social & Behavioral Sciences, Sociology & Anthropology)

This study evaluates the ways that gender and women's roles are interpreted in Utah rock art. Over 750 rock art images in the following six counties in Utah were evaluated: Box Elder (47 images), Carbon (488 images), Juab (16 images), Millard (100 images), Tooele (33 images), and Utah (73 images). Along with a review of relevant literature, the study drew on rock art site forms to review any indication of sex/gender attributes. Though some rock art can be more easily interpreted, most is open to interpretation and requires extensive knowledge on the culture and ethnographic analysis. There were not many panels that displayed gender attributes. However, we cannot be sure that anthropomorphic figures did not represent both males and females. Though some rock art motifs can be more easily interpreted, most require extensive knowledge on the culture and ethnographic analysis to reach a probable conclusion. Identifying sex and gender within rock art motifs can be difficult without understanding the cultural construction as we oftentimes have biases and cultural assumptions of our own. Understanding social roles in native Utahn populations is beneficial for furthering anthropological research in the area.

Lotulelei, Tiffany; Darowski, Emily; Erekson, David (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Darowski, Emily (Brigham Young University, Harold B. Lee Library); Erekson, David (Brigham Young University, Counseling and Psychological Services)

Social media is becoming an increasingly popular means of communication and content sharing; this rise is especially prevalent among young adults, including university students. We are not aware of any research that has examined the impact, positive or negative, of using social media during study breaks. Current research has shown that mindfulness - defined as being non-judgmentally aware of the present moment - is negatively associated with social media use and is a common intervention for many of the negative outcomes that are associated with excessive social media use. It remains unknown, however, whether a brief mindfulness practice during a study break impacts university students, and how that effect compares to the effect of other study break activities, including social media use. The purpose of this research project was to compare the effect of three different types of study breaks: using social media, participating in mindfulness meditation, or simply sitting (control group). College students were placed in a setting where they were asked to complete a remote associates task (RAT). In the midst of the difficult task, they were given a break period and, depending on the condition, spent the break either practicing mindfulness, using social media, or simply sitting quietly. Pre/post ratings of mindfulness, stress, and anxiety were gathered along with performance measures on the RAT task. Preliminary data shows that the mindfulness break decreases feelings of stress and anxiety compared to the social media break. RAT performance was not affected, but this may represent a floor effect. These findings suggest that compared to social media, mindfulness is a more effective break in reducing anxiety and stress for university students. Students can use this knowledge to help them engage in more effective study strategies. More research is needed to determine whether using social media or practicing mindfulness impacts one's performance.

Abdulla, Munawwar; Bovingdon, Gardner; Brophy, David; Cabras, Giulia; Dillon, Michael; Friedrichs, Jorg; Hess, Steve; Holdstock, Nick; Ingram, Ruth; Langfitt, Frank; Roberts, Sean; Schluessel, Eric; Shapiro, Ari; Smith-Finley, Joanne; Torrey, Zachary; Veselic, Maja; Yuan, Zhenjie; Zang, Xiaowei; Zhang, Shawn (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Larsen, Kirk (Family, Home, and Social Sciences; History); Schill, Steve (Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Geography)

The westernmost Chinese province of Xinjiang has in recent years become a hotbed of turmoil. The largest ethnic group in the region, the ethnically-Turkic Uyghur people, has been facing a systematic persecution by the Chinese government; most notably, this includes their forcible placement into "reeducation camps" across the province. Out of the more than eleven million Uyghurs in Xinjiang, it is estimated that up to a million are currently interned in one of these camps ("China's repression", 2018). One especially defining feature of the Uyghur people is their practice of Islam; it is said that they have traditionally practiced Islam since the 15th century, and mosques are prevalent across the cities of Xinjiang (Veselic, 2011; "Authorities in Xinjiang", 2017). The Uyghurs and religion of Islam are tied in such a tight ethnoreligious way that in this review the term Uyghur may generally be used to refer to a Uyghur Muslim in specific (Veselic, 2011). Islam, along with other defining characteristics, set the Uyghurs apart in stark contrast from the Han Chinese majority that makes up over 91% of China's total population (Zang, 2015; Roberts, 2018). In this presentation, I will look at a variety of factors that the Chinese government uses to justify the internment of the Uyghur people. I will also use ArcGIS Pro technology to examine satellite images and camp records to map the current extent of the reeducation camps, in an effort to follow what has already taken place and what the future will have in store for the Uyghur people.