2020 Abstracts

Sagers, Rachel; Nguyen, Andy; Weston, Jake; Grooms, Nicholas; Eggleston, Morgan; Martin, Randy; Coulombe, Roger (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Coulombe, Roger (College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences; Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department)

The scenic mountain views of Cache Valley in Northern Utah stand in stark contrast with the valley's high concentrations of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), some of the worst reported in the United States. The unique geography promotes formation of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) from nitrogen oxides produced by motor vehicles and ammonia from dairy cow excreta. Winter atmospheric inversions, exacerbated by the mountainous terrain, trap and concentrate air pollutants. Epidemiological studies have revealed an association between PM exposure and early all-cause mortality. Exposure to PM2.5 is also associated with a variety of cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, and neurodegenerative diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke, COPD, lung cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Previous studies have shown that Cache Valley PM (CVPM) has pro-inflammatory effects, which has been linked to enhanced activation of Akt in human pulmonary epithelial cells. This research examined the cellular responses of human lung (BEAS-2B) cells exposed to CVPM and diesel exhaust particles (DEP), at 1 and 12 µg/ml concentrations of each particle type for a 24 hour exposure period. The CVPM used was collected onto stainless steel plates by a Tisch impactor. Assessment by the comet assay reveal genetic damage to CVPM exposed cells with equal potency to DEP exposed cells. Flow cytometry (p < 0.05) showed CVPM exposed cells had a significant increase in the number of actively-dividing cells compared to control cells. Whole-genome microarray identified affected genes related to inflammatory pathways, as well as activated Akt-dependent pathways. Subsequent qRT-PCR showed that CVPM exposure significantly increased expression of inflammatory markers, including IL-6, CD40LG, PLAG27, and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 (p < 0.05). Immunoblotting confirmed activation of Akt by phosphorylation of Thr308 in both CVPM and DEP exposed cells. This data supports the hypothesis that CVPM may induce pro-carcinogenic pathways with potency similar to DEP.

Littlefield, Connor; Tessem, Jeffery (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Tessem, Jeffery (Brigham Young University, NDFS)

The transcription factor Nkx6.1 is essential for beta cell growth and function. Given that Nkx6.1 is expressed in beta cells undergoing high level expansion, our lab demonstrated that Nkx6.1 overexpression in primary rat islets was sufficient to induce beta cell proliferation and enhance glucose stimulated insulin secretion. However, while these phenotypes are evident in islets from young animals, islets from aged animals fail to induce proliferation or increased insulin secretion. One reason for why Nkx6.1 fails to drive proliferation or increase insulin secretion is due to lost binding partners that allow it to control gene transcription. We hypothesize that loss of Nkx6.1 binding partners curtails its ability to induce gene transcription that leads to proliferation and enhanced glucose stimulated insulin secretion. To test this hypothesis we have used Nkx6.1 BioID to define by mass spectrometry the proteins that interact with Nkx6.1 Here we define three novel interactors, Mef2D, Sirt7, PDX1. This finding will provide us with a greater understanding of Nkx6.1 function in the beta cell, provide us with new gene targets essential for Nkx6.1 function, and allow us to begin to apply these findings to aged beta cells.

Wood, Branzen; Oberg, Taylor; Culumber, Michele; Oberg, Craig (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Oberg, Taylor (Utah State University, Nutrition and Food Science); Culumber, Michele (Weber State University, Microbiology); Oberg, Craig (Weber State University, Microbiology)

The unique flavorings and textures of Cheddar cheese are produced by the degradation of the major milk proteins. One of those proteins, casein, is degraded by the enzyme chymosin and a series of peptidases produced by the starter Lactococcus added to the milk. As casein is degraded, several small peptides accumulate. One of these peptides, ß-casein, can have an adverse bitter taste that is non-desirable and considered a defect in Cheddar cheese. The two main starter cultures used industrially in Cheddar cheese making are Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and L. lactis subsp. cremoris. L. lactis subsp. cremoris has been used traditionally in Cheddar cheese making, however, L. lactis subsp. lactis ferments more quickly and is becoming more popular in the cheese industry. With the transition creameries have seen a sharp rise in bitterness during production. Our hypothesis was that while closely related, cremoris synthesizes some peptidases that help with ß-casein degradation that lactis does not. Peptidases found in cremoris include PrtP I and II, Pep X, Pep C, Pep A, Pep T, Pep Q, Pep N, Pep V among others. We searched the genomes of both strains using RAST bioinformatic software, and the databases NCBI and UniProt. The peptidases common in cremoris were also found in lactis. We are now trying to determine if the location of the peptidases on the genomes change how they are regulated or produced. Further, we will begin looking into the genome for other, novel, enzymes that might have peptidase activity that influence bitterness.

Nanasi Sekona, Ashley Balderrama, Carlos Nunez, Kyle Hendricks, Tyson Hillock, and Dr. Olga Kopp (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Kopp, Olga (Utah Valley University, Biology)

Over the last 30 years, the incidence of fungal infections has gradually increased. Mucormycosis is a fungal infection primarily caused by Rhizopus Oryzae. The majority of patients who develop invasive mucormycosis die within 12 weeks of diagnosis. Mucormycosis is commonly treated with an antifungal agent called Amphotericin B (AMB). When used in high concentrations, AMB causes severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. It has been reported that 99% of microbes exist as biofilm: thus, there is a direct association between mucormycosis and biofilms. Shockwave has been shown to inhibit living bacteria in biofilm, but few studies have focused on the effects of shockwave on fungal biofilm. Previous work in our lab showed that shockwaves were effective in damaging biofilms of R. oryzae; but at the same time helped promote the metabolism of surviving R. oryzae. This study aims to investigate the proteins expressed in fungal biofilms when introduced to different intensities of shockwave coupled with the treatment of AMB. This will be accomplished by culturing sporangiospores and propagating R. oryzae biofilms. Standardized biofilm will be treated with 0.5 µg/mL AMB in 1% DMSO, and/or shockwave treatment of 300 pulses at 0.19 mJ/mm2 energy density to be measured against a control group. The proteins will be extracted, determined by 2D gel electrophoresis, and identified by mass spectrometry. Studying protein expression resulting from combination therapy of extracorporeal shockwave and AMB on R. oryzae biofilm could progress research surrounding the difficulties of mucormycosis treatments. Particularly, research aimed at counteracting the antifungal and antimicrobial resistance contributed by proteins in the fungi's biofilm.

Jones, Abigail; Hevel, Joan (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Hevel, Joan (College of Science, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department)

PRMT1 is one of nine known mammalian Protein Arginine Methyltransferases (PRMTs) whose function are to transfer methyl groups from S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) to arginine residues of specific proteins. PRMT1 is known to methylate many different proteins in cells, but the mechanism of target recognition and binding is still unknown. Correct regulation of PRMT1 is critical to proper cellular function; thus, the action of PRMT1 is important to understand. In this study, we seek to elucidate how PRMT1 recognizes and binds its targets by identifying protein substrates of PRMT1 that form a stable complex with the enzyme. Such a protein would allow for additional studies (e.g. crystallographic or cryo-EM studies) to help visualize PRMT1-substrate interactions. Two substrates of PRMT1, TWIST1 and Smad6, have been purified, and the binding affinity of each to PRMT1 has been qualitatively assessed via pull-down assay and Western blot. Ligation-independent-cloning has been used to clone each substrate gene out of a GST-tagged vector and into a His-tagged vector, which will allow for further experiments assessing the stoichiometry of PRMT1-substrate binding.

Hirschi, Blake; Pickett, Brad; Thompson, Jared; Telford, Mady; Berges, Bradford (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Berges, Brad (Life Sciences, Microbiology and Molecular Biology)

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a commensal bacterium commonly found amongst livestock and near 30% of humans' nostrils. However, through acquisition of certain genes S. aureus may develop antibiotic resistance such as in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). One hypothesized component lending to acquisition of genetic resistance in S. aureus is the synthesis of colony biofilms. Biofilms are comprised of a variety of substances including secreted polysaccharides, protein and even extracellular DNA. Our work postulates that extracellular DNA-based biofilms will transfer genes for antibiotic resistance at a higher rate than in polysaccharide/protein biofilms. Through employment of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we aim to characterize a wide sample of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) human associated strains and MRSA livestock associated strains for multiple antibiotic resistances. Co-inoculating pairs of human associated and livestock associated strains, each lacking the other's resistance genes, will provide an environment wherein biofilm-mediated gene transfer may occur. Further pairing based on biofilm composition (DNA or polysaccharide/protein) will yield data concerning which biofilm facilitates gene transfer more efficiently. Subsequent genotyping will confirm whether resulting isolates acquired new antibiotic resistance through biofilm-mediated transfer, thus increasing pathogenicity.

Forbush, Micah; Gold, Roger (Southern Utah University)
Faculty Advisor: Gold, Roger (Southern Utah University, Biology)

The health of a horse's teeth and oral cavity is strongly correlated with the horse's overall health and well-being. As a horse ages the oral cavity undergoes many distinct physical changes, which may lead to changes in the composition of the oral microbiome as well. While there has been extensive research performed on the oral microbiomes of healthy horses compared to horses with various oral diseases, very little is known about normal changes to the horse oral microbiome as they age. The aim of this study was to use high-throughput sequencing to compare the oral microbiomes of horses in different age categories. Total genomic DNA was isolated from oral swabs taken from horses in the 7 day-old, 1-7 years old, 8-15 years old and 16+ years old age categories. The V3-V4- region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified by PCR and amplicons were submitted for paired-end sequencing on the Illumina HiSeq system. Sample reads were analyzed using the QIIME 2.0 microbiome bioinformatics platform and overall bacterial diversity was compared among age classes.

Aitken, Talon; Jensen, Daelin; Baxter, Melanie (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Tessem, Jeffrey (Brigham Young University, NDFS)

Diabetes Mellitus, a condition characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion or effectiveness, affects over 8.5% of the adult US population. Both type one and type two diabetes have the common characteristic of a decrease of functional beta-cell mass from the islets of Langerhans, located within the pancreas. The upregulation of genes known to induce beta-cell growth and proliferation results in an increase of functional beta-cell mass in young cells but not in their aged counterparts. This age-related occurrence - under nonpathologic conditions — is poorly understood. For this study, the morphological differences between young islets and aged islets are studied to provide insight as to the reason behind this refractory behavior. Immunostaining methods show significant contrast been percentages of insulin-positive beta-cell area in the pancreata of young vs. old-aged rats.

Fazio, Nicholas; Russell, Michael; Krapohl, John; Andrus, Brayden; Hansen, Marc (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Hansen, Marc (Brigham Young University, Physiology and Developmental Biology)

PIM 3 is a proto-oncogene with serine/threonine kinase activity that can prevent apoptosis, promote cell survival and protein translation. Abnormal PIM3 activity contributes to tumorigenesis by phosphorylation of targets that release anti-apoptotic proteins. Pathological PIM3 expression is common in pancreatic and prostate cancer. Inhibiting this kinase activity can be used to therapeutically suppress uncontrolled cell growth in cancerous tissues. Synthetic inhibitors are being developed as therapeutics to treat PIM3 related disorders. Compounds derived from plants and natural sources have therapeutically-relevant biological activity. Additionally, they often well tolerated, making them important starting points for drug discovery efforts. A less widely used approach to discover the biological activity of molecules is built around using a large scale in-silico molecular screening, which has emerged as a critical drug discovery tool. Here, we screen a large (>100,000 compound) virtual library of natural product compounds for binding in the PIM3 ATP binding site, then validate compounds with using cell-based and immuno-based assays. This approach reveals PIM3 inhibition by a saponin scaffold, which suggests potential utility as a therapeutic or as a lead for further optimization.

Marshman, Evan; Peterson, Samara; Call, Gerald; Chaston, John (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Chaston, John (Life Science, Plant and Wildlife Science)

In recent years the association between the human gut microbiome and the brain has become a promising field of study. Often referred to as the "gut-brain axis", this connection has greatly enriched our scientific understanding of many disorders that affect the brain and nervous system. A recent study showed the differing richness of bacteria in the microbiota of Parkinson's patients and healthy control subjects. Because recent research shows this connection, we predicted that we would detect variation in the microbiota of D. melanogaster (fruit flies) models of Parkinson's disease, relative to wild type flies. To test this hypothesis, I analyzed 16s rRNA sequence data, reporting the microbiota composition in flies that are a model of Parkinson's Disease, as well as wild type flies. I found one strain of the genus Acetobacter that was differentially abundant between the two fly types. Therefore, for my CURA I will extend my analysis by performing similar analyses by taking a larger set of Parkinson's fly models. Once they are sequenced, I will use QIIME, the same software I used in my preliminary analyses to further our understanding of the taxonomic differences between the gut bacteria of Parkinson's models and wild type flies.

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.

Harley Cragun, Kacy Craig, Josh Parmenter, Renee Galliher, Ryan Berke (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Berke, Ryan (College of Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department); Galliher, Renee (Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services, Psychology Department)

LGBTQ+ college students are a minority group of people who face the emerging challenges of adulthood and career decision making, as well as the unique challenge of navigating a minority sexual or gender identity. To fill the gaps in literature about the relationship between career development and decision making and identity development, over 400 LGBTQ+ college students of all disciplines from across the United States were surveyed. As part of a larger survey, students provided responses to the following open-ended question — "Please describe any barriers you perceive that might prevent you from achieving your career goals." Engineering has historically been dominated by white, heterosexual males, possibly leading to unique sexual identity and career development experiences of LGBTQ Engineering students. Initial analysis identified 5 main themes of all responses, including health, discrimination, resources, technical skills and emotional ability. Further analysis will be done to compare the reported barriers of Engineering majors to all majors. (We are recruiting for a second round of surveys. If you are an LGBTQ Engineering student, please visit www.berkelab.com/lgbtq.)

Tapoof, Koralene; Soyer, Mehmet (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Soyer, Mehmet (College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology Department)

With the increased development of natural gas in the United States, the northeastern part of Utah lies an area called the "Energy Hub" of the Uintah Basin. The estimated acreage is about five million acres, which 53 percent is controlled by the federal government. It is rich in tight sands and shale gas and has brought about recent gas exploration and development making this area in the Uintah and Duchesne counties of the Uintah Basin the largest oil and natural gas producing in the state of Utah. The purpose of this research is to examine how residents perceive the impacts of Oil and Gas developments in Ute Tribe Reservation. This proposed research will fill the gap in the literature regarding residents' perceptions on the impacts of hydraulic fracturing in Native Indian Reservation. We also explore the perceptions of Ute Tribe members on social, environmental, and health impacts of Oil and Gas Industry. Participants will be a minimum of 20 individuals who live in Ute Tribe Reservation, Fort Duchesne. The interviews will be in-depth and semi-structured. This study will be qualitative and exploratory. NVIVO 12 Qualitative software will be used to analyze collected data.

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.

Chavez Marin, Yazmin; Ellis, Lesa (Westminster College)
Faculty Advisor: Ellis, Lesa (Westminster College, Neuroscience)

Several schools and workplaces have implemented a "speak-English-only" policy that tends to develop into a hostile environment. At times these policies involve students or workers being disciplined for speaking just a few words in a non-English language while at work or during personal time. In short, these policies tend to create an environment that involves publicly commenting on a person's use of their primary language in a negative way. Keeping in mind that language aids in connecting and solidifying elements of identity and social connections, I ask how bilinguals in these situations view themselves when they are speaking in English, or a non-English language (Spanish-speakers in particular). In this experiment, we analyzed if bilingual (English and Spanish) have an internalize biased depending on what language they are using in academic settings. In this experiment, we will be testing what implicit biases people have when they are presented with words in Spanish or in English through an Implicit Association Test that looks at how participants pair words, positive or negative, with themselves or with others. We expect to find that people tend to respond faster when they pair Spanish words with themselves, and slower when they pair English words with themselves. This research can help expand the knowledge of how bilinguals, or multilinguals interact with their environment, and how language impacts thoughts.

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.

Allred, Madison; Otterstrom, Samuel (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Otterstrom, Samuel(Brigham Young University, Family, Home and Social Sciences, Geography)

Over the past 20 years the behavior of dictatorial regimes have been studied in various social science fields, but so far the extension of analysis into the field of Geography has been minimal. I show that not only can Geography shed valuable light onto these issues, but it is essential to incorporate geographical findings into the global discussion of protecting the sanctity of life and promoting peace.

I aim to show how dictators use the geographic principle of memorialism and change the urban and human landscape to build nationalism in fractured states. I have narrowed the scope of my research by using the reign of Saddam Hussein as a case study. He is the perfect focus for this case study because his reign had a definitive beginning and end, his works are relatively well documented and his name is well known in academic communities as well as by the general populus. Since I want my research to make an impact and grab the attention of academia as well as policy makers, choosing a person that held the fascination of the American public for years was critical.

By examining the available data and utilizing GIS, we are able to come to conclusions of Saddam Hussein's behavior and find correlations only observable by mapping and spatially analyzing the data. My research is relevant not only to the field of Geography, but can be useful to decisions on US Foreign Policy. If it can be proven that Saddam Hussein and other similar dictators utilize memorialism, can evidence of memorialism be used as a key indicator in various foreign policy decisions? If dictators use memorialism to build nationalism, can memorialism be used preventatively in fractured states to prevent the rise of potentially bloody dictatorial regimes? The results of my research call for further action and analysis to be taken by academics and subsequent political action based upon their findings.

McFarlane, Amanda (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Haug, Jordan (Brigham Young University, Anthropology); Thompson, Greg (Brigham Young University, Anthropology)

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church) have been partners for over hundred years, with the Church chartering Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops in each of its American congregations for their boys ages 8-11 and 12-18 respectively. Within the Utah National Parks Council (UNPC) of the BSA, the high concentration of members of the Church has led to the BSA being thought of synonymously with the Church and its involvement. In May of 2018, however, the Church announced that, starting January 1, 2020, they would no longer be chartering troops through the BSA for their male youth, leading to confusion about the role of Scouting in Utah and how it would change or if it would continue. The analysis of this ethnographic data, gathered at BSA events across Utah County and Camp Maple Dell in Payson, seeks to address the ways that Scouting has been influenced by its close relationship with the Church in the UNPC, the benefits and challenges it has presented, and how those that are highly involved in Scouting (employed by the UNPC) have been dealing with the impending transition and their optimism about having a better environment for Scouting without the direct influence of the Church.