UWEC CERCA 2026: Full Schedule

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10:00am CDT

Tuesday April 28, 2026 10:00am - 4:30pm CDT

Haas Fine Arts Center: Ruth Foster Gallery (162)

The Spring Bachelor of Fine Arts Show at the Foster Gallery features artwork by senior BFA candidates.

Tuesday April 28, 2026 10:00am - 4:30pm CDT
Haas Fine Arts Center: Ruth Foster Gallery (162) 121 Water St, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA

Spring Bachelor of Fine Arts Show

Department Art & Design
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

A Deployment System for Vascular Stents on Major Arteries with Collateral Connections

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Vascular surgeons often use stent grafts to treat patients with peripheral vascular disease to restore adequate blood flow to affected regions of the body, preventing tissue death and loss of limb. Current stent grafts and deployment systems do not have a flexible enough design to meet needs for all patients, especially in the situation where there is a collateral blood vessel that must remain open. A deployment system is being developed using modified catheters to align and confirm position of the stent graft relative to a collateral vessel. The deployment system catheter comprises a central line for a guidewire, a 90-degree output channel for wire and radiopaque dye for flow verification, and a lumen for attachment of the stent graft. Prototypes were fabricated through resin casting and injection molding that can be attached to existing multilumen catheter tubing. This project will improve patient results by providing a cost effective, efficient, and safe way for vascular surgeons to position modified stent grafts in challenging anatomies in the peripheral vasculature.

Presenters

Sasha Bovard

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Ayla Sonnek

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Joseph Petefish

Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

A New Lower Bound for Clasp Number on 3-Component Links

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

A C-complex is a union of Seifert surfaces for the components of a link which intersect each other in clasps. The clasp number of a link is the minimal number of clasps amongst all C-complexes it bounds It gives a measure of complexity and can be used to provide bounds on other useful characteristics of a link. This paper provides a new lower bound for the number of clasps of all C-complexes bounded by a given 3-component link improving results of Amundsen-Anderson-D.-Guyer. Furthermore, we construct links that achieve these bounds. In order to do so, we express the triple linking numbers as the area bounded by three curves, called word curves, and then perform the geometry and discrete optimization needed to minimize the length of these curves.

Presenters

David Lawrence

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Jack Paulsen

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Nathan Phillips

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Christopher Davis

Mathematics, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Mathematics
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Analysis of Bi-2212 Superconducting Filament Joining using Deep Learning Methods

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Composite Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8-x (Bi-2212) wire has great potential as a material for high temperature superconducting magnets, due to its ability to conduct electricity without resistance. However, during heat treatment, individual Bi-2212 filaments may agglomerate or bridge, compromising wire performance. Traditional image analysis methods struggle to quantify this agglomeration because of the wide variability in filament bridging behavior—from light to fully conjoined. In this project, we apply and compare two semantic segmentation models, U-Net and SACNet, for their ability to segment and classify filaments in transverse cross-sectional images of Bi-2212 wires. Our preliminary results show that our overall pixel accuracy is about 95% while the individual filament accuracy is about 73%. The SACNet has also been adapted to operate on the UWEC BOSE supercomputing cluster, which allows higher throughput testing at a rate approximately 19 times faster than on a standard computer operating system. The process of training the model is simple and only requires editing hyperparameters within a text document. The hyperparameters are currently being assessed for their impact on the overall accuracy of the model. We hope to turn the Python-based code into a standalone software product that can be easily used by researchers without a coding background. This should allow the software to be used widely and further our understanding of the role of bridging in the performance of the wire.

Presenters

Evan Rosenick

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Jayson Rugg

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Matthew Jewell

Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Analyzing impact of embryonic chemical exposures on brain development and function using zebrafish

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Understanding the effects chemical exposure has on neurodevelopment is crucial for protecting human health and improving environmental policies and safety. Our research uses zebrafish to investigate how environmental and chemical exposures influence early development, as their embryos allow us to observe changes across multiple biological levels. Within our collaborative lab structure, research teams work together to examine how various factors affect development from genes to behavior. My role in the lab includes training in zebrafish-based experimental techniques and beginning to conduct literature analysis to identify candidate chemicals for future experiments.

Presenters

Addison Bauman

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Bradley Carter

Biology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Biology
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Anxiety and autism in school-aged youth: A review of literature and future directions

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Lopata, Donnelly, and Thomeer (2017) certified that 70% of autism diagnoses are comorbid with another disorder, with anxiety being the most common. This review of literature will begin with an exploration of previous research regarding the diagnosis of anxiety in children with autism and identify any differences in its presentation compared to children without autism. Previous research has found that anxiety symptoms can vary in children based on if they diagnostic criteria for autism (White et al, 2015), which was then used as reason to argue for the implementation of more autism-specific assessment tools (Houting et al, 2018). This review will then detail some limitations highlighted in past research regarding appropriate assessment tools to identify anxiety in non-verbal children with Autism. Lastly, our review will highlight what supports and potential barriers to support exist within homes and schools for these children. In examining previous conclusions and potential gaps found in current research, we hope to identify direction for future research on this topic.

Presenters

Charlie La Mar

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Stacey Jackson

Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Psychology
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Behind the Screens: The Motivation Behind Cyberbullying Incidents

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Despite recent years showing a substantial rise in cyberbullying awareness, its causes have not been widely studied. In general, most cyberbullying research focuses on the impact the practice has on victims of online harassment. Although this is, of course, extremely important, it leaves a significant gap in our understanding of how and why cyberbullying begins in the first place. This research hopes to shed some light on how cyberbullying begins in order to gain a better understanding of how it can be prevented. Many existing papers and research articles investigating cyberbullying perpetration were carefully examined throughout the course of this project to summarize our existing knowledge of the topic. Several main themes on cyberbullying motivations were discovered during the investigation, including aggression, lack of empathy, lack of online monitoring, revenge, dark triad personality traits, and low self-esteem. Further research is required to fully understand how these causes relate to each other; however, the project has provided a strong start towards that goal so far.

Presenters

Abigail Barr

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Justin Patchin

Political Science, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Political Science
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Capturing Frédéric Chopin’s Style Through Clarinet Quartet Transcriptions

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

As a pianist and composer, Frédéric Chopin was well known for his uniquely sensitive phrasing and expression. Although he wrote almost exclusively for the piano, his style lends itself well to other instrumentations. Because I am currently studying both clarinet and piano, I am especially interested in the feasibility of performing in Chopin’s style on the clarinet. The aim of this project is to recreate and notate Chopin’s style for clarinet quartet instrumentation. This delicate, nuanced music involving a high level of rhythmic freedom is different compared to much standard clarinet repertoire. However, the clarinet has the advantage of creating sound through a stream of air rather than by pressing keys. This allows a clarinetist the freedom to sustain or increase volume on a long note, whereas a note on the piano always fades after being played. By transcribing and recording three of Chopin’s preludes for clarinet quartet, I intend to form interpretations that utilize this different set of available techniques while still conveying the intended impact of the piano originals. My ultimate goal is for these transcriptions to fit a gap in the current clarinet repertoire, allowing clarinetists to perform in a style they might not normally come across.

Presenters

Hailey Fenner

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Alyssa Powell

Music & Theatre Arts, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Music & Theatre Arts
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Characterization of Methyl Jasmonate and Germination Responses in Arabidopsis thaliana Red-Light Response Mutants

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Plants have evolved a sophisticated set of pathways to detect and respond to light, which allows them to adjust their development in response to changing conditions. Red and far-red wavelengths are detected by photoreceptors called phytochromes (phys), with phyB being the major phytochrome involved in red-light response in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Phytochrome levels are regulated by an E3 ubiquitin-ligase complex that includes the target-adaptor Light-Response BTB1 or BTB2 (LRB1 or LRB2) proteins. The Gingerich lab studies lines of Arabidopsis that contain mutations in the LRB1, LRB2, and PHYB genes. Analysis of growth responses to light and other environmental or physiological factors that intersect with light response helps us better understand how the phytochrome pathway regulates development. Here, we present an analysis of germination responses to red and far-red light and seedling development responses to the hormone methyl jasmonate in our lines. Germination response to red and far-red light is well-studied, and recent analyses have suggested roles for phyB in modulating jasmonate responses; thus, studies of these responses in lines with alterations of the phytochrome pathway might be informative.

Presenters

Dylan Bruhn

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Sofyia Soto

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Derek Gingerich

Biology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Biology
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Characterizing Magmatism Near the Eau Plein Shear Zone, Penokean Orogen, Northern Wisconsin.

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

The Precambrian bedrock of northern Wisconsin hosts the 1.8-1.9Ga billion-year-old Penokean Orogeny. The Penokean Orogeny involves the collision of volcanic arcs and smaller continental crustal blocks. These blocks are known as the Pembine-Wausau Terrane and the Marshfield Terrane. The Eau Pleine Shear Zone marks the boundary between these two terranes. Recent studies within the Marshfield Terrane indicate a more complex geological structure than previously understood, the highly variable ages in this area highlight the need to re-evaluate the significance of this structural boundary between the Pembine-Wausau and Marshfield terranes. Clusters of magmatic rocks found near the Eau Pleine Shear Zone could help determine the nature of this crustal boundary. Magmas that are generated before, during, or after the collision inherit the geochemical and isotopic characteristics of the crustal blocks they interact with. For this research project, samples were collected from both intrusive and volcanic rocks that are found on both sides of the Eau Pleine Shear Zone, these samples were then prepared for geochemical and petrographic analysis. The results of this work will allow us to evaluate historical tectonic models of the Lake Superior region and determine whether the Eau Pleine Shear Zone is indeed an appropriate terrane boundary.

Presenters

Fintan McGovern

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Robert Lodge

Geology and Environmental Science, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Geology and Environmental Science
Special Categories WI Focus
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Conspiracies Are Everywhere

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Fully in the throws of the internet age, it would seem that the world is rife with conspiracies—or at least with theories about them. The past ten years have brought forth many answers of how and why these theories spread, but much less is known about what they do to the minds of their devotees. In order to explore this question, the essay “Conspiracies Are Everywhere” follows the rabbit hole down to the bedrock, sewing the seeds of paranoia and placing the audience firsthand within the mindset of the conspiracist. Benjamin Bachim’s combination of extensive psychological research and subtle manipulation presents a compelling meta-narrative on the nature of conspiracist worldviews while exploring the virology of the conspiracy theory and the spiraling, negative social and psychological consequences of belief.

Presenters

Benjamin Bachim

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Shannon Roach

English, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department English
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Development of platform and field campaign strategy for UAS operations to monitor air pollutants in the lower atmosphere

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Atmospheric pollutants are a huge problem in today’s environment. Ozone is one of these pollutants. It is harmful to human health and is a main pollutant in photochemical smog. Counties near Lake Michigan in Eastern Wisconsin suffer from poor air quality due to high ozone events and are in nonattainment of federal ozone standards. This is due to lake breeze circulation patterns and trapping of ozone and its precursors over Lake Michigan. To collect data on air quality in this area we have recently purchased an Aurelia S6 drone as a measurement platform for ozone, temperature, humidity, pressure, and NO2. While some of these have been measured before via UAS, we have recently custom-built an NO2 instrument, so careful consideration needs to be done to mount and fly the instruments under safe conditions. Here, we describe the UAS capabilities, strategies for mounting instrumentation, and flight campaign protocols to comply with FAA regulations and gather data safely.

Presenters

Eric Oberg

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Patricia Cleary

Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Chemistry and Biochemistry
Special Categories WI Focus
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Duloxetine’s Effects on Hunger Discrimination and Food Intake in Rats

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Obesity is a prevalent condition that causes adverse health conditions and death, where medical and pharmaceutical treatments are options for patients. Sibutramine, a known obesity treatment, shares its pharmacological mechanism of action with duloxetine. Both are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Duloxetine’s effects on hunger remain unclear. This study examines whether duloxetine reduces hunger in rats trained in an operant chamber to discriminate between 22-hour and 2-hour food deprivation. After 22-hour food deprivation, left-lever responses were reinforced with a 45mg sugar pellet. Right-lever responses produced eight seconds of darkness. Contingencies were reversed after 2-hour food deprivation. Male and female rats received duloxetine (1-32 mg/kg). Following injections, rats were tested for their perceived hunger (a decrease in left-lever responses). Post-test, one hour of food and water consumption was measured.  In males, but not females,17.8 mg/kg reduced hunger. Duloxetine decreased food consumption and lever pressing rates in all doses compared to the 22-hour control condition in both males and females. In the future, this lab will study whether the reduction in hunger and food intake is due solely to serotonin or norepinephrine activation, or the combination of both. The results of this study may help obesity therapies in the future. 

Presenters

Will Broome

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Abigail Compton

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Vivienne Lewis

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Camryn Lindell

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Isaac Reginek

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Skye Skogen

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Elizabeth Wordes

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Henry Zaleski

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

David Jewett

Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Psychology
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Enhancing Surgical Training and Patient Outcomes Using Customizable 3D Printed Surgical Models for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Procedures

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Currently, no tailored surgical models exist for minimally invasive cardiac procedures leaving surgeons to learn primarily on patients. These procedures, such as catheter ablation and the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage closure, are performed by placing a catheter through the femoral vein to access the heart. To address this gap, we have developed an anatomically accurate and patient-specific training model. Using CT and MRI scans from the Mayo Clinic, we created a 3D-printed model with Materialise Mimics, Materialise 3-Matic, and SolidWorks software. The system includes a torso, leg, interchangeable hearts, and a femoral vein pathway. Cameras are in place to mimic the fluoroscopy that would be used in an actual procedure. A visual and audio feedback system identifies key ablation points in the heart. Together, these features allow for the creation of an educational model. Surgical outcomes utilizing the educational model will be compared with previous outcomes for surgeons of various education and experience levels. This project will reveal if customizable practice models are significantly beneficial to surgical practice by observing patient outcomes.

Presenters

Sophie Gardiner

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Mehal Raghwani

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Reese Sheehan

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Doug Dunham

Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

GLP-1 Return on Investment: An Actuarial Model For Employer-Sponsored Coverage Of Anti-Obesity Medications.

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Some people call it a new “miracle drug.” Others are far more skeptical. However, one thing is certain: the surge in popularity of weight-loss drugs around the country is not going unnoticed. With obesity rates in the United States reaching over 40%, people are eager to find new ways to develop healthier lifestyles. Also known as Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs), these drugs are still relatively new to the market and carry high, ongoing costs. Our research seeks to create an actuarial model to evaluate the financial impact of covering AOMs within employer-sponsored health plans. Current research on this subject is limited and studies that are available reflect conflicting results. We seek to create an accessible (Excel-based), functioning ROI model for AOM coverage that accounts for drug costs, expected utilization, weight-related risk reduction, and future medical cost offsets. We believe that the successful production of a dependable actuarial model could help employers make a more informed choice when it comes to the coverage of AOMs for their employees.

Presenters

Jared Delich

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Carson McCutcheon

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Herschel Day

Mathematics, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Mathematics
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Influence of Data Provenance on Anatomical Representations in Pancreas CT Segmentation Models

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Clinical imaging datasets for analysis of pancreatic cancer increasingly aggregate scans collected under heterogeneous workflows and annotation strategies. Deep learning models for medical image segmentation are typically evaluated using overlap metrics such as Dice scores, which assumes training data is drawn from heterogeneous distributions. While state-of-the-art segmentation frameworks such as nnU-Net achieve strong benchmark performance, little is known about how data provenance influences the anatomical representations learned by these models. Understanding these effects is critical for interpretability, robustness, and safe deployment in clinical settings. This project aims to investigate whether pancreas CT segmentation models trained on different data sources learn systematically different anatomical priors, even when standard accuracy metrics are similar. To evaluate these effects, we train multiple source-specific nnU-Net models on curated subsets of the PANORAMA pancreas dataset that reflect distinct data collection strategies. We will compare outputs via Dice scores and anatomical descriptors such as predicted volume, connected components, centroid location, spatial extent, and voxel-wise inter-model disagreement maps. Ongoing analysis aims to quantify these differences and demonstrate disagreement mapping as a computationally efficient proxy for anatomical uncertainty.

Presenters

Lando Dierkes

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Caleb Smock

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Rahul Gomes

Computer Science, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Computer Science
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Investigating Patterns of Intermittent Groundwater Flow in a Mountain Watershed

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Climate change is impacting water resources globally. In the US Mountain West, warming is pushing watersheds beyond historical hydroclimate conditions and altering snowpack, groundwater recharge, and stream baseflow. This project investigates intermittent groundwater discharge, i.e., flow that pulses following snowmelt and ceases during late summer low-flow conditions. Here we address three research questions to better understand shifting ecohydrological baselines: (1) What groundwater flow path distributions support intermittent flow? (2) What is the chemical signature of intermittent groundwater discharge? And (3) How do groundwater age and flow duration relate to landscape geomorphological characteristics? The study will be conducted in the Sagehen Creek Basin, CA, a well-instrumented Sierra Nevada watershed with long-term climate, streamflow, and groundwater records. We will sample five intermittent groundwater sites for age-dating using CFCs and SF6, analyze major ion chemistry and field water quality parameters, deploy in-situ loggers to record flow persistence or absence, and compute high-resolution terrain metrics to evaluate landscape controls. Pending results and analysis will provide insight into how climate-driven changes in recharge and snowpack influence groundwater flow paths, water quality, and the resilience of mountain groundwater systems.

Presenters

Julianne Bradford

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Zachary Meyers

Geology and Environmental Science, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Geology and Environmental Science
Special Categories Sustainability
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Links, C-complexes, and Triple Linking Number

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

A C-complex is a union of Seifert surfaces for the components of a link which intersect each other in clasps. The clasp number of a link is the minimal number of clasps amongst all C-complexes bounded. It gives a measure of complexity and can be used to provide bounds on other useful characteristics of a link. This paper provides a new lower bound for the number of clasps of all C-complexes bounded by a given 3-component link improving results of Amundsen-Anderson-D.-Guyer. Furthermore, we construct links that achieve these bounds. In order to do so, we express the triple linking numbers as the area bounded by three curves, called word curves, and then perform the geometry and discrete optimization needed to minimize the length of these curves.

Presenters

David Lawrence

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Jack Paulsen

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Nathan Phillips

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Christopher Davis

Mathematics, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Mathematics
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Optimizing the Analysis of Human DNA Variants to Assess Their Contribution to Disease

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Rare diseases affect 30 million Americans, many of whom remain undiagnosed due to limited functional characterization of DNA variants. Propionic acidemia is caused by variants in PCCA or PCCB that impair enzyme function, leading to severe metabolic dysfunction, often presenting in early infancy. While the Wisconsin newborn screening panel tests for this disorder, screening is neither 100% effective nor does it identify the cause of propionic acidemia in each patient. There are 979 reported DNA variants of uncertain significance or conflicting classification in PCCA and PCCB, meaning that it is unclear if these mutations cause the disease: thus, identification of one of these variants in a patient does not equal clear diagnosis. To address this gap, our lab uses a minigene system to examine whether variants have functional effects. Although we can effectively assess individual variants with this system, it is a relatively low-throughput method. We present our efforts at optimizing this system through improved sample processing, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and development of efficient R scripts. An improved pipeline should accelerate the resolution of variants of uncertain significance associated both with propionic acidemia and across rare genetic diseases.

Presenters

Easton Blissenbach

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Caitlyn Yarbrough

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Jamie Lyman Gingerich

Biology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Biology
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Progressive Optimization of Biocompatible Foam for Tumor Ablation

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Tumor ablation is an effective treatment for cancer removal, but current methods can be improved using biocompatible materials to minimize complications and post-operative pain. The procedure uses a needle-like probe to burn or freeze cancerous target tissue. An essential component to this procedure is separating healthy tissue from the target tissue to prevent damage. Current methods use saline or carbon dioxide, which cause complications within the body cavity due to gravity. The development of a biocompatible foam through partnership between UW- Eau Claire and Mayo Clinic Health System allows for thermal insulation and maintained contact with the target tissue. FDA approved biocompatible materials are used to create foam that is stable throughout the procedure. Current project goals include continuing characterization of foam properties through rheology, measuring surface tension through pendent drop tensiometry, and developing freeze drying and an automated procedural device for long-term storage and clinical adoption. Quantifying foam properties through these characterization techniques and data collection allows for clinical readiness. Refinement of the biocompatible foam aims to optimize the tumor ablation procedure, resulting in minimized complications and enhanced patient outcomes.

Presenters

Valerie Giallombardo

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Emerald Olson

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Hailey Stariha

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Elizabeth Glogowski

Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Quantification of Oxidative Stress via Colorimetric Detection of 8-oxo-dG in Saliva Using DNA Aptamer-Gold Nanoparticles Complex

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between antioxidants and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. It can lead to DNA damage and plays a critical role in the development and progression of cancer. Because of this, oxidative stress serves as an important biomarker for cancer detection and prognosis. It is also implicated in a variety of other pathologies, including increased viral severity, such as that observed in COVID‑19 infections. In this study, we aim to detect and quantify oxidative stress in cancer patients by measuring 8‑oxo‑2′‑deoxyguanosine (8‑oxo‑dG), a key biomarker of oxidative DNA damage. We are developing a DNA‑aptamer–based, gold‑nanoparticle colorimetric assay to quantify 8‑oxo‑dG in saliva samples. The outcomes of this work will advance the assessment of oxidative stress levels and strengthen investigations into potential correlations between oxidative stress, cancer development, and patient prognosis.

Presenters

Sarah Broeckert

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Rachel Gregorich

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Sanchita Hati

Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Chemistry and Biochemistry
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Refining the Decoding Algorithm SASH for the Optimization of Community Detection

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

The Communities in a network are detected by investigating the corresponding graph and finding dense clusters of vertices. The decoding algorithm SASH determines the initial codeword of communities that would most likely result in specific clusters. SASH checks various candidate codewords at clustering types until the codeword with the smallest discrepancy from the observed dataset is located. Using the dataset Zachary’s Karate Club, errors within the algorithm that lead to a significantly lowered accuracy from expectations will be highlighted, as well as potential ways that could amend the issues to optimize performance.

Presenters

Taylor Presler

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Allison Beemer

Mathematics, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Mathematics
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Schistosomes detect differences in light wavelength

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects over 250 million people worldwide and is caused by parasitic flatworms known as schistosomes. Miracidia, the first larval stage of schistosomes, infect snails as intermediate hosts, where they mature into a larval stage capable of infecting humans. Although it is not definitively known how miracidia locate snails, they have been shown to detect and interpret light to navigate their environment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the movement of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia in response to the presence of light and to different wavelengths of light. Miracidia were loaded onto rectangular arenas and exposed to light gradients, including white, red, blue, and/or green light. The miracidia were recorded for 1 hour and tracked using custom code. As expected, and consistent with previous work, miracidia are photoattracted. Notably, preliminary results indicate that they prefer blue over red light but have no apparent preference between blue and green light. Future experiments will explore the integration of their light and chemical perception. Understanding this sensory coordination could be key to developing new strategies to reduce schistosome populations and the spread of schistosomiasis.

Presenters

Declan Algrem

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Sonja Olson

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Bailey Stuart

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Nicolas Wheeler

Biology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Biology
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Stimuli-Responsive Block Copolymers for Enhanced Titanium Dioxide Dispersion in Waterborne Architectural Coatings

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Architectural coatings, defined as paints and surface finishes used primarily on buildings for protection and aesthetics, require uniform pigment dispersion to achieve proper opacity, durability, and application performance. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the primary white pigment used in these coatings due to its high refractive index, allowing it to efficiently scatter light. However, TiO2 particles frequently agglomerate in waterborne paint systems, reducing optical efficiency which increases the amount of pigment required. Because TiO2 is one of the most expensive components within paint formulation, improving its dispersion is both economically and environmentally significant. This research explores the use of stimuli-responsive block copolymers as the dispersing agents for TiO2. These polymers consist of chemically distinct segments that change their conformation in response to external stimuli, allowing them to improve pigment separation and interparticle stabilization. Dispersion quality is evaluated using Leneta charts to assess opacity and film uniformity, along with secondary tests including water droplet resistance. Rheological testing using the rheometer is also performed to generate demand curves, which describe how paint viscosity changes under applied shear and are helpful for predicting processability and behavior of paints. Successful implementation is expected to reduce TiO2 usage while maintaining performance and reducing the overall cost.

Presenters

Elle Roberts

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Simon Shaffer

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Nav Thaipally

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Elizabeth Glogowski

Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

The Lake Sturgeon's Importance

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

This Animal Planet-style video shows how the endangerment of Lake Sturgeon impacts the Great Lakes. The Lake Sturgeon is culturally important to indigenous people as well as historically significant to the Great Lakes Region. While the Department of Natural Resources are protecting the Lake Sturgeon, I feel that their story is special and they should be a greater focus to the conservationists of the Great Lakes. This film brings awareness to how important they are to so many people, therefore we need to do more to protect them.

Presenters

Jocelyn Thesing

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Isabella Gross

English, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department English
Special Categories WI Focus, Sustainability
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

The timing of Paleoproterozoic Felsic Volcanism in the Penokean Orogen, Wisconsin

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

The volcanic rocks of the Penokean orogen of northern Wisconsin are well known for hosting 1875 Ma Cu-Zn-Pb-Au-Ag volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits that formed in deep marine extensional settings. New U/Pb ages obtained from VMS-hosting volcanic strata suggest the extensional tectonic setting was active at 1835 Ma when previous tectonic models state the Penokean Orogen is thought to have closed the ocean. These inconsistencies in dates of samples from the Penokean Orogen may suggest a different geologic timeline than previously recognized. However, younger tectonic or hydrothermal may have altered the zircon U/Pb systematics. This study compares U/Pb ages taken from zircon cores or rims to test if there is a difference in the data. If there is a correlation between core/rim analyses and ages, then it is possible that the 1835 Ma age is an artifact of tectonic or hydrothermal events and not related to timing of VMS mineralization. Preliminary core vs. rim comparisons indicates there is no distinct difference in the ages. This suggests that the younger submarine extensional VMS-forming environment existed and that the timing of major events in the Penokean orogen need to be revisited.

Presenters

Kayla Telshaw

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Robert Lodge

Geology and Environmental Science, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Geology and Environmental Science
Special Categories WI Focus
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Three-State Donor-Acceptor Biaryl Lactone Molecular Switches with Enhanced Solubility

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Our research is focused on the synthesis of a bridged biphenyl molecule with an amino donor, cyano acceptor, and tetraethylene glycol solubilizing groups (TEG). This three-state biphenyl molecule could find applications like nanoscale fluorescent sensors and molecular mechanical devices. Biphenyl molecules have known dihedral angles, leading to differing optical and conducting properties when manipulated. Utilizing a lactone-bridge, we can force the molecule into and out of planarity by changing pH: at low pH, the molecule takes a planar conformation (“ON”) due to the lactone bridge being intact, while at high pH it adopts a non-planar (“OFF”) geometry resulting from lactone cleavage. Planar biphenyl-containing systems often suffer from poor solubility and thus limited application. However, addition of TEG solubilizing groups will aid in their synthesis, study, and application due to enhanced solubility. Previous research in our group has shown analogous two-state biaryl lactone systems to readily switch conformations when exposed to different pH environments. This pH sensitivity will be even more precise with the addition of a third “OFF” state. At low pH, the amino donor group should become protonated, leading to the second “OFF” state and giving a narrow “ON” state. The “ON” state results in visible color and fluorescence differences from the “OFF” states of the molecule. We will be reporting on the synthetic progress of these molecules as well as evidence supporting their use as three-state molecular switches.

Presenters

Amanda Dahl

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Luke Dufner

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Bart Dahl

Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Chemistry and Biochemistry
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Tick Dragging and Species Identification in Eau Claire Parks

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) often called deer or bear ticks are the primary vector for the agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. Eau Claire County has one of the highest prevalence rates in the country, with 188 cases in 2022. Performing tick drags and species identification in popular Eau Claire parks is crucial in furthering knowledge and understanding on what harm may be inflicted upon civilians. By gathering data, Eau Claireans can be informed about the possible cautions present at tested recreational parks. ENPH 110: Environmental Public Health First Year Experience course, students performed tick drags in surrounding Eau Claire area parks including Lowes Creek Park, Southwest Dog Park, Carson Park, and UWEC Lower Campus Circle. Tick drags were made of cotton fabric weighed down with 1 oz sinkers and researchers pulled their tick drags behind them in parks, removed attached ticks, identified species, placed into vials with 70% alcohol and delivered them to the Eau Claire Health Department. Selected ticks were then tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the Borrelia burgdorferi gene. Students then created informational guides for park visitors to understand the dangers of ticks and how to take proper prevention.

Presenters

Claire DePeau

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Ava Gerrits

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Olivia Schreifels

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Esther Zabel

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Crispin Pierce

Public Health & Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Public Health & Environmental Studies
Special Categories WI Focus
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Tracking the Real Time Movements of the Food Delivery KiwiBots using a Network of Low-Powered, WiFi-Enabled Devices

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

KiwiBots are food delivery robots which traverse the campus of UW-Eau Claire. Each robot gives off a unique WiFi signal which can be detected by WiFi chips. A network of strategically placed, low-powered embedded computers (ESP32) capture the signals of KiwiBots within WiFi range and transmit the data to a central server for triangulation. Using average speed and overlapping detection ranges, this project aims to track the real time movements of the KiwiBots across the UW-Eau Claire campus. Potential applications of this type of system can be used to track the movement of Bluetooth or WiFi enabled devices used by passersby (Bluetooth headphones and smartphones, for instance) for malicious purposes. By creating a realistic system which can effectively track the real-time movements of personal devices, we aim to advocate for strong legal and technical countermeasures against systems of this kind.

Presenters

Yegeon Cho

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Silas Eacret

Student Administrator at Blugold Center for High Performance Computing, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Hello! I'm Silas. I enjoy breaking things, fixing the things, and then breaking more things in the process of fixing said things.

I'm currently employed part-time by the Blugold Center for High Performance Computing (https://hpc.uwec.edu) at UWEC as a Student Administrator. I help... Read More →

Jack Hagen

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Aiden Lee

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Mounika Vanamala

Computer Science, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Computer Science
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Water Quality and WELL Certification at the Sonnentag Center

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

The Sonnentag Center is an athletic complex that houses a wide range of individuals from the Eau Claire community. The hundreds of student, staff, public, and patient visitors each week means that the Sonnentag must ensure the maintenance of safe water, staying in compliance with WELL Safe Building Standards. The WELL certification sets the business standard for public health and safety and explains the range of acceptable levels for each of the variables being tested. Granting this certification to the Sonnentag Center ensures that the surrounding community has a heightened trust in public water sources. Contaminated water can cause a variety of health complications, including gastrointestinal issues and skin irritation. We are actively conducting measurements of the drinking fountains, concessions ice, whirlpool, and cold tank plunge bath by recording free and total chlorine levels, pH, turbidity, and Coliform bacteria presence. We are using the ColorQ, HANNA, and Colilert testing kits, respectively. Our initial data shows levels within WELL and EPA standards of all variables tested. We expect our data to continue to comply with WELL certification standards to ensure proper maintenance and safety measures are being implemented.

Presenters

Eliana Tagarro

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Riley Wilson

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Crispin Pierce

Public Health & Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Public Health & Environmental Studies
Special Categories WI Focus
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

What Longer Warm Seasons Mean for Tick Population, and how They Affect Us

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Eau Claire is one of the world's Lyme Disease capitals, and this issue is only getting worse. The incidence of Lyme disease has more than doubled over the past decade, with over 6,000 cases annually in recent years. Global warming continues to affect the world, and with it, us. Currently, the tick season continues to grow longer, leading to a greater number of cases of Lyme disease and other vector-borne diseases associated with ticks. It also leads to an increasing range of many different species of ticks that don’t traditionally live in Wisconsin, an example being the Lone Star Tick. As these ticks continue to move north to new habitats, they bring with them new diseases. In this research project, we will be creating tick drags and targeting different areas, both on and off campus to collect ticks in the area and identify species, sex, life stage, and whether or not they are carrying a disease. The results of this research will allow us to understand and recognize the speed at which this change is occurring, but also the trends amongst locations, species, sex, and number and rates of invasive species of ticks new to the area.

Presenters

Elijah Grosland

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Luke Mayock

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Wyatt Melek

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Ayden Tomaro

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Crispin Pierce

Public Health & Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Public Health & Environmental Studies
Special Categories WI Focus
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

What Smartphone Brand Makes the Best Ping Pong Paddle?

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Because smartphones have increasingly found their way into most aspects of modern life, there is much to consider when purchasing a smartphone. Among other things, operating system, performance, software, camera, and battery life are all important factors when choosing a smartphone. Despite the portability of smartphones and their effectiveness as table tennis paddles, there is a significant lack of literature on the topic of using smartphones as ping pong paddles. Through a cross-sectional experiment, the researchers tested several different smartphone brands and models in a controlled tournament-style environment. Smartphone models were traded among the researchers for each round of gameplay, allowing for an averaged score of the most effective smartphone brand and model. This study establishes the first empirical framework for evaluating smartphone models effectiveness as table tennis paddles, and demonstrates the vast difference in ping pong performance among leading smartphone brands.

Presenters

Yegeon Cho

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Reed Graf

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Jack Hagen

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Jackson Kerr

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Hunter McDaniel

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Jacob Stoltenburg

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Jordan Hamzawi

Political Science, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department Political Science
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Why Adults Love Being Scared: The Psychology of Horror Movies

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

My video essay examines why adults are drawn to horror movies despite fear being an emotion most people avoid in their day-to-day lives. This project explores how fictional fear activates the brain's survival systems and gives reasoning for why these responses can feel exciting rather than distressing. It argues that horror movies create controlled environments for viewers that engage in both immediate and prolonged fear responses, allowing them to safely reinterpret fear as pleasure. The intended audience for my video essay is adults who enjoy horror films and are curious about the psychological effects of the genre. To reach my audience, the video uses accessible scientific explanations, interactive imagery, and familiar horror visuals to engage the audience and to clearly connect my research with the viewer's experience.

Presenters

Lucas Anderson

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Shannon Roach

English, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department English
College CAS

2:00pm CDT

Women in War: The Importance of Progressive Women and YMCA Entertainment During World War I

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

When the United States joined World War I in 1917, the federal government extended the homefront Progressive effort to encourage middle-class behavior grounded in temperance, industriousness, and sexual morality to American troops overseas. Entertainment and recreational activities moderated by the Commission on Training Camp Activities (CTCA) and civilian organizations like the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), gave Progressives an outlet for their middle-class moral agenda. Despite Progressive women’s contribution to the 1917 war effort, historians continue to associate war with the male experience, often retelling women volunteers’ narratives through the lens of their male employers. Which raises the question: how did YMCA women volunteers entertaining troops overseas challenge preconceived expectations of middle-class female domesticity? By analyzing letters sent home from American women entertainers between 1918 and 1919, this project argues that women advanced the organization’s goal in instilling middle-class ideologies on soldier audiences. In the process, however, women proved their undeniable value to the “Progressive experiment,” and assumed an unprecedented level of agency in a male-dominated sphere—an outcome the YMCA did not anticipate. Centering women’s experiences and highlighting how they utilized a social sphere previously exclusive to men reveals a new, and largely unexplored, perspective, in which women not only aided the war effort with their service, but utilized the historical moment to further the goals of feminists on the homefront towards recognition and equality.

Presenters

Lily McKeefry

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Patricia Turner

History, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Spotlight on First-Year Research

Department History
College CAS

4:00pm CDT

002: Control the Site, Control the Therapy: Regioselective Functionalization in Nanomedicine

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328)

Nanoparticle therapies can depend not only on which ligands are present, but on how they are arranged and connected within a nanoarchitecture. This project builds a foundation for site- and density-controlled functionalization by comparing gold nanoparticle (AuNP) films with and without added crosslinkers. Close-packed, dodecanethiol-capped AuNP films are assembled at the air–water interface in a Langmuir trough to form an uncrosslinked baseline. Dithiol crosslinkers are then introduced in parallel samples to create interparticle binding and increase structural integrity. Mechanical stability is quantified using Langmuir compression isotherms, including minimum collapse pressure and qualitative collapse behavior. Preliminary comparisons suggest that crosslinked films resist collapse more effectively than uncrosslinked controls, establishing a more durable platform for future experiments. Ongoing work will use this platform to examine how localized (clustered) versus more uniform ligand presentation may influence functional performance, supporting modular, bifunctional nanoparticle designs relevant to nanomedicine.

Presenters

Andrew Bybee

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Jennifer Dahl

Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

WiSys Quick Pitch, Science & Technology

Department Chemistry and Biochemistry
College CAS

4:00pm CDT

003: Protecting Freedom of Speech at Colleges and Universities

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328)

As a student who has been through mulitple levels of education, I believe we have faced self-censorship, which is refraining from our own ideas due to the fear of controversial backlash. I also believe this is destroying our free speech rights that build society. Self-censorship is the main cause of this rising issue that takes place at numerous educational institutions across the U.S. and prevents the collaboration of new ideas or concepts that improve critical thinking skills. This project is intended for students, faculty, staff, and policymakers who have the power to change campuses and develop policies to uphold our free speech rights. I designed a PowerPoint presentation that included striking images, constitutional rights, and statistical examples to emphasize my topic. This project will draw my audience into a conversation about our current state by examining the values of free speech rights and expressions that can help us grow diverse perspectives.

Presenters

Paxton Nygaard

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Jennifer Ervin

English, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

WiSys Quick Pitch, Social Science & Humanities

Department English
Special Categories Wi Focus
College CAS

4:00pm CDT

004: Digital Migration and Intercultural Communication: American TikTok Users on Chinese Social Media

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328)

This study focuses on the digital migration of American TikTok users to a Chinese local social media RedNote, following the 2025 U.S. TikTok ban and its impact on intercultural communication between American and Chinese users. Through a qualitative analysis of 50 selected bloggers, their posts, comments, and constructed a timeline using public data, the research identifies three key areas: (1) primary interaction themes, (2) opportunities and challenges in cultural exchange, and (3) the sustainability of RedNote for the U.S. users. The findings reveal that lifestyle and language-learning content dominate cross-cultural exchanges, enabling users to develop mutual curiosity, informal cultural learning, and opportunities for clarification of misunderstandings. Regarding the timeline, the sustainability of RedNote for American users may be limited. This study demonstrates how platform design, linguistic accessibility, and sociopolitical conditions could collectively shape the sustainability of intercultural interactions online. Although digital migration can facilitate initial cultural engagement, long-term participation depends on the development of shared community norms and meaningful cultural resonance.

Presenters

Yijin Liu

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Jianru Lyu

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Alexandra Reichstadt

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Kaishan Kong

Languages, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

WiSys Quick Pitch, Social Science & Humanities

Department Languages
Special Categories Global and Domestic Experiences
College CAS

4:00pm CDT

005: Analysis of Geometric Filament Homogeneity in Composite Bi-2212 Wires

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328)

Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8-x (Bi-2212) is a superconductor capable of producing large magnetic fields for advanced magnet systems. However, fluctuations in the size and shape of Bi-2212 filaments in a composite wire can affect processing capability. In this work, we compare the geometric filament uniformity of green-state densified composite Bi-2212/Ag wires to that of bronze route and powder-in-tube Nb3Sn wires in both the longitudinal and transverse orientations and explore the benefits and limitations of this technique. Filament size is the most important parameter to achieve overall uniform filaments, and transverse uniformity (which is much easier to measure) is an acceptable substitute for longitudinal uniformity in most situations. Finally, across a wide cross-section of Bi-2212 wires, the wire JE is shown to be only loosely correlated to the wire uniformity, as measured by the longitudinal coefficient of variation of the filament area. This points to the importance of powder quality and heat treatments as the primary drivers in Bi-2212 wire performance.

Presenters

Tyler Berlin

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Anne Carmichael

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Matthew Jewell

Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

WiSys Quick Pitch, Science & Technology

Department Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering
College CAS

4:00pm CDT

007: Characterizing the Genome of a Novel Prevotella Species Recovered from Cattle Rumen

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328)

Understanding the cow rumen microbiome is an ongoing project with significant implications for agriculture, as the health, weight, and methane emissions of the animal are tied to the microbiome. However, knowledge of rumen microbiomes is biased towards dairy cows and geographically influenced by European breeds. Therefore, to more comprehensively understand the contributions of the microbiome to sustainable animal agriculture, there is a need to study American and beef cattle rumen microbial communities. Using metagenomic techniques, we identified 1,329 microbial genomes from beef cattle rumen fluid. Using the Blugold HPC, we compared these genomes to a database of 12,906 microbial genomes compiled from different ruminants to determine which were newly-sampled. This identified 505 rumen microbial genomes that were uniquely-recovered in our American beef cattle metagenomes. We selected a genome classified as a Prevotella, a ubiquitous rumen genus, and characterized its phylogeny, revealing it likely represents a novel species. We will characterize its metabolic potential to understand the role of this genome in rumen microbiome carbon and nitrogen cycling. This work will lead to a more thorough understanding of the rumen microbiome, informing any efforts to improve animal health, reduce methane emissions, and otherwise improve farming practices.

Presenters

Ben Hurley

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Bridget McGivern

Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

WiSys Quick Pitch, Science & Technology

Department Chemistry and Biochemistry
Special Categories Sustainability
College CAS

4:00pm CDT

008: Digit Constraints in Decimal Expansions of Fractions with Denominator 3^x

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328)

This project investigates patterns in the decimal expansions of fractions of the form 𝑛/(3^𝑥), with particular focus on n/81. The central research question asks: which digits fail to appear in these repeating decimal representations, and can their absence be predicted using modular arithmetic? While repeating decimals are a familiar concept, the structural constraints governing their digit composition are less commonly examined.To explore this question, I analyzed decimal expansions in base 10 through the lens of modular arithmetic, examining how powers of 3 interact with powers of 10. By studying residue classes and cyclic behavior, I identified patterns that restrict which digits can occur in specific expansions. Preliminary results show that the structure of the multiplicative group modulo 3^𝑥 imposes predictable limitations on digit appearance. These findings provide a systematic method for forecasting digit absence in fractions with denominator 3^x, revealing deeper connections between modular arithmetic and decimal representation.

Presenters

Aaron Fraser

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

aBa Mbirika

Mathematics, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

WiSys Quick Pitch, Science & Technology

Department Mathematics
College CAS

4:00pm CDT

009: Can You Train Self-Control? Effects of Delay Exposure on Impulsive Choice in Rats

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328)

Impulsive choice, or the preference for smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards, is a behavioral process implicated in addiction, obesity, and other adverse health outcomes. Prior research suggests that prolonged exposure to delayed consequences can reduce impulsive choice over time, though recent findings raise questions about the generality of these effects across sex and species. The present study replicates and extends delay-exposure research by examining long-term effects in both male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Rats are randomly assigned to delay-exposure training, immediacy-exposure training, or a no-training control condition. Impulsive choice is assessed longitudinally across a 12-15 month period to evaluate the durability of training effects. Findings from this study can help clarify how experience shapes self-control and decision-making and ideally will help inform the development of behavioral interventions that are durable and clinically relevant.

Presenters

Grace Wisnicky

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Carla Lagorio

Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

WiSys Quick Pitch, Social Science & Humanities

Department Psychology
College CAS

4:00pm CDT

010: 50 Myths Later: Do College Students Still Believe Popular Psychology Misconceptions?

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328)

Specious psychological statements continue to be widely accepted despite refuting data, likely in part because they are commonly encountered, intuitively appealing, and often portrayed to be scientifically grounded. Common examples include misconceptions about memory accuracy, learning styles, and brain usage. Lilienfeld and colleagues (2010) compiled and presented “50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology,” providing a foundation for acknowledging the widespread endorsement of these myths. College students are a particularly important demographic to study, as misconceptions may interfere with learning and the accurate interpretation of scientific information. In this longitudinal study, over 1,000 undergraduate students enrolled in Introduction to Psychology courses at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire completed an anonymous survey assessing their levels of knowledge of and belief in specific psychological myths. Results provide insight into which myths persist most strongly across the years, highlighting areas where targeted educational intervention might be most useful to directly address students’ misconceptions of various psychological topics.

Presenters

Ashlyn Grota

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Carla Lagorio

Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Tuesday April 28, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Woodland Theater (328) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

WiSys Quick Pitch, Social Science & Humanities

Department Psychology
College CAS