UWEC CERCA 2026: Full Schedule

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11:00am CDT

Poster 104: Imaging large-scale, high-energy coastal events in Gamay Bay, Philippines

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm CDT

The geomorphic history of coastal plains can be shown through their formation and unique subsurface layering, which can indicate natural disaster occurrences and lasting environmental impacts. Determined to connect ground penetrating radar (GPR) reflections throughout the Filipino Gamay coastal plain sequence, (GPR) data were collected using Sensors and Software pulseEKKO Pro® with 100 MHz antennae at two coastal sites. For data collection, the antennae separation was one meter, and the step size was a quarter meter. The project scope is limited to the second coastal site to reveal the scale of Gamay’s coastal events, with the second site situated a kilometer northeast of the first site. Four GPR profiles were collected along three transects perpendicular to the modern coastline and one transect parallel to the coastline, linking the other three transects. Low-frequency noise was removed from all profiles with the dewow process. Radar facies with similar electromagnetic characteristics were then identified and used for interpretation. Profiles at the second site correlated to the subsurface activity experienced at the first, effectively connecting GPR reflections throughout Gamay Bay. High-energy events observed at the first site were detected a kilometer away, indicating a continuation of each event along the shoreline.

Presenters

Grace McDonnell

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Ella Oestreicher

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Daniel Raymond

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Harry Jol

Geography & Anthropology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

CERCA Posters, 1 Wednesday

Department Geography & Anthropology
Special Categories Global and Domestic Experiences
College CAS

11:00am CDT

Poster 105: A Spatial Analysis of Cycling Safety Perceptions in Marburg, Germany

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Cycling has become a central focus of Germany’s climate strategy, yet perceptions of safety remain a barrier to broader adoption. In this study, we examine spatial and demographic patterns of cycling safety perceptions in Marburg, Germany, a compact university city characterized by steep topography and a historic center. We distributed an online survey in German and English that asked participants to identify unsafe locations and provide demographic information. With this data, we created an interactive heat map to visualize patterns and applied density-based spatial clustering to identify statistically meaningful concentrations of unsafe points. Perceived risks were most frequently concentrated in the city center and along high-traffic corridors. Gender differences in cycling confidence, the influence of safety on route choice, and trip frequency were not statistically significant, though distributions point to subtle variations in how risk is evaluated. These findings provide critical insight into local cycling conditions and establish a foundation for future research on cycling safety.

Presenters

Mason Arnold

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Faculty Mentor

Matthew Haffner

Geography & Anthropology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Matthew Haffner is an associate professor in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He is a computational urban geography and committed four season commuter cyclist.

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm CDT
Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330) 77 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

CERCA Posters, 1 Wednesday

Department Geography & Anthropology
College CAS

11:00am CDT

Poster 106: Patient Perspectives in the Wake of a Rural Clinic Closure: A Case Study in Western Wisconsin

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm CDT

Davies Center: Ojibwe Ballroom (330)

Rural clinics are closing across the United States. Despite the increasing relevance of this issue, little is known about the patients’ perspectives. Prior studies on this topic have been inconclusive or have failed to uncover statistically significant results. This study has a focus on a small community in rural Wisconsin facing a recent clinic closure. A notable portion of residents in this community (around 30%) rely on federal assistance for healthcare through programs such as MedicAID and Medicare, and 23% of the study population are senior citizens. Further, 25% of patients are below the poverty line. These factors combined with the clinic closure potentially create additional stress to the healthcare system and patients alike. To assess the potential impacts, we constructed a survey to gather data on the patients’ perspectives on this clinic closure. We use descriptive statistics to summarize the responses, analyze the results, and provide a thorough discussion on the implications. Remarkably, the investigation we conducted finds that travel time plays a key role in the patient experience. This emphasizes the gravity geography has in the context of healthcare accessibility in underserved areas, and recognizing how distance and location shape patient perspectives and wellbeing.

Presenters

CERCA Posters, 1 Wednesday

Department Geography & Anthropology
Special Categories WI Focus
College CAS

UWEC CERCA 2026

11:00am CDT

Grace McDonnell

Ella Oestreicher

Daniel Raymond

Harry Jol

11:00am CDT

Mason Arnold

Matthew Haffner

11:00am CDT

Morgan Presler

Kya Stanczyk

Matthew Haffner

Ryan Weichelt

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