Abstracts
1. The underappreciated role of biotic factors in controlling potentially harmful algal blooms in the Hudson-Raritan Bay.- Flint, Evan*, and Megan Rothenberger Lafayette College.
2. Identifying critical thresholds for crown of thorns starfish concentration in reefs.- Hoitt, Julianna*, and Daniel Strombom Lafayette College.
3. Preliminary implementation of a multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis to detect environmental DNA (eDNA) from chytrid fungus and ranavirus at Michaux State Forest, Pennsylvania.- Lopez-Soliz, Maurice*, Jordan Mears*, and Bernardo Mesa Cruz Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
4. Aquaponics for education and research using a novel biodigester employing terrestrial earthworms Eisenia fetida in water.- Jahraus, Tyler*, and David Foster Messiah University.
5. Testing for the presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and B. salamandrivorans in a local population of Eurycea longicauda.- Jerome, Evan*, Michael Shin, and Erik Lindquist Messiah University.
6. Generation of bacteriophage T4-neutralizing antibodies using monoclonal technology.- Lin, Wei-Jin (Michael)*, and Lawrence Mylin Messiah University.
7. Finding the amino acids within members of the Candida glabrata PMU gene family that confer phosphatase activity.- Tulio, Dominic *, and Kelly Orlando Immaculata University.
8. Psychrophilic and chitinolytic fluorescent Pseudomonas species are endomycic inhabitants of a clavarioid coral mushroom.- Hill, Kara*, Sydnie Rager, and Rajinikanth Mohan Mercyhurst University.
9. Isolation and characterization of sucretolerant bacteria from honey and high sugar media.- Rettger, Jason*, Rajinikanth Mohan, and Kaitlyn Stroscio Mercyhurst University.
10. Prevalence of caseinase enzyme in bacteria.- Rager, Sydnie*, Marcie Hricovec, and Rajinkanth Mohan Mercyhurst University.
11. Comparison and extension of interrater agreement statistics under the two-rater dichotomous-response case with correlated decisions.- Tian, Zizhong*, and Shouhao Zhou Penn State University.
12. Role of SCAMP3 regulating CXCR4 trafficking.- Ordoñez Siza, Catalina*, and Quyen Aoh Gannon University.
13. Creatine upregulates the expression of anchoring proteins and creatine kinase in S16 Schwann cells.- Kimmel, Peyton*, Caitlyn Henry, and Angela Asirvatham Misericordia University.
14. MTHFR Genetic Variant.- Acey, Cassandra*, and Steve Ropski Gannon University.
15. Interrogating the role of retinal determination genes in the eyeless arachnid, Archegozetes longisetosus.- Joyce, Isabella*, and Austen Barnett DeSales University.
16. Erie’s total solar eclipse 2024: education and engagement in the shadow of the moon.- Horne, David* Gannon University.
17. Creatine reduces the effect of LPS-treated immortalized Schwann cells.- Wilcox, Mackenzie*, Caitlyn Henry, Peyton Kimmel, and Angela Asirvatham Misericordia University.
18. The Yellowstone earthquake of 1959.- McGarity, Kendall*, and Steven Ropski Gannon University.
19. circRNA expression in differentiating SH-SY5Y cells.- Kent, Tristan*, and Sean Georgi York College of Pennsylvania.
20. Comparative study of genetic mutations observed in independently isolated triclosan-resistant strains of Cronobacter muytjensii.- Jones, Sydney*, and K. Joy Karnas Cedar Crest College.
21. Production of nano-structured materials for use in hydrogen fuel cells.- Levri, Joseph*, and Richard Bell Penn State University-Altoona.
22. The impact of diabetes mellitus pathology and treatment on development of neurological and psychiatric disorders.- Kelly, Olivia*, Samantha Geci, Natalie Carris, Jillian Sullivan, James Colvin, Athena Martinez, Varvara Liashenko, Emily Misko, and Prasad Dalvi Gannon University.
23. Development of a cell-based vaccine against pancreatic cancer.- Bath, Sarah*, Daniel Guevin, John Harms, and Lawrence Mylin Messiah University.
24. The role of Tau protein in traumatic brain injury and alcohol sensitivity.- Collevechio, Sara*, Ainsley Buia*, Raegan Lasczyck, and Valbona Hoxha Lebanon Valley College.
25. Examining Replication Protein A interactions with the cancer-associated proteins Ddc2p and Mec1p using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.- Bonser, Hannah*, Alison Edwards *, and André Walther Cedar Crest College.
26. Influence of social group size and habitat density on the development of Rocio octofasciata (Jack Dempsey) cichlid fish behavior.- Spagnola, Lily*, and Audrey Ettinger Cedar Crest College.
27. In vivo silencing of SWRI and NuA4 complex members in embryo and larval stages of Drosophila melanogaster.- Guillen-Hernandez, Nicholas*, and Matthew Johnson University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.
28. Mapping the chromatin architecture of the larval salivary gland, polytene chromosomes in Bradysia coprophila.- Steppic, Gabrielle*, Jack Carone, Bailee Werner, Skyler Speciale, and Michael Foulk Mercyhurst University.
29. Changes in microbial populations and volatile organic compounds in an isolated decomposing tissue sample.- Krall, Colleen*, Sheana Ramcharan*, Michael Foulk, Jack Williams, and Luis Cabo-Perez Mercyhurst University.
30. Brain morphology and gene expression changes of Drosophila melanogaster in the brain and nervous system resulting from misregulation of Jazf-1.- Smith, Laila*, Oanh Nguyen*, and Matthew Johnson University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.
31. Assessing the metastatic potential of a murine pancreatic cancer cell line and the effect of anti-fibrotic treatment on disseminated disease.- Lapp, Sean*, and John Harms Messiah University.
32. Optimizing a PCR-based technique to examine telomerase regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.- Wolfinger, Madison*, Khushali Vyas, and André Walther Cedar Crest College.
33. DNA barcoding and spectroscopic analysis of the medicinal supplement Serenoa repens.- Townsley, Taylor*, Kelly Orlando, and Jiangyue Zhang Immaculata University.
34. Analysis of Lck expression and function in cultured rat microglia.- Morgan, Abigail*, and Jennifer Ness-Myers Messiah University.
35. Using quantitative PCR with high resolution melt analysis for rapid genotyping of brewery yeasts.- Large, Ashley*, Reagan O'Donnell*, and Andre Walther Cedar Crest College.
36. Analysis of myelination deficits in a zebrafish developmental hypoxia model.- Barr, Kelly*, and Jennifer Ness-Myers Messiah University.
37. Nicotine stimulates the expansion of trinucleotide repeats in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.- Cino, Anthony*, Angelique Bauer*, Joseph Colosi, and Lara Goudsouzian DeSales University.
38. Characterization of novel Drosophila Egf receptor signaling targets with roles in eggshell structure and morphology.- DeMelfi, Nickerson*, Sarah Stanski*, Cayla Stiles*, and Lisa Kadlec Wilkes University.
39. Circular RNA expression in immune cells following chemical stimulation.- Reid, Jonathan*, Mackenzie Tewksbury*, Kate Greenwood*, and Brian Gray York College of Pennsylvania.
40. Development of a Python GUI tool to study the atmosphere in the Arctic.- Chen, Tianjie*, Abu Asaduzzaman, and Jose Fuentes Penn State University.
41. Sodium fluoroacetate shows trends of dose- and age-dependent effects on citrate synthase and aconitase enzymes in zebrafish (Danio rerio).- Truong, Amy*, Carly Clayman, Piel Sarah, and Kilbaugh Todd University of Pennsylvania.
42. Crime scene saliva: distinguishing human vs canine contributors.- Lay, Nancy*, Joy Karnas, and Lawrence Quarino Cedar Crest College.
43. A study of musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by Lyme disease patients.- Alleman, Alexis*, Deborah Austin, and Kathryn Sarachan Wilson College.
44. A qPCR-based method to differentiate impact and expirated blood spatter using the human oral microbiota.- Bratis, Audra*, and K. Joy Karnas Cedar Crest College.
45. Optimization of protein miraculin for use as a sweetener in soft drinks.- Rose, Emily*, and Monique Rogals Marywood University.
46. The effect of Dunc-13 during acute alcohol use post-traumatic brain injury.- Lasczyck, Raegan*, Gina Natale*, and Valbona Hoxha Lebanon Valley College.
47. Ground-Penetrating Radar to Measure Bathymetry and Sediment load of Halfway Dam, PA.- Braught, Charles*, and Ahmed Lachhab Susquehanna University.
48. Forskolin-mediated cAMP activation upregulates AKAP95 and TNF-α expression despite NF-κB downregulation in LPS-treated Schwann cells.- Henry, Caitlyn*, and Angela Asirvatham Misericordia University.
49. Baicalin shows antiviral activity in against HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1 nsp5 protease.- Franges, Jared*, Alexis Armstrong*, Morgan Thomas, Christopher Stobart, and Dia Beachboard DeSales University.
50. The effect of vaping coil temperature on the viability of oral bacteria.- Aluko, Marvelous*, Erica Ward, and Catherine Santai Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
51. A novel, minimally invasive, paper-based biomarker assay for molecular diagnosis of preeclampsia.- Taiwo, Oluwatomilola*, and Leena Pattarkine Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
52. Enterobacteriaceae species and antibiotic resistance: enhanced expression of efflux pump genes.- Jaber, Khoula*, and K. Joy Karnas Cedar Crest College.
53. Use of circular arrays of Kohonen self-organizing maps for reference-free rotational alignment of photographs.- Wood, Britney*, and Chris Kavanau East Stroudsburg University.
54. Species status assessment and seed bank analysis of the federally endangered northeastern bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus).- Sterantino, Olivia*, and Megan Rothenberger Lafayette College.
55. Venus flytraps are anesthetized with sevoflurane in a dose dependent manner.- Ajana-Adegboro, Okiki*, Erica Ward, and Richard Jackson Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
56. Optimizing the distance between tomato plants to limit aphid infestations through volatile compound.- Ball, Mary*, and Daniel Strömbom Lafayette College.
57. Tissue culture propagation of Virginia bluebells, Mertensia virginica.- Jahraus, Tyler*, and David Foster Messiah University.
58. Comparing the effects of multiple disturbances on deer browsing impacts of understory plant communities within Eastern deciduous forests.- Kulp, Noah*, Nicholas Griffith, and Dr. David Osgood Albright College.
59. Making plant-pollinator data collection cheaper for restoration and monitoring.- Bruninga-Socolar, Bethanne*, Eric Lonsdorf, Ian Lane, Zachary Portman, and Daniel Cariveau Albright College.
60. Population and genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation in wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus).- Winters, Declan*, and Megan Rothenberger Lafayette College.
61. When a duck nests on your green roof……again!.- Mamani, Della*, and Steve Ropski Gannon University.
62. Tree-rings reflect the impact of climate change on high elevation Pinus albicaulis (whitebark pine) in Northern California.- Porter, Savannah*, and Christopher Dolanc Mercyhurst University.
63. Bioremediation of acid mine drainage using Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) mycelium.- Lazar, Michael*, Jacquelyn Maddox, and Akeisha Belgrave Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
64. A census of the bat population of Gannon University, Erie, PA.- Till, Sarah*, Rebekah Hollenbeck, and Steven Ropski Gannon University.
65. Development of a method for rapid boldness scoring of individual swift fox (Vulpes velox) during pen husbandry visits and assessment of its application across varying populations.- Runyan, Rose*, Sherri Buerdsell, Deborah Austin, Kimberly R. Todd, Nucharin Songsasen, and Hila Shamon Wilson College.
66. Flat physics in the laboratory: generation and study of flow patterns in a 2-D Soap Film.- Horne, David*, and Lily Zheng Gannon University.
67. Prescribed fire severity changes ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) taxonomic and functional community composition.- Mason, Jr., Stephen C.*, Vaughn Shirey, Evan S. Waite, Michael R. Gallagher, and Nicholas Skowronkski Immaculata University.
68. Frequency of ticks on Peromyscus variation by year and habitat.- Mech, Stephen* Albright College.
69. Passive acoustic monitoring using artificial intelligence (AI) reveals daily flight activities of roosting Chaetura pelagica (Chimney swifts) at Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA.- Campbell, J. Michael*, and John Otto Campbell Mercyhurst University.
70. Teaching R to undergraduate ecology students: lessons learned and recommendations.- Auker, Linda* Misericordia University.
71. Analyzing the effect of RPA phosphorylation on genetic and physical interactions with DNA repair proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.- Franzone, Katherine*, and Andre Walther Cedar Crest College.
72. Effects of the beta blocker propranolol on human glioblastoma migration and cytotoxicity.- Wineburg, Morgan*, Kathryn Sarachan, and Brad Engle Wilson College.
73. Effects of combination treatments of epigenetic inhibitors (belinostat and 5-azacytidine) on human glioblastoma cells.- Lepouski, Kelly*, Brad Engle, and Kathryn Sarachan Wilson College.
74. miR-1307 isoforms, novel population-specific oncomiRs, are associated with survival in African American and European American kidney cancer patients.- Bart, Alex*, and Khadijah Mitchell Lafayette College.
75. Investigating differentially expressed genes, functional immunobiology differences, and survival in African Americans and European Americans with distinct renal cell carcinoma subtypes.- Greenberg, Samantha*, and Khadijah Mitchell Lafayette College.
76. Predator-prey relationships within natural, restored, and created vernal pools.- Lebish, Madison *, and Megan Rothenberger Lafayette College.
77. Establishing baseline conditions prior to dam removal in Bushkill Creek, PA.- Kelshaw, Charles*, and Megan Rothenberger Lafayette College.
78. Cactus roots harbor an endophytic growth promoting Pseudomonas species.- Foriska, Isabella*, Collin Olson, and Rajinikanth Mohan Mercyhurst University.
79. The effect of acidification on the mineralization rate of RAS effluent in anaerobic batch reactors for reuse of a naturally-derived hydroponic fertilizer.- Biever, Brent*, Maurice Lopez-Soliz*, Ashly Ramos*, Joseph Tetreault, and Rachel Fogle Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
80. Young-of-year Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill) and Lepomis gibbosus (pumpkinseed) show significant differences in their gut microbiome and pharyngeal apparatus.- Borowicz, Michael*, Weston Hrin, Angela Vicini, Greg Andraso, Russell Minton, and Michael Ganger Gannon University.
81. Soil bacteria affect rhizoid development in the fern Ceratopteris richardii: initial investigations of the patterns and potential mechanisms.- Samuels, Andrew*, Erin Renwick, and Michael Ganger Gannon University.
82. Dragonflies and damselflies from Franklin Parker Preserve in the New Jersey Pinelands.- Steinbicker, Mary*, Chip Krilowicz, and Stephen C. Mason, Jr. Immaculata University.
83. Yearly variation in the population density and reproduction of an aquatic invader, Potamopyrgus antipodarum.- Bailey, Nicole*, and Edward Levri Penn State University-Altoona.
84. Using the oleaginous fungus Cryptococcus neoformans as a source of lipids for the production of biodiesel fuel.- Delgado, Juliana*, Kendall Heiney*, Andre Walther, and Lindsey Welch Cedar Crest College.
85. Isolation of antibiotics producing bacteria from soil.- Kroznuskie, Alexandra*, Phoenix Marr-Jones*, Kayleigh LeDouaron*, Alexis Armstrong, Morgan Thomas, and Dia Beachboard DeSales University.
86. Cloning and expression of potential innate immune targets of coronavirus nsp5 protease.- Kumar, Nidhi *, Jared Franges, Brennan Gerancher, and Dia Beachboard DeSales University.
87. The effects of a model invasive epibiont on the anchoring and burrowing rates of freshwater unionids.- Raczkowski , Alyssya*, and Linda Auker Misericordia University.
88. Avian predation of insects on corn (Zea mays): effects of general herbivore induced plant volatiles and weather conditions.- Dotta, Austin*, Alex Huynh, Caitlin McNamara, Mercille Nguyen, Johnathan Kratzenmoyer, and Francesca Sagarese V DeSales University.
89. Post fire effects on plant vigor in the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve.- Wolfgang, Jessica*, Vaughn Shirey, and Stephen C. Mason, Jr. Immaculata University.
90. A test of the enemy release hypothesis using the invasive New Zealand mud snail.- Suter, Gavin*, and Edward Levri Penn State University-Altoona.
91. Extraction of antibiotic producing bacteria from soil sample.- Adesola, Opeoluwa*, and Meda Higa York College of Pennsylvania.
92. Digitizing the lost biological collections at Hog Island Audubon Camp, Maine.- Dougherty, Alice*, Eric Snyder, Vaughn Shirey, and Stephen C. Mason, Jr. Immaculata University.
93. Stream chemistry and New Zealand mud snail density and reproduction.- Harlow, Gracie*, and Edward Levri Penn State University-Altoona.
94. Influence of microbiomes between humans and pet cockatiels.- Crowell, David*, and Kelly Orlando Immaculata University.
95. Pursuit of understanding the mystery of marcescence in American Beech trees.- Miller, John*, and Andrew Samuelsen* Albright College.
96. Comparison of bacterial species in three diverse Lehigh Valley landscapes.- Glenn, Madeline*, Gabrielle Seagreaves*, Joseph Colosi, and Lara Goudsouzian DeSales University.
97. Preliminary study on hybridization and evaluation of spring varieties of flax (Linum usitatissimum) in South Central PA.- Boyce, Katelyn*, and Janet Matanguihan Messiah University.
98. Multifactor analysis of the spread of deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) borne diseases in Pennsylvania.- Wallace, Ryder*, Jeffrey Bardwell, and Brad Engle Wilson College.
99. Gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar) ovipatory in Michaux State Forest based on tree species and age.- Mountz, Camryn*, Jeffrey Bardwell, and Sherri Buerdsell Wilson College.
100. Exploration of antibiotic mechanism for Berberis spp. extracts and berberine.- Hart, Joel*, Abigail Casey, and David Foster Messiah University.
101. Evidence of the presence of Neotyphodium lolii in Northwestern Pennsylvania.- Curtiss, Katherine*, and John Campbell Mercyhurst University.
102. Comparative study of the effect of precipitation on microplastics in the Conococheague Creek.- Rosander, Kara*, Deborah Austin, and Sherri Buerdsell Wilson College.
103. Analysis of biodiversity within freshwater mussel populations inhabiting Conneaut Creek, Erie PA.- Shaw, Andrew*, and J. Michael Campbell Mercyhurst University.
104. The creation and testing of fungal based biomaterials for multipurpose use.- Rogers, Karina*, Rabab Alamairy, Sarah Dubrul, Keaton Bryson, Gary Vanderlaan , Davide Piovesan , and Matt Gacura Gannon University.
105. What's hiding on our lab floor? Student sourcing antibiotic discovery.- Nemec, Ryleigh*, Whitney Cabrera, and Jennifer Hayden Cedar Crest College.
106. Gamma proteobacteria are the dominant culturable endophytes in the stems and flowers of the ghost plant, Monotropa uniflora.- Flores, Maria*, Kaitlyn Strocio*, and Rajinikanth Mohan Mercyhurst University.
107. Testing the model: exploration of a predictive mathematical model for antibiotic resistance in bacteria.- Jaber, Khoula *, and K. Joy Karnas Cedar Crest College.

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