Participants
Student: Caleb Fristoe
Faculty Mentor: Sandy Oelschlegel
Project Title: The Geography and Politics of Health Information Disparity
Abstract: Health care and the formation of an institutional framework to accurately and consistently harmonize the complex and evolving system, has been a consistently debated topic. Issues such as access to health care, education level and poverty level play vital roles in explaining the micro dynamics of a macro problem. This project sought to understand health literacy and the resulting health information disparity in East Tennessee and its relationship to the national debate.
Student: Yue Cao
Faculty Mentor: Leon Tolbert
Project Title: 11-level Cascaded H-bridge Grid-tied DC-AC Inverter Interface with Solar Panels
Abstract: This poster presents the background, design, simulation, testing, and application of a single-phase 11-level (5-H-bridge) cascaded grid-tied DC-AC inverter interface with solar panels. The project is built to meet the rising demand of renewable energy resources, especially solar. The idea of this model is to convert DC voltage, the output from solar panels, into AC voltage for direct use with AC loads or for tying with existing AC grids.
Student: Mariam Fawaz
Faculty Mentor: Mark Radosevich
Project Title: Characterization of a Novel Bacterium from the Phylum Gemmatimonadetes
Abstract: Gemmatimonadetes is a common phylum of bacteria found in environments all over the world. However, only five bacteria belonging to this phylum have been successfully isolated and cultured in the laboratory and only one of these has been characterized (Gemmatimonas aurantiaca T-27). A novel Gemmatimonadetes strain (KBS 708) was isolated from agricultural soils at Kellogg Biological Station. The aim of this project was to identify optimal culture conditions for KBS 708 and determine its possible functional/ecological roles in soils.
Student: Anne Buckle
Faculty Mentor: Sebastien Dubreil
Project Title: Understanding diplomacy in Western Europe: An exploration of how the U.S. Department of State uses public diplomacy as a foreign policy tool to construct personal and political relations in France
Abstract: My research investigates the role of public diplomacy and other soft power tools used by the U.S. Department of State in France to engage diverse populations in the dynamically changing nation. Using the Public Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in Paris as a case study, I observed public diplomacy over a ten-week period as an intern and gathered qualitative data through interviews with Embassy officials.
Student: Mark Walker
Faculty Mentor: Jason Hayward
Project Title: Effects of Radioactivity on Surface Interaction Forces
Abstract: The Fieldable Nuclear Material Identification System (FNMIS) is based on technology that has been in development at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Nuclear Verification for the last twenty years. The system provides information to determine the material attributes and the identity of heavily shielded nuclear objects. FNMIS can be used to identify nuclear weapons/components, and will be useful in present and future treaties to verify the dismantlement of nuclear weapons.
Student: Cody Swallows
Faculty Mentor: Matthew Cooper
Project Title: Affective Prosody Comprehension in Normal Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Abstract: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a pre-clinical form of dementia characterized by subtle cognitive deficits that are not part of the normal aging process. These deficits often include difficulties with word-finding, short-term memory, orientation and high-level functioning. Previous studies show a diagnosis of MCI and proper pharmacological treatment can extend one’s life two to 20 years relative to a diagnosis of dementia. Thus, a better understanding of MCI is integral to improving this patient group’s quality and quantity of life.
Student: Ayub Karwandyar
Faculty Mentor: Cynthia Peterson
Project Title: Molecular Interactions between Human Adipocytes and Breast Cancer Cells May Underline Increased Breast Cancer Incidence in Obese Postmenopausal Women
Abstract: Obesity is believed to substantially increase the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer (BC). Stromal adipose tissue, composed mainly of adipocytes (AD), has been proposed to secrete cytokines with regulatory effects on BC cells. We have studies where AD from obese individuals are co-cultured with BC cells (MCF-7 and MDAMB-231) or non-tumorigenic MCF10A cells in 3D Matrigel co-culture system.
Student: Bryan Alexander
Faculty Mentor: Michael McKinney
Project Title: Composting at the University of Tennessee
Abstract: The poster will include a history of the ongoing compost program at UT. Also mentioned will be how the program was started, which will include the people involved, and the materials used for the implementation of the pilot program. The weight and volume of the food waste will be discussed and displayed graphically – showing the increase in food captured since the project began. Lastly the poster will address the challenges that the program has faced and will likely face the future. Pictures of the materials used to capture the food waste, as well as pictures of the compost site will provided.