STIP Student Elaine Borresen Creates a Unit Plan and Activities for Physical Education Instruction while Integrating STEM

The goal for this Summer Team Impact Project is to present a unit plan and activities for physical education instruction while integrating STEM content. We found that integrating STEM topics is extremely beneficial for students. Students can get extra time exploring their classroom content. Our hope is that this integration can also pique interest in activities for those who may not usually be as engaged during PE. Using Virginia Standards of Learning, we sought to combine relevant science topics for K-12 students with games to develop their basketball, pickleball and softball skills. This plan is flexible, for teachers to use this unit plan in its entirety, or use lesson activities and games as they see fit. My particular contribution was towards the STEM content in the softball unit.

 This project fits into my future plans as a nurse and an Army officer by contributing how to plan with various factors and reinforcing my knowledge in STEM and biomechanics in particular. An average research day consists of a zoom meeting with all undergraduate and graduate students then breakout sessions with our individual groups to continue work on our unit plans. We had one day in the gym to test out some physical education activities and record ancillary materials for teachers. Something that I have discovered through this project is how complicated it is to create a unit and lesson plans. There are so many things that go into creating them. This project was different than it would have been if it were face to face because a majority of this was done virtually with all of us in different states, this was very cool since we were able to travel and still do research and work on the project. My next steps are to take the knowledge I learned from this project and apply it anyway I can to nursing school and Army ROTC.

Jack Blumstein Studies the Sociodemographic Factors that Impact Vaccine Uptake Across the US

Covid 19 has greatly impacted the world. With the implementation of vaccines, the impact of covid on the world has been greatly reduced, but there are many people who refuse to get vaccinated which allows covid to have a larger impact on the world than it would if those people who refuse to get vaccinated get vaccinated. My research project looks at the sociodemographic factors that impact vaccine uptake across the US. We recently ran a multivariate geographically weighted regression which creates a regression model that takes geographical location and distance into account when making the model. The geographical component causes the model to be more accurate than a simple linear regression. We are planning on using this regression model to predict vaccine uptake on the census block group level and then use a “local indicators of spatial association” analyses to find census block groups that are local outliers in vaccine uptake. We can then look at these local outliers and determine which census block groups are more at risk which should be able to help counties decide where they need to focus their efforts on increasing vaccine uptake.

There were many techniques, such as multivariate geographically weighted regression, that we used to analyze data that I had never heard about before starting this research project. I had a very good time learning about these techniques and implementing them because I have an interest in data analyses and playing with data. This research project has helped me learn more about data analyses in an out of classroom setting which should help me a lot in the future.

An average research day starts off with a meeting in the morning where the members in my group update each other on what has been done and what we want to do next. After this meeting, we separate to work on whatever we need to get done that day by ourselves. Sometimes we will have a meeting towards the end of the day to update the group on our progress.

Lina Alkarmi Conducts Stability Studies of Lipid Nanoparticles Using Analytical Chemistry

Messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences can be engineered to encode certain proteins that can be translated and expressed within cells. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are used to package mRNA payload for delivery in vaccines. The four lipid components of LNPs are an ionizable cationic lipid, a neutral helper lipid, cholesterol, and a PEGylated lipid. My research focuses on the synthesis and purification of ionizable lipids used to formulate LNPs. The storage temperature and time stored play a large role in the stability of LNPs as the mRNA can degrade, rendering the LNPs ineffective. Research suggests that the lipid components of the LNPs may degrade over time as well¹. Over the past semester, I have developed a method to test the stability of the lipid components of LNPs stored at 4°C, 25°C, and 37°C.

After LNPs are formulated, the encapsulated mRNA can be extracted from the nanoparticles for analysis. The extraction method results in an aqueous phase containing the mRNA, as well as an organic phase containing the four lipid components. For my project, I examined the extracts from LNPs stored at 4°C, room temperature (25°C), and 37°C over the course of 3 weeks.

For each week of the 3-week stability study, I used thin layer chromatography (TLC) to qualitatively examine the aqueous and organic extracts from the LNPs stored at each temperature. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) spectra were analyzed to observe the fragmentation of the compounds. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were also used to examine the molecular structure of the compounds.

A typical day of research is arriving at the lab and checking on synthesis reactions set up the night before. Typically I will run three columns each day as well as run my samples on the LCMS. My research experience has been exciting, challenging, and rewarding. I am interested in the field of bioengineering so this project fits into my future plans of attending graduate school.

    1.)European Medicines Agency, Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP);                     Assessment Report, Covid-19 Vaccine Moderna. 2021

URSP Student Sarah Abbas Studies Organizational and Interpersonal Conflict within Correctional Facilities

 Conflict is everywhere. Conflict and it’s resolution contain personal, relational, structural and cultural dimensions. There are several ways one can go about resolving conflict. Some are more constructive than others. It is paramount to analyze and examine the various dimensions of social interactions that lead to conflict situations. Such can be done through theories, models and frameworks for analyzing, engaging and resolving conflict. I have always been interested in creatively and strategically managing conflicts that hinder the performance and organizational improvement among groups because often, dysfunctional organizations do not perform as well.

I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution with an individualized concentration in Law and Justice. Following graduation, I aspire to apply my education to help research and resolve the process of conflict within various criminal justice organizations. 

My summer research specifically takes a look at organizational and interpersonal conflict within correctional facilities. When it comes to organizations like various departments of corrections, it is paramount to ensure that conflicts are constructively managed or resolved, because the services provided directly influence the personal lives of many. My USRP project, The Role of Power in Interpersonal Conflict Between Carceral Residents and Correctional Officers is aimed at taking the critical first step in resolving conflicts, unpacking and examining the deep layers and roots of the problem. I am collecting data through a questionnaire. Ideally my data will allow me to identify patterns and systems of interpersonal conflict in correctional facility settings. I mainly am taking a look at the role of power. My questions aim at measuring the perceived power of inmates and CO’s and examining the role it plays in interpersonal conflict. 

I am working with a research team that is also collecting data for their specific projects. Due to COVID-19, we had to quickly adapt to conducting research in the pandemic. Initially our plan was to collect data by observing, interviewing, and collecting field notes in person. Due to complications with the facilities, such was not feasible. Then, we planned to gather data by holding interviews virtually. That wasn’t feasible either. We had to be very flexible and creative in order to overcome the challenges that come with conducting research with a vulnerable population during the pandemic. Our team met a lot and discussed the best ways to react to this rapidly changing and unpredictable situation. We decided to mail residents who have previously mailed us and consented to receiving mail. We had to submit a new proposal for IRB approval. which delayed our entire data collection process. The new proposal was finally approved late June. Our team met, prepared the envelopes, and mailed them out. Now I am awaiting responses to my section of the questionnaire. I am planning on interpreting the data as it comes in. This experience taught me the importance of flexible, creative problem solving, and working as a team. I did not realize how unpredictable research can be. In school, I learned about how important planning and structure is when conducting research, but I never learned about the fluctuating nature of research in the real world. This experience definitely taught me that

URSP Student Sidney Boakye Conducts a Study on the Surface Degradation of Additively Manufactured (3D-Printed) ABS Polymer for Naval Applications

Additive manufacturing (AM) has recently gained attention due to its ability to transform manufacturing and logistics processes. Additionally, additively manufactured alternatives would provide extra savings and a level of flexibility, especially when it comes to replacement parts, which can not be matched by traditional methods. However, questions remain about the durability of 3D printed components and if trade-offs in durability are worth the cost benefits. My research attempts to tackle these questions by comparing additively manufactured ABS plastic with its traditionally manufactured counterpart. Samples of each would be exposed to an accelerated corrosion environment while being submerged in saltwater. I printed rectangular and dogbone shaped ABS samples and ordered comparable traditional manufactured versions of the same. The rectangular samples were used for wear testing while the dogbone samples were used for tensile testing. Both sample types were placed in containers with varying temperatures (29, 60 and 70 degrees Celsius) and left for 1, 2, and 4-week intervals.

My primary interest is in liquid rocket propulsion. Right now, multiple industries are figuring out ways to better utilize additive manufacturing, including the aerospace industry. Rocket manufacturers are now looking at 3D printing some components. One company, Relativity Space, formed with the goal of 3D printing an entire rocket. 

An average day of research is walking 5 meters from my room to the unoccupied bedroom in my dorm and firing up the 3-D printer. Yes, I am conducting this research in my dorm room. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of adaptions in how students and researcher go about their daily business. This is one of my adaptations. I will test different prints, orientation for printing samples, clean on excess materials, and repeat.  The main adaptation we made was creating the samples in my dorm room and having all the materials purchased for the experiments shipped to my dorm. The next step is to conduct the corrosion test for all the samples.