In spring 2013, instead of having our annual High Point University Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (High-PURCS) we hosted the regional Big South Undergraduate Research Symposium (BigSURS). Approximately 100 High Point University Students participated.
Click HERE for the program
Example Posters Presented at BigSURS 2013 at HPU
The Role of Gender, Group Size, Rearing Location, and Personality on Bystander Intervention in Nonthreatening Situations
Author(s): Samantha Arzon
Mentor: Dr. Jana Spain, Department of Psychology
The current study investigated the potential impact of gender, group size, and rearing location on bystander intervention in a non-threatening situation. Personality traits were also examined. Contrary to the literature, neither one of the independent variables had a significant effect. A significant correlation was found between conscientiousness and helping.
View PosterNow You See It,”Now You Don’t: Effects of Change Blindness on the Ability to Detect Change
Mentor: Dr. Jana Spain, Department of Psychology
The current study investigated the potential impact of gender, group size, and rearing location on bystander intervention in a non-threatening situation. Personality traits were also examined. Contrary to the literature, neither one of the independent variables had a significant effect. A significant correlation was found between conscientiousness and helping.
View PosterNow You See It,”Now You Don’t: Effects of Change Blindness on the Ability to Detect Change
Author(s): Kathryn E. Bruzios
Mentor: Dr. Deborah Danzis, Psychology
Change blindness is when people do not detect changes in a stimulus. This study evaluated how type of change affected change blindness. Results showed that participants recognized when something disappeared from an image more often than other changes. They also overestimated their ability to detect change and underestimated others’ ability.
View Poster GFAP and CD68 in the Brains of Knockout Mice after a Model Brain Injury
Mentor: Dr. Deborah Danzis, Psychology
Change blindness is when people do not detect changes in a stimulus. This study evaluated how type of change affected change blindness. Results showed that participants recognized when something disappeared from an image more often than other changes. They also overestimated their ability to detect change and underestimated others’ ability.
View Poster GFAP and CD68 in the Brains of Knockout Mice after a Model Brain Injury
Author(s): Rebecca Giese
Mentors: Jeffery Iliff, Center of Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester
Missy McCorquodale, High Point University
This research was aimed at studying the atrophy and glial cell activation after an administered brain injury to determine at which level of injury the brain is significantly damaged. This was achieved by measuring the amount of GFAP antibodies and CD68 antibodies in the brain at different times after the injury, which showed a significant amount of white matter atrophy at the 7 day mark with a correlating increase in glial activation.
View PosterMusic and Mood Affecting Memory
Mentors: Jeffery Iliff, Center of Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester
Missy McCorquodale, High Point University
This research was aimed at studying the atrophy and glial cell activation after an administered brain injury to determine at which level of injury the brain is significantly damaged. This was achieved by measuring the amount of GFAP antibodies and CD68 antibodies in the brain at different times after the injury, which showed a significant amount of white matter atrophy at the 7 day mark with a correlating increase in glial activation.
View PosterMusic and Mood Affecting Memory
Author(s): Lizzie Leighton
Mentor: Dr. Deborah Danzis, Psychology
This study tested whether the mood of music, mood of words, and mood of music while recalling affected memory for words. Results showed main effect of mood of music and an interaction of mood of words and mood of music.
View PosterThe Effects of Leaf Morphology on Photosynthesis in High Altitude Tree Seedlings
Mentor: Dr. Deborah Danzis, Psychology
This study tested whether the mood of music, mood of words, and mood of music while recalling affected memory for words. Results showed main effect of mood of music and an interaction of mood of words and mood of music.
View PosterThe Effects of Leaf Morphology on Photosynthesis in High Altitude Tree Seedlings
Author(s): Junior L. Neal
Mentor: Dr. Nicole Hughes, Biology
Plant leaf morphology evolves based on environmental factors such as sunlight and temperature. In this study, we test the hypothesis that conifer needle morphology can contribute to increased photosynthesis under cloudy conditions, as needle packing results in greater surface area able to absorb diffuse light.
View PosterMeasuring Viscous Fluid Flow with Biomimetic Cilia
Mentor: Dr. Nicole Hughes, Biology
Plant leaf morphology evolves based on environmental factors such as sunlight and temperature. In this study, we test the hypothesis that conifer needle morphology can contribute to increased photosynthesis under cloudy conditions, as needle packing results in greater surface area able to absorb diffuse light.
View PosterMeasuring Viscous Fluid Flow with Biomimetic Cilia
Author(s): Linda Poplawski
Mentor: Briana Fiser, Chemistry and Physics
We investigated the fluid flow of viscous fluids as driven by arrays of biomimetic cilia. These biomimetic cilia are micron-sized rods that mimic the size and beat shape of biological cilia and are capable of replicating the cilia-driven fluid transport in biological systems.
View PosterIs It a Matter of Fact? The Impact of Presentation Style on Schizophrenia Knowledge & Stigmatization
Mentor: Briana Fiser, Chemistry and Physics
We investigated the fluid flow of viscous fluids as driven by arrays of biomimetic cilia. These biomimetic cilia are micron-sized rods that mimic the size and beat shape of biological cilia and are capable of replicating the cilia-driven fluid transport in biological systems.
View PosterIs It a Matter of Fact? The Impact of Presentation Style on Schizophrenia Knowledge & Stigmatization
Author(s): John R. Purcell
Mentor: Jana Spain, Psychology
Participants reported their attitudes before and after viewing one of two PowerPoint presentations about schizophrenia. Presentations contained different perspectives and information about schizophrenia. Findings suggest that schizophrenia knowledge can be gained regardless of information presented, but desires for social distance and reported empathic willingness were not affected by either presentation.
View Poster
Mentor: Jana Spain, Psychology
Participants reported their attitudes before and after viewing one of two PowerPoint presentations about schizophrenia. Presentations contained different perspectives and information about schizophrenia. Findings suggest that schizophrenia knowledge can be gained regardless of information presented, but desires for social distance and reported empathic willingness were not affected by either presentation.
View Poster