2024 Summer Student Fellows

Our project explores ways Ulta Beauty can implement experience into their store design and adapt to suit an up-and-coming generation of buyers.  

Typically, when planning a store layout, one assesses how to maximize the sales per square foot. Keeping just the right amount of products on the sales floor is important for sales and plays a large role in how the environment is received by those interacting with it. Too much and the floor is hard to keep stocked, overwhelming, and impossible to navigate- too little and it is inaccessible and lifeless. In shops where products are cheaper, such as convenience stores, more items fill the shelves and racks to entice customers to spend their dollars on quantity. In contrast, shops with expensive merchandise, like high-end boutiques, aim to show the customer that their dollar is worth quality so backstock is kept out of sight of the customer.  

If the ultimate product per square foot is already being utilized through online shopping platforms, if thousands of products are in the palm of every potential customer's hand anywhere in the world, what does the customer, or Ulta for that matter, serve to gain from an in-store makeup purchase? For the customer, it is connection, guidance, and experimentation; for Ulta, it is establishing customer relationships, growing product awareness, and building the beauty enthusiast community. If Ulta aims to be the most loved beauty destination of their guests and enable each associate to build a fulfilling career, then we must look for the line between luxury and community.  

So, what does luxury and community look like in retail space, and how do we create an in-store experience that entices people, especially internet shoppers, like Generation Z? It is as simple as that, create an in-store experience, build an accessible and inclusive environment with universal design where people can create and share their own experiences. 

For quite some time, Esports coaching has been primarily driven by players' performance, how they play the game, and how successful they are, rather than teaching athletes to manage stress factors in gaming situations. This study’s goal was to analyze different stress management methods to determine how players respond to interventions and whether the timing of these interventions is important, as well as whether or not stress management education has a significant impact on player performance. The study features 5 participants as we look to see how different stress management techniques can be utilized to minimize stress during solo gaming performances. Over 6 weeks, participants played Overwatch 2 and reported their games, including metrics such as win/loss rate and K/D/A ratio (kills, deaths, assists). To accompany this, heart rate and sleep quality were also recorded. To account for any out-of-game stressors, Perceived Stress Scales and Life Events Questionnaires were used to provide context to stress levels reported during games. Current studies, while not many, report that esports athletes could benefit from traditional sports psychology interventions. Another study also discusses the current ecosystem and how self-managed techniques are implemented by players. This study is the combination of both of these, to figure out how to equip young esports athletes with proper tools and methods in the best and most effective way. Self-reported information from participants suggests that interventions helped significantly to reduce mental “booms” and loss of morale. 

Game-based learning (GBL) has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing educational outcomes across various disciplines. However, public health and many other sciences are still using more traditional methods of teaching. This project explores the implementation of GBL as an innovative pedagogical approach to teaching fundamental public health concepts to undergraduate students. The primary overall objective is to determine the effectiveness of GBL in increasing student engagement, improving comprehension, and fostering long-term retention of key public health topics. For this project, the goal was to create a game that will facilitate that process.  
The project involves the development and integration of a customized educational game designed specifically for public health courses. The game incorporates core public health concepts such as epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, and health promotion. Learning objectives from a wide variety of different universities’ Intro to Public Health courses were gathered and sorted into what was perceived to be the most common and important concepts nationally. Students will be using in-game resources to purchase health centers, social behaviors, and socioeconomic influences to help bolster the health of their community.  

A mixed-methods research design is employed to evaluate gameplay of our newly created GBL tool. Several rounds of playtesting were needed to work out the kinks of the gameplay. The project mainly examines the role of game mechanics, such as competition, collaboration, and immediate feedback, in enhancing the learning experience.  

Preliminary results indicate a successful game. Playtesting showed that the deck-building card game style was very engaging and kept participants thinking throughout the entirety of the game, even when it was not their turn in game.  

This project contributes to the growing body of literature on the use of innovative teaching methods in education, offering insights into the practical applications and benefits of GBL in promoting active learning and critical thinking in future public health professionals. Future work on this project would be directed towards testing the game in real classroom settings with current Intro to Public Health Students and gauging their knowledge before and after gameplay.  

Background

Emerging evidence suggests a notable correlation between blink rate and sustained attention, with tasks requiring higher levels of attention coinciding with a reduced blink rate4. Additionally, research indicates a link between dry eye and an increased blink rate2. Considering the connection between attention and blink rate, we investigated the impact of artificial tears on subjects' performance in a sustained attention test. 

Methods

Participants (N=30) were Michigan College of Optometry Students, ages 20-28. Initially, subjects completed a dry eye survey1 (Ocular Surface Disease Index Survey, OSDIS) and were asked if they routinely use artificial tears. Subjects then performed the Sustained Attention to Response Task with feedback (SART 2)3,5. The subjects were randomized to receive an artificial tear before either the first or second attention test, which were administered approximately one week apart.

Results

The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test showed that artificial tears had no effect on error rate (ER) or average reaction time (ART). Similarly, the Kruskal-Wallis Test indicated that OSDIS Classification did not influence ER or ART, regardless of artificial tear use. The Mann-Whitney U Test found no impact of routine artificial tear use on OSDIS Score, ER, or ART, with and without artificial tears.

Conclusions

Sustained attention is crucial in daily tasks, particularly for students. While our study found no statistically significant effects of artificial tears on attention, further investigation is warranted. Future research should focus on different demographics, such as older adults with a higher prevalence of dry eye disease, as our study was limited by the lack of diverse participants. Additionally, measuring blink rate directly during sustained attention testing may yield insightful results. 

References

Baum, J.L. (2001). Reliability and validity of a proposed dry eye evaluation scheme. Archives of Ophthalmology, 119(3), 456. 

Dovepress. (2014). Blink patterns and lid contact times in dry eye and normal subjects. Retrieved from https://www.dovepress.com/blink-patterns-and-lid-contact-times-in-dry-eye-and-normal-subjects-peer-reviewed-fulltex 

Robertson, I.H., Manly, T., Andrade, J., Baddeley, B.T., & Yiend, J. (1997). Performance correlates of everyday attentional failures in traumatic brain injured and normal subjects. Neuropsychologia, 35(6), 747-758.

ScienceDirect. (2017). Blink rate patterns in sustained visual attention tasks. Retrieved from https://www-sciencedirect-com.ferris.idm.oclc.org/science/article/pii/S016787601730524X?via%3Dihub  

Sullivan, C.P., Ranta, M.E., & Anderson, J. (2014). Examining the relationship between working memory capacity and cognitive control using dual-task methodology. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 21(3), 637-647. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.3758/s13414-014-0771-7.pdf 

This research project builds on existing scholarship related to stereotypical perceptions of female drivers and objective measures of accident rate differences between men and women. Since the emergence of the female driver stereotype in the early 1900s, numerous studies have been conducted to reveal the differences in the driving capabilities of men and women. These studies include but are not limited to: Cestac, et al., 2011; Harre, et al., 1996; Laapotti, et al., 2003; Ercan & Ulag, 2015, and Feng, et al., 2015. At first glance, these studies make a case for the stereotype that women are worse drivers than men, with data showing that women are less experienced in traffic and have a lower spatial ability. These differences, however, disappear when socialization is considered. Simulations measuring spatial awareness that do not involve driving scenarios resulted in no statistical significance between men and women. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2022) shows that men are more likely to engage in reckless driving and that car crashes involving male drivers are more destructive to life and property than those that involve female drivers.

The “Automotive Sexism” case that was designed for the Museum of Sexist Objects this summer creates a public platform for the critical examination of both stereotype threat and stereotype confirmation as they relate to female drivers. A driving experiment by Moe, et al., (2015) and a driving simulation by Yeung & von Hippel (2008) revealed that women who are reminded of the stereotype were two times as likely to make mistakes or collide with jaywalking pedestrians. This background research led to the design of the “Automotive Sexism” case which demonstrates, through everyday objects, the low probability of reclaiming female driver stereotypes. Although an individual can attempt to reclaim the stereotype (most commonly through the display of bumper stickers as shown in the case), simply being aware of the stereotype and wanting to perform well has been shown to negatively impact women’s driving capabilities, thus making the feat of reclamation a daunting, and potentially impossible task.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a significant global health concern, characterized by triglycerides within hepatocytes without excessive alcohol consumption. NAFLD is closely associated with lipid accumulation and metabolism, leading to an imbalance between lipid uptake, synthesis, and oxidation within hepatocytes. A pivotal aspect of this pathology involves disruptions in beta-oxidation, a key process responsible for breaking down fatty acids in the mitochondria. The impaired β-oxidation contributes to the intracellular accumulation of lipid droplets, initiating a cascade of events that lead to hepatocellular damage, inflammation, and visceral fat build-up. If unaddressed, NAFLD can progress to more severe stages, ultimately leading to cirrhosis and increased mortality. PPAR- δ, a nuclear receptor involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis, plays a crucial role in the context of NAFLD. Activation of PPARs can be regulated to control metabolic processes such as β-oxidation. Activation of the δ receptor enhances β oxidation enzyme expression, decreases visceral fat accumulation, & improves hepatic cell function.

MOE computational chemistry data identified a series of δ agonists that were then synthesized using traditional drug discovery techniques. PPAR-δ agonist receptor selectivity was measured in vitro using HEP-G2 human liver cells. Among 6 compounds, 3G-9 and 3G-4 along with GW0742, a known PPAR-δ agonist that reduces lipid accumulation, were tested on HEPG-2 cells (human liver cells) at concentrations 0μM, 5μM, 10μM,20μM and 50μM then proceeded through BCA protein assay, western blotting, and il-Red-O staining. Lysates were obtained & BCA protein assays were generated to measure protein concentrations using western blot techniques. Lipid expression was measured using western blot techniques & Oil-Red-O staining. Compounds tested showed reduction in lipid accumulation in HEP-G2 treated cells, but additional studies are required to determine which of the 6 compounds were the most effective. The top 2 compounds from Oil-Red-O staining will be ELISA tested to determine β-oxidation enzyme expression.

This research project examines and explores the challenges and strengths of LGBTQ+ community college students as they navigate higher education. LGBTQ+ students face high levels of anxiety, depression, distress, and suicidal ideations in comparison to heterosexual and/or cisgender peers (Gnan et al., 2019; Kulick et al., 2016; LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide, 2023). This study explores the intersectionality of mental health and student success, as challenges with mental health and identity development arise. This research is grounded in the Minority Stress Theory, as well as research on resiliency and resistance techniques to explore what techniques LGBTQ+ students use or would like to use overcome barriers. A self-report survey, which was submitted and approved by Ferris State University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and was administered to LGBTQ+ students at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), with 11 respondents in total. The survey captured demographic information on participants and explored the mental health barriers and other challenges faced by this population. The survey also explored what resources or skills students have sought out before, or what they would like the college to provide for them to feel successful. The findings of this research survey guided a thematic analysis finding that LGBTQ+ community college students would like to engage in more resistance skills and resources like educational workshops and having more LGBTQ+ events outside of student groups. The survey also found that some student groups, like the Pride group at this college, is a highly valued resource for LGBTQ+ community college students at NMC. While study cannot be generalized due to sample size and demographic information, however, this study was conducted to explore this research topic, and help create more discussion around ways community colleges, and other smaller funded institutions (when compared to large universities, etc.) to support LGBTQ+ students. Some ways the researcher has suggested in this study to help meet the needs of LGBTQ+ students are by creating partnerships with outside resources and having students volunteer to conduct low-cost events. These suggestions could help LGBTQ+ community college students feel more connected to their community and peers. 

Background

Although recent advancements in treatment have led to longer survival for lung cancer patients, low lung cancer survival rates have been attributed to the large proportion of patients diagnosed with the disease at the metastatic stage, for which the 5-year relative survival rate is 7%. The bioactive components of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlechter (Apocynaceae), a medicinal plant indigenous to West Africa, has been reported to exhibit anticancer properties. Cryptolepine, the primary bioactive alkaloid, and its derivatives have been shown to exhibit anticancer effects by directly binding to DNA and thereby inhibiting DNA replication.   

Aims

This study aims to determine the anticancer properties of novel cryptolepine analogs on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. 

Methods

We used western blotting to detect proteins involved in cell proliferation, cell cycle, and migration after exposing NSCLC cells to cryptolepine analogs. Additionally, we examined the effects of treatment on NSCLC cell migration and invasion.

Results

Exposure of A549, H1975, and H1299 cells to cryptolepine analogs resulted in reduced migration distance, fewer cells migrating into the wounded area, and decreased cell invasion. Treatment also disrupted actin filament assembly, inhibiting cell migration and invasion. Co-treatment altered the expression of various marker proteins involved in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and cell migration. 

Conclusions

The data demonstrate that treatment with cryptolepine analogs suppresses NSCLC cell proliferation, motility, and invasion. 

The dominant mode of thinking in architectural education—and, arguably, in the architecture profession—is “design thinking,” a term which can mean many things, but for our purposes means the process whereby a designer, such as an architect, uses a project’s various requirements and formulates an appropriate design solution. In the world of architecture, you can imagine an architect starting with a blank piece of paper and vacant land, and finishing with a constructed building.

Architecture is something of an outlier in the modern research university, which emphasizes the importance of traditional research. Thus, the question is design research has arisen among architectural educators, and others. In fact, the authors of Architectural Research Methods, Linda Groat and David Wang, ask this question explicitly in the title of the second chapter of their book, “Does Design Equal Research?”

This research project was devised to answer the question: is design research? To address the question, I worked in two phases. In the first phase, I entered the 2024 USGBC Midwest Student Design Competition. My design project was a net-zero energy housing complex for “ship breakers” living in Alang, India. As I worked on that project, I asked the following questions:

• What is an appropriate solution for the project site, program, and client?
• What are the technical and other decisions that must be made to create a building that is sustainable?
• What new technology and/or application of existing technology would be appropriate for this specific building?

In the second phase of the project, I used my competition entry as a case study, asking the broader question: is the process of design itself a form of research?

Based on my experiences researching the environmental, social, and political climate of the Alang Ship Breaking Yard and developing a design solution to provide housing for the shipyard workers, I conclude that design does not equal research. Rather, the research and design processes complement and inform each other.

Tenofovir is an antiviral drug primarily used for the treatment of infections caused by Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Tenofovir is as a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Tenofovir works by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme which is crucial for the replication of HIV. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, by inhibiting the viral DNA polymerase enzyme, which is required for the virus to replicate its genetic material. This study focuses on the development and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles by using antiviral drugs and the single emulsion method. The single emulsion method enables the Nanoparticles containing the drug to be encapsulated, allowing it to travel through the body. Nanoparticles can have a range of sizes based on multiple factors, for example % concentration of PVA, applied voltage, pH, and flow rate. During nanoparticle development all factors were kept the same, precautions were taken when looking at the pH levels of the sample (pH probe was used) as well as keeping the voltage at 40V, except for the varying concentration in PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) solution. Four samples were produced two of each drug, tenofovir sample 1 contained 0.5% PVA and Tenofovir sample 2 contained 1%, sample 3 contained Dapivirine 1.5% PVA and sample 4 contained Dapivirine 0.5% PVA. When the nanoparticles were formed, they were sent off to be analyzed, all nanoparticles produced varying sizes between 300.9 n.dm to 367.4 n.dm. Based on this data, the nanoparticles with the lower PVA % concentration were smaller in comparison to nanoparticles that had higher % concentrations of PVA, the difference between both sets of nanoparticles was between 17.8 n.dm for Tenofvir and 3.4 n.dm for Dapivirine. The Supernant of the nanoparticles were also analyzed by LC/MSD iQ single quadrupole instrument via an autosampler, separated by a Poroshell 120 EC-C18 Column. By analyzing the supernant we were able to quantify the concentration of drug that remained in the supernant and predict the amount of drug the nanoparticles contained.

Mammography remains the most effective screening method for breast cancer detection. However, its interpretation often leads to a high rate of unnecessary biopsies, with about 70% of these procedures resulting in benign outcomes. This issue underscores a critical gap in current diagnostic practices: the need for more precise and reliable methods to distinguish between malignant and benign lesions. 

Traditional statistical frameworks, such as classical, Bayesian, or non-parametric methods, are lacking for providing precise solutions, especially in the presence of incomplete or censored data. This gap necessitates the development of more robust analytical tools that can handle complex, multivariate biomarker data with high accuracy and reliability. 

Our project aims to develop advanced statistical and computational tools to enhance the analysis and integration of massive biomarker data sets, crucial for distinguishing between diseased and healthy individuals. The focus is on the Youden Index, a critical measure in diagnostic test evaluation, applied in multivariate settings where data is often incomplete or censored. By leveraging both classical and generalized-variable methods, we seek to provide robust and reliable inference procedures for the Youden Index, accommodating complex data scenarios such as pooled, grouped, and progressively censored biomarker data. 

We propose the creation of a modular, high-performance computational framework called Generalized Multivariate Youden (GMY). This framework will facilitate the computation of the Youden Index and its optimal cut-point through sophisticated statistical and machine learning techniques. Our methodology includes parallel programming and the development of efficient data handling workflows, supported by programming languages like Python, R, and SAS, integrated with relational databases such as MySQL. By conducting extensive simulation studies and applying our methods to real-world datasets, such as mammographic mass data for breast cancer screening and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy data, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of our approach over traditional methods. 

The goal of our study was to determine which method gives more reliable results when testing certain values of J (Youden Index). The results show that the generalized variable method provided accurate and reliable conclusions and performed better than the classical approach for these specific tests. 

This research project aims to examine the establishment and operational dynamics of business incubators, with a focus on identifying the key factors that contribute to their success. The study explores why business incubators are increasingly being utilized as strategic tools by universities to enhance their reputations and foster stronger relationships with donors. To achieve this objective, the project takes a case study approach, using Ferris State University as a hypothetical model to evaluate the potential impacts of establishing a business incubator on campus.

The research considers a variety of factors, including the financial costs associated with creating and maintaining an incubator, as well as the socio-economic impacts on the local community and the university itself. The analysis also explores the potential benefits for students, faculty, and local entrepreneurs, and assesses how these benefits align with the strategic goals of the university.

Exoplanets are planets that orbit a star other than our sun and outside of our solar system. Studying them is important for discovering Earth-like planets and the possibility of life outside our solar system. They also provide insight into the dynamics of planetary systems and an understanding of how planets in our solar system were formed. In this work, we have studied four different exoplanets by analyzing their light curves using transit photometry techniques. Using data from NASA’s remotely operated telescope, we have determined the size of the exoplanets and their proximity to the host star, i.e., its orbital radius. We observe that the studied exoplanets orbit very close to their host star and are massive compared to the Earth. The results pose an important challenge to the present theory of planetary formation and implications for life on these exoplanets.