inspiration undergraduate research excellence award 2015

Inspiration Undergraduate

Research Excellence

Award 2015

2 UFV Undergraduate Research Excellence Awards 2015

Program

Host Dr. Adrienne Chan, Associate Vice President

Research, Engagement, and Graduate Studies

Welcome Dr. Gwen Point, UFV Chancellor

Board Chair Remarks Mr. Barry Delaney, Chair, UFV Board of Governors

Dinner Buffet

Dr. Mark Evered, President and Vice-Chancellor

Student Speakers Ms. Carlee Lewis, BA Psychology, College of Arts

Mr. Scott Ramsay, BSc Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences

Acknowledgement of Student Awards Mr. Brad Whittaker, Director, Research Services and Industry Liaison

Awards Presentations Mr. Brad Whittaker, Director, Research Services and Industry Liaison

Dr. Jacqueline Nolte, Dean, College of Arts

Dr. Greg Schlitt, Vice-Chair, Science Faculty Council

Dr. Joanne MacLean, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences

Closing Remarks

UFV Undergraduate Research Excellence Awards 2015 3

Welcome to the 2015

Undergraduate Research Excellence Awards Presentation

Tonight the University of the Fraser Valley is delighted to present 22

students with research awards totalling over $16,000.

These students were nominated by faculty

for exceptional research work, either as

part of the UFV work study program, as

research assistants, or for an outstanding

project as part of a course.

We also acknowledge the many students

who received other prestigious awards

from UFV, federal granting agencies, and

community organizations.

Congratulations to all the students who

work so diligently to generate award-

winning research projects. You are an inspiration!

With more than 15,000 students attending UFV this year, these

awards represent only a small portion of the research and other

scholarly activities in which students are involved.

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi,

Hungarian Biochemist,

1937 Nobel Prize for

Medicine


NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

$4,500 USRA Award Recipients

USRA awards allow students to gain valuable research experience

that complements their studies by working full time for a term with a

nationally recognized UFV faculty researcher.

Additional funds are provided by the UFV Research Office and

researcher grants.

Kamal Moghrabi, Biology

Faculty Researcher: Lucy Lee

Gagandeep Singh Rai, Biology


Vishesh Oberoi, Biology


Miranda Louwerse, Chemistry

Faculty Researcher: Noham Weinberg

Brandon Smith, Chemistry

Faculty Researcher: Noham Weinberg

Jordan Bryce, Geography and the Environment

Faculty Researcher: Olav Lian

Travis Gingerich, Geography and the Environment

Faculty Researcher: Olav Lian


UFV Student Research Day Awards

Each year UFV Research Services invites undergraduate student researchers to showcase their work by participating in a MicroLecture, poster presentation, or both. More than 90 students took part in this lively interactive event and competed for scholarship awards between $150-200.

Topics ranged from invasive knotweed, crime in Abbotsford, and lichens as a measure of air quality, to Vancouver raves, distracted driving, and more.

Engagement in research and events such as this can help students obtain scholarships, awards, and graduate school positions. It also contributes to UFV’s strategic goal of providing “the best undergraduate education in Canada.”

Award: Provost & Vice-President Academic $200

Sukhvinder Mangat, Criminology and Criminal Justice

The Rise and Fall of Crime in Abbotsford: A Case Study

Faculty Supervisor: Irwin Cohen

Award: AVP Research, Engagement & Graduate Studies $200

Ben Chambers, Biology

Soil Bacteria Capable of Bio-surfactant Production

and Metabolism of Oil

Faculty Supervisor: Stephen Thomas

Award: Vice Provost and Associate Vice-President Academic $150

Vessal Jaberi, Biology

Stressing out the immune system: The relationship of psychological

and physiological stress on salivary IgA in students

Faculty Supervisor: Greg Schmaltz

Award: Dean, College of Arts $150 Cherie Martens, Psychology Improving Self Regulation in Preschool Aged Children Faculty Supervisor: Patricia Ackland


Award: Dean, College of Arts $150 Sean Plecas, Criminology and Criminal Justice Tertiary Crime Prevention Rehabilitation of Children and Youth in Ethiopia Faculty Supervisor: Yvon Dandurand

Award: Dean, Faculty Science $150 Ashleigh Yakemchuk, Geography and the Environment Impact of Development on Geochemistry of Freshwater Streams: Lower Fraser River Basin, British Columbia Faculty Supervisor: Steven Marsh

Award: Dean, Faculty of Professional Studies $150 Brendan Almond and Rachel Waslewsky, School of Business Looming Truth Faculty Supervisor: David Dobson

Award: Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences $150 Brad Watson, Kinesiology and Physical Education Sustained attention deficits in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Faculty Supervisors: Kathy Keiver and Alison Pritchard-Orr

Award: $150 Stewart Seymour, Visual Arts Sprawl Faculty Supervisor: Davida Kidd

Award: $150 Kenneth Muir, Biology Annotation and analysis of contig72 of chromosome 3L of D. biarmipes Faculty Supervisor: James Bedard

Go to ufv.ca/research to see photos of Student Research Day and videos of student MicroLectures.


Industry Liaison Research Award

Muhannad Alsuwayti Kyle Hayhow Kaitlin Hodson Gouwei Jiang Shun Wang School of Business Faculty Supervisor: David Dobson Program Head: Joe Ilsever Award: $250 each

Muhannad Alsuwayti: I am an international student from Saudi Arabia. I’m currently finishing the last three classes of my BBA degree with an HR minor, with high hopes to pursue my MBA after graduation.

Kyle Hayhow: I am a student athlete who plays for the UFV golf

team. I plan on graduating in the fall with a Bachelor of Business

Administration. After that, I plan on starting my own business. This

project gave my group and me an amazing hands-on experience with

an actual organization, which made it engaging and fun.

Kaitlin Hodson: I am a recent graduate of the University of the Fraser Valley with a degree in Business Administration. I was very excited to be part of the project Increasing the Attendance of the Abbotsford Agrifair. I have volunteered for not-for-profit organizations that face similar problems but have never had the resources to be able to help like I did with the assistance of David Dobson and UFV. In the future, I hope to work in communications or community engagement and to continue to build relationships and make an impact within my community.


Gouwei Jiang: I have been studying at UFV since 2011. I am an International student from China in my third year of the Bachelor of Business Administration program with an accounting focus.

Shun Wang: I am an international student from China. I have been at

UFV for four years and plan to complete a BBA degree, finance

option, next year, After graduation, I hope to start my own business.

In this project, I learned about the research process and how to

transform cumbersome data into clear conclusions. It was very

practical and will be helpful in my future career. I appreciated

working with my professor David Dobson.

Increasing Attendance at the Abbotsford Agrifair

For over 100 years the Abbotsford Agrifair has been providing residents with a local event to celebrate agriculture and gather as a community. Despite the range of events offered at the fair, the attendance fluctuates from year to year and overall is low. This brings us to our main issue: What can be done to improve the attendance of the Abbotsford Agrifair?

The research primarily consisted of conducting a focus group, distributing a survey questionnaire, and analyzing the data. During our research, it was identified that those aged 18 to 35 living in Abbotsford are the most under-represented demographic. By determining this group’s satisfaction with attractions and the best ways to reach out to them, we will be able to increase the overall attendance of the fair. We hope this research will drive revenues to ensure we have the Agrifair in our community for years to come.


UFV Undergraduate Research Excellence Award Recipients

Faculty of Professional Studies Zsuzsanna Regoczi, Adult Education

Matthew Kidwell, School of Business

College of Arts Lindsay Lindholm, Communications

Sukhvinder Singh Mangat, Criminology and Criminal Justice

Brandon Wood, Economics

Ashleigh Yakemchuk, Geography and the Environment

Sophie Smith, Geography and the Environment

Anecia Gill, Indo-Canadian Studies

Romene Sablok, Philosophy

Carlee Lewis, Psychology

Angelissa Shum, Sociology

Tessa Dumanski, Visual Arts

Faculty of Science Marlena McCabe, Biology

Alicia Mercer, Chemistry

Kyle Rollheiser, Chemistry

Faculty of Health Sciences Jasleen Gill, Kinesiology and Physical Education


Zsuzsanna Regoczi Adult Education Faculty Supervisor: Seonaigh MacPherson Program Head: Seonaigh MacPherson Award: $1,000

I am currently majoring in Anthropology/Sociology and minoring in Geography. I plan to graduate in 2016. I became interested in Scottish Gaelic language and culture as a student Research Assistant for Dr. Seonaigh MacPherson at UFV. I examined the role of adult education in the revitalization of Scottish Gaelic language and culture in Canada and learned about the social, cultural, and economic struggle of minorities and immigrants. This experience reaffirmed my interest in social research. I would like use my last year at UFV to deepen my knowledge about sustainable development and language and culture preservation. After graduation, I would like to pursue graduate study and a scholarly career in Anthropology

'O ghlùin gu glùin' 'From knee to knee' The Critical Role of Adult Education in the Revitalization of Scottish Gaelic Language and Culture in Canada Between 1770 and 1850, tens of thousands of Gaelic-speaking Scots immigrated to British North America, and in 1867, the year of Canadian Confederation, Gaelic was the third most widely spoken language in Canada. Today only 500 native Gaelic speakers remain, and most are seniors living in Cape Breton, the last Gaelic-speaking area in North America. The topic of my research was to examine the role of adult education in the revitalization of Scottish Gaelic language and culture in Canada based on ethnographic case studies of six Scottish Gaelic adult educators and data collected in an online survey of 92 Canadian adults of Scottish Gaelic descent. My findings supported the notion that increasing the number of Gaelic tradition-bearers and cultural ambassadors through all forms of adult education (formal, non-formal, informal) is crucial in the revitalization of Scottish Gaelic language and culture in Canada.


Matthew Kidwell School of Business Faculty Supervisor: DJ Sandhu Director: Frank Ulbrich Award: $1,000

I currently have one year left in the business program at UFV. My major is Finance, with an Economics minor and Communications Certificate. After my undergraduate degree, I plan on pursuing either a CFA (Certified Financial Analysis) or CPA (Certified Professional Accountant). Following that, I plan on completing my MBA (Master Business Administration) while continuing to work for Coast Capital Savings or a corporate Vancouver firm. After gaining experience, the possibility of starting my own firm or business excites me. The research I completed at UFV helped me gain applicable educational experience for the professional business world.

Coast Capital Savings: Market Research Report The project for Coast Capital Savings was completed in the Fall Semester 2014. Working as Financial Service Representative for the company, I know the importance of creating relationships with clients. The management question proposed was: “How can Coast Capital Savings strengthen its banking relationship with students?” Students were then surveyed at the UFV Abbotsford Campus, asking what factors were important to them when choosing a financial institution, their satisfaction levels, open ended questions, brand recognition, and demographic questions. The results were statistically analyzed and produced many significant findings for Coast Capital Savings. An executive team at Coast Capital Savings and I are currently using the results for various strategic planning. Coast Capital Savings is extremely interested in the student loan analysis along with the possibilities of expanding the research.


Lindsay Lindholm Communications Faculty Supervisor: Marcella LaFever Program Head: Samantha Pattridge Award: $1,000

I am entering my fourth year of the Bachelor of Arts program, pursuing a major in Political Science, a minor in Communications, and a certificate in Adult Education. I have prior education of a diploma in Horticulture specializing in Greenhouse and Nursery Production, and a certificate in Computer Information Systems. This research project allowed me to utilize my combined educational interests while developing my most valued skills of communications and research. I would like to apply my education to a career in the field of agriculture with particular interest in agriculture education and public policy.

Urban and Rural Opinion toward Changes to the British Columbia Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act, 2014 This report is on urban and rural opinions toward amendments made in 2014 to the British Columbia Agricultural Land Reserve Legislation. The amendments divided the ALR into two zones that allow farmers in one zone to supplement farming income with non-agricultural land use such as oil and gas, and the other would allow greater leniency for development. British Columbians voiced their opinions towards the changes through social media in online commenting forums that followed the online news. This report compares the opinions of people in urban Metro Vancouver and rural agricultural communities of the Fraser Valley.

The majority of comments assessed in both rural and urban areas were opposed to the ALR changes. This research supports the idea that public opinion can be gauged through social media. Policy makers, politicians, and political parties can use social media to obtain insight into potential public response to policies and issues by measuring the sentiment of opinions.


Sukhvinder Singh Mangat Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Supervisor: Irwin Cohen Director: Amy Prevost Award: $1,000

I am a graduating School of Criminology and Criminal Justice student who intends to pursue a career in law enforcement. After establishing myself in my career, I plan to further my education by completing a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice at UFV. My honours research project is a synthesis of all the knowledge I acquired as an undergraduate scholar and addresses one of the most compelling issues in contemporary criminology, with significant applicability to Abbotsford, BC.

The Rise and Fall of Crime in Abbotsford: A Case Study Crime rates have been in a state of consistent decline regionally, nationally, and internationally since the 1990s. Numerous theories have been suggested for the crime drop; however, none are entirely convincing. Furthermore, crime rates, crime statistics, and victimization data have inherent structural weaknesses as each measure invariably fails to accurately illustrate the totality of crime.

After being designated the “property crime capital of Canada” in 2006 and the “murder capital of Canada” in 2008/09, Abbotsford represents an intriguing case study for examining the great crime decline. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of police-reported crime statistics was conducted to contextualize Abbotsford within the broader crime drop. Research findings indicate that the crime rate in Abbotsford declined by 54.5% from 2004 to 2012 and 40.2% from 2008 to 2013 — a decrease in crime more profound than any other major jurisdiction in BC and Canada. Recently, the crime decline in Abbotsford has seemingly plateaued.

Future researchers should continue to investigate declining crime rates in an effort to formulate evidence-based theories which account for the rise and fall of crime in Western society.


Brandon Wood Economics Faculty Supervisor: Ding Lu Program Head: Sean Parkinson Award: $1,000

I started out in the faculty of science at UFV where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Biology major, Business minor). In my work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada over the past few years, I discovered that my passions lie more with the economics of local agriculture than the specifics of crop production. This has brought me back to UFV to fulfill entrance requirements for the Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics program at the University of Guelph where I plan on completing my MSc. After graduation, I hope to work with the Ministry of International Trade and support market development for local agricultural products.

Russian Federation Development Profile and Economic Projections This research paper is intended to highlight the struggles that Russia is currently facing: European and American sanctions in response to the conflict in Ukraine, Russia’s reliance on oil-export (and the recent drop in oil prices), and Russia’s increasing demographic struggles, while also examining the development status of the country. Russia has only recently shed its ‘developing country’ label, and though they have met the basic levels of living required of the Millennium Development Goals, they still have large levels of poverty and inequality within the country, increasing gender inequality, and no concern for environmental sustainability. The country is currently faced with a GDP growth rate of ~0.5%, and if Russia doesn’t wean itself of its dependence on oil, make structural changes to increase foreign investment, and start promoting positive international relations, it may destroy any chances it has for sustainable growth in the years to come.


Ashleigh Yakemchuk Sophie Smith Geography and the Environment Faculty Supervisor: Steven Marsh Program Head: Steven Marsh Award: $500 each

Ashleigh Yakemchuk: I am graduating this year with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography. I started research by assisting in my supervisor’s involvement with the Global Rivers Observatory. Being a part of this worldwide project and engaging in hands on research gave me experience outside of a classroom and a direction to pursue after my time at UFV. I am thankful for the research opportunities I had while attending UFV, and I look forward to what the future has for me, whether it be pursuing the next level of education or finding a job that is exactly what I am looking for.

Sophie Smith: I am graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and concentrating in environmental science. I was introduced to the Global Rivers Observatory Project by my instructor, Steven Marsh, where I was able to conduct my own research. I was also given the chance to attend Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in Massachusetts, for a seven week practicum. This truly was an opportunity of a lifetime that gave me outstanding hands on experience and strengthened my academic confidence. I was offered a job at the Alouette River Management Society in Maple Ridge where I analyze water quality of the Fraser River Basin and coordinate environmental education to all age groups.

Global Rivers Observatory Project,

Ashleigh Yakemchuk: The Global Rivers Observatory has been studying the geochemistry of the Fraser River and its tributaries since 2009. As urban development continues, it is important to study how changes in urban landscapes affect surrounding watersheds. This study focuses on the community of Auguston situated in the heart of Clayburn Watershed, in the north-east side of the city of Abbotsford, BC, and a tributary of the Fraser River. Water samples taken from


sites both above and below Auguston were collected over a nine-month period, and analysis was completed at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution under the supervision of Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink, Senior Scientist. Selected major ions, as well as nutrient concentrations were determined. Results showed that a few of the major ions had higher concentrations below the Auguston development, while other ions and nutrients had higher concentrations above. Research into land use, anthropogenic activities, and the area’s geologic history is used to explain how some concentrations might be higher than others. Continued research and sampling taken directly off of Auguston is recommended to determine if anthropogenic activities are the cause of the concluded geochemistry concentrations.

Sophie Smith: As an extension to the time series sampling of the Fraser River, the sampling of Nathan Slough is the main focus of this research project overseeing the Global Rivers Observatory Project. The Fraser River watershed has many tributaries throughout the Fraser Valley which, depending on the health of each one, can have negative impacts on the ecosystem on the Fraser River. Nathan Slough lies within the Glen Valley watershed in Langley, BC. Langley has more farms than any other municipality in British Columbia, which in turn has repercussions on its watersheds.

It is important to determine how land use practices such as agriculture production has affected Nathan Slough, as well as to see if precipitation has positively impacted the geochemistry of the Slough by flushing out any contaminants. This will be accomplished by analyzing the results of the grab samples and probe data collected over the last seven months. With the results that were shown from the computerized data, there is a variation in all components over the season. However, more research is required to conclusively say there is a seasonal variation in Nathan Slough’s water geochemistry. Targeted studies of potential sources and sinks of major ions and nutrients combined with higher resolution time series analysis are needed to understand processes that effect the water quality of the Glen Valley watershed.


Anecia Gill Indo-Canadian Studies Faculty Supervisor: Satwinder Bains Program Head: Satwinder Bains Award: $1,000

I am a third year student pursuing an undergraduate degree in Sociology. Engaging in research at UFV helped me better grasp and engage with the abstract theoretical concepts that I found so interesting in class. In the future, I plan to either study Social Justice/Human Rights law or pursue Sociology further to the doctorate level.

Komagata Maru School Study Guide The Social Studies 10 lesson plan regarding the Komagata Maru Incident consists of four lessons involving interdisciplinary mediums. These lessons cover Indo-Canadian pioneer history, the events that led up to the Komagata Maru Incident, the incident itself, and the political consequences of the event. Each lesson begins with watching a portion of That Land Beyond the Waves, a play written by Rajnish Dhawan, UFV Assistant Professor, English, accompanied by a historical facts booklet and followed by an activity. The activities range from exploring pioneer narratives to evaluating archival documents to writing a creative piece, and playing a social justice game. The lesson plans also provide teachers with a write up of historical background information to aid them in teaching this material. In addition, teachers will also have access to a comprehensive bibliography containing cited works as well as recommended readings for additional information.


Romene Sablok Philosophy Faculty Supervisor: Moira Kloster Program Head: Anastasia Anderson Award: $1,000

I am currently in my last year of my Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Philosophy but, due to extenuating circumstances, I have had to stall my graduation. However I still have hopes and dreams to become a doctor, and I will use the experience I gained this term to help me become the best doctor that I can possibly be.

I would like to extend my thanks to my amazing professor and faculty supervisor, Moira Kloster, who not only provided guidance and direction in my work but also supported me and provided encouragement during the life-altering circumstances that I faced this semester.

Only Support What happens when someone you love is diagnosed with cancer and you have no one to turn to? The only person who knows that you need help is the person you love, the cancer patient. To deal with the tragic news, you need the patient to be strong for you and bear the burden of becoming a support for you. What is the impact of this need? That is what my paper is about.

This year I was diagnosed with a stage four cancer and was forced to drop my life in the midst of everything. Although I had the support of friends and my family, my parents had to keep my life-altering situation to themselves; therefore, I became their only support. Nevertheless, my paper was not only a way to confront my conflict, but it also analyzed the difficulty philosophically to see why it was such a conflict.


Carlee Lewis Psychology Faculty Supervisor: Lesley Jessiman Program Head: Sven van de Wetering Award: $1,000

I completed my BA in Psychology Honours and enjoyed my courses, especially those related to developmental psychology. I will begin an MA in Counselling Psychology at TWU in September 2015 and plan to continue my research of the real-world implications of early childhood and adult attachments. Engaging in research at UFV provided me with an invaluable experience and the opportunity to examine attachment theory in depth; beyond a course’s curriculum. I am grateful for the opportunity to become so informed on a subject area that is particularly meaningful to me and that I hope to integrate within my counselling career in years to come.

Attachments to our Mothers: An examination of the effects of early life experiences on the social cognitive brain I examined the role of attachment styles in theory of mind (ToM) skills such as the reading of emotions in faces and identifying faux pas and sarcasm. All of these ToM skills are functions of the “social brain” that is affected by early caregiver-infant interactions. My study proposed that the attachment style children have to their caregiver will ultimately influence their social brain across their lifespan. Participants (N=56) self-reported their attachment styles with their mother, father, romantic partner, and best friend. Participants with a secure mother attachment performed better in identifying emotions in faces and those with secure adult attachments were better at identifying sarcasm. These findings suggest an association between secure attachment and effective ToM skills. This research has important real-world implications as secure attachments significantly influence the way we form relationships and engage in social interactions across the lifespan.


Angelissa Shum Sociology Faculty Supervisor: Chantelle Marlor Program Head: Martha Dow Award: $1,000

I graduated from UFV with a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology major) and intend to travel overseas to teach English and subsequently pursue a Masters degree. This project was inspired by my status as an Asian-Canadian woman and my interest in uncovering the reasons behind why the number of Asian women getting plastic surgery has increased in recent years. Through this research I broadened my perception on issues surrounding women and gained insight into how qualitative research is conducted.

Saving Face or Globalization? This project explored the origins of beauty standards that Asian-Canadian women use to assess themselves. The interviewees were asked questions about how beauty standards influenced their self-image and cosmetic choices and how these factors changed as the subject moved from their country of origin to Canada. I was most interested in whether Western or Asian standards of beauty had the most impact on these women’s lives.

My study indicated that most Asian women are not consciously aware of where culturally derived beauty standards come from, and many believe that these standards are rooted in historical Asian values. These ideas are largely based on the subject’s failure to consider the dissemination of Western ideals in Asian communities due to globalization. My project also showed that the subject’s perception of Western culture (its supposed lenient and inclusive nature) made its impact less obvious. In certain cases, the subject’s ideas and responses where not truthful, but rather were created to help them "save face." These factors clarify why it is becoming increasingly difficult for new generations of Asian women to identify the amount of Western influence present in their lives.


Tessa Dumanski Visual Arts Faculty Supervisor: Grace Tsurumaru Program Head: Tetsuomi Anzai Award: $1,000

As an animal welfare advocate, I will continue to create artwork about feline issues and endeavor to showcase my work in art galleries in hopes of bringing about change for cats. In the near future, I hope to start my own stationary business that features feline imagery and give a percentage of its proceeds to local animal shelters. I am interested in furthering my education and will work towards a Masters Degree in Fine Arts or focus my studies in the field of animal welfare. My research studies at UFV have given significant meaning and depth to my work and have strongly influenced the direction of my future goals.

In the Dark My work entitled In the Dark is inspired by my obsession with cats, my interest in feline welfare, and my personal collection of kitschy cat figurines. The number of unaltered, homeless, feral and struggling felines that die each year due to the absence of human responsibility and a lack of bylaws is appalling. Improper identification, a lack of yearly vet checkups, abandonment, abuse, and ignorance are all factors that contribute to the current unfortunate state of felines.

In the essence of kitsch, and as a reflection of feline over population, I have reproduced an abundance of cat figurines, all of which serve as individual collaged narratives of feline misfortune. These figurines, which display coats of disturbing imagery, obstruct the sentimental value of kitsch and serve as a platform and voice for unwanted, struggling, and abused felines. It is time that feline issues are brought to the forefront and are no longer kept hidden away in the dark.


Marlena McCabe Biology Faculty Supervisor: Alan Reid Program Head: Allan Arndt Award: $1,000

The decision to begin my research at UFV has been extremely beneficial. It has allowed me to further develop a biological skillset and connect the theory of lecture to the world outside of it. Upon graduation, I plan to pursue ecology-based graduate studies with the goal of becoming a professor.

Eco-Mycological Diversity at UFV Abbotsford There have been no fungal distribution studies documented at the University of the Fraser Valley Abbotsford campus (UFV) pertaining to fleshy fungi. As such, this study aimed to add to an overall lack of knowledge by questioning ecological significance of fungal growth. Six transect lines were created among two forest stands at the university. Over a 10-week period, observations were noted on the relative area of fungal growth. Ecological correlations were established among various fungal genera. Initial results suggest the genera Laccaria, Paxillus, Lycoperdon, and Xylaria all have ecological significance to their growth. Furthermore, such implications range from soil moisture levels to potential ectomycorrhizal correlations. Initial results suggest that ecological correlations can be applied to fungal growth. Thus, due to randomization of spore dispersal, future research would contribute to a currently expanding mycological knowledge at UFV.


Alicia Mercer Kyle Rollheiser Chemistry Faculty Supervisors: Cory Beshara and Jason Thomas Program Head: David Fenske Award: $500 each

Alicia Mercer: I decided to try research in organic synthesis because I was intrigued in Chemistry 311 (Intermediate Organic Chemistry). Working in research is critical for a chemistry undergrad, and it has allowed me to apply knowledge obtained throughout my degree. The lab skills that I developed are invaluable, and I will be using them in an upcoming Masters in Synthetic Chemistry.

Kyle Rollheiser: As a chemistry student, research enhanced my education at UFV because it allowed for independent problem solving and critical thinking. After graduation next year, I plan to attend medical school.

Biomimetic Modeling of Enzymes and Receptors Proteins are a diverse class of biomolecules that play both structural and catalytic roles. Enzymes catalyze the chemical reactions of metabolic pathways, and receptors catalyze the movement of small molecules or signals across membranes; in both cases the catalysis occurs following the binding of a small molecule to the protein or receptor. One way to study these molecular interactions is via biomimetics, in which specific protein functions are mimicked by synthetically-designed molecules. We have attempted to mimic enzyme catalysis using synthetically modified DNA molecules that have catalytic activity similar to that of natural protein enzymes. These catalytically active DNA molecules are known as DNAzymes, contain fragments of protein similar to enzyme active sites, and are found by a process of in vitro selection. We have chosen to mimic receptor function by synthesizing a small molecular sensor, using various heterocycles, which will bind phosphate anions, and other anions, with high specificity.


Jasleen Gill Kinesiology and Physical Education Faculty Supervisor: Michael Gaetz Program Head: Alastair Hodges Award: $1,000

I am a Kinesiology and Physical Education student with a minor in Biology. Completing my research project under the supervision of Dr. Michael Gaetz provided me with the opportunity to explore a subject area I am passionate about while applying my theoretical knowledge practically. This experience allowed me to attain skills that I can continue to use and develop while I attend UBC Medical School this fall.

Clinical Implications of Poor Test-Retest Reliability of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool Third Edition (SCAT3) A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that can result from a blow to the head or a rapid movement of the head without contact. A concussion is diagnosed clinically based on symptoms, which can be somatic, cognitive, and neurobehavioural along with physical signs. The SCAT3 is a standardized concussion assessment tool that can be used on the sidelines.

The purpose of this study was to thoroughly examine the test-retest reliability of the SCAT3 in adolescent male student athletes and to make recommendations for its clinical utility. The main hypothesis was rejected; most of the SCAT3 sub-tests showed poor, unacceptable, or moderate reliability. It can be concluded that the SCAT3 is generally not a reliable sideline concussion assessment tool for use with male adolescent athletes.


Thank you

Thank you to the family and friends who

support our students with patience,

encouragement, and caffeine!

Special thanks to the dedicated faculty and

staff who thrive on mentoring our students

thereby enabling them to reach their goals.

Your contribution to student success is

immeasurable!

The best way to inspire people to superior performance is to convince them by everything you do and by your everyday attitude that you are wholeheartedly supporting them.

Harold S. Geneen,

American Businessman

inspiration undergraduate research excellence award 2015

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