EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University will feature its 40th annual Undergraduate Symposium on Friday, March 27 in the EMU Student Center. This one-day highlight of undergraduate research and creative projects provides a distinct and engaging cumulative reflection of the academic year.

The Symposium, one of the first of its kind in the nation, will continue the tradition of showcasing exceptional academic undergraduate work from a wide variety of disciplines and colleges.

The event will feature oral speaking presentations, a poster exhibition, and the Crossing Lines Design Expo. This year, 352 students, under the mentorship of 203 faculty mentors, will present more than 330 unique projects.

A highlight of projects featured at the 40th annual event includes:

Displaced DNA: Genetic Testing and the Pursuit of African Ancestry

Nailah Bush (Africology and African American Studies)

Toni Pressley-Sanon, faculty mentor

Description: The Transatlantic slave trade engendered a profound rupture between Africa and its diaspora. One of the latest tools that people of the diaspora have deployed to connect to their African heritage is genetic testing. This project explores how African diasporic people use genetic testing as a means of bridging the perceived gap between themselves and their continental African counterparts.

ORAL SESSION D - ROOM 350 – 3:45 p.m.

The Development of Leonardo da Vinci’s Scientific Reputation Through the Mona Lisa

Abigail G. Martin (Art & Design)

Pamela Stewart, faculty mentor

Description: This presentation explores the scientific interests of Leonardo da Vinci and his reputation as a “man of science,” through a case study of the renowned Mona Lisa. The project explores how the Mona Lisa has come to encompass Leonardo da Vinci as both an artist and scientist.

ORAL SESSION D – AUDITORIUM – 4 p.m.

The Effect of Rain Events on Microplastic Export in Streams

Morgan Chaudry (Biology)

Kristin Judd, faculty mentor

Description: Over the past few decades, there has been a boom in the production of plastics that has resulted in microplastic pollution as an emergent environmental concern in aquatic ecosystems. The presentation will provide preliminary data on microplastics in local tributaries and contribute to an understanding of the emerging threat of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems.

POSTER GROUP 3 – ROOM 310 A/B – 2:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Current Dietary Sustainability and Potential Alternatives with Policy Recommendations

Addison Babinski, Brynn Ritchey, and Jace Vael (Chemistry)

Jeffrey Guthrie and Richard Nation, faculty mentors

Description: Sustainable diets are nutritionally sufficient, environmentally sustainable and cost efficient. This project evaluates typical meat proteins and proposes plant and insect alternatives that better meet the needs of growing populations.

POSTER GROUP 2 – ROOM 310 A/B – 11-11:45 a.m. & 1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

Exploring the Social Implications of Freedom of Speech on the Internet

Gwenyth Andrusiak (Computer Science)

Zenia Bahorski, faculty mentor

Description: Freedom of Speech is one of the most basic rights given to citizens of the United States. Definitions of that freedom have evolved with each new form of media, however the Internet has presented a unique challenge to regulate, given its international nature. This project explores how definitions have evolved to encompass the Internet, and the issues that it presents to protecting and regulating speech.

ORAL SESSION A – ROOM 330 – 10 a.m.

Visualizing Lead Poisoning Disparity using GIS – A Case Study in the Metropolitan Area of Detroit

Olivia Pearce  (Geogrpahy and Geology)

Xining Yang, faculty mentor ​    

Description: With the Flint Water Crisis still posing an unprecedented impact on local residents, it is important to understand how lead poisoning is affecting populations in different locations. This analysis explores the social determinants that correlate with the distribution of lead poisoning disparity and sheds light on providing evidence to policy makers for creating effective prevention programs.

ORAL SESSION B – ROOM 352 – 11:30 a.m.

Youth Homelessness: A Policy Analysis

Kylar Chandler and Adrianna Stacey (Political Science)

Raymond Rosenfeld, faculty mentor

Description: Youth homelessness is a major problem in the United States. On any given night 41,000 unaccompanied youth ages 13-25 experience homelessness. The biggest cause of youth homelessness is family dysfunction. This project explores the policy environment and potential solutions being put forward, and includes a recommended package of policies that are preventative, promote family preservation, and would create a federal kinship care program.

ORAL SESSION C – ROOM 320 – 1:45 p.m.

Validation of a Technique for Rehydrating Mummified Fingerprints

Dylan Blatt (Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology)

Megan Moore, faculty mentor

Description: The goal of this study is to replicate and validate a process by which fingerprints can be obtained from mummified human remains for the purpose of identifying unknown decedents. Our approach is based on using a sodium carbonate solution to rehydrate the mummified finger pads for fingerprinting.

POSTER GROUP 2 – ROOM 310 A/B – 11 - 11:45 a.m. & 1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

Addressing the Stigma of Alzheimer’s Disease in Arab Americans

Megan Morrison (Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology)

Kristine Ajrouch, faculty mentor

Description: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a sensitive topic. For Arab Americans, it can be more challenging because of community stigma. One way to address stigma is through health learning events. The purpose of this research is to understand the meanings of stigma and track how effective health learning events are in disseminating information to successfully address AD stigma.

ORAL SESSION B – ROOM 330 – 11:30 a.m.

Looking Through My Eyes: A Study of Self-Concept of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Andrea McCreedy (Special Education and Communication Sciences and Disorders)

Derrick Fries, faculty mentor

Description: There is still limited knowledge about how individuals on the autism spectrum view themselves at different developmental stages of life. This study aims to augment that paucity of research, and focuses on individuals’ self-perception in terms of social life, personality, mental health state, and how others view them.

POSTER GROUP 3 – ROOM 310 A/B – 2:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Development of an Augmented Reality Application to Explore Eastern’s Campus

Jayme Hopkins (Technology and Visual & Built Environments)

Pamela Speelman and Corbin Reeves, faculty mentors

Description: Augmented Reality (AR) is an immersive way of viewing 3D computer generated assets in a real-life environment. AR creates a change in perception by adding objects to our local environment that cannot be seen without using the camera of a portable device. I am applying my knowledge of AR to create an easily accessible 3D model map of Eastern Michigan University’s campus. The use of a phone’s camera allows users to get a close-up, 360° view so they should never get lost again.

CROSSING LINES DESIGN EXPO EXHIBIT – ROOMS 300/301/302 – 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

3D Printed Polypropylene Transtibial Sockets

Avery Dumas IV (Engineering Technology)

Lamar Stewart, faculty mentor

Description: This paper illustrates the fabrication of lower leg transtibial socket prosthetics. These prosthetics are made from polypropylene and manufactured from the fused deposition modeling (FDM) additive manufacturing process. Price differences of materials, manufacturing process, and optimal design for wearers are also reviewed.

POSTER GROUP 1 – ROOM 310 A/B – 9 - 10:30 a.m.

An Educational Workshop for Nursing Students in Order to Decrease the Stigma Surrounding Opioid Use

Brooke Raap (Nursing)

Frank Schaller, faculty mentor

Description: America endures a death toll equivalent to 9/11 every three weeks due to the current opioid crisis. Many nursing curriculums have not adapted to meet the need for education, which calls for an educational workshop on recognizing symptoms of opioid abuse or addiction. Objectives of the workshop include recognition of opioid use disorder, prevention of overdose, overcoming stigma, and sharing of local resources.

POSTER GROUP 3 – ROOM 310 A/B – 2:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Oral and poster presentations begin at 9 a.m. and run through 4:15 p.m., with a short break from noon to 1:15 p.m. for a private celebratory luncheon. The Crossing Lines Design Expo, which features 2D and 3d visual projects, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

EMU alum and prominent executive Brenda Alten to serve as keynote

The Dennis M. Beagen Undergraduate Symposium Keynote Speaker is EMU alum Brenda Alten. She is a two-time Symposium presenter and graduated from EMU in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication. Alten is the Director of Human Resources Communications with the J.M. Smucker company

Having served in a variety of roles in her 30+ years with J.M. Smucker, Alten notes her passion for communication as a driving factor for her success. This passion was reflected during her time at EMU as a four-time national champion in Forensics. 

Alten says now that participating in the Undergraduate Symposium was a highlight of her college career; she will share that perspective and the lessons learned during her speech.  

The first annual Undergraduate Symposium at Eastern was held in April in 1981. It had been envisioned by former Provost Ronald W. Collins, and that first event occurred under the leadership of professor Ira M. Wheatley, department head of History and Philosophy.

Seventeen students and 19 faculty members from nine College of Arts and Sciences departments were featured in the inaugural event. In the early 1990s, all other University colleges began nominating students for participation. In 2012, the Crossing Lines Design Expo was added to support creative projects that were interdisciplinary and visual in nature.

 As of 2020, more than 8500 students have presented at the Symposium. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.