Spark 2020 showcase
- 1. Voice Intensity Changes in Artificial Acoustics • The purpose of this study was to measure the affect of reverberation time, gain, and noise on the amount of vocal intensity and effort dispensed on speaking • We collected our own data through an experiment • We are finished collecting and measuring the data, so we are currently moved on to analyzing it. • I aided in collecting the data during the experiment, measuring and inputting the data using adobe reader and working on a literature review as well. Ella Marzolf SPARK student Dr. Pasquale Bottalico / Tomas Sierra SPARK mentors
- 2. Jack Guo SPARK student Dr. Mejia Shannon SPARK mentor Daily Balance Project • This project aims to find the perceived balance vs. objective balance among older adults. • The project was self-assessment based and participant do a daily survey and steady test for 30 days. Followed by a interview telling their feelings and data. • The study is now mainly in data- collecting and data analyzing process for different participant. • I contributed in the process of orientation test, transcription, and data collection.
- 3. Tinnitus and Brain Imaging • The purpose of this study is to understand tinnitus on a neurological basis as well as other illnesses associated with tinnitus and hearing loss. • This study involved conducting experiments on participants who have tinnitus. I assisted in this by creating and handing out flyers to attract such people. • Members of the lab analyzed results from MRI imaging data, surveys, etc. from people with hearing loss or tinnitus. • Additionally, I helped conduct literature searches on tinnitus, misophonia, and related topics while also checking on references to manuscripts. Anna Murawski SPARK student Dr. Husain SPARK mentor
- 4. PETE Faculty Database Chloe Walsh SPARK student Dr. K. Andrew R. Richards SPARK mentor • The purpose of this study is to better understand the workplace of physical education teacher education faculty members working at U.S. institutions of higher education. The study will provide initial insight into factors that influence PETE faculty members’ work, including job stress and burnout, as well as factors such as resilience that help prevent the onset of these negative consequences. • This is a mixed methods study. Qualitative data was collected through 45-minute phone interviews. Quantitative data was collected through Qualtrics surveys. • Data collection started in Fall 2019 and ended in Spring 2020. Qualitative data analysis will begin in Summer 2020. • I reviewed literature to understand the purpose of the database, updated and managed the database through online data collection, helped assemble 700 mailing documents, and entered surveys into Qualtrics.
- 5. McKenzie Freeman SPARK student Dr. Pamela Hadley SPARK mentor Early Identification and Intervention for Developmental Language Disorder • The first project I worked on was “When to Worry about Language” • The purpose of this study is to improve the identification of preschool children with developmental language disorders. • I am now working on a clinical trial of a blended intervention called “Enhanced Milieu Teaching – Sentence Focus” or EMT-SF. • The EMT-SF intervention targets the growth of vocabulary and grammar to determine the effectiveness of the intervention from 30 to 48 months of age. • Both projects are currently in the data collection phase. My primary role is to transcribe conversations between parents or examiners and the toddlers taking part in the study.
- 6. The Role of Extended High Frequency in Children’s Speech-in-Speech Recognition •This study explores how well children (5-17 yrs) are able to utilize extended high frequency (EHF) energy when understanding speech in noisy environments. •We tested participants' recognition of sentences in a 2-talker masker. Because head orientation plays an important role in EHF energy emission, we tested the maskers at 45 and 60 degrees relative to the target speaker. •We are currently in the process of collecting data for the study. •I administered hearing screenings and consenting procedures with participants in the study. I also assisted with collecting data during sessions using Matlab. Amber Dorn SPARK student Dr. Mary Flaherty, Ph. D. SPARK mentor
- 7. Sarah Pechtl SPARK student Dr. Channell SPARK mentor Spoken Language Development in Down Syndrome (DS) • Aim: Examine use of emotional language by children with DS during storytelling. • Method: Children with DS told stories from a picture book and completed other language, cognitive, and social–emotional tasks. • Current Status: Processing data from control group of typically developing children with a similar developmental level. • My Role: Learned how to transcribe participants’ language samples using SALT, a computer software program. • Next Steps: Analyze the transcripts for story content.
- 8. The Role of Assistive Devices on Worry about Falling and Leisure Self-Efficacy among Older Adults • This study compared users and non-users of assistive devices on perceived worry about falling, balance confidence, perceived health, and leisure self- efficacy. • In this intervention study, the treatment group participated in the six week N Balance Program, and the control group did not. Participants in both groups engaged in a baseline survey and physical assessment and a follow-up survey and assessment after six weeks. • In this study, users of assistive devices reported lower balance confidence and were more worried about falling. This study concluded that users of assistive devices could benefit from participating in a balance training program. • I assisted with data analysis using SPSS software and worked with the survey and data to develop a research question. I also contributed to writing and presenting the poster of the study’s findings in the Undergraduate Research Symposium with Carla Ortiz. Josette Orlevitch SPARK student Dr. Laura Payne and Jaesung An SPARK mentors
- 9. Central Mechanisms Mediating Fall Risk in Older Adults • This study aims to understand the mechanisms causing changes in postural control due to fall-related anxiety • This study is using participant testing to record neural, physiological and behavioral data in a virtual reality environment • We are completing data collection and beginning data analysis • I assisted with data collection in the lab which included set up and clean up of equipment, as well as recording data. I also assisted with initial data processing and writing bibliographies on various research studies Lauren Penick SPARK student Dr. Manuel Hernandez SPARK mentor
- 10. Kaushik Perkari SPARK student Dr. Woolf SPARK mentor Purpose: To see how professional fighters conceptualize the boundaries of acceptable drug use Methods: • Used qualitative analysis • Analyzed many interviews of athletes • Used software called Nvivo • Looked at the psychology and reasoning of athletes and related communities Contribution: • Did a thorough analysis of data and mapped out key concepts • Helped coordinate a template for a publishable paper. • Helping to write and publish a paper
- 11. Human Robot Interaction • Objective of research on the HRI team • Understand older adult’s acceptance of robotics • Develop robots • Help people age in their own home for longer • Methods I performed • Literature Review • Data collection/analysis • Pilot testing • Subject matter expert • Presentation creation • The team is moving forward to help develop more robots • I will continue to help in anyway possible • My contributions • Graphs of data • Help collecting references • Included as an author for a Manuscript Carson Smith SPARK student Dr. Wendy Rogers Dr. Travis Kadylak SPARK mentors
- 13. Aging and Health Policy Lab • Initially, I looked at the interviews describing the use of medical marijuana by caregivers as well as those they care for. • I completed literature reviews looking at marijuana use in the workplaces as well as for veterans. • We are gathering literature for multiple projects and will be using the information in upcoming papers. Kate Green SPARK student Dr. Julie Bobitt SPARK mentor
- 15. Differences Between the Perception and Production of Sung Melodies • This study investigates whether an individual’s use of perception to aid vocal productions extends to productions that do not involve their own vocal tract • Data was collected from ten normal hearing listeners who completed three tasks: • Recreating “Happy Birthday” by manipulating recorded voices • Judging the accuracy of “Happy Birthday” • Singing ”Happy Birthday” • We are working on a manuscript based on this study for publication in journals • During the research process, I assisted by conducting audiograms on and testing participants • I also assisted in writing the manuscript and reviewing relevant articles Chloe Maghinang SPARK student Prof. Justin Aronoff SPARK mentor
- 16. Young Adults’ Sexual Attitudes in Tourism vs. Everyday Life • This study investigates young adults’ sexual attitudes (i.e., permissiveness, communion, instrumentality, and birth control) in tourism versus everyday life. • We used online and intercept survey methods to collect data from 254 young adults (146 women and 107 men). • We reviewed academic literature, developed research design, collected and analyzed data, and made conclusions. • I assisted with collecting surveys (both face-to-face and online), reviewing literature, coding and cleaning the data, and preparing a poster for the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Alexandra Trekas SPARK student Hwayong Son Liza Berdychevsky, Ph.D. SPARK mentors
- 17. Patrick Lynott SPARK student Dr. Nicholas Burd SPARK mentor CUMLATIVE MUSCLE PROTEIN SYNTHETIC RESPONSES TO INCREASED DIETARY PROTEIN INTAKE DURING RESISTANCE TRAINING IN MIDDLE AGED ADULTS • The purpose of the study was to essentially measure the effect that increased protein intake has on resistance training-induced changes in muscle protein synthetic rates. • We tested 20 healthy middle-aged men and women who had been participating in a sedentary lifestyle for at least a year, meaning that they had not been involved in a consistent resistance exercise routine. • Participants ingested daily boluses of deuterated water (D2O), heavy water, during the resistance training program to measure daily rates of muscle protein synthesis. • We are currently in the data analysis stage of the process. • To contribute, I found multiple papers to help us understand how the D2O method works for us to apply it to our study. Additionally, I helped to analyze both the collected blood and muscle biopsies of the participants.
- 18. Power of the Point: Predictors of Early Language Development in Down Syndrome • This study analyzes early predictors of language development- such as eye gaze, gestures, and social skills- in children with Down Syndrome. • Developmental and cognitive abilities are studied through play, evaluated using assessments such as the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, and observed through mother-child interactions. • The study is currently collecting data from participants and analyzing video recordings of participants who were already assessed. • I assisted with filing data, cleaning toys, and scoring some assessments. • I also reviewed research articles about Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome and learned about the various evaluations used in studying them. Meghan Gibbons SPARK student Dr. Laura Hahn SPARK mentor
- 19. Sport for Development Erin Young SPARK student Dr. Jon Welty Peachey SPARK mentor • Purpose: To examine why Sport for Development (SFD) organizations utilize a specific sport to target the outcome(s) they are trying to achieve. • Activities and methods used in this study include the following: • Reviewing literature, researching various SFD organizations, making a list of individuals to contact, filling out and submitting an IRB, and collecting data by conducting interviews. • Currently, I am working on collecting data. I have a group of individuals involved in several SFD organizations that I am contacting and will be interviewing in order to collect the data I need to make conclusions. • I did the literature review, conducted research on the SFD programs, constructed the contact list, completed the IRB, and will now be conducting the interviews. Later, I will transcribe the interviews and then we will analyze the data.
- 20. Jesus Rodriguez SPARK student Dr. Kimberly Shinew SPARK mentor Green gentrification and its impacts on the health and well-being: An environmental justice study • We are examining the use, perceptions, and health benefits of the 606 Trail for residents of affordable housing units near the trail. • We have created a survey for the residents and will be using these results for our study • The study is currently in the data collection stage of the research process • My work in the study included facilitating the completion of and collection of the surveys
- 21. Effect of Water Intake on Cognitive Flexibility in Children • The study was one that explored how water intake effects the different aspects of cognitive function in children • Worked with Dr. Khan and other graduate students like Mr. Nate Willis to... • Write a research article targeted towards children to understand (based on Dr. Khan's water intake and cognitive flexibility study) • Learn my way around a nutrition lab • Properly analyze research studies Kavin Lavari SPARK student Dr. Naiman Khan SPARK mentor
- 22. Auditory Neurodevelopment of Preterm Infants • The research purpose is to develop interventions to improve auditory experience for preterm infants and to promote healthy auditory brain development • LENA devices make recordings of auditory environments experienced by preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and full-term infants while in utero • The study is currently collecting data using LENA devices with infants in the NICU and pregnant mothers. Additionally, infant auditory brainstem response (ABRs) are collected at age 3 months assess auditory brain development • I have contributed to the team by collecting LENA devices with team members, observing consent meetings with mothers, and compiling gift bags for new mothers Lauren Vicencio SPARK student Dr. Brian B. Monson SPARK mentor