Undergraduate Research Program

Supporting Student Research Endeavors

Welcome to the Undergraduate Research Program website, which includes information about the resources available to support and fund undergraduate research. Our office assists all undergraduates as they develop and conduct research and share their work at academic conferences, in scholarly publications, or in various venues across campus.

For many students, the word research conjures visions of laboratories with rows of scientists cloaked in white bent over beakers. The reality, however, is that any student can conduct research under the guidance of a faculty-mentor, research that may lead to the student presenting at an academic conference or publishing an article. It’s true that certain majors, like some of the sciences, have research opportunities built into their programs, whereas others require a bit more initiative on the part of the student, but research can occur in any field. Our department will guide you as you navigate the university system in pursuit of research opportunities.

APU regards research as an important component of your undergraduate education, especially as a vehicle for sharing our Christ-centered mission with the world. Research—broadly defined as a creative or scholarly inquiry or investigation that makes an original contribution to your discipline¹—prepares you for, and propels you toward, your professional goals, sharpens your analytical and narrative abilities, arms you with the confidence to succeed, teaches you collaboration skills, and prepares you to be creative, productive, compassionate colleagues and leaders in your chosen profession.

Already, APU undergraduate students engage in a wide variety of research. In addition to experiments in the hard sciences such as exploring mirror neurons during acts of worship, students have critically analyzed the works of Jane Austen, examined factors prompting Christians to leave the Church, studied the spread of Christianity among indigenous peoples, highlighted gender bias in Disney films and television, and touted the benefits of music on speech-impaired children. Whatever your interests, we look forward to assisting you with your research goals.

Conference Travel Information and Application

All full-time APU undergraduate students are eligible for student travel grants of up to $400 if they are accepted to an academic conference to share their research. Sponsorship of an APU faculty member is required.

Students must submit their travel grant applications at least two weeks before their conference to allow time for review and award decisions. Funds are granted from the provost’s annual budget based upon review of applications. Because of high demand, there is no guarantee all applicants will receive funds or that all recipients will be fully funded. Additionally, please note that travel reimbursement for expenses incurred by students must now be processed through Concur. Students must submit their receipts through Concur and will be reimbursed for the awarded amount through a direct deposit into their bank account after the conference. Detailed instructions for Concur expense processing will be provided along with the award letter.

Undergraduate research projects often begin when a professor recognizes a student’s intellectual curiosity or latent talents as a researcher. Professors may invite these students to help in a lab, copresent a paper, or work on an individualized research project during the academic year or summer months. Alternately, students may approach a professor who specializes in the area in which they would like to conduct research and ask for their supervision as they advance in their project.

To be considered for conference travel funds, students must submit an Undergraduate Student Travel Grant Request Form, which includes a section to be completed by the faculty-mentor.

FACULTY: If your students plan to attend conferences in the spring or summer and you would like to notify the Undergraduate Research Program to expect a travel application, submit an Intent to Apply Form (MS Word) to ugresearch@apu.edu. All attempts will be made to set aside funding, which of course is not guaranteed.

For questions or more information, contact Yvonne Rodriguez, ORG Office Coordinator, at ugresearch@apu.edu or (626) 815-2082.

Undergraduate Conference Opportunities

Students are encouraged to explore the following academic conference opportunities; each link provides detailed information about how to submit a proposal to present your research.

August

Edinburgh Fringe Conference (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Every year, thousands of performers take to hundreds of stages all over Edinburgh to present shows for every taste. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival caters to everyone and includes theater, comedy, dance, physical theater, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, musicals, opera, spoken word, exhibitions, and other events.

American Psychological Association Annual Convention

APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members.

September

You know that data matters, that a line of code can change the world, that analytics insight is imperative to stay ahead of today’s constant technological change. Tap into the best and brightest analytical minds at Analytics Experience and discover how you can be the catalyst to boost growth, capture markets, and spur digital transformation.

International Conference on Neurovascular Events after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (or Vasospasm 2017)

This is a meeting traditionally for neurosurgeons, stroke neurologists, neuro-ICU physicians, vascular biologists, neuroscientists, emergency medicine physicians, and stroke researchers, to get together, and share new development, to present their research.

October

Biennial Undergraduate Conference on Faith and History

The Conference on Faith and History is a community of scholars exploring the relationship between Christian faith and history. We welcome members from a variety of Christian traditions around the world. We also seek to learn from scholars outside the Christian tradition. Our primary goal is to encourage excellence in the theory and practice of history from the perspective of historic Christianity.

Sigma Theta Tau International Odyssey Conference

The purpose of this joint conference is to promote communication about nursing research, education, practice, and leadership, and to enhance research collaboration throughout nursing’s scholarly community.

National Collegiate Honors Conference

This conference is designed to support and enhance the community of educational institutions, professionals, and students who participate in collegiate honors education around the world.

Mathematical Association of America Meeting

The Mathematical Association of America is the world’s largest community of mathematicians, math students, and math enthusiasts. We accelerate the understanding of our world through mathematics because mathematics drives society and shapes our lives. The mission of the MAA is to advance the understanding of mathematics and its impact on the world.

Southern California American Society for Microbiology

Since 1936, the Southern California Branch of the American Society for Microbiology has promoted microbiology education and research in Southern California through meetings, discussions, newsletters, and publications. Our members represent the many diverse areas of microbiology including clinical, public health, environmental, basic research, education, industrial, food safety, veterinary, and more. The umbrella organization, the American Society for Microbiology, offers numerous regional meetings.

November

Society for Neuroscience

The Society for Neuroscience is the world’s largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1969, now has nearly 38,000 members in more than 90 countries and more than 130 chapters worldwide.

Society for Social Neuroscience

The Society for Social Neuroscience is an international, interdisciplinary, scientific, nonprofit society established to advance and foster scientific research, training, and applications.

Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research

Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) is an organization of Southern California faculty, administrators, and interested members of the community who share the common goal of improving education for college and university students through hands-on experiences of undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity. SCCUR supports inquiry-based education, in which students learn while doing, working closely with faculty-mentors on significant academic projects and presenting their results to audiences in a professional manner. SCCUR is broadly multidisciplinary, including the sciences, humanities, social sciences, arts, and performing arts. SCCUR typically draws 500-800 participants, mainly undergraduates and their faculty-mentors, administrators, and community college and high school students.

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students

When you attend the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, you join one of the largest communities of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students attend this conference to present their research, explore graduate schools, and network. Research faculty and program directors play an essential role in mentoring students and implementing strategies for facilitating student success.

January

The Mathematical Association of America and the American Mathematical Society Joint Mathematics Meeting

Join the MAA and the AMS for the largest mathematics meeting in the world, where you can meet fellow mathematicians and learn about innovative research through invited addresses, minicourses, short courses, panel sessions, workshops, paper sessions, posters, exhibits, and more.

Music Teachers National Association National Student Competitions

The MTNA National Student Competitions are the most successful and prestigious student competitions in the country. Each year, thousands of students compete for top prizes and national recognition. The three-tiered competitions begin at the state round, and the first-place winner of each state’s competition advances to a division competition. Division winners compete in the national finals at the annual MTNA National Conference. Competition categories include Composition, Brass, Piano, String, Voice, Woodwind, and Chamber Music.

Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society Biennial Meeting

Phi Alpha Theta (ΦΑΘ) is an American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history. We are a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. We seek to bring students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways. Smaller, regional conferences are held annually.

March

Christians in English Language Teaching Conference

The Christian English Language Educators Association is composed of people who have a common interest in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages, and who share a common belief in Jesus Christ.

Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Annual Conference

The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Inc. is dedicated to the promotion of excellence in baccalaureate social work education.

Sigma Tau Delta International Convention

Every spring, Sigma Tau Delta holds its annual international convention, a unique event that allows hundreds of members and sponsors from around the United States and beyond to gather in one locale, share experiences and expertise, be recognized for their achievements, and participate in the official proceedings of the society. The convention also provides opportunities to discover new ideas in English and English-related disciplines, while engaging with speakers, presenters, and texts that members might not otherwise encounter.

April

West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference

The West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference is among the oldest intercollegiate conferences of its kind in the nation. The goals of the conference are to provide a forum for undergraduate researchers to present original data they have generated in the fields of biology and biochemistry, and to foster intercollegiate interactions among students and faculty who share a commitment to undergraduate research in the biological sciences.

Western Psychological Association Convention

The Western Psychological Association was founded in 1921 for the purpose of stimulating the exchange of scientific and professional ideas and, in so doing, to enhance interest in the processes of research and scholarship in the behavioral sciences. Membership in the Western Psychological Association is open to students and professionals who wish to support these goals and who would like to be part of the network that we have created to further them.

American Chemical Society National Conference

This conference is designed to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people.

Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society Biennial Meeting

Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is an honor society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Smaller, local conventions are held annually.

Western Institute of Nursing Research Conference

The Western Institute of Nursing exists to bring together a diverse community of nurses in a shared commitment to advancing nursing science, education, and practice to improve health outcomes.

Campus Compact: Continuums of Service Conference

Campus Compact is a national coalition of 1,000+ colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. We build democracy through civic education and community development.

Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Conference

Our mission is to promote the study of popular culture throughout the world through the establishment and promotion of conferences, publications, and discussion. The PCA tries to identify and recruit new areas of scholarly exploration and to be open to new and innovative ideas. PCA is interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary.

Research Guidelines

The process of conducting research varies by discipline. On this page you will find printable brochures with information about how to present and publish in the humanities; brochures addressing the process of conducting research in other disciplines will be added soon.

History of the Undergraduate Research Program

APU’s undergraduate research program originated in 1997, when then-Provost Patricia Anderson appointed assistant professor of biology Cahleen Shrier, PhD, as APU’s first director of undergraduate research, tasked with increasing the undergraduate research profile of all disciplines on campus.

In her first year, Shrier organized a campus poster session on Cougar Walk during which undergraduate students competed for awards. The following year, she held the event in Wilden auditorium, integrating oral presentations and concluding with a reception for all participants, families, and friends. Shrier also arranged undergraduate research sessions and poster presentations at the university’s annual Common Day of Learning.

Perhaps most importantly, Shrier developed a process to fund undergraduate students to attend or present research at national academic conferences. In the early years, when few undergraduates engaged in research, departments used this funding to take groups of students to local conferences. Eventually, however, as individual research projects increased, Shrier could fund only those students who presented at conferences, which remains the case today. To promote the undergraduate research program’s resources, she emailed faculty and placed information in chapel announcements for students. She also initiated participation in the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), of which APU has been an active member for years. In her capacity as a nonvoting member of APU’s Faculty Research Council, she successfully lobbied to increase the salary of undergraduate research interns on campus to reflect their unique skill set.

In 1999, English professor Carole Lambert, PhD, assumed the position of director of undergraduate research, which she held for six years. Her tenure saw an increase in the number of students who sought and received funding to present their research at regional and national conferences, especially first-generation students and undergraduates who had never before engaged in research. Initially, all students accepted to conferences sponsored by a reputable academic society and who had the support of an APU faculty-mentor received travel funds. With the increase in student research, however, Lambert’s funding wore thin, so she began encouraging department chairs to support students with whatever discretionary funds might be available.

Mark Eaton, PhD, an associate professor of English, was interim director during Lambert’s sabbatical in fall 2004. When, in 2005, Lambert became APU’s director of research, Charity Plaxton-Hennings, PhD, an associate professor of psychology, stepped in as director of undergraduate research. Plaxton-Hennings continued the tradition of funding student research travel and promoting undergraduate research across the disciplines. She was succeeded by another associate professor of psychology, Curtis Hsia, PhD, who held the position during the 2006-07 academic year.

In fall 2007, Kevin S. Huang, PhD, an associate professor of chemistry, began a nine-year stint as director of undergraduate research. In addition to revamping the undergraduate travel protocols and participating in CUR conferences, Huang’s most important contribution was launching the Scholarly Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) in 2013. This program provides funding to advanced undergraduates and financial compensation to their full-time faculty-mentors to complete competitive research projects that make an original intellectual or creative contribution to their discipline. Funded student-faculty dyads have included the humanities, fine arts, business, political science, nursing, theology, and STEM, and have resulted in numerous professional conference presentations, several peer-reviewed publications, and at least one national award. This important funding opportunity has increased the quantity and quality of APU’s undergraduate research projects, which has stimulated student competitiveness for graduate programs and professional positions.

Verónica A. Gutiérrez, MFA, PhD, who replaced Huang in the fall of 2016, is the outgoing director of undergraduate research. Gutiérrez has increased the visibility of the program by launching undergraduate research showcases each semester, during which students and their faculty-mentors discuss the origins, challenges, and benefits of their research experience and answer questions before an audience of their peers. During the 2021-22 academic year, the Undergraduate Research Program pivoted to virtual showcases, recordings of which can be viewed on the Office of Research and Grants YouTube channel. Partnering with David Weeks, the dean of the Honors College, in the summer of 2020, Dr. Gutiérrez helped launch APU's account with the Student Opportunity Center (SOC), the nation’s largest online database for scholarships, grants, fellowships, internships, co-ops, conferences, publications, and juried competitions. A free platform for students, the SOC enhanced APU student engagement in research during the two academic years (2020-21 and 2021-22) that we offered this opportunity..

One of Gutiérrez’s most lasting legacies is transforming the Undergraduate Research Program’s single-page website into a more practical resource for students and faculty. Individual pages for conference travel awards, undergraduate research showcases, the Scholarly Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Award, recent student presentations, and the history of the undergraduate research program broadcast and celebrate APU student accomplishments beyond the institution.

Anupama Jacob, PhD, who served as interim director in the fall of 2019, will replace Dr. Gutiérrez in the fall of 2022 as APU’s director of undergraduate research.

This program is currently without a director until further notice.

APU’s Directors of Undergraduate Research


Name	Title	Term
Cahleen Shrier, PhD	Assistant Professor Department of Biology and Chemistry	1997-99
Carole Lambert, PhD	Professor Department of English	1999-2005
Mark Eaton, PhD (Interim)	Associate Professor Department of English	Fall 2004
Charity Plaxton-Hennings, PhD	Associate Professor Department of Psychology	2005-06
Curtis Hsia, PhD	Associate Professor Department of Psychology	2006-07
Kevin Huang, PhD	Associate Professor Department of Biology and Chemistry	2007-16
Anupama Jacob, PhD	Associate Professor Department of Social Work	Fall 2019
Verónica A. Gutiérrez, MFA, PhD	Associate Professor Department of History and Political Science	2016-2022
Anupama Jacob, PhD	Professor Department of Social Work	2022-2023

Recent Student Research Presentations

Note: This list does not include Scholarly Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) projects, which are listed separately below this section.

2024-25

“Multi-Material Study of a Passive Prosthetic Foot Design Using 3D Printing”

Madey Natalie Sule, Engineering
Faculty-Mentor: Aisha Chen, Engineering and Computer Science
Venue: Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting (October 2024)

2023-24

“A Case Study of Music Intervention on VR-Inducted on VR-Induces Stress”

Gero Jun, Computer Science
Faculty-Mentor: Aisha Chen, Engineering and Computer Science
Venue: The Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Conference (June 2024)

“Effective Data Visualizations for Large Meta-Analyses: Evidence from a Statistical Cognition Experiment”

David Khella, Mathematics
Faculty-Mentor: Katie Fitzgerald, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics
Venue: Joint Statistical Meeting (August 2024)

“Outreach Workers' Perspectives on Equitable Housing: A Student-Led Study of Spanish-Speaking Homeless Services”

Molly Mickey, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Mary Rawlings, Department of Social Work
Venue: 41st BPD Annual Conference (March 2024)

“Does Arsenic-reducing Paddy Drainage Cause Stress in Rice Plants?”

Aidan Oslob, Biochemistry
Faculty-Mentor: Charles Chen, Department of Biology
Venue: American Society of Plant Biologist Western Section Meeting (March 2024)

“I See You: Evaluating Stalking at a Faith-Based Institution”

Sara Posadas, Criminal Justice and Spanish
Faculty-Mentor: Candice Williams, Department of Criminal Justice
Venue: Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting (March 2024)

“Human Odortype Expressed in Urine”

Jessica Carter, Biology and Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Sarah Richart, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (November 2023)

“Exploring Spirocylic Methyl Esters (SME) as Inhibitors of MDM2-P53 Protein Interactions”

Ella Fellberg and Colleen Walker, Chemistry
Faculty-Mentor: Kevin S. Huang, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: American Chemical Society Fall 2023 (August 2023)

“Gromphadorhina Portentosa, a Potential Model for Studying Neuronal Loss in Traumatic Brain Injury”

David S. Bernaola and Karen Herrera, Allied Health
Faculty-Mentor: Kenneth Sossa, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: Western Region 2 TriBeta District Convention (April 2024)

“Olfactory-mechanosensory Cross Modal Plasticity Effects Demonstrated in Gromphadorhina Portentosa”

Derrick Castro, Ryan Sanchez, and Isaac Ogunjale, Biology
Faculty-Mentor: Kenneth Sossa, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: Western Region 2 TriBeta District Convention (April 2024)

“Assessment of Metabolic Flexibility by RER in the Gromphadorhina Portentosa”

Madison Ng, Allied Health, Merai Ebrahim, and Ryan Sanchez, Biology
Faculty-Mentor: Kenneth Sossa, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: Western Region 2 TriBeta District Convention (April 2024)

“Love of Suffering: Does Humanity Truly Want Utopia”

Courtney Heidorn, English and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Joseph Bentz, English Department
Venue: Sigma Tau Delta National Convention (April 2024)

“Elucidating Olfactory Learning and Operant Conditioning in Gromphadorhina Portentosa Through Food Preferences”

Rami T. Ezzeddine, Biological Sciences and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Kenneth Sossa, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: Western Region 2 TriBeta District Convention (April 2024)

“Development of a Wearable Camera to Measure Blink Rates and Attention in Adolescent Females”

Caroline Fall, Undeclared
Faculty-Mentor: Sharon McCathern, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics
Venue: AERA (American Educational Research Association) 2024 Annual Meeting (April 2024)

2022-23

“Kinesiophobia and Injury Risk in Collegiate Athletes”

Shayne Rainey and Lindsey McNeely, Kinesiology
Faculty-Mentor: Robert Dudley, Professor, Department of Biology
Venue: 2022 National Strength Conditioning Association Conference (July 2022)

“Designing an Efficient Methodology and Examining the Cell Viability of Potential Anticancer Small Molecules Containing Spirocyclic Motifs”

Ye Seong Koo, Biochemistry
Faculty-Mentor: Kevin Huang, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: ACS Fall 2022 (August 2022)

“Multipulsing and Bifurcations of Optical Solitons in the 2D Complex Cubic-Quintic Ginzburg-Landau Equation”

Emily Gottry, Applied Math, Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Edwin Ding, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics
Venue: WE22 (Society of Women Engineers Conference) (October 2022) Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (November 2022)

“Assessment of Metabolic Flexibility by RER in Gromphadorhina portentsa”

Madison Ng, Allied Health (B.A.) and Honors Humanities, Merai Ebrahim, Biology, Ryan Sanchez, Biochemistry and Honors Humanities Minor, and Justin Soliman, Biology and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Kenneth Sossa, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: The 2022 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) (November 2022)

“Exploring the Gut-Brain Axis: Effects of Cannabidiol on Behavior and Gut Microbe Expression in Hissing Cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa)”

Annamarie Arias, Biology and Samantha Vargas, Biology
Faculty-Mentor: Kenneth Sossa, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: The 2022 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) (November 2022)

“Gromphadorhina portentosa as a Model for Traumatic Brain Injury”

Kessia Cisneros, Biology
Faculty-Mentor: Kenneth Sossa, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: The 2022 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) (November 2022)

“Radiofrequency Dielectric Properties of Standard Liquids: Water, Methanol, and Ethanol”

Andrew Rivas, Physics
Faculty-Mentor: Bradley McCoy (in proxy for Chris Bassey), Professor, Department of Math, Physics, and Statistics
Venue: 2022 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (November 2022)

“Transitioning from Points-Based grading to a Hybrid Specifications-Points-Based Grading System in General Chemistry”

Sydney Noell, Chemistry (Minor: Math)
Faculty-Mentor: Elijah Roth, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: The 2023 American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition (March 2023)

“Religious Surrender as a Moderator for the Relationship Between Perfectionism and Psychological Well-Being”

Emily Gates, Psychology, Fatima Pulido, Psychology, Kenneth Aguilar, Karen Saleeb, and Kristin Tampon, Honors Humanities and Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: The 2023 Western Psychological Association Convention (April 2023)

“Familismo and Family Obligations on Life Satisfaction and College Adjustment”

Paola Mae Biton, Psychology, Yaolli Bautista, Psychology, Matthew Campos, Psychology,Kayla Tapia, Psychology and Madison McCue, Psychology and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: The 2023 Western Psychological Association Convention (April 2023)

“Assessing Water Efficiency by Comparing Morphology and Physiology of Helianthus Niveus and the Common Commercial Sunflower Helianthus Annuus”

Kyana Grunberg, Biology
Faculty-Mentor: Charles Chen, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: The 2023 West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference (April, 2023)
Awarded: Best Poster Presentation at the conference

“The Road to Water-Saving Sunflowers: A Comparison of the Leaf Physiology of Commercially Bred Helianthus annuus and H. Exilis Under Water Stress”

Iliana Gaid, Biology
Faculty-Mentor: Charles Chen, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: The 2023 West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference (April, 2023)

“Comparing the Physiology of the Wild Helianthus annuus and the Common Commercial Helianthus annuus”

Halina Liu, Biology
Faculty-Mentor: Charles Chen, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: The 2023 West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference (April)

“Does Natural Selection Explain the Development of Alkaline Fluid in Semen and Fertilization Proteins on the Sperm and Ovum”

Diana Saad, Biology
Faculty-Mentor: Cahleen Shrier, Professor, Department of Biology
Venue: The 2023 Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation (CSCA) and The American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) Annual Meeting (July 2023)

“Wholeness in Healing: How Neuroplasticity and Faith Work Together for Restoration”

Hannah Go, Allied Health and Honors Humanities, Psychology Minor
Faculty-Mentor: Cahleen Shrier, Professor, Department of Biology
Venue: The 2023 Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation (CSCA) and The American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) Annual Meeting (July 2023)

2021-22

“Race/Ethnicity, social class, and culture on mental health effects on Covid-19” and “Perception of Parent Responses toward LGB Youth Coming Out to Religious Parents”

Kenneth Aguilar, Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR (April)

“Political Social Media Posts on Workplace Productivity and Coworker Attitudes” and “Race/Ethnicity, social class, and culture on mental health effects on Covid-19”

Paola Mae Biton, Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR (April)

“Political Affiliation on COVID Attitudes and Behaviors: Religious and Cultural Variables as Mediators”

Matthew Campos, Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR (April)

“Political Social Media Posts on Workplace Productivity and Coworker Attitudes” and “Perception of Parent Responses toward LGB Youth Coming Out to Religious Parents”

Madison McCue, Psychology and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR (April)

“Political Social Media Posts on Workplace Productivity and Coworker Attitudes” and “Perception of Parent Responses toward LGB Youth Coming Out to Religious Parents”

Emmalyn Morgan, Psychology and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR (April)

“COVID-Related Stress and Perceived Risk: Effects of Race/Ethnicity, SES, and Cultural Orientation”

Karmeenjet Singh, Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR (April)

“Posttraumatic Growth Buffers the Link between Anxious Attachment and Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Justin Lee, Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Carissa Dwiwardani, Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR (April)

“Posttraumatic Growth Buffers the Link between Anxious Attachment and Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Annie Ou, Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Carissa Dwiwardani, Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: Western Psychological Association, Portland, OR (April)

“Investigation of SmMAK16’s role in ribosome biogenesis in Schistosoma mansoni through analysis of a proposed zinc finger motif”

Mia Brantley, Biology, Molecular Emphasis
Faculty-Mentor: Jon Milhon, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: West Coast Undergraduate Biological Sciences Research Conference, Point Loma University, San Diego (April)

“Investigating the cytotoxic effects of 5-fluorouracil on cos-7 and sk-br-3 cells for the future cytotoxicity assessment of the spirocyclic compound furfurylamine”

Tiffany Pugh, Biology and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Jon Milhon, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: West Coast Undergraduate Biological Sciences Research Conference, Point Loma University, San Diego (April)

“Determined Revolt: Rebellion and Power in Jane Eyre”

Tara Christensen, Business Marketing and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Emily Griesinger, Professor of English and Honors Faculty Fellow
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Brontë’s Motherless Heroine: Identity Development in Jane Eyre”

Betsy Corr, Social Science and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Emily Griesinger, Professor of English and Honors Faculty Fellow
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“‘I Care for Myself’: The Irrefutable Dignity of Jane Eyre”

Nadine Ghezzo, Biology and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Emily Griesinger, Professor of English and Honors Faculty Fellow
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“From Conflict to Harmony: Cognitive Dissonance in Jane Eyre”

Micaela Meyer, Communication Studies and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Emily Griesinger, Professor of English and Honors Faculty Fellow
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“‘Portrait of a Governess’: An Intersectional Approach to Jane Eyre”

Jessa Moomaw, Economics, Finance, and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Emily Griesinger, Professor of English and Honors Faculty Fellow
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Passion Properly Placed: Romantic Love in Jane Eyre”

Hailey Schaefer, Political Science and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Emily Griesinger, Professor of English and Honors Faculty Fellow
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“The Ordering of Disordered Desire: Brontë’s Theology of Love in Jane Eyre”

Chelsea Sealander, Biology and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Emily Griesinger, Professor of English and Honors Faculty Fellow
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“But the Forehead said So: Sympathy and Phrenology in Jane Eyre”

Julia Seaton, Violin Performance and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Emily Griesinger, Professor of English and Honors Faculty Fellow
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Exploring Experiences of Undergraduate Student Leaders of Color”

Jada Tarvin Abu-Bekr, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
Venues:
Social Work Annual Symposium, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN (March-April)
Awarded: Second place at the symposium
Association of Baccalaureate Program Directors Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA (March) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19
Awarded: Second place at the student BPD conference

“Social Work Students’ Empathy Towards and Preparedness for LGBTQ+ Individuals: Educational Implications”

Chloé DePledge, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
Venues:
National Conference on Undergraduate Research 2022 @Home (April) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19
Association of Baccalaureate Program Directors Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA (March) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19
Awarded: First place at the student BPD conference
Council on Social Work Education 2022 Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA (November)
The North American Association of Christians in Social Work 2022 Annual Conference, Oak Brook, IL (October )

“Residents’ Perceptions of Community Strengths and Needs: A Community Needs Assessment”

Briana Emsais, Social Work and Aimee Lind, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
Venue: Social Work Annual Symposium, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN (March-April)
Awarded: Second place at the symposium

“Diversity in Hospice: Exploring Client Utilization of Psychological Services Based on Ethnicity”

Emma Fisher, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
Venue: Social Work Annual Symposium, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN (March-April)

Awarded: Fourth place at the symposium

“Poetry Collection”

Hannah Murray, English
Faculty-Mentor: Andrea Ivanov-Craig, Professor, Department of English
Venue: Sigma Tau Delta International Convention, Atlanta, GA (March-April)

“Unity in Ritual, Protest in Reenactment: A comparison of Peru’s Señor de los Milagros and Inti Raymi”

Ryan Moorwood, History
Faculty-Mentor: Verónica Gutiérrez, Associate Professor of Latin American History, Department of History and Political Science
Venue: Conference on Faith and History, Baylor University, Waco, TX (March)

“Ritual and Reenactment as a Means of Understanding the Colonial Legacy in Modern Latin America”

Aaron Ramos, Spanish; History minor
Faculty-Mentor: Verónica Gutiérrez, Associate Professor of Latin American History, Department of History and Political Science
Venue: Conference on Faith and History, Baylor University, Waco, TX (March)

“Confidence in Field: MSW Interns' Perceived Self-Efficacy in Supporting Foster Students”

Emma Kelly, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
Venue: Association of Baccalaureate Program Directors Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA (March) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Utilizing correlation functions to develop a multistate model of p. Denitrificans f1-atpase and enhance single-molecule imaging resolution”

Nathan Suiter, Systems Engineering and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Sándor Volkán-Kacsó, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics
Venue: 66th Annual Meeting of the Biological Society, Moscone Center, San Francisco (February)

“The Church, Abortion, and Reproductive Injustice: Reframing Abortion Rhetoric”

Anna Disser, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Jennifer Buck, Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Program Director of BAIS
Venue: North American Association of Christians in Social Work Annual Convention, Glendale, CA (November)

“Multiculturalism in journals of psychology and Christianity: A content analysis”

Matthew Campos, Psychology and Sociology
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: American Psychological Association Conference, San Diego (August) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Discrimination and College Adjustment: Ethnic/Racial Identity and Critical Consciousness as Mediators”

Bryana Orellana, Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Andrew Shelton, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Venue: American Psychological Association Conference, San Diego (August) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“The Neurobiology of Mindfulness: An Exploration of Mirror Neurons during Acts of Worship”

Alexandra Mayer, Organismal Biology and Psychology
Faculty-Mentor: Cahleen Shrier, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry
Venue: American Scientific Affiliation Annual Meeting (July) ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

2020-21

“Freedom from Something Defined: Nothing in Measure for Measure”

Alexis Cox, English and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Christine Kern, Associate Professor, Honors College
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Intimacy and the Inscrutable Self: ‘The Night Shadows’ Problem in A Tale of Two Cities”

Madelyn Crooks, Psychology and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Christine Kern, Associate Professor, Honors College
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Golden Angels, Sharp Females, and Alternative Heroines in A Tale of Two Cities”

Charissa Enns, Journalism and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Christine Kern, Associate Professor, Honors College
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Born to Die: Death Sentence in Shakespeare’s Comedies”

Jordyn Fouts, English and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Christine Kern, Associate Professor, Honors College
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“How to Raise a Life: The Theology of Resurrection in A Tale of Two Cities”

Erin Gaffney, Psychology and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Christine Kern, Associate Professor, Honors College
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“‘Recalled to Life:’ Uncovering the Resurrectional Structure in A Tale of Two Cities”

Olivia Huizar, Music Education and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Christine Kern, Associate Professor, Honors College
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Half-Victim, Half-Villain: The Mob and Melodramatic Aesthetics in A Tale of Two Cities”

Kaylee Royster, Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Christine Kern, Associate Professor, Honors College
Venue: Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Symposium, Johns Hopkins University (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Challenges and Strategies: School Administrators’ Perspectives on the Impact of COVID-19 on Low-Income School Districts”

Tatyahna Costello, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama, Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
Venue: Social Work Symposium, the University of Memphis (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Assessing Social Work Competencies: Student Perspectives on Vignette-Based Assessments”

Dominique Hernandez, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
Venue: Social Work Symposium, University of Memphis (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Challenges and Strategies: School Administrators’ Perspectives on the Impact of COVID-19 on Low-Income School Districts”

Tatyahna Costello, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
Venue: Annual National Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) Conference (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Assessing Social Work Competencies: Student Perspectives on Vignette-Based Assessments”

Dominique Hernandez, Social Work
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
Venue: Annual National Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) Conference (April)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Analysis of the 2D Complex Ginzburg-Landau Equation Using the Singular Value Decomposition”

Emily Gottry, Applied Mathematics and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Edwin Ding, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics
Venue: Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Research Conference (March)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Molecular Dynamics Simulations of F1-ATPase with GPU Supercomputer”

Matthew Anderson, Physics
Faculty-Mentor: Sandor Volkán-Kascó, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics
Venue: 65^th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society (February)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

“Evaluation of P. Denitrificans F1-ATPase Rotary Motion Using Automated Methods to Detect Hidden States”

Nathan Suiter, Systems Engineering and Honors Humanities
Faculty-Mentor: Sandor Volkán-Kascó, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics
Venue: 65^th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society (February)
ONLINE FORMAT DUE TO COVID-19

Undergraduate Research Showcase

In fall 2016, we launched a new initiative: the Undergraduate Research Showcase. The showcase began a new and exciting university-wide tradition of highlighting the achievements of undergraduates who produce important original research, present at academic conferences, and/or publish in academic journals. Each showcase includes energetic conversations among student-faculty research teams from a variety of disciplines, providing them a platform to describe the origins, challenges, and benefits of their research experience before an audience of their peers. Faculty-mentors are present to answer questions about their role in the process. See below for a list of past and upcoming showcases.

2021-22 (Virtual Showcases)

One

Undergraduate Social Work Students’ Attitudes Toward Diverse Gender and Sexual Identities at Azusa Pacific University: Implications for BSW Education
Undergraduate Researcher: Chloé DePledge, Sociology Major
Faculty-Mentor: Anupama Jacob, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work

The Impact of Christian Parents’ Attitudes on Their Homosexual Children’s Faith Development
Undergraduate Researcher: Mudi Li, Psychology Major/Honors minor
Faculty-Mentors: Kathryn Ecklund, PhD, Professor and Chair, and Andrew Shelton, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

Two

Deterrence and Mutually Assured Destruction in the Age of Ballistic Missile Defense Systems
Student Researcher: Abigail Brown, International Relations and Honors Humanities Major
Faculty-Mentor: Daniel Palm, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of History and Political Science

Kinesiophobia Prevalence among College Athletes
Student Researcher: Lindsey McNeely, Kinesiology Major
Faculty-Mentor: Robert Dudley, PhD(c), Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology

2017-18

One

Quaker Peacemaker? Richard Nixon and the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty with the Soviet Union
Undergraduate Researcher: Zachary Fuhr, History Major
Faculty-Mentor: Ethan Schrum, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of History and Political Science

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Femoral Cartilage Thickness in Ultramarathon Runners
Undergraduate Researcher: Rachel Lundblom, Applied Exercise Science Major/Psychology Minor
Faculty-Mentor: Robert Dudley, MS, Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology

Two

Investigating the Epistemology of Testimony as it Relates to Self-Worth
Undergraduate Researcher: Cherrish Hardy, Philosophy Major/Humanities and Sociology Minor
Faculty-Mentors: Rico Vitz, PhD, Professor and Chair, and Teri Merrick, PhD, Professor, School of Theology

Genetic Engineering of Immune Cells with Costimulatory Chimeras for Enhanced Anti-tumor Targeting
Undergraduate Researcher: Abel Castro, Biology Major
Faculty-Mentor: Megan Prosser, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Biology and Chemistry

Opportunities at Freedom: Victims of Human Trafficking and Development of Psychological Capital (PSYCap)
Undergraduate Researcher: Peter John Nishimoto, Nursing Major
Faculty-Mentor: Cheryl Boyd, MSN, RN, APRN-CNS, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Three

Measuring the Effects of Nature and Urban Sounds on Directed Attention
Undergraduate Researcher: Bri Askew, Psychology Major
Faculty-Mentor: Teresa Pegors, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

2016-17

One

Art or Propaganda: The Use of Words During the Harlem Renaissance
Undergraduate Researcher: Gabrielle Lawrence-Cormier, English Major
Faculty Mentor: Patricia Andujo, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of English

Identifying Facilitators and Barriers to Health Care in Victims and Survivors of Human Sex Trafficking in America
Undergraduate Researcher: Sarah Corr, Nursing Major
Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Boyd, MSN, RN, APRN-CNS, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Two

A Shifting Nature of the Divine: Causes for Western Kenya’s Theological Breakaway from European Christianity and the Birth of the Independent Church Movement in Nyanza Province
Undergraduate Researcher: Brannon Muya, History Major/Theology Minor
Faculty Mentor: Verónica A. Gutiérrez, MFA, PhD, Director, Undergraduate Research; Associate Professor, Department of History and Political Science

Overexpression of GFP-tagged KAP3 in Cell Culture Shows Specific Subcellular Localization Patterns and Effects on Cell Morphology Involving Disruption of the Actin Cytoskeleton
Undergraduate Researcher: James MacAtangay
Faculty Advisor: Matthew Berezuk, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry

Three

Minding the ‘Unbridgeable Gap’: The Future of Conscientious Objection in a Secular Age
Undergraduate Researcher: Alain Julian León, Philosophy Major
Faculty Mentor: Rico Vitz, PhD, Professor and Chair, School of Theology
Published: Alain Julian León and Rico Vitz. Christian Bioethics Journal: Non-Ecumenical Studies in Medical Morality (Oxford University Press): Volume 23, Issue 2, pp. 149–168 (August 2017)

Two-dimensional Discrete Solitons in a Lattice With Embedded PT-symmetric Defect
Undergraduate Researcher: Kevin Frank, Math Major
Faculty Mentor: Edwin Ding, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Physics

Four

Helping the Homeless: A Model of Public and Private Sector Partnership in Los Angeles County
Undergraduate Researcher: Tess Scherkenback, Political Science Major
Faculty Mentor: Abbylin Sellers, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of History and Political Science

Creating Culture-Specific False Memories
Undergraduate Researcher: Hyun (Hannah) Seo Lee, Psychology Major
Faculty Mentor: Benjamin Marsh, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology; Director, Common Day of Learning

Scholarly Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Award

Azusa Pacific University’s Scholarly Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Award—which requires a dean’s nomination—funds competitive research grant proposals written by undergraduates to work under the guidance of full-time faculty-mentors. For the purposes of this award, the Council on Undergraduate Research defines undergraduate research as “an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.”¹ The goal of SURE is to foster a culture of undergraduate research by:

Promoting undergraduate student/faculty research dyads
Encouraging the undergraduate research experience
Supporting the undergraduate grant writing process
Providing an opportunity for undergraduate students to finesse their research findings for presentation at an academic conference and/or for publication

Since its inception in 2013, SURE has funded 58 student/faculty dyads from across the disciplines, resulting in multiple professional conference presentations, several peer-reviewed publications, participation in APU’s Undergraduate Research Showcases, and at least one national award (2016 SURE recipient Tess Scherkenback received an American Enterprise Institute grant). This important funding opportunity has significantly increased the quantity and quality of APU’s vibrant undergraduate research efforts.

For more information, see our SURE promotional video.

The SURE award program is on hold until further notice. Applications for this program are not being accepted at this time.

Past Recipients

2022-23

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Spirocyclic Small Molecules as Anticancer Drugs
Cheyenne Woon, Biochemistry (Mentor: Kevin Huang, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry)

Addressing Barriers to Health Care and Public Health Interventions Among Vulnerable Populations in Mae Sot, Thailand, and Ensenada, Mexico
Julia Michaella Mercado, Nursing (Mentor: Koy Parada, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing)

Interpersonal Violence: Capturing the Voices of Students at a Faith-Based Institution
Sara Delfina Posadas, Criminal Justice and Spanish (Mentor: Candice Williams, PhD, Chair and Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice

2021-22

Automatically Classifying Stochastic Functions Using Deep Learning
Will Cook, Engineering (Mentor: James Yeh, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics

Investigation into the SmMAK16 protein and its role in rRNA through a zinc finger motif
Hannah Kersemeier, Biochemistry and Honors Humanities (Mentor: Jon Milhon, PhD, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry

Exploring the rational drug design process in the synthesis and evaluation of novel spirocyclic small molecules
Ye Seong (Dave) Koo, Biochemistry; Psychology minor (Mentor: Kevin Huang, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry

Our Backs to Eden: Toward an Eschatology Informed by Darwin
Emmalyn Morgan, Psychology and Honors Humanities (Mentor: Joshua Morris, PhD, Professor, Honors College)

Metabolic studies in Gromphadorhina portentosa
Justin Soliman, Biology and Honors Humanities (Mentor: Kenneth Sossa, PhD, Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry)

The Making of The Uses of the University
Cade Wallrath, History (Mentor: Ethan Schrum, Associate Professor of History, Department of History and Political Science)

2020-21

Deterrence and Mutually Assured Destruction in the Age of Ballistic Missile Defense Systems
Abigail Brown, International Relations and Honors Humanities (Mentor: Daniel Palm, PhD, Chair, Department of History and Political Science)

Philosophical Tension: The Apprenticeship/Mentorship Model of Learning vs. the Democratization of Learning Environments
Peter Cooley, Music Education and Honors Humanities (Mentor: John Burdett, EdD, Department of Music Studies)

Undergraduate Social Work Students’ Attitudes Toward Diverse Gender and Sexual Identities at Azusa Pacific University: Implications for BSW Education
Chloé DePledge, Social Work, (Mentor: Anupama Jacob, PhD, Department of Social Work)

The Church, Abortion, and Reproductive Injustice: Reframing Abortion Rhetoric
Anna Disser, Social Work (Mentor: Jennifer Buck, PhD, School of Theology)

Systems Engineering for a Satellite Network Alternative to Black Boxes for Aircraft
Karina Gray, Engineering (Mentor: George Thomas, PhD, Chair, Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics)

The Impact of Christian Parents’ Attitudes on Their Homosexual Children’s Faith Development
Mudi Li, Psychology; Honors Humanities minor (Mentors: Andrew Shelton, PhD, and Kathryn Ecklund, PhD, Chair, Department of Psychology

Kinesiophobia Prevalence among College Athletes
Lindsey McNeely, Kinesiology (Mentor: Robert Dudley, PhD (Cand) Department of Kinesiology)

Race/Ethnicity, Social Class, and Cultural Variables on Mental Health Effects of COVID-19
Karmanjeet Singh, Psychology (Mentor: Andrew Shelton, PhD, Department of Psychology)

2019-20

SURE Awards canceled due to COVID-19.

2018-19

Music Fundamentals for Children with Disabilities
Miguel Álvarez-Díaz III (Mentor: Alexander Koops, DMA (Department of Music Studies)

American Christianity and the Concept of the Secular in the Mid-Twentieth Century
Elissabeth Buckles (Mentor: Ethan Schrum, PhD, Department of History and Political Science)

Identifying Common and Unique Factors of Math Performance Using 2015 PISA Data: A Cross-cultural Comparison by Big Data Analytics
Lydia Gaid (Mentor: Chong Ho (Alex) Yu, PhD, Department of Psychology)

Progress Towards an Efficient Synthesis of Allicin
Amelia Gray (Mentor: Kevin S. Huang, PhD, Department of Biology and Chemistry)

Music of Hispanic Influence: Compositions for School Instrumental Music Ensembles
Olivia Huizar (Mentor: John Burdett, EdD, Department of Music Studies)

A Theological Case Against Fast Fashion
Moriah Lorris (Mentor: Jennifer Buck, PhD, School of Theology)

The Religious Origins of the Mixtec Transnational Community (withdrew)
Kevin McDaniel (Mentor: Bryan Lamkin, PhD, Department of History and Political Science)

The Conscious Machine
Bell’aria Sarian (Mentor: Joshua Rasmussen, PhD, School of Theology)

2017-18

Emotional Suppression Between College Roommates
Sierra Bridge and Anna Dickinson (Mentor: Courtney Davis, PhD, Department of Organizational Leadership and Communication)

Cultural Competence in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Azusa, California
Juliana D’Aoust (Mentors: Priscila Díaz Castañeda, PhD, and Kathryn Ecklund, PhD, Department of Psychology)

Bridging the Research-Practice Divide: Barrier Identification to Field-based Research Implementation in Social Work Practice
Martha Floyd (Mentors: Anupama Jacob, PhD, and Amy Tauati, MSW, Department of Social Work)

Saving the Secular Mystic: Charles Taylor on the Romantics
Jensen A. Kirkendall (Mentor: Adam Green, PhD, School of Theology)

Spirocyclic Heterocycles as Potential Drug Candidates for the Treatment of Cancer Cells
Jordan Mar (Mentor: Kevin S. Huang, PhD, Department of Biology and Chemistry)

Chief Health Complaints and Barriers to Follow-up Care in Los Angeles County’s Diverse Homeless Populations of Skid Row, Pasadena, East San Gabriel Valley, and Hollywood (Withdrew)
Diane Lexi Neypes (Mentor: Koy Parada, MPH, PhD(c), School of Nursing)

Exploring Complex Religious Responses to Trauma: Associations between Religious Coping, Posttraumatic Stress, and Posttraumatic Growth
Emma Steele (Mentor: Curtis Lehmann, PhD, Department of Psychology)

All Hail King Killmonger: A Study of the Construction of Black Identity in Popular Culture (Withdrew)
Lee Vaugh (Mentor: Christopher Noble, PhD, Department of English/High Sierra Program)

2016-17

Measuring the Effects of Nature and Urban Sounds on Directed Attention
Bri Askew (Mentor: Teresa Pegors, PhD, Department of Psychology)

10GHz and 24GHz Doppler Radars for Automobile Traffic Flow Optimization
Ryan Brown (Mentor: Rick Sturdivant, PhD, Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics)

Genetic Engineering of Immune Cells with Costimulatory Chimeras for Enhanced Anti-tumor Targeting
Abel de Castro (Mentor: Megan Prosser, PhD, Department of Biology and Chemistry)

Quaker Peacemaker? Richard Nixon and the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty with the Soviet Union
Zachary Fuhr (Mentor: Ethan Schrum, PhD, Department of History and Political Science)

Published: Fuhr, Zachary. “Hot Line Ring: Richard Nixon and the Hot Line Modernization Agreement of 1971,” History Matters: An Undergraduate Journal of Historical Research (Appalachian State University): Volume 15 (May 2018)

Investigating the Epistemology of Testimony as it Relates to Self-worth
Cherrish Hardy (Mentors: Rico Vitz, PhD, and Teri Merrick, PhD, School of Theology)

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Femoral Cartilage Thickness in Ultramarathon Runners
Rachel Lundblom (Mentor: Robert Dudley, MS, Department of Exercise and Sport Science)

Opportunities at Freedom: Victims of Human Trafficking and Development of Psychological Capital (PSYCap)
Alex Nishimoto (Mentor: Cheryl Boyd, PhD, APRN, Department of Nursing)

Neuroprotective Effects of 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 on Human Pericytes or Human Astrocytes Using Oxygen Glucose Deprivation (OGD)
Austin Santiago (Mentor: Kathleen Tallman, PhD, Department of Biology and Chemistry)

2015-16

Identifying Facilitators and Barriers to Health Care in Victims and Survivors of Human Sex Trafficking in America
Sarah Corr (Mentor: Cheryl Boyd, PhD, APRN, Department of Nursing)

Presented at:
- Western Institute of Nursing, Denver, Colorado (April 2017)
- APU School of Nursing Research Symposium (March 2017)
- APU Common Day of Learning as “Sex Trafficking: What To Know and What To Do” (March 2017)

Two-dimensional Discrete Solitons in a Lattice with Embedded PT-symmetric Defect
Kevin Frank (Mentor: Edwin Ding, PhD, Department of Mathematics and Physics)

Art or Propaganda: The Use of Words during the Harlem Renaissance
Gabrielle Lawrence-Cormier (Mentor: Patricia Andujo, PhD, Department of English)

Co-presented (with Patricia Andujo) at:
- Conference on Christianity and Literature, California Baptist University, Riverside, California (May 2016)

Creating Culture-specific False Memories
Hyun Seo Lee (Mentor: Benjamin Marsh, PhD, Department of Undergraduate Psychology)

Minding the ‘Unbridgeable Gap’: The Future of Conscientious Objection in a Secular Age
Alain León (Mentor: Rico Vitz, PhD, School of Theology)

Published: Alain Julian León and Rico Vitz. Christian Bioethics Journal: Non-Ecumenical Studies in Medical Morality (Oxford University Press): Volume 23, Issue 2, pp. 149-168 (August 2017)

Overexpression of GFP-tagged KAP3 in Cell Culture Shows Specific Subcellular Localization Patterns and Effects on Cell Morphology Involving Disruption of the Actin Cytoskeleton
James Macatangay (Mentor: Matthew Berezuk, PhD, Department of Biology and Chemistry)

Helping the Homeless: A Model of Public and Private Sector Partnership in Los Angeles County
Tess Scherkenback (Mentor: Abbylin Sellers, PhD, Department of History and Political Science)

Awarded:
- Values and Capitalism Young Scholar Award, American Enterprise Institute, 2016-2017
- Outstanding Political Science Major 2017
Presented at:
- Glendora City Council (Spring 2017)
- Glendora Chamber of Commerce Legislative Action Committee (Spring 2017)
- Project defense before a panel of policy experts on homelessness and poverty at the American Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC (April 2017)
Published: Scherkenback, Tess. “Helping the Homeless: A Model of Public- and Private-Sector Partnership in Los Angeles County,” Values & Capitalism (American Enterprise Institute): pp. 107-144 (Spring 2017)

Transfiguration on Forked River Mountain
Megan Wood (Mentor: Brent Everett Dickinson, MFA, Department of Art)

2014-15

Special Olympics—Reach Up
Eric Alirez (Mentor: Warren Koch, PhD, School of the Arts)

Using Spiritual Assessment Questionnaires in Clinical Practice
Katrina Donato (Mentor: Connie Brehm, PhD, FNP, PHN, RN, Department of Nursing)

The Divine Energies and the End of Human Life
Marissa Espinoza (Mentor Rico Vitz, PhD, School of Theology)

Determinants of Labor Participation and Wages Before and After Cancer: Evidence from Structural Break Estimation
Austin Fleming (Mentor: Elwin Tobing, PhD, Business and Management)

Co-precipitation of SmMAK16 and Alpha Importin from Schistosoma Mansoni
Amanda Iavasile (Mentor: Jon Milhon, PhD, Department of Biology and Chemistry)

At the Heart of Morality Lies Neuro-Visceral Integration: Lower Cardiac Vagal Tone Predicts Utilitarian Moral Judgment
Matthew Kriege (Mentor: Gewnhi Park, PhD, Department of Undergraduate Psychology)

Graphs with Small Zero-diagonal Minimum Rank Over Z3
Josiah Lehman-Schletewitz (Mentors: Johannes André Harmse, PhD, and Sharon McCathern, PhD, Department of Mathematics and Physics)

Appropriating Shakespeare: Coleridge’s Reception of Shakespeare as Criticism
Elizabeth McIntosh (Mentor: Michael Smith, MFA, EdD, Department of English)

2013-14

Réflexion Fatale
Carolyn Albaugh (Mentor: Bill Catling, MFA, Department of Art)

Evaluation of Anti-CXCR2 Small Molecule Inhibitors as Novel Chemotherapy Targeting the Interleukin-8 Pathway in Colorectal Cancer
Yinghui (Jane) Huang (Mentor: Melissa LaBonte Wilson, PhD, Department of Biology and Chemistry)

Against Indifference: The Me’am Lo’ez and Compassion for the Other
Andrew Soria (Mentor: Carole Lambert, PhD, Department of English)

Home and Career for Men and Women: An Analysis of Career Aspiration, Religiosity, and Gender Role Ideology
Samuel Vaudrey (Annie Tsai, PhD, Department of Undergraduate Psychology)

Footnotes

Based on the Council on Undergraduate Research’s definition of undergraduate research.