Undergraduate Research Grants Awarded
November 18, 2024
Photo collage of Undergraduate Research Grant Awardees 2024.
The Global Change Center remains dedicated to fostering the research endeavors of undergraduate students through our Undergraduate Research Grant program. Our 2024 recipients are engaged in remarkable research projects, delving into topics such as antimicrobial resistance, impacts of urbanization, microplastic contamination, invasive species, and more, in collaboration with GCC faculty. The research grants for this year, with funding totals over $14,000, are supporting eighteen projects led by nineteen exceptional undergraduate students representing twelve different undergraduate majors.
We extend our congratulations to the following students for being awarded this year's GCC undergraduate research grants!
Effect of pesticide presence on fish and macroinvertebrate community composition across the Tom’s Creek watershed.
Sage Albers, Fish Conservation
Working with Dr. Holly Kindsvater
Sage will sample 11 sites across the Tom’s Creek watershed in order to estimate the relative abundance of fish and macroinvertebrate species and test for the presence of pesticides. The findings from this study could be used to make inferences about the impact of agricultural and residential pesticide usage on nearby water sources and the resident insect and insectivorous fish populations.
Understanding the impacts of elevated temperature on potato productivity using genetic engineering approaches.
Sinclair Anderson, Environmental Science
Working with Dr. Courtney Leisner
Sinclair aims to develop efficient approaches to genetic transformation in the potato by maintaining five cultivars of potato tissue and testing which factors positively impact transformation efficiency. Outcomes from this work will produce higher efficiency transformation rates in the potato and enable genetic engineering of more climate-resilient potato cultivars.
What are the factors driving Aedes japonicus mosquitoes’ invasive success?
Helle Aronson, Biochemistry
Working with Dr. Chloé Lahondère
Helle will conduct behavioral and physiological assays to determine the thermotolerance and the effect of temperature on the activity of Ae. japonicus mosquitoes. She will also conduct biochemical assays to quantify the nutrient content of adults to get insights into their energy reserves. This project will create a better understanding of the factors helping these mosquitoes invade new areas.
Relative abundance of juvenile bluehead chub, Nocomis leptocephalus, following drought in Tom’s Creek
Jonah Bowser, Fish Conservation
Working with Dr. Holly Kindsvater
Jonah will use comparative data from the 2015 and 2021 surveys as a measurement of the health and well-being of the bluehead chub in Tom’s Creek as he conducts a survey of the number and size of the juveniles of this keystone species in the pre-established 11 test sites across this watershed. Performing this study now ensures the continuation of the approximate 5-year testing cycle.
The impacts of the relationship between endocrine-disrupting compounds and microplastics on freshwater crayfish reproductive health
Nina Cava, Environmental Science
Working with Dr. Bryan Brown
Using experimental laboratory enclosures, Nina’s project investigates how microplastics influence reproductive hormones in crayfish. Her work will allow a greater understanding of the broader scope of the relationship and impact between microplastics in aqueous environments and freshwater ecosystem health.
Nutrient analysis in loblolly pine: A dendrochronological approach
Reid Flessa, Environmental Resource Management
Working with Dr. Brian Strahm
Reid will collect tree core samples of loblolly pine at two experiment sites in the southeastern United States that receive different rates each of nitrogen and phosphorus, this will help determine the uptake and allocation of nutrients. The results could provide information to help land managers be more thoughtful in fertilization techniques.
Connecting morphological, behavioral, and genetic variation in Erimystax chubs
Wynn Haslam, Biology & Fish Conservation
Working with Dr. Paul Angermeier & Dr. Emmanuel Frimpong
Wynn seeks to better understand the differences between Erimystax chubs found in the Clinch and Powell Rivers. The aim of this research is to answer whether the morphological variation is related to genetic variation, if there is interspecific hybridization and if reproductive behaviors differ. Data will be assessed, and DNA will be analyzed. The outcome will be a written report and more information on species preservation will be generated.
The effects of urbanization on neural organization in wild song sparrows
Sakshi Kaul, Neuroscience
Working with Dr. Kendra Sewall
To better understand the effects of urbanization on wildlife, Sakshi will compare the Arginine vasotocin neuropeptide during development in the brain of urban and rural Melospiza melodia (song sparrows) using immunohistochemistry. This study is a means of determining the significance of animal interaction with our built environment.
Impacts of siltation on community composition and spatial distribution of stream fish ecological guilds in Tom’s Creek
Nathaniel Lambert, Fish Conservation
Working with Dr. Holly Kindsvater
Nathaniel will use the previously developed 11 sampling locations along Tom’s Creek to electrify fish and assess thalweg depth, flow, substrate composition and fish community composition; specific comparison will be made between benthic species and silt levels. Findings can be used to create impact models.
Investigating the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes in Salmonella Typhimurium through horizontal gene transfer
Leela Ohri, Biochemistry; National Security & Foreign Affairs
Working with Dr. Jingqiu Liao
Leela will profile antimicrobial resistance genes in Salmonella using a BLAST analysis against the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database based on Whole-Genome Sequencing data. She will then perform a population genetics analysis in combination with statistical tests to identify evidence of horizontal gene transfer and quantify its frequency. The purpose of this study is to advance the knowledge of the diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes in Salmonella in different hosts and environments and enhance our ability to tailor future treatments for maximum effectiveness.
The effectiveness of at-home water filters at removing PFAS and camping straws at removing microplastics
Kathryn Ouimet, Biological Sciences
Working with Dr. Austin Gray
Kathryn will test the effectiveness of home water filters and camping straws. By adding known concentrations of PFAS in water, then using the filters and straws for the course of their life span, then testing the number of particles in the straw or filter, it can be determined whether the products are effective. This project aims to draw attention to inaccurate marketing or ineffective products, helping to ensure the health of the consumer.
Assessment of ticks sampled from hunted deer in southwestern Virginia for Powassan Virus
Anjali Pamulapati, Systems Biology
Working with Dr. Gillian Eastwood
Anjali will check for the presence of Powassan Virus in ticks harvested from deer hunted and checked in 2021. This study seeks patterns of the pathogen’s persistence in Virginia.
An empirical analysis of the levee effect
Sarah Paz, Civil Engineering
Working with Dr. Landon Marston
Using the National Levee Database, Sarah will empirically examine the levee effect across the United States through data driven analysis and different econometric and machine learning models. This study will create an understanding of socio-environmental impacts of flood infrastructure and could help inform policy and engineering approaches to floodplain management.
Fig-Fig wasp interactions in the Mariana Islands
Nathaniel Salzberg, Wildlife Conservation
Working with Dr. Haldre Rogers
Nathaniel seeks to identify which fig wasps are pollinating the two most common types of fig trees in the Mariana Islands, and whether those species differ between islands. Through species imaging and DNA samples, this data will be the first of its kind in this area.
Mosquito vector diversity, feeding behavior, and arbovirus presence in rural counties of western Virginia
Gavyn Sanford, Biological Sciences
Working with Dr. Gillian Eastwood & Dr. Chloé Lahondère
Gavyn will use mosquito specimens captured along the rural I-81 corridor of Western Virginia in the summer of 2024. The specimens will be identified, then the bloodmeals inside them will be tested for presence of arbovirus. This study will generate awareness of mosquito ecology, arboviral risk and build a vector database for underserved communities in rural western Virginia.
Development of conservation and management procedures for critically endangered Peter’s Mountain Mallow (Iliamna corei)
Benjamin Sapperstein, Biological Systems Engineering
Quinlan Campbell, Environmental Data Science
Working with Dr. J. Leighton Reid
Working alongside The Nature Conservancy and the Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Benjamin and Quinlan will map the area where the endangered Peter’s Mountain Mallow grows, improve the growing area, and create a recorded survey of the status of the species. The aim of this project is to establish collaboration among stakeholders, generate data on the status of the species, and create a more conducive environment for the existing plants to thrive.
Classification of Piedmont Grassland Plant Communities
Ezra Staengl, Wildlife Conservation
Working with Dr. J. Leighton Reid
Ezra will describe and classify grassland communities from a dataset of over 200 modified Whittaker sample plots taken throughout the Virginia Piedmont. Using hierarchical clustering, non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination, and indicator species analysis of these plots, then comparing them to plots from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, it can be determined if Piedmont grasslands should be reclassified. Grassland classification informs restoration and conservation measures.
Evaluating Changes in Illicit Drug Levels in Surface Water Before and After Virginia Tech Football Games
Tessa Thibodeau, Biological Sciences
Working with Dr. Austin Gray
Tessa seeks to determine the impact of illicit drugs at live sporting events on fresh surface water. By testing water samples at five streams near the Virginia Tech before and after home football games and comparing the results of those samples, an understanding of how large sporting events and environmental variables interact can be ascertained.
The Global Change Center at Virginia Tech, with support from the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, is proud to sponsor undergraduate students and their research projects that align with our mission for advancing collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to address critical global changes impacting the environment and society. Supported projects address basic and/or applied aspects of global change science, engineering, social science and the humanities and are sponsored by a GCC Faculty mentor.
