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CSUB students recognized for research efforts

Students provided presentations on their work as part of Student Research Competition

By California State University, Bakersfield

April 19^th, 2023

More than 40 California State University, Bakersfield students came together last month to show off their research projects as part of the university’s annual Student Research Competition.

Each student had 10 minutes to provide an oral presentation of their work before a jury and the general audience, with three to four additional minutes reserved for responding to questions. Students were sorted based on the category of their research or creative activity.

Presentations were judged based on several criteria, including clarity of purpose, interpretation of results, the value of the project and the ability of the presenter to articulate their research.

Presenters included current undergraduate and graduate students as well as a few alumni who received their degrees in 2022.

Here is more information on the 2023 competition’s top winners:

BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

CSUB students recognized for research efforts

First place: Nora Alammari, undergraduate

Project: Effects of sucrose exposure during the adolescent period on operant novelty seeking in male and female rats

Alammari’s study focuses on how rats react to sugar and how their sensation-seeking behavior is similar to that of drug addiction. For this study, an animal model of sensation-seeking called operant novelty seeking is used to measure this behavior. Through the model, the rats respond to novel sensory reinforcers such as lights and tones.

“It’s known that exposure to drugs during adolescence increases future susceptibility to drug addiction, yet little is known about the effects of adolescent sucrose exposure,” Alammari said. “This study investigated how exposure to sucrose during adolescence affects drug-associated behaviors such as sensation-seeking in adulthood.”

The study found that animals exposed to sucrose during adolescence — especially females — exhibited greater degrees of operant novelty seeking.

Alammari said the research is crucial because “it investigates the neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms that underlie susceptibility to drug addiction. This study is important for contributing to the current knowledge base on drug addiction and in preventing future drug use by determining whether early life experiences, such as chronic exposure to sugar, increase engagement in drug-associated behaviors in adulthood.”

Alammari is a senior majoring in psychology with a minor in biology. After graduation, she plans to pursue her Ph.D. in neuroscience.

First place: Natasha Selene, graduate

Project: Exploring Men’s Ideal Self

Selene’s study explores participants’ thoughts and behaviors involving exercise, specifically the impact of their mental health and perceptions of intimacy and masculinity.

Selene said taking the time out of her studies and other responsibilities to do this research was challenging for her. However, she feels it’s been worth it, especially since she’s been recognized as part of the competition.

“To win and to be able to represent CSUB as a graduate student for the 37th annual CSU Student Research Competition is an extraordinary feeling!” she said. “I started at CSUB as an undergrad who did not want to do research at all and now look at me! I continued and gained more personal and academic experience while still doing my research.”

Selene is a graduate student pursuing her master’s in psychology.

BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURE SCIENCES

First place: Sarah Alame, graduate

Project: The allelopathic effects of bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum, on interspecific interactions

Alame, a biology graduate student, earned first place for her research on a plant (bracken fern) that produces and releases toxic chemicals to outcompete neighboring plants. Specifically, her research looks at how these chemicals differ depending on environmental factors like geographic location and climate patterns. She is also interested in how bracken ferns negatively affect the establishment and growth of nearby plants.

“We are already seeing the negative effects of climate change in both our environments as well as in natural ecological systems,” Alame said. “Climate change enables these aggressive plants to establish themselves in unfamiliar areas where they then thrive and outcompete other plants, potentially altering their entire ecosystem, which could have serious consequences for the overall state of the natural world.”

This summer Alame will collect samples throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and the California coast to continue her research. Back in the lab, the samples’ chemicals will be

analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography, which will tell her what chemicals were found in the sample and the quantity of those chemicals.

Alame said winning first place in her category is a big accomplishment and that she is proud of her progress in the biology master’s program. Soon, she will share her research in the CSU Student Research Competition in San Diego.

“Competing in the statewide competition is both very exciting and a bit intimidating as I will be presenting alongside other scholars,” she said. “Nonetheless, I am confident in my ability to present my research efficiently, and I wish everyone competing the best of luck!”

Second place: Julnar Al Azzam, undergraduate

Project: Investigation into Enzymatic Sulfur Reduction in Fossil Fuels

Biochemistry major Al Azzam’s research focuses on producing an enzyme from genetic information taken from an archaea (a microorganism similar to bacteria) found in the hydrothermal vents of the Okinawa Trough in Japan (Pyrococcus horikoshii).

Coenzyme A Disulfide Reductase, or CoADR, is significant because of its ability to reduce disulfide bonds to hydrogen sulfide, which is gaseous under most conditions.

“The hope is that this enzyme can be optimized for use in extracting the main pollutants of fossil fuels; sulfur,” Al Azzam said. “I was very interested in the aspect of using biochemistry for applications toward caring for the environment, finding new uses for enzymes outside of biological applications.”

Al Azzam explained that fossil fuels burned with sulfur produce sulfates, which are harmful to the environment. The current method to combat this — hydrodesulfurization — uses a large amount of energy at high temperatures and pressures, along with harsh chemical catalysts. If successful, an enzymatic approach would replace this intensive process and offer a cleaner way of purifying fossil fuels, she said.

“Just having the support and opportunity to present my work has been an amazing and encouraging experience,” Al Azzam said of the Student Research Competition. “Personally, it’s easy for me to lose sight of what I'm doing and feel like I'm not trying hard enough, and that sometimes makes me lose motivation. However, having so many of my peers be so supportive and caring, as well as the immense support from my professors and Dr. Lopez, always keeps me on track.”

CREATIVE ARTS AND DESIGN

First place: Vanessa Beltran, undergraduate

Project: When I Was Your Age

Beltran’s play “When I Was Your Age” tells the story of a first-generation family. After a birthday celebration brings the protagonist back home after a long time away, the family is forced to come to grips with deep-rooted issues of toxic masculinity, mental illness and generational trauma.

“This story is my love letter and a plea to my culture,” she said. “My goal isn't to point fingers or create victims; I am merely starting a dialogue about healing, holding up a mirror that my community and others like it will recognize and perhaps start the conversation.”

Beltran, who is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in theater, said having her work recognized as part of the Student Research Competition was amazing and that it “has only fueled my aspirations and encouraged me to continue this dialogue — a dialogue that I hope will be represented on and off stage.”

EDUCATION

First place: Alondra Ramirez, graduate

Project: Supporting STEM majors with an interest in pursuing careers in teaching

Ramirez’s project involved looking for ways to better support CSUB students who are interested in becoming teachers as they transition from a STEM undergraduate program to the university’s credential program.

The goal of the project was to identify obstacles for students who will have a degree in a STEM field and help them find their way to the credential program and, eventually, to a classroom.

“This project is incredibly relevant as the nation — and more specifically, Kern County — goes through a teacher shortage and schools are looking for educators with a degree in the subject/content area that they plan to teach in,” she said.

Ramirez said winning first place in the education category of the competition felt like a great accomplishment.

“I have hopes of one day doing more research with math education and this competition, along with my win, feels like an amazing place to begin,” she said. “I really am grateful for the community at CSUB and for the wonderful faculty mentor I found in Dr. Aubrey Kemp!”

Ramirez is a graduate student who is pursuing her teaching credential.

Second place: Tim Lafond, graduate

Project: Thoughtful `Runners Enacting Environmental Solutions (T.R.E.E.S.)

Lafond’s research project features in-depth interviews with CSUB faculty and staff aimed at encouraging university and community leaders to make climate change action plans and policy recommendations that will move the region toward a carbon-negative future.

“CSUB should feel a moral obligation to do everything it can to lead the region toward a carbon-negative future by planting the seeds of inspiration into the minds of our educational beehive,” he said. “Home-grown solutions are possible, and this research project hopes to learn from our own to lead toward achieving a carbon-negative future.

The project stresses that sustainable stewardship is critical to the future growth and success of educational institutions such as CSUB and that decisions that faculty, staff and students make today will have lasting impacts in the future.

“Despite the impacts of climate change, we still can utilize our treasured resources — these public lands and our institutional, interdisciplinary knowledge — to combat the issue,” Lafond said. “CSUB should be a leading force in negative carbon emissions and environmental justice while also tending to and beautifying these previously well-tended lands by the Kitanemuk people of the Tejon Tribe. With thoughtful `Runners enacting environmental solutions today, future `Runners in our community may breathe a little easier.”

HEALTH, NUTRITION AND CLINICAL SERVICES

First place: Manish Ghimire, graduate

Project: Repeated remote ischemic preconditioning attenuates arterial stiffness and hemodynamic measures in healthy young prehypertensive adults

Ghimire’s research is about using repeated remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) to reduce arterial stiffness and improve cardiovascular function. The RIPC process consists of three or four cycles of five minutes of blood flow blockage followed by five minutes of normal blood flow, which has shown to improve cardiovascular function.

While RIPC has previously been found to have several benefits, including improved endothelial function and neuromuscular performance, Ghimire said its effect on arterial stiffness has not been measured before.

“This research is important because it is novel and repeated RIPC could potentially be used as an alternative intervention to attenuate arterial stiffness, as well as blood pressure,” Ghimire said.

Ghimire appreciates being recognized for his research and is looking forward to sharing it with more people.

“I felt great when I saw my name as the winner in our category. Now I get a chance to present and showcase our work at the statewide CSU competition,” he said.

Ghimire is a graduate student majoring in kinesiology.

HUMANITIES AND LETTERS

First place: Gabriel Moore, undergraduate

Project: Two Chinatowns With Only an Alley Left

Moore’s project showcases the history of the Chinese community in Kern County and the vital role it has played in shaping the region into what it is today. The goal of the research was to highlight contributions, such as in the area of agriculture, that are often overlooked or generalized in local history.

“This research is important for acknowledging and appreciating the role Kern County's Chinese community has had in shaping our region rather than continuing to perpetuate historical narratives that have been born out of stereotypes,” he said.

Moore, a senior who is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in history, said he enjoyed participating in the Student Research Competition.

“I am extremely grateful for being awarded first place in this competition, but more than anything, I am excited that others have found interest in this topic,” he said.

First place: Zachary Powell, graduate

Project: Behind the Science of Conservation: Muir’s Similarities and Differences to Contemporaries

Powell’s project covers the uniqueness of John Muir’s scientific publications and the influences that made his writing style stand out from contemporary scientists, specifically in his writing style and his ability to bring in religious and spiritual themes while exploring nature.

The project aims to help explain how Muir, who is often credited as “the father of the national park system,” was able to appeal to the general American audience with his writings.

Powell, who is a graduate student majoring in history, said it was an honor to win first place at the competition.

“I was able to stay and watch several other students’ work, and they did truly incredible research,” he said. “I am just thankful for CSUB having such an awesome staff to facilitate all of the students’ research and allow them to present their findings.”

PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

First place: Briana Acevedo, graduate

Project: Petrography and geochemistry of lunar meteorite Northwest Africa 11788: A feldspathic regolith breccia

Acevedo analyzed the elemental characteristics of a new lunar meteorite, known as Northwest Africa (NWA) 11788, for her project. By identifying the sample’s rock types, she will be able to determine how it fits with the types of magma that formed it and how it compares to current lunar formation processes.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the moon’s formation, Acevedo said, and that’s what interested her in the topic. Through her research, she has learned a lot about the crystallization trends that occurred in her rock types and is looking into what that could tell her about the moon’s formation.

“This research is important since the moon is believed to have originated from the Earth,” she said. “This makes it a great candidate for studying rock types that could have been present on early Earth’s surface since the moon does not recycle its rocks through plate tectonics like Earth does. Understanding more about the moon has the potential to help us answer questions of not only early Earth but of current processes being investigated today that are limited in their interpretations since there is a lack of data from early Earth rock types.”

Acevedo said it is gratifying to win an award for her research, which she has worked on in Dr. Katie O’Sullivan’s lab for two years.

“Research, as with many other things, presents its own set of hurdles, which can be consuming and daunting,” she said. “Receiving recognition for my ability to convey lunar research, and tie it into relatable concepts, is beyond rewarding. A valuable affirmation that makes every challenging moment worth it.”

Second place: Lanie Jackson, undergraduate

Project: Quantification of Phthalate Esters in the Central Valley

Jackson, a biochemistry major in her senior year, earned second place for her research on the presence of phthalates, an endocrine-disrupting chemical, in Central Valley soil. Phthalates are found in items like food packaging, personal care products and medical tubing.

“I had no idea phthalates even existed before I started this research, then I come to find out they’re in almost everything I use daily,” Jackson said. “The extensive use of phthalates in everyday products is important to note because this can allow the chemical to be spread across the environment and can also create a high risk of exposure for consumers.”

Working with Dr. Lance Talbert, Jackson runs phthalate samples through a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) and decides if they are suitable for data analysis. Her work helps to optimize the instrument and determine proper methods to study field samples.

Jackson said it is an honor to be recognized for her work, especially considering early struggles she and Dr. Talbert had with the GC-MS, which broke down for a few months.

“Through perseverance we were able to get through these hardships and really put forth a great deal of information even though we were very far behind compared to the plan we had,” she said. “This recognition also gives me motivation for the next few months where we will be taking field samples and determine the concentrations in the soil.”

Click here for more information about the Student Research Competition.

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Footnotes

Story by Joseph Luiz, writer/marketing and communications specialist; Kelly Ardis, NSME communications specialist; and Karla Young, BPA public affairs/communications specialist; photos contributed by winners