Academics

Natural Sciences | Student Research

 

	Cantaurus Journal of McPherson College Science Cantaurus is an official publication of the Division of Science and Technology, McPherson College. The purpose of this journal is to publish the results of original research conducted by students majoring in the natural sciences at McPherson College.
	Research Projects List: Vol 21, May 2013 Vol 20, May 2012 Vol 19, May 2011 Vol 18, May 2010 Vol 17, May 2009 Vol 16, May 2008 Vol 15, May 2007 Vol 14, May 2006 Vol 13, May 2005 Vol 12, May 2004 Vol 11, May 2003 Vol 10, May 2002 Vol 9, May 2001 Vol 8, May 2000 Vol 7, May 1999 Vol 6, May 1998

Senior research is the capstone experience for all science-related majors at McPherson College. Students typically begin the planning stages of a project during their junior year, capitalizing on classroom and textbook knowledge. As projects progress, students discover the challenges in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and presenting their findings.

The student research program was originally funded in 1981 with a grant from the National Science Foundation and continues to be supported primarily by alumni donations. One hundred percent of all science majors have completed a senior research project since 1983, distinguishing McPherson College’s program as one of the few and longest running undergraduate research requirements in the country.

In 1993, student research papers began being compiled annually in an in-house scientific journal entitled "Cantaurus" (a fictitious name derived from the Latin words "bull"and "dog"). As part of the curriculum, Cantaurus gives science majors the experience of writing for a scientific publication. Since its inception, more than 90 students have contributed to the journal.

Two types of awards are bestowed on McPherson College students who demonstrate excellence in senior research. The highest honor, the Burkholder Research Award, honors outstanding achievement. The Merit Research Award distinguishes significant achievement. Both awards are sponsored by the Natural Sciences of McPherson college and Midwest Oilseeds of Adel, Iowa.

For each award, the faculty of the Natural Sciences selects one or more candidates based on three criteria:

1. selection and design of a senior research project;
2. quality of the research, including technique, observations, and data analysis; and
3. presentation of the research, comprising preparation of a scientific research paper and an oral presentation to students and faculty.

A certificate of Award is granted to each winner. Persons qualifying for the Burkholder Research Award have their name inscribed in a plaque and receive a year membership to the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a subscription to "Science."

 

Cantaurus: Research Projects

Volume 21 May 2013
    · Volume 21 (.pdf)
    · Senior Research Presentation webcast

• Amanda Baxter
  Exploring Controlled Payload Release from Magnetoliposomes [ paper ]
• Torey Fry
  Genetic and Environmental Variations in the Growth and Germination of Intermediate Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) [ paper ]
• Dustin Hague
  Correlation Between Lower Limb Muscle Strength, Reflex Reaction Times of the Patellar Tendon and Lower Limb Dominance [ paper ]
• Emily James
  The Effects of Genotypic and Environmental Differences on Germination and Seed Yield in Thinopyrum intermedium [ paper ]
• Kasey Miller
  Isolation and Identification of Electricity Producing Bacteria from Lakeside Park in McPherson, Ks [ paper ]
• Philip Moore
  Comparing a Untrained Panel Cheese Flavor Lexicon to a Trained Panel Cheese Lexicon [ paper ]
• Taylor Roop
  Biophysical Characterization and the Effect of Biotinylation on the Physical Stability of GroEL [ paper ]
• Jacob Snodgrass
  Effects of Altitude Acclimatization and Re-acclimatization on Cardio-Respiratory Fitness in McPherson College Football Players [ paper ]

 

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Volume 20 May 2012
    · Volume 20 (.pdf)
    · Senior Research Forum Program
    · Senior Research Forum (press release)

• Daniel Barba
  Ethanol's Influence on Habituation and Stress Response in Danio rerio [ paper ]
• Kati Beam
  The Effect of Agrotain-Plus® on Strip-till Corn with Regards to N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, Fe, Mn, B, Cu, and Zn Levels [ paper ]
• Catherine Bettles
  EEG Analysis: The Effects of Music on Relaxation [ paper ]
  
• Shelly Brandt
  Genetic Variability and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Humpback Whale DNA in Wilhelmina Bay, Antarctic Peninsula [ paper ]
  
• Cody Compton
  Animal Behavior in Squirrel Monkeys in the Osa Peninsula: Eating, Sleeping and Travelling Patterns [ paper ]
  
• John Davidson
  Measuring Reaction Times of McPherson College Football Players on the Basis of Sleep [ paper ]
  
• Jorge Gomez
  Does Creatine Monohydrate Result into an Increase of Weight? [ paper ]
  
• Ashley Huizar
  The Temperature Effects on Weight Gain and Wing Area of Drosophilia melanogaster [ paper ]
• Audrey McTaggart
  A Rapid Assessment of Reptilian Diversity on Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines [ paper ]
  
• Amber Novinger
  Comparison of Intake Levels and Sources of Dietary Calcium Among McPherson College Students [ paper ]
  
• Anneliese Rotering
  The Sources and Intake of Vitamin B12 in McPherson College Students [ paper ]
  

• Brelynn Schloo
  Variation of Seed Yield and Stem Number in Different Genotypes of Intermediate Wheatgrass [ paper ]
  

• Savannah Sievers
  The Genetic Versus Environmental Effects on Seed Yield Traits in Intermediate Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) [ paper ]
  

• Andrew Skinner
  The Effects of Increased CO2 Concentration on the Rate of Photosynthesis in Corn [ paper ]
  

• Seth Williams
  Degredation of Celloboise via Bacillus stearothermophilus [ paper ]
  

 

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Volume 19 May 2011
    · Volume 19 (.pdf)
    · Senior Research Forum Program
    · Senior Research Forum (press release)

• Amanda Aragon
  Abdominal Strength vs. Speed in Female College Athletes [ paper ]
• Karissa Ferrell
  What is the Prevalence of MRSA in a Health Care Setting Compared to a Community Setting? [ paper ]
• Austin Froese
  Isolation, Characterization, and Quantitation of Isoxanthopterin from Drosophila melangolaster Strains Wild Type and White Apricot [ paper ]
  
• Kelley Green
  What is the Prevalence of MRSA in an Elementary School Setting Compared to a Hospital Setting? [ paper ]
  
• Zachery Hlad
  Quantitative Survey of Zebra Mussels (Dreissna polymorpha) Within Wilson Lake and Kanopolis Lake [ paper ]
  
• Dylan Jandreau
  A Comparison of the Prevalence of Tinea pedis in Morrison and Bittinger Shower Drains of McPherson College [ paper ]
  
• Christover Lange
  What is the Distribution of Lung Capacity Amongst McPherson College Students? [ paper ]
  
• Tecie Turner
  Comparison of Coping Self-Efficacy Levels Between Freshman and Seniors at Scott Community High School [ paper ]
  
• Ashley Zodrow
  The Effectiveness of Multi-Purpose Solutions Against Clinically Isolated Micro-Organisms [ paper ]
  

 

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Volume 18 May 2010
    · Volume 18 (.pdf)
    · Senior Research Forum (press release)

• Michelle Ducy
  The Effect of Low-Carbohydrate Intake and Exercise on the Rate of Weight Gain and Blood Glucose Fluctuation in Female Mice [ paper ]
• Mallory M. Griggs
  The Comparison of Bacteria Populations under Artificial and Natural Nails, and the Effect of Hand Cleansing with Alcohol-Based Gels and Antibacterial Soap [ paper ]
• Ashlee Jost
  What is the Prevalence of MRSA Carriers in the McPherson College Student Population? [ paper ]
• Bryanna King
  McPherson College’s Comprehensive Carbon Footprint and a List of Ways to Reduce our Environmental Impact [ paper ]
• Chelsie Kramer
  Evaluation of Decay and Microbial Growth in the Ictalarus punctatus (Channel Catfish) [ paper ]
• Ashley McEndree
  What is the Effect of Weight Training on Leg Strength and Speed in College Athletes? [ paper ]
• David Miller
  Testing the Methods of Dr. Willard Hershey in Historic Diamond Synthesis [ paper ]
• Amanda Pangburn
  Sulfate in Wet Distiller’s Grain from the Kansas Ethanol, L.L.C., Plant [ paper ]
• Stephanie Poland
  Population Growth and Its Effects on Water Demand in Arvada, Colorado [ paper ]
• Nicolette Rodriguez
  The Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Lifting Techniques on Unilateral and Bilateral Strength in Untrained Women [ paper ]
• Nicole Sampson
  The Cation-Exchange Capacity of Crete Silt Loam Soil Compared to Charcoal [ paper ]
• Cameron Snell
  The Effects of Temperature on the Rate of Conjugation in Escherichia coli [ paper ]
• Colby Westbrook
  The Effects of Yoga on Muscular Endurance in McPherson College Athletes [ paper ]
• Whitney Williams
  Effects of Altitude Acclimatization on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in McPherson College’s Women Soccer Players [ paper ]
  

 

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Volume 17 May 2009
    · 2009 Senior Research Science Forum Program (.pdf)

• Adam Horinek
  Antibiotic Resistance to Oxytetracycline HCL in Kansas Department of Wildlife Fish Hatchery of Pratt, KS [ paper ]
• Nicole Laska
  Aerobic Methane Production from a Red Oak Tree Leaf [ paper ]
• James Brandon M. Luter
  The Effects of Flood Irrigation on Groundwater E. coli/coliform Contamination [ paper ]
• Sean B. McCrae
  Nutrient Composition of Livestock Feed and Its Impact on Farm Productivity [ paper ]
• Jacob C. Simon
  The Effects of Temperature Increase and Presence of Light on Methane Production and Emission of Alocasia x amazonica [ paper ]
• Erikka Viehman
  The Effect of Temperature on Aerobic Methane Production by the Fiddle Leaf Fig and the Norfolk Island Pine [ paper ]
• Lezli Warkentin
  The Effects of Amikacin, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Penicillin, and Sulfamethoxazole with Trimethoprim on Tylosin Resistant E. coli [ paper ]

 

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Volume 16 May 2008
    · Senior Research Forum (press release)

• Adan Ghaffarian
  Aerobic Methane Production of Tropical Plants [ paper ]
• Alan W. Grosbach
  The Effect of a Nutritional Supplement on Stillbirths in Swine [ paper ]
• Joel Grosbach
  The Effect of Row Spacing on the Yield and Plant Growth of Popcorn (Zea mays) [ paper ]
• Jessica L. Miller
  The Dispersion of Tamarix ramosissima on the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge [ paper ]
• Andrew Paull
  The Effects of Atmospheric Contact on the Rate of Acetylene Breakdown in Azotobacter chroococcum [ paper ]
• Landon Snell
  Isolation and Identification of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria from the Intestinal Flora of Feedlot Cattle and a Measure of Their Efficacy for Lateral Gene Transfer [ paper ]
• W. Brett Whitenack
  The Use Of Electrolytic Reduction For The Removal Of Chlorides From Iron-Nickel Meteorites [ paper ]
• April Woody
  The Effects of Yoga Conditioning for Athletes on Cardiorespiratory Endurance [ paper ]

 

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Volume 15 May 2007
    · 2007 Senior Research Science Forum Program (.pdf)
    · Senior Research Forum to be held (press release)

• Callie Crist
  The Interaction of Alcohol and Iron-Overload in the in-vivo Regulation of Iron Responsive Genes [ paper ]
• Laura DeAnn Engquist
  Tracking Patient Habits: Gender Age, Financial State, and Health Education [ paper ]
• Hannah Fisher
  Benzo(a)pyrene Induced Mutagenesis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae[ paper ]
• Matthew W. Herber
  Development of a Novel Assay to Determine Nanoparticle Protection of Complexed dsDNA [ paper ]
• Rhonda Hoffert
  Hershey Diamond Synthesis: an Attempt at Verifying Methods [ paper ]
• Jamie Rodriguez
  Aerobic Methane Production by Banana Plant [ paper ]
• Alicia R. Schoen
  Carbon Fiber Electrode as an Electron Acceptor for a Microbial Fuel Cell using Geobacter[ paper ]
• Jamie Schropp
  Comparison of Effort for High-Velocity and Low-Velocity Bench Press [ paper ]

 

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Volume 14 May 2006
    · 2006 Senior Research Science Forum Program (.pdf)
    · Senior Research Forum (press release)

• Travis Allen
  Explaining Spatial Variation in Yields in Irrigated Corn [ paper ]
• Timothy D. Cox
  Germination of Five Wheat Varieties over a Range of Salinities [ paper ]
• Reuben May
  Observation and Characterization of Fullerenes in Soot Generated during Reproduction of Historical Diamond Synthesis [ paper ]
• Ellie Miller
  Population Growth and Lag Time Assent in Lactose Induced Eschericia coli Stains [ paper ]
• Lisa Sader
  Isolation and Identification of an Electricity Producing Microorganism from the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge [ paper ]
• Eric Vrtiska
  Multi-Subject Assessment of Human Performance Using the DYFORMON [ paper ]

 

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Volume 13 May 2005
    · ABSTRACT (.doc)
    · 2005 Senior Research Science Forum Program (.pdf)
    · Senior Research Science Forum - followup (press release)
    · Senior Research Forum to be held April 15, 2005 (press release)

• Joe Blas
  Expression and Purification of Tumor-Suppressor Protein Tip30 for Structural Studies by NMR Spectroscopy. [ paper ]
• David Cockriel
  The Design and Synthesis of Pyrazine Ligands Suitable for Molecular Weaving with Octahedral Metal Ion [ paper ]
• Dean Feasenhiser
  The Effects of Organic Selenium on Rumen Volatile Fatty Acid Production in Continuous Culture. [ paper ]
• Jenny Harper
  Influence of Lactose Utilization and Population Dynamics of Eschericia coli var. mutabilis. [ paper ]
• Dave Hoffman
  Human Performance Assessment Using the DYFORMON Exercise System. [ paper ]
• Danielle Lucore
  The Mutagenesis of Benzo(a)pyrene on Yeast. [ paper ]
• Tau Lyn (Johnston) Snell
  Synthesis and Characterization of a Cross-Bridged AMD 3100 analog. [ paper ]

 

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Volume 12 May 2004

• John Andrew Berlanga
  Bacteria Isolated from an MTBE Mineral Medium Culture [ paper ]
• Douglas J. Consaul
  The Effects of Kickoff and Compost on Yield and Economic Value of Double Crop Potatoes [ paper ]
• Abida A. Hamud-Socoro
  Pseudomonas aeruginosa Resistance to Tetracycline and Triclosan [ paper ]
• Lawrence E. Monte
  Identification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Anthracene in Beach Sand Extracted from Matagorda Island [ paper ]
• Melissa Osterloh
  Transfer of Antibiotic Resistant Genes between Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurum [ paper ]
• Robert Ullom
  Linked Cross-Bridged Cyclams as Anti-HIV Agents [ paper ]

 

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Volume 11 May 2003

• Cameron Coleman
  What are the Effects of No-till Farming on Soil Moisture and Soil Temperature Compared to Conventional Tillage in Rice County Kansas? [ paper ]
• Adelina Cripe
  McPherson College’s Environmental Impact on Water Use, Energy Use, and Waste Generation/Disposal [ paper ], [ appendix ]
• Wes Hoffert
  Synthesis and Characterization of a Chloro - Hydroxo Chromium 3+ Complex of Cross-Bridged Cyclam [ paper ]
• Brett F. Jones
  How Sewage Foam Affects Grass Growth Compared To UAN Fertilizer Or No Fertilizer [ paper ]
• Bryan Lucore
  Characterization of CD25+ T regulatory cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus [ paper ]
• Trenton Parsell
  Synthesis and Characterization of 4, 11-dimethyl-1, 4, 8, 11, tetraazabicyclo hexadecane Chromium [ paper ]
• Michelle L. Schulz
  The Effects Of Cover Crops In No-Till Systems On Microbial Activity [ paper ]
• Michael Vrtiska
  The Effects of CRP on Earthworm Populations [ paper ]

 

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Volume 10 May 2002

• Shawn Allen
  Characterization of Co (Am 2Bcyclam) PF6
• Seth J. Good
  Operation and Methods Development for the Varian Saturn 2100D GC/MS [ paper ]
• Adedamola Grillo
  The Synthesis and Characterization of Co(Am2Bcyclam)PF6 A model for new MRI Contrast Agents [ paper ]
• Munira Abubakar Hamud-Socoro
  Is There a Difference in Hemoglobin Concentration Between Male and Female Horses? [ paper ]
• Renata L. Lichty
  The Effect of Natural Selection on the Resistance of Escherichia coli to Triclosan [ paper ]
• Caleb M. May
  Synthesis and characterization of Cu(1,1,3,6,6,8-Hexamethyl-decahydro-3a,5a,8a,10a-tetra-azapyrene)Cl2 [ paper ]
• Elizabeth Stover
  In vitro cytotoxicity of the epothilone analog, BMS 247550, in pediatric malignancies [ paper ]

 

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Volume 9 May 2001

• Amanda Behnke
  The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Binocular Convergence and Monocular Accommodation [ paper ]
  
• Justin D. Fisher
  Evaluation of the Farm Credit Quick Loan Analysis as a Valid or Invalid Scorecard for Small Business Loans Between $100,000 and $250,000 [ paper ]
  
• Sabrina Gallo
  The Effects of Wastewater Treatment Sludge on the Decomposition of Yard Waste [ paper ]
  
• Ryan Hargitt
  The Nitrate Contamination of Private Well Water in Rural Northwest Kansas [ paper ]
  
• Liberty J. Levinski
  Assessing the Scientific Evdence of Increasing Global Temperature: A Review of Literature [ paper ]
  
• Jonas Lichty
  The Synthesis and Characterization of Co(AcBcyclam)PF6 23-26 [ paper ]
  
• Jeremy Showalter
  The Effects of Nitrogen on Yield and Nutrient Composition of Alfalfa [ paper ]
  
• Genelle Wine
  The Effects of Apis mellifica on Type I Hypersensitivity in Mice [ paper ]
  

 

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Volume 8 May 2000

• Andrea K. Herrera
  The Effects of Slow and Fast Velocity Training on Vertical Jump Using the Dynamic Force Monitor [ paper ]
  
• Nathan J. McLaughlin
  The Effects of Digoxin on the Recovery Rate of the Heart after Exercise in Mice [ paper ]
  
• Jeffrey L. McPherson
  The Effect of Diethylstilbestrol on p53 Expression in Liver and Neural Tissue of the Female Hamster(Mesocricetus auratus) [ paper ]
  
• Cheryl B. Norsworthy
  The Effects of Selenium on the Death Rate of Brine Shrimp [ paper ]
  
• Paul Prose
  The Hamster’s Progesterone Receptor Levels According to the Menstrual Cycle [ paper ]
  
• Eric Christian Reichert
  The Effect of Different Concentrations of Gingko biloba on the Memory of a Maze in Mice [ paper ]
  
• A.J. Wilson
  The Selenium Levels in Non-irrigated and Irrigated Fields in North Central Kansas [ paper ]

 

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Volume 7 May 1999

• Jennifer M. Amiot
  The Effect of Day Length on the Longevity of Drosophila melanogaster [ paper ]
  
• Janet Bowen
  Develop a Quantitative Analytical Method for Low (. 1 ppm) Levels of Ammonium Sulfate [ paper ]
  
• Justin W. Dennis
  The Effect of Echinacea purpurea on Stimulating IgM (Primary) and IgG (Secondary) Immune Responses in Male CD1 Mice [ paper ]
  
• Matt Friesen
  A Comparative Analysis of Flue Gas Desulfurization Byproducts to Limestone in an Increase in the Soil pH [ paper ]
  
• Damian Harris
  The Effects of Bacteria in Different Soils of Artificial Wetlands on Certain Contaminants [ paper ]
  
• Sarah Hooton
  The Effect of Different Concentrations of Gingko biloba on the Memory of a Maze in Mice [ paper ]
  
• Roy Johnson, Jr.
  Survey of Plasmid Transfer Containing Ampicillin Resistant Gene between Escherichia coli pGFPuv and Enterobacter aerogenes Intestinal Flora Varying Wastewater Treatment Plant Water Quality Standards [ paper ]
  
• Cameron Koster
  Force Analysis of Individuals and Calibration of the Dynamic Force Monitor Prototype [ paper ]
  
• Mandi McGoyne
  Effects of Exercise on the Respiration Rate of Mice [ paper ]
  
• Willie Norman
  The Effects of Varying pH on Plasmid Transfer from Escherichia coli to Enterobacter aerogenes [ paper ]
  
• Eric D. Putnam
  Groundwater Analysis of Triazine Herbicide Using Solid Phase Extraction and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography [ paper ]
  
• Anna Katharina Schenk
  The Effects of Various Carbon Dioxide Concentrations on Lemna minor [ paper ]
  
• Brooks R. Thode
  The Effects of Human Presence on the Texas Tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) in Southern Texas and Northern Mexico [ paper ]
  
• Levi Torrison
  The Effect of Microwave Radiation on Polypropylene Used in Food Containers [ paper ]
  
• Jasmine Zitnik
  Bayesian Inversion of Simply Modeled Magnetic Anomaly Data [ paper ]
  

 

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Volume 6 May 1998

• Joseph A. House
  Adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Kansas oil fields for use in tertiary oil recovery [ paper ]
  
• Brandon Johnson
  The development of the Function Generator and the Digital Multi-Meter to be used with LabVIEW© [ paper ]
  
• Cameron W. Mahler
  Effects on nodulation and early growth of soybeans grown in sewage sludge-amended soil of McPherson [ paper ]
  
• Terry S. Phillips
  Effect of microorganisms and nitrogen on the allelopathy of sorghum residues and the germination of wheat seeds [ paper ]
  
• Rebecca L. Standafer
  The effects of elevated carbon dioxide concentrations on the stomata of Spartina patens and Scirpus olneyi [ paper ]
  
• Ryan Wenzel
  Atrazine runoff from corn fields using high pressure liquid chromatography and solid phase extraction [ paper ]