Celebrating Discovery Across the Disciplines Twenty-First Annual
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Celebrating Discovery Across the Disciplines Twenty-First Annual Twenty-First Annual Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 2019 Editor M. Scott Goodman, Ph.D. Director, Office of Undergraduate Research The following individuals and offices are acknowledged for their many contributions: Donald Schmitter, Hospitality and Tourism, and students Department and Program Coordinators (identified below) in HTR 400: Catering Management Sean Fox, Ellofex, Inc. Bruce Fox, Photographer, Marketing and Communications and very special thanks to: Bernadette Gilliam and Mary Beth Wojtaszek, Events Management Kaylene Waite, Graphic Design, Creative Services Department and Program Coordinators for the Twenty-First Annual Student Research and Creativity Conference Lisa Marie Anselmi, Anthropology Joelle Leclaire, Economics Sarbani Banerjee, Computer Information Systems Amy McMillan, Muriel A. Howard Honors Program Saziye Bayram, Mathematics Andrew Nicholls, History and Social Studies Education Carol Beckley, Theater Jill Norvilitis, Psychology Lynn Boorady, Fashion and Textile Technology Kathleen O’Brien, Hospitality and Tourism Carol DeNysschen, Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics Angela Patti, Exceptional Education Eric Dolph, Art and Design Lorna Perez, English David Ettestad, Physics Rebecca Ploeger, Art Conservation Reva Fish, Social & Psychological Foundations Pixita del Prado Hill, Elementary Education and Reading Kelly Frothingham, Geography and Planning Lynne Scalia, Business Ruth Goldman, Communication James Sobol, Criminal Justice Ilya Grinberg, Engineering Technology Gary Solar, Earth Sciences and Science Education Jason Grinnell, Philosophy and Humanities Carol Townsend, Art and Design Carolyn Guzski, Music Mark Warford, Modern and Classical Languages Jinseok Heo, Chemistry Robert Warren, Biology Deborah Insalaco, Speech-Language Pathology Peter Yacobucci, Political Science Kimberly Kline, Higher Education Administration Jo Yudess, Center for Studies in Creativity Eric Krieg, Sociology Kimberly Zittel-Barr, Social Work Table of Contents Table Welcome Statements __________________________1 Recipients of Undergraduate Summer Fellowships in 2018 ________________________ 5 Abstracts Arts ____________________________________________ 15 Business, Fashion & Textile Technology, Hospitality and Tourism _____ 22 Communications and Humanities _________________________ 28 Computer Information Systems and Engineering Technology _______ 38 Education ________________________________________ 43 Health and Social Work ________________________________ 54 Mathematics ______________________________________ 64 Physical Geography and Sciences _________________________ 67 Psychology and Social Sciences ___________________________ 74 Welcome to the 21st Annual Student Research and Creativity Conference! I am pleased to welcome you to the Buffalo State College Student Research and Creativity Conference. The Buffalo State educational experience offers many ways to enrich the learning experience and to deepen students’ disciplinary and cross-disciplinary knowledge. Undergraduate research is a high impact practice and participating in undergraduate research has many rewards. Students and faculty know the dedication and willingness to go the extra mile that is needed to develop a research project and to see it to conclusion. These are traits that advantage students during the academic journey, but continue to bear fruit for graduate work, career aspirations and making important differences in their world. The Student Research and Creativity conference showcases some of the many students that engage in significant research and creative projects here at Buffalo State. The student work you will see represents the research efforts of some of the best and brightest student talent at Buffalo State College. Our student researchers have worked diligently with their faculty mentors to undertake research projects from all academic disciplines and in a variety of venues and formats. It is through research that we acquire new knowledge, solve many problems and discover new approaches. Studies have shown that research enhances what students learn in the classroom; engages their intellectual curiosity; satisfies their thirst for discovery; and provides an outlet for their creativity and enhances future opportunities. We believe that many of our students also gain self-confidence and grow intellectually by engaging in research and creative activities. I congratulate and commend the remarkable students who are participating in this year’s conference and I thank the faculty who have inspired them to this level of accomplishment. I welcome you to the 2019 Student Research and Creativity Conference and I encourage you to ask questions of our student researchers and be ready to learn about topics that may be new to you. Katherine Conway-Turner, Ph.D. President Welcome to the 21st annual Buffalo State Student Research and Creativity Conference (SRCC)! Buffalo State is nationally recognized for the extent and quality of its undergraduate research and creative scholarship program. Undergraduate research and creative scholarship activities represent one of the stronger examples of a high-impact learning practice that advances the key characteristics of Buffalo State’s mission. Mentored research, in which students and faculty work together to discover new knowledge, apply it to their discipline, and share it locally, nationally, and globally, is instrumental in helping students think analytically, question critically, and discover the enduring joy of inquiry. Students regularly present their research at regional and national conferences and publish their research as co-authors with their faculty mentors. This conference is designed to spotlight the quality and importance of student-faculty collaborative research at Buffalo State. Each year hundreds of students representing every discipline on campus gather to share their research and creativity with our community. The SRCC could not happen without the hard work of the students, faculty, and staff who have devoted their time and talents to this event. Congratulations, and thank you for your dedication. James Mayrose, Ph.D. Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Welcome! Welcome, everyone! Welcome to all of the students, mentors, faculty, staff, and family that make the annual Student Research and Creativity Conference (SRCC) an important Buffalo State tradition. Participation in research, scholarship, and other creative activities is an incredibly important and meaningful component of many of our students’ education. These activities help students to understand how scholarship is conducted within their disciplines while powerfully reinforcing concepts they have previously encountered in our classrooms, studios, and labs. The skills and discipline that students develop while tackling a research question will help propel them forward in their education and then on into their professional lives. This year, the 21st in the history of the event, marks my first time organizing the SRCC. Much more notably, this is the first year in the history of the event that Professor Jill Singer is not running the show. I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Singer for many years of service dedicated to fostering undergraduate research and creativity at Buffalo State. Without her devotion and commitment for the past 20 years, this event would not be the huge success that it clearly is, and I certainly would have struggled more in my first year at the helm. The SRCC would also not be possible without significant help from committed faculty and staff members, graduate and undergraduate student helpers, and continued strong support from our administration and the Research Foundation. So please walk around, read the posters, listen to the talks, and view the amazing artwork at the conference. But most of all, take the opportunity to talk to the creative students who are presenting their work and to celebrate their accomplishments with them. Enjoy! M. Scott Goodman, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry Director, Office of Undergraduate Research 1 The annual Research and Creativity Conference is one of the highlights of the academic year at SUNY Buffalo State. It provides our undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to showcase their scholarly and creative accomplishments. The work displayed at the conference attests to our faculty’s commitment to mentoring and our students’ commitment to engaged learning. As research and scholarship are critical parts of the graduate education experience, the Graduate School is honored to support this work. Congratulations to all those contributing to this inspiring event, especially the graduate students. I also offer sincere appreciation to all faculty and mentors for their contributions to our students’ success. Special thanks to Dr. M. Scott Goodman for his leadership and for organizing the Research and Creativity Conference, now in its 21st year! Kevin J. Miller, Ed.D. Interim Dean, The Graduate School Undergraduate research is a hallmark of undergraduate and graduate education at Buffalo State, and the Annual Student Research and Creativity Celebration is our traditional venue for sharing research projects and honoring the student scholars and their mentors. We are proud that our faculty, national and international leaders in a myriad of disciplines, encourage and inspire students to explore the diversity of scholarly pursuits. On behalf of the School of Arts and Humanities, I am delighted to congratulate