I II III III I I I I I I I I 15th Annual Student Research and Creativity Celebration, SUNY Buffalo State I II III III I I I I I I I I Editor Jill K. Singer, Ph.D. Director, Office of Undergraduate Research Sponsored by Office of Undergraduate Research Office of Academic Affairs Research Foundation for SUNY/Buffalo State Cover Design and Layout: Carol Alex The following individuals and offices are acknowledged for their many contributions: Sean Fox, Ellofex, Inc. Tom Coates, Events Management, and staff, especially Maryruth Glogowski, Director, E.H. Butler Library, Mary Beth Wojtaszek and the library staff Department and Program Coordinators (identified below) Carole Schaus, Office of Undergraduate Research Kaylene Waite, Computer Graphics Specialist and very special thanks to Carol Alex, Center for Bruce Fox, Photographer Development of Human Services Department and Program Coordinators for the Fifteenth Annual Student Research and Creativity Celebration Lisa Anselmi, Anthropology Bill Lin, Computer Information Systems Kyeonghi Baek, Political Science Dan MacIsaac, Physics Saziye Bayram, Mathematics Candace Masters, Art Education Carol Beckley, Theater Amy McMillan, Biology Lynn Boorady, Fashion and Textile Technology Susan McMillen, Faculty Development Betty Cappella, Higher Education Administration Michaelene Meger, Exceptional Education Louis Colca, Social Work Michael Niman, Communication Michael Cretacci, Criminal Justice Jill Norvilitis, Psychology Carol DeNysschen, Dietetics and Nutrition Kathleen O’Brien, Hospitality and Tourism John Draeger, Philosophy and Humanities Barbara Olivieri, Health and Wellness Reva Fish, Social & Psychological Foundations Terry Postero, Interior Design Kelly Frothingham, Geography and Planning Lisa Rafferty, Exceptional Education Andrea Guiati, All College Honors Program Peter Ramos, English Carolyn Guzski, Music Misty Rodeheaver, History and Social Studies Education David Henry, Elementary Education and Reading Cory Rogge, Art Conservation Gerri Hura, Adult Education Stephen Saracino, Design Deborah Insalaco, Speech Language Pathology Lynne Scalia, Business Lin Xia Jiang, Fine Arts Jim Shea, Engineering Technology Michael Johnson, Modern and Classical Languages Gary Solar, Earth Sciences and Science Education Jamie Kim, Chemistry Sandra Washington, McNair Scholars Program Luke Krieg, Sociology Jo Yudess, Center for Studies in Creativity Joelle Leclaire, Economics Table of Contents Table Welcome Statements ___________________________1 Program at-a-Glance ___________________________5 Friday, May 3 _____________________________________ 5 Saturday, May 4 ___________________________________ 5 Program Oral Papers Business, Computer Information Systems, and Engineering Technology _ 6 Humanities I _____________________________________ 6 Sciences, Mathematics, and Health _______________________ 7 Social Sciences ____________________________________ 7 Humanities II ____________________________________ 7 Humanities III ____________________________________ 8 Education _______________________________________ 8 Poster Sessions and Displays Session I ________________________________________ 9 Session II _______________________________________ 10 Session III _______________________________________ 11 Session IV _______________________________________ 11 Session V _______________________________________ 12 Session VI _______________________________________ 13 Session VII ______________________________________ 14 Session VIII ______________________________________ 15 Recipients of Undergraduate Summer Fellowships in 2012 __________________________ 17 Abstracts Arts _____________________________________________ 25 Business and Fashion & Textile Technology _____________________ 37 Computer Information Systems & Engineering Technology ___________ 42 Education _________________________________________ 47 Health and Wellness ___________________________________ 63 Humanities ________________________________________ 72 Physical Geography, Sciences, and Mathematics __________________ 85 Psychology and Social Sciences ____________________________ 100 Buffalo State’s Student Research and Creativity Celebration, one of the premier events on campus, showcases the wealth of research across disciplines carried out by our dedicated undergraduate students. It also highlights our institution’s ongoing dedication to engaged learning as an important part of academic life to broaden and strengthen the learning experience of our students. By integrating research into our programs, Buffalo State students discover an exciting way to gain knowledge in their field of study while also developing important skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and effective communication. It’s inspiring to know so many of our students are pursuing this type of scholarly activity. The benefits from these first-hand experiences serve our students well in their academic and professional lives. We are proud to mark the 15th year of Student Research and Creativity Celebration and to feature the high quality work of our students accomplished under the guidance of their outstanding faculty mentors. Congratulations to all Buffalo State student participants, and thank you for sharing the knowledge and insights you have gained through your research endeavors. Aaron Podolefsky, Ph.D. President This is a milestone year for Buffalo State’s Student Research and Creativity Celebration. For fifteen years, we gather each spring to acknowledge the wonderful intellectual, artistic, and creative accomplishments of our undergraduate and graduate students. For fifteen years, the program and celebratory event demonstrates Buffalo State’s commitment to the rigors, joy, and fulfillment of intellectual discovery. For fifteen years, the dedication of Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff to the program has transformed lives of all involved. The Student Research Program at Buffalo State is a shining example of incorporating high-impact and deep learning practices in student’s educational experiences. The design and delivery of such experiences requires thoughtful planning, supervision, and mentoring by faculty. The student is likewise obligated to dedicate attention and meaningful time on task to the experience. With the 15th Student Research and Creativity Celebration, we acknowledge and applaud all who make this possible– students, faculty, Research Foundation, and all others involved with the event. Dr. Jill Singer continues to provide leadership to advance Buffalo State’s programming and national prominence in undergraduate research. I express appreciation to Dr. Singer on behalf of the Buffalo State community. Dennis Ponton, Ph.D. Provost Welcome! Welcome to the Student Research and Creativity Celebration! This weekend marks the 15th anniversary of the Student Research and Creativity Celebration. Reaching this milestone provides me the opportunity to reflect on an event that has become an institutional tradition. The level of support and enthusiasm for this celebration of research, scholarship, and creativity grows stronger each year. I gratefully acknowledge the enthusiastic commitment to this event by the Buffalo State administration. I deeply appreciate the efforts of all the individuals and offices that help make this event successful. The quality and breadth of the presentations, displays of works of art, and performances confirms the excellence of the mentoring provided to Buffalo State students by dedicated faculty. As well, it speaks to myriad opportunities afforded to them and their strong desire to create new knowledge and works of art. Since the program’s inception we have transitioned from paper applications to electronic submissions and from conventional posters to digital large format posters designed by students with the use of poster templates. Over the past fifteen years, there have been over 3000 abstracts and artists statements authored and co-authored by more than 5000 students. However, it is not the advances in technology or the metrics that best define the impact of this program. It is best captured by a remark made by a student more than ten years ago. The student made a point of seeking me out to tell me how she had just spent the day listening to talks, viewing artwork, and talking to students presenting posters. She ended her account by saying that she had no idea how talented her classmates were and how proud she was to be graduating from Buffalo State. I agreed with her then and am even more convinced of her words today. It has been a very rewarding fifteen years and I have derived great satisfaction from developing and running a program that has been embraced by the campus community. The inclusion of students across all academic disciplines places Buffalo State among those institutions that value the teacher-scholar model and consider undergraduate research as a transformative and high impact educational practice and one of the best ways to engage all students. Buffalo State is proud to contribute its voice in conversations about effective models for integrating undergraduate research into the curriculum and evaluating the impact of undergraduate research. I hope you enjoy listening to and meeting the student presenters. I am certain you will be impressed by the diversity and quality of their presentations. Thank you for attending this event and supporting our student presenters and their faculty mentors. Enjoy the program! Sincerely, Jill Singer, Ph.D. Professor of Earth Sciences Director, Office of Undergraduate