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About Previous Symposia 2018

Engaged Scholar Symposium Office of Engaged Scholarship & Learning

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Engaged Scholarship and Learning
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
ESTAC 3.106 & BINAB 1.105
Hours M-F 8am-5pm
Email: engaged@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3461 (Edinburg)
Phone Alt: (956) 882-4300 (Brownsville)
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2018 Engaged Scholarship Symposium

The 2018 Engaged Scholar Symposium (ES2) took place over the span of 3 days, beginning on April 10th and ending with an awards ceremony on April 12th across the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. Over 700 attendees joined us in celebrating 100+ ground-breaking research initiatives and creative works from our undergraduate students.

The following are our awarded 2018 Distinguished Scholars' projects:

For Exemplary Applied Science Oral Presentation

Lead in Drinking Water at a South Texas University by Alejandro Pena Silva, Gerardo Flores, Adam Flores, Jongmin Kim

Drinking water at a local South Texas university is tested for lead. Data from old buildings and newer ones are analyzed to assess the extent of the lead level in drinking water in association with the age of water piping. Also, feasible on-site remediation will be discussed.

For an Exemplary Applied Science Poster Presentation

Fabrication of Iron Oxide Nanofibers via ForceSpinning Method by Salmon Luna

The research project focuses on the fabrication and analysis of iron nanofibers.

For an Exemplary Applied Science Poster Presentation

Automatic Storage and Retrieval System: Internet of Things for the Built Environment by Sergio A. Herrera, Edgardo Ortiz-Sosa, Adriana Olvera, Anabel Pineda

The "City of Gloom" is a dramatization of current events that strike fear in me.

For an Exemplary Creative Works Oral Presentation

Brownsville's Chronicles by Perla Melendez

Brownsville's Chronicles is set in Forth Brown, in the Mexican American War. The two main characters are a time traveler and a daughter of a General. Some characters are based on real persons. This story has a parallel with current situations and explains the relationship we have with Mexico.

For an Exemplary Creative Work Art Piece

Colmena by Vilma Flores

Throughout recent years, the STEAM field has expanded considerably. In my work, I continue to explore the various approaches of building, that exercise the combination of handmade work and technological methods.

For an Exemplary Creative Works Performance

Taekwondo - Korean Martial Arts by Denise Ontiveros, Ana T. Sanchez, Ezequiel Munoz, D’Angela Lucero

As part of our service learning for our Korean class, we decided to do a brief taekwondo performance. We will perform a series of self-defense techniques and forms called "poomsae."

For an Exemplary Humanities & Social Science Oral Presentation:

The Power of Teamwork in a Community to Save Lower Income Students. by Kassandra Annika Ramos

Lower-income students have it rough. Believe it or not, but those lower-income students are the ones that succeed. However, not just lower income students have it rough. Those with financial problems need assistance as well. The help of a community comes a long way.

For an Exemplary Health Science Poster

The Effects of the Combined Use of Ibuprofen and Ethanol on Serotonergic Neuronal SH-SY5Y Cells by Ileana Lozano, Brittany Bunag, Andrew Tsin, Shivani Maffi

This project aims to provide more information on the effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), Ibuprofen, with various doses of alcohol on microglia and neurons. Our results indicate that a combined exposure of ethanol with high concentrations of Ibuprofen significantly augments neuronal dysfunction and cell death.

For an Exemplary Health Science Oral Presentation

Controlled Release of Chemotherapy Drug Temozolomide from Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Loaded Micro Particles by Electrospraying for the Treatment of Glioma by Sue Anne Chew, Daniel Rodriguez De Anda

In this project, we worked in the fabrication of chemotherapy loaded biodegradable microparticles for the treatment of glioblastoma. We found that the microparticles not only protect the drug from degradation but also offer a constant controlled release of it.

For an Exemplary Life Science Oral Presentation 

Impacts of sea-level rise on coastal wetland foundation plant species in the Lower Laguna Madre by Mariana Saenz, Christopher A. Gabler

Our goal is to investigate the impacts of sea-level rise and nutrient enrichment on the survival and performance of foundation wetland plant species. Focal species include Avicennia germinans (black mangrove and Spartina alterniflora which are the two most important species that make up coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast

For an Exemplary Life Science Poster Presentation

Redox Regulation of Exofacial Protein Thiols in Trichomonas vaginalis by Daniela Vidal, Magali Ayala, Viviana Quintero, Claudia Gonzalez, Michael Lehker

Trichomonas vaginalis, a sexually transmitted protozoan, possesses numerous reduced exofacial thiols. Data suggesting that the ratio of reduced to oxidized exofacial thiols may be subject to redox regulation was obtained. We, therefore, tested whether thiol-modifying agents change surface thiol levels and consequently affect the growth and viability of the parasite.

For an Exemplary Physical, Earth & Space Science Oral Presentation

Synthesis of Iron Oxide Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles by Using Microfluidic Process by Karen Martirosyan, Mauricio De Leo, Nareg Ohannesian

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles have potential applications for the biomedical field and cancer theranostics. This project explains the synthesis of these nanoparticles via a microfluidic process.

 

For an Exemplary Social Science Oral Presentation

Financial Literacy for Disadvantaged Consumers: Antecedents and Implications by Amber Solis

This research focuses on the topic of financial literacy, defined as the amount of knowledge and understanding individuals possess in relation to financial decisions. Data from the RAND American Life Panel database are used to analyze which factors relate to a person’s level of financial literacy.

For an Exemplary Social Science Poster Presentation

Mental Health Stigma and Help-Seeking Behaviors Among UTRGV Students by Michelle M. Castillo

The negative outcomes associated with mental health disorders among college students requires the evaluation of factors that may be contributing to the failure to properly diagnose and treat these mental health issues. UTRGV’s student enrollment presents unique family and cultural variables that may influence mental health stigma.

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