The Appalachian College Association is very pleased to recognize the research of its 2024 Ledford Scholars. These undergraduate students receive funding that enables them to work on a significant research project during either the summer or fall of 2024.
Click on each Scholar’s presentation title to view their research presentation. The recordings are divided between fall and summer projects, and they are listed in alphabetical order by the presenter’s last name. We want especially to thank the Ledford Faculty Mentors (included with each listing) for their important contributions to the success of these student projects.
Fall Research Projects
Erin Achauer, Lincoln Memorial University (Art): "Folkloric Memes: Third Wave of Dada," Abigail Heiniger, Faculty Mentor
Priscilla Doran, Bryan College (Mathematics & English Literature): "Using AI for Education: Curriculum Assistance in K-12 Education," Lynn Russell, Faculty Mentor
Christina Fisher, Lenoir-Rhyne University (Biochemistry): "Characterizing the Antimicrobial Potential of Pestalotiopsis sp.," Joshua Ring, Faculty Mentor
Argo Fredericksen, Emory & Henry University (Biology & Chemistry): "acr-6 and acr-7 in Nicotine and Ethanol State Dependent Learning," Jonathan Lindsay, Faculty Mentor
Davis Haynes, West Virginia Wesleyan College (History & Political Science): "The State of Organized Labor and the Democratic Party," Craig Wiernik, Faculty Mentor
Kristen Hobbs, West Virginia Wesleyan College (Sociology & Psychology): "The Effect of Social Media on Individual Body Image in Appalachia," Craig Wiernik, Faculty Mentor
Connor McGuire, University of Pikeville (Biology): "The Role of Two Noncoding RNAs in Memory of Mice," Sujin Bao, Faculty Mentor
Hannah Phillips, Maryville College (Biology): "Testing for Naegleria fowleri in Recreational Waters," Jennifer Brigati, Faculty Mentor
James Price, University of Pikeville (Information Technology Management): "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Techniques in Diabetes Prediction and Management in Eastern Kentucky," Praveen Guraja, Faculty Mentor
Baylee Reasor, Emory & Henry University (Biology): "Relationships between Social Identity and Heart Rate Variability in College Students," Brett Frye, Faculty Mentor
Jaklyn Rutter, Maryville College (Biochemistry): "Chemical Analysis of Various Hop Strains Harvested at Maryville College," Nathan Duncan, Faculty Mentor
Adriane Sweet, Emory & Henry University (Biology): "Seasonal Effects of Coccidia Abundance in Goat Kids," Brett Frye & Mark Burnham, Faculty Mentors
Erica Werth, University of Pikeville (Chemistry & Psychology): "Determine the Mechanism of How Estrogen Promotes the Effect of Bradykinin on Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase," Guichun Han, Faculty Mentor
Summer Research Projects
Aubree Bagwell, Lee University (Biology - Ecology Emphasis): "An Evaluation of Streamside Salamander Survey Methods for Elementary School Citizen Science," Michael Freake, Faculty Mentor
Spencer Baldwin, Lincoln Memorial University (Conservation Biology): "Utilizing Presence Only Prediction to Model Morchella diminutiva Distribution," Barbara Shock, Faculty Mentor
Emma Bradley, Tusculum University (Psychology): "Authoritarian Behaviors in Criminal Justice," Robert Gall, Faculty Mentor
Christian Callejas-Montealegre, Lee University (Business Administration): "Ring by Spring": The Desire for Early Marriage in Christian Colleges," Ruth Wienk, Faculty Mentor
Tia Cobb, Union Commonwealth University (Biology): "Sparrow and Warbler Bill Morphology and Its Effects on Speciation," Libby Megna, Faculty Mentor
Katilee Croft, Lincoln Memorial University (Conservation Biology): "Developing Environmental DNA Protocol to Detect Populations of the Wehrle’s Salamander (Plethodon wehrlei)," Barbara Shock, Faculty Mentor
Hannah Cure, Lincoln Memorial University (Pre-Veterinary Health Sciences) "The Effect of Flourine Substituent on the Physicochemical Properties and the Cytochromes P-450 Kinetics of Acetaminophen," Thomas Shell, Faculty Mentor
Brooklyn Farley, West Virginia Wesleyan College (Biology): "Effects of Anthropogenic and Natural Noise on Songbird Vocalization," Joseph Niederhauser, Faculty Mentor
Shealeigh Frazier, Lindsey Wilson College (Human Services): "The Relationship between Eating Disorder Manifestation and Appalachian Foodways: Toward an Understanding of a Complex Issue," Daniel Schnopp Wyatt, Faculty Mentor
Muhammad Wali Ghayur, University of Pikeville (Biomedical Sciences): "Mechanism of Estrogen-induced G Protein Activation in Coronary Artery," Guichun Han, Faculty Mentor
Emily Gietzen, Lee University (Classics and English Literature): "Reconstructing the Polemical and Philosophical Context of Tertullian's De Anima," Aaron Johnson, Faculty Mentor
Hunter Gohil, University of Charleston (Applied Computer Science Technology): "An Analysis of Algospeak and the Dreaded Algorithm," Vincent Smith, Faculty Mentor
Kolton Hall, University of Pikeville (History): "Folk Religious Ideas and Practices of Central Appalachia and Its Impact on Communal Belonging," Rob Musick, Faculty Mentor
Terri Hamilton, Lincoln Memorial University (English and History): "Appalachian Women: Folklore, Superstition, and Tradition," Abigail Heiniger, Faculty Mentor
Chelsi Jones, Emory & Henry University (Biology): "Prevalence of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) in Canids Correlated with the Presence of Dental Comorbidities," George Argyros, Faculty Mentor
Jedda Levy, Lees-McRae College (Wildlife Biology): "Snake Fungal Disease in South Central Appalachia," Michael Osbourn, Faculty Mentor
Brett Miller, King University (Biology): "Investigation of Metal-Cation Interactions with Novel Dual-Zwitterionic Alkyne for the Removal of Ions from Water via Precipitation," Bradley Baker, Faculty Mentor
Natalie Mueller, Lincoln Memorial University (Social Work): "The Relationship between Predisposed Traumatic Factors and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans' Post-Service," Tracy Mims, Faculty Mentor
Alexa Muha, University of Pikeville (Biomedical Sciences): "Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Soil Samples from Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Kentucky," Jessica Slade, Faculty Mentor
Amelia Napier, Union Commonwealth University (Biology): "Feathers in Focus: Assessing Bird Populations in Eastern Kentucky," Libby Megna, Faculty Mentor
Graham Nystrom, University of the South (Biology - Ecology Emphasis): "Predicting the Fate of Diamondback Terrapins," Kristen Cecala, Faculty Mentor
Jack O'Hare, Carson-Newman University (Computer Science): "Design and Implementation of a CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Training System Using 3D Object Recognition and Augmented Reality Technologies," Henry Suters, Faculty Mentor
Riley Palmer, King University (Biology and Chemistry): "Investigating if Nicotine Pre-treatment Will Prevent Mitochondrial Degeneration when Exposed to Manzate," Kelly Vaughan, Faculty Mentor
Gage Piercy, Lincoln Memorial University (Biology Pre-Health): "Finding the Wnt Pathways in Labidocera Copepods," Stan Kunigelis, Faculty Mentor
Draven Reynolds, Campbellsville University (Chemistry and Biology): "Studying the Effect of the Interaction Impairing Mutations on the Structural Dynamic Properties of KCNE3 in Different Environments using EPR Spectroscopy," Indra Sahu, Faculty Mentor
Eva Roach, University of Pikeville (Biomedical Sciences): "Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Soil Samples from Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Kentucky," Jessica Slade, Faculty Mentor
Elizabeth Shaver, Montreat College (Health Science): "Designing and Field Test to Determine Chytrid Fungus for Amphibian Populations in Loreto, Peru," Joshua Holbrook, Faculty Mentor
Ethan Stiltner, University of Pikeville (Business): "Spirituality and Homelessness: Spiritual Needs and Practices of Homeless Persons in Rural Eastern KY," Rob Musick, Faculty Mentor
William Ta, Lee University (Biochemistry): "Papaya Leaf Extract: Its Role in Slowing Cancer Growth and Killing Cancer Cells," Jonathan Cornett, Faculty Mentor
John Waters, Lee University (Biology - Ecology Emphasis): "Tennessean Ticks: Property Management Practices and Two Local Tick Populations ," Michael Freake, Faculty Mentor
Hallie Wielfaert, Lee University (Classics and English Literature): "Lord Byron's Mortality Problem: The Search for Eternal Memory in 'The Prophecy of Dante'," Ashely Mulligan, Faculty Mentor
Dean Wortas, Warren Wilson College (Sociology): "Let Kids Be Kids: Exploring the Joy and Resilience of Transgender Youth in Summer Camps," Siti Kusujiarti, Faculty Mentor
Faith Yoho, West Virginia Wesleyan College (Communication): "'This is the Skin of a Toxic Male, Bella!': Observing Toxic Masculinity within the Twilight Series," Alexis de Coning, Faculty Mentor
