Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Panel
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Document Type
Panel
Start Date
15-9-2020 4:00 PM
End Date
15-9-2020 5:00 PM
Description
Robert Ashby - Bathymetric Map Creation Using Aerial Robots
Research was done looking into a sensor that could detect the depth of a body of water from the air. This was deemed infeasible due to technological and physical limitations, so alternatives were explored. A sensor that was to be lowered from a drone and submerged under the surface of the water was designed to overcome the physical limitations presented by the air – water boundary. Significant progress was made in the construction and testing of this sensor and its components.
Cindy Vo - The Effects of Temperature and a Common Pesticide on Egg-Laying in the Variable Field Cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps
Glyphosate (GLY) is the active ingredient in the most commonly used herbicides in agriculture today. Although its primary mode of action targets plants and other microorganisms, studies have shown that GLY-based herbicides (GBHs) may contaminate the surrounding environment and negatively affect non-target species (e.g., animals). Animals may also be affected by the interactive effects of GLY/GBH and warming temperatures due to climate change. In this study, we investigated the effects of GLY and a GBH (Roundup® Weed & Grass Killer Super Concentrate; 5 mg acid equivalent GLY L -1 ) on the reproductive behavior of the variable field cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps under five different temperatures (20, 24, 28, 32, and 36℃). Our study assessed the ability of the female crickets to adjust their reproductive behavior in response to exposure to GLY and GBH. Our results showed that females laid very few eggs at both temperature extremes (e.g., cool and hot temperatures) and exhibited a preference for oviposition in substrate containing GBH (Roundup® ) at 32℃. At both temperature extremes, oviposition diversification increased, suggesting temperature may modulate the effects of GBHs on traits that are tightly linked to fitness (e.g., egg output). Crickets exhibited “clumped” oviposition at 28℃ and 32℃. Optimal temperature for oviposition was approximately 30℃ for GLY and CON, and about 32℃ for GBH. G. lineaticeps have a preferred temperature that is approximately 32.5℃, which is slightly warmer than optimal oviposition temperature (30-32℃), and much warmer than optimal egg development temperature (25-26℃). Our study is the first to examine interactions between temperature and GLY/GBH in a terrestrial animal and on oviposition in any animal. Our results suggest that climate change and widespread use of glyphosate-based herbicides may interact to influence reproductive decisions.
Angelique Doty - The Singing Spring: Kam Minority Cultural Heritage Documentary
I worked this summer with Marie Lee on a documentary film called, The Singing Spring: Kam Minority Cultural Heritage Documentary. We composed the film utilizing pre-recorded footage of the Kam Minority's lifestyle. Our purpose of making this video is to document their secluded lifestyle because they don't have a written language, so preserving their culture relies on documentation. Click here to view the full documentary of "Singing Spring."
Speaker Bio
The three presenters are undergraduate students at University of the Pacific. Robert Ashby is majoring in Computer Engineering; Cindy Vo is majoring in Biology/Pre-Pharmacy; and Angelique Dory is majoring in English. Research for these projects was conducted as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
(SURF) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) supports faculty-mentored undergraduate research during the summer. This is an opportunity for students to work with a faculty mentor on a research topic relevant to their interests and educational goals during the summer. The expectation is that students will devote 8-10 weeks of full-time effort to the project. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or this is your first undergraduate research project – SURF is a great chance to expand your educational experience.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Panel
Robert Ashby - Bathymetric Map Creation Using Aerial Robots
Research was done looking into a sensor that could detect the depth of a body of water from the air. This was deemed infeasible due to technological and physical limitations, so alternatives were explored. A sensor that was to be lowered from a drone and submerged under the surface of the water was designed to overcome the physical limitations presented by the air – water boundary. Significant progress was made in the construction and testing of this sensor and its components.
Cindy Vo - The Effects of Temperature and a Common Pesticide on Egg-Laying in the Variable Field Cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps
Glyphosate (GLY) is the active ingredient in the most commonly used herbicides in agriculture today. Although its primary mode of action targets plants and other microorganisms, studies have shown that GLY-based herbicides (GBHs) may contaminate the surrounding environment and negatively affect non-target species (e.g., animals). Animals may also be affected by the interactive effects of GLY/GBH and warming temperatures due to climate change. In this study, we investigated the effects of GLY and a GBH (Roundup® Weed & Grass Killer Super Concentrate; 5 mg acid equivalent GLY L -1 ) on the reproductive behavior of the variable field cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps under five different temperatures (20, 24, 28, 32, and 36℃). Our study assessed the ability of the female crickets to adjust their reproductive behavior in response to exposure to GLY and GBH. Our results showed that females laid very few eggs at both temperature extremes (e.g., cool and hot temperatures) and exhibited a preference for oviposition in substrate containing GBH (Roundup® ) at 32℃. At both temperature extremes, oviposition diversification increased, suggesting temperature may modulate the effects of GBHs on traits that are tightly linked to fitness (e.g., egg output). Crickets exhibited “clumped” oviposition at 28℃ and 32℃. Optimal temperature for oviposition was approximately 30℃ for GLY and CON, and about 32℃ for GBH. G. lineaticeps have a preferred temperature that is approximately 32.5℃, which is slightly warmer than optimal oviposition temperature (30-32℃), and much warmer than optimal egg development temperature (25-26℃). Our study is the first to examine interactions between temperature and GLY/GBH in a terrestrial animal and on oviposition in any animal. Our results suggest that climate change and widespread use of glyphosate-based herbicides may interact to influence reproductive decisions.
Angelique Doty - The Singing Spring: Kam Minority Cultural Heritage Documentary
I worked this summer with Marie Lee on a documentary film called, The Singing Spring: Kam Minority Cultural Heritage Documentary. We composed the film utilizing pre-recorded footage of the Kam Minority's lifestyle. Our purpose of making this video is to document their secluded lifestyle because they don't have a written language, so preserving their culture relies on documentation. Click here to view the full documentary of "Singing Spring."
