Program & Acknowledgements

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Conference LocationsStudent Union (STUN)University Ballroom (UCBR)Student Academic Center (STAC)

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Schedule of Events MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2014

9:00AM Registration, Student Union Theater

ORAL PRESENTATION SESSIONS Student Union, 2nd Floor Palmetto | Sage | Mesquite | Oleander

9:45AM - 10:25AM Oral Presentations, Session 1 10:45AM - 11:25AM Oral Presentations, Session 2

11:30AM - 12:40PM Lunch Break

12:45PM - 1:05PM Keynote Speaker, Student Union Theater 1:10PM - 1:50PM Oral Presentations, Session 3

POSTER PRESENTATION SESSIONS University Ballroom

10:00AM - 11:00AM Poster Presentations, Session 1 11:20AM - 12:20PM Poster Presentations, Session 2 1:10PM - 2:10PM Poster Presentations, Session 3

4:00PM - 7:30PM UR&SL Hosts: Mini-Ethics Bowl, Student Academic Center Room 1.102

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2014

10:00AM Registration, Student Union Theater

ORAL PRESENTATION SESSIONS Student Union, 2nd Floor Palmetto | Sage | Mesquite | Oleander

10:45AM - 11:25AM Oral Presentations, Session 4

12:00AM - 1:00PM Lunch Break

1:45PM - 2:25PM Oral Presentations, Session 5

POSTER PRESENTATION SESSIONS University Ballroom 11:00AM - 12:00PM Poster Presentations, Session 4 1:00PM - 2:00PM Poster Presentations, Session 5 2:00PM - 3:00PM Poster Presentations, Session 6

WORKS IN PROGRESS / RESEARCH DESIGN Student Union | University Ballroom Palmetto | Sage | Mesquite | Oleander | Bronc | Cenizo

2:45PM - 3:25PM WIP/Research Design, Session 1 3:00PM - 4:00PM WIP/Research Design, Session 2: English 1302 - Rhetoric & Composition

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Closing Ceremony

You’re Invited!

Photobooth & RefreshmentsTuesday, November 25

5-7PM @ University Ballroom

Please join us at our Closing Ceremony event for an evening of celebration honoring our conference presenters, attendees, and the UTPA community. Service Learning exhibits will be on display in the Bronc and Cenizo rooms, showcasing students’ service work conducted over the course of this semester.

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If you require special accommodations,please contact UR&SL for assistance at 956-665-3461.

Detailed Schedule Oral Presentations & Poster Sessions MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2014

9:45AM - 10:25AM ORAL PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 1

PALMETTO Stress Among College Students of Rio Grande Valley Manuel Guillen

Learning From Errors Mario L. Arredondo, Eric Escamilla

SAGE Social and Cognitive Factors Affecting the Development of Bilingual Learners Luis A. Correa, Daniela Kuri, Sarah Stegall, Karin Robles, Adrianna Sarmiento, Arnold Amador, Liliana Flores, Guadalupe Martinez, Polet Garza, Magda Navarro, Jessica Pena, Vanessa Lozano, Elizabeth Hernandez, Aitza Morales, Lucila Lopez

Relationship Between Maternal Mortality, Poverty, and Associated Variables Li Ding, Naba Asif, Maeka De La Torre, Shuemara Ondoy, Daniela Salazar, Ashley Sanchez

MESQUITE Can Patient Age and Estrogen Receptor Status Predict Breast Cancer Grade? Adesuwa I. Ewere, Meeta Kanwar, Ans Albustamy, Jieun Kelly Lee, Roberto Ramirez, Raju Behara

A Study on Lung Cancer Prevalence & Several Factors Measured at the County Level Abraham B. Lee, Joanne Acevedo, Anju Thomas, Jessica Lora, Jacqueline Woloski, Sabrina Chavez

OLEANDER From “Ruby Red” to Greenbacks – The Changing Role of Citrus in the RGV Jose A. Barrera

Afro-Latina/o Sharing Space: Theater, Performance, and Music in South Texas Misael Ramirez 06

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10:45AM - 11:25AM ORAL PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 2

PALMETTO Courtship in the Borderlands: Holistic Intimate Space Creation within Courtship Alejandro Sanchez

Influence of Engagement in Social Media on Alcohol Consumption Taiwo J. Ajayi

SAGE The Role of Personality Trait on Drinking Promotion on Social Media Kehinde D. Ajayi

The Effects of Social Media on Patient-Centered Care Alexander Pimentel

MESQUITE Perceptions and Awareness of Autism Behavior in the Rio Grande Valley Debra L. Cantu, Monika Najera, Kendra Gusikoski, Valerie Alanis, Corren A. Garza, Maria Hernandez, Nallely De La Torre, Krystal Trevino, Gabriela Tello, Natalie Hernandez

Bilingualism Impact on Language Acquisition in Children: Parent Survey Ricardo Flores, Michelle Bazan, Katherine Flores, Anabel Hinojosa, Naomy Sanchez, Jessica Castillo, Crystal Moreno, Illyana Cantu, Elizabeth Lopez, Katherine Edmundson

OLEANDER Correlational Aspects of Preschool Attendance and Early Language Screenings Marisa L. Garza, Ana Garza, Mariana Garcia, Judith Lunn, Nicole Harvey, Andrea Garcia, Enio de Oliveira, April Munoz, Mariela Barrera, Natalie Gonzalez

Determining Effective Fluency Approaches Utilized in the Rio Grande Valley Lupita V. Clemente, Mayra Jerez, Hilary Garza, Andrea L Garcia, Clydon Vista, Miguel Medina, Dante Aguinaga, Lizbeth Martinez, Clarissa Martinez, Marisa Garcia, Heather Cazares

1:10PM - 1:50PM ORAL PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 3

PALMETTO Analysis of Native American Doctoring and Witchcraft in the Southwest Gabriela A. Martinez

Analysis of Tones in the Macuiltianguis Zapotec Language Diane Zaragoza, Javier Piña, Ayla Galvan, Paula Margarita Foreman, Olivia Perez

SAGE Transition Metal Sulfides in the Novel Reduction of Nitrobenzene Nezhueyotl Izquierdo, Sam Pina, Dr. Jason Parsons

On the Dispersion of TiO2 Nanoparticles in Water and Nutrients Desiree D. Padilla

MESQUITE Carbonaceous Titania Nanorods Functionalized by Beta-Cyclodextrin Jairah Shaikh

The Bronc Mentoring Experience: Student and Mentor Perspectives Jorge Martinez

The Impact of iPads in an Educational Environment Edna C. Mata

OLEANDER Disability and Retirement Decision Making; Evidence from the NLSY Fabiola Urgel

POSTER PRESENTATION SESSIONS University Ballroom

10:00AM - 11:00AM POSTER PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 1

Developing a Flood History Model for the Ohio River Valley of the Late Holocene Gloria Thomas, Aaron Stump, Broxton Bird, Owen Rudloff, Lucas Stamps, Jessica Adamic, Gabe Filippelli

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Relationships between two shrub species and their soils in Siberian Tundra Homero Pena, Heather D. Alexander, Luis Weber, Michael M. Loranty

Effects of Disturbances on Vegetation and Permafrost thaw in the Siberian Arctic Erika Ramos, Heather D. Alexander, Susan M. Natali

Challenge to PI3K Pathway Paradigm: FOXO the Oncogene Omar Caballero, Chrinstina Rodriguez, Paulette Guzman, Jesse Hirshmann, Isaac Bailon, Andrea Pena, Andrea Salinas, Itzel Flores

Trypanosoma cruzi infection status of Chagas disease vectors from South Texas Sergio C. Gonzalez, Ramiro Patino

Rotenone-treated Lymnaea Stagnalis, a possible model for Parkinson’s disease Alyna Y. Garza, Ana Montemayor, Valeria Salazar

Abundance and characterization of sulfate-utilizing microbes isolated from La Sal del Rey Maurine Ramirez

Distribution of Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans) in the Spoil Island Chains Rachelle T. Matias, Gladis Saenz, Bryan Smith, Dongyeon Kim, Damishki St. Pierre, K.Rod Summy, Frank Judd, Ruben Mazariegos,

Mitochondrial fusion requires a threshold level of transmembrane potential Edith Jones, Norma Gaytan, Dr. Wendy Innis-Whitehouse, Dr. Robert Gilkerson

Global genetic variation of Diaphorina citri using the COI gene sequence Alejandra Fuentes

11:20AM - 12:20PM POSTER PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 2

Use of archived aerial photography to document urbanization on SPI Mario A. Melgoza

Early neuronal consequences of rotenone toxicity in Lymnaea stagnalis and possible relevance to Parkinson’s disease Julio A. Carrizales, Homero Cantu

Circadian Regulation of Intermediate-Term Associative Conditioning Daniel Aragon

IGF-1 protection in a rotenone-induced human parkinson’s model Kristen N. Ovalle, Kristen Longoria

Activation of Fluorinated Benzonitirles by Nickel-Diphosphine Fragment Tyler Smith, Rosa Esparza, Ernesto I. Borrego

Interaction Between Dye Molecules and TiO2 in Dye- TiO2 Nanoconjugates Sabrina E. Herrera, Eric M. B. Brown, Abdurrahman C. Atesin

A Computational Modeling to Study the Palladium Catalyzed Nazarov Cyclization Lohany Y. Garcia

Microwave-assisted Ecofriendly Approach Toward Dicoumarols Iliana M. Chapa, Alex Velasco, Debasish Bandyopadhyay

Organocatalyzed Green Synthesis of Bis-quinoxalines: An Entry to Novel Heteroaromatics Javier A. Perez, Hannah R. Cardenas, Debasish Bandyopadhyay

Investigation of Flexible Pavement Layer Properties and Performance Gabriela Perales, Jose Gerardo Cazares

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1:10PM - 2:10PM POSTER PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 3

Molecular Modeling of the Mouse GPR119 Receptor Angel Tamez, Shane Askar

Lack of healthcare resources in Africa Jose M. Saenz, Catalina Cantu, Lianna Reyna

MiMIC Mediated GFP Tagging Permits a Spatial Removal of Proteins in fruit flies Manuel E. Cantu Gutierrez

Image Analysis Platform to determine shape and angularity of aggregate materials Ruben Alfaro

Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program Challenged Based Curriculum Development Ana Alanis, Ricardo Montemayor, Joel Montemayor, Jose Chavez

Analysis of Rural Hours Marilyn Feria

X-Ray Diffraction Determination of the Composition of Olivine from the Mantle Rick A. Salinas Enhancement of UV upconversion emission under near infrared excitation Carolina Valdes

Multifunctional peptide-amphiphile hydrogels for tissue engineering Lucero Ramirez

Computer-Generated Simulations vs. Hands-On Lab Experiments for Dynamics Course Jonathan D. Rosales

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2014

10:45AM - 11:25AM ORAL PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 4

PALMETTO Public and Financial Repercussions of Data Theft, Past and Present Orlando Silva, Aram Flores, Saul Bernabe

Predictors of Environmentally-Friendly Consumption: A Multilevel Analysis Luis E. Basurto

SAGE Monuments of the Past Rodolfo C. Zamora

A Statistical Analysis to Foresee the use of Geothermal Energy in South Texas Manuel A. Villarreal

MESQUITE Impacts of Climate Change on Rhythm of the Spring in Northeast Deciduous Forests Ivonne E. Trujillo, Donald Aubrecht, Koen Hufkens, Graham Dow, Andrew Richardson

The Human Impact on the Environment of the Rio Grande Valley Hanna M. Marble

OLEANDER Factorization Lengths and Elasticity in Numerical Monoids Jorge Cisneros, Alexina Scheel, Olivia Ong

Two-phase Blood Flow and Thermal Effects in Elastic Artery with Stenosis Jorge Cisneros

1:45PM - 2:25PM ORAL PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 5

PALMETTO Vehicle Speed at Highway Railroad Grade Crossing Casandra Lozano Sias

Raman Spectroscopy of Poly-Urea Formaldehyde Microcapsules Omar Espino

Control of Fluid Flow in Porous Media Daniel P. Medina

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SAGE Barebacking: An Ethical Decision Jason Flores

Relationship of Social Support and Resiliency Among Sexually Assaulted Latinas Leslie M. Garcia

POSTER PRESENTATION SESSIONS University Ballroom

11:00AM - 12:00PM POSTER PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 4

Adding Self-Healing Capabilities to Poly(vinyl)alcohol Melissa M. Martinez

All Under One Roof: Trends by Health Care Entities to Monopolize Health Care RGV Ethan R. Portillo

TiO2 Nanofibers in Rutile Phase for Better Electron Transfer in DSSC Jonathan J. Pizana

Piezoelectric Sensor based on Polyvinylidene Fluoride nanofibers and films Daniel A. Mejia Velasco

Mechanical Properties of Track Ballast Under Dynamic Loading David S. Renteria, Christian Gonzalez

Organocatalyzed Green Synthesis of Medicinally Privileged Bis-indoles Alex Velasco, Debasish Bandyopadhyay

New diastereoselective synthesis of (Z)-trisubstituted alkenes containing a cyclohexyl and biphenyl moieties via organoboranes Rafael E. Ayala, Dr. Narayan G. Bhat

Lewis acid-Catalyzed Sonochemical Route toward Medicinally Privileged Benzimidazoles Daniel R. Garcia, Fabian Olazaran-Santibanez

11:00AM - 12:00PM POSTER PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 4 (cont.)

New diastereoselective synthesis of (Z)-trisubstituted alkenes containing a trimethylsilylmethyl and p-methoxyphenyl moieties via organoboranes Rebecca Villarreal, Dr. Narayan G. Bhat

New diastereoselective synthesis of (Z)-trisubstituted alkenes containing allyl and p-methylphenyl moieties via organoboranes Rouzbeh R. Kotaki, Dr. Narayan G. Bhat

1:00PM - 2:00PM POSTER PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 5

New diastereoselective synthesis of (Z)-trisubstituted alkenes containing a allyl and biphenyl moieties via organoboranes Briana N. Hinohosa, Dr. Narayan G. Bhat

Summer Camp Impact on Pharmacy Perceptions of Participating Students Alex D. Cantu

Hydrocodone: Rescheduling of a Controlled Substance Leny E. Keerikattu

Neutron Flux Characterization of UTPA Californium-252 Neutron Research Facility Kareem A. Wahid, Patrick Sanchez

Highly Porous Regenerated Cellulose Fiber Mats via the Co-Forcespinning of Cellulose Acetate for Separator Applications Alejandro J. Castillo

Polyvinylidene Fluoride - Fe2O3 Nanocomposites Jerry Contreras

Impact of the Augmentative and Alternative Devices Improving Communication Skill Maria V. Tamez, Shane Askar

An Analysis of Susan Fenimore Cooper’s Formal Education in Rural Hours Hanna M. Marble

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Data Breaches Evelyn Ramirez, Robert Bocanegra, Brenda Enriquez

Following the population of the Asian Citrus Psyllid Jose A. Treviño. Dr. Mamoudou Setamou, Robert Saldaña

2:00PM - 3:00PM POSTER PRESENTATIONS, SESSION 6

American Civil War of the West Efrain Morales

Life Ramsey Weaver

Invation Angel O. Pozos

Untitled Joshua W. Jennings

Rural Hours Kristina A. Cantu

Susan Cooper’s View of Nature and Spirituality Jennifer L. Bravo

Get Your Feet Wet Ashly N. Vargas, Crystal Sanchez

Zoroastrianism: Link to Modern Day Religion Horacio Cantu

Political Participation, Internal Efficacy, and Aversion to Politics Norma E. Garza, Jesse Acosta, Gabriela M. Villarreal, Keyla Corro, Jason R. Popan

Affordable Care Act’s Benefits to Vocational Agencies and People with a Disability Janette Sanchez

Social Media Use Among College Business Students Oscar A. Ramos Chacon, Evelyn Ramirez, Leonel Cantu

WORKS IN PROGRESS/RESEARCH DESIGN Student Union | University Ballroom

2:45PM - 3:25PM WIP/RESEARCH DESIGN, SESSION 1

PALMETTO Online Analytical Processing - Software Evaluation Internet of Things and Its Effect on Retail Industry Joshua Levi Martinez, Evgenia Pakhomova, Carlos Cantu

Analysis of the Volatility of Fuel Ethanol Futures Magaly Del Carmen Duenas

SAGE Incorporating the Haitian Revolution Julio J. Garza

Texan and Indian relationships during and after the Texas Revolution Uriel Hernandez

The Pueblo Indians and the Revolt of the 15th Century Crystal Y. Sanchez

MESQUITE Well-Traveled Weeds Baldemar Rodriguez

Study of Attitudes Toward Profanity Among Asian and Hispanic Cultures Jacquelyn A. Medina, Mariah Trejo, Elizabeth Scoggin

Processing Inclinations towards Bilingualism Faith A. Young, Cristina Zamora

OLEANDER Cryptocurrency Fernando Salinas Jr.

Structural Health Monitoring of a Bridge Emma R. Nino

Evaluation of Gestural Control in Mobile Robotics Cooper S. Thompson

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CENIZO Expression of Biosynthetic Enzymes in a Gastropod Model of Parkinson’s Disease Angelita Alaniz, Kareem Wahid

Rotenone- induced apoptosis in Lymnea stagnalis Lizbeth Contreras, Andres Pecero

Polystyrene-Block Polyisoprene-Block Polystyrene - Graphene Nano-composites Oscar J. Guerrero

BRONC Pascal’s Wager Daphne J. Garcia

Perceptions About Stress Among University Students in the Rehabilitation Field Lilia Ramirez, Dr. Jerome Fischer

Health Insurance in the U.S.: What makes an individual propense to be covered? Juan Rosales

3:00PM - 4:00PM WIP/RESEARCH DESIGN, SESSION 2 ENG 1302 Rhetoric & Composition

Arguments by Conversation Yahveh Alcantara

What Do They Actually Believe? Emily Zurita

Time Management Cristal Lopez

Reflective Writing as a Tool for Science Major Students. Taide V. Guajardo

The Effects on Academic Performance of Time Management in English 1302 Students Damariss Manzanarez

Crossing the Bridge for Education Juan E. Castaneda

Time Management Aldo A. Campos

The Effects of Research on College Students Maggie Padron

How does a job affect full time students compared to those who don’t have a job? Matthew E. Balli

Time Management and Writing with Authority Jose A. Camarillo

Time Management within Working Senior and Freshmen Students Brytania G. Delgado

The Nursing Student and Motherhood Rocio M. Saenz

College Parents as Teachers Erika L. Lopez

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What is considered good report writing in Law Enforcement? Gabriel U. Guerrero

Time Management Skills Effect on a Student’s GPA Miguel A. Munoz

How do undergraduate students manage their time when they work and go to school? Diego A. Lopez

The Time Management Skills of Working Freshmen College Students Nency V. Martinez

Transferable Writing Skills Hector Angel Gomez

Biology Pre-Med Programs and Writing Prerequisites Nathan Treviño

Writing in ESL College Students Ernesto Guadalupe Gonzalez Incorporation of Rhetorical Reading Rueben Wisdom

What writing habits do nursing students have compared to nursing graduates? Jessica Marie Tovias

Psychology Nicole Zarate

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Administrative & Financial Support

Dr. Havidán RodriguezPresident, ad interim, The University of Texas-Pan American

Dr. Cynthia BrownProvost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, ad interim

Dr. Kristin CroyleVice Provost for Undergraduate Studies

Dr. Ala QubbajVice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Dr. Danika M. BrownDirector for Undergraduate Research & Service Learning

Dr. Deborah ColeCenter for Teaching Excellance, Director

Dr. Tulay AtesinADVANCE Administrative Fellow

Dr. Chris Smith Dr. Daniel Plas

Undergraduate Research Pedagogy Consultants

Administrative AssociateMs. Myrna Ruiz

Graduate Research AssistantsMs. Brittany Nicole Ramirez

Mr. Tomas Eric GuerreroMr. Pitchie Alavala

UR&SL Graphic Design Student AssistantMs. Laura Amaro

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Workshop Guest Consultants

Dr. Rebekah HamiltonUniversity Writing Center, Director

Mr. Luther MangrumUniversity Writing Center, Tutor

Ms. Brittany SalazarUniversity Writing Center, Tutor

Ms. Alyssa CerroniHauser Lab, Director

Mr. Jay PedregosaHauser Lab, Speech Coach

Ms. Iliana CantuHauser Lab, Speech Coach

Dr. Zen FaulkesDepartment of Biology

URC Abstract ReviewersDr. Michael Persans

Dr. Tamer OrabyDr. Marika Dawkins

Dr. Amy CumminsDr. Mohammad Azarbayejani

Dr. Servando HinojosaMarcella Hebbard

Dr. Don CarlsonSatya Kachiraju

Dr. Wanling HuangDr. Diego Escobari

Dr. Natasha Altema Mcneely

URC Abstract Reviewers (cont.)Liza Soria

Frank CostillaDr. Dorina Chipara

Dr. Tulay AtesinDr. Chris Smith

Dr. Nan XiaoDr. Joseph Nwankpa

Hani AldirawiMichelle Aguilar

Nina AvilaSebastian Castillo

Kevin GalavizMarisol Gonzalez

Zhanette GonzalezLisette Lea

Robert LongoriaBrittany Ramirez

Jose SalinasDr. Brian Yust

John HamiltonStephanie Palmer

Padmini KukkapalliHomero Cantu

Jose (Trey) Ybarra

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Vendors & ContributorsUTPA’s Studio Twelve01

UTPA Print ServicesUTPA University Programs Board (UPB)

UTPA Student Health & Alcohol Awareness Group (SHAAG)

UTPA Office of International Programs (OIP)UTPA Center of Excellence in STEM Education

UTPA Center for Online Learning, Teaching and Technology (COLTT)

UTPA Hauser LabUTPA Office of Sustainability

Thank you to all our volunteers!

NOTES

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Creative Origami by Kunihiko Kasahara

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#URC2014UTPA

Think outside the book.

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