Graduate Research Achievement Day 2025

Come join us to celebrate the winners of GRAD Virtual!

Please click "chat with the presenter" at 1 p.m. to join the Zoom meeting.

UND Graduate School

While aviation remains a safe mode of transportation, there are still moments where the layers of safety are unable to contain an adverse event, such as a midair collision. When the safety gaps intersect, there is high potential for a loss of life. While there has been some research on midair collisions and avoidance, there has been little research into specifics of near midair collision (NMAC) events. Viewing the NMAC events as precursors allows us to examine specifics and utilize that knowledge to enhance air safety for all. This study examined 2,251 NMAC reports submitted to the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) and classified each report as to whether the pilots in the incident were in communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC). Of the years examined (2008-2017), most results show between 68 percent and 72 percent of NMACs occurred while at least one of the aircraft was in ATC communication.

Heather McNevin

Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) integrated into virtual reality (VR) enhances immersion and mitigates cybersickness. We evaluated the impact of joint GVS and VR on standing balance, since new applications have users standing and ambulating. Motion sickness, postural sway, and velocity along the mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) axes were obtained for 18 subjects while an optokinetic (OPK) stimulus (black and white vertical bars moving left to right) was played in a VR headset across three interventions: GVS in the same direction of visual stimulus (Positive GVS), GVS in the opposite direction of visual stimulus (Negative GVS), and VR without GVS (Null GVS). Motion sickness symptoms increased significantly with Negative GVS. The sway range and velocities along the ML were greater during Positive and Negative GVS than Null GVS, while along AP, it was only greater during Negative GVS. It’s important to test these interventions on standing balance for safety purposes.

Sarah Kingsbury

Active-duty service members must receive an annual flu vaccine, while their immediate family members may decline it. This unique situation may lead some parents to experience both positive and negative attitudes toward them and their children receiving flu vaccines, a phenomenon called ambivalent attitudes toward vaccination. This study examines predictors of such attitudes through an online survey of 429 military parents. Findings indicate that greater flu knowledge reduces ambivalence toward both personal and child vaccinations, while using X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram increases ambivalence about personal vaccination but not child vaccination. Additionally, descriptive norms – the perceived popularity of vaccination among important others – reduce ambivalence toward both, whereas subjective norms – social pressure to vaccinate – increase it. To further explore how these factors shape vaccination intentions, a follow-up survey and qualitative interviews will be conducted. Findings would inform internal military communication strategies to address ambivalence and improve flu vaccine uptake.

Walter Carroll

This autoethnography explores a decade-long journey of navigating military mental health care, reflecting on personal experiences with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. The paper highlights some systemic challenges and improvements in mental health care for military members by utilizing a blend of narrative and reflexive analysis, focusing on stigma, gaps in long-term treatment options, and the resilience required by those seeking assistance. Drawing on interactions with nine providers across multiple installations and deployments, this reflection underscores the challenges of accessing consistent care and the impact on service members and their families. This paper examines how military mental health stigma is communicated and how structural barriers within service impact care-seeking, aiming to shift discourse and promote institutional change by intertwining personal experience with systemic analysis.

Michael Mason

Marital satisfaction is a critical aspect of relationship health. However, existing research on Black couples often adopts a deficit-based approach, focusing on challenges rather than strengths. This literature review shifts the narrative by examining factors that contribute to marital satisfaction among Black couples through a strength-based lens. Key themes include financial stability, spirituality, effective communication, and the role of extended family networks. The review also addresses systemic racism, cultural expectations, and socioeconomic pressures while exploring strategies to enhance relationship quality. The concept of being “equally yoked” is discussed, along with implications for future research. By centering the experiences of Black couples and highlighting their resilience, this review provides valuable insights for researchers and clinicians seeking to support and enhance marital satisfaction. The terms ‘Black’ and ‘African American’ are used interchangeably to refer to individuals of African descent in the United States, acknowledging the diversity within this population.

Marcus Banks

Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HCAI) for cybersecurity is an emerging field that balances the analytical power of AI with human expertise to create effective and user-friendly solutions. This research investigates how to incorporate HCAI principles into cybersecurity practices, with an emphasis on user-friendly system designs and fostering trust between humans and AI. Key applications include AI-driven threat detection, behavioral analysis, phishing prevention, secure user authentication, and automated incident response. AI enhances efficiency and accuracy by analyzing large datasets and automating repetitive tasks, while ethical decision-making and contextual understanding remain under human oversight.

The benefits of HCAI include improved user experience, fewer false positives, and adaptive systems that evolve with emerging threats. This research underscores HCAI’s potential to prioritize human needs while harnessing the capabilities of AI to effectively address cybersecurity challenges.

Selorm Addom-Tetteh

This research aims to advance the field of aeromicrobiology by investigating microbial communities within the stratosphere and their potential role in mitigating climate change. By developing an accessible, cost-effective 3D-printed bioaerosol sampler, this project will enable nationwide data collection through collaboration with STEM students across the United States. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, the collected samples will provide insights into microbial diversity and ecological niches within the stratosphere, with a particular focus on identifying methanotrophs, microorganisms capable of oxidizing methane. This study seeks to establish a comprehensive database of stratospheric microbial communities, standardize bioaerosol sampling methods, and explore the potential for genetic modifications to enhance methanotroph efficiency under extreme atmospheric conditions. By combining scientific innovation with STEM outreach, this project not only contributes to greenhouse gas mitigation but also fosters the next generation of scientists, positioning aeromicrobiology as a key player in addressing global climate challenges.

Kim Berthet

"Project CuRRENT (Culturally Relevant River Education for Nature-based Teaching) has created and disseminated a professional development program that offers education and resources that assist educators with integrating interdisciplinary STEM curriculum and Indigenized instruction with place-based, culturally relevant, local watershed education. The North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards guide the curriculum to promote the enhancement of teacher self-efficacy and the enrichment of student learning.

Participants have been provided online course modules, cohort days, and workshops at UND, and are implementing lessons in their own classrooms. This poster shares preliminary findings of how teachers perceive and engage with Indigenized STEM, and how this PD impacts their self-efficacy with integrating culturally relevant pedagogy. This research impacts science education and teaching practices by expanding teachers’ knowledge of and self-efficacy with connecting to place and embedding Indigeneity into STEM, therefore supporting the expansion of culturally relevant learning experiences."

Sydney Raboin

"Hydrogen, with its high energy content, is a promising alternative to fossil fuels for transportation, electricity generation, and heating. However, current production relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to CO₂ emissions. This study examines the state of green hydrogen production and the role of the oil and gas industry in scaling it up. Currently, green hydrogen is primarily developed by small utility firms and startups. The study reviews hydrogen production technologies and highlights the potential for large-scale adoption with the oil and gas industry involvement. Leveraging their expertise, financial capacity, and supply chain networks can accelerate infrastructure development, including hydrogen engines, refueling stations, and storage systems. Expanding green hydrogen can support renewable energy integration in hard-to-abate industries, addressing energy security, sustainability, and affordability. The study recommends increased investment and collaboration between renewable energy and oil and gas sectors to accelerate green hydrogen’s adoption as a viable fossil fuel alternative."

Anthony Ekpikie

The US is the largest producer of biofuels globally, manufacturing 43% of production and blending up to 10% domestically. In the US Gulf Coast, Texas leads in petroleum, petrochemical production, and CO2 utilization. Consequently, the area is home to many GHG-emitting petrochemical operations. Due to this high concentration of infrastructure, this research explores the opportunity for development of decarbonizing solutions for chemicals and fuel in the region, focusing on BECCUS (bioenergy with carbon capture utilization and storage) and bio-industrial process technologies. Integrating bioconversion technologies and BECCUS into traditional processes reduces GHGs and enhances the feasibility of heat and chemical products. This study will utilize geographic software, biochemical process simulation, and expert interviews to (1) assess barriers and accelerators, (2) determine bioreactor scalability factors, and (3) assess business potential for implementation.

Darrell Mayon

As a pinnacle of clinical support services, the laboratory department plays a crucial role in diagnostic medicine. However, as a highly technical area patient safety and attention to detail are important daily requirements for all laboratory professionals. To reduce patient safety errors and provide quality patient care for every patient and every sample, competency assessment and continuing education must be embedded into the normal operating routine to ensure compliance and standardization of all processes. It is important for laboratory quality assurance managers to continuously improve training and competencies to ensure all staff are correctly and accurately performing all procedures. As the volume of laboratory samples increases and the staffing levels decrease having a stronger competency and training program is essential. This study will investigate how facilities can improve their training and competency program to ensure lab professionals are effective.

Bethany Johnson

The medical laboratory workforce has been plagued with critical staffing shortages for years. In addition to vacancies, the laboratory profession struggles with a high turnover rate for both testing personnel and leadership. These personnel shortages may affect more than the morale and workload of the staff, it can impact patient safety, operational efficiency and the overall quality of the lab. Ensuring quality systems are in place is a key component and can be monitored through laboratory accreditation via the inspection process. In this study, I examined literature to determine if utilization of a succession plan has an impact on the overall quality of the laboratory evidenced by reducing inspection deficiencies despite the industry’s shortages and turnover.

Christina Jones

Moral distress is well-documented in high-risk care environments and can negatively impact nurses, patients, and the healthcare system. Triggers of moral distress are unknown in rural clinic nurses. This study sought to gain a broader understanding of moral distress in nurses working in rural clinic settings. Informed by Rural Nursing Theory, using convergent mixed methods, 52 nurses from four midwestern states were surveyed using the MMD-HP and narrative questions. Mean moral distress was 74.7 (SD = 76.8). Correlation analysis found no significant relationships between moral distress, demographics, or work experience variables. Thematic analysis identified four themes: 1) Lack [of something] leads to Moral Distress 2) Barriers to Patient Care and Adherence 3) Inappropriate Healthcare Utilization 4) Care and Practice Factors that Lead to Moral Distress. Rural clinic nurses experience moral distress for reasons unique to rural practice, while other triggers are shared with urban nurses.

Sydney Johnson

This study explores spacecraft trajectory optimization within the 4-body problem, focusing on the Sun, Earth, Moon, and a spacecraft. The research aims to design optimized trajectories for a spacecraft inserted into a high-energy translunar injection orbit, utilizing continuous low-thrust propulsion systems such as solar sails or solar electric propulsion. The optimization framework is built on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), a flexible, heuristic algorithm well-suited for trajectory design in multi-body environments. The study extends prior research on low-thrust transfers, such as those from the Lunar Gateway to low lunar orbit, by applying PSO to the 4-body problem, focusing on fuel efficiency, mission duration, and spacecraft stability within the Earth-Moon system. The goal is to solve an optimal transfer problem from a translunar injection to a target or final state for proximity operations. This approach allows for iterative modifications, accommodating various mission parameters and constraints.

Amber Scarbrough

Doublet crater research has been linked to binary asteroid research for many years and is a key for planetary defense, asteroid science, and planetary science development. Previous studies have focused on Monte Carlo analyses involving possible impact geometries, but little has been done to bound the characteristics of the binary asteroid systems using the doublet craters they created. The purpose of this research is to determine the story of pre-collisional binary asteroid evolution utilizing crater morphologies as the initializing parameters and applying tools to model the binary systems that may have made up these craters. Questions arise about the orbital regimes of binary asteroids prior to impacting and creating doublet craters on a Solar System bodies. This research aims to answer those questions.

Shane Bruski

This research assesses the sustainability and feasibility of a community scale corn ethanol plant to support the people and activities for Tribal communities in North Dakota and Kansas. This technology aims to enhance the energy sovereignty of these communities by offering a roadmap that can be used by Tribal Governments to aid in decision making. The proposed community scale plant will produce ethanol, corn oil, and animal feed. A modular design with a production capacity of 380,000 L (100,000 gallons) of ethanol per year is being developed. The ethanol will be blended to produce 2,600,000 L (700,000 gallons) of E15 fuel, 300,000 kg (650,000 lbs) of animal feed, and 24,000 L (6,250 gallons) of corn oil.

Carter Singleton

Registration cancelled

Registration cancelled

Without continuous model updates, handling modern-day security systems in large-scale networks is a challenging endeavor. Worse still, the phenomenon of covariate shift resulting from either a rapidly changing attack distribution or frequent changes in network behaviors and architecture, has become a significant concern in the field of network intrusion detection research. To overcome these challenges, this research study uses Reinforcement Learning to build a smart system that can dynamically, in real-time, learn and adapt its detection capabilities to respond to evolving attack strategies, spot unusual activity in a network, as well as pick up on changes in network behavior that might signal an attack. To test and verify the performance of the model, this study uses the NSL KDD and CICIDS 2017 dataset. Results show that the model achieves promising performance in terms of accuracy and lower FPR rates while also being able to incrementally learn newer data patterns.

Moje Jeje

Justice-involved individuals experience poor health before, during, and after incarceration, yet their ability to access, understand, and apply health information remains critically understudied. Despite this clear need, standardized tools for assessing health literacy in prison settings are lacking, leaving gaps in understanding how incarcerated individuals engage with health information. This study, currently in its early stages, plans to leverage the 2014 Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) Prison Study to create a proxy measure of health literacy, examining how literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills shape health knowledge in prisons. Using latent class analysis (LCA), this research will explore whether distinct subgroups of incarcerated individuals emerge based on demographic factors and assess how these subgroups may relate to self-reported health status. By addressing these gaps, this study aims to provide a nuanced framework for understanding health literacy in carceral settings, informing future research and policy interventions.

Laura Mishne Heller

This study utilizes ArcGIS and Landsat satellite imagery to identify potential oak tree refugia in the Chicago metropolitan area, focusing on Kane County, Illinois. Due to climate change and land-use pressures, oak species face migration challenges. By analyzing current and past NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data, key locations with the highest NDVI and most significant improvements were identified. The findings highlight potential refugia, including forest preserves and private lands, that could support oak conservation efforts. Future research will expand the methodology to the entire region, incorporating additional data points, historical oak stands, and isochrone mapping to optimize migration corridors. This research supports long-term conservation planning and policy recommendations to enhance oak species longevity.

Allison Hinton

This study explores the impact of menstrual cycle phases on self-efficacy and performance in female distance runners. Self-efficacy is defined as the belief in one's own capability to plan and perform actions to attain a specific outcome (Bandura, 1997). Using pre- and post-race surveys, athletes' self-efficacy was measured across different menstrual phases. Performance goals were most often met in the early luteal and late follicular phases, with the lowest success in the late luteal phase. Self-efficacy was highest in the late follicular phase. After learning about menstrual cycle effects, athletes only adjusted goals during the bleeding phase, highlighting the impact of menstrual cycle awareness on self-efficacy and performance.

Elyssa Peterson

Recent research on Norway's rural schools reveals a concerning rate of consolidation and closure; 40% of Norway’s public schools have disappeared since 1990. Norwegian research and journalism calls for further empirical investigation on this topic. More broadly, the question of rural consolidation of schools, also discussed as metrocentralization, is of growing concern internationally. This study has begun data collection for case studies of four municipalities in three Norwegian counties, each with at least one recently reorganized or closed school. A range of stakeholder interviews as well as administrative documentation and journalism will form the basis of the analysis. The intended result is a qualitative investigation of questions about the decision-making process, as well as consideration of equity and international comparisons in the municipal and county-level management of Norwegian rural schools.

Richard Hoberg

This project examines the multifaceted challenges facing families in Bernalillo County who support a loved one with opioid use disorder. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined structured surveys (n=44) with in-depth focus group discussions (n=10), we identified four critical themes: Emotional and Social Impacts, Coping Strategies and Resilience, Challenges Navigating Service Systems, and Unmet Needs and Calls for Change. Families consistently reported high stress, disrupted roles, and persistent stigma, all intensified by inconsistent healthcare experiences and limited resources. Participants emphasized the urgent need for accessible mental health services, financial assistance, and cohesive coordination among healthcare providers, community organizations, and law enforcement. Our findings highlight the necessity of holistic, stigma-free interventions, spanning integrated care models, public awareness campaigns, and policy reform, to safeguard household stability and promote recovery. By centering families’ experiences, this study provides evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving healthcare practice, shaping policy, and fostering community resilience.

Rashid Ahmad

The evolving landscape of higher education can contribute to faculty burnout, impacting job satisfaction, retention, and student experiences. This study explores strategies to prevent burnout by reviewing peer-reviewed articles and analyzing faculty satisfaction survey data. Key findings emphasize the importance of educating faculty on burnout prevention and actionable strategies. Identifying early signs of burnout is crucial. Preventative measures and strategies include encouraging faculty to set aside time to focus on non-teaching responsibilities, engaging with their college community, and participating in professional development. Institutional support also plays a vital role in ensuring faculty well-being. Burnout experiences vary among individuals, but since the COVID-19 Pandemic, it has become a widespread concern in higher education. Sharing these findings can help educators and administrators develop effective strategies to support faculty and improve overall institutional health.

Kayla O'Toole

Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) students' education heavily relies on clinical practicum experiences to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Knowledgeable clinical preceptors are vital for engaging and inspiring learning and enabling students to interact within authentic clinical environments involving laboratory peers, patients, and healthcare providers. The variability in preceptor performance can significantly impact students' experiences and, ultimately, their career paths. Constructive feedback aimed at improving preceptor interactions can enhance the clinical learning experience and foster the development of essential laboratory skills while incorporating real-world insights. By evaluating preceptors’ clinical performance with students and developing a structured feedback system, MLS programs can improve student satisfaction resulting in better-prepared graduates and competent laboratorians.

Kyleen Newman

When students first begin college, many lack the fundamental skills to succeed. One of the most important skills for an undergraduate student to learn is what they need to do to not only remember the presented material but also study it to ensure a proper understanding of the material. Without the proper guidance, students may utilize less-than-ideal studying methods, drastically hindering their academic potential. The identification of these students and correction in their methods can swiftly improve their academic success. To investigate this, particularly as it relates to medical laboratory science (MLS), my study will explore how the identification and modification of studying methods in undergraduate MLS students impact their academic performance.

Angelica Topete

Hazard management in small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operations is not as well defined as today’s commercial operations despite sUAS widespread use. FAA Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 107 waived operations’ provisions, which manage hazards for higher risk operations that require approval, can offer insight to organizations establishing UAS Programs in managing their own operation hazards. We seek to understand how the Title 14 CFR Part 107 waived operations manage hazards. We used constant comparative methodology to identify hazard mitigation textual categories from provisions and use networks to assess the dispersion of provisions and the identified categories across issued waivers. Eight mitigation categories and twenty-four subcategories were identified. Most provisions present in waivers are reused across waivers. While there is a broad range of provisions to control for hazard mitigations in the Title 14 CFR Part 107 issued waivers analyzed regulations, they require case-by-case modifications.

Ethan Jordan

Nanoplastic pollution alters marine ecosystems, yet its impact on primary producers remains unclear. My research investigates how phytoplankton, particularly Arctic algal species, respond to nanoplastic ingestion under extreme environmental conditions. Building on recent studies showing that microplastics disrupt carbon and nitrogen cycles in phytoplankton by altering metabolic pathways, growth rates, and stress responses, I am conducting fieldwork in the High Arctic to track nanoplastic prevalence and its effects on algal populations. My study explores whether phytoplankton experiencing nanoplastic stress exhibit aggregation behaviors, potentially leading to clumping, suffocation, and disruptions in biogeochemical cycles. Combining controlled laboratory experiments with Arctic field sampling, this interdisciplinary approach will help characterize the long-term risks of plastic pollution in polar regions. Understanding these effects is crucial as climate change accelerates ice melt, increasing microplastic exposure in vulnerable marine ecosystems.

Dennis Trevino