Top Projects Announced From Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

After missing last year due to COVID restrictions, the Office of Research and Creative Activity was able to once again hold the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Fair (RCAF) on the UNO campus.

Friday, March 4, marked the return of the fair, which provides students from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs the opportunity to showcase their innovative research or show-stopping creative works.

This year marked the 14th year of RCAF with more than 100 students presenting topics ranging from physical therapy for baseball pitchers to whether older animals in a home can decrease stress levels of older adults.

In its 15 years, RCAF has served as the launching point for hundreds of academic scholars, performers, scientists, musicians, educators, social workers, and much more.

This year, 16 unique submissions were selected from among the best across undergraduate and graduate categories for oral and poster presentations.

Here are this year’s award recipients, as determined by a panel of campus and community judges:

2022 Research and Creative Activity Fair Winners

Graduate Oral Presentations or Performances

Best – Nikolaos Papachatzis and Samuel F. Ray, Biomechanics, “Do anatomical variations in human feet allow some individuals to walk faster with less effort?”; Advisor: Kota Takahashi, Ph.D. | Abstract

Outstanding – Tyler Hamer, Biomechanics, “Evaluation of a Baseball Pitching Program and Its Impact on Pitching Performance Biomechanics”; Advisor: Brian Knarr | Abstract

Meritorious – David Salazar, Biomechanics, “3D Printed Anatomical Models Improve Student Comprehension of Complex Anatomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.”; Advisor: Jorge Zuniga, Ph.D. | Abstract

Honorable Mention – Liz Pekas, Jonathan R. Thompson, Iraklis I. Pipinos, Sangeo Park, Cody P. Anderson, Michael F. Allen, Dong Gun Jin, and Song-young Park; Biomechanics & Kinesiology, “Integrative function of microcirculation and skeletal muscle function in peripheral artery disease.” Advisor: Song-young Park, Ph.D. | Abstract

Undergraduate Oral Presentations or Performances

Best – Maia Bennett, Biology, “Impact of Helper-like Innate Lymphoid Cells in NK Cell-Mediated Cancer Cell Killing.”; Advisor: Paul Denton, Ph.D. | Abstract

Outstanding – Maverick Berkland, Mathematics, “n-Link Robot Manipulator: Simulation and Control Design.”; Advisor: Mahboub Baccouch, Ph.D. | Abstract

Meritorious - Emily Champion, “The Role of Physician Empathy, Patient Trust and Coping Resilience on Compliance to Treatment Regimen.”; Advisor: Lisa Scherer, Ph.D. | Abstract

Honorable Mention – Ryan Chapman, Biology, “Utilization of Bioinformatics to Identify Novel Regions of the Toxoplasma gondii Genome with Improved Diagnostic Capability.” Advisor: Paul Davis, Ph.D. | Abstract

Graduate Poster Presentations

Best – Farahnaz Fallahtafti, Zahara Salamifar, Iraklis Pipinos, Jason Johanning, Hafizur Rahman, and Mahdi Hassan, Biomechanics, “Ankle Foot Orthoses Improves Ground Reaction Forces in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.” Advisor: Sara Myers. | Abstract

Outstanding – John Rech, Biomechanics & Kinesiology, “Exploring preschool teachers’ physical activity and their impact on children’s physical activity.” Advisor: Danae Dinkel, Ph.D. | Abstract

Meritorious – Judith Kim, Gerontology, “Cognitive Complexity under High Cognitive Load situation (HCLS) in Older Adults.”; Advisor: Julie Blaskewicz Boron, Ph.D. | Abstract

Honorable Mention – Isaac Lindquist, Psychology, “Examining Role Clarity's Effects in Collegiate Baseball Player Motivation.”; Advisor: William Kramer, Ph.D. | Abstract

Undergraduate Poster Presentations

Best – Sydney Andreasen, Biomechanics, “Developing an Immersive Environment for Visual Scanning Assessment and Training of Unilateral Spatial Neglect After Stroke and Healthy Baseline Assessment.”; Advisor: Brian Knarr, Ph.D. | Abstract

Outstanding – Meghan Prusia, Biomechanics, “Relationships between finger tapping and gait timing in musicians and non-musicians.”; Advisor: Vivien Marmelat, Ph.D. | Abstract

Meritorious – Lizeth Basilio, Biology, “The Genetics of Filamentation and Pathogenesis in Divergent Clinical C. albicans Isolates.”; Advisor: Jill Blankenship, Ph.D. | Abstract

Honorable Mention – Alicia Andersen, Biomechanics, “Determining the impact of supervised exercise therapy on gait variability in patients with peripheral artery disease.”; Advisor: Hafizur Rahman | Abstract

Curious about how you can get a jump start on next year’s RCAF? Be sure to explore student funding and support options through the Office of Research and Creative Activity on their website.