EUREKA!

Poster Forum
Friday, September 20, 2019

Welcome to the 2019 EUREKA! Poster Forum. EUREKA! (Experiences in

Undergraduate Research, Exploration and Knowledge Advancement) is a unique
endeavor to immerse incoming Calhoun Honors College students into the
academic world of Clemson University. From June 27th through August 3rd, the
2019 EUREKA! program participants performed research, explored the campus
and its many facilities, got acquainted with some of the university’s best faculty and
administrators, and experienced the diverse culture and natural beauty of Upstate
South Carolina.
Based on an idea conceived by Dr. Stephen H. Wainscott, former Director of the
Calhoun Honors College, and further developed by a committee of the following
members:

Dwight Camper, Professor of Entomology, Soil, and Plant Science

Dana Irvin, Assistant Director of the Calhoun Honors College
Pam Mack, Associate Professor of History
James McCubbin, Professor and Chair of Psychology
Mary Miller, Special Assistant to the Provost
Gary Powell, Professor Emeritus of Genetics and Biochemistry
Steve Wainscott, Director of the Calhoun Honors College
Sean Williams, Associate Chair and Professor of English
Bill Pennington, Professor of Chemistry

a new program, “Experiences in Undergraduate Research, Exploration and

Knowledge Advancement!” (EUREKA!), was created in 2006.

During the second summer session of 2019 the fourteenth group of Eurekans
consisting of thirty-three incoming Honors freshmen representing fourteen
different states, and three current Honors students, serving as counselors, were
brought to campus for a five-week period of research, scholarship, and discovery.
Students worked on individual projects under the direction of faculty mentors
in fields ranging from the social sciences and humanities to natural and physical
sciences and engineering. In addition to their research activities the participants
attended workshops, seminars, and field trips on various topics designed to orient
them to academic life on campus and provide them with the basic skills needed to
perform research in a broad range of areas. The Eurekans also became acquainted
with the surrounding area through a variety of social activities, such as camping and
whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River, a Greenville Drive baseball game, and
trips to the Aquarium and Stone Mountain in Atlanta and Carowinds in Charlotte.

In addition to the educational rewards of active participation in undergraduate

research, the students got to know the campus and interacted with many faculty,
staff, administrators, and other students. They developed networks of supportive
mentors and colleagues that will serve them well in their academic careers. Many of
our program participants continue their projects throughout their undergraduate
years. We hope that their enthusiasm for research will encourage their peers to
follow their lead to build an exciting and productive environment for undergraduate
research, scholarship, and discovery at Clemson University.

2
2019 EUREKA! Student Participants
Participant Hometown Major Faculty Mentor Page
Rachel Anderson Fort Mill, SC Biochemistry Dr. Michael Sehorn 22

Noah Arnold Aiken, SC General Engineering Dr. Chris Kitchens 10

Caroline Barrows Fuquay-Varina, NC Biochemistry Dr. Michael Sehorn 14

Joshua Bellue Roswell, GA Economics Dr. Daphne Wiles 15

David Blasky Shelby Township, MI Preprofessional Heath Studies Dr. Jeremy Tzeng 4

William Cannon Stowe, VT Chemistry Dr. Sourav Saha 8

Benjamin Clark Seneca, SC Biochemistry Dr. Liangjiang (LJ) Wang 17

Gabe Cutter Mount Pleasant, SC General Engineering Dr. Pingshan Wang 12

Keegan Dimmick Greenville, SC General Engineering Dr. Prasad Rangaraju 5

Brennan Dougherty Glen Ellyn, IL General Engineering Dr. Yongqiang Wang 9

William Franklin Ft. Leavenworth, KS General Engineering Dr. Kai He 16

Mackenzie Grumbles Franklin, TN Industrial Engineering Dr. Sandra Eksioglu 7

Alexander Harriman Summerville, SC Mathematical Sciences Dr. Daphne Wiles 18

Zach Hubbarth Fort Mill, SC Mechanical Engineering Dr. Chris Kitchens 20

Gavin Hunt Summerville, SC General Engineering Dr. Eric Touya 24

Allison Jacob Lone Tree, CO General Engineering Dr. Yanzhang Wei 11

Lucy Jennings Harrisburg, NC Genetics Dr. Yanzhang Wei 19

Hanna Jiang Clemson, SC Preprofessional Health Studies Dr. Jeremy Tzeng 26

Ashley Larkins Waxhaw, NC Genetics Dr. Hong Luo 25

English Laserna Hollywood, SC Biochemistry and Biological Sciences Dr. Leigh Clark 29

Gabriela Mochizuki Charleston, SC Biological Sciences Dr. Mark Blenner 23

Devin Narula Mt. Pleasant, SC Computer Science Dr. Yongqiang Wang 21

Wesley Nichols Greenville, SC General Engineering Dr. Jeremy Tzeng 34

Caroline Peak Aiken, SC General Engineering Dr. Mark Blenner 27

Stuart Philp Charleston, SC Biological Sciences Dr. Michael Sehorn 28

Erin Rassel Crossville, TN Biological Sciences Dr. Liangjiang (LJ) Wang 32

Michaela Santelia Chappaqua, NY Biological Sciences Dr. Jeremy Tzeng 33

Emma Simon Boalsburg, PA General Engineering Dr. Patrick Hiesl 6

Pramita Suresh Spartanburg, SC General Engineering Dr. Sruthi Narayanan 13

Jonathan Tan Lexington, SC Biochemistry Dr. Thompson Mefford 31

Jason Teets Hackettstown, NJ Computer Science Dr. Yongqiang Wang 37

Shreya Thammana Greenville, SC General Engineering Dr. Chris Kitchens 30

Hunter Udowychenko Orlando, FL General Engineering Dr. Yongqiang Wang 36

Aaron Williams Morrisville, NC General Engineering Dr. Joshua Alper 35

Terryn Witherspoon Uniontown, OH General Engineering Dr. Konstantin Kornev 38

Julia Wood Westerville, OH Biochemistry Dr. Hong Luo 39

3
Evaluation of the pH Biosensor in Orthopedic Implant
Application
David Blasky, Shayesteh Beladi, and Dr. Jeremy Tzeng
Department of Microbiology, Clemson University

This research begins on the premise that in nearly 5% of surgical implants, an

unwarranted infection arises. This causes the surgeons and doctors to reopen the
wound, treat the infection with the removal of the implant, and then reperform
the initial procedure, causing a major amount of pain and suffering as well as
time and money. The purpose of this study is to prevent this phenomenon from
occurring. Overall, the work has mainly focused on the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.
This bacteria are the most prevalent species associated with orthopedic implant
infection. Biofilm forms on the implant due to infection and this can cause many
complications including a difficult procedure to remove the infected implant. To
target this problem a biosensor has been developed to detect changes in pH caused
by the presence of bacterial infection that will be imaged by a revolutionary X-Ray
imaging system. When an infection is present the pH drops. The sensor itself will
be attached to the implant inserted during the surgery. Further into research and
development, the plan is to design a device that could hit a target pH and release
antibacterial agent to fight the infection.

4
3D Printing of Concrete Structures
Keegan Dimmick, Haripriya Nekkanti, and Dr. Prasad Rangaraju
Glenn Department of Civil Engineering, Clemson University

3D printing has a wide range of applications including manufacturing components

for automobiles and other industries. Among the most promising applications of
3D printing is in construction. Concrete
is the most widely used construction
material throughout the world, but
building with it is a tedious process. The
current construction practices in the
concrete industry are labor intensive,
costly, and time-consuming. 3D printing
of concrete structures allows for a
much safer, faster, and cheaper process.
Additionally, by automating the build
process and eliminating formwork, there
is less room for error and more freedom
of design. In this study, we focused
mainly on developing an ideal concrete
mix for 3D printing. This means that
the mix must be easily extrudable for
a prolonged duration, but it also must
hold a shape and have structural integrity
when multiple layers are cast. To test
different mixes, we experimented with
adding various concrete admixtures and
additives such as superplasticizer, viscosity
modifying agent, set retarder, metakaolin, and fibers. Numerous tests on each of
the mixtures were conducted to characterize their rheological behavior (yield stress;
plastic viscosity), flow, extrudability, and open time. We also plan to 3D print these
mixtures and test their mechanical and durability properties.

5
Cost Differences of Wood Chipping Methods
Emma Simon and Dr. Patrick Hiesl
Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University

There are three options for a landowner when thinning a forest stand and producing
wood chips. The methods are: producing roundwood in-woods and chipping at the
mill, chipping in-woods, and using the delimbed bole or trunk for roundwood and
the treetops for in-woods chips. The purpose of this project was to use the volume of
usable material, mill prices, trucking rates, production rates, and the distance from
the mill to find the chipping process that would provide the landowner with the
highest profit and the largest incentive to keep their stand maintained and healthy.
A time study was conducted on in-woods chipping to gain a better understanding of
the process and observe a logging site. The finalized simulation allows an accurate
determination of which method is most cost effective when the landowner is a
certain distance from the mill with a specific stand. This allows landowners to make
informed decisions about how to use their wood. Differences in mill delivered prices
of roundwood are able to influence the health of forests. Dirty chips from in-woods
chipping should be paid with as minimal of a difference as possible to encourage
landowners to properly maintain their stand.

6
Improving Patient Access, Surgeon Efficiency,
Staff Satisfaction, and System Utilization through
Coordination: The PS³-C Operating Room Optimization
Model
Mackenzie Grumbles, Amogh Bhosekar, Robert Allen, and Dr. Sandra Eksioglu
Department of Industrial Engineering, Clemson University

Performing surgical cases is the largest revenue generating activity in most large
hospitals, yet the services provided by operating rooms (ORs) are expensive.
A number of studies show that ORs are typically underutilized. Inadequate
coordination, allocation, and release of surgical time have led to an inefficient
use of facility resources, decreased patient access, and inefficiency in physician
and staff productivity. The objective of this research is to identify opportunities to
improve processes which contribute to the high cost of ORs at Greenville Memorial
Hospital. To achieve this, we have identified four groups of stakeholders who we
have been interviewing to collect the data necessary to achieve our objective. These
stakeholders are patient, surgeon, nurses, and administrators. We interviewed
11 surgeons, 5 nurses, and 8 administrators. Through interviews, we learn that
improving the communication among staff, utilization of resources, patient access,
as well as patient and staff satisfaction can lead to more efficient OR processes.
Making sure to note the barriers to these improvements is also important when
trying to design a process improvement strategy. Knowledge gained from interviews
will help to develop a mathematical model to improve the performance of the overall
system and efficiency of the operating rooms.

7
Synthesis of A Supramolecular Anion
Receptor Precursor
William Cannon, Paola Benavides, and Dr. Sourav Saha
Department of Chemistry, Clemson University

Negatively charged ions, known

as anions, play a fundamental role
in biological and environmental
processes. Anion pollutants
contribute to eutrophication and
disruption to anion transport in
cells can cause diseases such as cystic
fibrosis. Therefore, the development
of anion receptors for recognition
and transport is needed for new
treatments and pollution detection.
By allowing an anion to induce
an electro-chemical or optical
change to a molecule, it is possible
to create different kinds of anion
receptors (see figure 1). Saha et al
demonstrated the ability of pi-anion
interactions to affect measurable
changes within a naphthalene
diimide (NDI) core of a molecule,
and Nitschke et al indicated that molecules containing NDI could be arranged to
into 3D supramolecular catenates using metal-organic ligands. Herein, an anion
receptor containing NDI and metal-ligand coordination was proposed. A precursor
to the supramolecular anion receptor was synthesized through several reactions in
solution. Products were purified through filtration and column chromatography,
and were tested using thin-layer chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy (NMR).

8
Swarm Robotics: Localization of a Sound Source With
a System of Three Microphones
Brennan Dougherty, Devin Narula, Jason Teets, Hunter Udowychenko, Tim
Anglea, and Dr. Yongqiang Wang
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clemson University

The study of swarm robotics has the potential to increase both the efficiency and
scalability of robot-based cooperative tasks. In order for the robots to properly
function together, they first must be able to locate and move with each other. The
main concept addressed in this project, localization, serves to identify the positions
of the robots with respect to each other. For this study, we use three microphones
to triangulate the location of a sound based on the time differences between each
microphone receiving the sound. We compare two algorithms in order to locate the
robot using the microphones. The first algorithm calculates a vector for the direction
of the source of the sound. The second algorithm uses hyperbolas centered at the
midpoints between the microphones to find the position of the sound. We compare
the two algorithms based on their precision and accuracy. Using this analysis, we
further discuss how the algorithms could be combined to create a more effective
method of localization.

9
Gold Nanoparticles in Catalysis
Noah Arnold, Chinmay Joshi, and Dr. Christopher L. Kitchens
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University

The idea behind nano-catalysts is to

use the reactivity of materials at the
nanoscale which is vastly different
than the bulk material. These nano-
catalysts possess large surface to
volume ratios and the catalytic activity
arises from the greater ratio of atoms
that reside on the surface. Currently,
the heterogenous phase nanoparticle
catalysts used in the industry are
immobilized on a metal oxide support
for the ease of separation. However,
colloidal gold nanoparticles have
been shown to have a significantly
higher catalytic activity compared
to immobilized gold nanoparticles.
We have previously functionalized
the gold nanoparticles with ligands
providing them colloidal stability as
well as with ligands that provide them
the functionality to be recovered and reused subsequently while maintaining their
catalytic activity throughout. We further want to test the stability of the colloidal gold
nanoparticles under elevated temperatures by using the reduction of 4–nitrophenol
to 4–aminophenol as our model reaction.

10
Infection of Toxoplasma Gondii Mutant (CPOX) on
Human Cancer Cells
Allison Jacob, Lucy Jennings, Mr. Hui Ding, and Dr. Yanzhang Wei
Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University

Toxoplasma Gondii (T. Gondii) is a common parasite found in most humans. While
healthy individuals don’t have symptoms when infected, immunodeficient people
experience symptoms when infected. Dr. Dou, a collaborator of Dr. Wei’s, developed
a mutant of T. Gondii, named CPOX, which has shown reduced infectious ability.
It will be very interesting to know if the mutant infects human cancerous and non-
cancerous cells in a different way. In this study, human lung carcinoma A549 cells
and human lung epithelial NL-20 cells were infected with wild type T. Gondii or the
mutant CPOX at cell to parasite ratios of 1:1 and 1:5. After infection, the parasite
growth in the cells were measured with the luciferase assay and microscopy. The
results show that the mutant grew much slower in both cancer and non-cancer cells
when compared with the wild type; more importantly, the microscopic analysis
demonstrated that the mutant CPOX parasite grew very differently in cancer cells
when compared with non-cancer cells, while wild type did not show this difference.
This preliminary finding deserves further investigation.

11
The Athermal Effects of Microwave Radiation on Cell
Growth
Gabe Cutter, Tom Caldwell, Duye Ye, and Dr. Pingshan Wang
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clemson University

The regenerative effects found in the electrical stimulation of biological cells have led
to further studies regarding the true effects of microwave treatment. Two effects on
cell growth have been observed: an apparent thermal effect and a reputed athermal
microwave effect. The microwave effect is controversial because inconsistencies in
electromagnetic field uniformity cause local thermal effects and thus cannot be easily
distinguished. To observe the microwave effect, four-hour continuous doses of single-
frequency microwaves over a uniform field are applied to Saccharomyces cerevisiae
yeast cells in an incubator. A control group is placed inside the incubator without
treatment. To differentiate the thermal effects of treatment, a second control group
is placed under increased environmental temperatures. The frequency of 72.1MHz
displayed a 1.7%-81.8% promotion of growth when the data was normalized to
account for evaporation of cell culture. Early testing at 4.86GHz indicated that
there was a decrease in yeast growth. Both procedures were conducted at 1mW
of power. Although short-term achievements have shown that there is a possible
positive microwave effect, further research and procedure repetition are needed to
be conclusive. Potential in these results lies in the development of bioelectronic
medicines and a better understanding of microwaves in electrical engineering.

12
Heat Stress Tolerance in Peanut Plants
Pramita Suresh, Ricardo St. Aime, Zolian Zoong Lwe, and Dr. Sruthi Narayanan
Department of Plants and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University

In the past few years, climate pressures

have increased, causing droughts and
poor soil conditions affecting crop yields.
Peanut is a popular cash crop around the
world, and due to climate change related
stresses (drought and heat) peanut yield
is drastically decreasing. The goal of this
research was to analyze the lipid metabolic
changes in peanut plants during heat
stress and to identify biomarkers to select
heat-tolerant genotypes. The peanut
plants were grown under field conditions.
During flowering stage, two treatments
were imposed on the plants: optimum and
heat stress – the heat stress was imposed
using heat tents. After 9 days of heat
stress anther and leaf tissue samples were
collected for lipid profiling. After sample
collection, heat tents will be removed,
and all plots will be maintained at
ambient temperature till the final harvest
at maturity. The study would provide an
efficient and repeatable screening method
for identifying drought and heat tolerant
peanut genotypes. This would aid plant
breeders in peanut industry to develop
drought and heat tolerant varieties.

13
Incorporation of the Q242L mutation into the human
RAD51 recombinase
Caroline Barrows, Garret Buzzard, and Dr. Michael Sehorn
Department of Biochemistry, Clemson University

Homologous recombination is a repair pathway for double-stranded breaks in

DNA in which an intact homologous
chromosome is used as a template
to resynthesize the damaged DNA.
This process is mediated by the
RAD51 recombinase protein, which
forms a nucleoprotein filament to
search for homology within the intact
chromosome. Polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) is a method typically
used to amplify copies of DNA, but in
this project, it was used with primers
designed to introduce the Q242L
mutation into my RAD51 gene. The
specific goal was to change the amino
acid at position 242 in RAD51 from
glutamine (Q) to leucine (L). This
mutation was chosen to be studied
due to the significance of its location,
which is next to the DNA binding site.
Therefore, it is likely that the RAD51
Q242L mutant will have altered DNA binding affecting the ability of RAD51 to
catalyze D-loop formation and strand exchange.

14
Incidence of Perfectionism in Clemson
Honors Students
Joshua Bellue, Alexander Harriman, and Dr. Daphne Wiles
Department of Teaching and Learning, Clemson University

Perfectionism is a multifaceted trait that ranges from perfectionistic strivings (e.g.,

high goals and standards) to perfectionistic concerns (e.g., obsession with avoiding
failure) and impacts students of all ages. The purpose of this study was to determine
the prevalence of perfectionistic concerns in Clemson Honors College students
(CHCS). The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale was administered to CHCS in
the spring of 2019 and results from this survey (n=129) were analyzed to determine
the magnitude of perfectionistic concerns. Results revealed a high percentage (+74%)
of CHCS feel they cannot relax until their work is perfect, strive to be the best at
everything they do, and must always be successful at school or work. Survey results
also revealed a high percentage (+74%) of CHCS believe people around them expect
them to succeed at everything they do, their parents expect them to excel in all
aspects of their life, and the better they do, the better they are expected to do. These
results indicate perfectionistic concerns in CHCS. Future steps include working
with the Clemson Honors College with the intention of providing resources to the
CHCS community to help address and manage their perfectionistic concerns.

15
Developing Inexpensive and Sustainable Batteries
Through the Use of Potassium
William Franklin, Dr. Jiang Cui, and Dr. Kai He
Department of Material Science and Engineering, Clemson University

As we move towards sustainable energy sources, we must develop new ways to store
this energy for low energy periods. To meet this goal, we need to develop advanced
batteries with less expensive and more abundant electrode materials to store energy
for utility during times of energy drought. The purpose of this research is to develop
the new rechargeable batteries to meet the needs of a growing industry. To create
these batteries, we replaced the lithium in the cathode of battery with potassium.
Potassium is one of the most abundant metals on the earth, making up 2.6% of the
earth’s crust. We synthesized our active material out of potassium carbonate, iron
oxide, and manganese oxide creating the crystalline P2-structured KxMn0.5Fe0.5O2.
This powder was then mixed with carbon black, PVDF, and NMP solvent. The
mixture, along with pure potassium anode and electrolytes were placed inside the
battery. After testing the performance, we found that the potassium battery delivered
a decent charge-discharge capacity with an average efficiency of 87.63%. However,
we found that the potassium-based cathode material contained some unexpected
impurities. If these impurities are removed, we may improve the capacity even more,
creating a viable alternative for expensive lithium ion batteries.

16
Prediction of Novel Autism Risk Genes from
Genomic Data
Benjamin Clark, Erin Rassel, Anqi Wei, Jun Wang, and Dr. Liangjiang Wang
Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly heterogeneous genetic brain disorders
affecting around 1% of the global population. Many studies have been conducted
to identify the role of protein-coding genes in autism development, but the role
of long non-coding RNAs in autism development until recently has remained
unknown. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200
nucleotides in length that do not code for proteins. They make up the majority of
a cell’s transcriptome and serve a significant role in brain development. It follows
that lncRNAs are likely involved in an early onset neurodevelopmental disorder like
autism. In order to identify lncRNAs most likely to be associated with autism, we
employed a novel approach involving differential expression analysis and the use
of a support vector machine (SVM). The differential expression analysis serves to
compare the gene expression levels in the blood samples between 22 ASD patients
and 8 non-ASD controls, while the SVM analyzes gene expression levels of 524 brain
tissue samples collected from non-ASD people only. By comparing the overlapped
lncRNA gene lists of the two methods, we successfully identified the most confident
ASD risk lncRNAs.

17
Incidence of Perfectionism in Clemson Honors
Students
Alexander Harriman, Joshua Bellue, and Dr. Daphne Wiles
Department of Teaching and Learning, Clemson University

Perfectionism is a multifaceted trait that ranges from perfectionistic strivings (e.g.,

high goals and standards) to perfectionistic concerns (e.g., obsession with avoiding
failure) and impacts students of all ages. The purpose of this study was to determine
the prevalence of perfectionistic concerns in Clemson Honors College students
(CHCS). The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale was administered to CHCS in
the spring of 2019 and results from this survey (n=129) were analyzed to determine
the magnitude of perfectionistic concerns. Results revealed a high percentage (+74%)
of CHCS feel they cannot relax until their work is perfect, strive to be the best at
everything they do, and must always be successful at school or work. Survey results
also revealed a high percentage (+74%) of CHCS believe people around them expect
them to succeed at everything they do, their parents expect them to excel in all
aspects of their life, and the better they do, the better they are expected to do. These
results indicate perfectionistic concerns in CHCS. Future steps include working
with the Clemson Honors College with the intention of providing resources to the
CHCS community to help address and manage their perfectionistic concerns.

18
Generation of a Fluorescent Human Cancer Cell Line
Lucy Jennings, Allison Jacob, Mr. Hui Ding, and Dr. Yanzhang Wei
Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), originally discovered in the crystal jellyfish

Aequoreavictoria, is a protein that can emit green fluorescent light when exposed to
ultraviolet light. This green-light-emitting protein is advantageous in labs helping
to identify cells and cellular structures. Accordingly, the objective of this project is
to generate a cancer cell line with GFP expression. We used a plasmid with a GFP
gene and a puromycin selection gene, and a human ovarian cancer cell line, HeLa.
A reagent Lipofectamine 2000 was used for transfection of the plasmid DNA into
HeLa cells. After transfection, 60% of cells were observed green under UV light.
Then puromycin was added to the medium to select the stable cell clones. After two-
week selection, two stable clones were found survived and GFP-positive. The GFP
HeLa cells will be used in cancer research in Dr. Wei’s lab in the future.

19
Finite Element Analysis of Composite Building
Materials
Zach Hubbarth, Caleb Arp, and Dr. Chris Kitchens
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University

The applications of composite materials

are wide-ranging; however, accurate and
robust micromechanical models that
predict the behavior of these materials
are under-developed. Traditional
analytical material models can be very
accurate in specific classes of composites,
but finite element analysis is much more
robust, capable of handling many types
of composite systems. The interface that
exists between a matrix and its filler can
often affect the macroscopic properties
of the material as the size of the filler
approaches the nanoscale. The Kitchens
Research Group is attempting to apply
Digimat coupled with ANSYS to
simulate far-field loading conditions
on material microstructures with this
interphase. We utilized MATLAB and
Python to sample large parameter spaces
efficiently and reduce computational
expense. When processing analyses
using varying relative thicknesses of the interphase between 0.075 and 0.25, the
simulated stress and strain of the block seemed to remain unchanged. Further
simulations will need to be conducted to determine how the interphase affects the
material’s properties. Once more is known about these composite materials, they
could be used as more durable and sustainable options to the components currently
used in buildings and houses.

20
Swarm Robotics: Localization of a Sound Source with
a System of Three Microphones
Devin Narula, Brennan Dougherty, Jason Teets, Hunter Udowychenko, Tim
Anglea, and Dr. Yongqiang Wang
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clemson University

The study of swarm robotics has the potential to increase both the efficiency and
scalability of robot-based cooperative tasks. In order for the robots to properly
function together, they first must be able to locate and move with each other. The
main concept addressed in this project, localization, serves to identify the positions
of the robots with respect to each other. For this study, we use three microphones
to triangulate the location of a sound based on the time differences between each
microphone receiving the sound. We compare two algorithms in order to locate the
robot using the microphones. The first algorithm calculates a vector for the direction
of the source of the sound. The second algorithm uses hyperbolas centered at the
midpoints between the microphones to find the position of the sound. We compare
the two algorithms based on their precision and accuracy. Using this analysis, we
further discuss how the algorithms could be combined to create a more effective
method of localization.

21
Introducing The E50L Mutation Into The RAD51 Gene
Rachel Anderson, Garret Buzzard, and Dr. Michael Sehorn
Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University

Homologous recombination is one of the processes by which cells repair double
stranded breaks in a genome. The RAD51 gene codes for an essential protein that
aids strand invasion to synthesize new DNA. In my project, I have purposefully
introduced a mutation of the RAD51 gene through the use of specially engineered
primers. The E50L mutation changes the positive glutamic acid to neutral, non-polar
leucine at the 50th amino acid, thus changing the shape and function of the protein.
Using the primers designed for E50L, I performed PCR mutagenesis to create a
DNA template that would code for this mutation. This template was assembled into
a circular plasmid, then transformed into E. coli cells for protein expression.

22
Probing Tyrosine and Phenylalanine Feedback
Inhibition in Yarrowia lipolytica
Gabriela Mochizuki, Lexie Adams, Vijay Ganesan, and Dr. Mark Blenner
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University

The research implements the use of the yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica for their
efficiency in producing lipids, with the goal of identifying the presence of feedback
inhibition that restrains the production of the Tyrosine. Focusing on the metabolic
pathway that assembles tyrosine, the genes ARO3, ARO4, and ARO7 were observed
to test the hypothesis of negative feedback occurring and locating the metabolic
process. Feedback inhibition describes the function in which the excess production
of a molecule [Tyrosine] causes a feedback loop influencing tyrosine to allosterically
bind to an enzyme that originally functions to program the construction of that
molecule. However, the allosteric inhibition causes deformity to the enzyme, which
deteriorates the protein, henceforth the enzyme can no longer function. To complete
the experiment, researchers took plasmid from the Y. lipolytica and performed a
restriction digest. Moreover, primers were annealed to create a new double strand
of DNA coding for a knock-out gene to eliminate the gene containing the feedback
inhibition. Once the new segment of DNA was inserted into the vector, the plasmid
was reintroduced into the yeast cell. Present research consists of observing cell
growth to confirm the negative feedback.

23
Macron’s Presidency and France’s Contradictions
Gavin Hunt and Dr. Eric Touya
Department of Languages, Clemson University

Since the founding of La République En Marche! (LREM) in 2016, President

Macron’s party and policies have revealed contradictions. Macron has explained
this by stating that modern problems are complex and require complex solutions.
However, these contradictions could hint towards a deeper and more impactful
trend. The purpose of this study was to observe these inconsistencies to further
understand democratic French and European political issues and explore how they
might affect democracies as they evolve in the 21st century. News articles, polls, and
books on Macron and his policies were obtained in order to write a roughly 30-page
essay that focused on eight policy areas within France: national identity, democracy
within the European Union (EU), a ‘two-speed’ Europe policy, France and
its relationship with NATO, socio-cultural liberal policy and workers’ Rights,
environmental policy and the Yellow Vest Riots, immigration, and religion. After
this information was compiled, common trends were discovered which pointed
towards how these contradictions have impacted democratic life in French society.
The paper argues that globalization of markets and the creation of the EU have led
to these contradictions, and that new political frameworks are needed to address
them and respond to the needs of the people.

24
Subcellular Localization of a Seashore Paspalum
Transcription Factor, pv_WRKY Involved in Plant
Stress Response
Ashley Larkins, Julia Wood, Julia Hu, Dr. Le Li, and Dr. Hong Luo
Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Clemson University

Transcription factors consist of large

families of regulatory proteins, some of
which have been found to evolve in plants
making them more resistant to abiotic
stresses. A common group of these
DNA binding proteins is characterized
by the WRKY genes, which is often
found in plants. Pv_WRKY, a WRKY
transcription factor gene identified
from seashore paspalum (paspalum
vaginatum), a highly salt tolerant grass
has been implicated in plant stress
response. The purpose of this research is
to expand our understanding of the role
pv_WRKY plays in plants by studying
its subcellular localization. The plasmid
pHL1036 was used to extract the gene of
interest, pv_WRKY, through digestion.
This transcription factor gene was then added to the plasmid pHL273 through
ligation, fusing to a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene. The construct
was transformed into the bacteria E.Coli and the recombinant colonies were selected
on LB plate. Plasmid DNA extraction and digestion were conducted to determine
the final correct construct, pHL1037, eady to be introduced into Arabidopsis using
Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation for further research.

25
The Characterization of Jenseniin P, a bacteriocin
produced by Propionibacterium jensenii
Hanna Jiang, Kristy Waldrep, John Abercrombie, and Dr. Jeremy Tzeng
Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides or proteins that are ribosomally synthesized.

Propionibacterium jensenii, a food-grade bacteria species, produces a bacteriocin,
namely, Jenseniin P. To evaluate the potential of using Jenseniin P as treatments
against acne or food-borne pathogens, it is harvested and evaluated in this study
for its antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens and four acne-associated
cutibacteria (ATCC 6919, 11728, 25577, 25564). To prepare Jenseniin P. for testing
against the indicators, a series of processes including harvestation, centrifugation,
filtration, ammonium sulfate concentration, dialyzation, and purification is
completed. To test the inhibition of the indicator organisms by Jenseniin P., plate
assays are prepared to measure the growth of food pathogens and the four acne
strains when treated with the bacteriocin. After the plate assays, a bioassay and a
protein assay are processed to determine the specific-activity of Jenseniin P. and
confirm that it has been purified properly.

26
Efficient Production of Therapeutics By Control of
Cellular Stress Response
Caroline Peak, Dyllan Rives, and Dr. Mark Blenner
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are one of the main efficient producers of
therapeutic proteins, helpful in making many biopharmaceuticals that can assist
in treating diseases. CHO cells have been heavily engineered to mass-produce
these proteins, and because of this engineering and overloading of protein, stress
is induced on the folding mechanism within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
During ER stress, the cell undergoes a process called the unfolded protein response
(UPR), which entails many variations of downstream pathways that can either
lead to homeostasis or apoptosis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)
was utilized to discover which downstream UPR pathway exhibited the highest
upregulation or downregulation of gene expression. The CHOZN host and two
clones producing IgG and EPO- Fc were grown under fed-batch conditions with
samples taken throughout the culture period. Genomic DNA from these cell lines
was used to determine primer efficiencies. qPCR was then utilized with RNA
extracted from fed-batch samples to calculate the fold change of gene expression
under production-like conditions. Collected data suggests the ATF6 downstream
pathway within the UPR is not as favored as previously thought. This data can be
used to increase titer, productivity, and the quality of future CHOZN cell lines.

27
Cloning and Expression of RAD51 Harboring a D161Y
Mutation
Stuart Philp, Garrett Buzzard, and Dr. Michael Sehorn
Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University

Homologous recombination is a key DNA repair pathway for double stranded

breaks that utilizes a homologous sister chromatid as a template for synthesis of the
damaged DNA strand. RAD51, a necessary protein for homologous recombination,
plays a role in searching for a site of homology in order for D-loop formation to be
initiated. Substitutions in the amino acids of proteins can affect the functionality
of these proteins, such as a substitution of aspartic acid for tyrosine in the D161Y
mutation. This mutation has been linked to certain types of leukemia, presenting a
need for research. The purpose of this study was to introduce the D161Y mutation
into template RAD51 DNA and reintroduce a mutated plasmid into cells for protein
expression.Confirmation of this protein expression would allow for testing of the
effectiveness of the mutated protein in carrying out its original and non-mutant
purpose.

28
A Genetic Investigation of Congenital Myasthenic
Syndrome in Great Danes
English Laserna, Sarah C. Murphy, Dr. Diane Shelton, and Dr. Leigh Anne Clark
Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University
Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory, University of California, San Diego

Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) is a rare muscular disorder caused by

defects within the neuromuscular junction. The primary clinical signs of CMS are
muscle fatigue and weakness caused by moderate physical activity. Affected puppies
are typically euthanized. We have identified a novel CMS in a family of Great Danes
in which histopathology indicates an acetylcholine receptor deficiency. Pedigree
analysis suggests an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with incomplete
penetrance. The aim of this study was to identify candidate casual mutations for
CMS in the Great Dane. We generated whole genome resequencing data from an
affected dog and used Integrative Genomics Viewer to scan 33 functional candidate
genes for exonic and splice site variants. We identified 17 exonic variants in 11
candidate genes. None of the variants predict an amino acid change. In conclusion,
CMS in the Great Dane is not caused by a coding or splice site variant in a known
CMS gene. Future aims include scanning the introns of candidate genes for variants
that may impact splicing and using a variant call format file to identify variants in
other genes that are predicted in silico to be deleterious.

29
Investigating the Liquid Phase Behavior of Sulfonated
Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs)
Shreya Thammana, Zachariah Pittman, and Dr. Chris Kitchens
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have recently gained attention because cellulose

is an abundant, cheap, and biologically degradable material with low cytotoxicity.
CNCs are studied as nanocomposites and thin films. They can be synthesized using
cellulose from plants, animals, bacteria, and agricultural biomass. The synthesis is
done aqueously and with few chemical hazards, making it sustainable. This study
investigates the aqueous (liquid phase) behavior of sulfonated CNCs. The extraction
of cellulose nanocrystals is done by adding cellulose to an acid. The acid preferentially
attacks the amorphous regions of the cellulose, yielding rod-like nanocrystals with a
high surface area, hydroxyl groups for functionalization, high colloidal stability, and
mechanical strength. Observations show that with increasing CNC concentration,
liquid crystal phases begin to form. These liquid crystals show shear-induced optical
properties, which increase in concentrated solutions and persist long after shearing.
We use the CNCs liquid crystal optical effects to help characterize the solution
as well as extrapolate the characteristics of other properties. This research is used
to understand the liquid crystal phase, a phenomenon common in processing
techniques and applications of CNCs. Understanding this step can be used to
improve the use of CNCs for utilization in biosensors, drug delivery, and food
packaging.

30
Terbium Ferrite and Dysprosium Ferrite Magnetic
Nanoparticles
Jonathan Tan, Sarah Spence, Tony Yan, and Dr. O. Thompson Mefford
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Clemson University

Magnetic nanoparticles have a multitude of special uses, including magnetic

hyperthermia (killing cells using the hysteretic losses of a rotating magnetic field) of
cancer and bacterial cells, targeted drug delivery, and MRI contrasts. The goal of this
research was to focus on terbium and dysprosium doped ferrite nanoparticles. These
particular elements are special because they have the highest magnetic susceptibilities
of all the elements. We dope these iron oxide particles, or ferrites, by replacing
some iron atoms in iron oxide nanoparticles with our elements of interest, with the
anticipation that the resulting susceptibility will be enhanced with the dopants. These
particles were characterized with a variety of techniques such as AC susceptibility
and transmission electron microscopy imaging (TEM). The results show how these
particles function and how their attributes will better future studies.

31
Prediction of Novel Autism Risk Genes from Genomic
Data
Erin Rassel, Benjamin Clark, Anqi Wei, Jun Wang, and Dr. Liangjiang Wang
Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly heterogeneous genetic brain disorders
affecting around 1% of the global population. Many studies have been conducted
to identify the role of protein-coding genes in autism development, but the role
of long non-coding RNAs in autism development until recently has remained
unknown. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200
nucleotides in length that do not code for proteins. They make up the majority of
a cell’s transcriptome and serve a significant role in brain development. It follows
that lncRNAs are likely involved in an early onset neurodevelopmental disorder like
autism. In order to identify lncRNAs most likely to be associated with autism, we
employed a novel approach involving differential expression analysis and the use
of a support vector machine (SVM). The differential expression analysis serves to
compare the gene expression levels in the blood samples between 22 ASD patients
and 8 non-ASD controls, while the SVM analyzes gene expression levels of 524 brain
tissue samples collected from non-ASD people only. By comparing the overlapped
lncRNA gene lists of the two methods, we successfully identified the most confident
ASD risk lncRNAs.

32
Development of Antibiotic-Inducible Reporter Systems
as Tools for the Study of Antibiotic Penetration
through Biofilms
Michaela Santelia, Maya Elhage, and Dr. Jeremy Tzeng
Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University

Biofilms are microbial communities characterized by cells that are attached to a

substrate or interface with each other; they form an extracellular polysaccharide
matrix. Once the biofilm binds to a surface, it plays a major role in both the spread of
the infection and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Biofilms often form on medical
implants within the human body which can disrupt the function of the human
implant. Patients with severe infections caused by biofilm formation on medical
implants can be treated through surgical interventions or the administration of
long-term antibacterial treatment. The purpose of this study is to develop an in
vitro tool to identify the most effective antibiotic to improve clinical prognosis.
The plasmid, pHT01, was constructed in Escherichia coli DH10B and later inserted
into the Bacillus Subtilis 1012 wt bacteria in order to observe antibiotic penetrance.
After transformation, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) was observed in B. subtilis
under a Fluorescent Light to determine plasmid uptake in B. subtilis. In addition to
observing GFP in B. subtilis, the expression of Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP) will
only be expressed in the presence of vancomycin in bacteria containing the Pila1
promotor. The results are not yet conclusive.

33
Synthesis, Delivery, and Classification of
Nanoparticles in Relation to MAG-MED
Wesley Nichols, Cedric Taylor, Najah Mhesn, and Dr. Jeremy Tzeng
Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University
Department of Material Sciences, Clemson University

Currently in the medical world there exists a reliance on antibiotics for treatment of
infections. Over-prescription has caused large scale antibiotic resistance in bacteria
such as Gonorrhea; topping the WHO watchlist with a diminishing breadth of
available treatments. The use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as a treatment option
in lieu of antibiotics research would allow for effective treatment of diseases that
otherwise might be incurable. MNPs find their use currently as targeted treatments
for cancer via hyperthermia-based therapies which involve particle introduction to
a localized area, followed by magnetic induction; heating and killing cancer cells.
Magnetically Mediated Energy Delivery (MagMED) works in a similar fashion yet
relies on specifically bonding to the target bacterium. The MagMED system used for
this study involves the creation of MNPs via functionalization of iron oxide particles
with a glycoconjugate molecule, GalNAcβ1-4Galβ1-4Glc-NAc-propargyl (aGM2-
MNPs) that adheres specifically to Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA1090. The purpose of this
study is to create aGM2-MNPs and determine the most effective way in which to
deliver them. The goal is to discover methods that would require only 30 min to
deliver and approximately 30 minutes of magnetic exposure thus allowing for a short
visit(s) to treat bacterial infections.

34
Differentiating Human Bone Marrow Neuroblasts into
Neurons and their Adhesion to an MEA for Engineering
Neuronal Circuits
Aaron Williams and Dr. Joshua Alper
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University

Neurons form large networks, sending signals back and forth, allowing for thoughts
to form in the brain. Large scale networks of cells have been produced in laboratory
settings allowing for a better understanding of how large networks of neurons interact.
However, the mechanisms of neuron interaction in small-scale network remain
largely unknown. We engineered a system to build and test small-scale neuronal
circuit to better understand the cellular mechanisms of neurons. To achieve this, we
optimized the differentiation of human bone marrow neuroblasts (SH-SY5Y cells)
into neurons using a retinoic acid, BDNF, and somatostatin media additives. We
also tried the three substrate coatings designed to enhance cell adhesion to the plate,
but we found that no treatment was needed to adhere the neurons. These results
will enable us to better differentiate SH-SY5Y into neurons and adhere the cells
onto plates as we attempt to build simple neuronal circuits using the optical tweezer
and send signals through them using the electrode pads in the MEA. This research
provides insight on how small scale networks of neurons, and ultimately the brain,
work.

35
Swarm Robotics: Localization of a Sound Source With
a System of Three Microphones
Hunter Udowychenko, Brennan Dougherty, Devin Narula, Jason Teets, Tim
Anglea, and Dr. Yongqiang Wang
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clemson University

The study of swarm robotics has the potential to increase both the efficiency and
scalability of robot-based cooperative tasks. In order for the robots to properly
function together, they first must be able to locate and move with each other. The
main concept addressed in this project, localization, serves to identify the positions
of the robots with respect to each other. For this study, we use three microphones
to triangulate the location of a sound based on the time differences between each
microphone receiving the sound. We compare two algorithms in order to locate the
robot using the microphones. The first algorithm calculates a vector for the direction
of the source of the sound. The second algorithm uses hyperbolas centered at the
midpoints between the microphones to find the position of the sound. We compare
the two algorithms based on their precision and accuracy. Using this analysis, we
further discuss how the algorithms could be combined to create a more effective
method of localization.

36
Swarm Robotics: Localization of a Sound Source With
a System of Three Microphones
Jason Teets, Brennan Dougherty, Devin Narula, Hunter Udowychenko, Tim
Anglea, and Dr. Yongqiang Wang
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clemson University

The study of swarm robotics has the potential to increase both the efficiency and
scalability of robot-based cooperative tasks. In order for the robots to properly
function together, they first must be able to locate and move with each other. The
main concept addressed in this project, localization, serves to identify the positions
of the robots with respect to each other. For this study, we use three microphones
to triangulate the location of a sound based on the time differences between each
microphone receiving the sound. We compare two algorithms in order to locate the
robot using the microphones. The first algorithm calculates a vector for the direction
of the source of the sound. The second algorithm uses hyperbolas centered at the
midpoints between the microphones to find the position of the sound. We compare
the two algorithms based on their precision and accuracy. Using this analysis, we
further discuss how the algorithms could be combined to create a more effective
method of localization.

37
Finding Engineering Characteristics of Butterfly
Proboscis Using Computational Microscopy
Terryn Witherspoon, Dr. Artur Salamatin, and Dr. Konstantin Kornev
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Clemson University

Lepidoptera are fluid feeding insects that use their proboscis for fluid intake. A
particular challenge associated with the modelling of the interaction of a liquid
column with the proboscis and the food canal is the right assumption regarding the
shape of the cross-section of the food canal. The shape and the cross-sectional area
are among major determinants of the energy required to pull the liquid column
along the proboscis towards the head and the body. In the current project, we carry
out a systematic study of the available cross-sectional images using computational
microscopy and MATLAB. We prove that the typically assumed circular model
oversimplifies the real shape of the food canal. Thus, an elliptical model is assumed.
We were able to analyze the ellipticity of the food canal and its variation along the
proboscis. While the cross-section is significantly elliptical at its proximal region, it
tends to be more circular in shape at the distal region of the proboscis. Eventually,
the biomechanics of the butterfly proboscis can be mimicked to create a microfluidic
device.

38
Subcellular Localization of a Seashore Paspalum
Transcription Factor, pv_WRKY Involved in Plant
Stress Response
Julia Wood, Ashley Larkins, Julia Hu, Dr. Le Li, and Dr. Hong Luo
Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Clemson University

Transcription factors consist of large families of regulatory proteins, some of which

have been found to evolve in plants making them more resistant to abiotic stresses.
A common group of these DNA binding proteins is characterized by the WRKY
genes, which is often found in plants. Pv_WRKY, a WRKY transcription factor
gene identified from seashore paspalum (paspalum vaginatum), a highly salt tolerant
grass has been implicated in plant stress response. The purpose of this research
is to expand our understanding of the role pv_WRKY plays in plants by studying
its subcellular localization. The plasmid pHL1036 was used to extract the gene of
interest, pv_WRKY, through digestion. This transcription factor gene was then
added to the plasmid pHL273 through ligation, fusing to a green fluorescent protein
(GFP) reporter gene. The construct was transformed into the bacteria E.Coli and
the recombinant colonies were selected on LB plate. Plasmid DNA extraction and
digestion were conducted to determine the final correct construct, pHL1037, ready to
be introduced into Arabidopsis using Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation
for further research.

39
EUREKA! Contributors
While EUREKA! was conceived through the vision of Dr. Wainscott and the hard
work of the committee and continues to thrive with the support of Provost Bob
Jones, Dean John Griffin, and Honors College Executive Director, Dr. William
Lasser, we are grateful for Dr. Bill Pennington, who guided the EUREKA! Program,
serving as its Director from the program’s inception in 2006 until 2017.

This year we are so appreciative of the dedicated Clemson Honors staff who worked
together to provide a quality program for all of our 2019 EUREKA! participants:

Susan Falendysz EUREKA! Interim Director

Sonja Massey Finances
Jacqueline Overton Administrative Assistant
Rachael Wallace EUREKA! Program Assistant
Wini Del Winkler Webmaster

Counselors
Our counselors, Zach Hubbarth, English
Laserna, and Kenzie Grumbles provided care
and support for the program participants on a
daily basis and served as ideal role models for
our 2019 Eurekans.

Tours and Talks

Special thanks to the following for providing inspiration and information to the
Eurekans.

Dr. Jeff Appling Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies

Dr. Warren Chatwin Assistant Director, Major Fellowships
Jessica Kohout-Tailor Assistant Librarian, Cooper Library
Kelsey Sheaffer Assistant Librarian, Cooper Library
Dr. Kelly Smith Interim Chair, Philosophy and Religion
Holly Williams Professional Development Coordinator, Honors College