Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
The Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum (CSURF) is an undergraduate conference sponsored by Colorado College (CC), the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), and Pikes Peak State College (PPSC). Initiated in 2004 and held annually, the conference highlights the accomplishments of undergraduates from these institutions. Students present their research in symposia or poster sessions. The event rotates annually between the four campuses and is open to the public.
Colorado College Presenters
21st Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Armstrong Hall, Colorado College, April 26, 2025
Jake Greenblatt 
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Prosocial Behavior and Moral Identity Development:
A Proposed Positive Feedback Loop Inspired by a Field Placement Experience at Concrete Couch
Tayo Hopfer
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Burden, Stigma, and Support Among Family Caregivers of Persons with Schizophrenia
H. Knox Huang
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
The Sociocultural Shaping of Depression Perception: Help Seeking and Impulsivity
Aine Kaminski
Advisor: Marcela Fernandez-Peters
Impact of Inhibition of the Mediodorsal Thalamus to Medial Prefrontal Cortex Pathway Between Postnatal Days 20 and 35 on Attentional Set Shifting
Hyungyu Kim
Advisor: Adam Light
Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment: Breakdown of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances on Plant Surfaces
Ben Leibowitz
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Focused Attention Improves Social Media Engagement Experiences
Remi Maher
Advisor: Greg Peters
Addressing the Treatment Gap: An Evolutionary Perspective on Addiction's Effect on Public Stigmatization of Substance Use Disorders
Ana Martin
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Morning White Light Exposure Shortens Sleep Latency and Morning Blue Light Exposure Improves Self-Reported Mood in College Students
Grace Nguyen
Advisor: Sally Meyer
Analysis of Cognitive Function in Colorado College Students in Correlation with Carbon Dioxide Levels
Nicole Peirson
Advisor: Marcela Fernandez-Peters
Effects of Aromatase Inhibition on Rapid Dendritic Spine Neuroplasticity in the Auditory Cortex of Songbirds
Kole Petersen
Advisor: Fay A. Guarraci
An Animal Model of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy: The Effects of Testosterone or Estrogen on Sexual Behavior in Long-Evans Rats
Xinran Wang
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Absorbed Attention Enhances Aesthetic Experiences: Testing a New Measure
Hannah Yeary
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Stress and Well-Being at Colorado College: The Interplay of Identity and Autonomy
20th Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Gallogly Events Center, UCCS, April 27, 2024
Denise Benitez 
Advisor: John Horner
BIPOC Considerations in the Development and Implementation of Psilocybin Assisted Therapy
Luke Bleckman
Advisor: John Horner
More or Less Structured Toys: Can Different Toys Change the Prosocial Behaviors of Children?
Basimah Curry
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Exploring Decision Reversibiity Through College Grade Track Changes
Violet Datcu
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Mental Health and Wellbeing of Undergraduates Based on Financial Aid Status
Isabella Hageman
Advisor: Margaret Kneuer
Impact of Coming Out Experiences on Attachment, Moderated by Perceived Peer Support
Riley Hester
Advisor: Margaret Kneuer
Maybe We Can Laugh It Out: Investigating the Impact of Laughter Through Memory on Constructive Conflict Resolution in Romantic Relationships
Jack Higgins
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Mitigating Sevoflurane-Induced Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (POCD): Pharmacological and Clinical Interventions
Gina Lynch
Advisor: John Horner
Universality of the Need for Novelty Across Age Groups: Potential for Inclusion in Basic Psychological Needs Theory
Luca Pieretti
Advisor: Jason Weaver
Assessing the Equine Guided Learning and Healing Experience: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective
Annie Seymour
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Substance Free and in College: An Examination Into How to Best Support Students Defying the Norm
Fargol Yeganeh Fathi
Advisor: Marcela Fernandez-Vargas
Digital Media Consumption Relationship with Qeirat in Iran
Cerella Zhao
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
A Feminist Perspective on Parasocial Romance Relationships in Gaming
19th Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Armstrong Hall and Cornerstone Arts Center, Colorado College, April 22, 2023
Lily Zimin Guo 
Advisor: Marcela Fernandez-Peters
Integrin in Neural Development and Function: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications
Rhetta Power
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
The Dematerialized Self: Smartphone Mediated Being-in-the-World
Helena Saunders
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Alienation on Campus: The Impact of Cultural Identity and Campus Belongingness on College Students
Rocky Tongyan Sui
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Impact of Prenatal and Postnatal Inulin Supplementation on Memory and Gut Microbiota in Maternally Separated Rats
18th Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Aspen Building, Pikes Peak Community College, April 9, 2022
Julia Nolan
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Psychological and Somatoform Dissociation in Binge Eating: Development of the Dissociative Eating Scale
Maya Sikora
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Orthorexia: When Disordered Eating Becomes a Moral Good
Madeleine Ross
Advisors: Jeremy C. McIntyre & Lori Driscoll
Characterizing Ciliary Localization of Type 3 Andenylyl Cyclase Mutations in a Novel Obese Mouse Model
16th Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Centennial & Berger Halls, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, April 6, 2019
Pan Gu
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
False Beliefs on Symptoms, Cause, and Treatment of Depression
Zach Schulman
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Chronic Oral Supplementation of the Probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis Increases Resilience to Social Stress in Adolescent Male Rats
Hannah Schultz
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Relationship Between Culture, Westernization, and Mental Health in Northern Chile: An Examination of Intercultural Mental Health
Nisha Venkateswaran
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Bifidobacterium infantis 35625 Supplementation in Eubiotic Adolescent Rats Promotes Social Preference and Reduces Anxious Behaviors
Jinkang Yu
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Comparative Study of Depression, Voice, and Shame
15th Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Armstrong Hall, Colorado College, April 28, 2018
Paige Anton
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 Supplementation in Eubiotic Adolescent Rats Does Not Influence Anxious or Compulsive Behaviors
Sarah Barker
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Cross Generational Effects of Bifidobacterium Infantis 35624 on the Maternal Restraint Model of Depression
Caleigh Cassidy
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Stigma in Bipolar Disorder: The Impact of Cause and Treatment Information
Matthew Cole, Camille Ginsburg, & Kelly Culshaw
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
So You Think You're a Creep?: Sexualization in Youth Dance
Alec Sheffield
Advisor: Dr. Flavio Frohlich
Modulation of Neural Oscillations with Frontal Transcranial Static Magnetic Field Stimulation
Katharine Teigen
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Bifidobacterium infantis Supplementation Reduces Anxious Behavior Induced by a Stressful Social Situation in Rats
Allysa Warling
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Long-term Dendritic Changes Following Repetitive Traumatic Brain Injury: A Quantitative Golgi Study
Robert Welch
Advisor: Kevin J. Holmes
The Difficulty Principle: Language's Effect on Perceptual Discriminations Depends on Difficulty
Lauren Wilmott & Maxwell Veiga
Advisor: Margaret Daugherty
Purification of a Kinase Associated with the Ter Y-P Triad of A. Baylyi ADP1
14th Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Polaris Hall, United States Air Force Academy, April 15, 2017
Candelaria Alcat
Advisor: Kevin Holmes
Spatializing Emotional Valence and Intensity: A Review and Critical Test of Competing Proposals
Cassandra Cohen
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Creativity in Bipolar Disorder
Brigid Connelly
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Effects of Self-Objectification on Social Media
Emilia Lynn Delgado Heinz
Advisor: John Horner
How Bad Was It? Situational Factors Determining the Perceived Seriousness of Rape
Emily Galenbeck
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Spandex Superstitions
Anne Hale
Advisor: Jason Weaver
An Investigation of 2d:4d Ratios in Relation to Sexual Orientation: Application of a New Sexual Orientation Measure
Regina Henares
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Exploring the Origins of Uptalk and Working Towards a Quantitative Measurement
Emma Kepes
Advisor: John Horner
Explaining the Hispanic Health Paradox
Carina Rodriguez Jaimes
Advisor: Tricia Waters
The Effects of a Mindset Intervention on Adolescent Self-Silencing and Depression
Beckett Shea-Shumsky and Madeleine Garcia
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Comparative neuronal morphology of gigantopyramidal neurons in mammals
Monica Weindling
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Implicit Theories of Ability in Youth Athletics
13th Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Centennial & Berger Halls, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, April 2, 2016
Jacqueline Child
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Thinking to the Beat of the Music
Spencer Cook, William Harris, Ryan Lach, Tia Tummino
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Influence of Bifidobacterium infantis on the Development of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress, in Adolescent Rats
Alison Rowe
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Removing Linguistic Agency Enhances People's Likelihood to Forgive
Mackenzie Tennison
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Comparative Neuronal Morphology of Gygantopyramidal Neurons in Felids, Primates, Ungulates, the Wallaby, and the Rat
Twelfth Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center, The Colorado College, April 4, 2015
Melissa Barnes
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Uncovering Hidden Forces: Intersectional Perspectives on Acquaintance Rape and Interpersonal Violence
Nicholas Bernstein
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
N-terminal EF-Hand Calcium Binding Proteins (NECABs) throughout Development of the Nervous System
Kjersten Conway
Advisor: Emily Chan
Effects of Stereotype Threat in People with a History of Depressive Disorders
Susannah Conway
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Bringing Unsexy Back: A Review of Protective Factors against Sexualization and an Argument for Summer Camp
Samantha Ellner
Advisor: Emily Chan & Kevin Holmes
Representations of Word Meaning in Dyslexic and Non-Dyslexic Individuals
Julia Liao
Advisor: John Horner
Effects of Primed Self-Perceptions on Environmental Attitudes and Behavior
Sydney Minchin
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Language Development and the Acquisition of Self-Regulation Mechanisms: An Exploration of Language Disorders and Externalizing Behaviors
Jake Sullivan
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Cognitive Broadening and the Other-Praising Emotions
Wan Hung Yau
Advisor: John Horner
Artificial Grammar Experiment: The Effect of Implicit Knowledge and Explicit Knowledge of an Underlying Process on Our Ability to Detect Changes in that Process
Samuel Zarky
Advisor: John Horner
Small Stakes, High Impact: How Varying Levels of Uncertainty in Low Consequence Games Influences Affect
Hadar Zeigerson
Advisor: Kevin Holmes
Categorical Perception of Labeled and Unlabeled ASL Facial Expressions in Hearing Non-signers
Eleventh Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
United States Air Force Academy, April 12, 2014
Melissa Barnes
Advisor: Emily Chan
Rural Stereotype Threat: The Relationship with Prejudice Behavior within an In-Group
Katherine Duker
Advisor: John Horner
The Effect of Arts Training on Emotions Regulation
Arianna Gentile-Polese
Advisor: John Horner
Representational Drawing and Spatial Ability: Exploring the Process of Creating Visual Art
Claire McNellan
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Movement Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
Shaina Riciputi
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
The Effects of Stereotype Threat on Student-Athlete Math Performance
Abigail Sawyer
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
The Effects of Prenatal Stress and FGFR2 on Anxiety and Locomotion and the GABAergic System in the Hippocampus
Jenny Wool
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Gender Differences in Proprioceptive Effects of Tilted Faces
Roshni Patel, Erica Hoffman, Laura DiRusso, Nicolas Ravitch
Advisor: Emily Chan
The Effects of Learning Orientation on Motivation and Test Performance
Tenth Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Centennial & Berger Halls, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, April 13, 2013
Elizabeth Burrus
Advisor: Tricia Waters
The Developmental Relationship Between Theory of Mind and the Understanding of Emotions in Children with High Functioning Autism
Alexander Glassman
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
The Gift of Giving: Philanthropy as a Path to Self-Actualization
Nicholas Johnson
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Comparative Morphology of Cerebellar Cortex Neurons in Clouded Leopard, Siberian Tiger, Humpback Whale, and Chimpanzee
Laura Lee
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Neocortical Neuronal Morphology in the Infant Giraffe and Infant Elephant
Rebecca Twombly
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
The Effect of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Mixture DE-71 on Perceptual Attentional Set Shifting in Rats
Ninth Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center, The Colorado College, April 28, 2012
Juan Arias
Advisors: Lori Driscoll & Francia Restrepo
Determining Caffeine Pharmacokinetics in Rat Blood and Brain Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Amrit Calhoun
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Bridging Theory and Evidence to Illuminate Future Directions of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Christina Draganich
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Placebo Effects: Perceived Sleep Quality Affects Cognitive Functioning
James Haran
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Effects of DE-71 Exposure on Spatial Learning and Reference Memory in Rats: Attenuation by Thyroid Hormone Supplementation
Tessa Harland & Deborah Kennedy
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Neuromorphology of Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) Visual and Motor Cortices
Cobun Keegan
Advisor: Emily Chan
Exploration of the Fundamental Dimensions of Social Perception in the Legal Domain
Katrina Kutchko
Advisors: Jessica Siltberg-Liberles & John Horner
Creating Melanin, Melatonin, and Monoamine Neurotransmitters: The Evolution of the Tyrosine and Tryptophan Metabolic Pathways
Marina Leith
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
What I Look Like in 'Real Life': Wilderness Therapy as Treatment for Self-Objectification in Adolescent Girls
Megan Lieb
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Effects of Exposure to DE-71 on Visual Discrimination Learning in Rats and the Attenuation Effects of Levothyroxine
Allison Lurie
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Gender and Gender Stereotypy in Classroom Interactions
Claire Mann
Advisors: Lori Driscoll & Deanna M. Barch
Spared and Impaired Aspects of Motivated Cognitive Control in Schizophrenia
Jeffrey Nadel
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
The Neuropsychological and Cognitive Impacts of Deep Brain Stimulation in Treating Parkingson's Disease
Eleanor Olson
Advisor: John Horner
A Cross-Sectional Study on the Development of Sharing Behavior: An Evolutionary Perspective
Charlotte Pfeffer
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Community Perceptions of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Northern Uganda
Kathryn Post
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
The Power of Yucky: Can Disgust Embodiment be Desensitized
Margaret Hild Schott
Advisor: John Horner
Effects of Processing Fluency on Readers' Judgments
Shiho Ushijima
Advisor: Emily Chan
Predictors of Appearance-Contingent Self-Worth
Devin Wahl
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Comparative Neuromorphology of Florida Manatee, Giraffe, African Elephant, ad Human Cerebellar Cortex
Eigth Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
United States Air Force Academy, April 30, 2011
Eric Einstein
Advisor: Emily Chan
Influence of Solicitation Framing on Non-Profit Giving
Matthew Franco
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Exploring the Thyroid-Disrupting Effects of Developmental Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Reference Memory in Rats
Caroline Janeway & Courtney Townshend
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Quantitative Neuromorphology in Cetacea: Bottlenose Dolphins (Turisops truncatus), North Atlantic Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Khanhsong Nguyen
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Predicting Homicide among Individuals with Schizophrenia
Alison Rhoads
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Levothyroxine Supplementation to Attenuate the Effects of Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Sustained Attention in Rats
Maggie Seay
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Effects of Acute Postnatal Exposure to DE-71 on Five Port Visual Discrimination Learning in Rats
Seventh Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, April 10, 2010
Annisa Harsha
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
The Hooking Up Culture in College
Samara Haver
Advisor: Tricia Waters
The Neuronal Basis of Theory of Mind in the Autistic Brain
Sarah Lukens
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Wilderness Therapy and Family Systems Change
Kameron Moding
Advisor: Tricia Waters
The Importance of Measuring Importance: Linking Sport Involvement to Self-Esteem
Scarlett Prati
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Malingering on Concussion Baseline Testing in Athletes
Sixth Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
Palmer Hall, The Colorado College, April 11, 2009
Andrew Abeyta
Advisor: Emily Chan
Extending Stereotype Threat to Low-Income Parents: Impact on Parenting Style and Behavior
Kaeley Anderson
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
The Morphology of Supragranular Pyramidal Neurons in the Human Insular Cortex:
A Quantitative Golgi Study
Kelli Christensen
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Girls Gone Mild: An Intervention to Combat Sexualization in Middle School Girls
Briana Cushing
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Exploring the Developmental Deficits of Children of Adolescent Mothers:
Implications for Intervention
Jeanna Del Vecchio
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
The Relationship of Alzheimer's Disease to the Human Prion Diseases
Through Shared Biochemistry and Pathology
Farrell Frankel
Advisor: Emily Chan
The Impact of Visual Layout and Mental Schemas on Perception
Mariah Golden
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Understanding Self-Conscious Emotions: The Developmental Relationship Between
Theory of Mind and Emotion in Children with Asperger's Syndrome
Sarah Huff
Advisor: Emily Chan
Cultural Influence on the Self-Concept, Aesthetic Preference, and Artistic Representation of the Self:
An Empirical Study in the United States and Guatemala
Kelsey Patterson
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
She Stoops to Conquer? How Posture Interacts with Self-Objectification and Status
to Impact Women's Affect and Performance
Hannah Potvin
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Effects of Education and Varied Hand Sanitizer Access on Student Illness Rates in a College Setting
Sarah Stults
Advisor: John Horner
The Discriminability of Playing Card Dimensions: Color and Suit
Ashley Teter
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Reflective Judgment in the First Year Experience Course
Fifth Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
United States Air Force Academy, April 12, 2008
Kierin Amundson
Advisor: Emily Chan
The Shooter Bias and the Effects of Regulatory Focus
Vanessa Baltazar
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Sexy too soon? Exploring Reactions to Sexualized Images of Youth
Jessica Bolen
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Constructing Coherent Storyline Narratives:
Emotional Understanding Among Children and Adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome
Brian L. Bones
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Regional Variation of Basilar Dendrites from Supragranular Pyramidal Neurons of the Insula Cortex:
A Quantitative Golgi Study
Lee Eakin
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
I Laughed Until I Died:
Exploring Terror Management Theory and the Stress-Moderating Effects of Laughter
Jennifer Mendoza
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Does Musical Training Enhance Language Abilities?
Elizabeth Weiss
Advisor: Emily Chan
Effects of Regulatory Focus Priming and Smoking in Movies on People's Attitudes Towards Cigarettes
Fourth Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, April 14, 2007
Laura Snow Benoit
Advisor: Emily Chan
Morality Framing vs. Competence Framing: What Do People Value in Business?
Betsy Burkett
Advisor: Emily Chan
How Does the Number of Options Impact Our Satisfaction with the Choices We Make?
Sarah McKellar
Advisor: Tricia Waters
Strengthening Coping and Self-Perception of Homeless Children:
The Efficacy of a Curriculum-Based Support Group Intervention
Kathleen A. Steinberg
Advisor: John Horner
False Memories for Positive Emotions, Negative Emotions, and Neutral Word Lists
Third Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
The Colorado College, April 29, 2006
Rebecca Gados
Advisor: Cathey Weir
Life Satisfaction of Nicaraguan Immigrants Living in Costa Rica
Amanda Gibson
Advisor: Lori Driscoll
Effects of Chronic Postnatal Exposure to
Polybrominated Diphenyl
Cameron Lowe
Advisor: Emily Chan
Satisfaction with Product Selection:
Amount of Choices, Product Types, and Evaluative Framework
Angela Schillaci
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Psychological Explorations of Vicarious Trauma in Victim Advocates
Perry Wright
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Sport Superstition as a Function of Level of Difficulty
Second Annual Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
United States Air Force Academy, April 30, 2005
Whitney Dunn
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Perceived Competence in Medicine: The Effects of Gender and Profession
Charles Hass
Advisor: Bob Jacobs
Dendritic Morphometrics of Human Insular Pyramidal Neurons
Jennifer Sackett
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Are the Disgust Response and the Understanding of Death Developmentally Related?
Namrita Singh
Advisor: Kristi Erdal
Azeri Attitudes Towards Depressive Disorder and its Treatment:
A Comparison between Refugee and Student Populations
Emily Taplin
Advisor: Tomi-Ann Roberts
Embarrassment and the Body:
Evidence for Further Gender Differences in Embarrassment
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