Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2097/18163

The Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award recognizes and promotes outstanding scholarship among K-State's undergraduate students. Awards are given to winners in the freshman individual, non-freshman individual, and group project categories. Research projects must have been completed as a requirement for a K-State course. They may encompass any academic topic. Applications are evaluated based on the use of library resources.

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Open Access
The Implications of Setting in Zadie Smith's Wife of Willesden
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English.) Meerian, Allison
After the borough of Brent won London Borough of Culture in 2020, celebrated contemporary English author, Zadie Smith, was selected to commemorate Brent through a work of literature. She chose to adapt a 14th century poem, The Wife of Bath, by the “Father of English Literature,” Geoffery Chaucer, into a play, The Wife of Willesden. Smith's masterful subversion of setting in her play reflects the current multiculturalism of Brent through an adaptation of the centuries old text. Placing The Wife of Willesden in pre-abolition Jamaica transforms the narrative, themes and subtext of Chaucer’s original. Through an exploration of Jamaican folklore and major historical events, such as the Windrush scandal, the adaptation proves to be a story created to celebrate and understand contemporary concepts of cultural identity, intersectionality, and immigration all through Smith’s masterful subversion of setting.
Open Access
A Formal Report Exploring the Addition of Endoscopic Suturing as an Anti-Migration Feature for Boston Scientific's VICI Venous Stent System
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English.) Edwards, Nicholas
Submitted to the Senior Vice and President and President of Boston Scientific's Interventional Cardiology Therapies division, this report explores the product failure of the VICI VENOUS STENT System from the perspective of a device development engineer. Key sections include reasons for design failure, the benefits and drawbacks associated with a product recall, as well as identified solutions through a new R&D interdisciplinary team to support Boston Scientific's mission in transforming lives through innovative solutions. Through countless submission in English 415, this Formal Report showcases the final exploration into the FDA's Device Development Process, which I will be directly entering in my new role after Graduation.
Open Access
Community Health Worker (CHW) Training Effects on Prisons
(Kansas State University. Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work.) Logue, Shawna
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are a new concept to the state of Kansas, with the Kansas CHW Coalition being founded in 2022 (Rankin, 2022). CHWs impact the communities that they serve by case management services that help their clients find resources and education, plus gain confidence, which as a workforce development program that could help to change the way that the Kansas prison system works. The wardens of this system have certain motivations for implementing programs. The main research questions are what motivates wardens to implement a program like the CHW program and what is the impact of CHWs on the prison and how do the wardens view this impact. This study will show the impact that CHWs have and what will motivate the 4-5 wardens who participate in the Zoom interviews in this study to want to have a CHW training program as a part of their rehabilitation program for the incarcerated individuals in their prisons. Patterns in what they need and what motivates them to want to implement new programs will be studied. The impact of the CHW training program can improve the prison system on the micro and macro levels of a system theory. This could possibly lead to other workforce programs becoming a regular part of the rehab of those that are serving time in the Kansas prisons.
Open Access
"You're just making up sounds" Radical Creative Possibilities Through Translanguaging in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English.) Lamagna, Lillianna
In the 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once (EEAAO) the protagonist, Evelyn, utilizes language to dismantle Asian stereotypes perpetuated in film. Through her multilingualism and learner variety of English, Evelyn has the power to control and create situations or other universes while establishing herself as the hero of the story. Though Evelyn transforms emotionally and through alternate versions of herself, her language skills remain consistent throughout the film asserting that her multilingualism and learner variety of English is not a hinderance, but a strength that is integral to who she is. This sociolinguistic analysis contributes to conversations on what roles language plays in reinforcing or subverting negative stereotypes in modern film. By deconstructing and subverting stereotypes of Asian characters, multilingualism, and learner varieties of English within film, EEAAO expands on what it means to speak a learner variety, what it means to be Asian American, and what it means to be a hero.
Open Access
Branching Out Of Grief: Ada Limón Navigating Grief Through The Use Of Trees
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English.) Rupprecht, Emma
In her poetry collection, Bright Dead Things, Ada Limón features tragic memories and feelings from her childhood and adulthood. Most scholars have further delved into Limón's connection with her emotions and nature in her entire collection of poetry. Some scholars think that Limón connects her works through the use of nature being affected by human emotions while others believe Limón uses the environment around herself to work through her grief and find joy. I expect to find a connection between these two arguments to provide a clearer interpretation of how Limón uses strong emotions such as grief and joy to better understand the overlooked details of the trees she encounters and works through periods of adversity in her life.
Open Access
PTSD and Substance Abuse among Homeless War Veterans
(Kansas State University. Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work.) Alling, Cate; Doane, Morgan; Simmons, Symone; Yoakum, Rylie
This research study aims to understand the correlation between PTSD and substance abuse among homeless war veterans. By utilizing a mixed method design, this study focuses on how individuals that experience PTSD will also likely experience a substance abuse disorder at some stage in their lives. This study hypothesizes that homeless war veterans who have PTSD are more at risk of having a substance abuse disorder. We will recruit 200 participants for a 15-minute survey which will include the PCL- 5 questionnaire, examining the severity of PTSD and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) in addition to several socio-demographic questions. Around 20-30 participants will be invited to take part in in-depth interviews to provide further insights into their personal experiences and perceptions regarding PTSD and substance abuse. The findings from this study will provide a deeper understanding of the high rates of co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders among homeless war veterans.
Open Access
Kansas and Deutschland: Two Places, One Slimy Problem
(Kansas State University. Dept. of Modern Languages.) Bechtel, Sarah; Bramble, Chloe; Hook, Ezekiel; Silence, Sophia; Yoder, Grayson
In this project, we wanted to learn more about an ecological problem that is facing both Kansas (where we live) and Germany (the country we are studying in our course). We found that the zebra mussel (Zebramuschel) presents similar problems in both places. This invasive species has been spreading westward from the Caspian Sea since the 1800s and reached Kansas in 2003. We looked at why zebra mussels are a problem, how water infrastructure developments and shipping have contributed to the spread of this invasive species, potential solutions that have not worked over time, and the fact that prevention is currently the best measure.
Open Access
A Love Letter to Those Who Cannot Say “I Love You:” Ada Limón and the Deconstruction of Gender Roles in Favor of Masculine Love
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English) Jones, Harrison
An exploration of how men love using Ada Limón's poem "Accident Report in the Tall, Tall Weeds." I aim to look at how society has forced men to only express love silently or violently. The article looks into how we as a society have gotten to this point with our men, and how our literature may reinforce or deconstruct this narrative and gender stereotype we have put in place. The purpose of this being to see how we can change this for the future, so the men in our lives are able to properly express love.
Open Access
Therapeutic Strategies for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English.) Braynock, Eleanor
This literature review investigates emerging therapeutic strategies for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a progressive autoimmune disease marked by chronic spinal inflammation and pathological bone formation. Traditional biologic treatments reduce inflammation but do not regenerate damaged tissue or halt disease progression. This review explores two emerging therapeutic strategies—regenerative tissue engineering and targeted drug delivery—as innovative approaches for AS treatment. By analyzing recent literature involving mesenchymal stem cells, extracellular vesicles, biomaterial scaffolds, and nanoparticle-based drug systems, the paper evaluates how these technologies—successfully applied in other medical fields—could be adapted to AS. The findings highlight the potential of hybrid therapeutic solutions that address both immune modulation and tissue regeneration, offering a pathway toward more effective and lasting clinical outcomes.
Open Access
Incels in Relation to Masculine Honor Beliefs and Beliefs of Pure Evil
(Kansas State University. Dept. of Psychological Sciences, 2022) Claro Martinez, Loribeth
Incels have become a population of men who believe that they are unable to be [sic] receive love or attention from women and blame those outside of the incel community. This population has been the cause of multiple death, much of past research has focused on the analyzing the words and behavior of incels through the internet. However, this study proposes to analyze their internal beliefs; specifically masculine honor beliefs (i.e., beliefs of how men need to act to uphold their masculinity) and beliefs of pure evil (i.e., people are inherently motivated to do harm). We hope to have a further understanding of why these individuals behave the way they do by understanding where the internal drive is coming from.
Open Access
EcoBrew Design Group: Collection and Implementation of Trüb into Animal Food Products
(Kansas State University. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, 2023) Molitor, Zachary; Searcy, Caden; Tumberger, Sydney; Worthington, Emma
Our team focused on researching and developing a design for collection of Trüb, a byproduct found in the beer brewing process, and utilizing it as a protein additive in animal food products such as dog treats or feed. Our team wanted to reduce the waste entering the sewage system at Manhattan Brewing Company by collecting the Trüb at the brewery and developing a debittering and drying process, as well as a process to make dog treats or feed with the dried product. This can help other breweries learn how to reduce their environmental impact on local water resources and add a new life cycle for a waste product.
Open Access
Indigenous Film: The Effect of Production Design
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English, 2023) Henshaw, Mandy
“Indigenous Film: The Effect of Production Design” takes a closer look at the role of production design in Indigenous media. The multimedia project focuses on the impact of filming location and production design decisions in Indigenous media such as the series Reservation Dogs, and how the production of indigenous film has a role in breaking stereotypes of previous media representation. A visual component of a diorama was made acting as a material representation of impactful design decisions in media watched during the course English 420 Indigenous Film. Each piece of the diorama is an object chosen by the production team of the respected film or series, showing that even these small designed aspects of these productions can enhance the message, story, perception and representation in Indigenous Film.
Open Access
Literary Connections to Yellowstone
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English., 2023) Carney, Luke; Hovis, Jessie; Jackson, Mikaela; Poulsen, Audrey
In this project we address connections between the novel Letters from Yellowstone and writer John Muir to historical and modern research occurring within the National Parks system. By examining historical literature as well as modern scientific literature and data, we examined the development of scientific practices and focuses over time. Letters from Yellowstone offered different research focuses through different characters within the novel via letter-writing. John Muir supported the development of national parks and helped to get the public to view these programs favorably. The novel touches upon research that has been going on in the park since its inception and John Muir has been an inspiration to continue the national parks program.
Open Access
Effects of Financial Situations on Mental Health in College Students
(Kansas State University. Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, 2024) Arnold, Karsyn; Olmstead, Morgan; Wedlock, Alyssa
The purpose of this study is to address and explain the relationship between anxiety and access to financial assistance on the Kansas State University Campus. The study will be conducted in a quantitative, cross-sectional method utilizing 200 participants from Kansas State. Participants will complete questionnaires asking questions regarding demographics, financial status, financial assistance, and financial anxiety, as well as completing an informed consent. Financial status will be measured through a) student credit card and student loan debt and monthly income. Financial anxiety will be measured using the Financial Anxiety Scale. We expect that those individuals who have utilized financial assistance before will have lower anxiety levels and that those individuals who have not utilized financial assistance before will have higher anxiety levels. The results of this study will help determine new methods for helping college students struggling with finances. It can help bring awareness to the link between financial assistance and financial anxiety among college students.
Open Access
Optimization Models for Flash Flooding in Developing Countries
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English, 2024) Stelk, Caleb
This paper details two optimization models which are designed to increase the number of lives saved from flash flooding in developing countries. The evacuation planning model is prescriptive and built to minimize road link failure probability as civilians evacuate the area. The operational planning model is formulated and applied during a flash flood and focuses on minimizing the number of trips taken by public transportation services to evacuate civilians. Both models are discussed in detail and evaluated according to applicability, ability to predict crowd behavior, road link maneuverability with rising water depths, ability to identify risk-averse relief points, and assumption requirements. After evaluating both models, this paper recommends the evacuation planning model as best suited for countries with poor infrastructure or rural environments with limited technological resources. The operational planning model is found to be best suited for countries with large cities and public transportation networks. The paper recommends that the UNDRR hire an industrial engineer familiar with operations research and CPLEX optimization software. This engineer would coordinate with local officials to develop flash flood evacuation plans by tailoring one of these models to fit the specific needs of that country.
Open Access
Conversion Therapy: Recognizing and Recentering the White Christian Nationalist Settler Origins
(Kansas State University. Dept. of Social Transormation Studies., 2023) McNorton, Campbell
This is my final research project for GWSS 405: Social Movements and Resistance. For this project, I decided that I wanted to research LGBTQ conversion therapy and the origins of the practice. With this research, I began to see and then examine the connection between modern day conversion therapy practices and Indigenous residential schools that were run in North America. In the paper I argue that conversion therapy is based in white colonial violence that upholds capitalism, white supremacy and settler colonial violence. However, despite the history of settler violence that is entwined with conversion therapy, most anti-conversion therapy activism centers white gay young men. So, instead of centering the normative white subject, I call for an alternate framework to be utilized in discussions surrounding conversion therapy-- an anti-colonial, anti-racist intersectional understanding of the settler colonial foundation. With this framework, I aim to work toward coalitions that work together against cis-hetero settler violence that continues to impact conversion therapy.
Open Access
Feasibility Study of Replacing Soy and Alfalfa Protein with Spirulina Protein to Develop a More Sustainable and Nutrient Rich Horse Feed
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English., 2022) Tumberger, Sydney
My research focused on the feasibility of using Spirulina protein, a strand of microalgae, in place of soy and alfalfa in horse feed. I had four key research objectives, which included the nutritional facts about Spirulina and how it can benefit horses, an analysis of efficient growing processes of Spirulina and how they protect the environment, a cost analysis and comparison of soy, alfalfa, and Spirulina, and final recommendations on how to implement Spirulina protein into horse feed. I concluded my research by listing the overall objectives and my recommendations
Open Access
Declining Population Trends of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken in the Southern Great Plains
(Kansas State University. Dept. of Geography., 2023) Willson, Madeline; Miller, Natalie; Jackson, Mikaela; Davis, Kenzie
As a result of habitat loss and inbreeding, lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) have faced severe population decline. This species, once widespread throughout the Southern Great Plains, is now fragmented and rare. As part of a project for the class Biogeography (GEOG 445), our group sought to further investigate the causes of lesser prairie-chicken decline and the conservation programs that are in place to protect them. After utilizing a variety of library research tools, we discovered that prairie-chickens are declining from habitat loss due to agriculture, oil production, windfarms, and fire suppression. We also found that these birds are experiencing a loss of genetic variability due to their fragmented populations. Few conservation efforts are currently in place, though restoring the prairie to its natural state through the use of prescribed burns and native grazing holds some promise. However, 95% of current prairie-chicken populations live on privately owned land, which makes private landowners essential to the protection of this vulnerable species.
Open Access
The Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theories: A Case Study
(Kansas State University. Dept. of English, 2022) Torkelson, Catherine
This project provides an in-depth exploration of the conspiracy theories that emerged after the 2012 school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As well as debunking these conspiracy theories, the project also explains how said theories have been used in subsequent mass-shootings to the same effect--that being, the prevention of reforming gun control laws. What happened at Sandy HookElementary School? Why did misinformation begin to spread? Who believed the conspiracy theories and why? How can future school shootings be avoided, and why are conspiracy theories standing in the way of a safe future for children? "The Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theories: A Case Study" attempts to answer all these questions and more by explaining important context, providing insight into the minds of both propagators and victims, and asking questions about the nature of conspiracy theories and how they spread on the internet.
Open Access
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Influences on School Competency in Elementary-Aged Children
(Kansas State University. Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work., 2023) Brown, Quinlan; Comas, Meredith; Tummons, Ashley; Heasty, Reese
The purpose of this proposal is to study the complex associations between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and academic competency in elementary-aged students. Our study proposes in the presence of ACEs, a disruption in a child’s normal behavioral processing occurs. This disruption then correlates with lower academic performance and behavior. Our research uses a five-year, longitudinal, cohort study. The Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener will be used to measure different levels of ACEs. Additionally, we integrate educator evaluations of academic progress by using summative and formative grade assessments to measure the level of school competency. The results of our study show the impairing nature of ACEs during early childhood, and the necessity of studying and treating ACEs at the pediatric level.