Students with a high academic record entering their senior year—above a 3.5 GPA—can pursue Honors by completing significant or original work in their major. These projects are some of the finest work Ursinus students have completed, often leading to work in graduate school or by future Ursinus students. Students who complete a project of remarkable discipline and originality can earn Distinguished Honors.
Theses/Dissertations from 2018
Where Trying to Conceive Becomes a Community Effort: A Digital Ethnography of Online Infertility Forums, Megan Burns
Furs: Functionality, Fashion, and Franchise, Jenna Q. Detweiler
Examining Alumni Perceptions of Social and Cultural Capital Accumulation Through Ursinus’s Summer Fellows Program, Sydney Dickson
Assessing Sox2 Expression in the Spinal Cord of Ambystoma mexicanum During Single and Multiple Regeneration Periods, Adam G. Dykie
Evidence of Next-Nearest-Neighbor Electronic Coupling in a Series of Cyano-Bridged trans-Fe(II)-Pt(IV)-M(II) (M=Fe, Ru) Asymmetric Trimers, Michael C. Esposito
The Effects of Age on Spinal Cord Regeneration in Ambystoma mexicanum, William A. Foss
Millennial Culture and Epistemology: Exploring the Meaning-making Discourse of an Emerging Generation, Sophia Driscoll Gamber
Reinhold Niebuhr's Christian Nation: The Theology of White Supremacy in Liberal White American Christianity, Sophia Driscoll Gamber
Maybe She Found Me in a Poem, Robin Gow
The Bird That Flew Backwards, Robin Gow
You, Me, and the Reaper: Meditations on Death, Albert Hahn
Los Matices Varios del Feminismo en las Comunidades Indígenas de América Latina: Yorkín, Costa Rica y Santa Anita, Guatemala, Roseangela G. Hartford
Getting Bi: Perceptions of Bisexuality Amongst Young Adults, Emily Jolly
Exploring the Role of Slitrk2 in Embryonic Neurogenesis, Jordyn S. Karliner
In the Shadow of Japanese Identity, Rosendo Lopez-Duran
The Effects of Multiple Pregnancies on the Reversibility of Cardiac Hypertrophy in the Murine Heart, Robert C. McNamara
The Feasibility of the Mediterranean Diet, Alexandra Puryear
The Effects of Wls Deletion in Macrophages on Muscle Repair, Patrick Rafferty
Academia’s Past Boundaries in the Present Future, Elijah Sloat
Riot Grrrl and Girl Zines: Intersectional Feminist Art in Action, Paige Szmodis
From Democrats to "Deplorables": The Trumpization of the Republican Party, Lily Talerman
Rethinking Privacy: An Examination of the Fourth Amendment and Communications Technology, Callie K. Terris
Understanding the Function of the Chaperone Protein Zuo1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Thomas Tessitore
Better Aims for English: An Inquiry Into What it Means to Teach English in a Democratic Society, Kara E. Travis
Modeling Coupled Binuclear Copper Enzymes With de Novo Designed Due Ferri Single-Chain Protein Variants, Brian Van Dyke
Morphology and Contractility of the Murine Heart: Are Changes in Pregnancy-Induced Cardiac Function Exacerbated After Two Pregnancies?, Rachel M. Weil
What About Moral Motherhood? An Exploration Into the Maternal Body as an Object and Subject, Haley Zorger
Theses/Dissertations from 2017
Identification of the lz5 Suppressor of pam-1 in C. elegans, Robin Alsher
A Cellular and Molecular Characterization of the Microglial Cell Population in Ambystoma mexicanum, Dylan T. Ammons
Pyrazine- and Bipyrazine-modified Iron(II) Complexes for the Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol, Allison Arinaga
Identifying an Intracellular Binding Partner for the Synaptic Adhesion Protein Slitrk2, Usman M. Baqai
Examination of Neurocorrelates of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Adults, Jillian S. Casarella
The Arab League and the Role of Regional Institutions in Democratization, Katerina Dee
La Création du Monde : Voix Féminines et Identités Transnationales Dans la Littérature Beur et la Littérature Pied Noir, Michael C. Esposito
Ecocriticism, Geopolitics, and John Gower's Confessio Amantis, Lauren T. Geiger
Vascular Effects of Four-Week Functional and Resistance Exercise Training Programs, Allyson K. Getty
Migration and Injustice in the Neoliberal Era: A Comparative Analysis of Migratory Laws and Sweatshop Labor Conditions in Argentina and the United States, Kelly L. Johnson
Faces Bright With Relief: Essays on Growing Up, Mara C. Koren
Persistent Neurobehavioral Traits in a Mouse Model of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure, Jill M. Lawrence
Pearl of Africa: Condemnation and Celebration in Uganda, Marcella AM McGill
My Body, Not My Say: How Roe v. Wade Endangers Women's Autonomy, Kisha K. Patel
Microwave Assisted Dipole-Dipole Transitions, Jacob T. Paul
Biophysical Characterization and Catalytic Reactivity of Rubrerythrin and Symerythrin Model Proteins, Jenna Pellegrino
Vascular Health and Fitness Levels in Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Obesity, Avery N. Perez
Examination of Neurocorrelates of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Adults, Rachel J. Raucci
Planting the Seeds of Security: The Influence of Agricultural Products on Food Security Levels in U.S. Counties, Vanessa R. Scalora
Female Moments / Male Structures: The Representation of Women in Romantic Comedies, Jordan A. Scharaga
Identification of the lz4 Suppressor of pam-1 and its Role in Polarity Establishment in Single-cell C. elegans Embryos, Dylan Stephens
Examining the Phagocytic Activity of HIV-1 Tat Exposed Microglia: Possible Chemokine Receptor Activation, Joshua T. Straka
Self-Concept Clarity as a Moderator of the Associations Between Self-Change and Adjustment, Samantha Straughn
A Defense of a Change in the Legal Standard of Rape From Consent to Coercion, Michelle L. Thiry
"A jail you could not see”: New Approaches to Identity in Carson McCullers, Brian Thomas
The Effects of Multiple Pregnancies on the Murine Heart, Marcus J. Wagner
Investigating How Corridor Cell Migration is Influenced by GABA, Samantha White
Theses/Dissertations from 2016
Using a Genetic Algorithm to Optimize an Electric Field Ionization Pulse, Tamas Budner
Effects of Reduced Intracellular Dopamine on Apoptosis in the Dopaminergic Neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans, Bryan P. Carter
Finding Freedom: An Autoethnography on Relational Bullying, Kristen N. Costello
The Role of Slitrk1 in Sensory Neuron Development, Marilyn M. Day
Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli Using PEG-Modified Nano-graphene Oxide, Katherine A. Fiocca
The Use of Tetracycline-Functionalized Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes to Overcome Tetracycline Resistance in Escherichia coli, Madison Force
A Plan for Pollinator Landscape Management on the Ursinus Campus, Megan N. Hanscom
Quantum Mechanical Interference in the Field Ionization of Rydberg Atoms, Jacob A. Hollingsworth
Effect of Age on Microglial Cell Response in Axolotl Salamanders, Christian M. Hoogheem
Effects of Age on the Morphology of Regenerated Spinal Cords in Axolotls, Keven M. Hoogheem
Creating The Capable Public: A Call for Liberal Arts Education in Public Schools, Olivia R. Keithley
The Unintended Legacy of Hellenism: The Development and Dissemination of the Buddha Image, Chukyi Kyaping
Students Today Into Entrepreneurs Tomorrow: The Impact of Major Choice on Grit and Risk Aversion, Keith D. Larkin
Effort and Ethics, Edward J. Lee
Prion-Dependent Changes in Protein Expression in Yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Annie Li
The Role of Zuo1 Modification in Ribosome Association and Prion Formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Sophia Lisowski
Trading Ahead of Bad News: Evidence From Short-Sales of Stocks and the Options Market, Nicholas E. Macksoud
Investigating Interactions Between Complement Component 3 and the Lectin-like Domain of Thrombomodulin in Atypical Hemolytic-uremic Syndrome, Shelby N. Marchese
Bosnia: Doomed to Failure or a Rising Hope?, Caitlin V. Moore
Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Nitroalkenes to Primary Amines, Brendan Phillips
One Man's Reaction to NATO Expansion, Jamie M. Putnam
Patchwork of the Religious Self: An Analysis of Identity and Expression, Elspeth C. Sarro
The Role of Centrosome-Cortical Contact in the Establishment of the Anterior-Posterior Axis in the One-Cell C. elegans Embryo, Dominique M. Saturno
Identification of the lz5 Suppressor of pam-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans, Emily M. Schleicher
The Role of Continuum States in the Field Ionization of Rydberg Atoms, Michael P. Vennettilli
Theses/Dissertations from 2015
Characteristics of STEM Success: A Survival Analysis Model of Factors Influencing Time to Graduation Among Undergraduate STEM Majors, Riley K. Acton
Hemispheric Lateralization of Global and Local Auditory Processing, Emily M. Black
A New Role for Student Media: College Newspapers and the Crisis in Journalism, Rachel Brown
Scelus et Poena: A Comparison of Legal Bias in Ancient Rome and Contemporary America, Aaron R. Caffrey
Did Antebellum Illinois Free Banks Take Undue Risk With Their Bond Portfolios?: An Analysis of Decision-Making Prior to the Civil War, Scott N. Clayman
Carotid Artery IMT, Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Males and Females, Christina M. Cromwell
The Regulation of Cathepsin L Activity by Estrogen and Bisphenols A & S: Relationship to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Dylan T. Cuva
Scientific Awareness at Ursinus College, Frank G. DeVone
Survival of the Toughest: An Ethnographic Study of a Collegiate Wrestling Team, Sydney A. Dodson-Nease
The Effects of Host Plant Resistance on Potato Leafhopper, Pea Aphid and Predatory Insects in Alfalfa, Jamie A. Faselt
The Way I Wear My Hair: Black Women’s Hairstyles and Self-Presentation in Facebook Profile Pictures, Janel Forsythe
Going to Heaven in a Wheelbarrow, Quinn Gilman-Forlini
Effect of Dopamine on Apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans Dopaminergic Neurons, Erica Gorenberg
“A Battle for Hearts and Minds”: U.S. Public Diplomacy in the Cold War Middle East, Christopher M. Goss
The Shaikh’s Republic: The Kurdish Regional Government’s Incorporation of Tribalism, Brian A. Kennedy
A Redemption of Meaning in Three Novels by Italo Calvino, Dominick J. Knowles
Students Talk About Gender and Race Within the Classroom, Amanda Lucock
An Experimental Analysis of Adaptive Learning in a Multi-Subject Economy, David Martin
