Sigma Xi 2015 Student Research Showcase
Environmental & Geo-Sciences
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"Bird Strikes and Trash Management"
Harsh Wardhan Aggarwal, Purdue UniversityA solid waste management (SWM) plant is set up to reduce the bird aircraft strike hazard (BASH) in India using controlled aerobic decomposition.
"Hand-held Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (HHpXRF or pXRF) for Sourcing and Distinguishing Chert"
Kia Catina Atsales, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities The handheld portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer (HHpXRF or pXRF) was initially developed to alleviate two major disadvantages associated with the lab-based XRF: the machine’s large size and restrictions on sample size/shape parameters. PXRF made XRF
"Tracking Deforestation and Promoting Sustainable Development in the Brazilian Amazon"
Sheila Mckenna Cochrane, Brookings High School
In this study I aimed to roughly calculate deforestation trends in the Brazilian Amazon, determine why this is occurring, and provide a solution that promotes sustainable development. To do this, I performed a case study in the Brazilian state of Rondônia
"Neem: A Panacea for Insect Control"
Nirupa Gadi, Charles M. Russell High School
Neem are a very fast growing evergreen plant; they are a part of the mahogany family and are very common in dry, tropical regions. Its binomial name is Azadirachta indica. Neem are very relied upon in every part of the world, from stomach ulcer treatment
"A Computational and Statistical Analysis Examining the Impact of Polymers, Orientations, and Structure on Organic Solar Cell Performance using a Semi-Empirical Monte Carlo Model"
Pranav Kemburu, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Computational Simulation of Organic Solar Cells through a Dynamic Monte Carlo Model.
"The effects of environmental stressors on the genetic makeup of root nodules in legumes"
Matthew Blair Merrigan, Pine Crest School
The symbiotic relationship of legumes and Rhizobia is one of the most unique in nature. My literary study will focus on the genomic makeup of the Rhizobia in response to environmental stressors.
"Mangiferin as a Biomarker for Mango Anthracnose Resistance"
Herma Pierre, Florida International University This project aims to determine if there is a positive correlation between mangiferin content and mango anthracnose resistance. Protocols are discussed.
"Phytotoxicity and Detection of ‘Compound A’ and ‘Compound B’ application for treatment of Citrus Greening Disease in the Valencia Orange"
Carson Poltorack, Pine Crest School
I worked to establish a chemical detection system and assay toxicity to orange trees for two potential treatments for Citrus Greening Disease.
"Enhanced Biosorption of Hexavalent Chromium in Monoionic Solution by Chemically Treated Green Algae"
Vibha Puri, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
This project is about chemically modifying the surface of green algae to increase adsorption capacity and thereby viability for cleaning industrial wastewater.
"The Effect of Microbial Enzyme Treatment on the Biochemical Oxygen Demand of Plant Waste Water"
Natasha Sohni, Century High School
A major source of water pollution is domestic and industrial wastes. Generally the water we drink and use for other household purposes comes from local rivers and lakes. It is harmful to our health if we consume polluted water. Water pollution is harmful
"The relationship between ridge migration and oceanic core complexes: Implications for the Marine Magnetic Anomaly Source Layer"
Daniel Thach, The Bronx High School of Science
I compared the magnetic field strength at oceanic core complexes (OCC) at the Mid Atlantic Ridge (where a specific layer called 2A has been modified or destroyed) to that of the surrounding seafloor unaffected by mechanisms of OCC formation. The lower mag