Below is a searchable list of more than 400 active projects. Search by discipline, keywords or interest areas to find projects.
| ID | Project Information |
|---|---|
| 21 | Conservation of Marine Resources The Conservation of Marine Resources Creative Inquiry team participates in marine ecology research to benefit the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Current projects include studying (1) the impact of shelter loss on the survival of juvenile Caribbean spiny lobsters, (2) using acoustic telemetry technology to track the movement of Caribbean spiny lobsters, (3) estimating effects of structure on reef fish diversity and abundance, (4) studying the effects of coral disease on coral cover and reef fish communities, and (5) the impact of marine debris on reef communities in the Florida Keys. Team Leader(s)Camille White Biological SciencesMichael Childress Biological Sciences Sarah Rider Biological Sciences Luke Stoeber Biological Sciences |
| 23 | Courage and Positive Psychology Research What is courage? Can people become more courageous? How can people lead better lives? The Courage and Positive Psychology CI team conducts scientific investigations into courage and other virtues and human well-being. Team Leader(s)Cynthia Pury Psychology |
| 26 | Insects of the Clemson Experimental Forest Because of their amazing diversity, there are multiple ways to study the fauna of insects and their relatives. Students will investigate insects in the Clemson University Experimental Forest. Explorations for particular groups may be according to their taxonomic relationships (e.g., ants, spiders, flies, etc.), habitats (e.g., soil, foliage, water, etc.), behavior (e.g., nocturnal or diurnal activity, attraction to different baits, phototropism, etc.), or other characteristics. Students in this Creative Inquiry will ask one or more questions about some aspect of the fauna of insects and their relatives, provide testable hypotheses to answer that/those question(s), and design one or more field and laboratory experiments to test the hypotheses. Students may explore their questions independently or in teams over one to four semesters for 1 or 2 credits each semester. Results and conclusions about them will be reported by the students in professional venues. Team Leader(s)John Morse Plant and Environmental SciencesMichael Caterino Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 62 | International Design Projects With Engineers Without Borders (EWB) for Sustainable Water Systems Students participating in this Creative Inquiry will help to lead the design and development of sustainable systems to provide drinking water and associated water treatment for communities in developing countries as part of an official project with the Clemson University Student Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. Team Leader(s)Mark Schlautman Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesChris Mabey School of ME and AuE Jerry Wylie Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 69 | Cyber Bullying This project examines a variety of aversive interpersonal behaviors, most notably cyberbullying, hazing, and school shootings. People engage in a variety of aversive interpersonal behaviors. Some of these behaviors are more mundane, such as guilt-induction. Others, such as those that constitute the focus of this team, are more insidious in nature, and have potentially fatal consequences. One of the interesting things about these behaviors is that, as seemingly disparate as they appear, there is actually quite a bit of overlap between them. For example, our research suggests an overlap between bullying and hazing. Additionally, one of the key predictors of perpetrating a school shooting is a long-term history of rejection, manifested most often through a history of bullying. One focus of our team with all of these behaviors is not only understanding antecedents and consequences but also prevention and intervention strategies. Team Leader(s)Robin Kowalski Psychology |
| 78 | Testing Variables of Foods, Films, Antimicrobials and Surfaces Affecting Transfer and/or Survival of Bacteria This team studies the transfer and survival of bacteria on various surfaces related to food. This team has tested numerous food-related surfaces and activities such as the 5-second rule, double-dipping and beer pong in the past. In the future we will investigate new topics related to food and bacteria such as transfer of bacteria by wiping table tops with cleaning cloths, sanitation of bottles and cans and transfer of bacteria while sharing snacks. Team Leader(s)Paul Dawson Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 79 | Using Statistical Methods to Investigate Food Advertising Claims and Trends This CI team evaluates various Food Advertising Claims including those claiming to taste "better", last longer and meet a certain specification. Last semester the team tested the Alkaline water claim, which included sampling different types of alkaline water and also temperature effects on the pH of the water. Team Leader(s)Paul Dawson Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 80 | Changing Dynamics of China's Development This Creative Inquiry project systematically examines some of the most important issues facing the world – such as China’s economic development and its impact on international trade, the global supply chain, the US and ultimately the world. Team Leader(s)Xiaobo Hu Political Science |
| 92 | Robotic Systems Research The team is to design and construct a robot which will compete in IEEE's Southeastcon conference hardware competition. Team Leader(s)William Reid Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 99 | Green Energy and Biodiesel Project From Fields to Fuel, team members will be researching all aspects of sustainable biofuels production and engineering while facilitating biodiesel and ethanol production to be utilized by University Facilities. Projects will focus on facility optimization through relief of production bottlenecks, and research increasing biodiesel feedstock acquisition through cultivation of energy crops and harvest of waste lipid streams. Led by Biosystems Engineering faculty. Team Leader(s)Tom Dodd Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesTerry Walker Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 115 | Orthopaedic Retrieval Program (CU- REPRO) Medical implant devices have been used widely for more than 50 years, and it is estimated that 8 - 10 % of Americans (20-25 million people) currently have such a device. Orthopaedic implants are medical devices made of biomaterials used to treat musculoskeletal disorders inside the human body with an intended lifespan spanning years. Although implant devices have produced great benefits, it must be recognized that implants sometimes must be removed or replaced. Bioengineers contribute to their continual state of development to increase their performance and extend their useful lifespan. This cross-disciplinary project applies fundamental concepts in bioengineering, materials science, and biological sciences to investigate orthopaedic implants after they have functioned in patients. Long-term data on the behavior of implant devices and host response are essential inputs to the development process, yet there are few systematic programs for the retrieval and analysis of implants in the USA. Independent and international data banks do exist however. The contributions to implant design provided by retrieval and analysis will benefit patients through improvements in implant performance. We can consider implants to be defined as having a minimum lifespan of 3 months, as penetrating living tissue, as having a physiologic interaction and as being retrievable. A number of barriers exist to the establishment of an implant retrieval program. Major impediments are the costs associated with such a program and fear of litigation affecting manufacturers, hospitals, physicians, and investigators. The long term goal of this Creative Inquiry project is to establish and develop a viable Clemson University Implant Retrieval Program and pursue hypothesis-driven research related to orthopaedic implants. The aim of this program is to provide a working repository for retrieved orthopaedic implants, and to develop the tools and techniques for the systematic evaluation of implant designs, materials, surfaces and function. Team Leader(s)Melinda Harman Bioengineering |
| 118 | Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip for Point of Care Technology In this Creative Inquiry project, we explore the use of electric, magnetic or flow field for the transport and control of biological and synthetic particles in engineered microchannels with lab-on-a-chip applications to chemistry and biomedicine for point of care technology. Team Leader(s)Xiangchun Xuan Mechanical Engineering |
| 150 | Microbial Ecology and Bioinformatics We know that microbes are the most abundant organisms on the planet and are found pretty much everywhere. However, we know very little about which microbes are present in different environments and what microbes are actually doing. The emphasis in our lab is to use genomics and transcriptomics of microbial communities combined with measuring environmental parameters in order to understand the global and local importance of microbes. We focus on ecologically important concepts, such as functional redundancy. Team Leader(s)Barbara Campbell Biological SciencesDinuka Lakmali Jayasuriya Patabandige Biological Sciences |
| 163 | Interpreting Geologic Landforms Interpreting the landforms around us lies at the heart of geologic exploration. Through the use of low tech and high tech methods, we propose geologic processes that would explain the world around us. Team Leader(s)Scott Brame Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 187 | Exploring Microbial Communities in Food Products and the Environment This CI project enumerates, isolates, and characterizes beneficial microorganisms from fermented food products to enhance their quality and functionality. Team Leader(s)Xiuping Jiang Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 189 | Nutraceutical and Functional Foods Research and Product Development In this CI project, students will learn to use state-of-the-art analytical instruments to analyze food components, such as vitamins, amino acids, flavors, food additives, nutraceuticals, etc, which are the major nutritional and functional chemicals in foods. At the end of the research project, students are expected to be able to have gained critical thinking skills, learned basic principles of experimental design, mastered one or more modern analytical instruments, learned how to perform basic statistical analyses and written a professional report. Team Leader(s)Feng Chen Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 211 | Exploration of Weight Gain and Obesity in Adult Populations This CI will introduce students to the need for programs addressing overweight and obesity in adult populations and how to create and implement effective interventions. A review of existing programs for diverse populations will be included and the hypothesis(es) generated to plan an intervention for a local population reviewed. Students will be trained in anthropometrics and assessment measures such as blood pressure that often changes with weight gain. Students will plan/revise/implement an educational intervention and learn/practice physical assessments. The intervention component of the CI along with data collection and data analysis will occur. The project will culminate in a write up and presentation of the study results. Team Leader(s)Vivian Haley-Zitlin Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 212 | A Nutrition Education & Life-Style Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes This CI will introduce students to the incidence and prevalence of diabetes in SC, the US and worldwide as well as the resources available to individuals with diabetes locally. Existing programs addressing type 2 diabetes – prevention and treatment – will be researched and critiqued. An intervention specific for the population that we will work with will be created and implemented following a thorough literature review and hypothesis(es) generated which will facilitate development of an effective intervention for a local population. Students will be trained in anthropometrics and assessment measures such as finger sticks & glucometer use, physical assessments that are diabetes related such as skin changes, foot and eye changes. They will also learn how to assess HgA1C, breath and urine changes with uncontrolled diabetes in order to more effectively relate to and treat their clients. Blood pressure will also be monitored as cardiovascular changes occur with uncontrolled diabetes. Students will plan and develop an educational intervention and/or plan a media campaign and learn/practice assessments Fall semester along with conducting a pilot assessment. The intervention component of this CI will occur Spring semester 2020 along with data collection, analysis, and write up plus presentation of the study results. Team Leader(s)Vivian Haley-Zitlin Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 235 | Nutrient Sensing in Protozoan Parasites The Morris lab is focused on resolving the mechanisms that protozoan parasites use to sense and metabolize the important sugar glucose during infection of their human host. Through these studies, parasite-specific components of the sugar sensing and uptake pathway have been identified and, in an on-going collaborative effort, small molecule inhibitors of the pathways with anti-parasitic activity have been developed. While the team has historically focused on the African trypanosome, more recent work on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the brain eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri suggests that exploiting the sugar metabolism pathways of these single-celled invaders may also prove useful in the development of new therapeutics. Team Leader(s)James Morris Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 244 | Healthcare Logistics: Data Analysis, Decision Making, and Modeling in Hospital Settings Students involved in this Creative Inquiry project will be exposed to healthcare logistics during patient visits to the emergency department or on the day of surgery (from preop to recovery). The Departments of Emergency Medicine and Perioperative Services at Prisma Health have worked on process improvement initiatives where Clemson students have been able to contribute. One main driver in this research is the measurement of capacity planning, staff wellbeing and decision making in healthcare delivery. To support this research, students might have the opportunity to work with physicians, nurses, and other staff from data collection and observation at the hospital to model development and presenting results. Students will assist in data analytics and some healthcare modeling depending on the student's background. Our goal is to present project results at on-campus events, events sponsored by Prisma Health, or national conferences. Understanding how modeling tools are used to improve healthcare logistics will also be an underlying theme to this research. Team Leader(s)Kevin Taaffe Industrial EngineeringSayed Rezwanul Islam Industrial Engineering Farzad Zeinali Industrial Engineering |
| 263 | Projects for Sustainable Development in Recovering and Developing Communities The Sustainable Designs CI project is led by faculty in the Biosystems Engineering program. The project brings together students from a variety of majors in engineering and science to explore sustainable options for fueling our world and restoring our natural resources and ecosystems- options that are particularly suited for developing communities and those that are recovering from natural disasters. In past semesters, solar water heaters and solar water distillation systems have been explored. More recently, the team has focused on two projects: 1) the biological production of hydrogen gas (H2) for use as a biofuel from waste agricultural products (section 1); and 2) the restoration of oyster reefs for reducing sediment loss in wetlands and improving ecosystem function (section 2). 1) The biological production of hydrogen gas using waste agricultural products is one way to produce biofuels in a sustainable manner. In this CI, students learned the lab-scale techniques (media preparation, inoculation and incubation) for the anaerobic bacterium Thermotoga neapolitana that is capable of converting sucrose, fructose and glucose contained in cull fruits to H2 gas, acetic acid, and CO2. The team will investigate options for optimizing the rate of H2 production.3) Globally, 85% of the world's oyster reefs have been destroyed or harvested. The CI team will investigate means to restore oyster reefs in the ACE basin in South Carolina, through the use of structures to provide suitable surface area for spat attachment. The team will collaborate with SC-DNR personnel to design and install structures near Fenwick Island, SC in the ACE Basin. Also, the team has begun to focus on the restoration of a local threatened mussel species (Elliptio complanata). Lab-scale cultivation systems for Elliptio have been developed by current students. Team Leader(s)Caye Drapcho Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 336 | Applications of Geographic and Soil Information Systems Soil is a critical component of land use planning. The objective of this project is to study and understand the properties of soils in relation to current and future use. Individual student projects focus on evaluating the soil resources using soil sampling and testing, Web Soil Survey databases, as well as GIS and statistical software in relation to current or future land use plans. Students are able to select an area of interest and perform a comprehensive assessment of soil resources in relation to potential real estate, agricultural, or forestry application. Team Leader(s)Elena Mikhailova Forestry and Environmental ConservationChristopher Post Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 347 | Tackling Social Issues: Advanced Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research in Applied Ethics And Ethical Debate Critical examination of ethical cases largely taken from up-to-date newspaper and magazine publications. Anticipation of critical questions that might be asked about the cases. Research and development of responses to these questions and the best ethical resolution of the cases. These responses are first developed in writing, and then are presented orally in a competitive debate-like format. Oral responses will be presented at the regional competition and, if chosen, at the national conference of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics. Team Leader(s)Adam Gies Philosophy and ReligionBenjamin White Philosophy and Religion |
| 356 | Geologic Properties The properties of geologic materials such as rocks, soil, and water highly influence the placement and design of human constructs such as roads, dams, and buildings. Understanding these properties help us design more sustainable structures with less environmental impact. Team Leader(s)Scott Brame Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 376 | Popular Science Journalism The overall goal of this project is to produce a science column in the student body newspaper, The Tiger. The name of the column is Tigra scientifica and is used to report on the hottest topics in scientific and academic research. Team Leader(s)Lesly Temesvari Biological Sciences |
| 378 | Designing Medical Technology for the Developing World Developing countries face healthcare challenges every day, whether it is lack of supplies or a shortage of healthcare professionals. Medical devices and equipment that are considered standard in hospitals in the United States can be hard to find and very expensive in developing countries, such as Tanzania. Tanzania has recently made significant advances with the quality of their healthcare; however, there are still many hurdles that need to be overcome. The goal of this Creative Inquiry team is to design and develop medical instrumentation and monitors that are robust, user-friendly, and low-cost for developing countries. The students on this team will be expected to work on electronics and instrument design. These types of projects not only have the ability to improve the lives of young infants and families, but they can also impact the medical field in developing nations worldwide. In addition to doing design, students are expected to learn about Tanzania as a whole. Students will learn about Tanzanian culture, government and healthcare structure as well as some basic conversational Swahili. Team Leader(s)Delphine Dean BioengineeringJohn Desjardins Bioengineering Melinda Harman Bioengineering Diego Nigoa Bioengineering Jeremiah Carpenter Bioengineering |
| 379 | Digital History and Digital Humanities Introcution in Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences In this current global digital age, this humanities project fosters students to research and independently design their own digital history projects. As an introduction to cyberinfrastructure, students learn the basics of digital history and humanities and participate in ongoing database and web projects. More advanced students can do statistical analysis as well as use the Social Media Lab to analyze media in a historical context. Team Leader(s)Orville Burton History and GeographyJoshua Catalano History and Geography |
| 397 | Computational Design Group The Clemson School of Architecture Computational Design Group engages in a critical exploration of emergent technologies and material science in architectural design. The aim of this group is to house several, more specific, research agendas concerning applications of computing methods in architecture under one, more general, classification of ‘computational design’. We are currently research 'Design-to-fabrication workflows with Extended Reality'. In 2021 our team is continuing a project initiated in 2020 with industry partner Autodesk where we are developing algorithms for accurate holographic-assisted physical component assembly. Team Leader(s)Dave Lee School of Architecture |
| 406 | Creative Inquiry in Marketing: Advertising Campaign Development and Execution The students work two semesters for a total of 3 hours elective credit on a national competition sponsored by the American Advertising Federation and a national sponsor for a Spring event called called the National Student Advertising Competition. This two-semester project involves the students operating as a simulated integrated marketing communications agency. Team Leader(s)Brian Connaughton Department of Graphic CommunicationsJames Gaubert Department of Marketing |
| 416 | TAGA Journal This project offers students the opportunity to design, edit and produce a technical journal showcasing student research in Graphic Communications as well as compete with schools internationally for recognition for the quality of their work. The team attends the international Technical Association for the Graphic Arts (TAGA) Annual Technical Conference to present their journals for the competition and to meet and learn from top researchers in the Graphic Communications industry. Team Leader(s)Carl Blue Department of Graphic CommunicationsAmanda Bridges Department of Graphic Communications |
| 424 | Synthesis and Modification of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Students will focus on understanding the structure-property relationships of magnetic nanoparticles. Specifically the team will investigate how size and composition change the magnetic properties of these systems. Team Leader(s)Thompson Mefford Materials Science and Engineering |
| 447 | Clemson ASCE Steel Bridge Team This CI project prepares students to compete in the annual Student Steel Bridge Competition organized by the American Institute of Steel Construction. The student will design and fabricate a scaled steel bridge (about 15-ft long) to be compete in the annual regional competition (Carolinas and Georgia). At the competition, the team will be judged for efficiency of assembling the bridge under timed construction. The bridge will then be load tested and weighted. The scale-bridge is about 20-ft long and is expected to carry at least 2,500 lbs. Top ranked teams in the regional competition will advance to the national competition. Team Leader(s)Weichiang Pang Civil Engineering |
| 479 | Comparative Vertebrate Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research in my lab examines the patterns and processes of functional evolution in vertebrates. To understand the factors that have contributed to evolutionary transitions in function, we test the functional consequences of variation in biological design, primarily through experimental studies of vertebrate musculoskeletal biomechanics. We have extended these studies to include selection experiments on functional performance, allowing us to evaluate the impact of functional tradeoffs on structural diversification. Our three primary study systems have been examinations of (1) the load bearing capacity of vertebrate limb bones (and fish fins) during terrestrial and aquatic locomotion; (2) the functional performance of waterfall climbing gobiid fishes in a variety of behaviors, including climbing, predator escape, and feeding; and (3) the effects of differences in body structure on the swimming performance of turtles and tadpoles. These systems have allowed a diverse range of comparative studies that have provided insight into broader issues in the diversity and evolution of vertebrate functional design. Studies of these systems are complemented by investigations of other systems as new questions and opportunities emerge. Team Leader(s)Richard Blob Biological SciencesDavid Munteanu Biological Sciences |
| 510 | Aquaponics: Maximizing use of a Biological System for Unique Production of an Aquatic and Plant Based Crop This project stimulates undergraduate students' understanding of aquatic (fish, shrimp) production in recirculating systems and works to expand the unit for establishment of a dual or polyculture unit. The project will investigate methods for aquaponics and refine specific deficiencies of the system which include passive heating techniques to reduce costs, system design (airlift technology) considerations for efficiency and power dependency, automation for system productivity and bacterial control for food safety considerations. Team Leader(s)Lance Beecher Cooperative Extension Services |
| 516 | Mathematical Modeling with Advanced Engineering Apps: Damage Accumulation in Viscoelastic Materials Students enrolled in the CI will be utilizing what they learned in differential equations, calculus and numerical methods courses to model and explore the advanced engineering problems including the phenomena of damage accumulation in viscoelastic materials,polymers and polymer based composites. Team Leader(s)Irina Viktorova School of Mathematical and Statistical SciencesChenyang Zheng Economics Sofya Alekseeva School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences |
| 522 | Experiencing Woody Plant Genomics and Biotechnology The project aims to utilize genomics tools and advanced biotechnological approaches to improve plant health and enhance nutritional/medicinal values and production. The focus is on woody plants. Students are exposed to molecular techniques, bioinformatics, tissue culture, data recording and analysis, and greenhouse management. The project will cultivate students’ interests in plants and understanding of plants’ important roles plants in the food supply, the environment, and human well-being. Team Leader(s)Haiying Liang Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 548 | China's Foreign Policy This Creative Inquiry project systematically examines some of the most important issues facing the world. Students will be involved in on-going discussions and debates as well as engaged in direct dialogues with diplomats and business leaders, both Chinese and American. Team Leader(s)Xiaobo Hu Political Science |
| 550 | Organelle Biogenesis in African Trypanosomes African trypanosomes cause a number of human and livestock diseases. My laboratory is focused on resolving the mechanisms that regulate the biogenesis of essential organelles called glycosomes in these organisms. These organelles are parasite specific and essential making them excellent drug targets. Team Leader(s)Meredith Morris Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 563 | Investment Research Challenge The CFA Research Challenge, organized by the CFA Institute and its member Societies, involves the valuation of a publicly traded company. Just like a Wall Street analyst would do for a research report, the team of students must come up with a one-year target price for the stock along with a Buy/Hold/Sell recommendation. The students must research the company, its industry, competitors, customers, and market trends to make assumptions that are used in a financial model projecting future performance. In this project, students develop teamwork, analytical, written and oral communication skills to write their report and present to a panel of investment professionals. Team Leader(s)Jack Wolf Department of Financial Management |
| 564 | Chartered Financial Analyst Seminar The CFA charter is the most prestigious certification available in Finance and Investments. Although students can’t completely earn the charter while they are still in school, they can begin the process with the Level I exam. The CI group helps students prepare for the exam by having the students develop written study materials (which are uploaded to Canvas) and present these topics to the rest of the group. Team Leader(s)Jack Wolf Department of Financial Management |
| 569 | Drones for Natural Resource Management Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become a critical tool for natural resource management. This CI will focus on teaching students the skills and laws associated with legal use of UAVs for natural resource management. Topics covered include: the various sensors and types of UAVs, data collection planning and methods, processing data and accuracy evaluation, safe operations of UAVs, and the legal framework for using UAVs for commercial and research purposes (under FAA Part 107 rules). Students will typically focus on one related research topic during the semester that leverages the high spatial and temporal resolution of UAV data to address a research topic in natural resources. Team Leader(s)Christopher Post Forestry and Environmental ConservationCarly Berrios School of Nursing |
| 574 | Implementation of Public Art for the Clemson University Campus Clemson University's Public Art Program features the works of nationally recognized artists. We are dedicated to exploring opportunities where public art becomes woven into the campus environment. All artwork selected for projects will be intellectually engaging while demonstrating qualities that elicit questions and prompt discourse. Artworks are site specific and are commissioned through a competitive process. Team Leader(s)Joey Manson V Art |
| 575 | Veterans Oral History Project The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans, as well as U.S. Citizens who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (war industry workers, USO medical personnel, flight instructors, etc.) so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. In order to assist the Library of Congress with this arduous task, Clemson University students will conduct interviews and collect other materials accepted by the project then facilitate their digitization for Clemson University records before sending the original materials to the Library of Congress. Team Leader(s)Orville Burton History and GeographyJoshua Catalano History and Geography |
| 625 | Host-Microbe Interactions in the Gastrointestinal Tract This research project will focus on various aspects of interactions between the normal (non-pathogenic) bacterial members of the human gastrointestinal tract and their human hosts. The overarching focus is to identify conserved functions within particular groups of microbes that can be targeted with small organic molecules. The goal is to identify potential new therapeutics that could be used to modify the gastrointestinal microbiome in a targeted fashion. The current research is focused on investigating the possible involvement of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (and related species) in the development and/or exacerbation of diabetes, obesity, and colon cancer. Team Leader(s)Kristi Whitehead Biological SciencesDaniel Whitehead Chemistry |
| 643 | Aspire To Be Well: Developing Peer Delivered Initiatives to Foster the Promotion of a Healthy Campus Aspire: Developing Peer Delivered Initiatives to Foster the Promotion of a Healthy Campus works with the Aspire to Be Well Program, a 90-minute peer-led health and safety focused dialogue and CU 1000 requirement. The dialogue covers key areas to maintaining a healthy and safe campus including overall well-being, alcohol and other drug misuse prevention, mental health and suicide prevention, and interpersonal violence prevention, bystander intervention and an overview of resources. Students enrolled in this Creative Inquiry will explore topics related to the Aspire Program and research trends related to health and well-being in higher education. Team Leader(s)Chloe Dixon Student Health CenterJennifer Goree Student Health Center |
| 2506 | Microplastics in the environment Recent research has shown the prevalence of microplastics in our environment, although data surrounding their occurrence in Upstate South Carolina is lacking. In this CI we analyze water samples from local sources for microplastic content. In order to carry out our mission students may engage in field sampling in local rivers, reservoirs, or beaches as well as learn lab techniques related to the identification of microplastics. Team Leader(s)Cassandra May Biological Sciences |
| 645 | Bamboo Reinforced Concrete This project was initially started following the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Many concrete and masonry buildings collapsed during the 2010 Haiti Earthquake resulting in serious devastation and many casualties. One of the major cause of widespread building collapses was the lack of reinforcement (steel bars) in the buildings. Steel rebars are very expensive in Haiti. This project seeks to use bamboo as a replacement for steel to reinforce concrete and masonry structures. Team Leader(s)Weichiang Pang Civil Engineering |
| 672 | Finding Your Voice Camp This Creative Inquiry group will be responsible for planning, marketing, and evaluating an all-girls weekend camp at the Clemson University Outdoor Lab. The purpose of the camp is to introduce middle school girls to nontraditional physical activities as well as to offer educational sessions on topics such as self-esteem, body image, and college life. Research focused on the camp will address the following research questions:Does participation in a girls only camp impact middle school girls' body image? Does participation in outdoor recreation activities impact middle school girls' sense of physical self-efficacy? What are additional outcomes of participation in a girls only camp for middle school girls beyond potential impacts on body image and self-efficacy? Team Leader(s)Denise Anderson Dean-Beh, Social, & Health Sci |
| 716 | Novel Applications of Photovoltaics The goal of this project is to demonstrate that 100% of the electric and thermal power needs of Anderson Research Park can be provided by photovoltaics and batteries at a cost lower than what the university will be paying to utility. Team Leader(s)Rajendra Singh Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 741 | Marine Conservation and Genetics Over-fishing, pollution, and habitat destruction are among the major issues affecting marine life and habitats. Marine ornamental crustaceans, i.e., wild caught species sought by aquarium hobbyists due to their aesthetic value (e.g., bright coloration) and/or ability to control/eliminate aquarium pests, are particularly impacted by over-fishing and habitat destruction and do require immediate attention. The ornamental fishery, a well-established multi-million dollar industry, often operates unnoticed due to their niche market, the frequency of product export, and the diminutive size of the target organisms. Little attention has been paid to them and they have been managed based on little to no life history information. The marine aquarium trade relies predominantly on wild caught species with > 90% taken from coral reefs and associated habitats. The industry has increased dramatically in recent years with a distinct focus on crustaceans (and other invertebrates) that provide “ecosystem services” for aquaria (control of aquarium pests). As these organisms are harvested for the services they can provide in an aquarium, those services are potentially lost from the ecosystem. Immediately after corals, crustaceans represent the most heavily traded ornamental marine invertebrate worldwide. Basic life history information critical to manage any fishery with the goal of sustainability is largely absent. Furthermore, the mislabeling of the species traded in the industry is rampant. The development of a genetic (COI and/or 16S) barcode for this economically and ecologically important group of shrimps is warranted for achieving the goal of fishery sustainability. This Creative Inquiry project aims at generating basic life history information about the most intensively traded species in the western Atlantic (e.g., shrimps from the genera Thor, Lysmata and Periclimenes, and crabs from the species complex Mithrax-Mithraculus). Furthermore, this project will setup the basis for the development of a genetic barcode for the most heavily harvested ornamental crustaceans. Team Leader(s)Alyssa Baker Biological SciencesSadia Kamal Biological Sciences Juan Baeza Migueles Biological Sciences |
| 742 | Imaginative Ligands and Unique Metal Complexes: A Marriage of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry Organic chemists often are puzzled by metals, and inorganic chemists are often puzzled by organic chemistry, but there are great opportunities in uniting the ability of organic chemists to generate complex 3D molecules with the unique reactivities and properties of metals. This project combines these two areas to design, synthesize, and examine the metal-coordination properties of ligands for commonly studied metal ions such as iron and copper, as well as more exotic metal ions such as lanthanides uranium, and plutonium (note: undergraduate students will not be working with uranium and plutonium!). This project uses synthetically versatile new approaches in organic synthesis to generate ligands with applications in biological, catalytic, and nuclear applications. Once made, a variety of techniques are used to examine the metal coordination abilities of these ligands, including electrochemistry, stability constant determinations, and DNA damage and cellular assays. Team Leader(s)Julia Brumaghim Chemistry |
| 749 | Deep Eutectic Solvents based on Halogen Bonding for Energy Applications and as Tunable Reaction Media Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) are relatively new alternative reaction media consisting of mixtures of two or more components (Chem. Rev. 2014, 114, 11060−11082) They are related to Ionic Liquids, and while both have advantages over conventional solvents in having much lower vapor pressure tunable solvation properties DESs are generally less expensive to produce and have much lower toxicity than either Ionic Liquids or conventional solvents. Weak intermolecular attractions between the components of the DES mixture are important for their unique properties and in all currently available DESs these attractions are based on either ionic interactions, hydrogen bonding, or both. Our research is focused on an interaction similar to hydrogen bonding, called halogen bonding (Crystal Growth & Design 2001, 1, 165-175), and we have recently reported the first example of a halogen-bonding-based DES (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 22983 – 22989). This CI project will involve a survey of halogen bonded materials for DES properties and when found, testing and characterization of their structure (liquid and crystalline) and thermal properties. Current technology in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) often relies on halogen bondined materials and our project will also explore whether our new DESs will lead to enhanced performance of DSSCs. Team Leader(s)William Pennington ChemistryColin McMillen Chemistry |
| 756 | Biochemical Analysis of Homologous Recombination and DNA Repair Our laboratory studies the mechanism behind the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). If not repaired, a DSB can result in genome instability and potentially, cancer. DSBs are caused by exposure to chemicals, radiation, oxidative reactive species generated during normal metabolism and damaged replication forks. The repair of DSBs often involves the homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathway. The heart of HR is the RAD51 and DMC1 recombinase. These enzymes catalyze the search for homology between the damaged DNA and the sister chromatid. The activity of the recombinases is modulated by a number of accessory proteins. We utilize a combination of molecular biological and biochemical techniques to determine the role these accessory proteins have in the modulation of RAD51 and DMC1 recombinase activity. The results of our studies will provide insight into the mechanistic underpinnings of HR and genome maintenance. Team Leader(s)Michael Sehorn Genetics and BiochemistryAmara Onoh Genetics and Biochemistry Elyse Corbin Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 765 | Engineering the Intervertebral Disc Herniation and degeneration of the intervertebral discs (IVDs) in our spine can cause significant pain, disability and economic burden on a global scale. Current surgical strategies to repair and restore function to the IVDs have limitations. Regenerative medicine-based approaches for IVD repair and regeneration using stem cells and scaffolds hold significant promise; however, an ideal scaffold that mimics the complex micro-architecture, biochemistry and mechanical properties of the entire IVD has yet to be developed. Previously, our CI has created a composite scaffold derived from cow tail IVDs that have had all the cow cells removed. The scaffolds have demonstrated similar physio-chemical properties compared to human IVDs and they support stem cell viability in vitro. Thus, the continued focus of the CI is to develop approaches to efficiently repopulate the scaffold with stem cells and to assess tissue regeneration on the IVD scaffold. Team Leader(s)Jiro Nagatomi BioengineeringCollin Vogel Bioengineering Jeremy Mercuri Bioengineering |
| 778 | Mission Impossible? Teamwork and Team Composition in High Risk, High Stress Environments How do we turn teams of experts into expert teams, especially when they are teams working in stressful and demanding environments such as the military, healthcare, sports, or outer space? We are currently investigating this question in the DIGITAL (Deriving Innovative & riGorous scIence for Teaming And Leading) Research Lab, as teams today face new challenges which may require different interventions and strategies than what seems to work in traditional teams. This CI team will involve conducting lab and field research with military teams, spaceflight crews, sports teams, and healthcare professionals to answer this question and expand our current knowledge of teamwork and leadership in culturally diverse, physically distributed, dynamic, and adaptive work environments. Team Leader(s)Marissa Shuffler Porter PsychologyMarlee Johnson Psychology Kyle Christenson Psychology Ally Wentworth Psychology Tiffany Merucci Psychology Aleksander Roehl Psychology Allison Traylor Psychology |
| 786 | Engineering for Modern Healthcare and Addressing Pandemic Health Disparities One goal of this CI is to analyze community health data to determine how we can better provide COVID-19 testing and future services at Clemson University and its surrounding communities.Another goal of this CI is to develop a method to organize hospital stockrooms using a color-coding scheme that can be used universally throughout various hospitals and stockrooms. Team Leader(s)Congyue Peng BioengineeringDelphine Dean Bioengineering Austin Smothers Bioengineering |
| 787 | Community Supported Art A Creative Inquiry Project by Ceramics Students in the Department of Art at Clemson UniversityClemson Community Supported Art is an initiative started by Clemson students and faculty to connect the community with local, emerging artists. Based on the Community Supported Agriculture model, our goal is to build relationships between local artists and art collectors, while creating a unique shopping experience. Our annual production of the CSArt share brings students from multiple majors together to research professional careers, entrepreneurship, and small business practices in Art. Team Leader(s)Valerie Zimany ArtDaniel Bare Art |
| 789 | Generation and Characterization of Radiation for Biomedical Applications In recent years there has been a strong growth in the number of medical devices that use different types of radiation for treatment and imaging applications. There is also a growing interest in different fields ( e.g. medicine, biology, space research, electronics) to understand and utilize the effects of different forms of radiation. The effectiveness of radiation technology depends on the understanding of the interaction with the materials in question ranging from surfaces of solids to biological soft tissues. The present research project lies on the borderline of physics and biology. The elementary physical processes of the interaction are well known, but their expressions in biological samples depend on the complex response of the system and its environment. Students in this project will explore different techniques to generate, detect, and characterize electromagnetic radiation, their uses in specialized medical devices, and their applications in research. Team Leader(s)Delphine Dean BioengineeringEndre Takacs Physics and Astronomy |
| 791 | Lab-on-a-Chip and Microfluidics to Identify the Cause of Disease in Clinical Diagnostics We investigate the use of electric fields to identify and separate different strains of Candida cells. This is very important in the context of healthcare diagnostics since Candida is the causative pathogen of candidiasis, a medical condition affecting 46,000 patients yearly in the US with a mortality rate up to 44%. Identifying the strain causing this condition is crucial since front line antibiotics are not necessarily effective on all strains. For example, front line antibiotics commonly used for Candida albicans, the most likely cause of candidiasis, are not effective to eradicate C. glabrata, an emerging pathogen. The technology we are developing is a microfluidic chipset that utilizes a phenomenon known as Dielectrophoresis to selectively trap and detect different strains of Candida. This is uncharted territory and we are generating excellent results in several fronts. Go to www.multiscalemanufacturing.net to see more information Team Leader(s)Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte Mechanical Engineering |
| 792 | Origami for Carbon-based Multifunctional Materials Carbonaceous materials such as glassy carbon and metal carbides are widely used as electrodes in many applications including sensors, batteries, and capacitors. The focus of this CI is to derive these materials from renewable resources and elucidate ways to control their structure at multiple length scales, from the nano to the centimeter scale, to tailor their mechanical and electrical performance. The aim is at deriving multifunctional architectures such as structural batteries, sensors and batteries. To this end, we emphasize the use of origami techniques to create complex architectures in pure or doped paper, which we then carbonize at very high temperatures without the presence of oxygen. In this way we can derive complex, porous, lightweight architectures of carbonaceous materials. This is a powerful concept since we can create 3D architectures of engineering value from flat paper films. More details can be found in www.multiscalemanufacturing.net Team Leader(s)Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte Mechanical Engineering |
| 799 | The DEN (Design and Entrepreneurship Network) This CI allows student teams to be mentored by leaders in device design, development, marketing, patenting and small business development to forward student-led technology and ideas. Initially, this CI will focus on mentoring technologies that are being generated by other CI groups, as well as from other Capstone Design programs, but other “independent” teams and technical areas will be sought after the CI structure is established. Teams can include undergraduates and graduates, and preference is given to groups that have already formed around a topic or technology of interest. Mentors and guest speakers from industry, patent law, marketing and start-up businesses will work with student teams to take technology beyond the university development level. The format will be very student driven, with small student teams presenting each week on some aspect of their technology development and business plans. These presentations will be the focal point for discussions, mentoring and advice. Team Leader(s)John Desjardins Bioengineering |
| 824 | Plant Biotechnology for use in Crop Genetic Improvement Abiotic stress, such as salinity, drought, heat, cold and nutritional stress, is the major factor significantly impacting crop production. Understanding molecular mechanisms underlying plant response to various stresses will facilitate development of molecular strategies in genetically engineering crop species with enhanced performance under adverse environmental conditions. In this proposed study, we use molecular genetics and genomics approaches to dissect molecular mechanisms determining plant salt stress response, and will develop molecular strategies using agricultural biotechnology approach to modify candidate genes in transgenic plants producing new cultivars with enhanced salt tolerance. This will lead to genetic improvement of important crop species with enhanced performance under adverse environmental conditions contributing to increasing agricultural productivity. Team Leader(s)Hong Luo Genetics and BiochemistryXiaotong Chen Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 827 | Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Garden Design, installation, and maintenance are essential to creating a sustainable landscape that is a display or model for education. Sustainability is defined according to the Brundtland report (1987) as the integrated use of social, environmental, and economic approaches to effect positive developmental change. Sustainable Sites Initiative (2009) is a working model for the creation of sustainable landscapes. Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Garden is a project that intends to alter the physical environment and enhance the landscape using environmental and psychological measures through the design and installation of a native plant garden. Visit Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Web site: http://www.clemson.edu/cafls/demo/ and select "Meet the Team" to view past student experiences. Team Leader(s)Ellen Vincent Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 831 | Clemson University Soil Judging Competition Team "The Muddy Tigers", Clemson University's Soils Team, "digs"deep into how South Carolina, regional and national soils play an important role in food, fiber, fun, and our future! The Muddy Tigers learn how to characterize soils, and evaluate the landscape in order to make sound decisions on what soil can be used for. Team Leader(s)Dara Park Plant and Environmental SciencesPayton Davis Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 862 | The use of Medical-Grade Compression Clothing in Children with Autism On this team, students will explore the effect of medical-grade compression vests on the behavioral responses of children with autism. The use of compression clothing, widely employed in sensory integration therapy and marketed to parents of children with autism, is not supported (nor refuted) as a viable therapy option in any known published manuscripts. In this study, the effectiveness of this therapy technique will be scientifically established. Student researchers will video record the children with and without compression vests. The video data will later be reviewed to determine the vests’ effectiveness. Team Leader(s)Jennifer Grandits Psychology |
| 879 | Fire Ecology and Invasive Plants This project explores the influence of wildland fire in shaping the structure, composition, and function of forests. We investigate the fire adaptations of pine seedlings, the survival and resprouting response of trees following wildfire, and the fuel properties of invasive plants and their influence on fire behavior. We study fire ecology through field, greenhouse, and laboratory research and examine the implications of our work for forest management. Team Leader(s)Gaofeng Wang Forestry and Environmental ConservationRyan Bohannon Forestry & Environmental Conservation Htet Lin Naing Forestry & Environmental Conservation Trisha Markus Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 880 | Microbes All Around Us Microbes are all around us. They are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil we walk on, the food we eat; they are even in and on us. Although this fact is generally acknowledged, we don’t always have a great appreciation for the roles these microbes play in our health. Antimicrobial resistance for pathogens is clearly becoming a bigger and bigger problem, but there is also the potential for some classically non-pathogenic organisms to cause issues. This Creative Inquiry project will focus on investigating a variety of bacteria with various impacts on humans. We will use hypotheses generated by the student investigators’ natural curiosity or recent news stories as the driving force behind our experiments. This CI has investigated topics such as microbial contamination of lab coats during General Microbiology teaching labs and the potential for magazines in physician's waiting rooms to serve as sources of infection. We have also investigated the antimicrobial activity of various novel compounds with collaborators in the Department of Chemistry. The current focus of the project involves investigating the interactions between probiotic organisms (found in yogurts and other fermented foods) and their human hosts. Team Leader(s)Kristi Whitehead Biological Sciences |
| 883 | Single Molecule Biophysics In this project, students get the opportunity to explore and learn about single molecule biophysics, what it takes to do studies at the single molecular level and the methodologies need to prepare the samples, all while working at the interface of all basic sciences. Students select among various molecular systems that we currently work with in the lab, and learn how to prepare the samples, how to measure them and how to interpret the results. Team Leader(s)Hugo Sanabria Hernandez Physics and Astronomy |
| 886 | Future Manufacturing: Nano 3D printing using bacteria Imagine using bacteria as tiny 3D printers to weave a material from the bottom-up. We know that many bacteria can synthesize useful materials. In this project we use 1) a bacteria that transforms sugar in its environment to high purity cellulose nanofibers with excellent mechanical properties, and 2) electric fields to manipulate the bacteria in time and space. The project focuses on the study of the effects of electric field on the synthesis of bacterial cellulose, and the development of optoelectronic tweezers to manipulate single bacterial cells in designed trajectories. Go to www.multiscalemanufacturing.net to see videos Team Leader(s)Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte Mechanical Engineering |
| 899 | Establishing a Clemson University-K-12 Research Collaboration/CU Investors This Creative Inquiry group works with teachers from local middle schools, with an emphasis on under-resourced communities, to design and implement experiments that reinforce scientific theories and processes they learn in the classroom. Team Leader(s)Meredith Morris Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 906 | Research and Development for the National Dairy Council's Annual New Product Competition Small teams of undergraduates create a new dairy product to enter into the annual National Dairy Council new product competition. Emphasis being placed on conducting sensory panels and understanding ingredient functions as is relates to dairy foods. Team Leader(s)Sara Cothran Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 908 | Experimental Cardiovascular System In this project students will design and prototype a benchtop flow system which mimics realistic human cardiovascular physiology and anatomy. Such a system can be used for direct medical device testing and clinical training. The current phase of the project is designing a pressure-generating device for producing realistic blood pressure waveforms in an experimental system. Team Leader(s)Ethan Kung Mechanical Engineering |
| 918 | Future Engineers and Scientists The Future Engineers CI is a service/outreach program that partners with the non-profit BRIEF (https://briefnonprofit.org/) to deliver hands-on STEM activities to kids from low income families in the local communities. Team Leader(s)Melissa Smith Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 2232 | Robotic Medication Dispenser We will develop a reliable and robust medication dispenser to help mitigate complications and deaths associated with improper medication use. A number of robotic elements will be implemented to dispense the proper amount of medication to users at the appropriate interval with active reminders to take the medication. Team Leader(s)Lucas Schmidt Bioengineering |
| 2229 | Converging Education and Research in Materials Discovery and Development From the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and to today’s Silicon Age, fundamental discovery and development in materials shape major advances in human civilization, so much so that every historical era has been named after the material that led the technology at the time. The ability to connect fundamental knowledge of materials chemistry to real-world applications and to realize available STEM career opportunities is vital for undergraduate and middle school students. However, K-12 and undergraduate students, especially underserved minorities, or the public may have limited access to scientific literature and relevant resources. In addition, even though some literature resources are open access, science communication in forms of journal articles and talks cannot be easily understood by broader audiences. To address this, this CI project will focus on designing and creating inquiry-based storyboard and animation as a simple and flexible pathway to convey complex scientific concepts in an accessible and compelling manner. The goals of this CI project are to facilitate science literacy, to assist educators in teaching concepts in materials chemistry, functionalities, the meaning and practice of science for K-12 classroom, and to excite K-12 and undergraduate students about transdisciplinary STEM fields. Through this multi-semester CI project, our team will generate e-learning materials, produce lesson plans and resources for teachers, and implement these activities in local and regional schools and summer camps in partnership with the College of Science Outreach Center. Team Leader(s)Thao Tran Chemistry |
| 2221 | Physics-informed Deep Learning in Computer Vision This Creative Inquiry project will provide an overview of the state of the art in deep learning and computer vision. Major topics include image processing, object detection and recognition, geometry-based and physics-based vision and video analysis, and physical and computational models in 3D reconstruction. Students will learn fundamental and advanced knowledge about deep learning, basic concepts of computer vision, computational photography, and hands on experience to solve real-life vision problems. Team Leader(s)Nianyi Li School of Computing |
| 2216 | Human Environments Interaction Interactive Environments for Human HabitationStudents will participate in part of an ongoing focus area in research on interactive architectures and objects with multiple sub-projects focused on digitally enhancing and augmenting human environments. This is a multidisciplinary team of researchers from Architecture, Computer Science, Engineering, Biology, and Psychology. Projects vary but include tangible user interfaces, augmented reality and mixed reality visualization, mapping and simulations, modeling, fabrication, clinical studies, prototyping, and interactive architectures. Team Leader(s)Winifred Newman School of ArchitectureSida Dai School of Computing Kaileigh Byrne Psychology Timothy Sutherland School of Architecture Miriam Konkel Genetics and Biochemistry Brygg Ullmer School of Computing |
| 2212 | Environmental Genetics & Genomics In this CI project, we use environmental DNA (eDNA), which is DNA released by organisms into their environment, to push the boundaries of how we detect, monitor, and conserve biodiversity. Genetics and genomics-based methods using eDNA are increasingly used to assess biodiversity in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. This CI project is centered on the idea that environmental nucleic acids and DNA barcoding approaches have great potential for noninvasive monitoring of biological taxa of conservation, health, or agricultural importance. In this CI project, we explore hypotheses related to local biodiversity using environmental DNA data. Methods used include primer selection and optimization for DNA barcoding, eDNA or eRNA collection, preservation and extraction, quality control and amplification, DNA sequence data collection and analysis, and phylogenetic analysis of species’ relationships. Our overall goal is to understand and improve how taxa- or species-level presence can be inferred and monitored using real-world environmental genetic or genomic data. It is anticipated that findings from this project will contribute to our understanding of how eDNA persists in the environment and its relevance and applications to new sequencing technologies and conservation genetic surveys. We will communicate our findings broadly to increase civic scientific literacy and appreciation for the use of environmental DNA in conservation. Team Leader(s)Kimberly Kanapeckas Metris Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 2211 | Organic Chemistry Outreach Program - Bonds that holds everything together Through this educational outreach program, we aim to promote STEM education for local K-12 students. We plan to focus on relaying the importance of organic chemistry in our lives. Specific topics of interest include, but not limited to, strong/weak chemical bonds, building molecules, and catalysis. In collaboration with graduate students in the Kim Group, Clemson undergraduate students will focus on developing fun, engaging hands-on activities for the K-12 students. Team Leader(s)Byoungmoo Kim ChemistryGiovani Gutierrez Chemistry |
| 2209 | Characterization of commensal Clostridia in the gastrointestinal tract The indigenous microbes that associate with all multicellular hosts, or microbiota, provide necessary functions that benefit host health. This is particularly true for the gastrointestinal tract, which hosts a particularly diverse bacterial community. While newer sequencing methods have uncovered much of the taxonomic depth of the microbiota in the gut, many commensal microbes remain undercharacterized. This is particularly true for the anaerobic, gram-positive Clostridia, a class of bacteria commonly associated with beneficial functions provided by the human gut microbiota. This project aims to characterize individual Clostridial strains previously isolated from fecal material. Students will characterize phenotypic (morphology, growth conditions, spore formation) and genomic (phylogenomic, metabolic, potential virulence) attributes of different Clostridial species. This information can be used to formulate independent research questions focused on microbial interactions or function. Techniques used include anaerobic cultivation, in vitro bacterial growth assays, molecular assays such as PCR, cell culture assays to detect toxin activity, and bioinformatic analyses such as genome assembly and phylogenomic comparison. Students are expected to participate in weekly group meetings to discuss study results and relevant literature related to the project. We expect to present results at a local, regional, or national meeting at the conclusion of the student’s CI project. These results are expected to expand knowledge of commensal Clostridia in the gut, increasing our ability to develop methods to manipulate the microbiota for host benefit. Team Leader(s)Anna Seekatz Biological Sciences |
| 2206 | Cultural Competency Inquiry This Creative Inquiry project, Cultural Competency Inquiry (CCI) program, explores and identifies ways to help students develop cultural competence to study and work effectively as future healthcare professionals. This project will be instrumental in developing and increasing a new Clemson Comprehensive of Clemson University students. The CCI will provide resources and opportunities, such as the Intercultural Development Inventory, online cultural competency modules, cultural activities, and reflection as a group and individually, and help students to grow into well-rounded candidates for the health professions. This CI project aims to study literature around competency and skills needed for healthcare professionals, and evaluate these resources, tools, and contents that will maximize CCI participants' learning and cultural competency. Team Leader(s)Harolynn Williams College of Science-Deans Offic |
| 2203 | Every Campus a Refuge at Clemson This CI is an experiential learning project to bolster refugee integration in our area and create new collaboration between community members, students, and faculty. This project concentrates on the practical and conceptual meanings of refuge and residence in our local area. The CI will learn about the structure of refugee resettlement in US cities, explore how peer colleges and universities are responding to the challenges of resettlement, and develop new community engagement projects that could improve the quality of refugee resettlement and help build more inclusive communities. Team Leader(s)Angela Naimou EnglishYashwanth Sai Varma Alluri School of Computing Michael LeMahieu English |
| 2199 | Next Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Analysis of Sequencing Data The fast pace of the advance of the sequencing technology have enabled rapid sequencing of a variety of samples for many application needs. Examples of such sequencing needs are the sequencing of the transcriptome to identify gene regulation, the sequencing to identify organisms that possibly causing infection, the sequencing to track the variant of concerns. As such, we generated large database that requires trained bioinformatician to analyze the data. This project is designed to train the students with a background in coding to demystify the sequencing data base and extract the useful biological relevant information. The students will gain experience using Palmetto server, linux, R, and python under Conda environment. Team Leader(s)Ryan Campbell IIT Ctr Medical Devices/SensorCongyue Peng Bioengineering Delphine Dean Bioengineering |
| 2197 | Improving Inclusion in Organizations Over the past two years, the demand for diversity training in organizations has skyrocketed. However, many of these efforts fall short at improving workplace inclusion climate. This CI team will use experimental and field-based research to explore new approaches to diversity training to better understand what makes diversity training work. Students will have the opportunity to gain experience designing and implementing research studies, developing surveys using Qualtrics, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data. Team Leader(s)Allison Traylor PsychologyGabrielle Rufrano Psychology Tiffany Merucci Psychology Lizzie Bell Psychology |
| 2195 | Design and Evaluation of a Novel Cable-Driven Ankle Exoskeleton In this project, we will focus on developing and evaluating a novel cable-driven ankle exoskeleton. The exoskeleton is actuated via soft Bowden cables to provide ankle extension torque for assisting human locomotion. The entire exoskeleton system will be self-contained, where actuators, power units, control units, as well as necessary sensors will be integrated on a backpack to allow various type of locomotor tasks. Team Leader(s)Ge Lv Mechanical EngineeringZhenyuan Yu Mechanical Engineering Miao Yu Mechanical Engineering |
| 2193 | Wetland community ecology: what happens when fish arrive? Wetlands provide valuable services to humans by filtering water and offering flood control. They are also critical to maintaining biodiversity - especially for amphibians, fish, and many invertebrates. While wetlands closest to streams often are easily colonized by fish, those further from streams provide habitat for amphibians and invertebrates. Changes in climate are likely to alter patterns of rainfall and flooding. This could lead to wetlands that are either more easily colonized by fish (in cases of increased rainfall) or less likely to be colonized by fish (in cases of decreased rainfall). Our CI will establish experimental wetlands within the Clemson Experimental Forest. We will stock these wetlands with different species of fish to understand how fish presence and fish species influence the other members of the aquatic community. Team Leader(s)Joshua Holbrook Forestry and Environmental ConservationKyle Barrett Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 2192 | Backyard box turtles: wildlife habitat use in developed areas When land use patterns change, the number and kinds of wildlife in the area change as well. Some species retreat to undeveloped areas, while other species are able to persist under certain conditions. Box turtles are often seen in yards and parks within otherwise developed areas. We intend to characterize the habitat and movement patterns of box turtles in developed areas and compare that to the same measures in the Clemson Experimental Forest. Team Leader(s)Kyle Barrett Forestry and Environmental ConservationHannah Meredith Forestry & Environmental Conservation |
| 2189 | Sales Innovation Program Sales Competition Team This CI incorporates advanced selling skills via sales competitions and advanced role play practices. The competition team travels to two in person competitions per year and also partakes in virtual sales competitions. Team Leader(s)David Sturkey Department of MarketingLisa Beeler Department of Marketing |
| 2187 | From Trash to Treasure: The Chemical and Organic Recycling of Plastics to Valuable Materials Plastics have become a ubiquitous item in almost every industry and household due in part to their durability and low cost. However, this combination has resulted in an explosion of plastic waste that can be found in almost every ecosystem on earth. Traditional recycling methods have only been successful at converting around 10% of plastic waste into usable material. This creative inquiry course will explore chemical recycling and organic recycling (i.e. composting) that aims to convert plastic waste to usable chemicals and materials in a circular lifecycle. Chemical and organic recycling has the potential to turn trash into treasure by valorizing waste, therefore creating incentive for its capture and reuse. However, the conversion of plastic waste to usable chemicals comes with the challenges of high energy expenditures, additional chemical usage and difficult feedstocks composed of mixed and contaminated plastics. This course will examine established techniques and those on the cutting edge in terms of lifecycle, technoeconomic analysis and feasibility. Team Leader(s)James Sternberg Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 2186 | Leveraging Diverse Energy Sources for CO2 Mitigation Reactions towards an Equitable Carbon-Neutral Future The catalytic conversion of CO2 into energy-rich commodities is an effective approach of combating global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions while enabling the sustainable energy future. While the overall feasibility the technological routes can be estimated by thermodynamics, the uncertainties of operational efficiency and cost heavily rely on the choices of catalytic technologies. To ensure our transition to a clean-energy future can be truly equitable without leaving anyone behind, the catalysts for targeted reactions must be affordable and adaptable to energy infrastructure of diverse communities. Two of the major hurdles against this vision are 1) the high cost of catalytic materials due to the undue use of expensive catalytic metals, and 2) the limited options of reaction energy input from established industry process to provide tailored reaction engineering solutions. Therefore the goal of the proposed project is to prove the concept of designing CO2 conversion technologies with minimal catalytic materials and optimal energy input for those catalytic materials. The two main objectives are:1) Designing catalytic metal atoms with both 100 % material efficiency and high intrinsic activity as alternative to nanoparticles.2) Identifying optimal reaction energy input sources as thermo, magnetic, or electro to maximize the reaction activity and selectivity of the catalysts developed in Objective#1.We welcome students with diverse educational background to join the team to work on nanocatalytic materials development, reactor design, and technological economical analyses. Recruited students will have opportunities to present research work at various conferences and publish research articles on top journals. Team Leader(s)Ming Yang Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2181 | Predicting Protein Levels from mRNA Levels The central dogma of molecular biology gives rise to the expectation that as mRNA levels rise and fall, protein levels will follow suit. However, it is now appreciated that this is an exception rather than the norm. For which human genes does such quantitative central dogma thinking hold? How well can we predict protein levels given measurement of mRNA levels? Are there classes of gene function that are enriched for adherence or non-adherence to the central dogma? This project uses analysis of large publicly available datasets to answer these fundamental biological questions. It is ongoing in the lab and is at the stage where it is likely to lead to publication. Team Leader(s)Marc Birtwistle Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2180 | Identification of Novel Feedback Loops Driving the Mammalian Cell Cycle The molecular machinery that controls progression of the eukaryotic cell cycle has long been thought to be well understood for decades. Series of cyclin dependent kinases are turned on one after the other, after being initiated by external "growth factors". However, recent data from our lab has indicated potentially new feedback loops that superimpose onto this core known structure. This project will try to validate and characterize the nature of these feedback loops and understand their role in cell cycle regulation as well as how universal they are. Team Leader(s)Marc Birtwistle Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2179 | Purifying Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics with Phase Separation Biologic drugs, particularly monoclonal antibodies, are rapidly increasing in their use and new FDA approvals. A recent example was the Regeneron treatment for COVID available well before the vaccines. A costly step in their production uses Protein A chromatography to purify the monoclonal antibodies after cells produce them. This projects seeks to develop an alternative to Protein A chromatography that could revolutionize this industry. Team Leader(s)Marc Birtwistle Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2168 | Colorimetric Nanosensors Modern scientific instrumentation and sensors are often bulky, expensive, and/or cumbersome to operate. Colorimetric sensors on the other hand offer a promising solution to these problems, as they can be analyzed with high spatiotemporal resolution by digital cameras or the naked eye. However, the performance of colorimetric sensors is typically inferior to the bulky/expensive alternatives as it can be difficult to convert small input stimulus variations into a large color response. This research effort seeks to address and overcome these problems and to open the door to new types of high-performance colorimetric sensors and biosensors, which are competitive with and/or offer greater functionality than the bulky/expensive alternatives. Team Leader(s)Judson Ryckman Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 2167 | Best Is the Standard: Football Display Design Join the newest creative team to help Clemson Football design interactive photo shoot displays for their recruiting weekend. Work alongside the Clemson Football Recruiting Office and creative team to brainstorm, design and build exciting and interactive backdrops and displays for recruiting events. Team Leader(s)Haley Appleby Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 2166 | Personality & Law The aims of the research group are to study contributors to personality development and identify real-life implications of personality research findings. In particular, the group is interested in understanding how personality findings can be applied within legal settings. For instance, research suggests that personality impacts the performance of children as eyewitnesses during forensic interviews, as well as the perceptions of jurors when determining witness credibility. Team Leader(s)Ben Cotterill Psychology |
| 2162 | Multi-catalysis: Accelerated synthesis of valuable chiral molecules Access of valuable chiral molecules such as various therapeutic drugs, materials, and synthetic building blocks has been achieved through multiple-step chemical transformations. However, there is a need to improve the synthetic efficiency of these multiple-step processes since they often require isolation after each step and overall time to produce the final target is lengthy. To address these challenges, this project aims to develop a new multi-catalytic method that will enable the rapid synthesis of chiral molecules from simple building blocks. Through this work, one will learn how to make organic molecules and design catalysts. Team Leader(s)Byoungmoo Kim Chemistry |
| 2152 | Artificial Intelligence and Marketing: Customer Experience, Ethics, and Social Impact As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies mature, a variety of AI-powered products and services have been commonly used in routine from smart cars to robot vacuums and from digital assistants to health monitoring applications. While AI-enabled products and services provide tremendous benefits, they also bring various challenges for consumers, businesses, and society. This project investigates customer experience and interactions with AI, and social issues related to AI (e.g., privacy and algorithmic bias), with a focus on Generation Z (born 1997-2012) and Generation Alpha (born after 2010) consumers. Team Leader(s)Andrew Wang Department of Marketing |
| 2141 | Mapping the Gay Guides In this creative inquiry project students will work on Mapping the Gay Guides, a digital history project that seeks to digitize LGBTQ guidebooks from the 1960s through the 1990s. While on his frequent business trips around the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Bob Damron wanted to find bars and other locales to meet other men like him. A gay man, Damron sought friends, companions, and safety at friendly businesses in the various cities he visited. He began jotting down the names of the spots he frequented, sometimes loaning out his notebooks to fellow gay friends to take with them on their own journeys. His prolific lists became the basis of gay travel guide he began publishing in 1964. In this CI Project, students focus on digitizing and mapping locations included within these historical documents. Team Leader(s)Amanda Regan History and Geography |
| 2123 | Improving Hospital Safety Reporting Using Machine Learning Approaches Incident reporting systems are used in multiple industries to collect valuable data about safety, risk and adaptive performance. These data come in various forms including free text descriptions of experiences by frontline workers. While the free text format offers the advantage of providing contextual details, the analysis of such data is time-consuming and effortful. The goal of the project is to leverage machine learning algorithms to analyze the data for meaningful themes and patterns that could provide insights about adaptive performance in everyday clinical work. For example reports related to anesthesia airway management could be analyzed to identify frequent risk factors as well as strategies used by anesthesiologists to improve the safety of patients. Part of the challenge would be to identify appropriate classifiers and labels, and the choice of ML technique for the analysis. The project will provide students with experience in Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques.In addition to developing the algorithm, the project could potentially lead to insights on the design of self-reporting forms so as to make them better suited to data analytic and ML methods. Such work would be highly valuable in the area of organizational learning to improve healthcare quality and safety. Team Leader(s)Sudeep Hegde Industrial EngineeringCarl Ehrett Watt Family Innovation Center |
| 2118 | Trogossitidae (Bark-gnawing Beetles) of South Carolina Members of the beetle family Trogossitidae (Bark-gnawing Beetles) are generally predacious on wood-boring beetles, including economically important bark beetles (Scolytinae). One invasive species, the Cadelle (Tenebroides mauritanicus) is an economically important pest of stored grain. Members of the family are poorly known in South Carolina. About 20 species are known or suspected to be in the state, but a firm species list, how to tell them apart, and where and when they are found throughout the state are all unknown. The presence of undescribed species or new invasive species is also unknown. Working with historical specimens (some nearly 100 years old) and newly collected specimens from a recent state-wide bark beetle survey, team members will curate and identify all South Carolina trogossitids in the Clemson University Arthropod Museum, approximately 1000 specimens. An illustrated key to identification will be made. For each species a state-wide specimen-level map will be produced and habitus photographs using high-resolution focus-stacking equipment will be taken. The final product would represent the most comprehensive view of trogossitids in eastern North America. Team Leader(s)Michael Ferro Plant and Environmental SciencesMichael Caterino Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 2114 | Entropic effects on dislocation obstacle by-pass Permanent deformation (plasticity) is mainly accommodated in metallic systems by the movement of linear defects denoted as dislocations. Such dislocations are elastic singularities that interact with local stress fields coming from internal sources (such as other dislocations or defects) and external solicitations. Therefore, predicting dislocation evolution relates to the knowledge of the materials deformation pathways. As such, state-of-the-art plasticity models at the mesoscale solve for the evolution of a dislocation ensemble responding upon external loading. These models, termed as dislocation dynamics (DD) methods, have been very successful reproducing physical trends and computing parameters for larger scale models at large strain rates, where the deformation is mechanically overdriven. However, these models are not actually dynamical, just drive the system to the closest elastic energy minimum, and hence, they cannot reproduce thermally activated processes dominating a large range of strain rates. Moreover, systems evolve in a free energy landscape, with energetic and entropic components, although current DD models systematically neglect entropic contributions.This proposal intends to overcome these critical limitations adding missing thermal effects in current mesoscale DD models, including also entropic contributions in the description of the free energy landscape. These developments will significantly impact the field of dislocation-mediated plasticity, potentially modifying the predicted deformation pathways (to better match experimental observations), hardening and embrittlement processes in diverse applications. Team Leader(s)Enrique Martinez Saez Mechanical Engineering |
| 2110 | Design, Development, and Validation of Molecular Techniques for Infectious Disease Diagnostic Testing Sensitive detection and identification of pathogens is critical for effective patient treatment and pandemic prevention. Early identification requires quick testing for a pathogen of interest in a multitude of potential high-risk sites. This project will focus on the development of panels that will be suited for clinical diagnostics of common viruses. Panel screening of common circulating viruses with similar symptom onsets can be rapidly adopted for surveillance purposes. In addition, we will further develop point of care diagnostics for the viruses to address the issues on health care disparity and inequalities. This will benefit rural places where health care and lab facilities are unavailable. With the ready to implement and easy to apply test kit and devices, we will ensure the underprivileged areas are covered for pathogen surveillance and ultimately to prevent future outbreak. Team Leader(s)Aya Naser BioengineeringDelphine Dean Bioengineering Congyue Peng Bioengineering |
| 2102 | Immune responses profiling through antibody detection and immunosequencing Exogenous pathogens or nucleic acids that codes for a functional molecule can elicit innate and adaptive immune responses. The adaptive immune response is specific to each stimulus and usually starts after 6-8 days after infection or administration. The adaptive immune response involves two types of white blood cells: T cells and B cells. This project explores the feasibility of profiling immune response through measuring total antibody, neutralizing antibody, and T-cell receptor profiling. Direct measurement of total antibody and neutralizing antibody reflects the overall antibody mediated defense mechanism. T-cell receptor profiling will provide a snapshot of the T-cell immune repertoire. For a given pathogen and new medical intervention, immune response profiling will provide critical information on how the body immune system reacts to foreign pathogens or therapeutic methods. This will allow rapid design of the antibody therapy and cell therapy in response to extant and emerging pathogens. Team Leader(s)Abigail Smith BioengineeringCongyue Peng Bioengineering Delphine Dean Bioengineering |
| 2097 | FLORECE: Future Leaders Obtaining Research and Extension Experiences This project aims to prepare undergraduate students to become globally engaged professionals with world-class research and extension skills that allow them to identify critical factors that impact the sustainability of agricultural systems. Students perform field and lab research and will interact with researchers, extension specialists, stakeholders, and other students. Through this project, we expect these students will (i) increase their knowledge of global agricultural challenges, (ii) realize the value of extension programs and stakeholder-driven research, (iii) gain experience in problem identification, (iv) acquire technical, professional and leadership skills, and use them in their future careers, and (v) improve their perception of careers in food and agricultural sciences Team Leader(s)Juan Carlos Melgar Jimenez Plant and Environmental SciencesVidya Suseela Plant and Environmental Sciences Sruthi Narayanan Kutty Plant and Environmental Sciences Sarah White Plant and Environmental Sciences Dara Park Plant and Environmental Sciences Guido Schnabel Plant and Environmental Sciences Ksenija Gasic Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 2092 | Start With One: Designing and Prototyping Technologies for Persons with Disabilities Google's "Start with One, Invent for Many" process is one where a small team of designers is joined by a person with a disability or older adult (referred to as a co-designer) to design an impactful technology intended to make a meaningful difference on the life of this disabled or elderly co-designer. In this creative inquiry, students will learn about accessibility and will use Google's "Start with One" process to explore the design of technologies to support the needs of persons with disabilities and older adults. Students will design technologies that may focus on personal mobility, health, wellness, or other topics using a user-centered design framework intended to guide the research process. Team Leader(s)Julian Brinkley School of ComputingAaron Gluck School of Computing |
| 2078 | Viruses in peach pollen: A sticky situation Peaches and other fruit trees can be infected by damaging viruses. In the Southeast, the major viruses of peach are Prunus necrotic ringspot virus and prune dwarf virus. They are both transmitted from tree to tree through infected pollen. The goal of this project is to understand various aspects of this pathosystem. For example, how do bees and other pollinators affect transmission of these viruses? How are wild stone fruit trees (like wild cherry or cherry laurel) involved- do they serve as sources of virus inoculum near peach orchards? This research may involve field and greenhouse work, as well as molecular lab research. Team Leader(s)Elizabeth Cieniewicz Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 2076 | Population and Community Ecology of Herpetological (Amphibian and Reptile) Systems Herpetological systems are ideal for studying population and community ecology. This is because of the highly varied life-histories of reptiles and amphibians. Because reptiles and amphibians have such diverse biology and ecology, we can use them to ask a lot of questions about how populations and communities are structured. This is true both of herpetological communities themselves, and of the microbial communities that call amphibians and reptiles home. In this CI you will study a range of different population and community ecology questions in salamanders and also in whiptail lizards. These are two diverse, model systems where both the animals themselves, and the 'microbiomes' that they harbor can tell us a lot about the ways in which biological populations and communities are organized. Team Leader(s)Sharon Bewick Biological SciencesDrew Kanes Forestry & Environmental Conservation Benjamin Camper Biological Sciences Daniel Malagon Biological Sciences |
| 2074 | Spaceflight mission planning and rocket experiment development Students will have a hands-on experience going through the steps of space flight design that will eventually involve launching a small rocket. Students will also gain experience developing scientific instruments and other hardware that will fly on a NASA sounding rocket. Team Leader(s)Steve Kaeppler Physics and AstronomyGerald Lehmacher Physics and Astronomy |
| 2070 | Youth Scholars Program The purpose of this CI is two-fold. First, students will be exposed to key theoretical frameworks and best practices through comprehensive, collaborative research on pedagogy, diverse youth engagement, culturally competent mentorship practices, campus-community relations, and other relevant topics. This research will inform the CI’s work in planning, facilitating, and expanding the Youth Scholars Program (YSP). The YSP is an academic tutoring and mentorship program designed to address institutionalized inequality embedded in our education system and to connect Clemson’s resources to the local community. The mission of the YSP is to engage high achieving students from local Title I schools, excite these students about their potential collegiate prospects, and enhance their academic experiences by connecting them with educational resources at Clemson University. YSP began in 2018 as a project within the National Scholars Program in collaboration with Pendleton Elementary School in Pendleton, SC, and there are currently two cohorts of Youth Scholars. The students were selected by Pendleton Elementary on the basis of their academic achievement, and the majority of Youth Scholars qualify for free or reduced lunch. The Youth Scholars Program has three main administrative components—education, engagement, and communication—and the CI will be organized into three teams with these focus areas. Team Leader(s)Kris Fuller Honors ProgramsSarah Winslow Honors Programs Michael LeMahieu English |
| 2068 | Clemson Advocacy in Nursing: Investigating the Role of the Nurse Advocate Clemson Advocacy in Nursing: A Description of Implicit Bias in Freshmen Nursing StudentsNurses and nursing students need to understand the concept of implicit biases and knowledge about how their own biases may impact patient centered care. Implicit biases, also known as unconscious biases, or IB lead to subtle nuances that may cause negative patient interactions with already stigmatized patient groups.The purpose of this CI is to increase first year nursing students' awareness about implicit bias; understand the role of self-reflection as a method for understanding one's own biases and assess first year nursing students' perceptions and feelings regarding implicit bias before (pre) and after (post- intervention)*Post Intervention = Conducted by Project Implicit Project Implicit is a a non-profit organization and international, collaborative network of researchers investigating implicit social cognition, or thoughts and feelings that are largely outside of conscious awareness and control. Project Implicit is the product of a team of scientists whose research produced new ways of understanding attitudes, stereotypes, and other hidden biases that influence perception, judgment, and behavior. Our researchers and collaborators translate that academic research into practical applications for addressing diversity, improving decision-making, and increasing the likelihood that practices are aligned with personal and organizational values. Project Implicit offers research support, and education sessions. Team Leader(s)Janice Lanham School of NursingMargaret Wetsel School of Nursing |
| 2058 | Precision Supplementation in Ruminants Agriculture systems including ruminant animal production are being discussed as contributors to climate change. The EPA estimates that 11% of greenhouse gas emissions are contributed by agriculture. Ruminant animals can convert feedstuffs that are not edible by humans into high quality protein products (i.e. meat) for human consumption. There are inefficiencies in the process of this conversion which result in losses in efficiency and methane production. Precision supplementation of ruminants can help to synchronize nutrient availability and lower methane production. Our research evaluates how precision supplementation alters animal growth, feed efficiency and meat quality. @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-469750017 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} Team Leader(s)Susan Duckett Animal and Veterinary Sciences |
| 2056 | Driving Simulation & Eye Tracking for Human Performance Research Vehicle automation technologies are becoming more common in modern cars, but they aren't perfect yet. Increasingly frequent Tesla Autopilot crashes highlight the importance of making sure drivers are paying attention and ready to take control when the automated driving system (ADS) reaches its limits. Car manufacturers use different methods to make sure drivers are paying attention, like making sure they have their hands on the steering wheel or their eyes on the road. But different approaches to driver monitoring can affect how the driver experiences the automated driving system and how well they are able to notice potential dangers and take control of the car. In this research project, we use a driving simulator to study how drivers feel about different driver monitoring systems when using an ADS, how those systems affect their ability to pay attention and complete non-driving tasks, and how they respond to unexpected hazards. Team Leader(s)Dustin Souders PsychologyTyler Riley Psychology Ethan Butler Psychology Shubham Agrawal Psychology Trent Simmons Psychology |
| 2415 | Psychology of Improvised Comedy How can psychology help improvisers be better at creating novel, funny scenes on the spot? This project is designed for experienced student improvisers to co-create popular scholarship for improvisers at all levels. We will look at psychological theory and research as it applies to learning and performing improv, managing teams and theaters, and understanding the audience experience. Team Leader(s)Cynthia Pury Psychology |
| 2048 | Creating an in silico mammalian cell model Large-scale or whole-cell mechanistic, computational models enable the study of phenotypic responses with intuitive reasoning. An increase in the availability of big datasets confers an excellent opportunity to build such models. However, there is not much consensus or community standards for creating and sustaining such large models. Our lab created one of the largest mechanistic cellular signaling models in the literature, and now we plan to generate the mammalian in silico cell model. To do so, we need to gather, annotate and analyze available publicly available experimental data. This task will require self-motivated students and teach them about computational modeling, data analysis, and a flavor of (cancer) biology. Team Leader(s)Marc Birtwistle Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringJonah Huggins School of Computing |
| 2033 | Mitochondrial Genomics In this CI, will learn about mitochondrial genomes. Mitochondria are organelles of utmost importance in 99.999% of uni-cellular and multi-cellular organisms. Students will be exposed to the scientific method and will learn to think critically. We will be using various mitochondrial genomes as examples to improve critical thinking skills and information literacy skills. Team Leader(s)Juan Baeza Migueles Biological SciencesSadia Kamal Biological Sciences Alyssa Baker Biological Sciences |
| 2032 | AI in Biomedicine: Machine Learning Models for Prediction and Annotation of Novel Disease Genes In the human genome, most genes actually do not encode proteins; they are noncoding RNA genes. The largest class of noncoding genes is known as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are transcripts greater in length than 200 nucleotides, but with no protein-coding capacity. While some lncRNAs have been demonstrated to be key regulators of gene expression and 3D genome organization, most lncRNAs are still uncharacterized. Thus, we have been developing new machine learning and data mining approaches for the functional annotation of human lncRNAs, as well as circular RNAs (circRNAs), by leveraging the vast amount of genetic and genomic data ("biological big data"). Our recent studies demonstrate that genomic data mining can give insights into RNA functions and provide valuable information for experimental studies of candidate lncRNAs. This CI project will focus on the identification and functional analysis of novel candidate lncRNAs (or circRNAs) associated with human diseases, including autism, intellectual disability and cancer. Team Leader(s)Liangjiang Wang Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 2024 | Fish ecology and Traits The variation in life history traits of organisms, such as timing of spawning, fecundity, and rate at which individuals reach maturity, allow for successful reproduction and recruitment across habitats and environmental gradients. Water temperature is a critical habitat variable for freshwater fishes, influencing various aspects of their ecology and life history. However, little is known about how changes in water temperature affect the intraspecific variation of key life history traits, such as egg size, age of sexual maturity, or speed of growth. The objective of this study is to understand the effects of altered thermal regime on fish life history. In this study we will assess the changes in life history traits of redbreast sunfish (L. auritus), bluegill (L. macrochirus), and green sunfish (L. cyanellus) along a temperature gradient in Lake Keowee. The results of this research will help inform fisheries management by providing insights on how alteration of water temperature changes basic life history of native and non-native fish species, providing much needed information to predict the responses of fishes to climate change. Team Leader(s)Luke Bower Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 2000 | Nanoparticles for Nerve Regeneration Peripheral nerve regeneration is an abysmally slow process in humans, making it challenging to regenerate functional nerves post injuries. Stress granules (SGs) store mRNAs during periods of cell stress, enabling the cell to selectively translate mRNAs encoding proteins needed to respond to that stress. By disassembling these SGs, we can increase axonal mRNA translation and growth rates.We have designed polymersomes, nanoparticle vesicles made of amphiphilic block co-polymers, with targets to nerve cells to encapsulate and precisely deliver regenerative peptides developed by the Twiss Lab (UofSC) to the site of injury. These polymersomes are made from clinically approved polymers polyethylene glycol (PEG), polylactic acid (PLA), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). In collaboration, we have demonstrated effective in vitro delivery of polymersomes encapsulated with nerve-regenerative peptides. Polymersomes deliver enough of these peptides to dorsal root ganglia neurons in culture to promote neurite outgrowth, demonstrating their regenerative potential. Initial in vivo studies have focused on the pharmacokinetic parameters of polymersomes injected via various routes of administration to determine best potential for therapeutic translation. Team Leader(s)Jessica Larsen Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2266 | Improving Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in rural counties State counties and local municipalities increasingly utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support administrative needs such as documenting land ownership and property boundaries, utility mapping, infrastructure management, and citizen engagement. In South Carolina, counties, especially those with large urban populations, have deployed infrastructure to support many functions, including access to public records and geospatial data management. In many instances, rural counties need more funding and expertise to deploy such systems and utilize GIS across county departments in an integrated manner. Chester county in South Carolina is one such rural county seeking to understand the staffing, costs, and infrastructure requirements to update its current GIS capabilities. This CI will initially focus on engagement with an enthusiastic local citizen championing engagement and collaboration to upgrade existing GIS systems and knowledge. We will engage with county staff to document existing capabilities, needs, and requirements and develop recommendations in a final report focused on improving county GIS systems. This project may include options for summer work either on campus or in Chester County. Team Leader(s)David White Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management |
| 1999 | Materials Exploration in Orthotics and Prosthetics Foot orthotics and prosthetic socket liners use various combinations of materials and geometries to help reduce pressure hot spots across the orthotic/socket. The goal of the project is to determine a patient's ability to feel pressure differences when standing on various combinations of materials. Students will identify appropriate materials and characterize them based on measures such as hardness or stiffness. They will then develop a human subjects trial that will explore the relationship between the subjects level of comfort and the pressure generated due to various material combinations. Team Leader(s)John Desjardins Bioengineering |
| 1995 | Cancer Biology and Development This Creative Inquiry project investigates the cellular events that occur in breast cancer and the common events in mammary gland development. Specifically, we are focused on what directs a healthy cell to become a cancer cell. Research suggests the early developmental pathways in the mammary gland are reactivated in some types of breast cancers. In order to understand these developmental signals, we are evaluating mammary gland gene expression in human breast cancers and using the pre-pubertal swine as the non-tumorigenic model.Global collaborative collections of human tumor samples with matched normals are available in databases for research analysis, however this approach requires tools capable of analyzing extremely large data sets. We will utilize a bioinformatics approach to investigate our research-based questions. The field of bioinformatics is the intersection of biology, statistics, and computer science. We will build networks to indicate similar gene expression patterns comparing our swine samples to the human database. In addition to breast cancer, we will investigate other diseases including but not limited to colon, pancreas, prostate, and uterine cancer. We will use open source software for the analysis of genes and intersecting networks. Visual graphics will be created in order to illustrate gene expression patterns between the human cancers and swine mammary models. In addition, we will utilize laser microdissection techniques to collect specified areas of interest for RNA extraction and analyses, and conduct immunohistochemical procedures for artificial intelligence studies. Team Leader(s)Heather Dunn BioengineeringMatt Harrington Bioengineering |
| 1987 | CI LAUNCH: Basic Wet-Lab Etiquette This project will serve as an introduction to the skills, techniques and procedures needed to work independently in an experimental (i.e. wet) laboratory. Satisfactory completion of this project will result in the student being competent in directly setting-up well controlled experiments individually and independently conducting these experiments without any extra assistance from other laboratory personnel. This CI will provide the foundational knowledge and skillsets for undergraduate students to work on more advanced CI projects by allowing them to later thrive in various bench science research environments. Team Leader(s)Alexis Stamatikos Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 1980 | What makes a book worth sharing? A Review of Children's Literature This Creative Inquiry project brings together education majors to answer the question, "What makes a book worth sharing?" First, we will read scholarly work that informs ways we can identify quality children's literature. Then, project members will select several books to analyze and evaluate. Finally, each member will write up a brief review of at least one book to share in a children's literature review column for Literacy Matters, the state journal of the Palmetto State Literacy Association. Reviews will inform PK-6 teachers and other literacy professionals in South Carolina and surrounding states. Team Leader(s)Koti Hubbard Teaching and LearningJill Shelnut Teaching and Learning |
| 1977 | Confronting extremism and defending democracy This project explores the origins and consequences of political extremism. Students will conduct independent investigations of specific factors they believe cause or could help reduce political extremism. Student researchers will formulate hypotheses, construct literature reviews, develop research plans, and collect data, including social media content analysis and in-person qualitative interviews. Team Leader(s)Matthew Rhodes-Purdy Political Science |
| 1976 | Hunting for novel antibiotics from the soil – an introductory biology research opportunity The arms race between antibiotics and resistant bacteria existed long before the widespread use of antibiotics. Antibiotics were once considered as the “magic bullets” for treating infectious diseases, but the balance of victory has shifted in favor of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (commonly known as “superbugs”) due to the over-reliance on antibiotics by human beings in the past decades. Antibiotic resistance is a problem described by the World Health Organization as "one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development today." Novel antibiotics are in need! As a partner of the Small World Initiative (SWI) – crowdsourcing antibiotic discovery, we invite everyone interested in tackling the challenge to join this creative inquiry team. During the semesters, students will collect soil samples, search for antibiotic-producing bacteria, characterize the antimicrobial activities, and contribute the findings to a database shared by a network of student researchers from over 300 other institutions worldwide. This research opportunity will provide students with a hands-on learning experience and is open to students from all backgrounds and disciplines. Students will also have the chance to develop their own creative projects to raise awareness about the antibiotic crisis and participate in the annual Do Something About Antibiotics Challenge™ in November. Team Leader(s)Min Cao Biological Sciences |
| 1975 | Detection and Treatment of Cancers and Other Genetic-Based Diseases This project explores the feasibility of novel biomarkers for early disease diagnosis, specifically in cancer diagnosis. The presence of small RNA molecules such as long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and microRNAs can be characteristic of disease development. Additionally, students will explore different treatments for genetic-based diseases, such as radiotherapy techniques for cancer or mRNA transcript delivery for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. The collective efforts in these projects will advance molecular diagnostics and save lives. Students will have an opportunity to learn hands-on skills such as RT-qPCR, cell culture, and mRNA transcript design. Students will also develop analytical thinking skills while solving problems in the experimental process. Team Leader(s)Madison Sexton BioengineeringCongyue Peng Bioengineering Delphine Dean Bioengineering Abigail Smith Bioengineering |
| 1974 | Occupational Health Psychology The goal of this CI team is to conduct research addressing issues in the field of occupational health psychology (OHP). Our lab will focus on topics such as the general nature of well-being at work, how aspects of the changing nature of work and nonstandard work arrangements (e.g., gig work) affect occupational health, economic stressors (e.g., job insecurity, underemployment) and organizational (e.g., organizational climate) and individual (e.g., personality) characteristics that influence the quality of workers' experiences at work. Currently, the CI team is working on three projects. One project is focused on understanding the nature of well-being at work through an extensive review of past literature on workplace well-being. The second project is an empirical study focused on how exposure to nature influences work-related well-being. The third project will focus on a to-be-determined contemporary occupational health concern; team members will collaborate on this work from project conception through data collection and analysis. Team Leader(s)Meredith Pool PsychologyGwyneth Lloyd Psychology Robert Sinclair Psychology |
| 2375 | Single cell analysis of enzymatic activity using a microfluidic droplet trapping array to elucidate mechanisms of drug resistance in multiple myeloma Genetic mutations found in diseases often lead to alterations in essential proteins which has led to the development of molecularly-targeted therapeutics targeting enzymes such as the proteasome, the primary enzyme responsible for the recognition and degradation of misfolded or damaged proteins. Clinically successful proteasome inhibitors have increased median patient survival in diseases like multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer of the plasma cells. Unfortunately, most patients treated with proteasome inhibitors ultimately die from this disease because they either do not respond (or become resistant to) the drugs. We hypothesize that distinct subpopulations of cells exist that are inherently resistant to proteasome inhibition; however, they are difficult to detect and isolate resulting in an incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms of resistance to proteasome inhibitors. The goal of this work is to develop a new approach to study potential mechanisms of resistance to proteasome inhibitors by incorporating long-lived, cell permeable, fluorescent, peptide-based reporters measuring proteasome activity in single intact cells with a droplet microfluidic device to yield a new bioanalytical tool capable of identifying and studying distinct populations of cells resistant to proteasome inhibition. Students working on this project will work on two major aspects: (1) the design and optimization of the peptide-based biosensors or (2) the incorporation of these biosensors into a microfluidic droplet trapping array to perform high-throughput single cell analysis on changes in proteasome activity under basal and drugged conditions to identify subpopulations of cells resistance to proteasome inhibition. CI students will have the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary research environment utilizing expertise in engineering, cancer biology, chemical biology, data clustering, materials science, and oncology to elucidate how this cancer continues to impact so many people. Team Leader(s)Adam Melvin Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringAnna Chadwick Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2368 | Biometrics for Business This Creative Inquiry offers students an experiential learning opportunity in the cutting-edge field of biometrics research for business applications such as neuromarketing, UX studies, and CX design. Students will work with clients to develop and prototype new services and business ideas designed to improve the lives of South Carolinians. Students will work with faculty to identify opportunities for peer-reviewed research publications. Team Leader(s)Larry Carter Department of MarketingKevin Flynn Department of Marketing Mike Giebelhausen Department of Marketing |
| 1967 | Multiscale modeling analysis of the Lithium metal/electrolyte interface properties in solid-state batteries The goal of this project is to develop a multiscale modeling methodology to understand the interface properties between electrode and electrolyte in solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries are promising energy storage devices with superior energy density and safer features compared to traditional Li-ion batteries. Li metal is the main candidate for the anode and we will focus on oxide materials as potential electrolytes. We will analyze the atomic structure of the solid-solid heterophase interface to fundamentally understand the role of misfit dislocations, generating due to the lattice mismatch between the different materials, on the nucleation and growth of voids and dendrites, which eventually lead to the failure of the component. Such fundamental understanding will help design principles to improve materials properties and broadly deploy solid-state batteries for the benefit of the entire society. Molecular dynamics simulations will be used to predict the structure of the interface and the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of carriers and defects. This knowledge will inform Monte Carlo methods to compute transport properties and nucleation rates for voids and Li dendrites. Using artificial intelligence methods (mainly machine learning) we will correlate these outputs to the oxide electrolyte properties to select the oxide material that optimize the battery response. Team Leader(s)Enrique Martinez Saez Mechanical Engineering |
| 1965 | The Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language Project This CI is designed to conduct research and development on the signed language community outreach project that aims to serve various constituents ranging from residents to business owners on Martha’s Vineyard. Through the research and collaboration with the community partners from the island (e.g., Martha’s Vineyard’s Signs Then & Now – a project under a public access MVTV station, town libraries, and the Chamber of Commerce), the researchers and the partners will lead in a variety of projects. The purpose of this research is to educate the community partners, business owners, and residents about signed language and help them experience the practical solutions signed language can bring to its community and everyone. The goal of this research and development is to learn more about how collaboration works and to make it a model for creating society a signed language-friendly environment. Team Leader(s)Jody Cripps Languages |
| 1962 | C.C.A.R.E Special Research Group: College Students, Our Lived Experiences, and the Research to Help Us Thrive The purpose of the C.I. is to aid the Coach, Connect, Appreciate, Retain, Evolve (C.C.A.R.E.) initiative. The C.C.A.R.E. initiative began as a program to coach college freshman on how to embrace their new college lifestyle and truly thrive during their years in college. C.C.A.R.E. connects students with one another to share their lived experiences in a place that is intended to be safe and open for vulnerable conversations. This creative inquiry team will research topics related to the lived experiences of college students, including social media and self-perception, and work overload and procrastination. This interactive lab will feature related discussions and content production on college students and the college lifestyle. Our lab will also integrate related interpersonal activities, mindfulness, and play. Team Leader(s)Sherece Smith Honors Programs |
| 2372 | Physics of Magic Team members will research, design, and construct large-scale magic tricks. These tricks will include feats such as levitation, Pepper's ghost illusions, and making objects disappear. The primary goal of this project is to educate through magic by explaining the underlying physics principles behind each trick. Once constructed, the team will perform a magic show at various outreach opportunities. Team Leader(s)Amy Pope Physics and AstronomyDaniel Thompson Physics and Astronomy |
| 2264 | Facility Layout at Lash LInx Lash Linx is a local order fulfilment center for false eyelashes and related products. As business has grown, the need to design the order fulfillment center has become more acute. This CI team will undertake this facility design project from data collection and identifying the functional requirements to a final design and, hopefully installation and testing. Team Leader(s)William Ferrell Industrial EngineeringMary Beth Kurz Industrial Engineering |
| 1960 | Research and Education in Disease Diagnosis and Intervention (REDDI) Creative Inquiry The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a particular interest in the global health profession, as well as a demand for experienced front-line healthcare workers. As a result, the REDDI Lab, Clemson's first CLIA certified laboratory, is now ready to facilitate education and exposure of clinically-based diagnostic techniques as well as professional development for students interested in pursuing careers as health professionals. Students will learn about and be exposed to a variety of diagnostic testing methods, data analysis techniques, and professional practices within a clinical lab setting. Finally, students will participate in outreach opportunities to help educate the community about disease diagnostics. Team Leader(s)Austin Smothers BioengineeringDelphine Dean Bioengineering |
| 1951 | Exploring and Preserving Cemeteries Students will clear and survey cemeteries, assess grave site markers and conditions, clean and transcribe markers, use geospatial location tools, identify burial sites using ground penetrating radar (GPR), document cemeteries with drones, and capture 3D images of cemeteries with drones. Team Leader(s)Spencer W. Roberts Interdisciplinary Studies DepartmentRhondda Thomas English |
| 2621 | Stories in Stone: A Digital Approach to Cemetery Hill Students will have the opportunity to practice historical research as part of the ongoing, real-life discovery and preservation project at Cemetery Hill in this CI course. They will be introduced to strategies and technologies designed to increase their understanding and effectiveness as student researchers. Students will also spend time thinking about the research subject, both its historical reality and its context within the greater scope of history and historical research. Team Leader(s)Candy Rae Boatwright History and GeographyRhondda Thomas English |
| 1944 | PLM Processes and CAD/CAE Tools with Application to Vehicle Component Design The growth in product lifecycle management (PLM) strategies and computer software has enabled businesses to standardize their design and manufacturing processes, optimize data management, improve field and enterprise support activities, and streamline supply chains. For engineers and scientists, these tools encompass computer-aided-design (CAD), computer-aided-engineering (CAE), and additive manufacturing. They also allow for virtual work environments to digitize innovation. In this creative inquiry course, multidisciplinary students will work with the PLM Center at Clemson University to gain insight into digital processes and tools. For application, system components will be designed, analyzed, and integrated into a Digital Twin representation of an electric ground vehicle to accommodate individual personal mobility needs. Team Leader(s)John Wagner Mechanical EngineeringJohn Morris Mechanical Engineering Gregory Mocko Mechanical Engineering |
| 1931 | Teamwork and Technology: Designing the Future of Work The future work environment is one where advanced technology is no longer just a tool, but a teammate. As an interdisciplinary research initiative of the DIGITAL lab and in collaboration with Automotive Engineering, we are interested in better understanding how artificial intelligence and robotics can function as team members in complex, dynamic environments. This includes, but is not limited to, research topics such as human-robot interaction, team and multiteam system design, and collaboration. The purpose of this CI team is to examine models of interaction between advanced technology and human counterparts specifically in the context of manufacturing and construction. If you are interested in collaboration and teaming, robotics, artificial intelligence, systems design, human engineering, or any combination of the above, this CI team is likely to be a great fit for you. CI members on this team will be involved in research including literature reviews, theory development, interviews, focus groups, and observations, and other qualitative and quantitative research efforts. Team Leader(s)Marissa Shuffler Porter PsychologyTiffany Merucci Psychology Lori Dickes Political Science Sydney Begerowski Psychology Ally Wentworth Psychology Marlee Johnson Psychology |
| 1928 | Human Factors in Healthcare As technology evolves, changes and challenges among the interactions with humans and machines emerge, especially in the healthcare domain. The theme of this project is to leverage sensing technology, such as those measuring physiological signals, to understand and augment human performance. Team Leader(s)Jackie Cha Industrial Engineering |
| 1927 | Bioleaching of arsenic-contaminated soils by the native fungi Aspergillus niger This CI is led by Biosystems Engineering faculty and graduate students to address the problem of arsenic contamination in agricultural soils. Arsenic is a trace metalloid that is ubiquitous in almost every environment. Increasing concentrations of arsenic in soil and water is a problem the world is currently facing with the multiple arsenic inputs by anthropogenic sources such as mining, milling, agricultural use, and coal ash. In 1993 the World Health Organization provisional guideline for arsenic was reduced from 50 micrograms per liter to 10 micrograms per liter. Since then, arsenic concentrations above acceptable standards were detected in many countries, such as the United States of America, China, France, and Germany.It is a natural process by which biological processes and the anatomy and physiology of plants reduce the arsenic concentration in soil and water. Plants need a necessary supply of nutrients, including arsenic, to grow and immobilize the arsenic through the biological processes mentioned. Certain species of plants have a higher tolerance to an excessive collection of arsenic in the soil. They could make an efficient, low-cost solution to reducing arsenic concentrations to below provisional guidelines. Team Leader(s)Caye Drapcho Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesFrank Jeffries Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences |
| 1924 | Nanotechnology In this CI course, students will be introduced to the fundamentals and applications of Nanotechnology from Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) perspective. Nanotechnology is the art, science, and engineering of designing materials, devices, and systems at the nanoscale from bottom-up and/or top-down approaches. The role of this technology in ECE has been the driving force behind the information technology revolution over the past few decades and is further expected to be the enabling technology behind the next technological revolution in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. The course is structured around some introductory lectures, followed by student-driven research on a topic of student’s choice. This CI experience may lead to publication of a review article, if a student takes the sequence over a few semesters. Team Leader(s)Hassan Raza Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 1919 | Designing motile synthetic cells: Structural Biomaterials The remarkable ability of cells to control shape, interact with their environment, and migrate directed through chemical and mechanical cues are some of the key features that set living systems apart from most synthetic systems. In this creative inquiry project, we will investigate minimal model cells, made from emulsion drops supported by a thin biological material shell. We will explore how stresses are mechanically stored and released in the biomaterial structure, resulting in emulsion drops that migrate! Research will investigate basic physical mechanisms of motility, elucidating how to control whether motion is sustained or intermittent and direction and speed in these minimal, bio-inspired, robot-like drops. Students from a variety of backgrounds are welcome to join and will gain experience in quantitative analysis and experimental techniques, and learn to be collaborative researchers as part of an interdisciplinary team. Team Leader(s)Kimberly Weirich Materials Science and Engineering |
| 1913 | Design and Fabrication of Bioreactors for Regenerative Medicine Regenerative medicine aims to regrow, repair, or replace damaged tissues and organs. Three main components necessary for successful tissue regeneration are cells pertinent to the tissue that needs repair, scaffolding materials for the cells to grow on, and environmental cues that support or enhance the growth. Recent studies have demonstrated that cells' mechanical environments are especially important for proper tissue development and growth. For this reason, the goal of this CI project is to design and fabricate bioreactors that expose cells to physiologically relevant mechanical stimuli for tissue growth in vitro. The team members' specific tasks will include, but not be limited to, conceptual design, mechanical drawing and 3D printing of bioreactor parts, prototype testing, cell culture experiments, and biochemical assays. The team will disseminate the results as abstracts for presentations at national conferences and peer-reviewed publications. Team Leader(s)Jiro Nagatomi Bioengineering |
| 1900 | Clinician Well-Being and COVID-19: Fostering Resilience Using Authentic Connections Groups(ACGs) Among Undergraduate Students in a Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Program Fostering Resilience Using Authentic Connections Groups(ACGs) Among Undergraduate Students in a Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing ProgramThe physical and psychological demands inherent in nursing education have been associated with vulnerability to burnout (a psychological syndrome that occurs in response to chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors) and can begin long before the student is a professional registered nurse. The levels of burnout are alarming and may adversely impact professional development, jeopardize patient safety and place undue strain on the physical and mental health of student nurses. Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, many already faced symptoms related to burnout syndrome as well as stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicidality. Now this global pandemic crisis is presenting even greater academic and personal hardships that are very likely to exacerbate existing levels of burnout syndrome and related mental health problems. Team Leader(s)Janice Lanham School of Nursing |
| 1896 | Developing Medical Devices for Intervertebral Disc Repair The objective of this CI is to design and develop medical devices that can be used for repairing the herniated intervertebral disc. Team Leader(s)Jeremy Mercuri Bioengineering |
| 1895 | Soft Matter and Complex Fluids This creative inquiry will enhance students’ ability of computational thinking by offering computational research projects on soft matter and complex fluids. Soft matter represents soft materials that are easily deformed by thermal fluctuations and small external forces, while complex fluids refer to multi-component soft materials that can flow but display non-Newtonian rheology. Gels, liquid crystals, polymers, colloids, emulsions, foams, lipid membranes, cell suspensions, and many biological systems fit this description. Soft matter and complex fluids are ubiquitous in nature and play an important role in many industrial and biological applications, from soft construction materials, food processing industries, to biomimetic soft materials and artificial tissues. Team Leader(s)Zhen Li Mechanical Engineering |
| 1891 | Modeling Solid-Liquid Interface Properties in High-Entropy Alloys for Additive Manufacturing Processes Advanced designs in many applications require the development of materials with improved properties to cope with the increasingly harsh environments that such applications pose. Advanced manufacturing processes, such as additive manufacturing (AM), can deliver parts with complex geometries, minimal waste material, and limited post-processing. However, AM microstructures can vary considerably from those produced by traditional metallurgy. It is essential to characterize and control the microstructure and properties of AM parts such that they may be qualified for use in critical applications. Furthermore, the combination of these advanced processing techniques with novel compositions, such as high-entropy alloys, can potentially generate invaluable knowledge to grow optimized materials. We will use atomistic modeling tools to analyze the solid-liquid interface properties that control the solidification process and dictate the morphology of the microstructure. We will combine molecular dynamics with Monte Carlo methods to sample the correct composition in the solid, liquid and interphase. We will compute the interphase stiffness relying on the capillary fluctuation method and the kinetic coefficient for different compositions and undercoolings. Team Leader(s)Enrique Martinez Saez Mechanical Engineering |
| 1889 | Healthy Aging: SHAARP Lab Experience The Healthy Aging: SHAARP Lab Experience Creative Inquiry is centered around the Study of Health Aging & Applied Research Programs Lab (SHAARP.org). In the SHAARP Lab, we examine cognitive, psychological, social, sensory, environmental, lifestyle, and physical factors that impact the health and well-being of older adults. We also examine how different interventions (such as brain training and exergaming) impact health outcomes (such as dementia and cognition, everyday functioning). Undergraduate CI students play an instrumental role in our lab and have the opportunity to engage in hands-on data collection, analysis, and disseminations efforts (presentations and publications). Note: The SHAARP Lab is located off-campus at the Institute for Engaged Aging (5th floor of Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca, SC). Team Leader(s)Abby Stephan PsychologyHye Won Chai Psychology Lesley Ross-Meadows Psychology Christy Phillips Psychology |
| 1887 | Blockchains, Security and Privacy Blockchains can be viewed as digital models of fiat money and business contracts in decentralized networks where distributed ledgers provide data integrity and smart contracts allow automatic execution of business logic. The goals of project include: Learning the basic concepts and cryptographical tools used in blockchains and crypto-currencies, (b) Learning programming experience on smart contracts (in Ethereum), (c) Work as teams on projects in various business applications. Ideally each team consists of students from Math, CS, ECE and business school, a mixture of graduate and undergraduate students. Team Leader(s)Xuhong Gao School of Mathematical and Statistical SciencesRichard Brooks Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 1873 | Investigations in Fungal Biology Investigations in Fungal Biology is a Creative Inquiry (CI) that involves research on a broad range of potential topics. The intent is to keep the CI general so that diverse research questions may be addressed, while the research questions will be specific so that results can be generated in a timely manner. Each research project will continue for two or more semesters; one or more topics may be studied in one semester. Two ongoing projects include (1) maintaining a mushroom garden, to learn about mushroom cultivation and growing fresh mushrooms for campus members, and (2) updating a display case with information on a specific fungal biology topic, to educate passersby about fungi. Examples of research topics include mycofabrication, fungal endophyte populations, fungal identification with morphology and DNA sequencing, medicinal fungi and tinctures, and fungi in K-12 education. Topics will evolve depending on lab interests. Team Leader(s)Julia Kerrigan Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 1858 | Ionospheric Radar Data Analysis and Instrument Development In this CI, students work with data collected by high power- large aperature incoherent scatter radars in the polar region, specifically to address questions associated with high latitude ionosphere and thermospheric physics. We also develop low power ionospheric sounding radars using software defined radios within my lab and associated analysis software. This CI course is also supporting the NASA Rocksat-X and GHOST efforts. Team Leader(s)Steve Kaeppler Physics and Astronomy |
| 1852 | Rising to the COVID-19 Challenge with Buoyant And Magnetic (BAM) Assays Sensitive, Rapid, On-Site Testing in Saliva We are developing an elegant diagnostic assay technology for ultrasensitive, rapid onsite detection of covid-19 and other diseases. This builds on a CI project that won the 2020 COVID IMPACTs challenge, finished second in the 2021 challenge, and second place poster in the 2023 CI showcase. Most rapid tests often miss positive patients especially early in the disease and there are times when a more sensitive test would be useful to manage the disease or reduce transmittance. For example before visits to vulnerable family or at urgent car facilities. Quantitative PCR has sufficient sensitivity, but uses centralized facilities which are ill-suited for rapid onsite detection. Like rapid lateral flow assays, our buoyant and magnetic (BAM) assays use antibody-coated microparticles to detect disease biomarkers, but by using glass microbubbles that can be counted with a camera and magnetic microbeads that provide magnetic manipulation, we can detect much lower concentration using single-particle counting techniques. The team will work on simplifying the setup and protocols, simulating reaction kinetics, optimizing reaction and video capture conditions, and writing up results for publication as well as pitch competitions. Finally, while we are focusing on COVID-19 detection, the underlying technology could be used as a platform for multiple other diseases. Team Leader(s)Jeffrey Anker Chemistry |
| 1851 | Design Justice in Architecture This research focuses on architecture and space within marginalized communities. It will question rules implemented and institutionalized by entities in power. Namely, sections of architectural history in which practices followed such directives without questioning the effects those actions had in our culture and society will be analyzed. Students will use architecture and urban design as lenses to highlight the truthful consequences of government sponsored displacement, exclusion, segregation, racial inequality, social injustice, redlining, as well as policies that have fortified racial discrimination. The research will provide students with sources to develop projects and initiatives through design to combat these injustices with an emphasis on the notions of city, architectural pedagogy, and architectural practice. Team Leader(s)Clarissa Mendez School of Architecture |
| 1847 | Media Forensic Hub CU Media Forensics Hub (https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/watt/hub/) is part of the Watt Family Innovation Center. By “Media Forensics” we mean the development and application of state-of-the-art techniques to broaden and deepen our understanding of all media types, while working to increase the capacity of our students and community to apply them. The “Hub” accomplishes this by spanning multiple disciplines and approaches, from history and case studies, to AI and machine learning, to experiments in the lab and the field. We connect widely-spaced entities with a common interest from across disciplines, centers, institutions, and perspectives. Team Leader(s)Steven Sheffield Watt Family Innovation CenterJeff Lees John E. Walker Department of Economics Patrick Warren John E. Walker Department of Economics Dawn Sarno Psychology Darren Linvill Communication |
| 1842 | Digital Wellness Nurse - Applied Biomedical Sensing and Machine Learning in Nursing The Digital Wellness Nurse (DWN) is an ongoing collaborative project aimed at developing an interactive, digital assistant for healthcare professionals engaging a diverse patient population. The project will feature the development of an artificially intelligent chat interface that collects patient data from multiple sources, including previous health data, wearable sensor data, and patient interviews. The combination of these data can be used to develop a patient wellness profile, which can be monitored overtime to assess progress toward a healthy lifestyle over time. The DWN will be designed to interact with electronic health record systems to access patient health and medication history. Students participating in this project will engage in human subjects research during the design and implementation of a DWN prototype. Research will include usability studies for an interactive patient software application, machine learning applications to develop autonomous patient interviewing and data management, and wearable sensor integration to enable continuous patient monitoring. Team Leader(s)Jordon Gilmore BioengineeringJerome McClendon Campbell Grad Engr Program Caitlin Moore Clinical Ed/Pract&Med Surv Pro |
| 1834 | Transgene Containment and Removal in Important Perennial Grasses Turfgrass and switchgrass are among the most important perennial grasses significantly impacting agriculture production, agriculture economy, sustainable energy and environment. Like in many row crops, genetic engineering of both switchgrass and turfgrasses using transgenic technologies offers the opportunity to incorporate many economic and agronomic benefits that are difficult or impossible to achieve through traditional breeding techniques. However, the risk of transgene escape and the unforeseen environmental consequence by the use of transgenic technology in perennial grasses require development of strategies for transgene containment. We propose to develop and evaluate an integrated approach that combines a dual site-specific recombination system and total sterility induction mechanisms for transgene containment and removal in switchgrass and turfgrass, producing transgenic products self-contained for desirable transgene, but free of undesirable foreign DNAs. Team Leader(s)Hong Luo Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 1833 | Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Technology with Monero The cross-disciplinary CI team will learn about ethics, privacy, open source software development, cryptography, decentralized protocols, and data analytics in collaboration with the Monero Project and the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Monero is a privacy-centric open-source cryptocurrency with a global market capitalization exceeding a billion dollars. The Monero Research Lab is a workgroup of the Monero Project studying advancements in cryptographic protocols, computer information systems, and privacy in 21st century financial technology. Team Leader(s)Felice Manganiello School of Mathematical and Statistical SciencesFreeman Slaughter School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences |
| 1821 | Engaging in Qualitative STEM Education Research This creative inquiry course will focus on applying qualitative research methods to two ongoing research projects involving 1) infusing empathy content into first-year engineering courses, and 2) the impact of undergraduate research. Students will have the opportunity to engage with both projects over the course of the year. Students in this project will learn how to perform qualitative research and gain valuable experience with data collection, coding and analysis with Taguette/MAXQDA. Students have the ability to continue on into more Advanced Engineering Education research after 3 semesters of project involvement. Team Leader(s)Sofia Brewer Engineering and Science EducationRandi Sims Biological Sciences Libby Flanagan Engineering and Science Education Karen High Engineering and Science Education |
| 1812 | Signals, Sensors, and Machine Learning to Improve Psychotherapy Outcomes This Creative Inquiry project is an interdisciplinary collaboration led by engineers, a computer scientist, and a social scientist. The team will work together to create training tools for therapists to improve session outcomes, especially using the Motivational Interviewing framework. The team will be assisted by clinical psychologists from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Florida State University, who will provide content knowledge of the therapy setting. Engineering and computing students will develop instrumentation and data processing techniques that will allow the therapists to be physiologically monitored, adding important information to the session records, which can be improved for better patient outcomes. Team Leader(s)Jordon Gilmore BioengineeringNina Hubig School of Computing Jerome McClendon Campbell Grad Engr Program |
| 1799 | Invasion Ecology of Non-Native Ornamental Trees Virtually all non-native trees in the United States were originally introduced as ornamentals and landscape trees. Their escape into natural and managed areas has been associated with declines in native biodiversity and alterations in food webs. We will look at the most common non-native ornamentals (e.g. Callery pear, privet) and their impacts on various native species from plants to pollinators, leaf litter arthropods, and twig borers. Students will design experiments to test hypotheses related to these potential impacts, collect and analyze respective data, and present the results in presentations and publications. Team Leader(s)Jess Hartshorn Forestry and Environmental ConservationMatthew Koski Biological Sciences Harper McMinn-Sauder Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1798 | Software Engineering Bots for Newcomers Onboarding to Open Source Projects Onboarding refers to the process of teaching newcomers (new workers) the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their positions. It serves as a way to integrate new workers into the environment both so they can understand how to succeed in their position but also integrate with their coworkers so they can work effectively as a team. It is during this period that programmers become familiar with a new project, its source code, and its team. While it is considered a necessity, it is also very costly and error-prone. Open-source software (OSS) projects leverage the coordinated effort from globally distributed stakeholders who build high-quality software. To remain sustainable and to evolve, several projects rely on the onboarding and retention of newcomers. However, attracting newcomers and engaging them are not easy tasks. Previous work shows that the barriers posed during the joining process may lead newcomers to give up on contributing. Joining an OSS project is a complex, multi-stage process, and this complexity could push newcomers away from the project.We propose to create a conversational bot that could help newcomers with finding open source projects that they can contribute to and guide them throughout the process. Newcomers face difficulties when onboarding to new projects. We believe that a bot that guides the newcomer, offering help when there is no activity, provides resources and recommends experienced developers for assistance, the newcomer will feel more confident and will be poised to have a successful contribution. Team Leader(s)Paige Rodeghero School of ComputingJames Dominic School of Computing |
| 1792 | Smart and Healthy Buildings Buildings are generally considered as static objects with limited capability to adapt to varying environmental and operational conditions. One important aspect is the flow of users, which can vary significantly during a typical day. This project consists of developing and testing the technology necessary to identify and quantify the flow of users in a building, and even track the location of each user in real time. It is anticipated that once users can be tracked, the building operating conditions, such as HVAC conditions and lighting, can be altered to create the necessary conditions for optimal comfort. Several technologies are under development including the analysis of signal strength of mobile devices from wireless access points. The students involved in this CI project will work with industrial partners to test various technologies in several buildings on campus, including the Watt Family Innovation Center. Team Leader(s)Vincent Blouin School of ArchitectureDa Li Civil Engineering Nigel Berkeley Kaye Civil Engineering Ehsan Mousavi Rizi Contruction Science and Management |
| 1790 | BeakerBox: Science Education in Middle Schools Help design fun activities for K12 science classrooms! Through this CI, small teams will generate lesson boxes (“kits”) and activities to help local teachers communicate concepts in biology for the 6th-8th grade classroom. The goals of this project are to promote understanding of concepts, science literacy, and excitement about STEM for middle school students. Students in this CI enroll for multiple semesters and develop grade-appropriate inquiry-based activities and generate class resources for teachers. Team members in marketing and graphic communication will create branding materials, assist in generation of classroom materials, and design and establish communication materials such as flyers, websites, and social media. This CI coordinates with a second BeakerBox team that brings these activities into the classroom. Team Leader(s)Kara E Powder Biological SciencesKatherine Mulholland College of Science-Deans Offic |
| 1786 | RCA Product Development Competition Student teams will develop a proposal for food products based on the criteria set by the Research Chefs Association (RCA). Teams will develop both a gold standard and the corresponding manufactured item formulations. If selected, teams will compete in the Student Culinology® Competition at the RCA's annual conference. Team Leader(s)Carol Hegler Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 1773 | LGBTQ+ Learning Communities: Queering University Spaces The purpose of this creative inquiry project is to provide students with an opportunity to answer the broad question: How are universities deployed (or not) as queer spaces? The project involves an initial sequence that provides an overview of lgbtq+ studies and reviews the literature related to queer(ing) space on campus. Then two semesters of research experiences will be dedicated to introducing, designing, and implementing a participatory action research project that describes queer space as it pertains to Clemson University. Students will have an opportunity to design a study and collect, analyze, and present data in a variety of formats, including scholarly presentations and community education exhibits. Team Leader(s)Rachel Wagner Educational and Organizational Leadership DevelopmentKimberly Carter Gantt Multicultural Center |
| 1768 | Moot Court Competition This CI involves legal research addressing a defined hypothetical problem. Participants will do research on legal issues and write a legal brief. Teams will present their briefs and defend them orally in an intra-university competition at the end of the Spring. Then in the Fall, they will again compete at a qualifying competition for a slot in the nationals the next spring. The Spring will also involve another intra-university competition in preparation for the next year’s nationals. Team Leader(s)Cary Kaye Philosophy and Religion |
| 1764 | New Ideas of Making Driverless Vehicles Better Driverless vehicles use advanced in-vehicle and transportation infrastructure sensors and electronic controllers, wired and wireless communication (vehicle-to-everything (V2X)), human-machine interfaces, data management infrastructure and advanced analytics tools to enable the safe and secure longitudinal and lateral movements of driverless vehicles. A substantially improved surface transportation system, in terms of both safety and efficiency, is the result. This course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of concepts and hands-on experience related to new ideas to make driverless vehicles and their surrounding environments much safer, more secure and more efficient than what is envisioned today. Team Leader(s)Mashrur Chowdhury Civil EngineeringMD Mizanur Rahman Civil Engineering |
| 1763 | Research Topics in Mineralogy This CI project encompasses research related to mineralogy including crystallography, crystal chemistry, mineral occurrences, and mineralogical applications in petrology. Students will develop skills in hand sample identification, compositional and morphological characterization of minerals, as well as atomistic scale investigation of composition, structure, and mineral stability. Team Leader(s)Lindsay Shuller-Nickles Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesEmily Scribner Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 1759 | Team Research in Computational Environments This creative inquiry research project seeks to further our understanding of how humans work and interact with artificially intelligent agents in a team environment. The Team Research in Computational Environments lab group conducts and reports on multiple experiments supporting this field every semester and this creative inquiry allows Clemson students the opportunity to learn how to conduct such research and conduct their own study on human-autonomy teaming. Team Leader(s)Nathan McNeese School of ComputingBeau Schelble School of Computing |
| 1755 | Sediment Sleuthing: Using Geochronology to Solve Paleoclimate Puzzles Glacial, fluvial, and alluvial processes over the past ~1 million years created and transported a tremendous amount of sediment. Tectonic and climatic influences have effected the pathways of sediment transport, but to understand exactly how, we must know when and where these sedimentary deposits came from. In this project, students will use detrital mineral geochronologic methods to determine the bedrock sources of sediment deposits throughout the American continents. Team Leader(s)Mary Fidler Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesAlexander Pullen Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 2280 | Engaging citizen scientists to explore flower color diversity across the Southeast The natural world abounds with diversity in coloration. Flowering plants have evolved enormous variation in petal coloration among different species, as well as among populations of the same species. This project involves exploring population-level flower color diversity across the ranges of four Southeastern native plants. Citizen Science offers a host of educational, research and community benefits. CI students will manage this citizen science project, collaborating with members of Native Plant Societies across six Southeastern States to do the following:1) Coordinate with and train naturalists to collect standardized photographic data spanning the ranges of 4 native southeastern plants. 2) Test whether flowers may evolve to be more conspicuous to pollinators against the local background color.3) Test for geographic and bioclimatic associations with flower color. 4) Present project updates and results at Native Plant Society meetings and maintain a research blog for citizen scientists. Team Leader(s)Matthew Koski Biological Sciences |
| 1753 | Gene Editing in the Brain via Nanotechnology Although a vaccine and several treatments exist for Hepatitis B, chronic cases remain a public health concern. Chronicity is due in part to large numbers of non-infectious particles, produced alongside the virus, which exhaust the immune response. In this project, we will focus on treating Hepatitis B by using targeted polymer amphiphiles to assembly around virus particles and removing them from the body. We will also study the effect of flowing fluid on directed self-assembly, in order to mimic blood flow conditions in the human body. Self-assembly of nanoparticles is an area of intense focus in nanomedicine, but relatively little attention has been given to either directing self-assembly around a free-floating target and the effect of flow on nanoparticle formation. As a result, these areas potentially hold broad interest for nanotechnology. Team Leader(s)Jessica Larsen Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringJoey Lavalla Bioengineering Lucian Williams Bioengineering Chlo Forenzo Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
| 1750 | Athlete Performance Science Athlete Performance Science gives the opportunity to students to collect and analyze data from Olympic Weightlifting assessment performance outcomes. The goals of the Olympic Weightlifting program include diagnostic testing, performance profiling, athlete readiness, load monitoring, and data integration. In order to accomplish these goals, the team uses numerous testing instrumentations to collect performance data. The CI will utilize student knowledge of athletics to assist in data collection with force plates, load monitoring, sprint training, fatigue tracking, and other measures. Students will be given the opportunity to master athlete monitoring systems used by the Olympic Weightlifting team. All of these measurements will give some insights to how the athlete is performing on a strength and conditioning level. Following data collection, students will analyze the data into performance evaluations. Students will compare the data internal to the athlete over time or between weight room and practice performance. Students will have the potential to show how an athlete’s strength, quickness, speed, risk to injury changes across seasons or across years in the sport. All of these findings could provide deeper insight to our Clemson athletes’ abilities and has the potential to improve their player performance and reduce risk to injury. Team Leader(s)John Desjardins BioengineeringJason Avedesian Weight Room |
| 1745 | Narratives of the Incarcerated CI 1745 is an interdisciplinary course that seeks to bring awareness of mass incarceration while contributing to transformative efforts to end it. Students will research aspects of the US correctional system. They will receive input on research and exchange ideas with our student cohorts at Perry Correctional Institute Pelzer, SC, Phillips State Prison Buford, Ga., and Greenville Detention Center Greenville SC through cooperative efforts with the Nonprofits Restorative Scholars Initiative and Common Good Atlanta. Students will read and reflect upon the personal experiences of incarcerated individuals through the genre of prison literature which enhances our common experiences through the humanities. Additionally, students will have additional opportunities such as paid internships through Creative Inquiry and Common Good Atlanta. Students will also participate in campus-wide events such as the Creative Inquiry Poster Forum, and a Cooper Library Exhibit. The course usually has two guest speakers per semester. Students may take this course for 1 -3 credits multiple times as the course details change each semester. Team Leader(s)Nancy Paxton-Wilson Interdisciplinary Studies Department |
| 2355 | Entrepreneurship in Science: from Idea to Market This Creative Inquiry project is for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. In the Fall semester, the project will focus on entrepreneurship. In the Spring, students will generate ideas, form the Catalyst Competition teams, identify the team project mentor(s), facilitate workshop participation, present at the Catalyst Competition, and post-competition analysis and feedback. Team Leader(s)Tzuen-Rong Tzeng Biological Sciences |
| 1740 | Physics of Sports Laboratory Development In this Creative Inquiry project, we will be involved in the creation and development of the laboratory component of a new general education course focused on the physics of sports. We will collaboratively design and test new laboratory exercises and deploy these exercises into the new lecture course associated with this project. Potential topics include Coefficient of Restitution, Deflategate and Materials Advantages in Sports. Team Leader(s)Amy Pope Physics and AstronomyChad Sosolik Physics and Astronomy |
| 1737 | 3D Printing and Graphic Communications This Creative Inquiry project introduces students to the core technologies, applications and production processes of three-dimensional printing. Students will learn 3D design, design for print production and apply their knowledge in hands-on project work that will allow them to produce 3D objects of their own. We intend to use Mimaki 3duj-553 color 3D printer to study print quality and to create special 3D effects. Team Leader(s)Nathan Newsome Watt Family Innovation Center |
| 1727 | The Effects of Radio-Frequency on Biological Cells This project studies the effects of radio-frequency (RF) fields on cell growth, including cell growth rate and cell viability. The targeted frequency is from kHz to low GHz. Future 6G communication frequencies will also be considered. The unique features of the RF technologies developed in this effort include uniform electric fields across the targeted cell samples, the capabilities to identify frequency components that are most likely to induce RF effects, and real-time online monitoring of biological processes. We will begin with yeast cells and move on to neurons or other type of cells. The obtained results are expected to help understand the effects of cell phone signals on human health and point to new biomanufacturing technologies as well as new bioelectronic medicine. Team Leader(s)Pingshan Wang Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 1722 | SAE Layout Design Provide recommendations for the SAE Formulae 1 and Baja work areas that address issues/opportunities identified by last year's CI team. Team Leader(s)William Ferrell Industrial EngineeringSagar Thakur Watt Family Innovation Center |
| 1706 | Diversity and Individual Differences This CI team explores topics related to diversity and individual differences in the workplace. We consider how diversity and individual differences (e.g., personality, cognitive ability) may interact with the work environment. Team Leader(s)Patrick Rosopa PsychologyMadi Brumbaugh Psychology Erica Boucher Psychology |
| 1702 | Cancer Systems Biology in the Birtwistle Lab (LAUNCH CI) This is a creative inquiry that broadly catches research projects going on in the Birtwistle Lab. In general, we do both basic and applied research at the interface of engineering and cancer biology. We specifically focus on cancer systems biology from both experimental and computational / theoretical perspectives. The purpose of this CI is to get first time undergraduates familiar with the lab, who we are, what we work on, and how we do it, so that they can enter more specific projects subsequently. If you are interested in the wet lab, I accept students twice a year. Send an inquiry on Dec 1 for Spring, and on July 1 for Fall. For the computational (dry) lab, I accept students to specific projects on a rolling basis. Inquire anytime. Team Leader(s)Marc Birtwistle Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 1662 | Clemson Metapopulation Research The Clemson Metapopulation Research Creative Inquiry team conducts spatial ecology research on a local green salamander population to address the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan. Current projects include (1) derive estimates of abundance and survival at the subpopulation-scale using a capture-recapture study, and (2) estimate population connectivity, inbreeding, and the liklihood of bottlenecks across subpopulations. Team Leader(s)Megan Novak Forestry and Environmental ConservationKyle Barrett Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1640 | Tangible genomics This Creative Inquiry project will center upon genomics. The focus will be on structural variations with emphasis on mobile elements and extracellular RNA as a mode of communication across the kingdom of life. Mobile elements are associated with certain genetic disorders not only through insertion but also via recombination between elements. As part of this project, we will investigate different aspects of mobile element biology and how genomes evolve with respect to mobile elements. This Creative Inquiry has computational including programming as well as some wet-bench aspects. Furthermore, we will explore new approaches on how to visualize genomes. This includes the developments of tangibles for data interaction. Team Leader(s)Miriam Konkel Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 1617 | Engineering Nanobiomaterials for Delivery of Cancer Therapy Advances in cancer research together with advances in biomaterials and nanotechnology, have enabled the development of micro- nano-scaled drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. The goals of delivery systems for cancer treatment are (1) delivering cancer therapeutics efficiently to the tumor site, (2) enhancing uptake of therapeutics by tumor cells, and (3) minimizing non-specific uptake of therapeutics by healthy cells. The design of effective delivery systems for cancer therapies will require optimization of micro- or nano-based delivery systems, cell-specific targeting, and mechanisms for effective drug release. Targeted delivery may be enhanced by both active and passive targeting mechanism. Targeting moieties that bind to overexpressed receptors on malignant cells can be conjugated to particles to increase cell-specific uptake, thus enhancing the efficacy of treatment. Additionally, environmentally responsive polymers can be used to achieve efficient and/or controlled release of therapeutics under physiologic conditions. The goal of this CI is to develop innovative drug delivery systems to advance cancer treatment. Team Leader(s)Angela Alexander BioengineeringKharimat Lora Alatise Bioengineering Jessie Boulos Bioengineering Anna Kaminski Bioengineering Joey Lavalla Bioengineering Tristan Dover Bioengineering |
| 1616 | Diversity Outreach in Bioengineering We aim to improve retention and matriculation of students of color into bioengineering by building their identity as engineers. Targeting incoming freshman, this CI will function as a diverse cohort of minority students enrolled in bioengineering. We will connect underrepresented upper classmen and grad students with the freshmen as they work together on a multidisciplinary engineering project. The potential being that underrepresented students can build a community of fellow bioengineers for support and fellowship that will aid in developing their identify as engineers early in their college careers. In the second year, students will design their own hypothesis based study based on their foundational year of research on the team. In addition, they will use their project to outreach to new general engineering students and K-12 students in our state. Team Leader(s)Angela Alexander BioengineeringDelphine Dean Bioengineering Jordon Gilmore Bioengineering Maria Torres Cooperative Education Prog Tyler Harvey Bioengineering Sydney Savage Bioengineering |
| 1610 | Visual Exploration of Scientific Data This Creative Inquiry aims at exploring scientific data by means of interactive visualization techniques. The project is developed in conjunction with the SciVis contest, a visualization challenge hosted every year at the IEEEVIS conference (http://ieeevis.org/).Students should expect to enroll in the CI project for 2 semesters. During the Fall semester, students will learn the basics of scientific visualization by working with Paraview. During the Spring semester, students will develop a new project based on the dataset published in the SciVis contest. High-quality projects will be submitted to the SciVis contest and, if accepted, students will have the chance to attend the IEEE VIS conference for presenting their work. Team Leader(s)Federico Iuricich School of Computing |
| 1600 | In vitro fertilization and embryo culture Successful reproduction of livestock is critical for the economic livelihood of farmers and affects the consumer cost of meat and other animal products [1]. In vitro-production of embryos is one of many assisted reproductive technologies having a positive impact on bovine production systems. This technique has several advantages over the recovery of in vivo-derived embryos, but in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) procedures need further improvement. In the bovine system, in vitro production of blastocyst (the embryonic developmental stage that is commonly transferred into a recipient cow to obtain a pregnancy) has plateaued at around 40 %; however, the in vivo embryonic development rate is in the range of 85 to 95%. Among the many steps for in vitro embryo production, oocyte cytoplasmic maturation is a critical factor determining the success of subsequent embryo development (oocyte is the ovum or “egg”) [2]. In this project, we propose to use light stimulation to enhance oocyte cytoplasmic maturation. Based on reports in other cells and tissues, the light wavelength, time, and frequency of exposure may have different effects on cells, ranging from null, to stimulating, to detrimental. We will test different light protocols during oocyte maturation, and measure the subsequent changes in blastocyst production. A significant increase in blastocyst production will make the in vitro production system more efficient, reducing costs for bovine producers and their customers. In the process, we will also increase our understanding of the basic physiology of the oocyte, the maturation process, and the effects of photostimulation in general.[1] USDA/NIFA. Animal Reproduction Overview. In: Animals & Animal Products, vol. 2014. Washington, DC: National Institute of Food and Agriculture; 2012.[2] Data reviewed in the overview of W3171: Germ Cell and Embryo Development and Manipulation for the Improvement of Livestock Team Leader(s)Celina Checura Research Farm ServicesMatt Hersom Research Farm Services |
| 1597 | Application of Machine Learning to Science and Engineering In this project, students will learn and work on applying machine learning methods to science and engineering problems, including 1) predict the material properties from the material composites; 2) predict skin cancer using images; 3) understand social behavior using social media data. Team Leader(s)Feng Luo School of ComputingJoshua Tong Materials Science and Engineering |
| 1587 | Evaluation of Forage Production and Quality for Livestock Production Systems in the Southeastern United States A major challenge for producers in cool-season grass systems like tall fescue is the quantity and quality gap of forage production that usually occurs during mid through late summer. Warm season annuals can complement perennial cool-season systems and extend production during this critical summer months. High level of nitrogen fertilization are usually required to maximize summer annual grasses production, but summer annual legumes have the potential to provide high forage quality and fix atmospheric N that will reduce fertilizer cost. In recent years, stored forage in the form of baleage has become more popular in the southeast. Legumes-grasses might present some challenges for a proper ensiling process due to the commonly lower sugar concentration in the resultant forage. Thus, evaluating the impact of the ensiling process of this forage mixes is warranted in order to generate producer’s adoption of these forage sources.Although alfalfa has been grown in the Southeastern USA since the late 1800’s, it has not attained the status in this region as in other parts of the nation mainly due to problems with alfalfa weevil and an abundant supply of inexpensive nitrogen fertilizer that reduced the need for leguminous crops to boost soil fertility. However, the cost of fertilizers has risen and modern well-adapted and pest-resistant alfalfa varieties are available in the market. Information about productivity and management of alfalfa, generated locally, is needed in order to demonstrate, educate, and ultimately re-introduce and advance the utilization of alfalfa as part of diverse forage systems and crop rotations for livestock farms in the Southeast USA. The goals of this project are to evaluate: 1. How summer annual grasses alone or in mixtures with annual legumes affects yield and nutritional value of fresh and ensiled forage. 2. The impact of growing new alfalfa varieties on plant persistency, forage yield and quality. Team Leader(s)Matias Aguerre Animal and Veterinary Sciences |
| 1579 | Disposable Point-of Care Home Testing Platform for Metabolic Disease Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is a rare, pediatric metabolic disease caused by mutations resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme complex that breaks down the amino acid glycine. The resulting abnormally high levels of glycine in the body leads to severe medical issues starting in infancy, including uncontrollable seizures and problems with breathing. There are currently no tools available to monitor levels of glycine in patients while at home, which is necessary for drug and diet-mediated regulation of glycine levels in the body and preventing seizures. The objective of this CI is to develop a low-cost, disposable, stand-alone point-of-care diagnostic and monitoring system to enable caregivers of NKH patients to monitor glycine levels at home, adjust the patient’s drug treatment schedule, and improve the patient’s quality of life as well as clinical outcomes. Team Leader(s)Renee Cottle Bioengineering |
| 1563 | Education and Entitlement: Improving Learning Environments through Student Input How does student feedback manifest in instructional change? Can student voices make a difference in their own education? What are the boundaries between student input and instruction design? These are the questions we seek to answer in this Creative Inquiry. With a focus on how and when student voices can impact design education, specifically in undergraduate education in general, we seek to understand how student feedback can inform and contribute actively to the learning environment. This is our opportunity to be proactive in the learning process and shape the course evaluation procedures in order to make our voices impactful. Team Leader(s)Winifred Newman School of Architecture |
| 1549 | The Role of Acetate Metabolism in Fungal Pathogenesis Invasive fungal infections cause nearly one and a half million deaths annually, accounting for nearly 50% of all AIDS-related deaths. Cryptococcus neoformans, an invasive opportunistic pathogen of the central nervous system, is the most frequent cause of fungal meningitis. Exposure to C. neoformans is common, as it is an environmental fungus found in the soil that can enter the lungs through inhalation and disseminate to the central nervous system in susceptible individuals. An increased rate of infection occurs in individuals with impaired cell-mediated immunity, particularly those with AIDS and recipients of immunosuppressive therapy. The widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy in developed countries has helped improve the immune systems of many HIV patients to decrease their susceptibility to infection. However, cryptococcal meningitis is still a major problem in resource-limited regions of the world such as sub-Saharan Africa where HIV prevalence is high and access to healthcare is limited. The CDC estimates the yearly burden of cryptococcal meningitis to be nearly one million cases with more than 190,000 deaths. Despite the global significance of cryptococcal meningitis, current treatments are inadequate as the gold standard therapy is based on half century old drugs that have a wide range of liabilities and shortcomings. Metabolic adaptability and flexibility are important attributes for fungal pathogens to successfully infect and cause disease. Although carbon metabolism is critical for virulence in C. neoformans, very little is known about which carbon sources are utilized during infection. Our long-term goal is to provide a better understanding of how Cryptococcus can adapt its metabolism to survive in the changing environments encountered during infection. Developing a more in-depth understanding of the metabolism and physiology of this pathogen during infection may facilitate identification of suitable targets for new antifungal therapies. Team Leader(s)Kerry Smith Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 1546 | Science and Values in Environmental and Radiological Health The objective of this project is to develop effective tools within the context of environmental and radiological health for emphasizing the interwoven nature of science and values and making ethics accessible for everyday decision making. This project also provides an introduction to the responsible conduct of research. Team Leader(s)Nicole Martinez Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 1544 | Health Literacy in the American Sign Language Community This CI is designed to explore ways to alleviate the communication barriers between healthcare systems and the deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL). Through conducting research in the community, the researchers analyze a variety of data and information that addresses the existing health literacy issues being provided in ASL for deaf people. The purpose of this is to ensure that these individuals have the access to information pertaining to awareness about health welfare. The goal of this research is to create a better understanding for delivering health and medical information via ASL for deaf people with different educational backgrounds and to ultimately break down the prevailing communication barriers that they face in today's society. Team Leader(s)Jody Cripps Languages |
| 1516 | The Mary Bruce Project: Women and the Golden Age of Tropical Medicine The turn of the last century was marked by a golden era in tropical medicine. British doctors and researchers working in the British Colonies in Africa and the tropics made major discoveries, including elucidating the infectious agents that cause malaria, sleeping sickness, and schistosomiasis. However, the stories of women and their contributions to the history of tropical medicine are largely untold.Sir David Bruce was a Scottish doctor working for the British Army in colonial Africa and the tropics. One of his major discoveries was working out that sleeping sickness was transmitted by the tsetse fly. In Bruce's papers, there are illustrations of the trypanosomes drawn by Bruce's wife, Mary Bruce, who was working alongside Sir David in the field. In a number of Bruce's papers, Mary Bruce is even listed as an author! Our starting hypothesis is that Mary Bruce contributed in significant ways to the scientific research of her husband David Bruce. This project seeks to answer the following questions: What was Mary Bruce's role in Sir David Bruce's many discoveries? What is Mary Bruce's own story?With the aim of telling Mary Bruce's story (and the stories of those like her), this project has two goals: (1) To expand the online presence of information about women in the golden age of tropical medicine via Wikipedia entries, a publicly accessible Mary Bruce Project blog, and generation of a dedicated online archive; (2) To generate and submit for publication at years' end at least one popular science article arising from our research. Team Leader(s)Kimberly Paul Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 1506 | Substance Abuse and Cognition Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic, complex condition that is among the most prevalent of mental health disorders. To evaluate effective treatment approaches, it is important to first assess risk factors for relapse and barrier to recovery. While potential individual risk factors have been identified, there is currently no research aimed at systematically investigating how these factors together establish an individual’s risk for relapse. Thus, the purpose of this investigation is to identify specific risk factors for relapse and barriers to addiction recovery in individuals who are hospitalized at Greenville Memorial Hospital due to complications from SUD. This research is a randomized control trial that will examine how neurocognitive, health, and personal risk factors as well and social, financial, and situational barriers influence recovery. Additionally, this project will evaluate which barriers a recovery coaching intervention can overcomes and what risk factors recovery coaching can mitigate. Students will be involved in working with patients at Greenville Memorial Hospital to collecting all survey data, cognitive assessments, and neuroimaging measures. Team Leader(s)Kaileigh Byrne PsychologyIrene Pericot Valverde Psychology |
| 1505 | Immunity and Infections in Zebrafish Infectious disease is an increasing problem, and the overall goal of our research is to better understand how our innate immune system combats pathogens. We use zebrafish as a model host for infection studies to investigate mechanisms of infection and immunity. Projects include investigating the role of specific genes and pathways in immunity, modeling human patient conditions, and understanding how anti-fungal drugs affect the host immune system. Team Leader(s)Emily E Rosowski Biological SciencesSavini Thrikawala Biological Sciences |
| 1481 | Engineering Biology of Arthropods We explore structural and organismal features of insects from the physics and materials point of view looking at the physical determinants of the materials performance and evolution of insect fibrous materials. We are interested in mechanisms of nano and micro fluid movements in proboscises, antennae, and legs of insects and their role in the control and sensitivity of movement of these fiber-like organs. We study mechanisms of fast blood clotting in insects to investigate possible means of stopping bleeding. Students apply the knowledge they have gained to design and build insect-inspired multifunctional fiber-based fluidic devices such as micro joysticks, controllable probes, microelectrodes for micro robotics and drugs to stop bleeding. Check out this linkhttps://www.earth.com/news/caterpillars-can-stop-their-bleeding-in-seconds/ Team Leader(s)Konstantin Kornev Materials Science and Engineering |
| 2523 | Data-Driven Optimization for Water Resource Allocation and Preservation Forty million people in seven western U.S. states depend on water provided by the Colorado River. Thepast 20 years of drought have dramatically decreased the river’s annual flow and have made large man-made reservoirs on the Colorado River more prone to becoming “dead pools.”Hence, there is an urgent societal and environmental need to cut water use. This remains a challengedue to the 1922 Colorado River Compact and 2007 Interim Guidelines, an agreement between the stateand federal governments aimed at regulating water usage but notoriously based on a wrong prediction ofhow much water would be available yearly. As a result of this overcommitment, states have grown cities,agriculture, and their dependency on that water without fully considering the reality of climate change,industrialization, and technological advancements, resulting in welfare losses and disputes. While the timing and extent of a catastrophic event are extremely difficult to predict, federal and state governmentsmust come to a new agreement on water usage reduction. The primary objective of thisresearch is to create mathematical models and computational tools to determine a fair, implementablewater usage reduction and allocation agreement between the federal and state governments to providea sustainable service to residents while considering the uncertainty in water supply and demand due toclimate change and population growth. It will answer important questions, including: (i) How to makea centralized, federally mandated water usage reduction and allocation agreement; (ii) How should anindividual state allocate its allotted water resources to its constituents under dynamic uncertainties; and(iii) How should a collection of states share their allotted water resources to reduce their costs andincrease the resiliency of their water allocation plans. Team Leader(s)Hamed Rahimian Industrial Engineering |
| 1480 | Advanced Manufacturing by Ultrafast Lasers This project includes hands-on participation to learn the state-of-the-art ultrafast laser and use it for micro-manufacturing, material strengthening, and multi-functional surface processing. Team Leader(s)Xin Zhao Mechanical Engineering |
| 1479 | Breaking the Resolution of Optical Microscopy Biophotonics is a multidisciplinary field, which combines biology, photonics, and electronics to further our understanding of cellular biological processes within functional and dysfunctional tissues using optical microscopic techniques. This CI was created to allow students to design and build an optical system which pushes the limits in optical microscopy resolution to observe cellular events that would be undetectable using current techniques. Team Leader(s)Zhi Gao BioengineeringLucas Schmidt Bioengineering |
| 1474 | Design and Implementation of the Human Machine Interface for the 2030 Autonomous Vehicle This project is designed to engage undergraduate Clemson students using an innovative educational method that allows Engineering and Psychology majors to apply academic knowledge and skills to the area of autonomous vehicles. During the semester students will focus on the design and implementation of the human machine interface for the 2030 self-driving car which will provide user experiences related to personalization, digital trust and usability. Team Leader(s)Pierluigi Pisu Campbell Grad Engr ProgramJerome McClendon Campbell Grad Engr Program |
| 1473 | Technology Commercialization: From Lab Bench to Business Building a successful business around a new technology takes more than just a research discovery. Commercialization requires creating a customer base, determining value proposition and building a business model. Every new commercial product, besides being great, requires someone who buys it. Therefore, the road towards commercialization starts with customer interviews. Over the years successful entrepreneurs developed a uniformed approach to generate robust, repeatable, scalable business model. It is called business canvas. In this project the PIs, who are successful entrepreneurs themselves, will guide you through the process of generation and completion of business canvas. Team Leader(s)Alexey Vertegel Bioengineering |
| 1472 | Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and House Price This project provides a novel perspective on using artificial intelligence to study how to use natural language processing tools to predict real estate prices. Students will be guided to create a database that could be used for modeling house values using machine learning tools. It is an exciting opportunity for students to apply their knowledge from finance and engineering backgrounds to study real-world problems. Team Leader(s)Lily Shen Department of Financial Management |
| 1471 | Machine Learning in Finance and Real Estate This project will bring students across disciplines together to develop the most wanted applications of machine learning in finance and real estate investments. Students will collaborate and learn to use big data and Machine Learning tools to solve questions in the business world. This project will help students across different departments, creating the environment of a startup company. Together we will network, learn, explore, and succeed. Team Leader(s)Lily Shen Department of Financial Management |
| 1470 | Environmental effects of co-contaminant exposure Ecotoxicological studies traditionally determine or model effects resulting from single pollutants, yet no environmental contaminant is ever truly the sole toxicant in a contamination scenario. This project seeks to characterize the uptake, distribution, and/or effects of multiple environmental contaminants at different levels of biological organization. Students will study stress markers such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), gene expression, DNA methylation, and visual changes to determine if traditional ecotoxicological models sufficiently predict the effect of combined exposures. Team Leader(s)Nicole Martinez Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesLisa Manglass Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences |
| 1450 | Embodiment and Race Conference Organization The conference on Embodiment and Race (November 4-7, 2021) is a two-day interdisciplinary conference that will explore the issues of race and embodiment from the perspectives of critical-race theory and phenomenology. The aim of the conference is to open a space for Clemson University and the local community where we can extend and deepen our understanding of recent debates on race, racialization, and being an embodied agent of a minority group. This conference will bring together academics who work on race and embodiment to share their studies and discuss different approaches to these issues. In my teaching I explore the issues of philosophy of racism and racial embodiment focusing on questions: What role does embodiment play in the experience of racism and/or racial harm? How do various social policies benefit or burden people classified as being a given race? Does racism harm the racist as well as the victim? Team Leader(s)Edyta Kuzian Philosophy and Religion |
| 1445 | All In: Football Recruiting Design We have partnered with the Clemson Football Recruiting Office to help design a mailer to send to potential Clemson Football recruits. This multidisciplinary team will meet to brainstorm, design and prototype a personalized 3D mailer that the recruiting office can send to high school football players in the recruiting process. The mailer is intended to promote Clemson Football and get the student excited about the possibility of being on the team. This is an incredible opportunity for students to have a direct impact on Clemson Football and potential incoming players. Team Leader(s)Haley Appleby Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 1443 | Autonomous Vehicles and Users with Disabilities Persons with certain motor or cognitive disabilities like paralysis of the extremities or autism may face significant obstacles to gainful employment and social inclusion due to difficulties in operating conventional motor vehicles. Proponents of fully autonomous or “self-driving” vehicles argue that the emergence of this technology may address this issue. Advocates for disabled persons are concerned, however, that the needs of persons with disabilities are not being adequately considered in the design of this technology. As a result, it is argued, self-driving technologies are being developed that will ultimately prove inaccessible to persons with a range of disabilities, ultimately undermining the potential mobility benefits of the technology. There is, therefore, a critical need to determine a model of interaction that will support efficient use of this technology by persons with disabilities. The proposed research is being initiated to determine the needs, preferences, and concerns of persons with motor, cognitive and other disabilities in interacting with self-driving vehicles, a model of interaction incorporating context-specific methodologies and the development of tools to support accessible interaction. Team Leader(s)Julian Brinkley School of Computing |
| 1439 | Advancement of Assisted Reproductive Technologies for Cattle and Other Species Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are utilized for both humans and cattle; however, ART has been and will continue to be used to save species from extinction. Most advances used in ART currently used in all mammalian species were developed at least partially using cattle as a model. Assisted reproductive technologies commonly used in bovine reproduction are artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. This project will focus on methods to increase bovine fertility and examine the putative microRNA markers associated with early pregnancy and early pregnancy loss in pregnancies produced by in vitro fertilization or embryo transfer. The team will meet weekly to coordinate and plan activities for the week which would include estrous synchronization of cattle, estrous detection, embryo transfer, blood collection and processing, ultrasonography, ELISA, RNA isolation, qRT-PCR, and cell culture. Team Leader(s)Scott Pratt Animal and Veterinary Sciences |
| 1428 | Something Very Fishy Something Very Fishy is a musical theater production paired with a hands-on marine science exhibit for elementary school children. This collaboration between Kathy Prosser (Educational Entertainment LLC) and Michael Childress (Biological Sciences) will bring to together local elementary school classes with Clemson student volunteers in a unique arts and sciences (STEAM) outreach program with a focus on marine conservation and our changing climate. Members of this creative inquiry team will develop and present hands-on marine science exhibits to enhance the experience of children attending this musical theater adventure following lives of a young marine biologist and a local fisherman who must set aside their differences to work together to save their local marine animals. Members of this creative inquiry team will develop hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, grade-specific experiments, class resources for teachers, and activities in support of the general theme of marine conservation. Team members will also care for and exhibit live marine animals in portable touch tanks, demonstrate the use of cameras and diving gear used by marine scientists, and lead students through basic experiments demonstrating the importance of water quality. Photo backdrops, reusable bag coloring stations, and continuous videos of underwater exploration will give the participating children an immersion experience like no other. CI team members will also have an opportunity to learn about ongoing marine science research through their partnership with the Conservation of Marine Resources and Marine Ecology creative inquiry teams. This will include reading and discussing the current marine conservation literature and assisting in the analysis of field data. Team members will also be expected to create a digital poster and promotional video about the Something Very Fishy production for use in advertising and promotion of future productions. By bringing together education, biology and environmental science majors with local artists and performers, this promises to be an enriching experience for everyone. Team Leader(s)Michael Childress Biological SciencesKea Payton Biological Sciences |
| 1419 | Multiplexing Using Spectral Imaging and Combinatorics (MuSIC) A genetic screen is the process by which every gene in an organism is disrupted to determine what role it plays in a particular phenotype. A genetic interaction screen is similar, except it asks that question for every possible two-way combination of genes. Genetic screens on human cells at genome scale, around 30,000 genes, is routine now with CRISPR technologies. However, this is only on a cell population level, looking at bulk effects in millions of cells, not on a single cell level, which is the fundamental unit of most phenotypes. Genetic interaction screens are severely limited due to the sheer number of combinations possible. This project explores the use our recently developed MuSIC technology to enable single-cell genetic screens at high-throughput, and genetic interaction screens on scales far greater than currently possible. Team Leader(s)Marc Birtwistle Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2364 | Network Inference from Gene Expression Noise Gene regulatory networks underlie much of how cells function and adapt to varying conditions. However, their structure is surprisingly largely unknown. A major reason is that it is difficult to infer the unique connections between genes using current methods. This project seeks to understand the extent to which natural fluctuations in gene expression, primarly due to low copy number reactions involved in epigenetics and transcription, can be used to infer gene regulatory network structure. If gene A regulates another gene B, would fluctuations in the expression of gene A leave a unique fingerprint in the expression of gene B? Under what conditions would this be possible if so? Team Leader(s)Marc Birtwistle Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 1414 | Building and Probing Simple Neuronal Circuits With Combined Optical Tweezer and Microelectrode Array Experiment The human brain is perhaps the most complicated system in the known universe. It is comprised of 100 billion individual neurons with about 80% of the brain mass in the cerebral cortex, which is the site of human cognition. There are massive efforts underway to understand how the brain works. What is memory, attention, perception, thought, language self-awareness, consciousness, etc.? To even begin to answer these questions, much fundamental science must be done. In this creative inquiry, we intend to build and study simple neuronal circuits, in vitro. We will use a combined optical tweezer and microelectrode array system to manipulate simple neuronal circuits, to electrically excite the circuits, and to probe the response of these circuits. We will build and study simple model logic gates out of rat or mouse neurons. Team Leader(s)Hugo Sanabria Hernandez Physics and Astronomy |
| 1400 | Restoration Ecology: From Coastal Wetlands to the Appalachian Mountains and Back Wetland RestorationStudents in the CI will assist with research related to a wetland restoration at Brosnan Forest in Dorchester, South Carolina. The Brosnan Forest is a 14,400-acre preserve near Charleston, SC, and is currently restoring a 200-acre wetland on the property. Students will help with vegetation surveys, growing plants in the greenhouse and learn about seed viability and germination. Students will gain valuable skills in wetland plant identification, wetland seed bank knowledge, and fieldwork. Piedmont Prairie RestorationStudents will work on a prairie and understory restoration in the Clemson Experimental Forest. Students will learn to identify native and invasive grasses, sedges, and forbs. They will also learn to survey vegetation and other field techniques. Team Leader(s)Althea Hagan Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1397 | Basic and applied virology Given that viruses are obligate parasites, we often think of them as "bad". However, they can aid humans through their negative effects on organisms that in turn negatively affect us - the enemy of my enemy, so to speak. In this Creative Inquiry, students will investigate a group of viruses known as Nudiviruses, which infect crustaceans and insects, typically by ingestion, resulting in gut infection and ultimately death. However, an apparently atypical nudivirus known as HzNV infects the pest moth Helicoverpa zea. HzNV is transmitted sexually and induces sterility in 30-70% of infected individuals. Why isn't it 100%? What are the mechanisms that underlie this latency vs sterility "choice"? How widespread is this virus, and are there others like it? To address these issues, students in small teams will examine HzNV prevalence in SC through PCR screening, use molecular biology techniques and cell culture to generate and test expression constructs of HzNV genes and generate recombinant viruses, and attempt to isolate novel nudiviruses through classical virology techniques. The results will greatly enhance our understanding of nudivirus biology, potentially contributing to better understanding of a virus group that may serve an important role in the future in controlling significant agricultural pests, and expose students to not only molecular biology and virology techniques, but also enhance communication skills. Team Leader(s)Matt Turnbull Biological SciencesJABEZ BATTU Biological Sciences Md Naim Uddin Biological Sciences Alexis Yoh |
| 1395 | Human Factors in Medical Device Reprocessing Human factors engineering focuses on understanding how people interact with technology and studying how user interface design affects the interactions people have with technology. U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines identify human factors engineering as essential for maximizing the likelihood that new medical devices will be safe and effective for the intended users, uses and use environments. Therefore, incorporating human factors engineering into medical device design and product development can be a key factor for meeting regulatory standards and launching a successful product. The long-term goal of this Creative Inquiry is to introduce the tools and techniques used in human factors engineering and to apply those skills to medical device design. Students enrolled in this CI interact with industry professionals and a cross-disciplinary team of faculty and students, using human factors and usability testing to inform medical design decisions with a focus on devices in end-use conditions and during their reprocessing. Students conduct the testing on commonly used medical devices and medical device prototypes and use hypothesis-driven research for improving upon medical device designs. Undergraduate students looking to join this team are expected to be involved for 2-4 semesters. Team Leader(s)Melinda Harman BioengineeringMarketa Haughey Bioengineering David Neyens Industrial Engineering Delphine Dean Bioengineering |
| 1389 | Bear Ecology and Management Students in this creative inquiry will work collaboratively with faculty, staff and graduate students to study the ecology of bears in the Upstate of South Carolina. A major component will be assessing bear density and space use relative to other mammals. This will provide students with experience in camera traps, image processing, set up of barbed wire hair snares, experimental design, data analysis, and project management. Team Leader(s)David Jachowski Forestry and Environmental ConservationJohn Nettles Forestry & Environmental Conservation Erin Buchholtz Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1384 | Unraveling the Mystery of the Rare Rocky Shoals Spider Lily Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies are an important part of South Carolina’s natural heritage and probably existed along most Piedmont streams prior to hydropower development of shoals and sedimentation of creeks and streams due to agricultural practices. The watershed for Stevens Creek is forested and mostly undeveloped allowing us a glimpse of what plant, fish, and even mussel populations may have looked like prior to European influence. There is a population of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies that runs approximately 150 yards along Steven Creek on the Naturaland Trust Property.As a part of this CI, students will research and characterize the Stevens creek run where the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily occurs and at least two additional sites where historic populations existed to determine why the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily has such a robust population along this stretch of stream. Students will collect water quality data using the SC adopt a stream protocol and characterize the sites. They will additionally put out game cameras as one hypothesis is that deer herbivory is impacting Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. Students will also work to propagate Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies in greenhouses at Clemson so that we will have a population we can attempt to introduce to other suitable stream stretches. By using the SC adopt a stream protocol, students will be adding to a database of stream health for the state and they will be able to compare Stevens Creek to other SC streams to determine what is different about Stevens creek that allows the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily to persist. Team Leader(s)Althea Hagan Forestry and Environmental ConservationAndrew Grunwald Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1383 | Controlled Environment Agriculture: Innovation of Distributing Food to Urban Environments and Food Deserts The project will provide an atmosphere for the design and evaluation of a moderate sized controlled environment container to yield animal protein, vegetables to supplement fresh food in an urban environment. Urban areas, also called food deserts, have limitations to fresh food and previous research has proven that, if available, people would welcome the choice of fresh food to prepare in their household. People are also reassured that the products being produced are fresh and free from harmful chemicals. Transportation is limited for these people so getting to a grocery store is somewhat restricted, so the idea of bringing a food production unit to the area is widely accepted. Presently these portable controlled environment units are available and expensive, however economics performed usually show limited to no revenue. The CI will investigate what is needed for the unit to produce food but on a more economical scale. This would also benefit school systems by providing fresh food to supplement the cafeteria needs for fresh food and at the same time becomes an effective teaching tool that can be positive reinforcement for understanding science, math and economics topics in an enjoyable and dynamic atmosphere. Team Leader(s)Lance Beecher Cooperative Extension Services |
| 1381 | Sugar High? How do different sugars and sugar substitutes in soft drinks impact the oral microbiome? Dental cavities are a major health problem worldwide. To better understand what causes tooth decay, we need to examine the microbes living on our teeth. This community of microbes are known as the oral microbiome. The bacteria that live on our teeth form a biofilm commonly known as dental plaque. The microbes in the tooth biofilm survive by feeding on sugars and starches consumed in our diets. After feeding on these sugars many of the waste products expelled by bacteria are acidic, causing tooth enamel erosion, and eventually, tooth decay. The goal of our research will be to compare how different soda types influence the oral microbiota. Students involved in this CI will conduct genomic and microbiological research on the oral microbiome. Student’s will complete DNA/RNA extractions of plaque biofilms, complete PCR amplifications, prepare samples for DNA/RNA sequencing, and will learn how to use Next Generation DNA sequencing technology. Student’s should expect to enroll for at least 2-4 semesters. Team Leader(s)Vincent Richards Biological SciencesLauren O'Connell Biological Sciences |
| 1379 | Dinosaurs to Birds: Ontogeny and morphogenesis The long- to short-tailed avian dinosaur transition occurred 125 Mya. The tail underwent a considerable morphological change from the long, reptilian-like ancestral condition to Pygostylian birds' short, distally fused tail. We are interested in understanding the developmental and genetic changes that occurred to the morphology of the tail and the fusion of the synsacral vertebrae, both adaptations for flight. Understanding these processes will provide insight into vertebrate morphogenesis and the basis of morphological adaptation. Team Leader(s)Susan Chapman Biological Sciences |
| 2259 | Animal Personality and Behavior Animal personality is an increasingly studied concept within the field of animal behavior. Studies in animal personality often focus on two traits: boldness (how animals to respond to novel or threatening situations) and aggression (how animals react to other animals). Crayfish are frequently used as a study species to investigate boldness and aggression as these traits have been shown to directly influence their ability to invade ecosystems. Team Leader(s)Daniel Knapp Forestry and Environmental ConservationCathy Jachowski Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1371 | High-Performance Cluster Computing Parallel computing is often a topic covered until the senior year for undergrads. Moreover, large-scale computing is becoming a fundamental tool to researchers in many fields of science and engineering (e.g., business, chemistry, physics, biology). This CI is dedicated to opening up parallel computing to all levels of undergrads in relevant fields of computational science and engineering. Through this CI, we explore how high-performance computing (HPC) systems impact various disciplines, how HPC systems are constructed, what it takes to program parallel applications, how to run parallel applications on an HPC system, and how to optimize applications.This CI is intended to introduce undergraduate students from various STEM disciplines to parallel computing early in their undergraduate experience. Skills and knowledge gained through hands on activities, research, and training will prepare students for undergraduate research, provide skills to help students stand out and succeed in graduate school, and provide students an opportunity to test their skills against teams from all over the world at the annual Supercomputing Conference's Student Cluster Competition.Each year the annual competition's scientific domain changes (e.g, geophysics, bioinformatics, molecular dynamics, hydrology, climate); therefore, this CI is open to STEM majors who can serve as domain scientists to help interpret scientific results produced by the HPC applications. Team Leader(s)Jon Calhoun Electrical and Computer EngineeringScott Groel CCIT CITI |
| 1352 | New Drug Targets in Bacterial Genome Drug resistance to current antimicrobials is a major health concern in the 21st century. This project will focus on discovery of new target sites in the genome of pathogenic bacteria. The project will involve looking for new sites of intervention in the bacteria genome, and approaches of targeting nucleic acid and enzyme targets selective to bacteria. Team Leader(s)Dev Arya Chemistry |
| 1349 | Watt AI Program The Watt AI Creative Inquiry employs Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies in cross-disciplinary research at Clemson University. Through the semester, small teams of students work with researchers to apply these methods to a wide variety of problems within the research groups. In parallel to this research, students learn about and discuss topics such as the varieties and capabilities of existing AI/ML technologies, the ethical implications of AI/ML in society, and common techniques in AI/ML. Students enter the program at all levels of prior experience, from proficient power users to eager beginners with no coding experience, and emerge with experience in helping carry out real-world AI/ML research. Team Leader(s)Carl Ehrett Watt Family Innovation CenterFanchen Meng Watt Family Innovation Center Ruoyu Yang Watt Family Innovation Center Kuang-Ching Wang Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 1343 | Polymeric Biomaterials for Treatment and Diagnosis of Central Nervous System Disease The presence of the blood-brain barrier dramatically hinders neurologic treatments, with >98% of small molecule drugs unable to enter the brain. Modern medical attempts to deliver drugs into the brain have involved disruption of the barrier, exploitation of different routes of administration, and attachment of ligands on nanoparticle surfaces that are specific to cellular receptors at the blood-brain barrier. These methods have had limited success in translation to clinical applications. The modulation of nanoparticle shape has been shown to have a large impact on nanoparticle transport, thermodynamic stability, and cellular internalization. However, the effect of different nanoparticle shapes on brain uptake has not been extensively explored. Team members in the Modulating Nanoparticle Shape to Enhance Blood-Brain Barrier Delivery creative inquiry will engage in the creation of polymer-based nanoparticles of various shapes to improve blood-brain barrier delivery. CI students will have the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary research environment, using engineering, biology, and nanotechnology related concepts towards solving a major medical problem. Team Leader(s)Jessica Larsen Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringDorian Foster Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Noah Arnold Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Molli Garifo Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
| 1341 | Targeted Gene Editing in Mammalian Cells Gene therapy has been proposed for inherited and acquired diseases yielding promising results in animal studies and human clinical trials. The advent of gene-editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases have unleashed new possibilities for curing diseases at the genetic level. In this Creative Inquiry, we will investigate the application of genome editing tools for achieving precise gene modification in target cells for therapeutic applications. Team Leader(s)Renee Cottle Bioengineering |
| 1330 | Designing With Docs In bioengineering, the opportunity to collaborate with clinicians in the design of biomedical devices is considered the highlight of any design experience, but usually these design experiences are limited to senior year, if at all. Clinicians are an essential contributor to the design process, in that they are both the users of biomedical devices, and often the first point of contact for problems that occur in their use. Typically, students explore design related issues, and recruit clinicians to support their work. In this new CI, clinical collaborators that have the support of their clinical innovation departments will work with students to create the next generation of biomedical devices. This CI will be open to all undergraduates, and projects will be multi-semester, to support the development of long-term innovations in healthcare. Team Leader(s)Jordon Gilmore BioengineeringJohn Desjardins Bioengineering |
| 1322 | Aging and Decision-Making Decision-making is a prevalent part of everyday life, and the choices we make can have significant consequences across all stages of the lifespan. The purpose of this CI Team is to examine adaptive and maladaptive decision-making strategies that occur with healthy aging. This research seeks to assess how social, cognitive, emotional, and motivational factors influence decision-making. Understanding these factors may allow us to develop decision aids that can improve decision-making outcomes with age. Team Leader(s)Kaileigh Byrne Psychology |
| 1318 | NASA Micro-g NExT This Creative Inquiry is focused on participating in NASA's Micro-g NExT Challenge. Each year, NASA engineers directly identify current space exploration challenges from which teams of undergraduate students from multiple majors will be tasked with presenting a solution by designing and creating a device/tool. If the team is selected to move on, they will have the opportunity to travel to Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, to test their device in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. Team Leader(s)Laura Redmond Civil EngineeringJenna Spangler Mechanical Engineering |
| 1316 | Hellbender Ecology Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) are large, long-lived amphibians that live their entire lives in rivers and streams throughout the Appalachian mountains. As part of this project, students will assist with hellbender monitoring surveys and will work independently or in groups to develop a research question and hypothesis, collect and analyze data, and summarize findings as part of a year-long project. Team Leader(s)Cathy Jachowski Forestry and Environmental ConservationDaniel Knapp Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1314 | Collaborative Biomedical Engineering Design Between Clemson and Arusha Technical College Developing countries face healthcare challenges every day, whether it is lack of supplies or a shortage of healthcare professionals. Medical devices and equipment that are considered standard in hospitals in the United States can be hard to find and very expensive in developing countries, such as Tanzania. In addition there is a shortage of trained biomedical engineers. Therefore, the goal of this Creative Inquiry team is to design and develop medical instrumentation and monitors that are robust, user-friendly, and low-cost for Tanzania in collaboration with engineering students and faculty at Arusha Technical College in Tanzania. The students on this team will be expected to work on electronics and instrument design. They are expected to do needs finding to find the issues facing biomedical engineers in rural SC and in Tanzania. The students will collaborate weekly with students from Arusha Technical College through message boards. In addition, the Clemson and ATC student teams will have joint videoconferenced update meetings once a month with faculty and staff from both institutions. In addition to doing design, Clemson students are expected to learn about Tanzania. Students will learn about Tanzanian culture, government and healthcare structure. In addition, students will learn some basic conversational Swahili. Team Leader(s)Delphine Dean BioengineeringMelinda Harman Bioengineering John Desjardins Bioengineering Diego Nigoa Bioengineering Jeremiah Carpenter Bioengineering |
| 1309 | FishShapes: Exploring the Evolution of Body Form Diversity Across Fishes. Students will join a team of scientists from across the US that are working to investigate body shape evolution across teleost fishes. Teleosts account for 96% of all fish species, nearly half of extant vertebrate diversity, and exhibit a spectacular variety of body forms, including lineages that range from deep-bodied (e.g. moonfish, spadefish), elongate (e.g. eels, needlefish), laterally compressed (e.g. ribbonfish) to globular (e.g. pufferfish), plus the uniquely shaped seahorses, flatfishes and ocean sunfishes. The purpose of this research is to tease-apart the major interacting factors influencing the evolution of body form at the macroevolutionary scale, across teleost fishes, and to identify trends in shape diversity over their evolutionary history. As members of the ‘FishShapes’ team students will spend at least 2 semesters conducting research: collecting data and working together to develop and test a hypothesis concerning the evolution of body shape across fishes. The ultimate goal is to write and publish a scientific paper. This project is ideally suited to students who have no prior research experience, as we will cover everything from how to develop hypotheses through to giving scientific presentations. Team Leader(s)Sam Price Biological SciencesJennifer Hodge Mason Thurman Biological Sciences Keiffer Williams Biological Sciences Marina Carbi Biological Sciences |
| 1272 | Elucidating Water Transport and Structure of Polymer Membranes for Energy Applications The use of polymer membranes for energy storage and delivery applications is ubiquitous. The performance properties of these membranes is inherently tied to the nanostructure, making it important to elucidate the fundamental structure-property relationships of these materials. Team Leader(s)Eric Davis Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 1267 | Decision-Making and Risk-Taking The purpose of this Creative Inquiry team is to conduct research on the (1) effect of emotion and reward motivation on goal-directed decision-making as well as (2) how individual differences, such as personality and susceptibility to performance pressure, affect risk-taking behaviors. Decision-making is an inescapable, prevalent phenomenon that can have significant consequences. This research aims to understand factors and cognitive mechanisms that affect decision-making and risk-taking. Students should expect to enroll in the CI project for at least 2 semesters. Team Leader(s)Kaileigh Byrne Psychology |
| 1265 | International Collaborative Research with Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico During Fall 2022, students will be introduced to various colleagues at Tec de Monterrey, Mexico. From their interactions, literature reading, discussion groups, and guided mentorship, students will develop a research plan to execute at Clemson University, with the intention of visiting Mexico sometime in the near future as the project reaches maturity.One or multiple projects will be identified that bring together interdisciplinary, multicultural and international interaction. Team Leader(s)Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte Mechanical EngineeringHugo Sanabria Hernandez Physics and Astronomy |
| 1258 | Native Bass Conservation Bartram's Bass is native to the Savannah River basin of SC and GA; it occurs nowhere else in the world. Students learn field sampling and lab techniques to learn more about the basic ecology of this rare fish. Students also have the opportunity to develop independent research projects and present results at professional conferences and in scientific publications. Team Leader(s)Brandon Peoples Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1256 | Development and Assessment of Makerspace Standard Operating Procedures The Clemson Makerspace provides students, faculty and staff the ability to collaborate and innovate using current technologies such as 3D-printers, laser cutters, a waterjet, 3D-scanners, textiles processing equipment, and electronics. The Makerspace educates and trains students of all majors on machines and processes. The objective of this project is to develop a safe set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for training students on Makerspace equipment within the culture and requirements of the university. Team Leader(s)Todd Schweisinger Mechanical EngineeringDaniel Wilson School of ME and AuE |
| 1253 | Ecotoxicological Effects in Aquatic Species This project investigates the effects of pollution on aquatic species, specifically the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in petroleum products. These toxic compounds are released from wastewater treatment facilities, and during oil spills, and can enter waterways through road runoff. Effects we measure are upregulation of liver enzymes, excretion of metabolites in the bile, and cellular damage like membrane disintegration and DNA damage. Team Leader(s)Peter Van den Hurk Biological Sciences |
| 1252 | Appalachian Fire Ecology Wildfires in late 2016 burned tens of thousands of forested acres across the southern Appalachian region. These events, unprecedented in recent history, have created a unique opportunity to conduct important fire ecology research in affected areas. This Creative Inquiry project is a collaborative effort between Clemson, the US Forest Service, and other agencies to assess the impacts of these fires, with a primary focus on the Rock Mountain fire in north Georgia. . Team Leader(s)Donald Hagan Forestry and Environmental ConservationRuth Cumberland Forestry & Environmental Conservation Armin Weise Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1251 | Supporting Healthcare Superheroes: Application of Organizational Science to Improve Healthcare Effectiveness Soaring healthcare costs, staffing shortages, and legislative changes have contributed to a surge of interest in the ways healthcare organizations manage their leaders and teams in order to better impact the bottom line. As a research initiative of the DIGITAL lab, we are interested in better understanding the impact of leadership development on multiple levels of analysis within the healthcare industry: this includes, but is not limited to, leader health and burnout, team effectiveness, employee engagement and health, patient safety and experiences, and business outcomes. The purpose of this CI team is to examine leadership structures within Prisma Health - Upstate (formerly Greenville Health System) and the impact of leadership on various outcomes. Team Leader(s)Marissa Shuffler Porter PsychologyMadison B Washam Psychology Katelyn Hedrick Psychology Madison B Washam Psychology Thomas Britt Psychology Alyssa Davenport Psychology Tiffany Merucci Psychology Allison Traylor Psychology Marlee Johnson Psychology |
| 1250 | Science and Pseudoscience in Popular Media The combination of access to information and the decline in science education and critical thinking ability have given rise to a fear of science and mistrust of scientists. Because of the lack of understanding of science, charlatans like Dr. Oz are able to exploit the public’s fears for their own financial gain. A few examples of what this exploitation has led to: cancer patients refusing chemo therapy treatments in favor of questionable “natural” therapies; a subset of people have tried to “cure” their autistic children by giving them bleach enemas; and an increase in the production and marketing of dietary supplements promising to cure everything from obesity to cancer. Because of ignorance, people can be the victims of scams and in the case of fad diets and supplements, can be harmed. In addition to the decline of science education, critical thinking, and difficulty identifying reliable sources of information, public attitude towards science and scientists is negative. Scientists are harassed on a regular basis and are accused of being paid to do the bidding of large companies like Monsanto. Additionally, these celebrities and charlatans mislead the public by saying science is wrong and that they are the only ones that are trustworthy. This leads to fearmongering and a belief in conspiracy theories. The proposed project seeks to help students and the general public tell the difference between science and pseudoscience and be able to evaluate claims seen in popular media, correct misconceptions about science, and to help students develop critical thinking skills through presenting their findings to a general audience. The CI will help students explain science to a general audience and show people that science is relevant to their lives, approachable, and nothing to be afraid of. Team Leader(s)Elliot Ennis Chemistry |
| 1247 | Leveraging liquid interfaces Shaping a liquid interface can provide a lens for understanding the physics of everyday fluid processes. Stretching and shearing an interface is common for products such as toothpaste and ketchup and allow their flow and elasticity to be characterized. Destabilizing a sandy oil–water interface can provide a cheap and scalable solution to oil remediation. Interfacial patterns such as “bead-on-fiber” formations can be used in novel desalination techniques and demonstrate complex physical phenomena such as soliton interactions. This CI project will leverage liquid interfaces to develop novel measurement techniques and study practical interfacial phenomena with environmental and industrial applications. Team Leader(s)Joshua Bostwick Mechanical Engineering |
| 1240 | Exploring Balkan Politics As part of the semester abroad program in Belgrade, students will investigate key political and social issues in Serbia (and the region), incorporating both American and Serbian perspectives in their review. They will meet with Serbian students to discuss these issues and present their research to one another. Team Leader(s)Jeffrey Peake Political Science |
| 1238 | Conflict, Creativity, and Collaboration in Teams Have you ever wondered how the teams of people who work on shows like SNL, South Park, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah are able to come up with such creative content in such a short amount of time? What stands in the way of creativity in teams like these and what can we do to help teams reach their creative potential? Come to think of it, what even is creativity? As a research initiative of the Developing and Improving Globally Integrated Teamwork and Leadership (DIGITAL) Lab, we are interested in exploring these topics by specifically looking at what goes on during team meetings that helps or hinders creative processes and outcomes. Team Leader(s)Marissa Shuffler Porter PsychologyKyle Christenson Psychology Tiffany Merucci Psychology Aleksander Roehl Psychology Allison Traylor Psychology Ally Wentworth Psychology |
| 1235 | Conation and Creativity in Engineering Have you heard of Disney Imagineers? Are you interested in how engineers apply creativity? Conation and Creativity in Engineering (CCE) is a variable credit Creative Inquiry project in which students from across campus research instinctive problem-solving (conation) and creativity that inspires innovation in engineering around the world. Want to get even more immersed in creativity in engineering? Students are invited to participate in Disney Imaginations design competition, created and sponsored by Walt Disney Imagineering which seeks and natures the next generation of diverse Imagineers, and/or newly-established Creativity in Engineering Club, action-research student group dedicated to supporting creativity across Clemson's campus. All majors welcome. Team Leader(s)Claire Dancz Engineering and Science EducationSusan Reeves Watt Family Innovation Center |
| 1224 | The Genetic and Developmental Basis of Evolution in Cichlid Fishes The Powder lab seeks to understand the genomic and developmental basis of natural diversity in animal morphology. Development involves the coordination of complex pathways, and variation during developmental processes can produce both human anomalies as well as evolved diversity. We focus on cichlid fishes of the East African rift lakes, which have undergone an extraordinary adaptive radiation to produce an incredible range of phenotypic diversity. This includes an unparalleled range of craniofacial morphologies, which correlates with their feeding mechanism (e.g. algae scraping or suction feeding). We seek to understand how this facial variation is produced using a range of shape analyses, experimental embryology, and genetics. Team Leader(s)Kara E Powder Biological Sciences |
| 1218 | Development of novel antibacterials Summary as described in Medchemcomm, 2014 Jun 1;5(6):816-825. "Controlling DNA topoisomerase functions has been envisioned for developing new anticancer and antibacterial agents. A number of small molecules have been tested for their ability as poisons of DNA topoisomerase functions. The therapeutic interest in the development of small molecules as inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase lies in their ability to act as DNA cleavage complex stabilizing agents and to recognize ATP binding site. The emergence of resistance to anti-bacterials has necessitated the search of novel molecules that could help tackle these issues. Small molecules that are both DNA binders and non-binders will be discovered to poison the functions of DNA topoisomerases". Team members will learn about the target enzyme and work towards investigating small molecules that can inhibit it. Team Leader(s)Dev Arya Chemistry |
| 1202 | Exploring Engineering Solutions to Improve Dialysis Care Patients on dialysis typically receive three blood-purification treatments a week. One of the most difficult— and potentially traumatic—experiences of a patient relying on dialysis is the experience of being “stuck” with a relatively large needle to draw blood. The primary goal of this project is to use engineering approaches to improve patient health outcomes and experience by enhancing the skill of nurses and healthcare technicians who perform these tasks. Students will work in a fast-paced, highly inter-disciplinary environment to communicate with clinicians, create novel materials to simulate anatomical structures, interface sensors with computers, and analyze human skill data. Team Leader(s)Ravikiran Singapogu BioengineeringPiyush Shrivastava Bioengineering |
| 1198 | Carnivore Ecology This project is intended to challenge students to address pertinent research questions related to the ecology of carnivores, particularly their inter- and intra-specific interactions. The project will use a combination of collecting original and utilizing existing field data to address questions each semester that student develop with advisors. Team Leader(s)David Jachowski Forestry and Environmental ConservationMeghan Keating Forestry & Environmental Conservation |
| 1186 | Methods for Monitoring Stream Amphibians Amphibians can serve as excellent indicators of water quality and stream integrity, given that most rely on aquatic habitats to complete a portion of their life cycle and few species are capable of traveling long distances to avoid disturbance. Team Leader(s)Cathy Jachowski Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1176 | Machine Learning and Big Data Research (ML/BD) Machine Learning is a field which is becoming increasingly useful in a wide variety of domains due to the accumulation of large amounts of raw data (“big data”) and the availability of high-performance computing (HPC) systems which can process this data. These domains include image processing, natural language processing, autonomous driving, gene set analysis, molecular structure classification, and many others. The goal of this Creative Inquiry is to equip students with the various skills required to apply machine learning techniques to real-world problems, which includes data-related issues such as how to select and load a dataset, software-related issues such as how to implement a machine learning pipeline from basic components, and hardware-related issues such as how to best take advantage of GPUs and other high-performance computing resources. Students will gain hands-on experience with machine learning / big data by working on a real-world problem of their choice. Team Leader(s)Melissa Smith Electrical and Computer EngineeringAdam Pickeral Electrical & Computer Engineering Max Faykus Electrical & Computer Engineering |
| 1172 | Experimental Investigation of Carbon Fiber Composites The goal of this CI is to understand the behavior of carbon fiber prepreg laminates. High resolution experimental techniques need to be adapted to be able to measure the behavior of these laminates with white paint. Students will learn about anisotropic material behavior, carbon fiber fabrication techniques, and how to perform experiments and analysis. Team Leader(s)Garrett Pataky Mechanical EngineeringAndrew Cannon Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 1168 | Fish Biodiversity Challenge This Creative Inquiry project focuses on conservation science of South Carolina's native fishes. Students learn sampling and lab techniques, as well as data management and analysis. Students have the opportunity to develop independent research projects and present findings at professional conferences, as well as author scientific publications. Team Leader(s)Brandon Peoples Forestry and Environmental ConservationRidge Sliger Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 1165 | Mental Health and Sport Research and Programming Mental Health in sport environments has long been ignored in all forms of sport from Professional to youth programs. This CI will work to help design and implement various programs within sport environments that is based on a funded grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency and the Dabo ALL In Foundation in partnership with a number of not-for-profit mental health and sport organizations. Students will do research, assist in writing grants and implement programs for various sport communities in the area. Team Leader(s)Skye Arthur-Banning Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management |
| 2590 | Aminole: Developing Educational Tools and Resources (Both Digital and Analog) for Use In Biochemistry Courses This CI will seek to develop educational tools and resources specifically around the subject of biochemistry. Currently, there aren't many educational tools available to help students learn and review structures like the 20 amino acids, metabolic pathways and other important tedious concepts in biochemistry. This group will work to develop both digital and analog resources that will help students learn these concepts. The initial idea of the CI is to develop a 'Wordle' type game for students to use to practice the amino acid abbreviations (1 letter and 3 letter) and structure. Ideas for resources also include writing an illustrating books that will be useful for both college students who want to understand and learn these concepts and also for teaching and introducing these concepts for younger K-12 students. Team Leader(s)Heidi Anderson Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 2566 | Floriculture Physiology- Cut Flowers Cut flowers play a significant role in the U.S. economy, with rising demand driven by decorative appeal and associated health benefits. Local flower farms often struggle to compete with the lower prices and larger quantities produced by international producers such as Colombia and Ecuador. To differentiate themselves, many U.S. growers focus on cultivating specialty cut flowers unavailable from overseas suppliers, including all decorative plant materials except for roses, carnations, or chrysanthemums. Specialty cut flowers are mainly sold at local farmers' markets as they don’t tolerate transportation and long-term storage (Darras, 2021; Ortiz et al., 2012). The vase life (longevity) of most specialty cut flower species is less than the minimum time expected for cut flowers to last in the consumer environment (7 days). The vase life is the most important factor affecting consumers' buying choices. The shorter the vase life of flowers purchased, the lower the possibility for repeated buying (Rihn et al 2014). Therefore, there is a need to provide postharvest practices that can improve specialty cut flower longevity. The main objective of this project is to improve the postharvest performance and longevity (vase life) of cut flowers grown in the U.S. We will study the primary factors that accelerate senescence and limit postharvest longevity such as water imbalance, high transpiration rates, ethylene production and sensitivity, carbohydrate depletion, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin degradation. If one of these factors occurs, they lead to symptoms that result in cut flower quality loss, such as early petal wilting, bent stem, leaf and petal abscission, leaf yellowing, and petal discoloration. Solutions that alleviate these symptoms include hydration solutions with low pH and bactericides, anti-transpirant products, antiethylene products, carbohydrates, and temperature management during storage. Team Leader(s)Ana Borda Plant and Environmental SciencesJames Faust Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 1160 | Child Development The goal of this CI team is to better understand parent-child interactions, taking special consideration to how the dynamics of the child’s personality and temperament impact the quality of these interactions. We currently have three ongoing projects 1) how parent-child attachment develops during the first year of infancy into toddlerhood and child as well as parental and child factors that impact attachment; 2) how parents and non-parents perceive and respond to infant crying and toddler temper tantrums; and 3) how parents and non-parents handle multitasking and/or focusing on specific tasks (like driving), when hearing negative emotions from their children, such as infant crying or toddler/child temper tantrums, particularly with how it impacts parents’ own emotion regulation, attention, and physiological reactions? Team Leader(s)Sarah Sanborn PsychologyJennifer Grandits Psychology |
| 1152 | Marine Ecology Marine ecology is an interdisciplinary field of study that integrates research efforts of marine science, conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, oceanography, and fisheries science. The goal of marine ecology research is to understand the abiotic and biotic factors that influence marine life interactions with their environment. Students in the Marine Ecology Creative Inquiry team will research the ecology of Caribbean spiny lobsters and coral reef communities in response to changes in water quality and habitat quality in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Students will participate in field research techniques, data analysis, presentation, and publication preparation and submission. If able to travel to the field with students this semester, they will get some experience in scientific diving. The spring semester will determine which students we will bring to the field for our summer-long research trips (if permitted through the University). Students with SCUBA certifications will be trained to conduct data collection as scientific divers. Senior students with sufficient experience will have an opportunity to develop senior thesis research questions of their own design. Team Leader(s)Luke Stoeber Biological SciencesSarah Rider Biological Sciences Camille White Biological Sciences Michael Childress Biological Sciences |
| 1150 | Innovations in Bioinstrumentation Bioinstrumentation is an interdisciplinary subject of applying physical principles and mechanical, electronic and chemical engineering technologies to acquire, analysis and display information from cells, tissues, organs and entire organisms including the human body. This CI was created to allow students to design and build their own bioinstrumentation and/or wearable biomedical technology projects. (Instrumentation class/experience is a pre-requisite for this team) Team Leader(s)Delphine Dean BioengineeringAzrin Jamison Bioengineering Tyler Harvey Bioengineering Lucas Schmidt Bioengineering |
| 1144 | Cancer Cell Comparisons The purpose of this project is to evaluate different approaches and treatment methodologies to kill various forms of breast cancer in vitro. Treatment methodologies include photodynamic therapy, magnetic-induced hyperthermia, tumor-treating fields, and cancer cell redirection approaches. This project requires a minimum of two semesters. Team Leader(s)Brian Booth BioengineeringHunter Warren Bioengineering Taylor Waligora Bioengineering Olivia Kegel Bioengineering |
| 2305 | BeakerBox: Science Outreach in Middle Schools Help deliver fun activities in K12 science classrooms! Through this CI, small teams will use lesson boxes (“kits”) and activities to help local teachers communicate concepts in biology for the 6th-8th grade classroom. The goals of this project are to promote understanding of concepts, science literacy, and excitement about STEM for middle school students. Students in this CI will learn science communication principles, assemble kits for use in the classroom, and use both of these to implement activities in local classrooms with the College of Science Outreach Center. This CI coordinates with a second BeakerBox team that designs the curriculum behind these kits and does marketing. Team Leader(s)Kara E Powder Biological SciencesKatherine Mulholland College of Science-Deans Offic |
| 1138 | 3D Printing Architected Electrodes This CI focuses on the research of 3D printing of pastes, a.k.a. robocasting, to create complex architected WC structures with unprecedented versatility. The paste to print is a composite of biopolymers and oxide nanoparticles. Once printed, these biopolymer composite architectures are heat treated to high temperatures to yield tungsten carbide. The electrical properties of these architected carbide shapes are then measured under mechanical load. The goal is to elucidate the relation between processing, the microstructure of the material, and the electrical and mechanical performance of the structure. Understanding such relation will enable the fabrication of electrically-conductive structures with optimized properties towards achieving structural batteries, fuel cells and capacitors. More details are in www.multiscalemanufacturing.net Team Leader(s)Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte Mechanical Engineering |
| 1114 | South Carolina - China Economic Relations The U.S.-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the 21st Century and China has become the top destination for South Caroline exports. In recent years China has expanded its international economic presence and South Carolina provides an alternative for Chinese outflow foreign direct investment. Overall in the United States, China has established 1,583 companies with $46 billion that directly employs more than 80,000 Americans. This project aims at exploring what South Carolina can offer to such international investment as Chinese FDI, what kind of business South Carolina has been able to attract from China, and what contributions Chinese investments are making to South Carolina's economic development. Team Leader(s)Xiaobo Hu Political Science |
| 1099 | Object Use in Individuals with Autism For this project, students will explore how individuals with autism interact with everyday objects. Team Leader(s)Jennifer Grandits Psychology |
| 1095 | Nutrient Acquisition and Utilization in Protozoan Pathogens Infection with Toxoplasma gondiiin people with compromised immune systems can result in severe morbidity and even lethality. A detailed mechanistic understanding of how Toxoplasmaparasites metabolize nutrients will contribute to identifying new targets to impact disease. Team Leader(s)Zhicheng Dou Biological Sciences |
| 1094 | Tiger Gardens: Pulse crop breeding towards human health Research suggests that failure to link agricultural production with human nutrition and health has led to the development of unhealthy food systems. Malnutrition and high calorie linked chronic diseases are the result of unhealthy food systems. A sensible and quick approach to combat nutritional challenges would be to increase dietary diversity through vegetables that can provide a range of essential nutrients. This proposed Creative Inquiry project provides an introduction to vegetable production, value addition, and nutrition. Students are expected to develop a home garden model to provide year-round nutritious vegetables (especially micronutrients and vegetable proteins) to a small family. Team Leader(s)Dil Thavarajah Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 1079 | ASME Student Design Competition Team The ASME Student Design Competition provides a platform for ASME Student Members to present their solutions to various design problems - from everyday household tasks to groundbreaking space exploration. Each team must design, construct, and operate a prototype according to annually determined problem statement requirements.We are still waiting for ASME to announce its 2022 design competition problem statement. Below is the old 2021 statement for your reference.Harvesting the Sun and WindThis year’s competition requires teams to design and build a vehicle capable of collecting solar and wind energy to extend the duration of operation while of a remotely controlled vehicle that navigates a course and transports weights to earn points. The validation of your design is intended to take place at a face-to-face ASME E-Fest Student Design Competition and/or a virtual event to be held in Spring 2021. Team Leader(s)Xin Zhao Mechanical Engineering |
| 1068 | Meiotic Homologous Recombination Our laboratory studies the mechanism behind the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination during meiosis. We use both human and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study meiotic recombination. The introduction of DNA double-strand breaks during meiosis is carefully controlled. If not repaired, a DSB can result in genome instability and potentially, cancer. DSBs are caused by exposure to chemicals, radiation, oxidative reactive species generated during normal metabolism and damaged replication forks. The repair of DSBs often involves the homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathway. The heart of HR is the RAD51 and DMC1 recombinase. These enzymes catalyze the search for homology between the damaged DNA and the sister chromatid. The activity of the recombinases is modulated by a number of accessory proteins. We utilize a combination of molecular biological and biochemical techniques to determine the role these accessory proteins have in the modulation of RAD51 and DMC1 recombinase activity. The results of our studies will provide insight into the mechanistic underpinnings of HR and genome maintenance. Team Leader(s)Michael Sehorn Genetics and BiochemistryAmara Onoh Genetics and Biochemistry Elyse Corbin Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 1048 | The Phoenix Challenge The Phoenix Challenge Creative Inquiry gives students the chance to create packaging for several products during all stages of the development to final execution, while competing with peers from other schools. This project serves as the structure in which students prepare for The Phoenix Challenge Competition, a competition held between more than dozen universities across North America. Educators from the different universities come together to choose a design brief posing a new problem within the field and students spend a year creating a product that meets the guidelines. Past examples include designing, prototyping and printing packaging for snack foods, golf products, hotel toiletries and coffee. Each year the team creates packaging solutions for several products that will be used and distributed by a small business. This has posed an additional learning experience as the team meets expectations and deadlines from a customer and works in collaboration with industry professionals outside of Clemson. Students are fully self-directed in the process—they conduct background and market research, come up with the design, organize prepress and layout, print and perform finishing details, all while communicating with the company. All products are produced by the students enrolled in the CI within the GC labs on donated equipment with donated materials. The initial quantity of the products are small and are intended to allow the small business to use the packaging while waiting for a true production run with a commercial printing company. In past years, the quantities produced by the students were was sufficient because it was for an event such as Springfest, the Tigers-4-Tigers run and the Greenville Zoo Kids Day Out Event. Team Leader(s)Nona Woolbright Department of Graphic Communications |
| 1036 | Metabolism in the Human Parasite Entamoeba Histolytica Entamoeba histolytica is a human pathogen that causes dysentery in ~90 million people each year. This disease is spread through ingestion of contaminated water or food, primarily in developing countries in areas that lack adequate sanitation and/or are overcrowded. Entamoeba is found in the environment as a resistant cyst that is shed by an infected person. Ingested cysts will survive the harsh stomach environment to become the motile amoeba form in the small intestine. These amoebas then move to large intestine to colonize and new cysts can form to be shed to the environment to allow the infection process to continue. Entamoeba infection can be treated; however, only ~10% of those infected develop symptomatic disease. Thus, there may be between 500 million and 1 billion people who are asymptomatic carriers of the disease who may not be receiving treatment, leading to Entamoeba’s persistence in the environment. Our research investigates how Entamoeba grows and thrives in the human body. Entamoeba colonizes the large intestine, which is a nutrient-poor environment since most of the nutrients from the food we eat has already been absorbed in the small intestine. We are examining what other nutrients Entamoeba can use for growth and how it interacts with the large intestine and the bacteria present there. This research is expected to help us understand how colonization in the large intestine occurs and helps this disease persist. Team Leader(s)Cheryl Ingram-Smith Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 1031 | Biological and Evolutionary Approaches to Consumer Psychology In this project we will weave together themes of gift-giving, sexual economics and marketing to study the evolutionary underpinnings of gift giving. It is being done in concert with former lab members (who are now graduate students) as well. Team Leader(s)T. Andrew Poehlman Department of Marketing |
| 1028 | Development of Novel Antifungals A number of drugs are inhibitors of antimicrobial growth. We have identified medicinal leads that are active antifungals and also inhibit bacterial growth. Using chemical and biochemical techniques, this project will explore how we can tailor the chemical structures of these leads to develop better drugs. Team Leader(s)Dev Arya Chemistry |
| 1018 | Video Game Development for Fun Learning of Distributed Dynamical Systems This project aims at the development of a car racing video game which can enhance the student learning experience of distributed dynamical systems and intelligent transportation. The project will be built upon existing work which already realized a sophisticated vehicle simulator, a game framework, and graphics engine. Students will be focused on developing an interface between existing work and intelligent transportation systems. The game development itself will be a fun learning process. Knowledge of Linux and C++/C is required. No knowledge of distributed dynamical systems is needed. Team Leader(s)Yongqiang Wang Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 1016 | Lunar Regolith for In Situ Resource Utilization In-situ resource utilization is a critical component of NASA’s current and future Lunar exploration missions. The overarching goal of this CI project is to advance our understanding of the Lunar regolith and explore innovative technologies to utilize them as in situ resources for infrastructure development on the lunar surface. Team Leader(s)Qiushi Chen Civil EngineeringJesus Badal Civil Engineering |
| 1006 | Contemporary Art & Practice Contemporary Art & Practice is a Departmental Creative Inquiry two-semester sequence consisting of ART 4730, and then ART 4750. Visual Arts Majors seeking the Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree begin this Creative Inquiry two semesters from graduation such that their final exhibition in the Lee Gallery coincides with their enrollment in ART 4750. Contemporary Art & Practice CI students will explore historical and theoretical issues to gain critical perspectives on Art, visit and study current exhibitions in galleries in museums in New York City, gain professional experience, and share their studio research in an exhibition in the Lee Gallery. Team Leader(s)Joey Manson V ArtDenise Woodward-Detrich Art |
| 966 | CU Insights CU Insights is a marketing research Creative Inquiry that provides students with hands-on experience to prepare them for careers in marketing research and consumer insights. Students will work both individually and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality research results, gaining valuable insights into the field of marketing research. Through training, networking opportunities, an industry trip, and hosting CU Insights Week, students will begin to develop the skills and connections necessary for a successful career in marketing research or related fields. Team Leader(s)Anastasia Thyroff Department of Marketing |
| 2357 | Messaging for Youth: Social Movements, Youth, and Framing on Instagram There is a long history of youth participation in politics and activism. Yet advocacy organizations often do a poor job of reaching out to young people. Instead, they just wait for young people who are interested in politics to find them. This is both true historically and after the expansion of the Internet and social media. For this project we will be evaluating whether (and how) four social movement organizations use the photo and video sharing social network service Instagram to connect with young people. We will focus on two youth facing organizations (This is Zero Hour and the Black Youth Project) as well as two more general groups from the same movements (350.org and Black Lives Matter Chicago). By focusing on an image-based platform, we will expand on prior work that primarily focuses on websites or text-oriented social media platforms like Twitter. The class will spend the semester preparing a coding scheme, coding social media posts, checking inter-coder reliability, reading the associated literature, and conducting analysis. Students will have hands on experience with conducting a research project from beginning to end and writing analysis. I anticipate that they will have the opportunity to present their findings at an academic conference and that we will submit the final paper for academic publication. Team Leader(s)Thomas Maher Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice |
| 965 | Montana Prairie Ecology This Creative Inquiry is part of an undergraduate summer program that exposes Clemson students to the biodiversity and working landscape of the Great Plains through directed research experiences. Students will spend the spring semester learning about the ecosystem, developing research questions and preparing for the summer when they will travel to Montana. In the fall, the project will focus on analyzing resulting data. More information on the project and how to apply can be found at: http://prairieecology.blogspot.com/ Team Leader(s)David Jachowski Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 962 | Robot Networks The technological development of the last decade in robots, computing and communications has led to envisage the design of robotic and automation systems consisting of networked vehicles, sensors, actuators and communication devices. These developments enable researchers and engineers to design new robotic systems that can interact with human beings and other robots in a cooperative way. Applications span surveillance/monitoring, manufacturing, intelligent vehicles, exploration, and many others. In this project, we will explore some basics of robot networks and build robotic cooperation using several intelligent ground robots available in the lab. No knowledge of distributed dynamical systems or robotics is needed. Team Leader(s)Yongqiang Wang Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 960 | Health Promotion Outreach, Support, and Assessment This Creative Inquiry project engages students in the design, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion initiatives focused on three key areas impacting college student well-being: suicide prevention, interpersonal violence prevention, and alcohol and other drug misuse prevention. Students will lead awareness campaigns, support national observances (e.g., Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Alcohol Awareness Week), and coordinate events such as the Clemson Out of the Darkness Walk. Emphasis will be placed on using evidence-based strategies, peer outreach, and social marketing to reduce stigma and promote protective behaviors. Students will also engage in program assessment activities to evaluate outreach effectiveness and inform future prevention practices. This interdisciplinary experience offers students hands-on opportunities to advance public health, promote well-being across campus, and contribute to a culture of support and safety at Clemson University. Team Leader(s)Jennifer Goree Student Health CenterMegan Fallon Office of Access & Equity Kelley Metcalfe Student Health Center |
| 958 | Camera Traps in Animal Ecology This project is designed to train undergraduate students to design, carryout and report on investigations into animal ecology through the use of remote camera trapping technology. Specifically, students will utilize camera traps to collect scientific data on the location of animal species, then work with the mentors to analyze the data and report findings. Students will be expected to be involved with the entire scientific process from building hypotheses to writing and presenting findings at professional meetings. Team Leader(s)David Jachowski Forestry and Environmental ConservationChloe Horton Forestry & Environmental Conservation Katelyn Steen Forestry & Environmental Conservation |
| 944 | Perception & Action: Studies in Virtual Reality, Haptic Surgical Simulation, Robotics, and Affordances Students will assist in conducting experimental research in one of a number of ongoing projects involving visual perception in virtual reality, touch and muscle perception in a laparoscopic surgery simulator, tele-operated robotics and/or the perception of “affordances.” Affordances are the things that can be done with the surfaces of the environment, such as whether an area on the floor is "step-over-able" or whether the width of a doorway is "pass-through-able." In a series of experiments we will investigate the accuracy of perceptual judgments pertaining to a variety of affordance behaviors, such stepping over, jumping over, passing through, whether or not an object is reachable, whether or not a short incline is stand-on-able, etc. Team Leader(s)Elenah Rosopa PsychologyTyler Duffrin Psychology Christopher Pagano Psychology Balagopal Raveendranath Psychology |
| 2235 | Prenatal and Postpartum Anxiety and Chronic Illness Management This project examines the experiences of pregnant and postpartum women with chronic illness, with a particular focus on anxiety. A lot of attention has been given to postpartum depression but anxiety is often comorbid and more prevalent than depression in this population. Chronic health conditions exacerbate anxiety and this population is particularly vulnerable to the impact of anxiety and other barriers on health outcomes and disease management. Prenatal and postpartum management of chronic illness and adherence will also be examined as well as interventions that address barriers to care. Team Leader(s)Anna Baker PsychologyLoren Myers Psychology |
| 2240 | Addictive Behaviors, Unhealthy Behaviors, and Health Disparities Addictive behaviors and other unhealthy behaviors are public health problems in the US. This Creative Inquiry team is commited to conduct research aimed at helping us understand underlying mechanisms that maintain addictive behaviors and other unthealthy behaviors and developing interventions to promote changes towards healthy behaviors. Team Leader(s)Irene Pericot Valverde PsychologyMoonseong Heo Public Health Sciences Snehal S Lopes Public Health Sciences |
| 2241 | Determination of the Microbial Population Prevalent in the Prisma Health's Ambulance Service System and the Assessment of Disinfection Practices for their Effective Eradication The emergency medical services (EMS) system is an integral component of the healthcare system and provides a point of entry for patients into the hospital protocol. The EMS personnel and equipment transport patients from various locations to and between healthcare facilities. Due to the nature and function of EMS, there is a high risk for personnel and equipment to come into contact with and transmit healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Proper cleaning and disinfection of the ambulance and equipment are essential to reduce the bioburden prior to their return to service. Prisma Health Ambulance Service has a standard process and solution for disinfection. Furthermore, the microbiome associated with individual hospitals and ambulance service routes may be diverse and with varied susceptibility to disinfection practices utilized. This proposed study aims to identify the microbial population prevalent in specific hospitals and EMS services and to review and develop improved effective disinfection practices for their eradication. Team Leader(s)Tzuen-Rong Tzeng Biological Sciences |
| 2239 | Automotive Security and Privacy Modern vehicles are getting increasingly connected. Together with more automotive electronics and wireless interfaces, the number of possible attack surfaces increases, raising security concerns. Attacks on cars can have multiple implications, ranging from financial incentives or damage to the compromise of human safety.In-vehicle infotainment (IVI) platforms are a major component of each passenger car. Besides car manufacturer (OEM) apps and services, the next generation of IVI platforms are expected to offer integration of third-party apps. To accommodate this trend, Google has been pushing towards standardization among proprietary IVI operating systems with their Android Automotive platform. Android Automotive will have access to the in-vehicle network (IVN), allowing read/write access from/to the IVN. This increased connectivity opens new business opportunities for both the car manufacturer as well as third-party businesses, but also introduces a new attack surface on the vehicle. Therefore, Android Automotive must have a secure system architecture to prevent any potential attacks that might compromise the security and privacy of the vehicle and the driver. In particular, malicious third-party entities could remotely compromise a vehicle’s functionalities and impact the vehicle safety, causing financial and operational damage to the vehicle, as well as compromise the driver’s privacy and safety.This CI project is designed to introduce students to the field of Android Automotive from a security and privacy perspective, and teach students to conduct cutting-edge research on this novel research topic. Furthermore, this course will also prepare students to understand automotive security and privacy in general, as well as open new career opportunities in automotive and security companies and academic research. The CI team will identify new vulnerabilities, learn how to write technical reports and responsible disclosures, as well as write peer-reviewed academic papers. Participation in a security workshop or conference is particularly encouraged. Team Leader(s)Mert Pese School of Computing |
| 2247 | Wild Pig Ecology & Management The project will research invasive wild hogs in Clemson Experimental Forest. With the aid of the mentors, students will develop their research question focused on addressing the management of wild hogs in the Experimental Forest. The Experimental Forest will serve as a study area to deploy camera traps and conduct damage assessments. Students will learn how to deploy camera traps and conduct transects, will collect and analyze data, interpret results, and present findings to inform management of wild hogs on CUEF. Team Leader(s)Erin Buchholtz Forestry and Environmental ConservationCharlie Brill Forestry & Environmental Conservation |
| 2265 | Climate change, remote sensing technology, and plant health implications for forestry and agriculture Emerging technologies could help identify plant health and reduce resource management costs in forestry and agriculture. These technologies can provide much needed plant health, disease and productivity related data in more accurate and precise manner for ensuring socio-economic and environmental sustainability. Natural resource management practices need to evolve to be more adaptive to the climate change and disturbances from climate change stressors, for example disease, fire, hurricane, ice storm, and drought. The project aims to provide a general overview of issues, challenges, and potential natural resource management alternatives in the 21st century. Team Leader(s)Sam Sharma Forestry and Environmental ConservationNilesh Timilsina Forestry and Environmental Conservation Puskar Khanal Forestry and Environmental Conservation Churamani Khanal Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 2267 | Getting to "All-in:" Team development in the context of sports teams When it comes to college sports teams, we have a lot of questions. How do we recruit and retain athletes that add value and gain value from the team? How can coaches and staff strike a healthy balance between player support and challenge without compromising team goals? How do we build and sustain a championship culture? This CI team will conduct research to answer these questions and more, expanding our current knowledge of teamwork and leadership within college sports. Team Leader(s)Marissa Shuffler Porter PsychologyMilt Lowder Athletic Administration Marlee Johnson Psychology Ally Wentworth Psychology Tiffany Merucci Psychology Cory Shaffer Athletic Administration |
| 2270 | Experiential Consulting The Experiential Consulting CI is a multi-disciplinary project that exposes students to global consulting firms. Teams of CI students will work under the mentorship of clinical faculty and representative from global consulting firms to address industry-related problems. Innovative and cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and analytic implementation will be used to facilitate interaction with teams, business leaders, and industry partners. Team Leader(s)Dirk Roskam Department of Management |
| 2459 | Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal injuries are a major problem for many athletes. For example, muscle-tendon strains and ligamentous sprains are the most common injuries in sport. Those with high reinjury rates like hamstring strains and anterior cruciate ligament tears are particularly problematic. Innovation is needed in preventative mechanisms, rehabilitative interventions, and biomarkers of recovery. In this project, students will work towards this innovation with a specific focus on muscle-tendon strain and ligament sprain injuries. Specific activities will include human motion analysis for rehabilitation, identifying injury risk factors, and engineering assistive devices. Team Leader(s)Reed Gurchiek BioengineeringGoutam Koley Sydney Savage Bioengineering |
| 2272 | Film Programming Film festivals constitute an important area of research in film and media studies. Film culture on campus is growing in popularity, as we have seen in film series covering the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall (Fall 2019), the war in Ukraine (April 2022), the return to the University of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers (six films will be screened at Clemson in AY 2022-2023). This CI will tap into a love of cinema, and an interest in film exhibition, that already exist here at Clemson. The long-term aim of the CI is to contribute to the continued growth of the World Cinema program, and to make film festivals an integral part of Clemson, benefitting both the University and surrounding communities. Team Leader(s)John Smith Interdisciplinary Studies DepartmentLuca Barattoni Languages Anthony Penna Performing Arts |
| 2275 | A Creative Inquiry Into Inequity Buzzwords like CRT, systemic inequity, and diversity and inclusion bombard us daily from all around. This creative inquiry will begin with an investigation into the literature regarding these terms in support of a team research project that investigates current obstacles to equity, interrogates current initiatives promoting equity, and proposes research-based solutions to further the removal of obstacles to equity. The exact nature of the research project will be collaboratively narrowed to a particular area of relevance by the students at the beginning of the CI, allowing for student ownership and control. Students will gain experience designing and implementing a mixed-methods research study, including experimental and field-based research methods, such as surveys and interviews, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and best practices in interpreting and proposing results. The culmination of the creative inquiry will be a journal-worthy article that students can collaboratively submit and present. Students from all fields and majors are welcome to join this valuable research experience. Team Leader(s)Sheliah G Durham Teaching and LearningJennifer Kornell Teaching and Learning Angela Fraser Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 2281 | Belly of the Beast: diet and microplastics in the American Alligator This project explores alligators' diet in South Carolina and southeast US. In addition to diet analysis, samples are analyzed for the presence of ingested microplastic. Students participate in laboratory analyses of alligator diet and ingested microplastic and have opportunities to participate in alligator sampling and fieldwork. Team Leader(s)Miriam Boucher Forestry and Environmental ConservationJames Anderson Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 2297 | 9x9: Developing Math Identity One Digit at a Time The overarching goal of the 9x9 project is to provide "mathematical armor" in the middle school and high school years by engaging youth with math puzzles in informal learning spaces. Founded and directed by Clemson faculty, the 9x9 project leadership team includes international experts on puzzles and software development, as well as YouTube content creators within the puzzling community. Team Leader(s)Eliza Gallagher Engineering and Science EducationNeil Calkin School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences |
| 2293 | Understanding the Experiences of Neurodivergent Learners in Higher Education In this project, students will have the opportunity to engage in research with neurodivergent learners in higher education to understand their experiences better, using that knowledge to develop evidence-based interventions to implement and study in authentic contexts. Team Leader(s)Matthew Boyer Engineering and Science EducationLindsay Shuller-Nickles Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences Paige Rodeghero School of Computing |
| 2298 | Analogue photography: At the Intersection of Art and Research The camera obscura was developed in the 4th century BC but the first photograph using light sensitive chemicals on a permanent surface did not occur until 1827. Today, smartphone cameras can out-maneuver all but the highest end cameras and lenses, so exploring historic processes may seem irrelevant. However, there are sometimes great lessons in removing modern, computer-based settings and exploring through antiquated techniques. This CI will employ traditional photographic methods, a prototype portable darkroom, and 3D-printed, self-developing pin-hole cameras. Students will also learn "out-of-camera" ways of creating photosensitive physical images across different substrates and styles. Team Leader(s)Erica Walker Department of Graphic Communications |
| 2299 | International Child Rights This project explores the status and consequences of child rights through international law, domestic laws, and practices. How have international laws managed to improve child rights around the world (or not)? Contexts may include: child-early-forced marriage, child labor, education, public health, and more. Team Leader(s)Tara Trask Political Science |
| 2301 | Wearables Redefining Mobility: Investigating the Use of Wearable Devices to Enhance User Experience and Driver Safety Are you interested in wearable technology and its potential to revolutionize the way we drive? This CI project aims to explore the opportunities and challenges of using wearable devices (like Apple smartwatch or Google smart glasses) to assist and inform drivers in innovative ways. Using a driving simulator to conduct human subjects research, we will investigate drivers’ attitudes towards these emerging technologies. To enhance the usability of these devices, we will evaluate user interface (UI) designs, user experience (UX) with different UIs, and psychological effects (like stress and workload). We will also examine the impacts of using wearables on driving performance and overall road safety. This CI will provide opportunities to develop new UIs for wearables, conduct UI/UX evaluations, design experiments, learn how to code in Python and other programming languages, learn about different steps involved in conducting ethical human subjects research, and work in multi-disciplinary, diverse teams. Team Leader(s)Shubham Agrawal PsychologyTrent Simmons Psychology Dustin Souders Psychology Ethan Butler Psychology Tyler Riley Psychology |
| 2435 | Southern Putting Green Turfgrass Physiology Putting green turfgrass is the key factor for golf course management. Proper turfgrass is essential for successful golf course management. Clemson turfgrass science research faculty has done numerous projects related to golf course putting green researches in reducing resource input and improve turfgrass stress tolerance. This multiple-year project will focus on one topic of improvement a new generation of zoysiagrass putting green turfgrass ‘Lazer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia matrella x Zoysia minima) with the materials directly from the best zoysiagrass putting green turfgrass breeder at Texas A & M University currently. About 15 years ago, Clemson University had done research projects first using ‘Diamond’ zoysiagrass at putting green turfgrass (currently being used at Clemson Walker Golf Course, as the best college golf course in the nation) in southeastern states in US. We believe ‘Lazer’ has greater potentials than ‘Diamond’ for such purposes due to its finer leaf texture and resistance to stresses in saving thousands of tons of fertilizers and better winter cold tolerance than hybrid bermudagrasses. This ‘Lazer’ project will be continued for next few years for HORT4080 students to test from nutrient use efficiency such as urea and nickel interactions, salinity tolerance, to divot recovery speed. Therefore, I am requesting potential supports for this multiple year project as the potential CI projects and looking for funding. The past two semester’s manuscripts will have been submitted to 2025 International Turfgrass Conference in Japan by May 2024. Team Leader(s)Haibo Liu Plant and Environmental Sciences |
| 2311 | Innovative Interventions to Promote Behavioral Change in People with Substance Use Disorders Opioid use disorder (OUD) represents a public health problem that has steadily increased in the US since the 2000s. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including buprenorphine and methadone, are widely used for treating OUD and have proven effectiveness in reducing illicit drug use and risk of overdose. Unfortunately, ongoing illicit drug use, poor medication adherence, and dropout are common in MOUD treatment of OUD. The goal of this investigation is to develop and test new interventions aimed at improving outcomes among people with OUD on MOUD. This research is a randomized control trial that will examine the acceptability and preliminary feasibility of different interventions. Team Leader(s)Irene Pericot Valverde PsychologyAlain Litwin Psychology Moonseong Heo Public Health Sciences Snehal S Lopes Public Health Sciences |
| 2324 | Art of Mathematics Creativity and the ability to think logically are often considered to be uniquely human abilities. Mathematics and art are two examples fields which exemplify these opposite ends of this spectrum … or do they? Through this project, students will explore the relationship between art and mathematics through the study of the many relevant areas of mathematics with the goal to understand and apply this knowledge to create their own original artwork. Students will have the opportunity to investigate many artistic mediums and will be encouraged to use resources such as the 3D printers and laser cutting services available on campus though the Clemson University Makerspace. Students may present their creative ideas through outreach activities and/or in an academic exhibition. Team Leader(s)Alice Man Wa Hui School of Mathematical and Statistical SciencesSandra Annie TSIORINTSOA School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Nantsoina Ramiharimanana School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Joey Manson V Art |
| 2321 | Decipher Magazine The project will create the Decipher magazine, Clemson’s Creative Inquiry + Undergraduate Research (CI) programs annual magazine. This CI team will establish a timeline for production, research projects, interview CI teams, write articles, video/photograph CI students in action, and design the layout of the magazine. This work will be in collaboration with the CI + UR Office, CI mentors and students, the staff of MarComm, and others as required. Team Leader(s)Cora Allard Watt Family Innovation CenterTullen Burns Watt Family Innovation Center |
| 2330 | SCAB-Aid In this CI project, we will design, build, and test an external wound healing device that incorporates a novel approach to tailored wound healing. The approach utilizes electrophysiology techniques that asses wound healing progression then applies specific electrical stimulation to the wound site based on the stage of healing the wound is in presently. Team Leader(s)Lucas Schmidt Bioengineering |
| 2339 | Monitoring Birds on the Clemson University Experimental Forest In this CI project, students will gain exposure to field methods for monitoring bird populations and communities on the Clemson University Experimental Forest. Students will use traditional methods (e.g., point counts, fall covey counts (for Northern Bobwhite), etc.), citizen science (e.g., ebird, Breeding Bird Surveys, Christmas Bird Count, etc.), and new technologically advanced methods (e.g., acoustic recording units, drones, etc.) to record the density, occupancy, and other metrics of bird populations and communities. Students will work with peers, graduate students, and faculty to develop project goals and objectives, collect and analyze data, interpret results, and present findings to inform bird management. Team Leader(s)Jared Elmore Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 2333 | Data Science for next-generation materials design Digital economy is the next-generation job market. Digital training with competence in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is now indispensable for students even from non-computer science backgrounds. In this CI project, students will learn data-science and machine learning methods to be applied to the field of materials science and engineering to develop next-generation materials for future technological applications. The students will learn (1) fundamentals of materials science, e.g., what makes materials strong, or what type of bonding is needed to achieve high melting temperatures?,(2) perform literature review to mine data and develop a robust repository of metallic alloys and their properties, (3) develop coding skills to train machine learning models to predict properties of materials, and (4) calculate materials properties. Basic understanding of chemistry and mathematics is needed to start the project. Curious and hardworking will enjoy success in theform of presentations and/or peer-reviewed journal publications in prestigious journals. Team Leader(s)Dilpuneet Aidhy Materials Science and Engineering |
| 2334 | Corrosion in Metals and Alloys Corrosion, a natural degradation process, can have detrimental effects on the structural integrity and durability of metallic materials. Corrosion is important due to its economic, safety, environmental, durability, and technological implications. The global cost of corrosion was estimated to be equivalent to 3.4% of the global gross domestic product (GDP). By addressing corrosion-related challenges, we can reduce costs, ensure safety, improve efficiency, and promote sustainable practices in various applications. The microstructure of metals and alloys is crucial in determining their corrosion performance. Understanding the relationship between microstructure and corrosion behavior is essential for designing corrosion-resistant materials and optimizing their performance, which is the subject of this CI project. Team Leader(s)Amir Esmaeilpoursaee Civil Engineering |
| 2478 | Interdisciplinary Lab Experiences: small cells, Big Potential Protists are small eukaryotic cells that have potential for many exciting uses in today's society. This project will explore the growth of photosynthetic Euglena and potential applications in product design. Team Leader(s)Todd Lyda Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 2336 | Applied Vision and Human Factors Visual processes dominate our daily activities, whether we are searching for our car keys in a cluttered drawer or trying to avoid pedestrians on a busy road. Many applied visual tasks involve understanding how individuals visually search for various targets amongst noisy backgrounds. Such contexts include radiology, baggage screening, and military operations. In this CI team we will investigate how users search for a variety of targets (e.g., cancerous tumors) and how automation can aid users in their search strategies. Topics such as target prevalence, oculomotor correlates of attention (i.e., eye tracking), automation complacency, and usability will be explored. To accomplish these goals, we will conduct literature reviews, develop research questions, run studies, analyze data and write up that data for conferences presentations and publications. Team Leader(s)Katie Sabo PsychologyDawn Sarno Psychology |
| 2340 | International STEM Experiences (Norway) In this creative inquiry project, we will explore applied and interdisciplinary STEM research and outreach issues in collaboration with partners at the University of Agder in Norway. The process of integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in authentic contexts is a necessary skill to address the global challenges and local impact that demand a new generation of STEM experts. Students will have opportunities to collaboratively design a STEM project that address local issues by creating a training or curriculum element to engage others in learning their discipline and its connection to other STEM fields. Team Leader(s)Kelly Lazar Engineering and Science EducationMakayla Headley Engineering & Science Education Margaret Bolick Engineering and Science Education Matthew Voigt Engineering and Science Education |
| 2341 | Improving Nursing Student Mental Health This Creative Inquiry project aims to address the critical issue of mental health among nursing students. We will adopt a comprehensive approach, utilizing literature review, survey administration, and evidence-based interventions to improve the mental well-being of nursing students. Students will engage in research, data collection, analysis, and intervention implementation to enhance mental health and create a supportive environment within the nursing education system. Team Leader(s)Charlotte Branyon School of NursingKendra Allison School of Nursing |
| 2348 | Mechanical and Chemical Sensor Design for Medical Applications In This CI, we are developing passive chemical and mechanical sensors that can be used to assist clinicians in measuring bone healing and joint infection. Our goal is to use plain x-rays to be able to measure these sensors, and develop sensors that are easy to implant, measure and interpret. Team Leader(s)John Desjardins BioengineeringJeffrey Anker Chemistry |
| 2314 | Impact Performance of Sports Protective Equipment Impact-related injuries have become a focal point in public health across industries. In sports, impacts to the chest can occur both in contact and non-contact sports through person-to-person, person-to-ground, and projectile impacts. Though most chest impacts involve minor injuries, if any, extreme cases can result in sudden death [1]. Commotio cordis refers to cardiac arrest caused by a low-energy non-penetrating chest impact that results in sudden death in the absence of cardiac damage [2]. Commotio cordis gained national attention in January when Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, went into cardiac arrest following a blunt impact during a tackle that continued to the ground. Though Hamlin made a miraculous recovery, 15-20 young athletes die each year as a result of inadequate chest protection [3]. Among all athletic participants, commotio cordis is most common in young athletes, as it is believed that their underdeveloped and less rigid chest cages are more susceptible to deflection upon impact [4]. Though widely marketed and available, current commercial protective equipment has proven to be insufficient in reducing the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) [5]. Research is lacking in the experimental testing of currently available chest protective gear and little information is known about the design criterion that should be followed to prevent extreme cases of death in sports. This work seeks to develop an experimental testing method to evaluate chest protective gear to inform better design and decrease incidence of impact-related sudden death among young athletes.Cadex linear impactor, Tekscan pressure sensors, high-speed camera for deflection measurements. Both unprotected and protected impacts. Rationale for impact locations. Speeds chosen based off NOCSAE protocol but that’s all that was taken from NOCSAE. Team Leader(s)Greg Batt Food, Nutrition, and Packaging SciencesAnthony Marino Bioengineering John Desjardins Bioengineering |
| 2530 | Brown Box Agency Brown Box Agency is a fully immersive course that enables students to work directly with industry through real-world packaging design projects, where skills in client communication, project management, structural design, graphic design, prototyping, and sample making will be refined. Team Leader(s)R. Andrew Hurley Food, Nutrition, and Packaging SciencesPierce Hall Food, Nutrition, & Packaging Sciences Haley Appleby Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 2352 | Biomechanical Design and Evaluation of Orthopaedic Devices Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles to the study of the human body and its medical conditions and interactions with the environment. Orthopaedic biomechanics is a sub-specialty that investigates the function of the musculoskeletal system. In this CI, we will explore how orthopaedic implants are made, what their purpose is, how they function and how they interact with the human body. We will conduct research that quantifies their materials, mechanical and physiologic properties. We will work with clinical partners, industry partners and others to design, conduct and publish our research and outreach findings. Team Leader(s)John Desjardins BioengineeringMickaela Gunnison Bioengineering |
| 2349 | UX and Game Design The use of gamification relies on psychological principles such as motivation, reward, or personalization to design game elements like avatars, points, or leaderboards to increase one’s performance on a task. This research team investigates gamification as a tool to assist in task performance in multiple areas of application. Gamified tasks have already been used in topics such as training, health, and other areas where the goal is to increase human performance on a given task. This team also investigates usability heuristics in game design to better develop and inform on the gamification of tasks. Team Leader(s)William Volante PsychologyDawn Sarno Psychology |
| 2448 | Creative Inquiry in Building Affordable Housing Affordable Housing: Theory and PracticeThis two-semester course offers a comprehensive exploration of affordable housing, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. Students will learn about sustainable construction methods, cost-effective design, and the societal impact of housing initiatives.In the first semester, students master the fundamentals of affordable housing, including:• Principles of sustainable and cost-effective construction• Site selection and planning• Building codes and regulations• 3D modeling and design techniquesThe second semester focuses on practical application, featuring:• Planning and execution of a real-world building project with Habitat for Humanity• Development of innovative, alternative building strategies• Exploration of housing policies and advocacy methodsThroughout the course, students will:• Gain project management and community engagement skills• Develop solutions to real-world housing challenges• Analyze affordable housing policies and their impacts Team Leader(s)Kirk Bingenheimer Contruction Science and Management |
| 2354 | Water quality and controlled environment agriculture The Water Quality and Controlled Environment Agriculture CI is an opportunity to engage with faculty and graduate students participating in the National Science Foundation project titled, "PIRE: Climate Resilient Sustainable Food Production: Controlled Environment Hydroponic Agriculture with Novel Wastewater Treatment & Reuse." A description of the research is available on the NSF website at https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2230696CI students will participate by visiting controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sites and learning about the state of the art technologies in use in the United States. They will also visit water resource recovery facilities and learn how wastewater is treated and resources are captured for reuse. Students will prepare presentations and videos about what they learn, then will share those materials with students in South Korea. We are working with South Korean partners to have their students do the same, to teach us about the state of the art for CEA and wastewater resource recovery in that country. A few students may have the opportunity to visit South Korea with others in the project team. Team Leader(s)David Ladner Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 2362 | Electric Vehicle Battery System Design The project is on electric vehicle battery system design with the goal of attending a 3-year (08/2023-05/2026) national battery system design competition. This project is sponsored by Department of Energy and the automotive manufacturer Stellantis. Students will design the battery pack for EVs, design the corresponding management system (state estimation, balancing, fault diagnosis, communication, charging, etc.). The first year focused on theoretical design, the second year is on detailed battery pack component design (thermal management, protection, module assembly, battery management system, communication, etc.) and integration. The third year will focuses on system integration and vehicle testing. The battery pack will be installed on a Ram ProMaster to replace the existing battery pack. At the end of each year, there is the national competition for stage progress. At the end of the third year, the designed battery system together with the EV will attend the final competition. Team Leader(s)Jiangfeng Zhang Campbell Grad Engr ProgramRodrigo Martinez-Duarte Mechanical Engineering Beshah Ayalew Campbell Grad Engr Program Rajendra Singh Electrical and Computer Engineering Morteza Sabet Campbell Grad Engr Program |
| 2380 | Best Practices in Teaching and Learning Physics Team members will receive training from faculty in best practices in physics education. Team members will get hands on experience in employing these skills in a real time classroom setting. Team Leader(s)Pooja Puneet Physics and AstronomyAmy Pope Physics and Astronomy |
| 2367 | CECAS Scouts Scouts will choose community events to attend and showcase their majors through hands-on activities related to their research or area of interest. In collaboration with local schools, Scouts will visit classrooms to engage K12 students in engineering activities that show the importance of critical thinking in our everyday lives. Scouts will gain leadership skills as they prepare presentations of their engagement activities to be presented to K12 teachers and administrators. They will obtain the skills needed to communicate to community members and leaders to advocate for their activities within schools and organizations. Team Leader(s)Amy Smith Dean of Engineering & ScienceJennifer Ogle Civil Engineering Melissa Smith Electrical and Computer Engineering Thompson Mefford Materials Science and Engineering Paula Adams |
| 2359 | Trauma and Addiction This project will consist of two focal areas: 1) analyzing data and building follow-on projects from a pilot trial of a peer support specialist-delivered sexual and intimate partner violence prevention program for women in substance use treatment (THRIVE); 2) conducting a pilot study of a peer support specialist-delivered treatment for PTSD for individuals in substance use treatment. These projects recruit from three substance use treatment facilities in Greenville, SC. Students will be involved in literature reviews, data collection, data analysis, and reporting findings in scientific presentations and publications. Team Leader(s)Irene Pericot Valverde PsychologyHeidi Zinzow Psychology |
| 2363 | Rare Earths Are Not So Rare: Exploring the Chemistry of Rare Earth Elements in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Many modern technologies leverage the unique chemistry of the rare earth elements (lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium) for use in applications like high-strength magnets, industrial catalysts, and optical materials. Although not particularly rare, these elements are difficult to separate and recover from natural materials, so alternative sources are needed. In this project, students will examine the aqueous chemistry of these valuable elements and examine new methods to recover rare earth elements from nuclear fuel cycle waste materials. Team Leader(s)Shanna L. Estes Chemistry |
| 2365 | Material Matters In this project, we will discuss topics such as the nuances in the human labor of brick making potentially understood as harmful in the eyes of the descendants of enslaved communities, to the impact of Bronze Statues and monuments erected in the 20th century to memorialize the Confederacy. Meanwhile, it will also present how Bronze was used in Nigeria, in the 1500's in the Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Benin.This course aims to explore the ideas, execution and implementation of materials used for memorials in Clemson. The proposed study will look beyond the form of memorial design, future statue, and monuments, and serve as material studies from semiotics, execution, and labor to sustainability, and environmental impact. Field trips, and guest speakers will take part in the course as well as the use of digital technologies and new material investigations through, casting, forming, carving, etc. The aim of this Creative Inquiry is to set new guidelines for material use, specially for memorials, in CU. Team Leader(s)Timothy Sutherland School of ArchitectureClarissa Mendez School of Architecture Ufuk Ersoy School of Architecture |
| 2376 | Novel approaches to study cell-to-cell communication between cancer, immune, and stromal cells in the breast tumor microenvironment Breast tumors are composed of a highly diverse cellular makeup including cancer cells that interact with the surrounding tumor stroma to produce cancer-associated adipocytes, fibroblasts, and macrophages. Secreted factors from these cells such as cytokines, hormones, and growth factors modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) to induce drug resistance and metastasis in cancer cells. In fact, recent studies have shown that cancer cells can get healthy cells to alter their behavior to become ‘pro-cancerous’ instead of ‘anti-cancerous’. Unfortunately, there is only one commercially available method to co-culture cancer cells with other cell types and there are no commercially available methods capable of co-culturing cancer cells that are capable of the dynamic sampling of extracellular media during an experiment to identify these secreted factors driving this cell-to-cell communications. The goal of this project is to design, fabricate, optimize, and test novel approaches at cellular co-culture capable of elucidating how cancer cells can manipulate the TME to drive both drug resistance and cancer progression. One approach utilizes a 3D printed insert coupled with an agarose hydrogel to co-culture cancer cells with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), immune cells, or fibroblasts that is compatible with common laboratory techniques like PCR and Western blotting. Another approach utilizes microfluidic devices consisting of parallel fluidic channels separated by a collagen hydrogel to physically separate, yet chemically connect, these same different cell types to identify dynamic changes in secreted factors that cancer cells utilize during metastasis. While the focus of the project is rooted in cancer biology, the technology developed by the CI students has numerous applications across cell biology including studying how mammalian cells interact with bacteria in the gut and tumor microbiome. The CI students will work in a diverse research environment and gain experience and exposure to fundamental and applied concepts from chemical/biomedical engineering, cancer biology, materials science, and microbiology. Team Leader(s)Adam Melvin Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringRiley Osbourn Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2377 | Development of a translational microfluidic device to study how exposure to fluid shear stress alters intracellular signaling and migratory behavior in metastatic breast cancer Following metastasis, cancer presents with a more aggressive phenotype that is associated with a poorer prognosis and reduced response to therapy with metastatic tumors characterized by increased DNA mutations and elevated levels of phosphorylated proteins. To gain a greater understanding on how metastasis alters cancer progression at secondary tumor sites, there is an increased need to understand the biochemical and biophysical factors that alter the phenotype and genotype of cancer cells. One example of an external biophysical stress experienced by cancer in the vasculature during metastasis is fluid shear stress (FSS), the force applied to the circulating cells in the blood vessels. We have previously demonstrated that exposure to FSS alters immediate changes in intracellular signaling; however, it is unclear if FSS-induced changes alter sustained signaling in the metastatic site. To investigate this, this project will culture sheared cells in an ~400-member array of 3D spheroids, miniaturized tumors that better capitulate the cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions that cancer cells experience in the tumor microenvironment. This will be accomplished using a combination of two microfluidic devices and a thiol-acrylate (TA) hydrogel scaffold to shear, grow, and study tiny cancer tumors followed by terminal immunostaining to elucidating shear-induced alterations in intracellular signaling. These types of studies cannot currently be performed due to the lack of existing technologies so the findings from this CI project will offer new data and insight on how the act of traversing the vasculature itself impacts the behavior of metastatic cancer. The CI student working on this project will gain experience in the design, fabrication, optimization, and use of several different microfluidic devices which function as novel pre-clinical models of cancer. The student will also gain expertise in fundamentals associated with engineering, cancer biology, data clustering, hydrogel chemistry, fluorescence microscopy, imaging analysis, and oncology. Team Leader(s)Adam Melvin Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringBraulio Ortega Quesada Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2378 | Biophysical analysis of the chemotactic response of different cell types exposed to various stimuli spanning the breast tumor microenvironment to harmful algal blooms Chemotaxis is the directed migration of cells in response to extracellular gradients of soluble chemical cues. It is the primary means by which cells will preferentially migrate from one location to another. This common behavior can be observed across numerous biological processes including wound healing, embryogenesis, cancer metastasis, harmful algal bloom formation, and bacterial biofilm formation. Cells can ‘sense’ these external gradients to induce both discrete and sustained migratory behavior depending on the steepness and intensity of the chemical gradient in addition to the type of cells exposed to the chemicals. While this cellular phenomenon has been studied for years, there are certain subsystems where researchers have not been able to elucidate essential biological questions. One such example is how cancer cells migrate in a three-dimensional (3D) environment like a tumor in response to secreted factors released by other nearby cells like immune cells, fibroblasts, or bacteria. Another example is how swimming algal cells respond to nitrogen gradients which can be found in both harmful algal blooms (an environmental hazard) or photobioreactors (a common approach employed to utilize algae as an alternative fuel source). The goal of this CI project is to develop novel bioanalytical approaches to answer some of these fundamental biological questions and by providing new technologies that can be utilized by researchers studying chemotaxis. The CI students working on this project will develop new methods to study chemotaxis through the development of 3D printed chambers or microfluidic devices capable of the direct visualization of cells migrating in either a 3D matrix or a suspension. Students working on the project will participate in a multi-institutional collaboration and gain experience in chemical/biochemical engineering, cell biology, cancer biology, device fabrication, and image processing to obtain a greater fundamental understanding on how and why cells move in tumors and algal blooms. Team Leader(s)Adam Melvin Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringBraulio Ortega Quesada Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2385 | Developing Conversational User Interfaces using AI and Large Language Models This project explores how recent developments in generative AI are will transform the way software applications are designed and built. We will explore how to create conversational user interfaces (CUIs) using Open AI's APIs and local language models. Applications oriented around CUIs allow users to accomplish their goals with the software by talking with an agent instead of manipulating traditional UI elements. Students will learn to create these systems and to evaluate how they impact the user experience. The final goal in this course is to develop and evaluate a CUI based system that tackles a common problem faced by students on campus, design a research experiment to evaluate how this system affects user behavior, and write and submit a publication to ACM CHI documenting the creation of the system and the results of the experiment. Team Leader(s)Andrew Robb School of Computing |
| 2388 | Punishment & Protections: International Juvenile Justice This project explores the status and consequences of juvenile justice systems around the world. Are children treated differently than adults by legal systems? If so, how do different countries design their juvenile justice systems accordingly. Contexts include: juvenile delinquency, juvenile death penalty, the prosecution and detention of minors, and others. Team Leader(s)Tara Trask Political Science |
| 2391 | Digital Imaging Ethics in Light Microscopy Images from modern light microscopes are typically acquired using a digital camera or other digital detector. The ethical and responsible use of these instruments requires multidisciplinary knowledge of disciplines such as optical physics, biological sciences, immunology, chemistry, biochemistry, and computer science; in addition, scientists must understand experimental controls, technical limits of microscopes, and the appropriate handling of imaging metadata. In this project we will explore and describe the constructs related to digital imaging ethics that graduate students think are important in developing self-efficacy, comfort, and confidence when learning to use a microscope for scientific research. Our multidisciplinary team will conduct interviews with science and engineering graduate students throughout the United States. Students in this CI will learn to conduct ethical and responsible human subjects research; understand and describe current ethical issues related to light microscopy and digital imaging; and how to code and analyze qualitative data. Team Leader(s)Matthew Boyer Engineering and Science EducationRhonda Powell Engineering and Science Education |
| 2453 | Teachers as Researchers: Developing Research and Inquiry Skills in Teacher Candidates In this Creative Inquiry Project, preservice teachers will gain practical research experience that will support their practice as future classroom teachers and/or goals to pursue educational research. Participants will learn about the process of conducting educational research through attending a regional research-practitioner conference, piloting their own research, and disseminating research findings to a broader audience. Team Leader(s)Sarah Ura Education and Human DevelopmentHeather Dunham Education and Human Development |
| 2393 | Remote human movement analysis Many diseases and injuries impair mobility and physical function. A classic manifestation is abnormal gait and reduced gait speed. It is important to evaluate human movement in free-living settings where it is void of Hawthorne effects, provides insight into habitual movement patterns, and allows the exploration of the cumulative effects of movement and loads. Moreover, out-of-lab observations of gait speed are often more sensitive to disease and rehabilitation progress than in-lab observations. Thus, accurate and robust algorithms are necessary for characterizing human movement, and gait speed in particular. Some algorithms have been proposed, but they remain siloed, have been validated in different contexts, and do not allow an arbitrary sensor placement. For example, placing sensors on the thigh is common for evaluating physical activity and some temporal gait parameters, but algorithms for estimating gait speed from thigh-worn sensors have been less explored. The goal of this CI, is to initiate a repository of algorithms for estimating gait speed and other biomechanical features of human movement using data from sensors worn on arbitrary segments. Additionally, we aim to build a dataset for validating these algorithms across multiple contexts that are often neglected, but that are important for remote analysis (e.g., multiple surface inclines, dual task walking). Team Leader(s)Reed Gurchiek BioengineeringHaley Hentnik Bioengineering |
| 2399 | Privacy Compliance in Software Development With the rise of appification, many open platforms accross web, IoT, virtual reality, and autonomous vehicles domains allow third-party developers to create and publish applications (apps) on different app stores, such as Chrome plugins store, Amazon Alexa skills store, and Samsung SmartThings apps store. These apps may collect massive personal information from users. Under these circumstances, it is essential to comply with privacy regulations (such as GDPR, HIPPA, and CCPA) and obtain appropriate consent when collecting, processing, and storing personal data through apps. Transparent privacy policies should be provided by third-party developers to inform users about the purposes, scope, and retention of data collected. Privacy non-compliance issues are quite serious and could lead to costly fines. For example, Amazon recently paid $25M fine for violating children’s privacy with Alexa.The openness of emerging appified ecosystems brings challenges in preventing privacy non-compliant apps from being exposed to the marketplaces. First, past research has shown that software developers find it difficult to understand various regulations and requirements when they develop software apps. The ever-increasing number of privacy regulations has made the process of developing privacy-compliant apps more difficult. Third, privacy regulation requirements are usually described in natural language texts and defined by different organizations, and there is no canonical format for describing such information, thereby posing challenges for automated privacy non-compliance detection.In this project, we will perform a large-scale analysis of Privacy Compliance in Emerging Appified Platforms. Then, we will design a set of tools to facilitate third-party developers in creating privacy-compliant apps in different platforms, including 1) Nature Language Processing (NLP)-based data practice analysis of privacy policies, 2) privacy non-compliance detection with static code analysis, 3) privacy non-compliance detection with static analysis, 4) automatically generating easy-to-digest privacy policy from app code. Team Leader(s)Long Cheng School of Computing |
| 2400 | Nursing Shortage in SC: Reasons, Scope, and Potential Solutions Nursing Shortage has been negatively impacting the US healthcare system for decades. These impacts are especially disruptive to rural hospitals and clinics which are under additional burden due to lack of resources. Currently, many urban health systems try to address nursing shortages through traveling nurse programs which may be too costly for their rural counterparts. In this CI project, we will analyze the impacts of the global nursing shortage in South Carolina, develop simulation models to characterize the extent of shortages under different scenarios, and propose alternative solutions which can be utilized by rural health districts. Team Leader(s)Tugce Isik Industrial Engineering |
| 2401 | Designing and Implementing Demonstrations to teach High-School Students about Environmental Chemistry and Pollution As part of an NSF-supported environmental chemistry project, students in this CI will develop demonstrations that are designed to teach high-school students about the impact and chemistry of plastic pollution in the environment. After designing and revising the demonstrations, CI students will perform the demonstrations at local high schools. Team Leader(s)Leah Casabianca Chemistry |
| 2447 | Understanding Heterogenous Cell Fates with Live Cell Imaging Single cells have different fates, such as division and death, despite experiencing the same external conditions (such as treatment with a chemotherapy drug) and being of clonal origin (essentially the same). Why? This project seeks to understand cellular mechanisms that cause divergent cell fates. Team Leader(s)Marc Birtwistle Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2403 | Understanding molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases We are using human stem cells to make 2D and 3D cardiac models, and we are using this models to understand cardiovascular diseases and toxicology. Mitochondria is the powerhouse for energy production (ATP) of the heart. One of major projects is to understand mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases. We will apply interdisciplinary and cutting-edge technologies to investigate this scientific question, to promote human health. Team Leader(s)Qing Liu Biological SciencesXiao Li Biological Sciences Cameron Brown Biological Sciences |
| 2406 | Defend the Republic - Clemson The Expeditionary Robotics, Autonomic and Autonomy program in ONR runs a biannual competition called the "Defend The Republic" where lighter than air vehicles (blimps) compete against each other. Propelled blimps/balloons made with mylar and filled with helium that can navigate in a closed environment compete in performing manipulation tasks. These can be done either manually or autonomously for more points.The goal of the CI project is to build blimps to compete in the biannual competition. As part of the proposed CI students will design and build blimps, equip them with propulsion and sensors and compute under significant size, weight and power (swap) constraints. There will be many opportunities to use concepts in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and physics. While several scientific concepts will be at play, the focus and primary goal is engineering - to build blimps that compete and win. Team Leader(s)Phanindra Tallapragada Mechanical Engineering |
| 2409 | Physics-informed Deep Learning in Computer Vision This Creative Inquiry project will provide an overview of the state of the art in deep learning and computer vision. Major topics include image processing, object detection and recognition, geometry-based and physics-based vision and video analysis, and physical and computational models in 3D reconstruction. Students will learn fundamental and advanced knowledge about deep learning, basic concepts of computer vision, computational photography, and hands on experience to solve real-life vision problems. Team Leader(s)Nianyi Li School of Computing |
| 2623 | The Pollinator Pathway: Education through Ecological and Social Surveys Pollinators are vital to sustaining biodiversity and ensuring robust food systems, yet they face escalating threats from environmental changes and habitat loss. These challenges not only diminish pollinator populations but also disrupt the ecosystems and food sources they support. As landscapes transform, shifts in plant phenology, habitat quality, and species distribution amplify these risks, impacting both pollinators and the plants that depend on them. Our project addresses this critical issue by blending ecological research with hands-on community action, emphasizing the transformative potential of community gardens. By establishing these gardens as dynamic "living laboratories," we aim to enhance pollinator habitats while directly benefiting rural underserved communities. Through targeted pollinator education and engagement, community members will gain practical knowledge about sustainable gardening practices and pollinator conservation, fostering a sense of stewardship and resilience. We will conduct field surveys to assess pollinator abundance and diversity in relation to plant species composition, generating data to build predictive models that forecast future ranges of pollinators and host plants under changing environmental conditions. These insights will not only guide conservation strategies but also inform community-driven initiatives that promote ecological and food security. By focusing on community gardens, our project aims to create thriving green spaces that support pollinators and provide fresh, healthy produce to those who need it most. This dual approach—combining ecological science with community empowerment—has the potential to strengthen local food systems, boost biodiversity, and build lasting connections between people and nature. Team Leader(s)Crystal Anderson Belle W Baruch Forest Sci InstJames Anderson Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 2475 | Leveraging Machine Learning for Predatory Journal Detection Predatory academic journals undermine scholarly communication by prioritizing profit over rigorous peer review and editorial standards. This Creative Inquiry (CI) project—led by the Watt AI program in collaboration with Clemson Libraries and the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences— will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can help identify and combat these deceptive practices. In previous semesters students replicated a published ML model for detecting predatory journals, built an improved dataset for model training, and explored alternative approaches including neural networks and modern natural language processing embeddings. They also experimented with large language models for direct classification. Students presented their findings at the Watt AI Poster Session, the Clemson Focus on Creative Inquiry Forum, and the Clemson AI Research Summit. In the upcoming year, the project will focus on benchmarking model performance using accuracy metrics, experimenting with the number of keywords used in classification, and developing a user-friendly interface to make the tool accessible to researchers. This CI project will enhance student’s technical skills in AI and ML and demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing real-world challenges. Team Leader(s)Karen Burton University LibrariesRuoyu Yang Watt Family Innovation Center Fanchen Meng Watt Family Innovation Center Jeryl Jones Animal and Veterinary Sciences |
| 2421 | Health Promotion across the lifespan The rapidly growing population of people over 65 years requires a greater understanding of prominent health complications that are associated with aging. To better serve and understand this population, scientists must acknowledge both the art and science to clinical research. That is, to be able to properly address research questions that can be answered by clinical trials, scientists must understand the human-side of how to better recruit and retain participants to represent a heterogenous population appropriately. In this research project, we will systematically review literature on motivation to participate in research in aging populations to support recruitment and retention strategies for randomized controlled trials. In particular, this review of the literature is critical to develop an understanding of how research trials could be optimized to include more people from a greater variety of demographic characteristics. Team Leader(s)Jody Nicholson-Bell Psychology |
| 2425 | Digital Analysis of Microscope Images This Creative Inquiry will initially focus on digital analysis of microscopic images of the eukaryotic pathogen, Trypanosoma brucei and has potential to expand to image analysis of other organisms. Students will become proficient with understanding different imaging techniques and image analysis software. Specifically, the program Ilastik will be used to quantify organelle number and organelle size in order to more clearly understand the cellular biology of the parasite. Students will learn both the biology of the parasite and the underlying reason why this analysis is important in that context along with software tools that can aid in image analysis. This CI will be especially interesting for students with a desire to intersect their interest in biology with computer science. Team Leader(s)Heidi Anderson Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 2427 | Distributed Sensing, Computing, and Communication in Autonomous Vehicle Systems This CI is the gateway to the 'Discovery Project,' an NSF-funded initiative at the forefront of revolutionizing autonomous vehicles, wireless communications, and distributed computing. Team Leader(s)Julia Boone Electrical and Computer EngineeringMohammed Algharib Electrical and Computer Engineering Abolfazl Razi School of Computing Fatemeh Afghah Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 2428 | Improving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Literacy across Disciplines The United Nations has developed seventeen sustainable development goals (SDGs). It is the responsibility of higher education to create opportunities for students to increase their knowledge and learning to be able to collaborate with community partners to promote positive changes socially, economically, and environmentally. AVS 4150 (Contemporary Issues) and HLTH 4700 (Global Health) instructors are working together to enhance students' literacy of SDGs. The goal of the CI is to combine the knowledge of the animal and human world to address common SDGs. Team Leader(s)Becky Tugman Public Health SciencesClaire Dancz Engineering and Science Education Jim Strickland Animal and Veterinary Sciences |
| 2429 | Understanding Upstate South Carolina Supply Chains The students will develop a survey to be distributed to supply chain managers in upstate South Carolina. To do this they will have to visit some plants, and distribution centers and have structured interviews with the managers to validate the survey questions. Team Leader(s)Lawrence Fredendall Department of Management |
| 2539 | Making Education Accessible and Meaningful with Tactile Learning This project will try to answer the question of how we can make educational experiences more accessible and meaningful through tactile artifacts. Tactile materials help students to "see" what they can’t see through touch. The goal of the project is for students to create materials but could potentially help all students. These are objects you can hold or feel that gives you tactile information—more than just a visual. Tactile artifacts open up more pathways for learning. This project will explore ways to utilize tactile learning in Clemson courses. We will look at options for artifact creation and create prototypes to use with Clemson students in Clemson courses. Team Leader(s)Anne Marie Rogers Watt Family Innovation CenterAbby Baker Institutional Research Hunter Duncan Student Disability Services Todd Schweisinger Mechanical Engineering |
| 2433 | Advanced Empirical Marketing Research This Creative Inquiry seeks students interested in advancing their knowledge in quantitative marketing research through experiential learning. It is specifically tailored for students interested in applying for postgraduate studies in business or pursuing a career in marketing research, business analytics, or academia. During the CI, students will get the chance to explore and analyze marketing data from several secondary data sources, work on ongoing academic marketing research projects, and develop their research ideas, which they will hopefully go on to present at conferences and potentially publish in academic journals. Team Leader(s)Sayan Gupta Department of MarketingAnnette Tower Department of Marketing Pravin Nath Department of Marketing |
| 2437 | Body image and technology The ongoing research in the BEAM (Body image, Eating, Access, and Media) Research Lab examines how technology negatively impacts body image, disordered eating, and weight stigma. We also study how we can use technology to improve these same health outcomes. Students who join this CI team will be involved in ongoing studies looking at the impacts of TikTok and AI-generated selfies on body image. Students will be involved in data collection, coding, analysis of data, and dissemination of the findings. Team Leader(s)Brooke L Bennett PsychologyAlexis Lamere Psychology |
| 2436 | Climate Change and Symbiosis Growing concerns of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and organisms has spurred extensive research into the topic. Climate change may alter community composition, population dynamics, and interspecific interactions, resulting in unexpected changes to ecosystems. However, research into the impacts of climate change on interspecific interactions, specifically symbiotic relationships, has been largely ignored. Currently, ongoing research is focusing on a freshwater symbiotic relationship involving crayfish and branchiobdellid worms, although research is not limited to this system. Team Leader(s)Tara Cronin Biological SciencesMichael Childress Biological Sciences |
| 2438 | Enhancing Quality of Life in Underserved Assisted Living Facilities The proposed CI project focuses on housing for older populations with emphasis on senior living. It includes a team of Clemson Bachelor of Landscape Architecture students enrolled in LARC 2550 Community Design under the direction of Dr. Tom Schurch, FASLA as the group leader along Dr. Abby Stephan form the Department of Psychology/Institute for Engaged Aging, Russ Hardee Forest Manager with Clemson University, and arborists from Trees Upstate in Greenville, SC.Working with two client groups consisting of underserved assisted living facilities, the CI will explore, develop, and share prototypical design solutions for these facilities, and that have significant potential to enhance inhabitants’ quality of life through exposure to nature, related contact to the out-of-doors, exposure to interior planting, and daylighting. Component parts of this work are threefold. First, to understand implications of housing demands in the context of a national housing crisis as related to aging populations. Second, to learn and apply characteristics of the townhouse as a model for affordable living of older populations prior to their need for assisted living. And third, to explore opportunities for grant funding towards implementation of the CI design recommendations for assisted care facilities. Team Leader(s)Thomas Schurch School of ArchitectureAbby Stephan Psychology |
| 2440 | Model-based Estimation of Fatigue and Recovery During Exercise for Optimizing Human Physical Performance The objective of this research is to better understand and model the dynamics of human fatigue and recovery during physical activity by leveraging decades of physiological insights and data that we will gather from non-invasive sensors in human subject cycling experiments. The proposed models determine the state-dependent limits of an individual performance and will be used for optimal pacing of effort during physical activity and for designing effective exercise regimens that promote health with the help of theory of optimal control. More specifically we will construct model-based observers that use measurement of power, oxygen uptake, and muscle oxygenation to estimate the remaining lactic and alactic anaerobic store(s). The estimated states determine the ability of an individual to generate power at any time and therefore are appropriate surrogates for the level of fatigue. Team Leader(s)Ardalan Vahidi Mechanical Engineering |
| 2446 | Fishing for answers: How will climate change affect freshwater fish? Climate change is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss in fishes. Climate change is predicted to increase instream temperatures and expose fish to higher, more stressful temperature regimes. These stressful temperatures can induce sub-lethal effects on fish such as a decrease in reproduction and growth and can eventually lead to extirpation of fish populations. Furthermore, the increase in temperature can exacerbate the effects of invasive species on native populations. Understanding how rising temperatures affect fishes is essential for the conservation of fish populations. However, a lack of standardized methods for quantifying thermal tolerance in fishes has hindered comparisons across species and geographic regions. As part of this creative inquiry project, students will work to collect fishes from river systems across South Carolina and conduct thermal tolerance trails in the laboratory. Data collected from laboratory studies will be applied to a series of equations known as the Thermal Death Time Model (TDTM) developed by Jørgensen et al. (2021), which offers a potentially unifying methodology to quantify the thermal tolerance of ectotherms (including fishes) based on the concept of additive injury. Additionally, students will assist with testing0 new advancements in non-lethal methodologies such as quantifying thermal tolerance via the electron transport system (ETS) of organisms may be another interesting method to quantify thermal tolerance particularly with large or rare species, which are problematic to test in traditional, lethal thermal tolerance trails. Finally, the functional response framework proposed by Dick et al. (2017) has shown a prominent level of predictability in invasion ecology but also can be used in thermal ecology to quantify how consumption of prey organisms by predators, both native and invasive, may shift with increasing temperatures. Together, these methodologies offer a more comprehensive framework to predict how rising temperatures and invasive species may affect fish populations under a warming climate. This CI aims to explore different methodologies used to quantify the responses of fish population to climate change. Students will work on team-based projects that require critical thinking, data collection in the field and laboratory, quantitative analyses, and presenting and publication of results. Students will gain essential skills for sampling fish species, fish species identification, proper animal care in the laboratory, thermal tolerance experiments, functional response experiments, statistical analysis, and ETS fish tissue preparation and analysis. Team Leader(s)Troy Farmer Forestry and Environmental ConservationJacob Daley Forestry & Environmental Conservation Luke Bower Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 2469 | Tidal Wetlands of Coastal South Carolina: Drones and Ducks Wetlands represent intricate ecological systems offering essential protection against climate change impacts and an array of ecosystem services crucial for ecological resilience and human prosperity, particularly in the tidal zones of South Carolina. These services encompass flood control, habitat provision, water purification, carbon sequestration, recreation and tourism, erosion mitigation, biodiversity enhancement, support for commercial fisheries, storm damage mitigation, and cultural/aesthetic significance to local communities. A nuanced comprehension of the intricate dynamics among wetlands, wildlife, and human activities is imperative for safeguarding these invaluable ecosystems. Students can actively contribute to this endeavor by employing advanced techniques such as drone-based wildlife surveillance, engaging with communities through surveys and outreach events, and aiding in the development of decision support systems to guide future wetland management strategies. Team Leader(s)Crystal Anderson Belle W Baruch Forest Sci InstAkshitkumar Suthar Forestry & Environmental Conservation James Anderson Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 2483 | Place-Based and Outdoor Education: Exploring Pedagogical Approaches and Learning Pathways The purpose of this creative inquiry is to explore place-based and outdoor education as a viable approach towards learning within K-12 settings. Clemson students who participant in the inquiry will (1) experience place-based and outdoor education from a learner's perspective, (2) work collaboratively to design coursework that reflects effective practices within this approach, and (3) co-author a manuscript documenting the experience. Team Leader(s)Steph Dean Teaching and LearningVerdah Rehan Education and Human Development |
| 2457 | Automatic Construction of a Data Compendium for Whole Cell Modeling of a Human Epithelial Cell Computational models of whole mammalian cells have the potential to transform health and engineering. Among the many major technical bottlenecks towards this goal is the difficulty in gathering enough experimental data to evaluiate the fidelity of model candidates. This project will use modern machine learning and data science to generate a valuable compendium of experimental data for use in construction of a computational model of a human epithelial cell. Our lab is at the forefront of such modeling and you would join ongoing projects in this area. Team Leader(s)Marc Birtwistle Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringJonah Huggins School of Computing |
| 2462 | Bats Foraging Ecology Bats are remarkable aerial foragers, utilizing echolocation to detect, track, and capture insects. They play a crucial role in controlling insect populations and maintaining ecosystem balance. This CI will focus on investigating the types and abundance of insects that bats forage on, helping us understand how the environment shapes the insect availability and bat foraging opportunities. Students will be trained in insect identification and carry out classification of insects that have been collected, and learn valuable research skills along the way, such as managing data, identifying patterns, and summarizing and presenting findings. There will also be opportunity to learn more about bat calls and the acoustic recording units we use to detect and identify bats! Team Leader(s)Caroline Abramowitz Forestry and Environmental ConservationErin Buchholtz Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 2463 | Fluidic Learning: Neuromorphic computing and hardware artificial intelligence Computers, which have become essential to every aspect of modern life, are based on von Neumann architecture and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. In von Neumann architecture, information processing and storage units are implemented as separate blocks interchanging data intensively and continuously. However, the successful von Neumann architecture is problematic for the next generation computer technology development, which is expected to solve problems at the exascale with 10^18 calculations per second. Such a von Neumann computer is predicted to consume 20-30 megawatts of power. A large portion of the power is needed for data transfer. Also, the computer will not have intrinsic physically built-in capabilities to learn and deal with complex data. In comparison, a human brain uses 10^5×-10^6× less power and can quickly learn to recognize human faces and speaker voices. Thus, neuro-inspired neuromorphic computing is actively explored to address both energy and real-time learning challenges, i.e., brain-like hardware artificial intelligence (AI), for next generation computing. Team Leader(s)Pingshan Wang Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 2464 | Southeastern Reptile & Amphibian Ecology Starting Spring 2025 - This project is designed to train students in herpetology research on reptiles and amphibians. South Carolina, and the Southeastern U.S. in general, are biodiversity hotspots. Herpetofauna are abundant and important species in our ecosystem. This project aims to survey and assess the presence and diversity of reptiles and amphibians in the Southeast. We aim to study a variety of species to characterize their patterns of presence and movement. We will employ a range of techniques and collect various types of data to assess those patterns. Undergraduates will gain experience and learn about the research process from graduate students associated with this project. Team Leader(s)Erin Buchholtz Forestry and Environmental ConservationSamantha Smith Forestry & Environmental Conservation Ty Tobias Forestry & Environmental Conservation |
| 2465 | Nurturing Democratic Responsibility in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Nurturing Democratic Responsibility in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference (Fall 2024) will bring together educators, scholars, experts, and practitioners in the field of ethics education to explore the complex relationship between democracy, responsibility, and the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The conference will examine the ethical implications of AI's integration into democratic systems and analyze the responsible deployment of AI in shaping democratic processes. The conference will focus on sharing best practices, innovative teaching methodologies, and pedagogical approaches to effectively engage students in critical ethical reasoning related to the rapid advancement of AI technologies. The objective of the conference is to (1) better equip educators with the necessary tools to foster responsible and engaged citizens committed to the principles of democracy. We will also (2) discuss ethical challenges concerning the integration of AI in democratic processes and explore strategies to address these challenges in the classroom and beyond. Team Leader(s)Edyta Kuzian Philosophy and Religion |
| 2481 | IDeAS Creative Inquiry: Data Engineering for Composites Design Our team explores data science and AI foundations for material inverse design and establishes statistical framework for uncertainty quantification in related decision-making problems. CI students will explore the computing tools and case studies to understand the essential role of data science in material inverse design. Team Leader(s)Qiong Zhang School of Mathematical and Statistical SciencesGang Li Mechanical Engineering Feng Luo School of Computing Srikanth Pilla Campbell Grad Engr Program Yezhuo Li School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences |
| 2470 | Simulating Warehouses This CI will involve modeling warehouse operations in the local area. The intent will be to learn about the warehousing operations, internal material handling and order fulfillment practices, and their challenges. We will visit locations two to four times a week at the beginning of each modeling effort, to observe the operations, collect data such as equipment type, locations, make measurements, etc. The goal of these visits will be to observe the practices and challenges related to warehousing, material handling and order fulfillment. These operations will be modeled in Siemens Plant Simulation or FactoryFlow to provide a simulation-based active learning environment. Team Leader(s)Mary Beth Kurz Industrial Engineering |
| 2471 | Tech, Work, Well-Being A major topic for the world of work is the introduction of workplace automation. Research indicates that workers have fairly mixed feelings about their jobs becoming automated, ranging from excitement to fear. What makes people more/less accepting of automation? And what can we do to encourage acceptance and reduce stress about workplace technologies? This CI team focuses on two projects:Identifying and reviewing articles for a review paper on worker attitudes and acceptance of automationIdentifying measures, managing and entering survey items into Qualtrics, managing IRB submission, and data collection for surveys to study trust in workplace AI and worker attitudes towards automationStudents can gain experience in all parts of the research process. Team Leader(s)Jenna Van Fossen Psychology |
| 2473 | The science of brewing and fermented foods Student will work alongside FNPS and Extension faculty to generate research topics relating to fermentation and brewing science. Topics will include food microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, and food safety, This CI team will investigate various microbrewing processes and their effect on the flavor and quality of the fermented products. Analytical methods such as microbe testing, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and flavor analysis will be used in this CI team. Team Leader(s)Paul Dawson Food, Nutrition, and Packaging SciencesAlex Thompson Food, Nutrition, & Packaging Sciences |
| 2474 | TechPolicy Thinkers TechPolicy Thinkers, a dynamic student working group dedicated to exploring and influencing policy in technology through the lens of human factors. Our group delves into the intricate relationship between technological advancements and their impact on human behavior, well-being, and societal norms. We aim to understand and address the challenges that arise when human elements intersect with digital innovation.In our increasingly digital world, where technology shapes much of our daily lives, it’s crucial to recognize the human element in these interactions. From data privacy concerns in social media to ergonomic designs in smart devices, and the ethical considerations in AI and robotics, our group explores a broad spectrum of issues. Our activities include engaging discussions, policy analysis, guest lectures from area experts, and collaborative projects aimed at proposing informed, human-centered technology policies. Team Leader(s)Dustin Souders Psychology |
| 2476 | Mock Trial In this Creative Inquiry, students prepare to represent Clemson in tournaments of the American Mock Trial Association. The project involves research into the legal issues, particularly the evidentiary issues, raised by a fictional problem set by the American Mock Trial Association. It also involves preparing students with development of trial-related skills including acting as a trial attorney (giving opening and closing statements and examining and cross-examining witnesses) and acting as a witness. Team Leader(s)Cary Kaye Philosophy and ReligionBenjamin White Philosophy and Religion |
| 2485 | Clemson LLCs: What, Who, & Why Have you ever wondered what a Living-Learning Community (LLC) is and why we have them at Clemson? This CI aims to provide knowledge to students about the what, who, and why of Clemson University’s LLCs. Students will be assigned a specific LLC to research and will engage with community stakeholders (Faculty-in-Residence, Residential Learning, residents). From this, students will present their perspective on the overall purpose, goals, and outcomes/impacts of these communities' presence on Clemson’s campus. Team Leader(s)DJ Stroud Honors ProgramsBriana Pocratsky Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice |
| 2494 | Insect Ecology in Urban Ecosystems This research project will investigate insect communities in urban ecosystems. By monitoring populations of a recently introduced pest species in South Carolina, the crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS), we will identify its seasonal population patterns. We will also test the efficacy of a native beneficial insect, the green lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris), as a biocontrol agent for CMBS. This data will inform management strategies for this invasive pest. Additionally, we will collect and identify ant communities in urban greenspaces to understand how greenspace habitat characteristics, like plant diversity, canopy cover, and soil moisture, influence ant diversity. Team Leader(s)Samantha Kennett Forestry and Environmental ConservationDavid Coyle Forestry and Environmental Conservation |
| 2488 | Hands-on Quantum Computing This course will guide students through the basics of quantum information and computation, quantum circuits and gates, quantum platforms and machines, and quantum algorithms. Students will gain hands-on experience with quantum computing platforms, software, and tools and explore real-world applications, including quantum machine learning. Once we build the basics of quantum computing, which is going to take a good amount of time, we also include research elements and projects such as: designing quantum machine learning algorithms for near-term noisy quantum machines, designing error mitigation schemes for various algorithms and machines, and designing quantum encoding schemes. Team Leader(s)Rong Ge School of Computing |
| 2493 | PsychEdu Dynamics The PsychEdu Dynamics group is dedicated to exploring the psychological dimensions of classroom environments and their impact on student engagement, motivation, and sense of belonging. Our interdisciplinary research team focuses on understanding how various classroom settings influence the way students interact and participate in their learning experiences.We aim to identify key factors that contribute to a sense of belonging among college students, recognizing that this feeling of inclusion is crucial for their academic and personal development. By examining the intersection between motivation and belonging, we seek to better understand how these elements affect academic performance. It is our goal to collaborate with internal and external partners to develop evidence-based interventions aimed at enhancing classroom environments, fostering student success, and enriching the student experience. Team Leader(s)Robert O'Hara Psychology |
| 2503 | Development and Assessment of Virtual Reality Soccer Training Tools In this cross-disciplinary project, students will gain experience using virtual reality (VR) technology, electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, and artificial intelligence (AI) to try to understand the experiences of Olympic and Paralympic soccer players using VR simulators for training purposes. The long-term goals of the project are to develop more effective VR soccer training experiences that enable skill transfer to improve on-field player performance for competitive athletes as well as to develop more inclusive VR soccer experiences, both as training tools and for recreation, for persons with disabilities. Team Leader(s)Felipe Bertazzo Tobar Parks, Recreation and Tourism ManagementTyler Harvey Bioengineering |
| 2634 | AI & Labor Optimization in Manufacturing This Creative Inquiry (CI) explores AI and human workforce optimization questions in collaboration with BMW Manufacturing. Students in this CI will examine the evolving relationship between human labor and AI-based automation, providing valuable insights to industry while preparing for the future of work. This initiative spans multiple disciplines, including economic modeling, human performance optimization, case studies on AI and machine learning, and hands-on experiments in real-world industrial settings Team Leader(s)Gary Shiffman John E. Walker Department of EconomicsScott Baier John E. Walker Department of Economics |
| 2542 | Spherical Flames and Supercritical Oxidation: Applications in Aerospace Propulsion and Space Explorations This project allows students to engage in hands-on research in fuel combustion and supercritical oxidation, both critical technologies for future aerospace propulsion and space exploration, aligning with challenges faced in missions like NASA’s Lunar and Martian exploration efforts. As space missions become increasingly complex, understanding combustion processes and waste management in reduced-gravity environments is critical to advancing propulsion systems and ensuring sustainable space habitats. Students will focus on two possible areas: spherical flames and supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). By studying the combustion of liquid fuels (e.g., Sustainable Aviation Fuels) in high pressure, they will explore ways to improve performance and reduce emissions in propulsion systems. SCWO will be investigated to revolutionize waste management by recycling clean water during long-duration space missions. Through innovative experiments, students will study how pressure, temperature, and gravity affect combustion and oxidation processes. They will gain valuable skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication while contributing to research with real-world applications. This project will prepare students for successful careers in engineering, research, and space technology. Team Leader(s)Yuhao Xu School of ME and AuE |
| 2505 | New Books New Visions: Developing Cultural Competence Through Literature Students in this creative inquiry project will explore what it means to have and develop racial literacy through a collaborative inquiry into racial literacy, designing reflective tools, and engaging in a book club with Young Adult literature. While the exact nature of the research project will be designed as a research team, students can expect to build a research community, deepen their understanding of racial literacy, engage with YA in ways that will be transferable to their practice as future educators, and present at local and national conferences. Team Leader(s)Katie McGee Education and Human DevelopmentSusan Cridland-Hughes Teaching and Learning |
| 2529 | The Art and Science of Startups The purpose of this undergraduate STEM student focused research project is to research and scrutinize various dimensions of startup creation and growth. Topics will include: ideation, product/market fit, value proposition, customer discovery, competitor analysis, talent acquisition, operations, funding, and scaling. Insights will come from several sources including the two instructors, fellow students formed into teams, and accomplished external advisors. There will be multiple opportunities for students to empirically demonstrate the knowledge they gain along the way. Project members' final deliverable will be a comprehensive white paper focusing on one or more startups in an industry sector that is of high interest to the student team. Team Leader(s)Greg Smith MBAJohn Hannon AM Spiro Ctr for Entr Leadersh |
| 2507 | Observing RNA sugar pucker using single-molecule atomic force microscopy The nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) store and transmit genetic information in cells. Although both have similar chemical structures consisting of an alternating backbone of phosphate groups and sugar rings with attached bases, subtle differences cause the RNA sugar to occur in a compact configuration whereas the DNA sugar occurs in an extended configuration (referred to as having different “sugar pucker”). Quantum chemistry calculations have predicted the degree of thermodynamic stability of the compact configuration in RNA, but no experimental measurements have tested this value. The goal of this project is to use an atomic force microscope (AFM) to exert mechanical force on an RNA chain to induce the transition between compact and extended sugar pucker. The force at which this transition occurs will reflect the energetic difference between the configurations, since work equals force times distance. Such information would contribute to the basic physical-chemical understanding of one of the most important molecules in biology. Team Leader(s)David Jacobson Chemistry |
| 2510 | Modelling neurological disease in vitro for intracellular therapeutic screening Neuroinflammation is a hallmark common to several neurological conditions. In the case of neurotraumatic diseases, such as spinal cord injuries, failure to repair the injured tissue leads to loss of motor, sensory and autonomic functions. The maladaptive chronic neuroinflammation that develops aggravates ongoing degeneration and impedes tissue repair and functional recovery. Based on cellular disease signatures of chronically activated immune cells, we computationally predicted compounds capable of restoring proinflammatory cells to back to a reparative state. In this CI, we will: i) establish in vitro models of neuroinflammatory conditions; and ii) evaluate the efficacy of compounds to reverse chronic inflammatory cellular states. CI students will have the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment, bridging neuroscience, bioengineering and preclinical research, with the goal to accelerate the discovery of therapies to treat neuroinflammatory conditions. Team Leader(s)Chloe Izant BioengineeringSusana Ribeiro Cerqueira Bioengineering |
| 2511 | Tiger Pen Pals Located on the island of Eleuthera, Harbour Island Green School’s classrooms are eager to participate in Tiger Pen Pals, where Clemson preservice teachers are matched with Bahamian students as long-distance Pen Pals for the academic year. This Creative Inquiry (CI) will examine educational and literacy practices in Eleuthera, Bahamas, and investigate societal issues. The aim of Tiger Pen Pals is to capture several vital elements of Clemson Elevate: amplify students’ academic success through experiential learning (Learn & Thrive), address societal and global needs and foster innovative partnerships (Investigate & Innovate), and transform lives in and beyond our state (Build People & Communities). The team-based group of undergraduate students (preservice teachers) and faculty will dive deeper into the Ministry of Education’s primary curriculum and form relationships with classrooms at. Harbour Island Green School. Students participating in Tiger Pen Pals will be encouraged to register for EDEC 2500, Studies in International Education, a course with a week-long study abroad component over spring break. During this transformative study abroad, Clemson preservice teachers and faculty will meet their Pen Pals in person on the island of Eleuthera! Service projects, school-based lessons and activities, and community events will all be included. Additional outcomes of Tiger Pen Pals include sharing our work at professional conferences in the U.S. (e.g., NAEYC and SCAEYC) and abroad (e.g., Bahamas Literacy Association) and publishing in professional journals. Team Leader(s)Jill Shelnut Teaching and LearningKoti Hubbard Teaching and Learning |
| 2515 | Dialogue of Place: understanding communication of and with the Clemson Experimental Forest Dialogue of Place: understanding communication of and with the Clemson Experimental Forest, will examine the current communication strategies including signage, websites and physical elements that communicate messages, and ethic and values associated with the Clemson Experimental Forest. We will examine existing data and observational data in our analysis, as well as apply for an exempt IRB proposal to interview and/or survey people engaged with the forest as to the identity, values and an ethic represented. Our analysis will focus on the gap between what is understood and interpreted from what is intended. We will collaborate with current Clemson Experimental Forest leadership to share our results and present these at a regional conference in March of 2025. Team Leader(s)Elizabeth Baldwin Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management |
| 2516 | Timber Strong Design Build The Timber-Strong Design Build Team is required to design, model, and build a 2-story wood light-framed building. The competition enables students to gain experience in performing aspects of common structural engineering design and practice as well as gain exposure to the management and building practices used in construction environments. Team Leader(s)Michael Stoner Civil Engineering |
| 2517 | Risk Communication & Decision Making How do people reckon with complex risk information in the real world? This CI aims to explore how risk information influences decision making across various high stakes domains (e.g., medical decisions, financial decisions, decisions in the face of extreme weather, or new and emerging threats), and will consider what individual differences (e.g., skills, abilities, personality factors) support informed decision making. Students in this CI will have the opportunity to develop, evaluate, and analyze risk communications as well as assess the influence of risk communications on decision making behaviors. Team Leader(s)Jinan Allan PsychologyAlantis Baldwin Psychology |
| 2518 | Fourier Series and its Applications We will study the field of Fourier Series/Fourier Analysis and discuss its applications to solving boundary value problems for partial differential equations (PDE), signal processing, and machine learning. If time permits, we will also dive into further applications that could lead in future publications or collaborations. Team Leader(s)Scott Scruggs School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences |
| 2520 | Substance Use and Legal Psychoactive Substances: Particular Focus on Kratom and Prenatal Exposure Substance use includes legal psychoactive substances that can obtained in retail stores (such as gas stations, head shops, herbal shops) and on-line. Kratom is a legal substance that has similar actions as opioids and is widely available. In this creative inquiry experience research on Kratom use, particularly in the prenatal period will be explored and conducted in both animal and human studies, particularly on the effects of prenatal exposure. In addition, other legal psychoactive substances will be explored as to use, prevalence, effects and healthcare responses. Team Leader(s)Mary Wright School of NursingKim A Pickett School of Nursing |
| 2526 | Generative Artificial Intelligence Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as StableDiffusion, GPT, and Copilot, can generate new, meaningful content across various modalities and tasks, profoundly revolutionizing real-world work and life today. In this Creative Inquiry project, students will learn to explore cutting-edge generative AI research topics in visual content creation, including: 1) high-fidelity, efficient image and video generation and editing; 2) creation of 3D models, assets, and content; 3) generative image restoration and augmentation for medical and biomedical data. Team Leader(s)Siyu Huang School of Computing |
| 2532 | Composting and using soil amendments in agriculture This Creative Inquiry team will explore how composting agricultural waste such as poultry waste, food waste, fruit and veg waste, and peach trimmings and pine tree harvest debris can be used to generate soil amendments that improve soil and plant health. Students will examine how increasing soil organic matter influences soil physicochemical and biological properties, with an emphasis on water and nutrient dynamics, as well its impact on plant health. Team Leader(s)Juan Carlos Melgar Jimenez Plant and Environmental SciencesAyodeji Peter Idowu Plant & Environmental Sciences |
| 2533 | Development of an off-road Polaris RZR for instrumented vehicle testing We worked in the Deep Orange lab at the CU-ICAR campus to prepare and use our modified and instrumented Polaris RZR for off-road data collection and testing. Team Leader(s)Johnell Brooks Campbell Grad Engr Program |
| 2534 | Applied XR Development With the growing adoption of virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) devices in gaming and industry, there is a growing demand for developers and designers who have experience working with these technologies. The Applied XR Creative Inquiry employs interactive XR technologies in cross-disciplinary research at Clemson University. Team Leader(s)Nathan Newsome Watt Family Innovation Center |
| 2538 | Quantum Optimization in Pharmaceutical Supply Chains This project explores the basics of quantum optimization, including model development and coding; studies how quantum is currently applied in the pharmaceutical industry; and its long-term potential to improve pharmaceutical planning. Stakeholders in the research will include a local quantum non-profit and pharmaceutical company. Team Leader(s)Emily Tucker Industrial Engineering |
| 2554 | Develop novel high-throughput systems for studying metabolic disorders Using omics approaches (such as RNA-seq) to investigate biological mechanisms of diseases is costly, and it also requires extensive expertise in bioinformatics. My lab aims to develop novel throughput technology to identify key genes involved in regulating cellular metabolism, by using stem cell biology, genetic engineering, and throughput imaging analysis. We can apply this system to various cell types. Team Leader(s)Qing Liu Biological SciencesCameron Brown Biological Sciences Xiao Li Biological Sciences |
| 2555 | 3D Printed Nature-Inspired Polymeric and Architected Materials: Bridging Functionality and Innovation This project explores the innovative field of 3D printed nature-inspired polymeric and architected materials, focusing on their design, fabrication, and application. Students will learn how biological principles can inspire the development of high-performance materials with unique functionalities, mimicking the adaptability, strength, and resilience of natural structures. The course covers key concepts in polymer science, biomimetics, and advanced 3D printing technologies, providing hands-on experience in the design and production of architected materials. Emphasis will be placed on bridging the gap between material functionality and real-world innovation, fostering an understanding of how nature-inspired materials can address challenges in engineering, healthcare, and sustainable development. By the end of the project, students will gain practical skills in 3D printing techniques and the ability to develop and evaluate advanced materials with tailored properties for specific applications. Team Leader(s)Lihua Lou School of ME and AuE |
| 2557 | Virtual Reality for Tiger Band The Clemson Bands will be offering the opportunity for a small group of students to work on a dedicated project creating an interactive virtual reality (VR) simulation for Tiger Band. In past years, Tiger Band has created VR videos used primarily for recruitment in Oculus Quest 2 head-mounted displays with videos taken during gameday. Now, we would like to build and deploy a custom VR application for the headset to house these and future videos, as well as create other fun, interactive activities for anyone interested in Tiger Band. Team Leader(s)Tim Hurlburt Performing ArtsKristopher Kohm School of Computing |
| 2559 | Geological Field Study In this Geological Field Study creative inquiry project, students will gain hands-on field experience in a variety of geology sub-disciplines (eg. volcanology, igneous petrology, metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, hazards, hydrology, surficial processes, climate science, and resource management) by developing a scientific hypothesis about a geologic process/geologic site that interests them, conducting a literature review, designing a research plan and budget, traveling to a field site, collecting and analyzing data in the field and/or lab, and sharing their results in written or oral form. Students are encouraged to develop projects begun in this CI into senior thesis research projects and present their work at local or national conferences. Team Leader(s)Mary Fidler Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesWilliam Junkin Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences |
| 2564 | Circuit Design with FPGA and SoC "Circuit Design with FPGA and SoC" is an engaging course that introduces students to the fundamentals of digital circuit design using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) and System on Chip (SoC) technologies. FPGAs and SoCs are powerful tools widely used in industries ranging from AI/ML, telecommunications to consumer electronics, making this course ideal for those interested in hands-on hardware development.Students will learn how to design, implement, and test digital circuits using industry-standard tools such as Verilog and/or HLS, gaining a solid understanding of FPGA architecture. By the end of the course, participants will have the skills to create custom digital solutions and utilize SoC platforms for embedded applications. This course also equips students with the skills needed to pursue a career in the microelectronics chip industry, which is currently facing a significant talent shortage due to the growing demand for skilled professionals.Whether you're an aspiring engineer, hobbyist, or a professional seeking to expand your skill set, this course offers practical, real-world knowledge that will empower you to bring your ideas to life in digital hardware design. Team Leader(s)Tao Wei Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 2565 | Design with Cadence EDA Tools The "Design with Cadence EDA Tools" course offers a hands-on experience in integrated circuit (IC) design using industry-standard Cadence Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools. This course guides participants through the entire design flow, from schematic capture to layout and verification, providing practical exposure to key design stages and methodologies.Participants will learn to effectively use Cadence tools for designing and simulating digital and analog circuits, preparing them for real-world challenges in the semiconductor industry. The course emphasizes best practices, such as Design for Manufacturability (DFM), to ensure robust and high-quality IC designs.By the end of the course, students will have developed the skills needed to navigate the IC design process, tackle design challenges, and create optimized and verified circuits, positioning them well for the high-demand semiconductor chip industry and high-paying careers in VLSI and semiconductor design. Team Leader(s)Tao Wei Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| 2567 | Natural hand sanitizer efficient against Clostridioides Difficile. Clostridioidis difficile is an emerging human pathogen, which is responsible for hundreds of thousands of infections and tens of thousands of deaths in the US. Transmissions often occur in hospitals, and it is believed that healthcare providers could be serving as transmission vectors between the patients. C. difficile is a spore-forming pathogen, and spores are resistant to many regular disinfectants (such as alcohol). Thus, C. difficile spores cannot be deactivated by currently available hand sanitizers used by healthcare providers between the patient visits. We developed a new natural hand sanitizer that is capable of deactivating C. difficile spores. The CI team will work on characterization of the proposed formulation against a multitude of pathogens associated with hospital infections. The students will learn regulatory requirements for approval of a new antimicrobial drug and perform a number of efficacy tests using FDA-approved standards. The student will also learn FDA safety requirements and perform initial safety tests using porcine skin model. Team Leader(s)Alexey Vertegel Bioengineering |
| 2575 | Ag. Robotics Challenge CI for students interested participating in the the Farm Robotics Challenge, organized by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems, This is an annual competition for college level student teams. The objective is for teams is to identify and solve real-world agricultural challenges using cutting-edge robotics technology. Participants work to provide solutions to on-farm challenges by utilizing robotic platforms that have features such as autonomous navigation, artificial intelligence, and novel attachments. Teams are expected to address a variety of production farming topics including planting, weeding, harvesting, pest control, and mapping and data collection Team Leader(s)Bulent Koc Agricultural SciencesAaron Turner Agricultural Sciences |
| 2576 | Risk & Crisis Non-Profit Event Planning, Marketing, and Promotion Creating a partnership with a nonprofit association whose mission is researching, platforming, publishing, and disseminating information on risk and crisis communication. This project will create marketing and promotional material such as podcasts, social media content, youtube or video reels for the International Crisis and Risk Communication Association. Additionally, the project will engage in event planning for an academic conference including designing, layout, and copy editing printed materials such as programs, agendas, name badges, posters, and informational flyers. Team Leader(s)Kevin Davis-Bryant CommunicationJessica Hoffman Communication |
| 2578 | Setting Up for Success in the Sciences Students in Data Science and other Science majors don't always refine their skills in marketing themselves, interviewing, presenting data to a non science audience and other soft skills. The Data Science major is brand new at Clemson. This CI will be an opportunity for faculty, students, and industry professionals to collaborate on developing a dynamic professional development program for our Data Science (and other Science) majors. Team Leader(s)Ellen Breazel School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences |
| 2579 | Effect of pollinator type on pollen longevity This project investigates whether pollinators exert selective pressures male fitness of the plants they pollinate. Pollen longevity is the length of time a pollen grain remains viable, and this typically decreases over time and with environmental exposure. Oenothera, a genus of evening primroses, contains species that are primarily pollinated by either bees or hawkmoths. The behavior of these pollinators differ, where hawkmoths travel far distances during a foraging bout while bees remain close to their nest. This project uses microscopy to evaluate whether differing pollinator behaviors select for differing pollen longevity. Students participating in this project will conduct hand pollinations in the greenhouse, make microscope slide of flower styles, and count pollen tube abundance on these microscope slides. They will learn skills in data management and presentation of data during lab meetings and at FoCI poster sessions. Team Leader(s)Maris Woldin Biological SciencesMatthew Koski Biological Sciences |
| 2582 | Discovery to Delivery: Practicing the Process of Research Translation This project engages undergraduate students in the process of translating academic research into commercial, real-world applications. Students learn where they fit into the research translation cycle and what they need to know in terms of roles, responsibilities, privacy issues, and policies. Students define the purpose of research translation and its importance in bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical application. Team Leader(s)Barbara Speziale Watt Family Innovation CenterJohn Desjardins Bioengineering |
| 2591 | Fisheries Ecology & Management In this Creative Inquiry project, students will work on specific research questions aimed at informing sustainable fisheries management. During spring 2025 - spring 2026 students will work closely with biologist from South Carolina Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and graduate students at Clemson University to investigate alternative management strategies aimed at increasing the sustainability of the black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) fishery in Lake Murray, SC. Black crappie is a highly valued sport fish throughout its native range, including South Carolina, where it plays an important role in the local economy and recreational fishing community. Given its popularity for both sport and table fare, implementing effective management practices is crucial to ensure the sustainability and quality of the fishery for stakeholders. This Creative Inquiry project will conduct a creel survey of Lake Murray crappie anglers to quantify their: i) perceptions of the current status of the Lake Murray crappie fishery, ii) attitudes on harvest regulations (including possible alternative length and/or creel limits), iii) opinions on the impact of live imaging sonar on crappie harvest and the overall fishery and iv) total fishing effort, catch, and biological (length, weight, age) data to inform stock assessment efforts. Ultimately, alternative management measures for Lake Murray crappie seek to improve the quality and sustainability of the crappie fishery and boost its popularity, thereby amplifying its economic impact at both state and local levels. Team Leader(s)Troy Farmer Forestry and Environmental ConservationJessie Kriner Forestry & Environmental Conservation |
| 2592 | Global Politics: Public Policy Solutions The overall research goals/objectives of the Project is for students to learn how to and actually conduct research on issues of global challenges, develop public speech skills, present their ideas and find reasonable policy solutions at conferences. Team Leader(s)Xiaobo Hu Political ScienceShea Mazique Public Health Sciences Joseph Ura Political Science |
| 2597 | Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Women's Health Endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, are chemicals that can mimic, block, or interfere with the body's hormones and disrupt the function of the endocrine system. Unfortunately, EDCs are present in many consumer products leading to frequent, even daily exposure in humans. Over the last few decades numerous studies have linked EDC exposure to adverse reproductive health outcomes in humans including precocious puberty, infertility, and pregnancy complications. The emphasis in our lab is to understand how EDCs impact women’s reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes. Specifically, we are investigating how exposure to EDCs found in beauty, personal care, and feminine hygiene products can affect mechanistic processes necessary to initiate and maintain a health pregnancy. Current projects include studying (1) the effects of preconception EDC exposure on implantation and placentation, (2) probing the direct effects of EDCs on female reproductive tract cells (e.g., vaginal epithelial cells, cervical cells), and (3) the impact of fetal sex on the expression and activity of chemical transporters at the blood-placenta barrier. Students in this Creative Inquiry will have opportunities to work on one or more of these projects including aspects of experimental design and execution, data analysis and interpretation, and scientific communication through outreach events, poster presentations at conferences, and co-authorship on publications. Students will be able to explore their questions in teams or independently depending on availability and the number of semesters they commit to research. Technical training will include a deeper understanding of the scientific method, experience using molecular biology tools such as digital PCR, gel electrophoresis, western blot, and immunohistochemistry, and science communication. Team Leader(s)Kylie Rock Biological SciencesAnsley Elkins Biological Sciences Maryam Afghah Biological Sciences |
| 2599 | Optimizing biodistribution and cytotoxicity profile of PLL-coated Nanocarriers specifically designed for intracellular delivery of peptides and oligonucleotides following different routes of drug administration Cryopyrin/NLRP3 inflammasome complex activation by accumulated damage/Pattern associated molecular patterns (DAMPs & PAMPs) due to aging acts as a source of sterile and chronic inflammation which promotes pathological remodeling of lungs, aorta, chondrocytes, pancreas, and brain leading to diseases of aging like pulmonary fibrosis, vascular calcification, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease respectively. Through the current proposal Aim 1) I seek to develop Nano-TRIM- a nano-device to carry and release Antibody for targeted degradation of activated NLRP3 inflammasome complex inside the cells. Aim 2) Further, I will test the therapeutic efficacy of Nano-TRIM- the NLRP3 antibody loaded nano devices- to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition where Cryopyrin/NLRP3 activation plays a critical role in disease progression. Team Leader(s)Shivani Arora Bioengineering |
| 2600 | Acoustical Physics In this project we will analyze acoustical signatures, developing team expertise at the classification, measurement and interpretation of sound. The primary signal sources we anticipate for this project will be musically as well as vehicle (aircraft) generated. Team Leader(s)Chad Sosolik Physics and Astronomy |
| 2601 | O.Y.S.T.E.R. Development and Implementation This CI team from diverse academic majors across campus will develop content and implement a weekend long camp held at the Clemson Outdoor Labs beginning in the Fall of 2025. The title of the camp is "Outdoor Youth Science in Engineering & Research" or easier said "The world is your O.Y.S.T.E.R." The goal is to recruit middle school aged students from underrepresented groups across the state of SC to attend this camp, and through donations and external funding there will be no cost to the youth to participate. This CI team will develop STEM curriculum that correlates camp activities to science and engineering. They will include team building opportunities creating trust and allowing relevant discussions in a safe space. These learning experiences will help the youth find their social justice voice acknowledging they are good enough, they are smart enough, and the world is their oyster. The goal is to increase STEM interest in underrepresented youth by connecting with community needs, introduce science in an interactive camp experience and illustrate a sense of belonging and accessibility in higher education. This CI opportunity is ideal for students interested in education, content development, STEM programs, outreach, community involvement, community health, and improving the lives and health outcomes of underrepresented minorities. Team Leader(s)Heather Dunn Bioengineering |
| 2603 | Clemson ChemE Car The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) conducts a competition known as the ChemE Car. Students will build a car which generates its own power, carries a payload, and stops at a designated distance. Team Leader(s)Christopher Norfolk Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringAdam Melvin Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2604 | Fijian Islands' entrepreneurial and joint-venture development pathways. This project will look at the complexities of the Fijian Islands' entrepreneurial and joint-venture creation, specifically the development of a fishing lodge with a local village. It will include researching cross-cultural managerial strategies and ethics, sustainable business models in foreign countries, and legal and regulatory challenges. Research will continue to track small business execution, implementation, and scaling strategies in Fiji. Team Leader(s)Dirk Roskam Department of Management |
| 2607 | From Spark to Inferno: Refining and Testing FireReady VR, a Virtual Wildfire Tool to Prepare Communities Wildfires impact communities in complex ways—and tackling them requires expertise from multiple fields. In this hands-on, interdisciplinary course, students from diverse majors will collaborate to refine and test FireReady VR, an immersive simulation designed to educate and prepare communities for wildfire risks. Whether you're interested in technology, environmental science, public health, communication, emergency management, psychology, or design, you'll contribute by improving FireReady VR’s accuracy, testing user engagement, analyzing data, and developing educational strategies. No prior VR experience is required—just a passion for innovation and helping communities build resilience against wildfires.Our Corporate CI welcomes interdisciplinary students to intersect with multiple fields, including technology industries, emergency management services, and emergency communication. Students will gain valuable lab research experience, as well as translational research skills, to help bring FireReady VR from the lab to the market. Team Leader(s)Olivia Ellen McAnirlin Parks, Recreation and Tourism ManagementMatthew Browning Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management |
| 2609 | Antimicrobial Alternatives for Improving Poultry Gut Health With antibiotics now inaccessible for antibiotic-free poultry farms, alternative strategies are urgently needed to mitigate this disease in poultry to improve animal health and welfare while reducing the risk of foodborne illness associated with contaminated poultry products. Vaccination and probiotic supplementation are promising strategies for pathogen control in poultry. However, commercial vaccines for Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens are currently unavailable, while existing vaccines for Salmonella offer limited cross-protection against various serotypes and vaccines for E. coli do not provide comprehensive protection against the diverse strains of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Similarly, commercial probiotics and synbiotics (a blend of prebiotics and probiotics) are often designed for broad-spectrum use across multiple species, limiting their effectiveness in poultry due to suboptimal gut colonization and health benefits. Additionally, their reliance on manufacturer-recommended dosages restricts researchers from optimizing formulations of synbiotics for maximum efficacy, especially in poultry-specific applications.My current research focuses on developing innovative vaccines targeting Salmonella and Campylobacter in both broilers and layers. Additionally, I am also developing synbiotic products uniquely tailored for poultry. Utilizing poultry-specific Lactobacillus strains, the synbiotic formulation is designed to enhance gut colonization and demonstrate efficacy in mitigating Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, and C. perfringens. Developing cost-effective vaccines and feed additives to offset the impacts of antibiotic removal and mitigate C. perfringens in chickens will advance sustainable food production while simultaneously enhancing public health safety by ensuring the production of safe, sustainable, socially responsible, and high-quality poultry products. Team Leader(s)Khaled Abdelaziz Animal and Veterinary Sciences |
| 2610 | Representation Theory Representation theory, the study of abstract algebraic objects via more tractable linear operators, is a topic central to many areas of mathematics and physics today. In this CI, the foundations of representation theory, as well as its connections to other areas of mathematics, physics, computer science, or related topics will be explored through background study and hands-on research. The CI has the objective of giving participants experience with theoretical mathematical research and creative problem-solving by allowing them the opportunity to study representation theory and some of its applications in-depth and at a manageable pace. Through that process, this CI endeavors to prepare students for a graduate program in the aforementioned (or related) fields, or for a career in the workforce involving research or related technical or analytical activities. Team Leader(s)Chad Mangum School of Mathematical and Statistical SciencesSeth Watkins School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences |
| 2611 | Occupational Health in High-Risk Occupations This Creative Inquiry team focuses on advancing research in occupational health psychology (OHP), with an emphasis on high-risk professions such as healthcare, emergency services, and the military. Students will have opportunities to explore topics related to workplace well-being, including stress, resilience, fatigue, and the role of technology in promoting health and performance. Team members will gain hands-on experience in various aspects of research, such as conducting literature reviews, developing conference materials, analyzing data, and assisting with ongoing projects. The team may also collaborate with university or community partners to design and implement studies that address real-world challenges in occupational health. This experience is ideal for students interested in understanding and improving the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of workers in demanding environments. By contributing to impactful research, participants will develop valuable skills in scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and collaboration. Team Leader(s)Emma Vosika PsychologySarah Meyer Psychology Thomas Britt Psychology |
| 2653 | Understanding the Rattlesnake Rattle Our project involves gaining insight into how the rattlesnake rattle is used and addressing longstanding hypotheses about how the rattle may have evolved. We will utilize automated behavioral response systems (ABRs) to video animals responding to rattlesnake rattling sounds along with control sounds. ABRs are made up of a game camera, an Arduino circuit board, and a set of speakers. When the game camera motion sensor is triggered, one of the preloaded sounds will play from the speakers. In this way, ABRs will be able to assess how animals respond to specific sounds in their natural environments. We also aim to address an incipient stages problem prominent in the literature on the evolutionary novelty that is the rattlesnake rattle. Team Leader(s)Christopher Parkinson Biological SciencesJohn Fowler Biological Sciences |
| 2612 | Purifying circular RNA therapeutics Circular RNA plays important yet to-be-fully understood roles across physiology and disease. Its unique structure may offer safer and longer-lasting therapeutic options than traditional linear messenger RNA. This project aims to develop a new membrane technology for purifying circular RNA with high yield. This innovative approach has the potential to accelerate research to better understand its basic biology, where high-purity samples are crucial. Furthermore, this approach could greatly impact the development and accessibility of circular RNA-based therapies by providing a reliable method for obtaining it in high yields, addressing a critical need in a field that is shifting toward therapies catering to large patient populations Team Leader(s)Scott Husson Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| 2626 | Inhibition of Mitochondrial function by PFAS - role in fatty liver diseases PFAS are forever chemicals that reduce our metabolic potential and in turn cause fatty liver disease and Metabolic-Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease. Much of my laboratory's research is how different PFAS and PFAS-containing mixtures work to reduce mitochondrial efficiency - the metabolism of glucose and lipids. This reduces ATP production and increases our retention of sugars and fats. Students will primarily look at potential mechanisms of PFAS/PFOS actions. 1) We will examine whether PFAS inhibit specific receptors and enzymes involved in energy homeostasis using proteinRDB. 2) We will compare RNA sequencing profiles between muscle and other tissues to determine the most sensitive tissues relative to liver. 3) We will perform oxygen consumption rate assays to measure mitochondria function. 4) We will confirm PFAS inhibition of enzymes and receptors based on the proteinRDB results. In summary, the purpose is to determine the actions of PFAS/PFOS on lipid metabolism and the mitochondria. Team Leader(s)Bill Baldwin Biological Sciences |
| 2625 | Personality & Decision-Making This research group examines how personality influences decision-making in real-life contexts. For example, it investigates how personality traits impact voting behavior in political settings and how they affect juror decision-making, including verdicts and other legal judgments. Team Leader(s)Ben Cotterill Psychology |
| 2627 | Evaluating AI Tools for the Design of Robotic Healthcare Assistants This creative inquiry project explores how diverse sensing technologies—including cameras, haptic feedback, and speech recognition—can be combined with artificial intelligence to develop functional healthcare robotics. Students will evaluate the integration potential of existing computer vision, haptics, and AI perception tools while identifying capability gaps in current technologies. This hands-on research aims to determine whether today's available technologies can be effectively combined to create responsive robotic healthcare assistants that understand and adapt to human needs. Team Leader(s)Janine Hoelscher BioengineeringD Hudson Smith Watt Family Innovation Center |
| 2633 | Gene Silencing, Worm Style: RNA Interference with C. elegans C. elegans is a microscopic soil nematode that was introduced into the research laboratory by Sidney Brenner in 1963. Since then, C. elegans has been used by thousands of investigators worldwide as a genetic model system to study cellular biology. In 1998 the completed genome sequence of C. elegans was published and RNAi by feeding was developed, further advancing the types of investigations that could be accomplished using the worm. Researchers also found that ~83% of the C. elegans proteome has human homologs, resulting in a treasure trove of research using this model system to better understand mechanism of human disease. This Creative Inquiry course will use C. elegans to evaluate the phenotypes associated with gene silencing induced by RNA interference (RNAi) for genes with human homologs (of the student’s choice). Students will get experience learning how to work with C. elegans as a genetic model system, evaluate mutant phenotypes, perform genetic crosses, and, ultimately, utilize RNAi to identify the phenotypes associated with silencing of gene expression for a specific gene(s). Team Leader(s)Kristina Mercer Genetics and Biochemistry |
| 2630 | Exploring Middle and Secondary Science Education This Creative Inquiry project introduces students to the exciting field of middle and secondary science education. The goal of this project is to inspire a new generation of science educators by providing early exposure to the art and science of teaching. Through engaging activities and collaborative discussions, participants will explore how to design meaningful science learning experiences that promote curiosity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving. Students will also gain insight into what it takes to become a certified teacher and the many pathways available to enter the teaching profession. Objectives of the project include: Exploring instructional strategies that support experiential and inquiry-based learning in science. Understanding how to engage students in critical thinking and relevant problem-solving. Learning about the certification process and career pathways in science education. Reflecting on the role and impact of science teachers in today’s classrooms. Team Leader(s)Summer Landreth Teaching and Learning |
| 2631 | Supporting K-12 Students Through Effective Behavior Intervention Systems This Creative Inquiry project will focus on providing undergraduate education majors with opportunities to partner with the Behavior Alliance of South Carolina (BASC) as they train and support SC school districts. The BASC is a technical assistance center that is the “go-to” behavior systems resource for South Carolina school districts. CI participants will learn about implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support - Behavior (MTSS-B) systems in schools. MTSS-B is an evidence-based, school-wide and classroom framework that helps schools address behavior using a tiered system of support. In addition, this Creative Inquiry Project will support a research study evaluating the impacts of professional learning surrounding MTSS-B and the district partners' views of the professional learning process. Team Leader(s)Mya Kelley Education and Human DevelopmentSteven Rufe Education and Human Development Georgia McKown Education and Human Development Megan Carpenter Education and Human Development |
| 2635 | CU Financial Markets Lab The CU Financial Markets Lab is a new initiative in the Department of Finance to improve the marketability of our first and second-year Pre-Business students interested in financial markets for internship and full-time employment interviews. The CU Financial Markets Lab Creative Inquiry project joins students, faculty, and industry partners to pilot and develop industry-relevant curriculum including certifications, projects, and case studies to cultivate opportunities and increase student competitiveness for high visibility internship opportunities. Team Leader(s)George Lockhart Department of Financial ManagementMichael Howley Department of Financial Management |
| 2637 | Understanding worker well-being in light of new technologies and workforce automation The goal of this creative inquiry project is to examine psychological reactions and attitudes regarding emerging technology in the workplace. More specifically, the project aims to understand and predict worker stress and well-being related to working with new technologies such as automation or language processing models (e.g., ChatGPT). Students will work together in a collaborative environment and learn valuable skills that translate to the job-market or future academic pursuits. This CI project will last one year in the Department of Psychology. Team Leader(s)Jenna Van Fossen PsychologyEmma Wituk Psychology Adam Tresidder Psychology Aishah Khan Psychology |
| 2644 | Understanding AI in Education This Creative Inquiry project will engage students in exploring the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI tools and their applications within educational settings. The project will begin with an investigation into existing research about AI in teaching and learning to establish foundational knowledge. Students will then collaboratively select a range of generative AI tools to evaluate, focusing on their usability, effectiveness for specific pedagogical goals, ethical implications, and potential benefits and drawbacks for P-12 classrooms. Team members will design and apply evaluation criteria to a wide range of tools and use their findings to develop a resource designed to share their findings and recommendations with the broader educational community, particularly P-12 teachers. This resource will equip educators with critical insights to navigate and potentially integrate these emerging technologies responsibly and effectively into their practice. Through this project, students will gain valuable research experience, develop technological and critical literacies, and contribute practical knowledge to the field of education. Team Leader(s)April Pelt Dean ETM School of EducationRyan Visser Education and Human Development |
| 2645 | Assessment of Sterilization Effects on the Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Polymers for Medical Device Packaging This Creative Inquiry project will explore how various sterilization techniques impact the mechanical properties of biodegradable polymers used in medical device packaging. Students will work in small teams to select a polymer, conduct literature reviews on sterilization-related degradation, and, if feasible, apply molecular modeling tools to predict changes in polymer structure. The project will include hands-on lab work involving sterilization of polymer films using 3-4 different techniques (e.g., steam, ethylene oxide, gamma irradiation, UV). Mechanical testing will be performed pre- and post-sterilization, and results will be analyzed to determine the most suitable sterilization method that preserves the integrity of biodegradable packaging materials. Team Leader(s)Omer Sadak Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences |
| 2647 | Gamification of Teaching and Learning Undergraduate Level Chemistry Game-based learning is a pedagogical tool used to increase student engagement and academic performance. CI student researchers will reflect on their own chemical education experience to identify chemical concepts that are difficult to grasp and practice in conventional study methods. Student researchers will then develop games that address these concepts in a way that supplements the existing chemical pedagogy literature on gamification. Student researchers will have a chance to demonstrate the game to peers enrolled in team leader's courses and collect data regarding the effectiveness of the game in student engagement and performance. The findings will be analyzed and reported in poster or publication format at the end of the CI experience. Team Leader(s)Sooyun Choi Chemistry |
| 2648 | Meaningful Work This project investigates what makes work feel meaningful to people and how that affects well-being and other work-related outcomes. As part of our research team, you'll help explore how things like purpose, values, and personal interests connect to people’s experiences at work. You'll assist with activities like literature reviews, designing surveys, and cleaning/analyzing data. No prior experience needed—just curiosity and an interest in how work can be more than just a paycheck! Team Leader(s)Aishah Khan PsychologyCynthia Pury Psychology |
| 2660 | AI Aesthetics & Ethics AI Aesthetics & Ethics CI project explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), aesthetics and ethics through a creative and critical lens. Focusing on the ethical use of AI in art, the inquiry emphasizes both theoretical understanding and experimentation. We will examine the ways AI technologies are being used to create visual, literary, musical, and performance works of art, and the broader implications these tools have on authorship, originality, authenticity, bias, and creative agency.The project considers ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated art, such as data sourcing, intellectual property, cultural appropriation, and the impact on human creativity. By using experimental studies, we will analyze real-world case studies and participate in group discussions to evaluate ethical frameworks and philosophical questions that arise in this evolving field. Students will conduct experimental studies by generating their own AI-assisted artworks using accessible tools. They will document and reflect on the creative process, exploring how AI influences their aesthetic judgment.This CI project aims to develop students' critical thinking, creative expression, and ethical awareness, while challenging them to consider the future of art and authorship in the age of artificial intelligence. Team Leader(s)Edyta Kuzian Philosophy and Religion |
| 2665 | Imaging for materials This project delves into the intricate world of materials by imaging their microstructure and complexity using state-of-the-art microscopy and analysis. Students will investigate a diverse range of materials-including quantum materials, structural materials like advanced steels and composites, and biological materials such as protein complexes and tissues. The project is partitioned into two main investigative approaches. 1. Structural Analysis: visualizing atomic and nanoscale features, revealing hierarchical structures in materials using electron microscopy (such as transmission and scanning electron microscopy). 2. Functional Analysis: mapping properties such as hardness, conductivity, work function, and magnetic domains using scanning probe microscopy techniques-including atomic force, Kelvin probe, and nanomechanical microscopy. These methods are crucial for understanding how local variations in structure affect the functional behavior of both synthetic and biological materials.The project integrates artificial intelligence and automation to accelerate and enhance microscopy workflows. AI-driven image analysis enables rapid identification of features and automated data processing, making it possible to handle the increasing complexity and data volume associated with modern materials research. This fusion of advanced imaging, functional probing, and intelligent automation positions students at the forefront of materials science, ready to tackle challenges in next-generation electronics, energy systems, and biomedical technologies. Team Leader(s)Petro Maksymovych Materials Science and Engineering |
