ENSC2023MORENO24736 ENSC
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Isabella Moreno
Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s):
Gehendra Kharel
Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 2, Position 1, 1:45-3:45
View PresentationAt the Water and Society Lab at TCU, we are studying the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The Village Creek tributary of the Trinity River is the subject of this testing, and it is one of the many water bodies monitored by the US Geological Service. Using information provided by the monitoring location alongside the data gathered from our research, we can assess and monitor the concentration of E. coli in the Village Creek.
Through weekly sample collection and analysis, we can determine the prevalence of E. coli in the Village Creek. Our method is to collect water samples, add EPA-approved Colilert testing chemicals, and incubate the samples at 35℃ for 24 hours. During analysis, the presence of E. coli is quantified by colony forming units (CFU). This research indicates whether or not the sample contains unsafe levels of E. coli. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the US EPA, 126 CFU per 100 mL of water is deemed unsafe. In addition to recording CFU, we also document certain hydro-climatological variables such as ambient and water temperature, rainfall, and turbidity. Through these findings, we can be applied to water management and quality decisions throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth and north-central Texas regions.
ENSC2023ROUSSEL53636 ENSC
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Kaitlyn Roussel
Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 10, Position 1, 1:45-3:45
View PresentationWildfires are a global concern as they are unpredicted fires that cause harm to their surrounding environment, local wildlife, and humans. The negatives of these wildfires outweigh the positives as their occurrence is natural but also caused by human negligence. This past year there were about 69,000 wildfires reported nationally; of these fires, 835 were from Colorado. This study assesses the risk of wildfires in Colorado by using GIS and spatial data to map fire risk and determine possible mitigation techniques through utilizing livestock.
For the past 20 years, Colorado has experienced their largest wildfires, and with no decrease in the number of wildfires each year, mitigation techniques are crucial. In determining what method to use, it is valuable to focus on all the factors that add to these fires, such as the amount of rainfall, elevation, humidity, human activities, and more. Multiple past studies have used livestock as a form of wildfire mitigation. Using grazers to eat the fuel these fires thrive on can decrease the spread of future fires. Grazers are an environmentally stable form of fire mitigation as they eat the vegetation and then process it to become nutrients for the soil. We can determine the areas of high risk in Colorado by assessing how the stated factors contribute to Colorado wildfires and see if grazers are a possible mitigation method.
ENSC2023SCOTT7199 ENSC
Type: Graduate
Author(s):
I'Yanna Scott
Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s):
Victoria Bennett
Environmental Sciences
Gehendra Kharel
Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 9, Position 1, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationWater represents one of the required resources for wildlife to live and thrive in an area. Due to urbanization, we have seen an increase in the transformation of natural water sources (i.e. lakes, streams, and rivers) to semi-natural (i.e. retention ponds, reservoirs, and drainage ditches), for which we create for the urban infrastructure and for animals. The objective of the following study was to assess whether water quality influences the direct use of water sources by terrestrial wildlife in an urban environment utilizing bats as our indicator species. We, therefore, hypothesize that water sources with higher water quality will have an abundant and diverse community of bats using them (i.e., foraging and drinking), while lower quality water sources will have little to no bat activity and lower species diversity. We conducted this study using thermal cameras and acoustic monitoring to determine whether water quality has discernible influences for water resource use by bats at water sources across six urban parks and greenspaces in Fort Worth, Texas. We observed increased bat activity at water sources that were listed as areas with higher water quality standards with very slow moving water, and little activity in areas that have been known to have lower water quality. Understanding how the water quality of urban sources impacts bats, may not only be used as an indicator of water availability for other wildlife species in urban areas, but also provide insights into the environmental health of local parks and surrounding neighborhoods.
GEOL2023DARGE52617 GEOL
Type: Graduate
Author(s):
Yosef Darge
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 3, Position 1, 11:30-1:30
(Presentation is private)Sinkhole hazards pose a major threat to key infrastructure and human lives in Taylor and Jones counties in West Central Texas. These counties are underlain by soluble evaporite and carbonate rocks. In this study, a data fusion approach was adopted in which multi-source datasets and techniques were combined to detect and map the spatial distribution of sinkholes, quantify their displacement rates, and identify the processes and factors controlling their occurrence. Preliminary results indicate: (a) there is a spatial correspondence between depressions (area: 625 m2 - 2500 m2) identified using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) datasets and previously- mapped sinkholes; (b) deformation rates over the mapped depressions derived using Persistent Scatterer Interferometry technique applied on 53 level-1 Sentinel-1 images (2016 – 2021) and calibrated using long-term (2006 – 2021) GNSS data indicate an average and peak subsidence rates of -6 mm/yr and +5 mm/yr, respectively; (c) clusters of high subsidence rates were noted over areas underlain by evaporites belonging to the Clear Fork Group; (d) efforts to validate the accuracy of the sinkhole detection techniques are currently underway using 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) surveys carried out on the identified subsiding depressions. In addition, groundwater level and discharge time series and other relevant datasets are being integrated to assess the processes and factors that induce the formation of these features. Results of this study could be used to develop an early warning system to implement mitigation strategies to curtail the impacts of the sinkhole hazards in Texas and other parts of the globe.
GEOL2023DARGE64533 GEOL
Type: Graduate
Author(s):
Yosef Darge
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 6, Position 1, 1:45-3:45
(Presentation is private)The Mendocino National Forest was affected by fire in August 2020. It devastated a substantial area of land over the period of three months, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and the evacuation of thousands of people. Moreover, many of the local plantations were destroyed. To evaluate the severity of the impacted area for rehabilitation and restoration, severity data and maps are crucial. This study will combine several geospatial data including multitemporal remote sensing data to identify changes in forest structure and moisture content affected by the fires through burn severity maps. This study will use the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) technique to identify burned areas and provide a measure of burn severity. The NBR is calculated as a ratio between the NIR and SWIR values bands 5 and 7 obtain from pre-fire and post-fire Landsat 8 imageries. This will be followed by generating the Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (ΔNBR) for pre and after-imageries to map the fire severity. The result of the NBR analysis will be integrated with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to map vegetation greenness over the study area that will be helpful to validate the accuracy of the NBR analysis. Moreover, elevation dataset (Digital Elevation Model (DEM)) will be used to assess factors that exacerbate emerging wildfires such as topography and slope.
GEOL2023DEMAIO20707 GEOL
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Nicholas DeMaio
Geological Sciences
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 2, Position 1, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationThe objective of this research is to conduct wind farm suitability analysis (for energy generation) with a focus on areas that either heavily rely non-renewable sources of energy (parts of Australia) or areas that have limited access to energy. The study will combine several spatial datasets (road networks, population distribution, high mean windspeed, etc.) and analysis products (proximity to roads, national grids, etc.) to determine, through the suitability analysis, whether the wind energy is ideal and economical source of energy for the investigated areas.
GEOL2023DEMAIO58203 GEOL
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Nicholas DeMaio
Geological Sciences
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremicheal
Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 4, Position 2, 1:45-3:45
View PresentationAs we move further into the 21st century, Earth's functional processes are experiencing a steady shift, particularly in terms of climate and sea levels. Anthropogenic warming has accelerated the rise of sea levels and increased the frequency, intensity, and rainfall of cyclones and hurricanes. To investigate the impact of rising sea levels on storm surges in vulnerable areas, we utilized remote sensing and GIS technology to come up with an understanding of the influence land cover type has on flood intensity and assess the vulnerability of the Houston area based on storm surges from 2015 - 2022. Our findings underscore the critical need for urgent adaptation and mitigation measures to mitigate the risks associated with changing weather patterns and rising sea levels.
GEOL2023FENLIN63002 GEOL
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Vincent Fenlin
Geological Sciences
Ricardo Longoria
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 2, Position 1, 1:45-3:45
View PresentationThe purpose of this project was to identify the best market demographic in the South Florida area (Miami-Dade, and Broward County) for Fizgig. Fizgig a newly developed pet sitting app, is launching their app soon and we need to analyze market demographics to help aid with a successful app launch. Fizgig aims to connect certified pet sitters to pet owners with ease and affordability. Fizgig is not restricted to just cats and dogs, but all pets. Fizgig provides opportunities for those who are certified in pet sitting and want to grow there career in such disciplines. Furthermore, to analyze the capability of a successful launch we used Esri and Google Maps data of median household income, average annual pet spending, and pet sitting association data to pinpoint specific areas (hotspots) in South Florida to focus on the app launch. We concluded that Southeast Miami-Dade, Northwest Broward, and West Broward hotspots had the highest potential for pet sitting employment and app use due to highest pet expenditure in correlation to median income in there respective counties in addition to a high number of pet sitting associations within a close radius of these hotspots.
GEOL2023FOXX27885 GEOL
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Sarah Foxx
Geological Sciences
Amanda Whitley
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 7, Position 2, 1:45-3:45
View PresentationFor our research project, we plan to use GIS remote sensing technology to locate and identify potential land plots for urban farming. The purpose of this project is to recognize and assist in the issue of food deserts in urban areas such as the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) metroplex, NYC, and Los Angeles. A food desert refers to any area with limited or no access to affordable, nutritious food. This could include a lack of access to farmers’ markets, vegetable shops, or fresh produce. This project aims to recognize and assist in the issue of food deserts in urban areas with a particular focus on the East Fort Worth/Arlington areas in Tarrant County. Several relevant datasets including high spatial resolution commercial remote sensing and other relevant spatial (such as property appraisal datasets, soil data) and non-spatial datasets, and data analysis products (such as the proximity of the areas to fresh produce/major grocery stores) will be combined in a GIS environment to identify empty plots of lands that could be used for the purposes of urban agriculture and assess their potential for food growth.
GEOL2023GREGORY32187 GEOL
Type: Graduate
Author(s):
Gunnar Gregory
Geological Sciences
Richard Denne
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Richard Denne
Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 8, Position 3, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationThe greater East Texas Basin represents the portion of the Cretaceous Texas Shelf north of the San Marcos Arch, proximal to the Woodbine siliciclastics sourced from the Ouachita and Sabine uplifts. During the Early to Middle Cenomanian the basin underwent a time-transgressive transition from an oxygenated carbonate platform to an anoxic shelf. The Cenomanian-Turonian aged Woodbine and Eagle Ford Groups have been studied since the late 1800’s; a confusing nomenclature system has been developed for them due to outdated biostratigraphic studies and inaccurate age interpretations, obscuring the age relationships of the various lithostratigraphic units. To study this time-transgressive transition and better understand and define the Woodbine-Eagle Ford contact in north Texas, stratigraphic and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) geochemical data will be collected from USGS near-surface cores drilled in Dallas and Grayson counties, and paired with X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and core spectral gamma ray data provided by the USGS, and biostratigraphic data provided by Denne. Field work will also be conducted on several outcrop locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex for detailed descriptions and measured sections to be made as well as sample collection for thin section, detrital zircon, and further XRF analysis. The data collected for this study will be used to lithostratigraphically and geochemically define the Woodbine-Eagle Ford transition zone in north Texas with the intent of determining the paleoceanographic conditions during deposition, and determine if this transition is time-transgressive across the DFW Metroplex and North Texas region.
GEOL2023ISHIMWE4070 GEOL
Type: Graduate
Author(s):
Benite Ishimwe
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 3, Position 1, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationCurrent in-situ assessments of water quality in lakes can be significantly improved by leveraging recent advances in remote sensing and algorithm development for a faster and more cost-effective approach. This study leveraged satellite- (Landsat 7/8 and Sentinel-2) and UAV-based remote sensing datasets to detect and monitor changes in key water quality parameters (Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and turbidity) within the epilimnion of Lake Arlington (Texas) during the past 20 years. In addition, remote sensing algorithms were developed to capture the spatial variability of the water quality parameters across the entire extent of the water body. The investigation period was divided into two segments: before and after the EPA-established Watershed Protection Plan program (WPP) in 2012 to mitigate the lake's water quality deterioration. A regression model, using satellite-based and historical in-situ observations (2002 – 2020), was developed to predict the targeted water quality parameters across the extent of the lake. Our preliminary results indicate: (1) Chl-a levels at the lake's inlet decreased significantly after 2012 (before: 32.1ug/L; after: 9.2ug/l); also turbidity (via Secchi Disk Depth) across the lake decreased after 2012 (before: 0.6 m; after: 0.5 m); and the spring season had the highest levels of Chl-a followed by the summer season for both before and after 2012 while high turbidity values also coincided with high Chl-a values in the summer, (2) regression analysis revealed a high correlation between the in-situ Chl-a and Landsat (before 2012: spring R2 = 0.62, summer R2=0.66; p-value < 0.01; after 2012: spring R2 = 0.54, summer R2=0.73; p-value < 0.01) and Sentinel-2 bands (2015-2020: spring R2 = 0.99, summer R2=0.82; p-value >0.05). Similarly, the regression analysis revealed a high correlation (2015-2020: spring R2 = 0.98, summer R2=0.57; p-value >0.05) between reflectance from Sentinel-2 bands and in-situ turbidity levels; (3) The optimum spectral band to detect Chl-a was found to be between 590-880nm for Landsat and 665-940 nm for Sentinel-2 while for turbidity it was between 450-670nm for Landsat and 560-705nm for Sentinel-2. Therefore, Sentinel-2 bandwidth was better at detecting Chl-a and turbidity levels in the lake because of its wider bandwidth; (4) Water quality controlling factors in lake Arlington include landcover change, precipitation rates, and the EPA WPP measures. Landcover change between 2001 and 2019 shows an overall 25% increase in urban areas, a 9.5% increase in wetlands, and a 10.7% decrease in grassland which may have contributed to the decline in Chl-a and turbidity values. Finally, efforts to calibrate and improve the accuracy of the satellite-based observations are underway with UAV-acquired multispectral imagery obtained at the time of the Sentinel-2 overpass over the lake.
GEOL2023KELLY51920 GEOL
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Matt Kelly
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 3, Position 2, 1:45-3:45
View PresentationGiven the drastic rise in renewable energy investment across the US and globally, along with global sustainable development goals, it is important to develop techniques for renewable resource assessment. The study aims to identify the most suitable areas for renewable energy development in Texas by analyzing various geospatial factors that influence renewable energy production, such as terrain and land use. Resource-specific data such as surface direct normal irradiance (DNI) and wind speed and power density were used to ensure resource availability. Proximity to important infrastructure was also considered, access to infrastructure is an important economic consideration for utility-scale installation. Products generated use an integration of remote sensing data, geospatial analysis, and machine learning algorithms to develop a spatially-explicit multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for solar and wind resources in Texas.
GEOL2023KELLY63459 GEOL
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Matt Kelly
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 2, Position 2, 11:30-1:30
(Presentation is private)This study will develop (livable) suitability index for areas within Fort Worth with respect to the availability of various amenities (walkability, parks, etc.), public transport, proximity to fresh produce and entertainment (restaurants, etc.), and other relevant services. This is important as the City of Fort Worth has some of the lowest transit scores compared to major cities across the US especially with those having similar population as Fort Worth. Several spatial analysis techniques including proximity and overlay analysis will be undertaken using tools in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online to attain the objectives of the study.
GEOL2023NEWELL12096 GEOL
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Brooke Newell
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Omar Harvey
Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 9, Position 1, 1:45-3:45
(Presentation is private)As the nature and quantity of new/novel nanomaterials continue to expand to meet industrial, medical, and domestic demands, their accidental or intentional release becomes inevitable. To this end, an evolving understanding of the interaction dynamics between nanomaterials and naturally occurring geomaterials is central to supporting continued sustainable development and use of nanomaterials. The current study explores the chemodynamics of the organic nanomaterial, polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers, binding to (and debinding from) ferrihydrite. Specific focus is placed on how PAMAM size and pH affects the reaction between three carboxyl-terminated PAMAMs (Gx.5-COOH) sorbing/desorbing to/from the variably-charged ferrihydrite (FFH). Since both ferrihydrite and PAMAM exhibit pH-dependent variation of speciation, it is expected that binding/debinding dynamics of differing sizes of PAMAM will vary. Investigating the quantity, rate, and dynamics of these reactions provides insight into the type of bonding occurring (physiosorption, electrostatic bonding, or hydrogen bonding) and the location of bonding (surface versus micropore spaces). The information gained from this study will help to develop a more holistic picture of the environmental fate of synthetic nanomaterials.
GEOL2023NUNEZ28170 GEOL
Type: Graduate
Author(s):
Ursula Nunez
Geological Sciences
Brooke Newell
Geological Sciences
Benjamin Strang
Biology
Kimberlee Whitmore
Biology
Advisor(s):
Essays Gebermichael
Geological Sciences
Omar Harvey
Biology
Location: Third Floor, Table 9, Position 2, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationIn Tarrant County, Texas, food deserts affect approximately 275,000 residents. Chronic health conditions affect households living in food-insecure communities, leading the government to spend billions of dollars treating preventable diseases. Implementing sustainable urban agriculture in areas of high need to produce food using geospatial technology to aid in soil management can play an important role in helping farmers. The objective is to create an urban soil analysis map from the data collected on the soil properties, distribution, and variability of how these properties affect landscapes.
GEOL2023PASTOR26697 GEOL
Type: Graduate
Author(s):
Ryan Pastor
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 3, Position 1, 1:45-3:45
View PresentationThe aim for this project is centered around understanding carbon sequestration and the potential for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in the United States of America. An in depth look at the CO2 emissions for given areas of the U.S. will be looked at to gain an idea of where localized hotspots for emissions are located and how the impact of these emissions can be reduced using CCUS. By coupling emission data with existing infrastructure data (such as active and abandoned wells, pipelines, storage facilities, etc.) an outlook on the possibility of CCUS and reduction of emissions can be achieved. Geologic formations also play a specific role in how CCUS works. Understanding the various rock formations below and how the injected CO2 will be sealed away deep in the ground is a vital piece for any CCUS project. Combining the geological data with the emissions and infrastructure data will piece together a variety of information to better understand the possibility of reducing carbon emissions in various areas around the United States.
GEOL2023PASTOR52011 GEOL
Type: Graduate
Author(s):
Ryan Pastor
Geological Sciences
Advisor(s):
Richard Denne
Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 4, Position 3, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationThe Middle Cenomanian Woodbine sandstones act as a major reservoir system for many large oil fields throughout East Texas. Although numerous studies have been completed on Woodbine outcrops within DFW Metroplex, none have used modern techniques or tools, or utilized facies model concepts to study their reservoir characteristics or environment of deposition. Prior studies interpreted these outcrops as a shelf-strandplain coastal setting or a fluvial-dominated delta plain. However, this study of Woodbine outcrops along Lake Grapevine identified evidence of significant tidal influence.
The focus of this project was to determine the depositional environment and obtain a better understanding of the reservoir characteristics of the upper Woodbine (Lewisville) sandstones found in outcrop along the southeastern shores of Lake Grapevine in Tarrant County, TX. A detailed study of the lithofacies, ichnofacies, and biofacies, along with handheld spectral gamma ray and permeameter analyses, from 8 measured sections were conducted to identify representative lithofacies. Oversized thin-sections were made to estimate porosity ranges for each lithofacies, and to identify the types and extent of cement in the sandstones. Photomosaics were utilized to delineate sand body geometries by tracing out the lateral extent of the units and identifying significant surfaces and potential fluid barriers or baffles.
Seven lithofacies were distinguished in the outcrops of the study area: Bioclastic, massive bioturbated sandstone, mudstone, heterolithic sandstone and mudstone, crossbedded sandstone, flaser-bedded sandstone, and cemented sandstone. Two of the most common and laterally continuous lithofacies, the massive bioturbated and crossbedded sandstones, also had the best reservoir characteristics, with average porosities of 26% and 27%, and average measured permeabilities of 6,300 mD and 10,700 mD, respectively. The lower permeabilities in the massive bioturbated sandstone are related to clay-rimmed burrows. The bioclastic, mudstone, and cemented sandstone lithofacies are potential barriers to fluid flow, as they all have low porosities (less than 2%) and permeabilities (less than 200 mD).
The data acquired during this study were all consistent with an interpretation of a tidally-influenced estuarine to shallow marine depositional environment for the upper Woodbine in the study area, which differs from previous studies. The high abundance of trace fossils that are commonly found in tidally-influenced depositional systems, including Conichnus/Bergaueria, Cylindrichnus, Planolites, Palaeophycus, Rosselia, Rusophycus, Skolithos, and Thalassinoides, coupled with the presence of heterolithic deposits and common oyster shells led to this interpretation.
This study is the first to analyze outcrops of the Lewisville (upper Woodbine) sandstones in their type area specifically for their reservoir characteristics, and to document tidal influences during deposition. Considering the considerable volumes of hydrocarbons that have been produced from the Woodbine in the adjacent East Texas Basin, this study could provide valuable data for building reservoir models of upper Woodbine sandstones for both hydrocarbon production and potential CO2 sequestration.
GEOL2023PERKEY45097 GEOL
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Caleb Perkey
Geological Sciences
Bradley Roe
Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s):
Esayas Gebremichael
Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 2, Position 2, 1:45-3:45
(Presentation is private)This research will examine the change in size of local aquifers in Texas to determine how drought affects crop yield in Texas, for the aquifers scattered about Texas are the major source of irrigation for farmers in the state. This will be demonstrated by assessing conditions in the San Antonio area (as a case study) due to the severe drought that has affected the area for the past couple of months. Several spatial datasets including remote sensing datasets and results derived using different analysis tools in GIS will be utilized to demonstrate the change in aquifer size and volume during the investigated period.
GEOL2023PITTENGER37149 GEOL
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Liam Pittenger
Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s):
Rhiannon Mayne
Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 3, Position 3, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationMore meteorites are found in North-West Africa every year than in any other location on the earth’s surface. These meteorites are sold and will either enter a scientific collection, or that of a private collector. In the latter case, a meteorite may never be officially classified, which means that it is not recognized by the scientific community as a new meteorite find.. The meteorite classification process is led by the Meteoritical Society, who nominate meteorite researchers to serve on the Meteorite Nomenclature Committee. This committee is responsible for the peer review of all meteorite classification submissions, and to ensure the donation of a scientific repository sample. After this, an official name is assigned and the meteorite is entered into the Meteoritical Bulletin Database (MetBull). MetBull is an archive of all meteorites recognized by the Meteoritical Society and contains basic information about each meteorite; for example, its classification, the location it was found, and a brief description of the sample studied.
The Monnig Meteorite Collection at TCU contains a number of unclassified meteorite samples. In this study, we will examine three unknown meteorites and determine the meteorite type in terms of: (1) the type of body they come from, (2) the minerals and textures they contain, (3) their mineral compositions and, (4) their thermal history. This data will then be submitted to the Meteorite Nomenclature Committee for official classification.
INTR2023ABRAM20956 INTR
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Rima Abram
Interdisciplinary
Erica Kaminga
Interdisciplinary
Allison Regan
Interdisciplinary
Mariana Zollinger
Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s):
Jessica Alvarez
Interdisciplinary
Location: Third Floor, Table 7, Position 2, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationCrafts & Conversations was established to foster community among TCU students and the residents of a local retirement facility, Trinity Terrace. During monthly meetings, students and residents share their stories while collaborating on engaging craft activities, including murals, cross-stitching, snow globes, suncatchers, pillows, and upcycled terrariums. TCU students who volunteer in these monthly meetings build meaningful friendships, combat stereotypes against the elderly, and improve communication and leadership skills. In addition, each event opens with a performance by TCU music students, enabling them to cultivate their craft and share their talent. Even throughout the pandemic, Crafts & Conversations nurtured memories and connections through Zoom and masked in-person meetings. With a commitment to sustainability, this project will continue to enrich the lives of Trinity Terrace residents and provide dedicated student volunteers with opportunities to strengthen the Fort Worth community.
INTR2023BERTRAND10304 INTR
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Morgan Bertrand
Biology
Allison Regan
Biology
Advisor(s):
Mikaela Stewart
Biology
Location: Basement, Table 12, Position 2, 1:45-3:45
View PresentationMercy Clinic of Fort Worth is a free health clinic that provides care to the underserved population, largely comprised of uninsured adults, in south Fort Worth. Services at Mercy Clinic include wellness checkups, sick visits, and well-woman visits, as well as some dental procedures, labs, and prescription services. TCU students of the Pre-Health Professions Institute consistently volunteer at Mercy Clinic, and TCU’s relationship with Mercy Clinic has continued to grow especially with the new addition of TCU’s Burnett School of Medicine to the Fort Worth community. A current collaboration between Mercy Clinic and the Burnett School of Medicine is aimed at providing clinics for women to get well-women exams such as pap smears and breast exams. Funds provided by the Experiential Projects to Impact the Community (EPIC) Grant were used to assist with the cost of supplies, such as speculums and drape sheets, for these women’s clinics. The goals of this community project are to serve the Fort Worth community by providing Mercy Clinic with materials and volunteers, to emphasize the importance of women’s health and knowledge about it, and to grow TCU Pre-Health’s relationship with the Burnett School of Medicine and Mercy Clinic.
INTR2023DELGADO46381 INTR
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Michael Delgado
Interdisciplinary
Philip Dodd
Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s):
Philip Dodd
Interdisciplinary
Location: Basement, Table 10, Position 1, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationAfter-school programs can be highly beneficial to elementary school students. Pickleball With a Purpose is a weekly after-school program founded by TCU students with support from the Experiential Projects to Impact the Community (EPIC) committee. This program works with a local elementary school in Crowley Independent School District (CISD). Pickleball appeals to all ages because it can be picked up relatively quickly, regardless of skill level. As part of the program, pickleball was introduced to 4th and 5th graders at Meadowcreek Elementary by teaching a two-week clinic introducing foundational paddle skills during P.E. classes. Students in the after-school program engage in clinics, drills, and games to further develop their communication skills while fostering connections with mentors from TCU. The EPIC committee's funding and our partnership with the Selkirk Growth Program have allowed us to supply the elementary school with equipment such as nets, balls, and paddles. The purpose of the Meadowcreek Pickleball Club is to provide elementary school students with a safe environment where they can grow as individuals while learning a new sport.
INTR2023NGUYEN34552 INTR
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
May Nguyen
Biology
Thien Ly Nguyen
Biology
Advisor(s):
Maria Martinez
Nutritional Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 4, Position 3, 1:45-3:45
View Presentation
INTR2023PROPHATER7352 INTR
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Cayla Prophater
Interdisciplinary
Christian Cargile
Interdisciplinary
Aimee Garibay
Interdisciplinary
Emma Graham
Interdisciplinary
Macyn Willingham
Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s):
Heidi Conrad
Interdisciplinary
Location: Second Floor, Table 1, Position 2, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationEven though they are completely preventable, cavities are the leading chronic childhood disease in America. The “New Smiles Drive” is a community outreach project with a mission to improve Fort Worth's oral hygiene knowledge and access to essential hygiene supplies. This project has provided dental supplies and hygiene education to the patients at the Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth. The donation of dental hygiene bags is instrumental in providing the materials necessary for quality health care. However, the donations are only half of the mission. Each donation bag includes a laminated education card containing detailed instructions on how to maintain good oral health as well as recommendations provided by Fort Worth dentists. The educational aspect of this project will leave a lasting impact on the community and teach the community essential oral hygiene care.
INTR2023REID18744 INTR
Type: Undergraduate
Author(s):
Quinceola Reid
Biology
Emily Van Dyck
Biology
Advisor(s):
Anthony Crowder
Interdisciplinary
Location: Basement, Table 7, Position 1, 11:30-1:30
View PresentationSwimming is a skill that is often assumed to be commonplace. However, in a study from 2017-2021, 411 children fatally drowned in Texas; 32 drownings were from Tarrant County (Texas Child Drowning Statistics). In 2019, 23 Tarrant County drowning deaths were among adults (Drowning in Tarrant County). Two community organizations, The Fort Worth Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Coalition (FWDPC) and the YMCA Fort Worth (YMCA FW), conduct dedicated summer programs to teach children and adults in-water and classroom-based water safety strategies. This grant project supports its community partners by advertising for/providing volunteers, which enables the accommodation of more participants per clinic. In addition, this grant project provided occupational health supplies (sunscreen and sunglasses) to their community partner to mitigate the prolonged sun exposure commonly faced by their volunteers. Through this project, TCU students have engaged with these organizations, supported their objectives, and directly improved drowning statistics within the Fort Worth community.