New Mexico Academy of Science | 2017 Research Symposium

9:15 AM Registration Check-in
10:00 AM Morning Concurrent Sessions (A-D)
- SESSION A: CHEMISTRY I
  Sierra Ballroom I
  Moderator: John Emerson, Sandia National Laboratories
  - - Laura Ingersol, University of New Mexico
      Molecular rectification behavior of the pyranopterin ligand of molybdoenzymes | Abstract PDF
    - Khadanand KC, University of New Mexico
      Modeling Mo/W formate dehydrogenase catalytic intermediates | Abstract PDF
    - Ju Chen, University of New Mexico
      New Multispin Phosphorescent Chromophores | Abstract PDF
    - Jing Yang, University of New Mexico
      Effects of Donor Substitution on Vibronic Instability in Oxomolybdenum Dichalcogenolenes | Abstract PDF
- SESSION B: SPECTROSCOPY & CHEMISTRY
  Sierra Ballroom II
  Moderator: Anton Sumali, Sandia National Laboratories
  - - Ruwini Rajapaksha, New Mexico Tech
      Spectroscopic Study on Novel Photoactive Antibacterial Agent: 2, 3 – Distyrylindole | Abstract PDF
    - Hanqing Pan, New Mexico Tech
      Semiconductor Photocatalysis of Bicarbonate to Solar Fuels: Formate Production from Copper (I) Oxide | Abstract PDF
    - Haizhen Wang, New Mexico State University
      Electric-field induced Dynamic Electronic Junctions in Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskites for Optoelectronic Applications | Abstract PDF
- SESSION C: ALGAE
  Sierra Ballroom III
  Moderator: David Peters, Sandia National Laboratories
  - - Ujala Sehar, New Mexico State University
      Cellulolytic enzyme activity in Galdieria sulphuraria cultures | Abstract PDF
    - Juchao Yan, Eastern New Mexico University
      Analyzing Microbial Community for Enhanced Nutrient Removal and Biomass Productivity on a Pilot-Scale Algal Turf Scrubber™ in Dairy Wastewater | Abstract PDF
    - Saba Gill, New Mexico State University
      Expression studies of DGAT isoforms in Nannochloropsis salina grown under cold and nitrogen deprived conditions | Abstract PDF
    - Michael Canton, New Mexico State University
      Alkaloid gramine as a model for allelopathy: Algae inhibition and removal | Abstract PDF
- SESSION D: GEOLOGY & GEOCHEMISTRY
  Ocotillo II
  Moderator: Jayne Aubele, New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
  - - Chris Torres, University of New Mexico
      Reactivity of Co-occurring Nano-particulate U(IV) and U(VI) phases in Abandoned Mine Wastes Under Oxidizing Conditions | Abstract PDF
    - Benjamin Holt, University of New Mexico
      Geothermal springs in southwestern Colorado: Understanding mantle-surface connections and structural control | Abstract PDF
    - Wesley Clary, University of New Mexico
      Tomographic and morphometric analysis of shallow sediments: Pamplona Zone, Gulf of Alaska | Abstract PDF
    - Jeff Pepin, New Mexico Tech
      A Cost-Effective Approach to Geothermal Resource Discovery: Principal Component Analysis and Clustering | Abstract PDF
    - Sumant Avasarala, University of New Mexico
      Characteristics and Crystal chemistry of U-V bearing minerals in abandoned mine wastes | Abstract PDF
11:40 AM Luncheon
- 2017 AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SCIENCE TEACHING: JESSICA SANDERS, BERRENDO MIDDLE SCHOOL
  Presented by the New Mexico Academy of Science and the American Chemical Society
  - - Ms. Sanders is currently a 6th and 7th grade science teacher and Science Department Head at Berrendo Middle School in Roswell NM. She has an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction and a B.A. in Elementary Education (both from NM Highlands University). She holds a Level III K-8 Elementary License with TESOL, Science, and History Endorsements. Prior to beginning work in Roswell in 2015, she taught in Artesia, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque. She is the President Elect of the New Mexico Science Teachers Association, where she also serves as the Southeast Representative. She was a member of the Science Data Review Committee in 2016 and the Math and Science Bureau NMPED Science Standards Development Forum in 2015. Among her many awards and honors she is ranked as an Exemplary Teacher, received the Chavez County Teacher of Character Counts Award in 2017, and the 2012 Devon Science Giants 1st Place grant winner award. She has actively worked for her district and NMSTA in support of adoption of the NGSS standards for New Mexico. She attends every professional development training opportunity that she can and provides numerous STEM opportunities for her Roswell students. Her lesson plan rationale very effectively ties STEM subjects and concepts into fundamental life science lessons.
- KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DAVID GUTZLER, PhD
  The Climate is Changing: What Do We Do?
  - - David S. Gutzler is Professor of Meteorology and Climatology at the University of New Mexico. His research at UNM is based on analysis of observations and climate models, with the goals of understanding the causes of climate variability and change, and improving the skill and application of climate and hydrologic forecasts on seasonal and longer time scales. He earned degrees from the University of California at Berkeley (B.S., Engineering Physics) and MIT (PhD, Meteorology). He has served as Editor of the American Meteorological Society's Journal of Climate. Prof. Gutzler received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the UNM College of Arts & Sciences in 2008, and a Career Achievement Award from the NM Bureau of Geology in 2014. He was a Lead Author for the chapter on detection and attribution of observed climate change for the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), Working Group I, of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, published in 2013.
1:15 PM Poster Session Competition
- Undergraduate Poster Abstracts (PDF)
  - Posters #1–#23
- Graduate Poster Abstracts (PDF)
  - Posters #24–#51
- Faculty Poster Abstracts (PDF)
  - - Posters #52–#54
2:45 PM Afternoon Concurrent Sessions (E-G)
- SESSION E: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
  Sierra Ballroom I
  Moderator: Ayesha Burdett, New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
  - - Steven Salinas, New Mexico Highlands University
      Is The American Bullfrog (Lithobates Catesbeianus) A Successful Invader As It Seems, Or Does It Receive Help From Other Invasives? | Abstract PDF
    - Sarah Corey-Rivas, New Mexico Highlands University
      Genetic and population-level influences on Boreal toad susceptibility to the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis | Abstract PDF
    - Virginia Thompson, University of New Mexico
      The Effects of Disturbance and Catastrophic Forest Fire on Submerged Aquatic Macrophytes in a Headwater Stream | Abstract PDF
    - Eric Brown, New Mexico Highlands University
      Tracking an Emergent Pathogen in Boreal Toads across a Southern Rocky Mountain Watershed | Abstract PDF
    - Jesus Rivas, New Mexico Highlands University
      Invasive American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana): Friend or foe? | Abstract PDF
- SESSION F: SOCIAL & NATURAL SCIENCE NEXUS
  Sierra Ballroom II
  Moderator: Nancy Hurtado-Ziola, University of New Mexico
  - - Vimal Chaitanya, New Mexico State University
      Importance of Food-Energy-Water-Health Nexus for New Mexico | Abstract PDF
    - Janak Joshi, University of New Mexico
      Policy Effectiveness, Spatial Dependencies and Energy Market: Evidence from the Renewable Portfolio Standard | Abstract PDF
    - Saeed Langarudi, New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute
      A System Dynamics Analysis of Water Demand in the Lower Rio Grande | Abstract PDF
    - Kara Walter, University of New Mexico
      Differences of Opinion: How Preferences for the Environment Differ Across Observable Factors | Abstract PDF
    - J. Ampadu Adjei, Eastern New Mexico University
      Accuracy in Malaria Diagnosis: Comparing Microscopy and PCR-Based Methods | Abstract PDF
- SESSION G: CHEMISTRY II
  Sierra Ballroom III
  Moderator: Malva Knoll, New Mexico Academy of Science
  - - Ranjana Dangi, University of New Mexico
      Electronic structure contributions to molecular rectification | Abstract PDF
    - Sangita Paudel, University of New Mexico
      Excited State Processes in Radical Elaborated Cyclometalated Platinum Complexes | Abstract PDF
    - Lingyao Meng, University of New Mexico
      Controlled Nanomorphology of Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Multi-Component Composites through Cooperative Non-Covalent Interactions | Abstract PDF
    - Samantha Ceballes, New Mexico State University
      Performance improvement and sensitivity of carbon nanotube-based sensors for medical applications | Abstract PDF
4:30 PM Poster Awards Announced

Agenda

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Sponsors

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Agenda

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Sponsors

Location

Click or touch the agenda below to expand the sections.
Click here to view a printable agenda (PDF).