2025 KU BEARS Participants/research titles/abstracts.

Peer Mentorship for Prospective Special Educators

Tabetha Bernstein-Danis

College of Education | Special Education

Amanda Clark

Harleigh Livingston

Majors: Special Education

Overview: The Kutztown University-Pocono Mountain School District Aspiring Special Educators Program aims to introduce high school students who are interested in becoming special education teachers to the field by pairing them with college student mentors who are already on this career path as special education majors at KU. The high school students and college students will engage together in a series of virtually delivered lessons and the high school students will spend a shadow day on campus, following their mentors’ schedules and engaging in activities designed to inspire them about this next step towards their intended career. The curriculum for the mentorship program and the shadow day were co-designed by the two lead college student mentors who participated as part of the KU BEARS grant (Amanda Clark and Harleigh Livingston) under the guidance of faculty member Dr. Tabetha Bernstein-Danis. The high school students will also have the opportunity to attend the introductory special education course in the spring as dual enrollment students and will continue meeting with their mentors to help make connections between course learning and what those concepts really look like in classrooms and schools.

Quantum Teleportation with Ultracold Atoms in Ring Traps

Kunal Das

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Physical Sciences 

Brett Yagiello

Major: Physics

Overview: Brett Yagiello worked on the topic of quantum teleportation. He used and adapted computer codes to simulate quantum teleportation in systems of two species of ultracold atoms and examined ways to maximize the degree of the necessary entanglement between the systems. He has been developing these results and ideas towards utilizing three subsystems of ultracold atoms to implement quantum teleportation. With that as a goal, he is continuing to work on this project beyond the summer. The experience gained through this research will help Brett pursue his career goals as he plans to work on innovative aspects of computer science that would include quantum information science.

Cloning a Ctb9-Interacting Protein for Mammalian Expression

Cristina Cummings

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Biological Sciences 

Laura Gotshall

Major: Biology: Molecular/Micro/Cell

Overview: We devised a cloning strategy to remove each gene for our Ctb9-interacting proteins of interest from a yeast DNA carrier system to create a new version of the gene that is compatible with mammalian cells. We next transformed the genes for SDHB and an unknown gene (Bac Clone from Chromosome #12) into competent cells to create bacterial colonies that were then used to prepare larger quantities of DNA. We then transfected mammalian cells with various combinations of the genes and harvested the cells to make lysate samples for protein analysis. These samples were then added to 4x loading dye, run through SDS-Page, and transferred to a membrane for Western blotting. The membranes were then imaged to show the different protein bands present, including each protein of interest as well as an actin antibody as a positive control to show that proteins were present. The next steps of the project will be to look for an interaction of each protein with Ctb9 from the extracts of the mammalian cells.

The Influence of Climate Change on Dew Point Temperatures in Pennsylvania

Michael Davis

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Geography

Valerie Davidheiser

Major: Environmental Science: Geography

Overview: Climate change has been a growing concern for many professionals in varying fields, as it has the potential to influence not only temperatures, but also natural disasters, precipitation, the economy, and human health. This research aims to explore the relationships between dew point, temperature, and precipitation within the Northeastern United States, specifically Pennsylvania. Dew point, temperature, and precipitation data for a climate summer (June-August), from 1990-2023, was analyzed from several weather stations located across the state, aiming to identify any potential trends. This research is of considerable importance for Pennsylvania, as it is a state sensitive to flooding and its hazards. Through understanding how climate change is altering dew point, and therefore precipitation, we are better able to prepare for the future risks associated with a warming atmosphere.

Digitizing and Archiving a Photographic History of the Kutztown Folk Festival

William Donner

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Society, History and Culture

Beau deForest

Major: English: Professional Writing

Overview: This project continued an earlier one to scan, digitize and catalogue a group of slides from the Kutztown Folk Festival. The project included two major collections: the William and Lillian Walter collection from 1950 to 1963 (166 slides); and the Richard Hoffman Collection from 1955 to 1993 (435 slides). William and Lillian Walter were closely involved with the early days of the Kutztown Folk Festival. Richard Hoffman was a Pennsylvania German artist who visited the festival almost every year from 1955-1993. The slides were scanned to archival quality in 1200DPI, 4800DPI and 9600DPI. There are cataloguing explanations (greatly expanded during this part of the project) and notes. We also interviewed Elaine Varijan who was at the Festival at its beginning and attended it every year.

We still have to add the slides to our digital collection and are making plans to accomplish that in the coming year (https://research.library.kutztown.edu/pa_german_dutch).

The Kutztown Folk Festival was a seminal and very influential expression of regional culture. It had strong influence both on academic folklife studies and the community based expressions of culture. The Festival became the model for other folk festivals, most notably the Smithsonian’s annual Folklife Festival on the national mall (see https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2015/08/don-yoder-1921-2015-the-man-who-put-the-life-in-folklife), and important inspiration for the Folklife Center in the National Archives and folklife organizations and events throughout the country.

The Folk Festival had a strong impact on the region, surrounding community and Kutztown University. Many of us regret its loss and want to record its achievements. The Kutztown Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center is developing into the leading center for Pennsylvania German Studies and a major institution in folklife studies generally. These slides and the Festival are important parts of the Center’s and University’s missions.

The Effects of a Regenerative Agriculture Experiment on Target and Non-target Biodiversity

Christopher Habeck

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Biological Sciences 

Jack Monahan

Major: Environmental Science: Regenerative Agriculture

Overview: Jack Monahan and Jared Pokorney contributed to several interconnected research projects within Kutztown University’s Regenerative Organic Agriculture Experiment. Their work focused on evaluating the impacts of regenerative farm management practices on key ecological and agronomic outcomes. Specifically, they investigated how regenerative methods influence crop photosynthetic rates, root and microbial metabolic activity in soils, crop yields, and both soil and pollinator insect diversity. These studies provide valuable data that will help KU faculty and students identify management strategies most effective in meeting the central goals of regenerative agriculture: reducing reliance on external inputs, restoring soil health, and enhancing overall ecosystem biodiversity. Beyond the scientific outcomes, this collaborative experience has served as an important professional milestone for both students. Engaging in hypothesis-driven research, designing and implementing experiments, and analyzing data have enabled Jack and Jared to transition from classroom learners to emerging scientists. Their contributions demonstrate how applied research at KU not only advances the field of regenerative agriculture but also fosters the development of the next generation of problem-solvers dedicated to building sustainable food systems.

The impact of habitat fragmentation on the diversity of parasites infecting white sucker fish across streams in the Schuylkill River watershed.

Alexander Hernandez

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Biological Sciences 

Brianna Schneberger

Major: Chemistry

Overview: This project studied the diversity of parasitic worms infecting white sucker fish (Catostomus commersonii) living in tributaries of the Schuylkill River watershed. A total of 39 fish were sampled from three stream tributaries using a backpack electro-shocker. Parasites were extracted from external surfaces and all major visceral organs in 13 white suckers from Cacoosing Creek, 13 from Willow Creek, and 13 from Sacony Creek. Overall, 69.2% of fish from Cacoosing were infected with at least one parasite species, while 100% from Willow and Sacony did. A total of 6 different parasite morphospecies were found, with one new parasite identified, bringing the total number of parasites in white suckers to 11 since sampling across the Schuylkill River watershed began in 2023. Two measures of parasite species diversity, species richness and the Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H¹), varied between streams. The mean parasites species richness and H¹ was 1 and 0.07, respectively, in fish from Cacoosing, 1.23 and 0.064 from Willow, and 2.1and 0.216 from Sacony. The most commonly occurring parasite was adult stages of Lissorchis attenuatus, with 46.1% of white suckers from Cacoosing, 92.3% from Willow, and 100% from Sacony infected with these flatworm parasites. The mean abundance of L. attenuatus was 10 worms in fish from Cacoosing, 4.7 from Willow, and 10.8 from Sacony. These data will be added to those collected in previous seasons and used to determine if changes to habitat fragmentation impacts the natural history of white sucker hosts, and by extension, that of their parasites.

The Fire Below Film

Deryl Johnson

College of Visual and Performing Arts | Communication Studies

Atlas Cannon

Parker Storti

Majors: Cinema, Television, and Media Production

Overview: Two KU students assisted Dr. Deryl Johnson with his upcoming new play: Centralia: The Fire Below. The play re-examines the original research and the materials collected by Dr. Johnson in 1997-98 that served as the basis for the play: Centralia. Dr. Johnson’s new play will include four films projected within the play itself- incorporating video, audio, music and photographs that were not used in the original production. KU students: Parker Stori and Atlas Cannon, both from the Department of Cinema, Television, and Media Production, assisted with the creation and editing of two of the play’s films. One film focuses on the saga of the Centralia, PA, a Pennsylvania town that has been the site of an underground mine fire since 1962. The second film chronicles the tragic Pennsylvania plane crash (United Airlines Flight 624) near Mid-Valley Coal Colliery in 1948 and the deaths of empresario Earl Carroll and noted actress Beryl Wallace.

Feature-Length Film Direction Tools and Techniques

Jonathan Joy

College of Visual and Performing Arts | Cinema, Television, and Media Production

Sarah Love

Major: Cinema, Television, and Media Production

Overview: To direct, whether it is a short or feature length film, a documentary or an experimental production, is to observe. It’s your responsibility to investigate human nature no matter if it is fictionalized or grounded in real world events or topics. Filling the role of director on a media production is the responsibility to have tasking, fruitful conversations with production departments on your overall vision. The success lands on the director by way of those production members that advocate and support the mission from start to finish. Production hiccups happen, but a director’s acumen throughout the process is an indication of their maturation in this role, personally and professionally.

Regional comparative analysis of child welfare workforce in Pennsylvania

Yoon Mi Kim

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Criminal Justice

Alay Patel

Major: Criminal Justice

Overview: Alay Patel (Criminal Justice major, Social Work minor) and Dr. Yoon Mi Kim (Social Work Department) conducted a regional comparative analysis of the child welfare workforce in Pennsylvania using Excel, GIS, and SPSS. The results indicated that rural caseworkers were more likely than their urban counterparts to report a lack of supportive systems and a high level of work-related stress. Their findings will be presented at the 2025 Pennsylvania Conference of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) on October 7, 2025.

Framing CSR: The Impact of Concrete vs. Abstract CSR Messaging on Perceptions and Behavior

Soojin Kim

Yongjae Kim

College of Business | Sport Management

Andrew Batista

Andrew Curch

Majors: Sport Management

Overview: This study addresses a gap in the sport CSR communication literature by examining how message clarity (concrete versus abstract) affects Gen Z’s engagement with CSR initiatives. While prior research has developed frameworks for involving stakeholders in CSR messaging (Morsing & Schultz, 2006), few studies have explored how these messages resonate with Gen Z, a demographic noted for its demand for transparency, ethical branding, and digital engagement (Deloitte, 2024; Nguyen et al., 2019; Twenge, 2021). As the largest emerging consumer group (Miller & Lu, 2018), Gen Z demonstrates strong preferences for brands that prioritize sustainability and social justice (Parker et al., 2019; Narayanan, 2022). Guided by Construal Level Theory (CLT), this research finds that clear, concrete messages, by reducing psychological distance, foster more favorable attitudes toward the brand and its initiatives. Overall, the results emphasize that transparency and authentic commitment to social causes are critical for effective CSR campaigns targeting Gen Z. The findings of this study provide actionable insights for brands and sports organizations seeking to optimize their CSR communication strategies for Gen Z.

Avoiding a Terrible Fate: Development of Video Game Research Archive

Sandra Leonard

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | English

Hailey Duncan

Gabu Gonzalez

Majors: Computer Science & Information Technology

Overview: Books, film, and music all have robust archival support in libraries and archives, making it possible for researchers and the public to access significant literary and artistic works from the past. Videogames are a growing medium of aesthetic and literary expression and are also worth preserving. However, videogames and digital literature largely lack archival support within library systems, previously including the library at our own university. Since many videogames can only be played on specific consoles and PC systems that can become out of date and difficult to find, it is necessary for archivists to research ways that videogames can be preserved and playable media research.

The goal of this project has been to further develop the videogame preservation space in Kutztown University Library. Last year’s project created this space from nothing, and students did an excellent job in this project; however, it left a good deal to build upon. This summer project developed the space further: students organized equipment and made it more accessible, added how-to videos and a libguide, fixed broken equipment, incorporated a CRTV into the system, made a connection with the local business Level Up game store, and added signage to the archive space. They have also further developed this project academically in writing an abstract, grant proposal, and have embarked on writing an academic paper that could be published in the upcoming academic year in a major peer-reviewed journal.

Cynipid Wasp Galls on Red and Pin Oaks & Rose Galls Caused by Wasps in the Diplolepididae

Carol Mapes

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Biological Sciences 

Henry Leardi

Major: Environmental Science: Biology

Overview: Insect galls are plant growths of many distinctive shapes caused by a large number of species of insects. This project included research on cynipid wasp galls found on oak trees, wasp galls on roses, and the goldenrod ball gall caused by the tephritid fly Eurosta solidaginis. Insects were reared from galls and/or were removed from dissected galls for identification purposes and future DNA analysis. Developing goldenrod galls were measured on a weekly basis in the field as part of the Continental Gall Size Project, a larger study involving many researchers across North America. Galls on native rose plants in Pennsylvania were also studied to gain a better understanding of the distribution and diversity of rose galls caused by wasps in the family Diplolepididae that can be found in the state.

Assessing habitat use of mammal populations through camera trapping and acoustic monitoring

Andrew Mashintonio

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Biological Sciences 

Sarah Ferber

Major: Environmental Science: Biology

Overview: The use of camera trapping (CT) and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to rapidly assess biodiversity has become common practice in recent years. While PAM can detect species from greater distances, it is limited to monitoring species that vocalize; therefore, only one technique is typically employed during a research study based on the target species. Some studies have combined techniques to detect more species in an area, but rarely have they been directly compared. Here, we compared the ability of these monitoring techniques to detect species, particularly terrestrial mammals, in a forested environment. We used occupancy modeling to evaluate the presence of species at different sites across Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. We detected 10 species with camera traps; acoustic detection analysis is ongoing. Of the species that were detected with camera traps, occupancy was estimated to be higher when two cameras were used than when one was used; however, factors that affected occupancy (such as distance to trails) were similar for a species regardless of how many cameras were used. These preliminary results indicate that the purpose of the study is important for the experimental design – if estimating occupancy is paramount, then two or more cameras per site are recommended; whereas if the goal is to determine habitat preferences, one camera may be sufficient.

Experiencing Industrialization in Eastern Pennsylvania

Khori Newlander

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Society, History and Culture

Sarah Ferber

Major: Environmental Science: Biology

Overview: The rise of American industry during the late-eighteenth and nineteenth centuries dramatically transformed the United States. Researchers who study early industrial communities wish to understand how physical, economic, demographic, and social factors intersected in the unfolding of industrialization. Archaeology is particularly well placed to provide relevant insight because it can trace trajectories of cultural change over extended periods of time. Archaeology can also recover material evidence of the countless men and women who, though lost to the history books, helped America become an industrial and economic power. In this study, Amanda Conrad and I examined the changes wrought by industrialization through the archaeological study of two nineteenth-century sites in eastern Pennsylvania: Stoddartsville and Joanna Furnace. Our comparative study of the artifacts recovered from the residences of the workers and managers provides insight into how different social groups (e.g., managers vs. workers) experienced industrialization. Amanda and I will continue our collaboration as we build on this study to design and install exhibits at Stoddartsville and Joanna Furnace, thereby encouraging the public to learn about the history in their backyards.

Makerspaces in K-12 Schools

Roseanne Perkins

College of Education | Elementary, Middle Level, Library and Technologies Education

Raina Conaway

Major: Library Science

Overview: Makerspaces are collaborative sites for hands-on, iterative, and interdisciplinary explorations. While not all K-12 schools have dedicated makerspaces, any teacher of any subject can be empowered to integrate making into their classroom practice. With the adoption of the STEELS standards by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and their emphasis on Project-Based Learning, makerspaces are poised to be increasingly important in the Commonwealth’s schools. Our goal this summer was to analyze data to help us better understand current makerspace initiatives in K-12 schools: What tools do most schools have? Which teachers are most involved? What opportunities and challenges do teachers perceive in makerspace environments? We analyzed data collected during site visits conducted in the Spring of 2025. The data included transcripts from semi-structured interviews with teachers, librarians, and school administrators from eight schools in our region. It also included inventories of the materials and equipment available in these schools’ makerspaces. Using these data, we made decisions about what equipment to purchase for our own mobile maker carts that will be housed in the Beekey Education Center and available for use by faulty and teacher candidates. We hope that our continuing research will help us to be able to better prepare teacher candidates to use maker activities, and to encourage veteran teachers to integrate maker-based activities into their existing practices.

Bridging Disciplines: Mapping the Essential Skills in Game Development

Thiep Pham

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Computer Science & Information Technology

Kylee Hager

Major: Game Development

Overview: Our 2025 KU BEARS project, titled Bridging Disciplines: Mapping the Game Development Interdisciplinary Skills, was a faculty-student research collaboration between Professor Thiep N. Pham from the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology and Kylee Hager, a senior pursuing dual majors in Game Development and Computer Science.

The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate and map the interdisciplinary skills embedded within a game development curriculum and from over 25 scholarly sources related to game development. Using a contextual mapping methodology, the team extracted the game development, common, and production skills from both sources. These skills were cataloged, logically grouped, and analyzed for interdependencies. The result was a detailed context diagram illustrating the relationships among the identified skills.

To enhance accessibility and usability, the team also developed a one-page taxonomy summarizing the interdisciplinary game development skills derived from the detailed context diagram. Additionally, a high-level Venn diagram was created to visually represent the intersections among the contributing disciplines within game development.

Kylee was an exceptional research partner. She demonstrated curiosity, adaptability, and a strong work ethic, consistently investing significant effort into mastering new skills and completing assigned tasks with diligence and enthusiasm.

Saving Livingstone Archives

Christine Saidi

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | History

Dominic Zientara

Major: History

Overview: We traveled to the southern province in Zambia to work in and with the staff at the Livingstone Museum and Library. Dominic Zientara was able to do research in the archives on a comparative legal project. He researched the traditional legal system of Tonga, the largest African group in the region; the British colonial legal system applied in Northern Rhodesia (colonial name for Zambia); and legal documents from the early post-colonial period of an independent Zambia. In addition to working in the archives, Dominic was able to travel to Tonga rural villages and interview older people (elders) about their precolonial legal systems and how they implemented those laws. In traveling to the rural villages, he was able to travel up the Zambezi River; view Victoria Falls (called Mosi O Tunya by local Tonga—which means the “smoke that roars”); as well as viewing rhinos and elephants who move freely in this southern region.

There was another aspect of the project, documenting the conditions of the Livingstone archives was another aspect of the project. Zambia does not have the funds to maintain the extensive written archives and material culture retained in the library, therefore we gathered evidence of its conditions so that we could write a grant to fund the digitizing of the collection. The Museum also has constant cultural performances, such as dancing and musical events, which we were able to watch and document.

The Influence of Regenerative Agriculture Practice on Carbon Cycling

Jacob Sewall

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Physical Sciences 

Jarod Porkorny

Major: Environmental Science: Regenerative Agriculture

Overview: Regenerative agriculture is an emerging strategy for food production with the goal of increasing ecosystem health while simultaneously producing a sustainable crop yield. Current research on the efficacy of this strategy, however, is lacking in our region. Our goal is to understand how regenerative agriculture strategies influence carbon (C) dynamics (through plant photosynthesis and soil respiration) and plant productivity (i.e., crop yield) within an experimental framework at the KU Environmental Science Program’s Regenerative Organic Agriculture Living Laboratory. In particular, we are studying the potential benefits of biochar, by itself or with bovine manure, as a soil amendment to increase crop yield and capture carbon in a highly recalcitrant form (two major goals of regenerative agriculture). We found significant differences in the rate of soil respiration with the addition of both bovine manure and biochar. Manure, with and without biochar, generated more respiration than our control plots or plots with only biochar. Biochar in combination with manure generated the highest levels of soil respiration. Wheat yields also varied significantly across treatments, but were generally controlled (unsurprisingly) by the presence of manure. The addition of biochar did not have a significant effect on yield beyond the influence of the manure. Biochar impacts may, however, become significant in future crops (corn is currently planted) as it is hypothesized to promote nutrient retention within the soil column.

Pennypacker Mills Geophysical Investigation

Laura Sherrod

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Physical Sciences 

Elizabeth Keim

Major: Geology

Overview: The Pennypacker Mills historic site in Schwenksville, PA consists of approximately 170 acres and is known to be a site of importance for General George Washington during the Germantown Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. The mansion on this property was originally built in 1720 and was owned by the prominent politician Samuel W. Pennypacker in the 1900s. During Samuel Pennypacker’s tenure at this site, he placed engraved memorial stones at three sites believed to be historic cemeteries. These three sites are thought to have numerous potential unmarked burials and were targeted for geo-physical investigations during the summer of 2025. The geophysical investigation of these three sites of interest was performed in June 2025 with the targets being unmarked burials, buried headstones, and any other anthropogenic indicators. Ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic induction, and magnetometer measurements were collected across the survey areas. Tree roots, groundhog burrows, and modern road-ways obstructed the geophysical results, but several zones of potential archaeological interest were identified in this site characterization, including possible buried remnants and artifacts of munitions, linear features which may be remnants from former land use, and prospective zones of former excavation.

Revisiting Methods to Increase Performance of Monocrystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells Exposed to Extreme Heat and Extreme Cold

Justin Smoyer

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Physical Sciences

Paul Quinn

Major: Physics: Engineering

Overview: Solar energy is a rapidly growing field as the demand for renewable and economically viable energy sources continues to increase. Among these technologies, silicon photovoltaic cells are widely used but remain limited by efficiency constraints. This project examined the temperature dependence of monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, focusing on how high-temperature exposure affects key performance characteristics such as open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Isc), peak power (P) maximum power voltage (Vmp), maximum power current (Imp), and fill fraction. In the past, cells were heated at 200◦ C for 20 minutes showed an increase in performance without modifications to the manufaturing process. The resulting changes in performance were analyzed using IV curves, comparing pre- and post-heating characteristics. In this study, this result was further studied, using two different light sources to illuminate the cells an LED array, and a solar simulator (a device simulating teh exact wavelengths of light produced by the sun), while heating under the same conditions. Our findings revealed that increased performance occurred after heating regardless of the light source. The solar simulator did produce a more reproducible result, with less varibility in the IV curves that were measured.

Evaluating acoustic diversity indices as proxies for biological diversity

Matthew Stone

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Biological Sciences

Meg Byerly

Major: Environmental Science: Biology

Overview: This project evaluated the effectiveness of Acoustic Diversity Indices (ADIs) as tools for quantifying vertebrate biodiversity in a temperate oak–hickory forest at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. ADIs are computational methods that estimate biodiversity based on soundscape complexity, offering potential advantages over traditional field surveys; however, their accuracy remains uncertain. The goal of this study is to compare ADIs to standard metrics of biodiversity. During June 2025, we deployed 20 acoustic recorders at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary over a 21-day sampling period. We collected approximately 10,080 hours of total recordings. We used BirdNET to identify animal calls (bird and some mammals) to the species level. We had 925,186 detections of 108 species of birds with an average of 57.3 ± 9.6 (± 1SD) species documented at each site from. Once we have completed the validation of all the detections we will calculate species richness at each site and then correlate those values to the acoustic diversity metrics calculated using Kaleidoscope program. While this project is still ongoing the results can be used to advance the use of passive acoustic monitoring in conservation biology.

Past Awards - 2025