What if extinction was not caused by catastrophe, but by isolation? This creative manuscript explores loneliness, difference, and belonging through a linked collection of short stories centered on misfits from the same small township in West Michigan. Through dark humor and emotional precision, the work interrogates how people wear their differences as armor, and how… continue reading
What happens when children watch politics unfold on television? And what does it mean when adults watch children react to it? This project examines how childhood and politics intersect in the British reality television program Gogglesprogs (2016–2019), where cameras capture children reacting to current events, media, and political issues in their own homes. By analyzing… continue reading
What people value shapes how they live, connect, and cope. This research explored how educational background and perceived social status influence whether individuals prioritize self-focused values such as power and achievement or other-focused values such as family and compassion. The project was presented during the 2025 SPARK! Graduate Poster Exhibition. Conducted by Xuanzhou Du while… continue reading
Can a porous membrane reduce water loss without blocking essential gas exchange? That question sits at the center of research exploring how organisms regulate moisture across biological surfaces. This project examined spider egg sacs as a model system to better understand how water vapor moves across porous membranes and what truly controls evaporation. The research… continue reading
Forensic DNA analysis depends on reliable amplification, but degraded or trace samples often limit the effectiveness of traditional methods. This poster examined whether Catalytic Hairpin Assembly, an enzyme-free and isothermal DNA amplification technique, could provide a viable alternative to polymerase chain reaction for forensic applications, particularly when working with compromised DNA. Presented at the 2025… continue reading
Growth often begins with a single decision: reaching out. Yet for many students, asking for help remains one of the most difficult steps to take. Ethan Trieu’s research explores how strengthening a sense of meaning and purpose may shift attitudes toward help-seeking, positioning self-efficacy as a key bridge between belief and action. Trieu completed this… continue reading
