118th Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Academy of Science

Weather Impacts on Wildfire Behavior - Case Study with the Marshall Fire

Bernardo Bridges, Nicholas Golden, Jing Zhang

Department of Physics, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC

Wildfire behavior depends on factors such as fuel type, fuel moisture, and topography; however atmospheric conditions are the most important ones. Weather and climate can increase the risk and dramatically alter wildfires' behavior. Aspects of weather that impact fire behavior include wind, air temperature, humidity, stability, cloud, precipitation, etc. This study summarizes the specific impacts of various weather conditions on wildfire behaviors for the Marshall fire, which occurred on December 30-31, 2021, in Boulder County, Colorado. It's found a severe downslope wind event over the Front Range Mountains, and Foothills in Colorado exacerbated the fire drastically. In this fire event, strong local winds significantly increased the spread of fires by carrying burning embers to a new fuel supply. Precipitation, in any form, also affects fire behavior significantly. The Marshall fire was ended by heavy snowfall from December 31, 2021 - January 1, 2022. On the other hand, significant drought following a rainy season prompted dangerous fire hazardous conditions for the Marshall fire. A rainy season promotes vegetation growth, and then the drought turns the overgrown plant into dry fuel. This is precisely the case for the Marshall fire. Considering the significant variability of weather, the broad range of weather factors that influence fire behavior, and the interconnection between weather and the rest of the fire environment, a more sophisticated weather-fire model including all of these aspects of weather's impacts on fire behavior will help to understand weather and fire behavior's predictability.

Bernardo Bridges

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University - Department of Physics

virtual

Behavioral mechanisms that play a role in speciation are of central interest in evolution and ecology research. Plant-feeding insects often serve as models for the study of speciation, and many insect species acquire mates by producing substrate-borne vibrational signals. They do so on particular plant species (i.e. host plant species), on which they live, mate, and lay eggs. Plant-feeding insects sometimes change their host plant species, and the properties of vibrational mating signals can change as one consequence of a host plant shift, potentially contributing to reproductive barriers. Keeled treehoppers (Entylia carinata) are plant-feeding insects that produce vibrational mating signals prior to copulation. In a midwestern population keeled treehopper vibrational signals have recently been shown to differ according to host plant species. Host plant use and mating signal parameters have not been described for North Carolina Piedmont populations of keeled treehoppers. Here, we describe host plant use from field surveys at Penny�s Bend Nature Preserve (Durham, NC). We quantitatively describe the male mating signals of E. carinata, which contain four distinct components. Our findings show that E. carinata consistently use one host plant, Cirsium altissimum, throughout the early and late summer (month vs. nymph presence: ?2= 2.05, P = 0.15; month vs. adult presence: ?2= 0.03, P = 0.85). In addition to using C. altissimum throughout the season, Entylia also occupy another host plant species, Erechtites hieraciifolius, during the late summer. We found no differences in signal parameters between insects that developed on the two host plant species (linear mixed models, all NS). However, peak frequency differed for signals recorded from early and late-summer males on Cirsium (lmm: F1,11= 8.32, P = 0.01). We suggest that future research should assess the effects of developmental nutrition and plant phenology on male signal parameters and female preferences.

Rebecca Carranza

Elon University, Department of Biology

in-person, 8:30-8:45am

While larger raptors are known to take larger animals; the general rule for determining the ratio has been unexplored in literature. It is reasonable to assume that there are limiting factors that deter raptors from taking down large prey, such as lifting capacity. However, our previous work has shown that raptors are willing to kill animals they are not able to lift. In this study, we have analyzed literature that reports the mass or species identity of animals preyed on by raptors with a focus on large prey. We have found that while there is a relationship between raptor body size and prey mass and that this trend varies slightly between the three raptorial orders (Falconiformes, Accipitriformes, and Strigiformes) there are several species that are strong outliers within their groups. To address the question of why there are outliers, we have determined four possible hypotheses: raptors in environments with few large predators may take on larger prey, the largest or smallest raptor in the area may take unusually large prey, taking down large prey is a characteristic for certain genera, or that raptors take large prey in a manner that scales with, but exceeds, lifting capacity.

Seana Finn

Shaw University

in-person, 8:45-9:00am

Invasive populations of African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus laevis) pose significant threats to local ecosystems around the globe as voracious predators. Understanding relative contributions of the different sensory systems to Xenopus laevis�s predatorial efficiency can be useful in evaluating their impact on nonnative ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate behaviors of Xenopus laevis during prey acquisition. The lateral line system of Xenopus is used to detect changes in surrounding water, giving it the potential to be an integral sense in prey acquisition. It was hypothesized that when the lateral line system in the frogs was ablated, predatorial behaviors would significantly differ from non-ablated individuals when presented with live guppy prey (Poecilia reticulata). Because visual sensory input was hypothesized to be a confounding variable in past studies, light levels were manipulated to control for this variable. Experimental groups consisted of Xenopus with (a) both lateral line and visual input, (b) lateral line only, (c) visual only, and (d) neither lateral line nor visual input. Upon introduction of three live guppy �prey� to the tank of each individual frog, behaviors were recorded for ten minutes with a Mako U-130B infrared camera. Recordings were analyzed using ImageJ software for angle and velocity of attacks. No significant differences were found among the experimental groups in strike velocity or angle of attack, but trends were observed in productive versus nonproductive predatorial behaviors. Further investigation should be made into these trends; future studies should analyze the contribution of other sensory systems, notably olfaction, to efficient prey acquisition behavior.

Maggie Keller

Lenoir-Rhyne University

in-person, 9:00-9:15am

African elephants are listed as endangered on the ICUN Red List, and management of captive populations is an ongoing concern. The Species Survival Plan Program (SSP) is a population management and conservation program for at-risk species, including African elephants. In May of 2021, the African Elephant Species Survival Plan made the recommendation to move an18-year-old bull elephant to the NC Zoo for breeding purposes. The primary goals of this project were to: 1) Create a baseline of behaviors for the new bull elephant; and 2) Compare the behaviors of the female elephants when the new bull is on versus off a nearby habitat. The focal subjects studied in this project were the new bull, and the four resident female elephants. Building on The Elephant Ethogram: A Library of African Elephant Behavior, a unique ethogram was compiled for this project, considering previous research by NC Zoo interns and behaviors noted by current keepers. ZooMonitor software (IMLS) was used in this project. Focal elephants were studied during 15-minute sessions, and behaviors were recorded every minute (scan sampling). Scan sampling data revealed that the new bull spent most of his day foraging (52%), followed by locomotion (25%), inactivity (14%), and maintenance behaviors (7%). Throughout the course of the study, the time that the new bull was mobile decreased, while inactivity increased. The female�s activity budget showed that when the new bull was in a nearby habitat, they foraged for 59% of time and were inactive for 20% of time. These activity budgets mirror behaviors seen in other captive elephant populations. This study further informs our understanding of African elephant behavior and will help in the management of captive populations and conservation efforts.

Emma Throneburg

Lenoir-Rhyne University, North Carolina Zoo

in-person, 9:15-9:30am

In North Carolina, copper pollution is considered to be a significant and widespread problem in surface waters. Excess copper, a heavy metal, disrupts the cellular osmotic balance of organisms exposed by inhibition of the membrane-bound Na/K ATPase. Copper pollution sources range from industrial and municipal to even dust from car braking systems. Tardigrades, commonly known as water bears, are microscopic invertebrates well known for their survival in extreme environmental conditions. They do this most often in a unique, dormant tun state; however, even in their active state, they are known to survive environmental stressors beyond that of other comparably sized organisms. Some tardigrade species demonstrate resistance to excess environmental copper (Hygum 2017). This current study investigated copper tolerance of the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris. Groups of tardigrades were exposed to a copper concentration of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, or 1 ug/mL for 24 hours, then subsequently washed. Tardigrade movement at 0, 2 and 24 hours post exposure was used as an indicator of survival. Active tardigrades were homogenized and assayed using an NADH-linked spectrophotometric analysis for activity of the Na/K ATPase. This information can be used to give a clear limit to tardigrade resistance to copper toxicity, as H. exemplaris is considered to be a less stress tolerant tardigrade species. It also expands the understanding of copper pollution�s impact on the natural environment.

Maggie Lou Carter

Lenoir-Rhyne University

in-person, 9:30-9:45am

Acute exposure to an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor of the Organophosphate (OP) classleads to a cholinergic crisis, resulting in associated excitotoxic injuries (e.g. seizure pathology), an increased risk in developing long-term neurological problems, and potentially death. OPs are used worldwide for agricultural pesticides and as warfare agents used by terrorist groups and state actors. Understanding the synaptotoxic profile of OPs is vital for public health and long-term treatment strategies. Disticnt OP-mediated synaptopathology has been described (Farizatto et al. 2017 J Mol Neurosci 63:115; Farizatto et al. 2019 Sci Rep.9:6532), with the latter study identifying an involvement by integrin-type adhesion responses. From C. elegans to the mammalian brain, integrins are linked to synaptogenesis, synaptic responses, and axon regeneration (Bahr 2000 J Neurosci Res 59:827; Eva & Fawcett 2014 Curr Opin Neurobiol 27:179; Hisamoto et al. 2018 Nat Commun 9:3099). Here, long-term hippocampal explants were exposed to the OP toxin paraoxon (Pxn) to decipher if the einduced synaptic vulnerability is influenced by integrins, using the ?1-integrin inhibitor (BIO 5192). Synaptic changes were assessed by immunoblot, immunohistochemistry, and correlational analyses. Pxn exposure caused a dramatic loss of pre- and postsynaptic staining among neuropilar dendrites, occurring in correspondence with abnormal induction of adhesion responses through the ?1 integrin. Such an increase in ?1 integrins was evident across the hippocampal dendritic fields. Interestingly, in the Pxn exposure model, the distinctive adhesion response was mediated solely by the ?1-typeintegrin family when assessed in parallel with neurexin and NCAM. To further examine the integrin�s role during OP-mediated synaptopathology, we co-treated the Pxn-exposed tissue with a neuroprotective trifluoromethylketophenoxypentyl analog, and observed that the integrin-type response was offset by the neuroprotectant which also helped stabilize synaptic markers. Similar results were found with a pxn wash-out procedure. Additionally, the synaptic compromise observed in Pxn-exposed explants was not exhibited after the application of the ?1-integrin inhibitor BIO 5192, suggesting that blocking ?1 integrin signaling attenuates the unique synaptotoxicity mediated by Pxn. These findings postulate that integrins can respond to cholinergic crises and strongly influences synaptic integrity and maintenance.

JARED TUTON

Univeristy of North Carolina At Pembroke

in-person, 8:30-8:45am

Platelets play important roles in the regulation of hemostasis, which is the normal process involved in the prevention of bleeding through clot formation. In the presence of vascular injury, platelets initiate the formation of blood clots via adhesion, activation, secretion of granules, and formation of aggregates or clumps using ?IIb?3 receptors. Previous experiments have shown that the inhibition of the enzyme arylacetamide deacetylase-like 1 (AADACL1) also known as neutral cholesterol esterase hydrolase 1 (NCEH1) will decrease platelet aggregation and thrombosis and increase tail bleeding time in rat models. However, the function of AADACL1 in hemostasis is still unknown. To test the role of AADACL1 in hemostasis, we utilized a rat model created by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing that lacks a functional gene encoding for AADACL1 (KO). We drew whole blood from this KO rat model and from wildtype (WT) rats and analyzed their platelets using aggregometry, which is a method that measures platelets clumping in response to agonists such as collagen and ADP. Our experiments using aggregometry with whole blood showed that platelets from AADACL1 KO rats have significantly decreased agonist response to two collagen concentrations when compared to WT platelets (p = 0.015 for 1.25 �g/mL collagen, p = 0.013 for 2.5 �g/mL collagen, N = 3). However, data from whole blood aggregometry experiments using ADP as the agonist were inconclusive. We are currently conducting aggregation and secretion experiments with purified platelets using aggregometry and flow cytometry, respectively. Finally, we will perform tail bleeding experiments to measure the impact of AADACL1 in vivo.

Philip Oji

Campbell University

in-person, 8:45-9:00am

On account of the weak circular birefringent response to axial magnetic fields, and hence low values of the Verdet constants, only a few research groups have successfully measured non-resonant Faraday Rotation, and its dispersion, in diamagnetic gases. In contrast to the laborious experiments employed by those researchers, we used a straightforward technique resulting in accurate measurements of the Faraday rotation in air. Our method combines brute force and finesse. The former by combining a nominal 15 ampere RMS current at 85 Hz to produce an AC magnetic field intensity of 240 gauss over a 60 cm length, the latter by utilizing an optical bridge and differential phase sensitive detection. The accuracy of the values we obtained for the Verdet constant of air, Vair, at a dozen wavelengths ranging from 405-800 nm are firmly supported by directly calculating the dispersion of Verdet constant in air as a weighted mixture, Vair = (0.7809 VN2 + 0.2095 VO2), based on previous data.

Terry Chavez

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

RISE: funded by NIH/NIGMS

in-person, 9:00-9:15am

An autonomous grid fin based system to move the payload for the Spaceport America Cup competition was design and tested. Spaceport America Cup is the largest university rocket competition requiring, in the division the team was accepted, a rocket to reach an altitude of 10,000 feet and while carrying a 4.0 kg payload. The payload is designed to guide the 3.0 foot long payload cylinder while falling at approximately 80 feet/sec to a specific position on the ground in the recovery zone. The grid fin system includes four carbon fiber nylon grid fins, four servos, a steerable retraction and deployment mechanism using four stepper motors, a student research and designed control board composed of multiple microcontrollers, batteries and various needed sensors. An onboard GPS system along with other sensors allows the team to compute how to control fin movement and ignite any recovery mechanisms. More testing will occur until the competition in June of 2022

Harrison Boston

Lenoir-Rhyne University

virtual, 9:15-9:30am

Bioproducts, which are materials, chemicals, and/or energy derived from renewable or biological resources including animal feed and renewable fuels, hold great promise excellent substitutes for fossil fuels. Microalgae are an excellent carbon source that can potentially be converted into a variety of bioproducts. Microalgae which have higher yields and carbon capture efficiency than higher plant biomass potentially could make algae-derived bioproducts profitable on an industrial scale. This potential has led to intensive research into ways to increase total biomass of microalgal production. There are several limiting factors that need to be addressed, one of which is light-to-biomass conversion efficiency. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal light energy to maximize photosynthesis and biomass production of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris. Biomass accumulation was quantified via cell counts, and photosynthetic capacity was evaluated by chlorophyll extraction and measurement of chlorophyll a and b concentration spectrophotometrically (663 and 645 nm respectively). Preliminary results indicate that the light intensity providing optimal growth range for Chlorella vulgaris is 32.6 umol/m^2/s to 90.2 umol/m^2/s. There is no apparent correlation between biomass accumulation and chlorophyll concentrations was identified within the parameters of this investigation. Further investigation of additional parameters, including but not limited to growth temperature optimization and specialized reactor design, will be necessary before algal biodiesel production becomes a reality on an industrial scale.

Angel Martin

Lenoir-Rhyne University

in-person, 9:50-10:05am

Global urbanization has profound implications for associated ecosystems and species. Monitoring urbanization induced pollutants can provide data for assessing the risk on human and wildlife health. Honey bees forage widely and collect food from many sources and present a good integrator of diverse environmental contaminants, including mercury (Hg). Thus, we collected honey bees from ten different locations in the United States to analyze for total mercury (THg) and its derivative methylmercury (MeHg). We found that bees from urbanized areas had significantly higher THg than those from rural areas, with suburban samples intermediate. However, MeHg concentrations in all samples were below the detection limit. Nevertheless, this first dataset on Hg levels in honey bees across the US suggests the potential usefulness of honeybees as an integrative biomonitor. Despite our limited, yet geographically widespread sampling, our results indicate higher Hg contamination levels in urban areas, consistent with other negative impacts of urbanization

Prashant Waiker

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Clemson University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Alberta

in-person, 10:05-10:20am

The development of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have become popular as a tool to provide more students with an opportunity to engage in an authentic research experience. The use of multi-week, inquiry-based lab modules requiring students to participate in all stages of the research endeavor from hypothesis formulation to communication of results better reflects the true nature of science than a more traditional model that exposes students to a new concept, methodology, or habitat during each week of the semester. Between 1993 and 2021, I taught the General Ecology Laboratory course of Elon University 22 times using both the traditional model and the inquiry-based research model. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of student response data indicated a significant preference for (p< 0.03), and efficacy of (p< 0.04), the inquiry-based model. Over several years, one of the multi-week modules constituted an independent project in which two or three students formulated, designed and implemented an experiment to address their own hypothesis. Additional benefits of the inquiry based model is that data from successive years can be compiled to form large data bases that make it easier to discern statistically significant trends which may lead to publication. One data set designed to evaluate student-generated hypotheses about hurricane impacts on tree mortality in a Piedmont forest included data from over 750 trees representing 42 species collected over a five-year period. The abstract describing these findings was published in the Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science with two student co-authors. The inquiry-based model incorporating authentic course-based research experiences represents a powerful tool to encourage critical thinking and demystify the true nature of scientific inquiry.

Mike Kingston

Elon University

in-person, 10:20-10:35am

Isoflavones are secondary metabolites abundant in soybean and other legume seeds and possess numerous health and nutrition benefits for humans and animals. The aims of this study were to (1) construct a dense genetic map based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the 'Forrest' by 'Williams 82' (FxW82) recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (n = 306), (2) identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control seed daidzein, genistein, glycitein, and total isoflavone contents in two environments over two years (NC-2018 and IL-2020), and (3) identify candidate genes within the QTL regions. The FXW82 SNP-based map covered 4,029.9 cM and 27 QTL have been identified and mapped on several chromosomes. One hundred thirty (130) candidate genes have been identified within or close to these QTL regions and will be discussed here. These advances will help farmers and breeders to develop soybean lines and cultivars producing high amounts of isoflavone.

Abdelmajid Kassem

1 Department of Plant, Soil, and Agricultural Systems, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA; dounya.knizia@siu.edu (D.K.); naoufal.lakhssassi@siu.edu (N.L.); meksem@siu.edu (K.M.) 2 Laboratoire de Biotechnologies & Valorisation des Bio?Ressources (BioVar), Department de Biology, Facult� des Sciences, Universit� Moulay Ismail, Mekn�s 50000, Morocco; H.MAZOUZ@fs?umi.ac.ma 3 Plant Genomics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC 28301, USA; jyuan@uncfsu.edu (J.Y.); fbetts@broncos.uncfsu.edu (F.B.); tregist2@broncos.uncfsu.edu (T.R.); ewilli17@broncos.uncfsu.edu (E.W.) 4 Crop Genetics Research Unit, USDA, Agriculture Research Service, 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA; nacer.bellaloui@usda.gov 5 Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; vuongt@missouri.edu (T.V.); klepadlom@missouri.edu (M.U.); nguyenhenry@missouri.edu (H.T.N.) 6 Soybean Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, USDA?ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; qijian.song@usda.gov 7 Crop Genetics Research Unit, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Jackson, TN 38301, USA; alemu.mengistu@usda.gov * Correspondence: mkassem@uncfsu.edu

virtual, 10:35-10:50am

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created concerns about the safety of public instrumental music performances. Several options for reducing the spread of infectious viruses during concerts have been proposed, including masking the bells of woodwind and brass instruments. In this study, the movement of oral bacteria through a brass instrument, a trumpet, was investigated as a means to study the airborne transmission of other infectious agents associated with respiratory droplets in humans. Bacteria were collected by direct impingement onto blood agar during the playing of the trumpet by positioning an agar plate just outside the bell of the instrument. In addition, liquid was collected from the water keys (spit valves) of the trumpet during play to monitor bacterial transmission through the instrument�s pipes and valves. The trumpet was played for 1.0, 2.5, and 10 minutes to generate respiratory droplets with the potential of carrying bacteria. Serial dilutions of saliva collected from the water keys were prepared, and aliquots from each dilution were plated onto blood agar to determine bacterial counts. These plates plus blood agar plates from the bell were incubated at 37 �C for 48 hours. Several different bacterial colony types were obtained and then analyzed to identify bacterial types and numbers of colonies. Results showed little bacterial growth on the trumpet bell plates in contrast to robust growth on plates from water key samples and saliva obtained directly from the investigator (positive control). The most common types of bacteria isolated were Gram-positive streptococci. Results suggest that masking the instrument might provide some hindrance to droplet spread, but routine instrument cleaning/sanitization and proper disposal of water-key contents might be a better strategy for limiting pathogen spread from brass instruments.

Gabriel Corn

Lenoir-Rhyne University

in-person, 9:50-10:05am

Since their discovery, antibiotics have significantly decreased the deadly repercussions of bacterial infections. Infections caused by antibiotic resistant organisms, however, are on the rise and are a major health threat (Ghosh et al., 2019). Resistance comes from excessive exposure or overuse by the medical community, and inappropriate use by patients such as not completing a treatment regime (Munita & Arias, 2015). The increase in infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria spurred research into forms of treatment other than antibiotics. Clinical and in vitro studies by Warnke et al. (2009) have shown bactericidal effects with many plant essential oils, even against multidrug resistant strains such as MRSA. Essential oils are concentrated, volatile plant extracts produced by mechanical pressing and steam distillation (Siddeeg et al., 2018). Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil, reported by Rezaei et al. (2020), showed antimicrobial properties against Enterococcus faecalis, Actinomyces viscosus, and Streptococcus sanguinis. S. sanguinis most recognized for its pathology in periodontal disease. This study investigates the potential use of peppermint essential oil as an antimicrobial agent to kill or prevent the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. An antibiotic profile of S. aureus was completed using Mueller-Hinton Agar and 20 antibiotic candidates. The profile determined which antibiotic will be used as a positive control for further testing. The antibiotic profile showed that Imipenem had the highest percent variation from the standard Zone Of Inhibition (ZOI) of resistance for S. aureus and will be used as the positive control. Next steps in this study include: a disk diffusion carrier oil assay, disk diffusion microdilution assay of peppermint oil, subculturing all resistance ZOI, and a verification assay growing S. aureus on plates containing various concentrations of peppermint oil. This study will determine if peppermint oil can be effectively used as a non-antibiotic treatment to control S. aureus infections.

Lauren Bowman

Guilford College

virtual, 10:05-10:20am

Interest in the utilization of Bacterial Cellulose continues to grow because of its high purity, strength, water holding capacity, moldability and recyclability. These unique properties have made Bacterial Cellulose a choice material in the fields of medicine, food, commercial products, and electronics. Bacteria that produce cellulose typically produce at the air-fluid interface. As bacterial cellulose is produced, the cellulose obstructs the aerobic interface, thus slowing bacterial cellulose production. The slowed production makes the process inefficient and expensive and therefore commercially unattractive. Increased aerobic interface in a static bioreactor holds great potential to improve Bacterial cellulose production to commercially viable quantities while maintaining the properties associated with static culture produced bacterial cellulose. In this study, we have successfully increased bacteria access to oxygen by layering the bacterial cellulose culture medium on denser perfluorohexane sparged with oxygen. The upper surface of the media gives the bacteria access to oxygen from the top while the bioinert lower fluid layer provides another aerobic interface for the bacteria from the bottom. Both interfaces produced bacterial cellulose thus signifying improved yield. With improved yield of bacterial cellulose, this novel system holds great potential in making commercial production of bacterial cellulose possible and thus open a world of opportunities in the utilization of this great biomaterial.

BOLAJI SADIKU

Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

in-person, 10:20-10:35am

Increased student achievement of learning objectives is a goal in most STEM classrooms. This project aimed to redesign the 200-level allied health microbiology course, BIOL 275, at Campbell University in partnership with the Promoting Active Learning and Mentorship (PALM) network. The course redesign was guided mentor Sarah Sletten at the University of North Dakota and used the Backwards Design model, which places assessment considerations at the forefront of planning. Learning objectives were identified using the Undergraduate Curriculum Guidelines for Microbiology in Nursing and Allied Health (MINAH) set forth by American Society of Microbiology (ASM). The methods chosen to deliver content and promote student achievement for the identified objectives was focused on active learning which involves students constructing knowledge instead of passively listening. This redesign resulting in a course matrix, development of several case studies, student presentation assignments, and implementation of course polling technology.

Stephanie Mathews

Campbell University

in-person, 10:35-10:50am