Honors Theses
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/199040
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Open Access Struggling with ghosting? Why volunteers and donors do it, how to rekindle nonprofit engagement(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025-05-15) Ferris, Adelle, author; Seabolt, Logan, advisor; Falcon, Gilbert, committee memberNon-profit organizations actively address societal challenges and improve lives. However, sustaining volunteer and donor recruitment and retention remains challenging. This thesis explores the complications that arise in acquiring and engaging volunteers and donors long-term, specifically focusing on the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Chapter at Colorado State University (CSU), and the broader organization of NMDP. The analysis examines psychological motivators, such as Self Determination Theory, which drive individuals to perform altruistic acts. This thesis highlights constraints that prevent individuals from volunteering or donating – barriers extending beyond recruitment. These include a lack of education, structural deficiencies, institutional mistrust, cultural hesitancy, and systematic limitations within the healthcare sector. Additionally, the examination investigates the role of the medical industry, particularly how burnout affects engagement. Recognizing these issues is the first step toward proposing effective solutions.||People naturally want to help others when given the capability and opportunity. Adjustments must occur to correct limitations individuals currently face during onboarding and the conversation process. Proposed solutions include effective communication, social media engagement, and psychology-backed techniques such as the Door-in-the-Face and Foot-in-the-Door strategies to drive participation. Accentuating community interaction through proper training and information fosters confidence and promotes workplace sustainability. Evaluating the global significance associated with donor recruitment and retention provides insights beyond the scope of NMDP. This thesis offers a framework for various non-profit organizations and companies seeking to improve their own recruitment and retention efforts. Altruism alone will not change the world, but a system empowering it can – and will.Item Open Access The development and implementation of agrivoltaic systems internationally(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Collignon, Anne, C., author; Scott, Ryan, advisor; Olofsson, Kristin, committee memberAgrivoltaics was first developed in the 1980s and first began being used around 2004 with the purpose of combining agricultural activity and solar energy generation. Between 2015 and 2024, the world witnessed an increase in the development of renewable energy sources like solar energy, as well as an increase in the need to solve land use disputes, preserve the health and soil quality of thousands of acres of land, diversify revenue sources, and in some cases increase crop yields and ecological benefits to land within agriculture (Ballard et al., 2023). Agrivoltaics has been studied extensively in terms of technical aspects, and is helpful for increased crop yield, reduced water evaporation and soil preservation, lower temperatures, diversified income and off-set prosecution costs. The purpose of this study is to analyze agrivoltaic development within specific countries of the world and identify factors related to governmental and structural aspects that affect implementation. In order to do this, I analyzed agriculture data as well as renewable energy and solar energy development, overlaying them and looking for areas where there is both high crop productivity and high solar energy generation. Within this analysis, three countries were chosen as case studies for analysis: Germany, Thailand, and Chile. Research was done on government and structural policy to explain why and how agricultural and solar development occurred, and how agrivoltaics has or has not developed as another form of renewable energy. Eleven factors affecting implementation of agrivoltaics were identified, including factors relating to investment and government financial support, electricity generation and forms of renewable energy, and various aspects of agricultural structure and climate change effects. Many of the factors affecting these countries and worldwide vary according to governmental structure and geographic and regional location, and there is still much to be studied and understood about the benefits and viability of implementation of agrivoltaics.Item Open Access Living at baseline: a letter of navigation and reflection on the college mental health journey(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Kim, Ella, author; Zee, Stephanie, advisorRising rates of psychological distress among college students highlight the urgent need to address mental health on campuses. Navigating the transition to university life introduces a unique mix of academic pressures, shifting support systems, and newfound independence, all of which shape student well-being. Despite increased awareness, significant barriers persist, including stigma, logistical obstacles, financial constraints, and cultural influences, often preventing students from seeking help. Evidence-based strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and dialectical behavior therapy, offer practical tools for managing stress and building resilience. By normalizing mental health conversations and expanding access to care, institutions and students together can create pathways toward resilience, growth, and holistic well-being throughout the college journey. These topics were practiced in this thesis through reflection, research. They resulted in a "Mental Health Toolbox" to serve as a support for anybody, but specifically with the target audience of CSU Students in mind.Item Open Access Self to self, self to others: a cognitive bridge between mirror self-recognition and empathy in non-human animals(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Swygert, Paige, author; Dewey, Tanya, advisor; Willis, Jennie, committee memberUnderstanding animal consciousness remains one of the most compelling and controversial challenges in behavioral science. This thesis explores the intersection of self-recognition and empathy in non-human animals, focusing on the cognitive and emotional capacities that underpin these traits. Although research in animal behavior has advanced considerably, there remains a reluctance to attribute consciousness to animals due to methodological limitations and philosophical hesitations. By examining the development and application of the mirror self-recognition (MSR) test—from its origin in great apes to its use in dolphins, birds, ants, and beyond—this study investigates the nuances of what it means for an animal to recognize itself and whether that recognition indicates broader self-awareness. A central theme is the distinction between self-recognition (an understanding of the physical self) and self-awareness (an understanding of the self in relation to others), a distinction crucial in evaluating empathy. Drawing on theories such as Frans de Waal's "Russian-doll model," the thesis explores the evolutionary significance of empathy, its relationship to cognitive complexity and encephalization, and its manifestation through behaviors like contagious yawning, consolation, and targeted helping. Notably, many animals that pass the MSR test also exhibit empathetic behaviors, suggesting a potential cognitive link between recognizing the self and relating to the emotional states of others. This thesis argues that self-awareness may be a prerequisite for higher forms of empathy, though the presence of prosocial behavior without confirmed self-recognition complicates this relationship. The implications of these findings are far-reaching, impacting fields from animal welfare and conservation to ethics in agriculture and biomedical research, and ultimately challenge long-held assumptions, calling for a reevaluation of how humans treat and value non-human lives.Item Open Access Teaching model for human eye movement: a multidisciplinary senior design project(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Zito, Michael, author; McGilvray, Kirk, advisor; Brennan-Pierce, Ellen, committee memberThis thesis documents the development of an anatomically accurate teaching model demonstrating human ocular movement. The year-long senior design project, sponsored by Colorado State University, was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Leslie Stone-Roy (Neuroscience) and Dr. Kirk McGilvray (Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering). The model effectively represents the human eyes, oculomotor musculature, and the associated neuronal pathways responsible for eye movement. The project allows for the demonstration of both functional and impaired neural pathways via LED sequencing as well as the respective motor functions for each respective path. Development of the project progressed through multiple design evaluations, prototyping iterations, and testing methods. The final project serves as an educational resource for undergraduate neuroscience curriculum at Colorado State University. This project helped to develop personal engineering skills and principles while also creating an impactful educational tool to enhance the comprehension of complex neuroanatomical concepts.Item Open Access Physiological and psychosocial solutions For improving maternal and fetal health outcomes in marginalized demographics in the United States(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) McNally, Kealan, author; Kent, Suzanne, advisor; Winger, Quint, committee memberThe United States continues to rank among the highest-income countries with the worst maternal and fetal health outcomes, reflecting deep-rooted failures in medical practice, policy, and social infrastructure. This paper explores the multifactorial contributors to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including biological complications such as preeclampsia, Type II diabetes, and intrauterine growth restriction, as well as external determinants like environmental toxins, systemic racism, and insufficient access to healthcare. It further analyzes structural issues such as poor maternal leave policies, discriminatory treatment within medical settings, and the declining availability of reproductive autonomy following the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. Drawing on recent clinical research, public health data, and social science findings, this study outlines practical interventions including expanded access to contraception, public health education, mental health resources, community outreach, and targeted policy reform. Emphasis is placed on dismantling structural racism, improving maternal support, and investing in new reproductive health technologies. The paper advocates for a holistic and justice-centered approach to maternal health—one that frames health equity not as a privilege, but as a fundamental human right essential to the wellbeing of future generations.Item Open Access upp-based counterselective genetic cloning to create rotavirus vaccine constructs using Lactobacillus acidophilus platform(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Kiehl, Paris, author; Kiehl, Sophie M., author; Swartzwelter, Benjamin J., author; Vilander, Allison, committee member; Kinkel, Traci, committee member; Fletcher, McKenzie, author; Dean, Gregg, advisorRotavirus is a major public health burden that causes severe gastroenteritis and kills more than 200,000 infants per year. Live attenuated vaccines have reduced effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries, which is correlated to gut microbiota composition. To combat this, we are developing an orally administered vaccine using the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus as a vector. Here, we used upp-based genetic cloning to create multiple strains of L. acidophilus that express rotavirus' VP7 glycoprotein behind the highly expressed metabolic enzyme enolase. This counterselective genetic cloning process uses a temperature-sensitive helper plasmid and recombination-directing vector plasmid to integrate target sequences into the bacterial genome and remove selectable markers. Vaccine constructs were evaluated for recombination using genetic analysis and immunoassays. The vaccines are being tested in murine and porcine models to evaluate their ability to protect hosts against rotavirus.Item Open Access Effect of probiotic-based vaccination on lactate availability in immune inductive tissues(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Kiehl, Sophie, author; Kiehl, Paris M., author; Fletcher, McKenzie, author; Kinkel, Traci, committee member; Vilander, Allison, committee member; Dean, Gregg, advisorLactic acid bacteria (LAB) colonize the gastrointestinal tract and generally confer immune benefits to their host. Because of this, they are emerging as viable vaccine vectors, particularly against mucosal pathogens. LAB secrete high quantities of lactate as a byproduct of their metabolism, and lactate has been increasingly recognized as an immunomodulator, often in an anti-inflammatory capacity. We are studying how lactate metabolism of LAB-based vaccines affects lactate availability in immune inductive sites using the bacterial platform Lactobacillus acidophilus. Using Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology system, we inactivated a recombinant L. acidophilus expressing the model antigen ovalbumin. We first verified that inactivation inhibited bacterial growth and reduced lactate metabolism while preserving antigen expression. We then administered the live and inactivated vaccines orally to BALB/c mice and measured lactate concentrations in harvested immune inductive sites (Peyer's patches and ileal lumen contents) using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Lactate levels in the ileum and Peyer's patches were unchanged following administration with probiotic-based vaccines, suggesting their administration does not disrupt the metabolic equilibrium of these tissues that may trigger an anti-inflammatory state.Item Open Access Refining the stars: reducing the Keck Observatory calibration error with a cutting-edge calibration screen(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Solheim, Kennedy, author; Fankell, Doug, advisor; Stansloski, Mitchell, committee memberThe Keck Observatory's telescopes are among the most advanced and productive in the world, enabling groundbreaking astronomical research [4]. However, the current calibration system - consisting of shining projectors onto the uneven dome surface - introduces an error of approximately 30%, impacting observational data and discoveries. This honors thesis details the development of a 1/10th scale prototype - where the full scale would be 12-meters in diameter to fit the 10-meter telescope - for an improved calibration system, designed by an interdisciplinary team including three mechanical engineering students and two electrical engineering students. The goal is to reduce said errors to an initial target of 6% or less. The design process lasts a full academic year, relying on a strong relationship between mechanical and electrical subsystems to achieve precise alignment and innovation. While the mechanical engineering team develops structural aspects, motion mechanisms, mounting mechanisms, and stability, the electrical engineering team establishes control systems, safety mechanisms, lighting aspects, and power distribution systems. The prototype leverages non-conventional solutions developed by a team of engineering students dedicated to learning and simulating real-world operational conditions. This senior design project is a significant step in the Keck Observatory's observational capabilities, allowing this year's team to generate ideas and determine feasibility to pass on to next year's team for further development. By addressing these current limitations of the telescopes, the team's efforts in this project will help the W.M. Keck Observatory remain the leading ground telescope in scientific discovery with more accurate astronomical data in addition to contributing to the improvement of calibration systems as a whole. The outcomes of this project include team collaboration, design methodology, testing, prototyping, and understanding the improvements that can be made with cost and time constraints, providing a foundation for future development of the full-scale system in the years to come.Item Open Access Just out of reach: how visual framing and hegemonic ideologies marginalize women in film(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Giesenhagen, Julia, author; Tham, Sameul, advisor; Carvalho, Pedro, committee memberIn a historically male dominated industry, entertainment has seen limited representation of women in leading roles. When looking into the awards season, there are significant discrepancies between the reputation of female and male directors, leaving more success to male talent. With only 3 women ever winning the distinction of best director over 90+ years of the Academy Awards, there is growing concern over the validity of awards shows. With a thorough analysis of the industry utilizing visual framing methods and hegemonic ideologies, it is revealed that women have significantly less success due to perceptions adopted by audiences and the subjective biases held by the awards members.Item Open Access Predicting protection against tuberculosis from BCG using the guinea pig model(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Englert, Alexandra, author; Podell, Brendan K., advisor; Henao-Tamayo, Marcela, committee member; Maristela, Lea, author; Hunstad, Lauren, author; Ackart, David F., author; Lanni, Faye, authorGuinea pigs, while having been used as a model animal for tuberculosis infections for over a century, modern literature about their response to the commonly used BCG vaccination is limited. In this study, we investigated whether immune responses to the BCG vaccine are variable and if these differences could predict protection after exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Using the guinea pig model, the only rodent species that reliably develops delayed-type hypersensitivity responses similar to humans, we evaluated inflammation in response to BCG vaccination, tuberculin skin test (TST) response, and capacity for antigen-specific secretion of IFN-γ by ELISpot in response to M. bovis purified protein derivative (PPD). We hypothesized that the degree of inflammation incited by BCG vaccination would correlate with TST size and frequency of antigen-specific IFN-γ production. Most of the animals developed an inflammatory response to TST within 24-72 hours, indicating a Th1 response was developed post-vaccination. However, 4 out of 18 individuals lacked an inflammatory response that lasted over 24 hours. To confirm this, IFN-γ production was assessed in PBMCs isolated from BCG-vaccinated and unvaccinated guinea pigs, finding little correspondence between IFN-γ production and increased skin inflammation. We hypothesized that IFN-γ secretion would be highest in guinea pigs with the largest TST response. The results of this study demonstrate the development of a delayed-type hypersensitivity response to BCG vaccination, albeit inconsistent in its systemic effects. Collectively, our results a highly differential response to BCG vaccination. If vaccination confers variable protection against M. tuberculosis infection, this variable vaccine response may offer insight into correlates of immune protection.Item Open Access Methods to detect fraud in accounting and finance(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Iyer, Arvind, author; Nguyen, Nate, advisor; Vance, Thomas, committee memberWith the increasing complexity of the business world and the advanced technologies involved, detecting fraud has become difficult. Throughout my paper, I examine different models of Corporate Governance and explain which one is more effective in certain scenarios. I investigate internal controls like the internal audit and Segregation of Duties, and show why it is vital for firms to effectively apply them in their business. I discuss how Corporate Social Responsibility and how to uncover this practice. At the end, I discuss how firms can implement artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to efficiently detect and prevent fraud. To successfully prevent fraud in finance and accounting, firms need strong structural integrity made up of consistently strong internal controls. My paper seeks to suggest some strategies to help companies achieve this goal. Having such frameworks as the internal audit and CSR in place will allow firms to improve their controls and prevent fraud. Advanced technologies based on artificial intelligence and machine learning are also robust approaches to detect fraud.Item Open Access Language accessible school songs: impacts on student sense of belonging and community on a college campus(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Skiles, Sarah M., author; Seitz, Deanne, advisor; Taylor, Jayme, committee memberThese videos act as the final product of a community service project showing the power and impact a sense of community on their college campus has on student success. After being a member of the CSU Athletic Bands for five years and completing a minor in American Sign Language, this student project combined two seemingly opposed areas of interest to interpret three school songs with lyrics, the Fight Song, the Alma Mater, and Aggie Boom, into American Sign Language so that the school songs when played at pep-rallies and sporting events are accessible to those who communicate using American Sign Language. This project has three parts, the first is the official interpretation videos of the school song. The second is a video interview of students who participated in the CSU Athletic Bands and students who completed a minor in American Sign Language discussing the impact their involvement in those groups had on their time at CSU. Finally, a video of the Fight Song being interpreted with a live band, performed by the brothers of the Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity to show campus-wide communities and the real life application of the American Sign Language interpretation of the school songs. These videos act as an example of language-inclusive communities by merging two areas previously thought to have no overlap, the CSU Athletic Bands music and American Sign Language.Item Open Access Running through the lifespan(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) DeJong, Corinne, author; Burke, Kimberly, advisor; LeDoyen, Greta, committee memberRunning Through the Lifespan is a comprehensive guide designed to promote lifelong physical activity through the lens of running. This booklet presents age-specific guidelines and explores the changing physical challenges and needs that arise from adolescence through older adulthood. It offers practical recommendations for cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training tailored to each decade, with a focus on injury prevention, performance support, and managing natural age-related changes. The guide also addresses common exercise myths and societal stereotypes about aging, aiming to break down barriers that can discourage long-term activity. By combining evidence-based strategies with an emphasis on adaptability and personalization, Running Through the Lifespan empowers readers to stay active and supports the broader goal of extending health span and functional independence through consistent movement.Item Open Access Zap & Snack: an EV convenience store business plan(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Benson, Mahriana, author; Ready, Randy, advisor; Thrasher, Pat, committee memberZap & Snack is an innovative concept in the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, designed to merge fast, efficient EV charging with a health-conscious convenience experience. Founded by Mahriana Benson, the company aims to redefine the typical charging station by offering high-speed charging, free Wi-Fi, healthy snacks, and a smoothie bar, all within a uniquely designed pull-through parking layout. As the EV industry experiences rapid expansion, adding over 10,000 charging ports weekly, according to the Federal Highway Administration; Zap & Snack seeks to stand out from at-home and traditional public chargers. To support its launch and growth, the company is pursuing a 10-year loan of $1,467,500. Financial projections estimate a net income of $90,927 in the first year, growing to $172,730 by year ten. With a grand opening planned for 2025, Zap & Snack aims to achieve national recognition by 2031 for its distinctive approach to EV charging and consumer wellness.Item Open Access Emission factor determination and application for materials associated with producing beer(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Noel, Quincy, author; Toman, Elizabeth Myers, advisor; Gifford, Lauren, committee member; Dillon, Jasmine, committee memberThis thesis uses openLCA software with the ecoinvent and Agribalyse databases and the TRACI impact assessment method to determine cradle-to-gate emission factors for key materials and processes in beer production. It focuses on upstream ingredients and energy inputs, excluding brewing operations, packaging, and distribution, to create a modular toolkit (i.e., individual emission factors adaptable to brewery-specific inputs) for breweries in Northern Colorado aiming to reduce environmental impacts. Greenhouse gas emissions and eutrophication are analyzed. While not a full life cycle assessment, this study promotes more equitable access to sustainability metrics and provides a foundation for future carbon footprints, hotspot analyses, and brewery-level emissions inventories.Item Open Access Compost may encourage native grasses and discourage forbs(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Puckett, Arysa, author; Paschke, Mark, advisor; Dahl, Jamie, committee memberFarmers and land managers have used compost as a beneficial amendment to improve soil health and increase plant yield for centuries. This study analyzes the effects of compost on native plant establishment in the presence of a non-native species, Bromus inermis (smooth brome). In a replicated greenhouse study, I applied four compost treatments to pots containing native plant species and smooth brome: a control group with no compost added, and three other treatments in which compost was added at 10%, 20%, and 30% by volume. After 7 weeks of growth, I compared the dry weight of the aboveground biomass and the abundance of each species across treatments. As the compost increased, 4 grass species reacted positively and increased in biomass. However, forb species did not follow this trend, and their biomass decreased as the compost levels increased.Item Open Access Digitizing CSU campus into Esri's ArcGIS(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Hartshorn, Alexander, author; Bombaci, Sara, advisor; Horton, Kyle, committee memberGeographical Information Systems (GIS) offer unparalleled opportunities to organize, analyze, and display data. For this project, a digitized map of CSU's campus was created in ArcGIS to act as a database for spatial information of layers such as buildings, streets, trees, bike racks and other prominent outdoor objects. Measurements and details about each layer were also recorded and included within attribute tables and captioned metadata listed inside the project. Steps of the project can be divided into collecting vast amounts of data in the field, organizing it into software applications using code and Excel, and completing small projects with the data within R and ArcGIS. The resources provided by this map offer many applications for students and faculty needing detailed spatial information about CSU and serve as great baseline data for more detailed and up to date mapping in the future.Item Open Access Influence of pre-fire beetle kill on post-fire hairy woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) abundance in the Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Jones, Lilly N., author; McTigue, Leah, advisor; Kanatous, Shane, committee memberIncreasing wildfire frequency and severity in the western United States, combined with widespread bark beetle outbreaks, have significantly altered forest ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains. These interacting disturbances are reshaping post-fire habitats, particularly for cavity-nesting birds such as the Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus). This study aimed to assess how proximity to beetle-killed forest stands influenced Hairy Woodpecker relative abundance following the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire in the Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado. We deployed automated recording units (ARUs) at 19 sites within and around the burn perimeter during summer 2023. Recordings of bird calls were analyzed using acoustic identification software to quantify woodpecker detection. Distances to beetle-killed areas were calculated using U.S. Forest Service data and geospatial analysis. A linear regression model revealed a significant negative relationship between woodpecker abundance and distance to beetle-killed forest stands (p < 0.01), with closer proximity associated with higher abundance. These results provide valuable insight into habitat selection by cavity-nesting woodpeckers, demonstrating how forest structure shaped by beetle activity can influence post-fire wildlife use. As climate change drives more frequent and intense disturbances, it is important that forest management strategies account for the lasting impacts of compound events like beetle outbreaks and wildfire to promote wildlife resilience.Item Open Access Twelve-tone technique and procedural poetics(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Ferry, Mae, author; Steensen, Sasha, advisor; Cooperman, Matthew, committee memberPoetry and music have a deeply connected history, beginning with the Ancient Greek performance tradition and continuing with poets such as Susan Howe reading to an experimental jazz soundtrack. In contemporary poetry, these musical influences are often subsumed by the teaching and art of poetry to the point of roteness; rhythm is barely considered, despite its ubiquity, and poetry as an audible performance is further and further distanced from the public ear. To combat this contemporary distance between music and poetry, the author conducted the following poetic experiment: can music be used as a generative source for poetry?