Within college organizations, very few encompass certifications that promote environmental health, students’ physical well-being, and the community. With the Eau Claire community being 75k+ members, a center that has good quality access to health care is vital to seniors, children and young adults. The UWEC Sonnentag Center has Gold LEED certification, which states the building has outstanding sustainability energy efficiency and environmental design. However, this is not enough to tackle the environmental issues in Eau Claire. Within our research to achieve the WELL certification, we collected data on the clarity of the water (turbidity), total and free chlorine, the pH levels of the water; levels of volatile inorganic compounds (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide), ozone levels, and humidity in the air. Interestingly, what our team found was that the turbidity, as well as, free and total chlorine levels were low, and the pH was slightly higher but within range. In addition, the air quality was above and beyond good standards for the WELL Certification, due to the ventilation systems in and around the building. However, nightly cleaning procedures caused a rise in VOC’s and low humidity. Overall, the measures of WELL Certification build upon the LEED certification principles, allowing for the best achievable environmental impact.
Libya lacks a permanent natural body of water, causing it to rely on fossil water from underground aquifers that originate more than tens of thousands of years ago. The ancient aquifers are a relic from a time when the Sahara was green and home to rivers and lakes. Since this water is not naturally replenished, there is an increasing need to explore more sources of fossil water under the Sahara's sands. Remote sensing data from the Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) sensor, onboard the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS), has been shown to penetrate and reveal subsurface features up to several meters deep. This is especially useful in regions such as Libya, where dry, shallow sand cover allows effective PALSAR’s L-Band Penetration. PALSAR, along with optical remote sensing and topographic data within the Google Earth Engine platform, provides new capabilities to conduct multi-level spatial analysis. Preliminary results reveal a previously unidentified and/ under-appreciated network of ancient drainages, streams, and small-scale deltas or alluvial fans, many of which are connected to previously identified megalakes. These findings will provide valuable insight into the region's ancient hydrological system and its potential for future water resources.
Environmental stability is vital to achieving overall health within communities. Where families reside is an important factor in determining whether they can prosper in other aspects of health, such as education, nutrition, and disease prevention. To fulfill communities' needs for a stable, healthy atmosphere, environmental justice must be addressed to provide these essential health requirements. The purpose of this project is to raise awareness of current environmental health challenges faced by community members in Beloit, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire students will analyze particulate matter 2.5 reported through PurpleAir Monitors distributed throughout Beloit to help facilitate the awareness needed for positive change. The collaborative process involves meeting with Beloit air quality advocates from the Stateline Clean Air Coalition and the Midwest Environmental Health Advocates group, as well as working alongside past researchers who analyzed similar data. Using PurpleAir Monitors will give researchers access to PM 2.5 trends from 2023 to the present, helping to establish a timeline of possible effects correlated with particulate matter. By analyzing PM 2.5, we can identify key trends that future advocacy groups can use to drive positive change for families in Beloit, Wisconsin.
Water quality plays a crucial role in achieving WELL certification, ensuring a safe and healthy indoor environment. This study assessed the water quality at the newly constructed Sonnentag Center at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, focusing on key parameters such as turbidity, chlorine levels, and microbial contamination. Using the Hanna Instruments HI93414 Turbidity and Chlorine Meter, we observed an unexpected absence of chlorine (0 µg/mL) in all tested samples. A control test with bleached water confirmed the instrument’s accuracy, suggesting a genuine lack of chlorine in the water supply. Additionally, coliform and E. coli tests verified the absence of bacterial contamination, indicating that the water met microbial safety standards. The findings highlight both the strengths and challenges of water quality monitoring in WELL certification. While microbial safety was confirmed, the absence of chlorine raises concerns about potential regulatory non-compliance and long-term water safety. This study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and evaluating disinfection protocols to maintain WELL standards. Future work will focus on investigating water treatment processes and identifying solutions to ensure consistent compliance with health and safety regulations.
Our project aims to achieve WELL certification, specifically air quality standards at the new Sonnentag Center. My project is important because it emphasizes the importance of human health, even in new buildings. Thousands of people are present in this building at a time, we need to ensure the air quality levels are safe for visitors. Our project offers new knowledge for people who may not know about WELL certification or the air quality parameters involved. We are motivated to investigate the reasoning behind the air quality levels so we can come up with appropriate intervention strategies where needed. Our poster consists of data from the spring semester, focusing on VOCs and Humidity levels at the Sonnentag. The project is still ongoing, so this data has brought new interpretations, which will be discussed to those viewing the poster. We are currently investigating low humidity levels, while not a part of WELL, it is still significant when it comes to human health. Data collection is still ongoing, so this project will be well rounded with fall and spring semester data and interpretation. Our audience shall be informed on what is being done in our local facility, and find comfort in knowing that we care about population health.
The purpose of this project is to improve public health practice by having University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire students investigate a Third Ward home for multiple environmental health hazards. Undergraduate students will also learn the importance of building safety and addressing concerns that will negatively impact health and safety. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire students will conduct an Environmental Health Building Assessment to identify potential hazards such as radon, moisture, air contaminants, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and lead. Previous evaluation of the older vehicle located at this home investigated a potential carbon monoxide leak. This project will include retesting of the vehicle with improvements to the calibration of the testing equipment. By analyzing the data collected from both inspections, we can identify hazards that pose a health risk to the residents.
Roughly 17% of college students identify as Queer. Compared to their peers, Queer students are more likely to face harassment and discrimination on campus and experience a lower sense of belonging, which is associated with decreased retention and increased mental health issues. The Campus Pride Index (CPI) provides a nationally benchmarked database of campuses that have come out to improve the academic experience and quality of campus life for Queer students. As such, it is a fundamental tool for prospective students to identify campuses where they will feel safe and supported. Because the CPI does not capture the lived campus experiences of Queer students, it recommends campuses to conduct and report findings of cultural climate surveys. To determine if this occurred, the websites for a census of colleges and universities in the CPI database (N=214) were searched. Ninety institutions (42.3%) reported having conducted a cultural climate survey, and an independent t-test indicated they had a statistically higher CPI score. However, of those who reported having conducted a cultural climate survey, less than half (46.7%) reported the results publicly. An independent t-test indicated these institutions had a significantly higher CPI score than those who did not publicly report their findings. Additional analyses revealed that residential campuses had a statistically significant difference in CPI scores and a moderate positive association with campus size. There were no statistically significant differences in CPI scores by region, religious affiliation, or minority-serving status. To provide Queer students with the support and safety they need, campuses need to conduct Cultural climate surveys and have them easily accessible to the public. Such transparency of the results demonstrates their commitment to creating and fostering an inclusive environment.
A sense of belonging reflects how connected and accepted students feel on university campuses. Sexual and gender minority students (SGM) often feel excluded and experience bullying, harassment, and assault related to their sexual orientation and gender identity, putting them at a greater risk for experiencing negative mental and physical health outcomes, including increased suicide risk. An online survey of UWEC students who self-identified as LGBTIA+ was conducted through Qualtrics (N=84). Nearly 20% indicated they did not feel a sense of belonging or included, and have considered leaving UWEC because they felt isolated or unwelcomed. Respondents witnessed or experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation (59.5% and 40.5% respectively) and gender identity or expression (65.5% and 39.3% respectively). All respondents experienced one or more microaggressions on campus. Nearly one-third report having anxiety; 25% report experiencing depression. Protective factors and recommendations for respondents' suggestions for improving belonging will be discussed, as well as select qualitative responses of lived experiences and public health implications.
The goal of Clarifying JONAH is to design and implement data collection methods within JONAH to establish a baseline, track progress towards goals, and communicate impacts in the Chippewa Valley. Since 2007, JONAH has been working with individuals, agencies, and organizations to help make our communities healthier, safer and better places for everyone to live and work. Their work is important, yet little has been done to evaluate their impact on the Chippewa Valley. In this study, localized data will be gathered, analyzed, and shared to provide feedback on how the taskforces are advancing the goals of JONAH. I will attend and observe their meetings and conduct interviews to gather data on existing attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions, which I will then analyze with theory of planned behavior. This program will improve the existing communication and coordination between the stakeholders within JONAH such as WISDOM (the statewide organizer), the community organizer in Eau Claire, the seven taskforces, the volunteers partnering with JONAH, and the community at large. By tracking the relationship between JONAH’s efforts and their results, JONAH and their partners can better demonstrate their ability to resolve critical social issues impacting the Chippewa Valley.
As the use of car dashboard cameras (dashcams) has increased, the availability of dashcam imagery has also increased. In recent years, dashcam imagery has been predominantly used in conjunction with computer vision techniques for autonomous vehicle systems. However, this research explores an alternative application of these technologies in the domain of public safety and security. Specifically, we apply object detection to dashcam imagery to address the challenge of identifying vehicles associated with active Amber Alerts. With the goal of aiding law enforcement in locating abducted children more efficiently, we employ the YOLO (You Only Look Once) object detection model, a state-of-the-art deep learning framework known for its real-time performance and accuracy. Our methodology involves training and fine-tuning the YOLO model on a custom dataset of dashcam footage, incorporating diverse environmental conditions such as varying lighting, weather, and traffic scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that the model achieves high precision and recall rates in detecting target vehicles, validating its effectiveness for real-world deployment. This research highlights the potential of leveraging deep learning and computer vision techniques to address critical public safety challenges, offering a novel application of these technologies beyond their traditional use in autonomous driving. Our findings contribute to the growing body of work in computer science that seeks to harness AI for societal benefit.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common form of pancreatic cancer, accounting for over 90% of cases, and is characterized by aggressive growth, early metastasis, and resistance to therapy. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving PDAC is essential for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In this study, a multiomics approach was applied by analyzing both DNA methylation and RNA-sequencing datasets obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma project.The methylation dataset included significantly more tumor samples than normal samples, and a similar imbalance was observed in the RNA-seq dataset. This disparity posed a challenge for direct feature selection, as it could lead to a model biased toward tumor-associated features. To address this issue, six data imbalance correction techniques were evaluated and compared: Random Oversampling, Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE), and Adaptive Synthetic (ADASYN) for oversampling, along with Random Undersampling, Cluster Centroids, and AllKNN for undersampling. Identifying the most effective imbalance correction method is essential for improving feature selection accuracy and facilitating the discovery of novel genes associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A deeper understanding of these oncogenes could contribute to the development of non-invasive diagnostic tests and personalized treatment strategies for PDAC.
This project explores Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system, focusing on its approach to serving urban, rural, and Indigenous communities, as well as its role in enhancing population health. During a faculty-led intercultural immersion, we partnered with local experts and healthcare providers in the country and engaged in site visits to learn more about their healthcare system. The system has notably contributed to increased life expectancy, reduced infectious disease transmission, and lower rates of infant mortality while adapting to the growing burden of chronic disease in an aging population. Unlike the privatized and fragmented U.S. healthcare system, Costa Rica provides universal access, offering a valuable case study in alternative care models. By comparing the Costa Rican and U.S. healthcare systems, this project underscores the benefits and challenges of universal care, contributing to a more holistic approach to improving healthcare access and equity.
As climate change continues to escalate, it is evident that some countries are making substantial efforts, while others fall behind. Through participation in a Faculty-Led Intercultural Immersion program, we observed that Costa Rica has emerged as is a pioneer in developing a green economy, prioritizing sustainability, and implementing environmental protections. This project investigates Costa Rica’s existing policies and future initiatives aimed at improving planetary health, with the goal of identifying strategies that may inspire global efforts. Additionally, we seek to raise awareness of the urgent effects of climate change and emphasize the importance of international collaboration, particularly the role of the United States, in promoting a healthier and more sustainable planet.
This project is titled Tick-Borne Disease Risk and Climate Change: A Survey-Based Analysis of Eau Claire County Residents’ Knowledge and Perception. Tick-borne diseases are an increasing concern in the United States, including Wisconsin, where they are common. Evidence suggests that climate change is contributing to this rise, as warming temperatures expand the geographical range of ticks and extend their active season. The aim is to assess Eau Claire County residents’ awareness and understanding of the rise in tick-borne diseases, as well as their perceptions of the role climate change plays in this issue. Data is being collected through an anonymous online survey, with 75 participants so far. Preliminary results show that most participants (76%) are between the ages of 18-24, and 92% live in suburban areas. Regarding tick-borne disease concern, 48% are somewhat concerned about contracting one, and 33% somewhat agree that the risk in their area is high. While 74% report taking preventative measures, 43% feel they are not well informed about tick-borne diseases and prevention steps. Concerning climate change, 61% of participants express being extremely concerned, and opinions about its link to tick-borne diseases are divided, with 36% strongly agreeing and 36% remaining neutral. Data collection is ongoing.
At the Costa Rican-Panamanian border, Indigenous migration has historically supported both Costa Rica’s economy and the livelihoods of Indigenous populations throughout Central America. In this project, “From Bean to Border”, we examine cyclic migratory patterns of indigenous people and the role it plays in Costa Rican coffee production. This project was inspired by our Faculty-Led Immersion program, “Global Health in Costa Rica” in which our group spent ten days in Costa Rica learning about how migration, labor, and public health are all interconnected. By learning directly from small-scale coffee producers, we traced the journey of the coffee bean from cultivation and harvesting to processing and roasting. This provided insight into how labor-intensive coffee production can be for those who are a part of the industry. Our findings highlight the intricate connections between Indigenous migration, economic structures, and health outcomes, underscoring the need for a more equitable and sustainable coffee industry.
The Internet of Things (IoT) encompasses a variety of systems and devices that enable data exchange across networks. With this interleaved connectivity comes an inherent vulnerability to attacks. Traditional intrusion detection in IoT environments has been primarily human-reliant, but modern malicious methods surpass manual approaches. Machine Learning (ML)-based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) show promise but require refinement to match human-monitored IDS effectiveness.This study involved a literature review of research involving the NetFlow dataset NF-ToN-IoT-v2, created in 2022 to enable ML-based IDS development. With balancing, the dataset includes approximately 16 million net-flows, with 63.99% attack and 36.01% benign. The data’s imbalanced nature was addressed through methods like down sampling to reduce training bias. A hyper-parameter tuning pipeline was used to optimize algorithm testing and cross-validation, especially for different data balancing methods.The algorithms tested based on previous research found during literature review include Naïve Bayes, Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and XGBoost. Comparative analysis using confusion matrices and bar plots enabled the evaluation of algorithm effectiveness. Overall, this research highlights the potential of ML approaches in IoT IDS development, through leveraging NF-ToN-IoT-v2 to enhance detection accuracy and bridge the gap between human-monitored and ML-driven solutions.
