Blockages in sewerage systems may lead to backups and can be costly to clear. To better understand the composition of non-degraded solid waste in Eau Claire’s sewage, we conducted three audits of the solid waste captured by the bar screens at the Eau Claire Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Wearing personal protective equipment, we collected solids that had been captured over a two-hour period and sorted the waste into six categories: 1-4) disposable wipes in various stages of decay (intact, mostly intact, mostly shredded, and shreds entangled with hair), 5) feminine hygiene products, and 6) miscellaneous items (e.g., plastic, latex, leaves, and food). Waste groupings were measured by volume. Our findings show consistent trends across the three sampling dates: disposable wipes accounted for 81.3% (±5.6%), feminine hygiene products 11.3% (±1.6%), and miscellaneous waste 7.3% (±4.2%). Our study demonstrates that disposable wipes account for most non-degraded waste that reaches the WWTP. Beyond the potential for causing blockages, non-degraded waste must be collected and transported to the municipal landfill, increasing the costs for taxpayers. Our next step is to conduct outreach efforts to raise public awareness of the need for proper disposal of non-woven wipes and feminine hygiene products.
Partners in Health and Safety / Companeros en Salud y Seguridad is a Senior Community Health and Leadership Course in which students travel to large dairies in Western Wisconsin to deliver health screenings and health education to mostly immigrant dairy workers. Students learn about rural life, agricultural health and safety and Latino culture. This Domestic Intercultural Immersion is a partnership between UWEC, Pepin and Buffalo County Public Health, Puentes/Bridges, and Chippewa Valley Free Clinic.
This study aims to investigate the vaping habits and effectiveness of practicing mindfulness techniques and weekly positive framed text messages on vaping behaviors of UW-Eau Claire students. Various studies completed in this realm of mindfulness, stress, and vaping have discovered a correlation between stress and vaping. Researchers utilized direct advertising (referrals, campus resources, recruitment table, and email) to recruit subjects for this study. Participants received an incentive upon completion of the study. 4 participants who currently vape were asked to describe their habits and stress level with a pre-test questionnaire. Next, participants were assigned to an experimental or control group. For privacy, the primary investigator had an identification key. During a 4-week period, the experimental group will be provided vaping pamphlets, mindfulness techniques (4-square breathing, coloring books, meditation, journaling, etc.), and weekly positive text message, while the control group will continue with their normal behaviors. Six weeks after the initial pre-test, participants received questionnaires about their vaping habits and stress levels. From the data collection, we determined mindfulness techniques reduced stress levels but minimal reduction in participants' vaping habits. However, upon completion of the six-week questionnaire, participants reported a 31% decrease in spending on vape products after this study.
Ozone is an important aspect of characterizing local air quality due to its effects as a respiratory irritant, causing inflammation of the respiratory system, coughing, exacerbation of asthma symptoms and can lead to respiratory infections over long term exposure. Formation of ozone in low altitude conditions comes as a byproduct of reactions between NOx emissions and VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) in the presence of sunlight. This is of particular concern around heavy industrial areas as NOx emissions are a common byproduct of many industrial processes. The focus of the WiscoDISCO-22 field campaign was to characterize the local atmospheric conditions around the Lake Michigan shoreline in southeastern Wisconsin, with the specific focus of determining the lake breeze’s effect on local air mixing. Data was collected by flying unmanned aerial systems equipped with instruments to measure ozone concentration, and meteorological variables over both land and water. The current focus is on removing surface effects from the start of each flight and optimizing each data set to best showcase the vertical profile to be interpreted in continuing analysis of the different profiles seen between overland and overwater flights.
Residents on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in southwest Wisconsin are subject to air quality issues from high ozone concentrations near ground level. Meteorological data was collected for the August 2023 AGES+ campaign concerning ozone concentration, temperature, wind speed, and wind direction. Measurements were conducted using a DJI M300, with two IMETs and POM sensors attached, with flights occurring over Lake Michigan near the Chiwaukee Prairie area. Results were then correlated with the Wisconsin DNR’s ground station in Chiwaukee Prairie, which found moderate correlation of data between measurements conducted above water and on land.
Air quality is of concern to the communities along Lake Michigan’s shores in easternWisconsin. In the troposphere oxides of nitrogen, like NO2, react with volatile organic compounds, like formaldehyde, to form ozone,which is a harmful pollutant to human health. Lake Michigan traps these harmful chemicals in the troposphere, which results in ahigher-than-normal amount of ozone in these communities’ air. During the summer of 2023 in Kenosha, WI, the OPSIS DOASinstrument was placed on the Kenosha Municipal Building and the water treatment plant and took measurements of O3, NO2 and SO2 during the months of July and August. During this time, the AGES+ field campaign was also taking place, where ground, satellite, and aircraft observations were targeted around the Chicago, New York and Toronto regions. This data has been uploaded a repository that is part of the field campaign, AGES+. My poster will display the OPSIS DOAS data from the Kenosha, Wisconsin and data gathered from overwater aircraft sampling by University of Alabama Huntsville and perform an analysis to determine data correlations and find possible trends.
Background: Patient education is linked to better health outcomes and is a core component of Family Medicine, where providers see a variety of patient health problems (Simonsmeier, 2022). Developing and maintaining an evidence-based and inclusive patient education library is a resource-intensive. Content libraries at academic medical centers often are not inclusive of Family Medicine. Moreover, users cannot tailor content to individual patient needs, and accessing content is cumbersome. Objective: We aimed to close this education gap by developing an AI-assisted tool where clinicians can easily generate trustworthy education content for diverse patient needs. Methods: Our tool combines a web-scraper that pulls data from mayoclinic.org, feeds it into a standalone user interface (UI) enabled by a large language model (LLM), which allows users to generate printable education based on inputs, such as disease name, content headers, text size, and patient reading level. We validated the LLM’s accuracy and completeness using volunteer medical students. We plan to evaluate the tool’s usability, time savings, and user satisfaction with a pilot study comparing the traditional workflow to our tool. Results & Future Work: Two times during the development process, output forms were evaluated by multiple different clinicians to confirm medical accuracy and readability. Post-pilot, we will investigate translating the tool into clinical practice. Mayo Choice Award Family medicine providers handle an incredibly large volume of diseases and diagnoses, so having easy-to-access, adjustable educational material is incredibly important as it decreases clerical burden for clinicians and increases patient health literacy (Hart, 2015). Currently, even if providers are able to locate the educational forms without interrupting their workflow to visit the public website, they cannot adjust educational material reading level or text sizes to tailor to individual patient needs without extra steps, which inhibits patients from fully understanding their diagnosis and relevant follow-up, including vital self-care instructions that lead to better patient outcomes (Simonsmeier, 2022). Overall, this tool provides the educational materials for over 400 diagnoses commonly seen in family medicine all in one place, while also allowing providers to tailor the reading level and text size to each patient, which will lead to overall better health outcomes. Works Cited Hart, S., 2015. Patient education accessibility. Medical Writing 24, 190– 194. Simonsmeier BA, Flaig M, Simacek T, Schneider M. What sixty years of research says about the effectiveness of patient education on health: a second order meta-analysis. Health Psychol Rev. 2022 Sep;16(3):450-474. doi: 10.1080/17437199.2021.1967184. Epub 2021 Aug 24. PMID: 34384337.
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.
For early spring wildflowers in Wisconsin, global climate change may lead to warmer, drier climates with more day-to-day variability, which in turn can impact flower and pollinator phenology, plant-pollinator network structure, and reproductive security for plants and pollinators. Inter-annual changes to plant-pollinator interactions are often only noticeable with long-term data sets. Here, we present our goal to establish a multi-year study monitoring plant-pollinator interactions in early spring wildflowers in Putnam Park. We will use AutoPollS (Autonomous Pollinator Samplers) camera traps with temperature sensors to record flower visitors to early spring wildflowers. We will deploy six camera traps with four cameras from the start of bloom through mid-May, aiming to document all flowering species. After we collect images of flower visitors, we will filter out images with insects and use BeeMachine to identify flower visitors. To analyze our data, we will use bipartite plots to evaluate network dynamics and complexity and link temperature with pollinator activity and wildflower phenology. Over time, we will evaluate multi-year patterns and evidence of climate change-mediated shifts to plant-pollinator interactions. We expect as the climate warms, spring wildflowers will bloom earlier, bloom duration will decrease, and pollinators will shift their dietary preferences in response.
The Mineral Lake Intrusive Complex is an example of a layered and differentiated mafic intrusive complex within the Mesopaleozoic Mid-Continent Rift in the Lake Superior region. This intrusive complex hosts Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization discovered in the 1960’s via electromagnetic geophysical surveys and at least 16 drill holes were completed. Within increasing demand for domestic critical mineral product to supply metals for energy, communication, and miliary infrastructure, prospects like the Mineral Lake Ni-Cu-PGE showing are increasingly important. This project aims to describe the mineralogy of the sulfide inclusions and the host intrusion geochemistry to better understand the geological characteristics of the mineralized portion of the Mineral Lake Complex. Two drill holes were re-logged (WIS-12 and WIS-11) and samples were collected to represent the range of intrusive phases and mineralization types. Micron-scale PGE-bearing mineral phases are described using the SEM-EDS. Mineralization is hosted in either gabbro or anorthosite phases of the intrusion and are found as mm-scale sulfide segregations composing 1-10% of the rock. Analysis on the SEM-EDS has shown PGE mineralization is commonly hosted in Fe-Ni sulfides. Preliminary results are improving our understanding of economic significance of Mid-continent Rift magmatism.
The Eau Claire Volcanic Complex (ECVC) was thought to have formed on an Archean crustal block (~2.6-3.0 Ga) called the Marshfield Terrane during the Penokean Orogen along the southern margin of the Superior craton. The other volcanic terrane within the Penokean Orogen, the Pembine-Wausau terrane, is interpreted to have formed without older crust and hosts about 150 million tonnes of metallic sulfide ores. The ‘continental’ setting of the Marshfield Terrane assumes this region is not prospective for the same ores. However, U/Pb isotopic and other geochemical data from the ECVC challenges this current model. The ECVC is challenging to study because of a lack of mineral exploration (and drilling) coupled with rare outcrop exposure due to glacial/fluvial sediment and Paleozoic rock cover. This project studies remote, inaccessible outcrops along the Eau Claire River to refine the tectonic model and terrane boundaries. Samples were collected from the limited outcrop exposure along the North Fork of the Eau Claire River. These samples were then processed in order to isolate zircon grains. Zircons are a common mineral used for U/Pb radiometric dating. The zircons were then analyzed at Laurentian University (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) via Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS). This type of laser ablation allows us to collect U/Pb and trace element geochemistry from each individual grain that was analyzed. This data combined with petrology and geochemistry data from the previous year can provide a deeper understanding of the formation conditions, metamorphic history, and potential alteration processes that formed the bedrock.
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.
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.
Rural residents have lower levels of access to health care and health services, and health insurance coverage rates are lower as well; as a result, the health of rural residents is poorer compared to their urban counterparts. The lack of healthcare providers, longer distances to healthcare facilities, and lower economic status for rural populations place extra burdens on both providers and patients to meet and receive needed care. The COVID-19 pandemic not only highlighted these disparities but also spurred new forms of care delivery. Telehealth, through synchronous and asynchronous remote appointments, provided healthcare providers with opportunities to connect with patients outside of physical office visits. The rise of Telehealth not only increased options for patients but also protected all parties from the spread of the COVID-19 (Hirko et al. 2020). Yet, throughout much of the United States rural broadband options are limited or nonexistent.This project is an extension of a previous collaboration with the Mayo Clinic (please see “A Spatial Analysis of Cellular Singal Strength in Western Wisconsin”). It has been determined that a strength of less than -115 dBm will not produce a viewable telehealth appointment. This poster will discuss one of the outcomes of this project (1) kriging analyses and a probability map of cellar strength for Verizon and AT&T near Menomonie, WI. Such analysis will provide Mayo Clinic with a better understanding of where telehealth opportunities are possible in rural areas for patients who lack internet access.
This project aims to assess groundwater quality in rural Eau Claire County by collecting and testing water samples from 244 private wells between June 2023 and December 2024. Samples were analyzed for contaminants such as nitrate, coliform, E. coli, hardness, and metals like arsenic, lead, copper, and manganese at the Eau Claire Public Health Laboratory. This data complements existing information in the Eau Claire City-County Health Department database. Well construction logs were also reviewed to understand well depth and geology, helping identify spatial patterns related to contamination. The project responds to the 2018 Eau Claire County Groundwater Advisory Committee’s recommendations in the “State of the Groundwater Report,” which called for systematic well testing, identifying high-risk areas, and reviewing groundwater protection regulations. With around 9,000 private wells serving 25% of the population, most are infrequently tested due to financial barriers and lack of accessible educational materials. This initiative, funded through an American Rescue Plan Act grant, aims to address these challenges and support environmental public health in rural communities.
PFAS, a group of widely used chemicals, are known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment. They are linked to various health concerns, including cancer, thyroid disorders, and reproductive issues. In July 2021, PFAS contamination was discovered in the Eau Claire municipal well field in northwest Eau Claire County, likely from firefighting foam. By 2023, elevated levels of PFAS were found in several private wells in rural southwest Eau Claire County, prompting a county-wide testing initiative in collaboration with the Eau Claire City-County Health Department. Wells were selected based on land use, homeowner consent, and available construction logs. A public service announcement was also released by the Health Department to facilitate broadscale testing across the county, not limited by land use. Between June 2023 and December 2024, student researchers from UWEC sampled 97 private wells for PFAS. The samples were analyzed at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene for 33 PFAS compounds. Approximately 30% of the samples tested positive for PFAS, with 8% exceeding the EPA’s proposed limit of 4 ppt for combined PFOA and PFOS, and 2% surpassing the Wisconsin Hazard Index. This study highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of PFAS contamination in private wells.
Blockages in sewerage systems may lead to backups and can be costly to clear. To better understand the composition of non-degraded solid waste in Eau Claire’s sewage, we conducted three audits of the solid waste captured by the bar screens at the Eau Claire Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Wearing personal protective equipment, we collected solids that had been captured over a two-hour period and sorted the waste into six categories: 1-4) disposable wipes in various stages of decay (intact, mostly intact, mostly shredded, and shreds entangled with hair), 5) feminine hygiene products, and 6) miscellaneous items (e.g., plastic, latex, leaves, and food). Waste groupings were measured by volume. Our findings show consistent trends across the three sampling dates: disposable wipes accounted for 81.3% (±5.6%), feminine hygiene products 11.3% (±1.6%), and miscellaneous waste 7.3% (±4.2%). Our study demonstrates that disposable wipes account for most non-degraded waste that reaches the WWTP. Beyond the potential for causing blockages, non-degraded waste must be collected and transported to the municipal landfill, increasing the costs for taxpayers. Our next step is to conduct outreach efforts to raise public awareness of the need for proper disposal of non-woven wipes and feminine hygiene products.
Our research project addresses health care equity in the Eau Claire Metropolitan Area (ECMA) at a precipitous time. In early 2024 the closure of two hospitals and 19 urgent care clinics in the ECMA eroded access to healthcare. Hospital closures in rural and urban regions exacerbate healthcare barriers for people in minoritized communities, increase ambulance transport times, and worsen morbidity and mortality for time-sensitive conditions (Niewijk 2024). To contextualize the impact of these closures we consolidated news stories into a timeline of events from January 2024 to the present. We also reviewed literature within medical sociology and public health to help us understand barriers to health equity in the ECMA. We will conduct interviews with city, health department, and healthcare-related organizational leaders in Summer 2025, and then analyze the data using MAXQDA, a qualitative software program. Our policy brief will summarize changes to healthcare equity since these closures and strategies for building a more equitable healthcare landscape in the ECMA. In Spring 2026 we will convene a university symposium with stakeholders to discuss health equity in our region.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can result in significant changes to social communication, which strain relationships with partners. TBIconneCT is a 10-week, manualized telethealth treatment for social communication impairments following TBI. Hall et al. (2025) examined outcomes for two initial cohort of individuals with TBI and their partners in the pilot version of the North American TBIconneCT. Outcomes were similar to the original TBIconneCT program in Australia. The North American version includes both large and small group, which is different than the Australian version. In the large group, participants react to predeveloped videos that contrast successful and less successful interactions. The present investigation examined pre- and post-assessments, including self-ratings and standardized examination of social communication, along with systematic review of large group session videos. The intention of video review was to identify evidence of increased awareness (e.g., “I don’t want to dominate the conversation” or “I don’t mean to interrupt”), increases in positive behaviors (e.g., asking the partner about themselves rather than only sharing about oneself) and a reduction in problematic behaviors (e.g., interrupting, rambling) within the large group. Analyses are still in progress. We hope to identify further information about the function of large group in facilitating self-reflection and awareness.
Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional acts of discrimination that harm children, particularly those from minoritized backgrounds. Microaggressions may be related to a variety of different aspects of identity including race and ethnicity, disability, languages and dialects, gender, and socio-economic status. Microaggressions have been experienced by Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and SLP students. Further, studies have documented the prevalence of microaggressions in schools and the impact on children the SLPs serve. The purpose of this study is to understand how aspects of Wisconsin elementary school SLPs’ backgrounds, experiences, and identities may intersect with their perceptions of microaggressions experienced by the children they serve. Eight elementary school SLPs were interviewed. Participants were chosen to represent multiple areas of Wisconsin and a wide range of identities and practice settings. Semi-structured interviews were used to understand details about the SLP’s background and their perceptions of microaggressions in the environment where they worked. Interviews were analyzed to discover themes. Results revealed complexity among the ways in which elementary-school SLPs' backgrounds intersected with their perceptions of the microaggressions experienced by the students they serve. Findings can help to reduce microaggressions against children from a variety of backgrounds and create environments in which all children can thrive.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) encompass factors such as economic stability, education, housing, and access to healthcare, all of which significantly influence health outcomes. Transportation access is a critical component of SDOH, as transportation barriers can limit individuals' ability to attend healthcare appointments and access essential services. Individuals with aphasia, a condition that affects language and communication, face unique transportation challenges that restrict their access to a wide range of healthcare services. This study examined the potential role of ride-sharing services, specifically Uber Health, in addressing transportation barriers for individuals with aphasia in the Chippewa Valley. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating a review of national literature on transportation interventions, an analysis of local transportation options, focus group data, an interview with an individual with aphasia with firsthand experience with local public transportation, and a travel assessment with an individual with aphasia navigating public transit. Findings identify key facilitators and barriers associated with public transportation for individuals with aphasia and highlight the potential benefits of Uber Health in improving local access to speech-language therapy services. Results will be valuable for healthcare institutions working toward inclusive and accessible transportation solutions to increase healthcare outcomes for individuals from all backgrounds.
Anthropogenic changes are expected to influence behavior, stress physiology, and ultimately, lifetime fitness of animals. For social animals, external stressors imposed by human activities may interact with the social environment to either exacerbate or buffer stressors. In the context of human-induced rapid environmental change, long-term data on individually recognized social mammals has the potential to offer novel insights into the extent to which organisms can cope with social and ecological stressors. In this research, we established a new project focused on the behavioral ecology of North American beavers (Castor canadensis), a native ecosystem engineer, through monitoring using camera traps. We surveyed various public lands and identified several active family groups of beavers in West-Central Wisconsin. Our camera trap data indicate that the behavioral patterns and their interactions with other local fauna vary temporally within days and across seasons. Future research will focus on their social behaviors, including their monogamous lifestyles, dominance structures, communication systems, and movement ecology. The plethora of wildlife we monitored on our camera traps illustrates how beavers play a key role in shaping diverse and healthy wetland ecosystems. This research therefore has important implications for the management of wetlands and conservation of beaver populations in the region.
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.
How well does the general public understand the current recycling process in the United States? Does Eau Claire County recycle a significant amount of waste? Where does it go? This study hopes to answer these questions and more by surveying Eau Claire County residents on their recycling habits, as well as interviewing employees at the top recycling companies operating in Eau Claire county to determine the level of public disconnect from the material reality of recycling and waste management.Many people assume the recycling system functions well and serves to reintroduce waste back into production of new consumer products and packaging, but in reality only a small amount of material is recovered. The rest takes up space in landfills or becomes incinerated to produce electrical energy. Recycling materials comes with several costs: Time, money, and energy. Often, the costs of recycling outweigh the benefits, and without the profit incentive there are no companies willing to recycle materials. Previously, the United States shipped most of its recyclable waste overseas to China, but following a 2017 Chinese decision to halt waste imports, American companies were forced to find alternate methods for waste disposal and material recovery. This research focuses specifically on waste management and material recovery in Eau Claire County, but it has broader implications for the rest of the United States.
Dunn County Potter’s Field contains over 100 unmarked graves of persons from the County Poor House and the County Asylum (both now demolished) in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Community interest in locating the graves prompted non-invasive scans of Potter’s Field using ground penetrating radar (GPR). GPR transmits electromagnetic (EM) pulses into the ground, which reflect off subsurface changes before being received and recorded digitally. A 16x50m grid was collected along the site’s western boundary with a Sensors and Software pulseEKKO Pro GPR unit with 500MHz antennae. GPR traces were triggered every 0.02m via odometer wheel, and lines were collected with a spacing of 0.25m. Alternating strong and weak reflections are repeated in a sub-parallel, semicontinuous pattern throughout the grid. The strong reflections are often underlain by steep-angled hyperbolics. The reflections were identified 0.6–1.5m below the surface, each measuring 1.0m by 2.25m, and spaced 1.0m apart. Reflections were interpreted as two probable rows of individual graves. In Fall 2024, 42 crosses were placed at each probable grave, however further scanning is recommended to locate remaining lost graves. The GPR work at Dunn County Potter’s Field is a model for other cemeteries; providing means of locating and restoring honor upon unmarked graves worldwide.
Geography and Anthropology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I have worked in the private sector and the public sectors in the 13 years I have been involved in Land Information. I have worked within a wide array of Geospatial and Land Information projects from development to implementation... Read More →
This project, focusing on the Wisconsin rural-urban political divide in historical perspective, aims to answer the following research question: Is there evidence of urban-rural electoral polarization in Wisconsin from the mid-20th to the early 21st century and, if so, what were the causal factors? Researchers who have studied political polarization in recent presidential elections have sought primarily to correlate single election results to ideological differences between urban and rural communities. In contrast, this project adopts a longitudinal approach by comparing presidential election results from the Wisconsin Historical Society for the periods 1948-1968 and 1992-2020. Our research demonstrates that electoral polarization among urban cities in our sample grew between 1948-1968 and 1992-2020. However, this urban polarization was greater than polarization between the sampled urban and rural communities. Similarly, electoral polarization increased among rural towns between 1948-1968 and 1992-2020. It too, however, was greater than polarization between the sampled urban and rural communities. These conclusions suggest that standard assumptions regarding the rural-urban “political divide” in Wisconsin presidential elections are overly simplistic. Specifically, they fail to account for causal factors such as regional geography among and between urban and rural communities from the mid-20th century to the present.
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.
Mosquitoes are harmful, disease-carrying vectors that pose significant publichealth risks worldwide. Aedes aegypti, known for transmitting Zika Virus, Dengue, andyellow fever, poses a threat in various climates, while Aedes triseriatus—native toWisconsin—transmits the La Crosse virus.While much is known about adult mosquito behavior, less is understood about thesensory behaviors of mosquito larvae. To address this gap, our lab is investigating thechemosensory behaviors of Ae. aegypti and Ae. triseriatus larvae, particularly in relation toforaging. We have refined protocols using the InVision device, a high-resolution camerasystem designed for tracking aquatic invertebrates, to monitor and quantify the behavior ofmosquito larvae in response to chemical gradients emitted from a point source.With these methodologies, our research now focuses on sensory behaviorvariations across all mosquito larval and pupal stages. The mosquito life cycle consists offour instar (larval) stages, followed by a pupal stage before emerging into adulthood. Ourprevious findings suggest that L1 Ae. triseriatus and Ae. aegypti larvae do not rely onchemosensory modalities to locate food. Preliminary results indicate that foragingbehavior increases in L2-L4 instars, suggesting a developmental shift in foraging strategiesas larvae progress through these stages.
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.
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.
We aimed to increase awareness of the local flora and fauna that many people may not be awarelive in the Chippewa River. We decided to create glass mosaics to adorn the windows of the busstop in front of Haas Fine Arts Center as it is an accessible location for many people passingthrough Water Street.We used glass for its translucent properties, durability, and longevity to ensure that no harmwould be brought to the local environment through use of toxic materials and to make sure itwill last for years to come with little need for maintenance.The various colors of the glass pieces and the location result in the appearance changingthroughout the day and seasons as the available light differs, keeping it intriguing for andvisible for both visitors and the bus drivers they are waiting for.Our project resulted in a beautiful piece of art that succeeds in showcasing many local endangeredfish and demonstrating the talents of graduates from the art program. The location nearby theriver may also tempt curious minds to see if they can spot any of the creatures themselves.
In lakes, mosses are distributed in deeper waters than any other form of plant life. Little is known about these plant communities, and this ongoing study by Dr. Lonzarich and his students is the most comprehensive of its kind. Prior work in this lab has explored the distribution and factors affecting the occurrence of mosses from 70 lakes in Wisconsin. The objectives of this study were to identify the mosses collected from these lakes using a DNA barcoding approach, which involves DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the LTS gene (barcoding gene), and sequencing using the Sanger method. An altermative method using the RBCL gene and next-generation sequencing is also being used. By identifying the species through online gene databases, the study intends to unravel the geographic distribution patterns of deep-water moss species in the state. The study builds on previous work that found difficulties in identifying moss species based on morphological characteristics due to their unique growth forms in deep-water habitats. Initial indications from morphological assessments suggest the presence of distinct geographic patterns in the distribution of deep-water mosses within Wisconsin's lakes.
Scheduling classes is a challenging and time-consuming task. The mathematical technique of linear programming has the potential to simplify this challenge by building a model of linear constraints to find the most optimal solution that satisfies all the constraints. In this project, we are implementing a linear programming model using the DOCplex library in Python. The objective function represents instructor satisfaction with different courses and the constraints represent limitations such as the fact that one instructor cannot teach two courses at the same time. These constraints allow many ways to build a schedule. The goal of our program is to identify the most optimal solution, that maximizes the professor's satisfaction and class availability. We will present a system for encoding the preferences about number of preps and back-to-back courses, as well as discussing the advantages of using binary variables to represent combinations of courses, professors, and meeting patterns (such as MWF 9-9:50) instead of individual day-time pairs. We will also present results from adding constraints and preferences about course distribution throughout the day, depending on whether the number of sections is above or below a threshold.
Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are a critical public health issue in the United States linked to elevated morbidity and mortality. Mutual help groups (MHGs), which provide peer advice and support, are among the most widespread forms of treatment for individuals with AUD. Twelve-step MHGs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), are the most utilized and evidence-based interventions for AUD. In recent years, several secular 12-step/AA alternative MHGs have emerged, including Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery, LifeRing, and Women For Sobriety (WFS). The outcomes and mechanisms of these 12-step alternative MHGs are poorly understood. In the present study, we conducted a systematic review with the goal of updating the scientific literature on outcomes, moderators, and mechanisms of change of SMART Recovery, LifeRing, and WFS for alcohol use problems in adults with AUD. Our review was pre-registered with PROSPERO and followed PRISMA guidelines. Alcohol-related outcomes, such as alcohol abstinence/reduction in alcohol use, heavy drinking, and other negative consequences were examined. Additionally, we included analysis of engagement-related outcomes, like membership characteristics, moderators of engagement/involvement, and mechanisms of change for MHOs. Preliminary Results from our qualitative review suggest differential alcohol-related and engagement-related outcomes by MHG. These findings highlight the importance of defining similarities and differences between MHGs, as individual differences in patient history and/or ideology disprove notions of universal MHG suitability. Study findings provide valuable insights into the different mechanisms and moderators of 12-step alternative MHGs that may inform future precision medicine strategies.
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide are major public health concerns and represent behaviors most practitioners will encounter during their career. Unfortunately, many mental health providers lack confidence in their skills for treating suicidal and/or self-injuring patients. Factors such as concerns about liability, emotional contagion and suicide severity appeared to moderate willingness to treat. There is a lack of research whether these patterns emerge regarding providers’ willingness to treat NSSI, a known risk factor for suicide. This study aimed to explore therapists’ willingness to treat clients with NSSI, Depression, or suicide risk. Participants were emailed through midwestern state licensing lists and asked to answer questions about a hypothetical patient from one of the three conditions. Analyses included chi-square, ANOVA, and regression. Participants showed a lower willingness to treat or accept a patient who has a history of Suicide compared to NSSI or Depression. In addition, both regression models identified significant variables, those being confidence, negative attitudes towards self-harm, and liability concerns that associated with willingness to accept or treat. We also found that the perceived risk of the patient negatvely correlated with willingness to treat. Mental health providers could benefit from increased training about suicide to build their skills and confidence.
University support services are an integral function in helping students thrive in an academic environment and have helped thousands reach their goals on the path to earning their degrees. That being said it’s important that students are fully aware of the services that are offered to them, and for them to have a positive view of said services, if we expect them to utilize these important resources. For that reason, a university’s ability to properly communicate to students the services available to them is imperative for the success of their students – this is especially true for demographics that are otherwise disadvantaged in some way, such as first- generation or disabled students. This study was primarily conducted to measure what methods may be most effective in advertising support services for students across campus, particularly focusing on Chippewa Valley Technical College and University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire students and their perceptions of various services offered by their institutions. To do this, a survey was conducted asking students about their knowledge of, opinions on, and the frequency in which they use services, as well as how they learned about them. In understanding the outcomes of different methods of advertising, universities can broaden the number of students that are able to use their services, potentially increasing rates for graduation, student retention, and academic standing, as well as generally improving the overall experience of their students.
In 2023, Wisconsin legislators passed Wisconsin Act 20. This law required schools, including higher education institutions, to evaluate their literacy programs to align with the new Act 20 standards. Several classes offered at UWEC focus on teaching literacy methods, including UEM 433: Inclusive Literacy Methods in Grades 4-9. Our research aimed to determine if the course content taught in UEM 433 covered the components of Act 20. We first read through the Act 20 legislation and determined its key components. We then reviewed course materials, including assignments, objectives, and readings and noted whether they addressed specific aspects of Act 20. We found that the course addresses most concepts of Act 20, but not sufficiently in the area of oral language. We were able to find evidence of other areas addressed in Act 20 but determined that more information could be included in the course for areas such as vocabulary surrounding assessment and roles of faculty. We added a reading addressing middle grade oral language development to the course. Further research could be conducted to determine if oral language is a gap that persists across university middle level English Language Arts teacher education courses.
The Paleoproterozoic Penokean Orogen in Northern Wisconsin is known to host multiple volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits which are important sources of Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag, and Au. Despite known large and potentially economic VMS deposits, limited outcrop exposure has hindered detailed reconstructions of the VMS-hosting environment to guide future exploration. Zircon petrochronology can help us give a more complete understanding of the magmatic environment in which they formed. This study sampled felsic igneous rocks to determine the timing and tectonic settings of VMS deposits in the western Penokean Orogen. Samples were pulverized and heavy mineral separates were obtained by various magnetic and density separation techniques. The zircon mineral grains were imaged by cathodoluminescence and backscattered electron microscopy at Laurentian University, Canada. Zircon isotopic (U/Pb, Lu-Hf) and trace element data were analyzed via laser ablation inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometer (LA-ICPMS). U/Pb isotopic data constrains timing of magmatism. Trace elements and Lu-Hf data constrain the tectonic setting and crustal architecture. Preliminary results have indicated two distinct VMS-forming magmatic events during the Penokean Orogeny that have similar tectonic and magmatic styles.
The Plover Au deposit, located in Marathon County, WI, is host to a series of andesite, schist, and felsic/mafic intrusives which have undergone at least 3 phases of deformation, hydrothermal alteration, and greenschist grade metamorphism. With its proximity to the larger and better explored Reef Deposit, a more complete understanding of the formational history and geochemical footprint of the Plover prospect can add to regional understanding and better gold exploration models. For this study, two holes (PL-76-1 & PL-76-4), totaling ~1,180 linear feet of core were logged and described to highlight the volcanic stratigraphy and lithologic variety. Cores and samples were characterized by petrographic and geochemical analyses. Mineralization at the Plover deposit is characterized by cross-cutting vein networks containing boudins and vugs, and zones of brecciation. Hydrothermal alteration is suggested based on sericite/talc alteration within volcanic strata and zoned sulfide (pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite), quartz, and calcite veins and vugs. Since high Au concentrations are typically present within brittle massive/semi-massive sulfide veins, formation of these deposits likely occurred after Penokean deformation/metamorphism and are related to a younger tectonic/magmatic event.
Modern technology and renewable energy require large amounts of metals that are derived from minerals. Many of these resources are imported, and there is a tremendous effort to domesticate our mineral extraction and processing. Several of these critical minerals, such as Ti, are found in Wisconsin, but little data is available to guide future mineral exploration efforts. This study describes the petrology and geochemistry of the Round Lake Ti Deposit in northern Wisconsin using historic drill cores stored at the WGNHS. The Round Lake intrusion that hosts the Ti mineralization is related to 1.1 Ga Mid-Continent Rift magmatism. The main intrusion is a magnetite-ilmenite rich gabbro, ranging from 35-50% magnetite-ilmenite and 15-50% coarse grained plagioclase laths. Movement and flow of magmas during emplacement formed porphyritic and trachytic textures with aligned plagioclase crystals. In addition, there are other intrusive phases associated with the magnetite-ilmenite gabbro intrusion. The anorthosite has 55-90% euhedral plagioclase, 10-15% magnetite, and 5-15% pyroxene. The magnetite rich gabbro and anorthosite make up the intrusion and is crosscut by a fine-grained gabbro and granitic dikes. Petrographic and geochemical data and interpretations improve our understanding of Ti-bearing magmatism in the Mid-Continent Rift system.
The Ritchie Creek Cu-Zn deposit, located in the Paleoproterozoic Penokean Volcanic Belt (PVB) of northern Wisconsin, is one of many volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits known in the region. Previous studies suggest that VMS mineralization is concentrated on the western edge of a felsic volcanic center, likely formed in a back-arc or intra-arc rift environment, with mineralization occurring within bimodal volcanic sequences. These interpretations were largely based on core descriptions and comparisons to other global VMS deposits. This study aims to improve the understanding of the tectonic and volcanic setting of the Ritchie Creek deposit by re-examining historical drill cores and stratigraphic units. Over 1,000 feet of historic drill core was logged, and 22 samples were collected for petrographic and geochemical analysis, focusing on trace element characterization to better constrain the volcanic and tectonic setting. Sulfide mineralization is hosted in three main units: a quartz mica schist with disseminated sulfides, a sericite- and chlorite-altered quartz mica schist, and an intermediate meta-felsite that transitions into a rhyolitic tuff with localized sulfides and quartz veins. This project provides insights into the volcanic and tectonic processes that shaped the Ritchie Creek deposit, enhancing the understanding of VMS mineralization within the Penokean Volcanic Belt.
Minerals, such as monazite and xenotime, are an important source of rare earth (La, Ce, Nd) and high field strength (Th, Nb, Zr) elements which are essential for modern energy, communication, and military technologies. These critical minerals are often sourced in pegmatites associated with alkalic complexes, such as mines at Mountain Pass, USA, and Mount Weld, Australia. The Paleoproterozoic Eau Claire Volcanic Complex is intruded by granitic pegmatite dikes that postdate peak metamorphism, potentially linking them to 1.7 to 1.4 Ga fractionated alkalic magmas in the region. These pegmatites are highly fractionated, garnet-bearing, and low in calcium. The high concentration U, Th, La, Ce, and other rare earth elements put this pegmatite in niobium-yttrium-fluorine (NYF) class of pegmatites. This study collected bedrock samples from several locations across the Eau Claire Volcanic Complex (Little Falls, North Fork, Muskeg) to describe the trace mineral compositions. The minerals in the pegmatite samples were geochemically analyzed using a scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS). The major minerals in the samples are mainly plagioclase, quartz, and biotite. They contain minor mineral chemistry of Fe- and Mn-garnets, samarskites, xenotimes, monazites, thorites, and barites and may represent a potential source for critical minerals in Wisconsin.
The Mineral Lake Intrusive Complex (MLIC) is a relatively large (50 x 6 km) layered mafic intrusion (LMI) located in northern Wisconsin. Because LMIs are typically rich in platinum, chromium, vanadium, and titanium deposits, the MLIC has excited much interest for its potential to host valuable economic deposits. However, the entire southern boundary of the MLIC is defined by a significant thrust fault that placed the plutonic body on top of older Archaean crust. The fault separated the upper half of the intrusion from much of its lower half (not exposed), where the bulk of the economic deposits are expected to be found. There is an orphan, ~8 km^2 ultramafic intrusion (the Rearing Pond intrusion; RPI) adjacent to and of the same age as the MLIC. The RPI is composed of minerals expected at the base of a large LMI and may represent early crystallization within the MLIC. LMIs are characterized by distinct top-to-bottom stratigraphy in their Mg/Fe and Ca/Na ratios. We present whole-rock and mineral Mg/Fe and Ca/Na ratios using XRF and SEM analyses to test the hypothesis that the RPI represents the earliest crystallization in the MLIC, and to estimate the volume of missing material.
