Dearest readers,
Over the past 17 years, the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium has cultivated a community of undergraduate students in the Chicagoland area from all academic disciplines who share the common goal of advancing academia through research. It has grown to become one of the largest annual undergraduate research conferences in the county, bringing together undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and representatives from industry and graduate and professional schools. Through poster presentations, oral presentations, and roundtable discussions, we are proud to share the impressive breadth and depth of research being conducted in our community.
While it has been two years since we last gathered together in-person for our annual symposium, our InterSchool Board worked tirelessly to present the 2021 virtual symposium with the help of the team at Jublia. Adhering to our mission–to accommodate the emphasis on interdisciplinary research, which our university partners across the city of Chicago espouse, and to provide and preserve avenues of communication among undergraduates, their peers, and their prospective graduate mentors– we are proud to continue our partnership with the Northwestern Undergraduate Research Journal to further provide our presenters with the opportunity to share their work.
We continue to celebrate not only the impressive breadth and depth of research performed by our talented undergraduate scholars, but also the hard work and resilience of the academic research community, which has continued to prevail. We are delighted to showcase work from all academic disciplines, and we’re so very grateful for the continued support from our community, which allows us to continue recognizing the contributions that undergraduates make in the pursuit of knowledge and fostering the sense of community within the Chicagoland area.
First, we would like to thank all the members of our community that have made this opportunity possible: our dedicated Inter-School board, Dr. Peter Civetta, and Bryce Mathis O’Tierney. Second, we would like to thank the NURJ for their help, dedication, and expertise in creating our second annual journal. Next, we would like to thank our institutional sponsors for their continued support: Roosevelt University, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, DePaul University, the University of Chicago, and the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Finally, we would like to thank Elijah Aldana, Zabdí Missael Cortés Saldaña, Biran Sarria, and Angus Gray for their help in designing, coordinating, and managing this year’s beautiful virtual platform on Jublia. On behalf of the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium, we congratulate all of you and wish you every success with your future endeavors.
Our deepest thanks,
Maya Fitzgerald and Sana Basheer
Co-directors | CAURS 2021
Dear readers,
In 2020, the inaugural collaborative publication between CAURS and NURJ was born out of a unifying vision for mutually amplifying our impact at an unforeseen time of social and scientific turbulence. While we now see emerging hope on the horizon, our shared spirit of pursuing academic excellence is here to stay for good.
As a past of Inter-School Board 2020 myself, I cannot appreciate more how the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium (CAURS) team is able to deliver the virtue symposium as it speaks for itself. We are reminded day and day again how the pursuit of research advances and the generation of new knowledge is increasingly fueled by seamless overcommunication and mutual support.
Despite the physical and organizational barriers, The Northwestern Undergraduate Research Journal (NURJ) managed to develop and maintain numerous collaborative publications with student publications across the nation. The leverage and flexibility the team exhibits mirrors that we see in our contributors, from which our entire team is inspired. CAURS remains our most significant partner not only because of our physical proximity but more crucially, a shared sense of responsibility for undergraduate research advocacy.
As we see this group of student researchers represented by CAURS carries on tremendous grit and resilience in achieving scholarly excellency at the same, if not a greater, caliber in the time of isolation. The team at CAURS and NURJ and feel exceedingly excited and privileged to be able to share the works represented in this collection of collaborative proceedings. As much as we will and applaud the continued efforts in fostering a better scene for undergraduate researchers in Chicago and beyond, we hope you can draw renewed insights from this edition.
Enjoy,
Jonic Zhehao Zhu
CAURS Proceedings Managing Editor, 2020, 2021
NURJ STEM Managing Editor, 2020
CAURS ISB Member, 2020
Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium
Maya Fitzgerald
Co-director
Maya is a senior at DePaul University majoring in biological sciences with a cellular and molecular concentration. She joined the CAURS ISB during her sophomore year and was one of the co-directors for the 2020 symposium. Maya is interested in the development of new therapeutics involving gene editing. She previously interned at Paragon Biosciences where she worked on projects for its portfolio companies in the CNS, dermatology, oncology, and ophthalmology therapeutic areas. She also interned at MATTER, a startup incubator, community nexus, and corporate innovation accelerator in Chicago, and worked on projects for its Partnerships, Venture Acceleration, Operations, Marketing, Strategic Programs and Leadership teams. At DePaul, Maya is the president of DePaul’s Pathways Honors Society and the treasurer for the Pre-medicine Undergraduate Mentorship Program. Following graduation, she will be pursing a PharmD at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Eshelman School of Pharmacy and is looking to get an MBA as well. Outside of school, Maya likes going to concerts, exploring the city, and hanging out with friends.
Sana basheer
Co-director
Sana is a senior at Illinois Tech majoring in biochemistry. She is a part of Dr. Xiang’s lab, studying the molecular and cellular pathology of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. She has served as a Peer Scholar for the past three years at the Academic Resource Center. Sana is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Undergraduate Research Journal at IIT. Following graduation, Sana hopes to pursue graduate school. In her free time, Sana enjoys exploring the city and eating good food.
Russell Steans
ISB Member
Russell is a junior at Northwestern University studying biological sciences and chemistry. He has been involved in undergraduate research since his freshman year, and currently investigates the complex relationship between the structure and function of gene regulatory RNA moieties. Additionally, Russell has received grant funding from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences to pursue and present his research. After graduation, he hopes to pursue an MD-PhD. Aside from academics, he enjoys playing guitar, volunteering with various Chicago public health services, and distance running.
Nicholas synovic
ISB Member
Nicholas is a junior at Loyola University Chicago majoring in Computer Science. He is interested in the development of technologies that focus on allowing developers write better code and gain access to previously unavailable data sets. Nicholas currently is the Web Developer for the Loyola Computer Science Department, Vice President of Communications for Beta Theta Pi, Back-End Lead Developer for the Software and Systems Laboratory (SSL) Metrics Dashboard, and the SSL PoliCheck Project. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a Masters in Computer Science. Outside of school, Nicholas likes to skateboard, photograph landscapes, and travel.
Smriti Singh
ISB Member
Smriti is a junior at DePaul studying Physics with a concentration in engineering. Her areas of research include nanotechnology; particularly attempting to create lighter materials for transportation. Her current research project is the causality in wall-bounded turbulence. She plans to pursue a career in research in engineering. Aside from academics, she loves to spend time with her friends and bake!
Tyler Shimada
ISB Member
Tyler is a junior at Northwestern University, where he is pursuing a major in chemical engineering. Tyler is currently conducting research on the effects of different hospital antibacterials and surfaces on chlorhexidine concentration over time along with its implications for antibiotic resistance. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. In his free time, Tyler enjoys swimming, weightlifting, trading stocks, and fishing.
Jasmine Baste
ISB Member
Jasmine is a fourth-year biomedical engineering student at Illinois Tech focusing on cell and tissue engineering. Her core research includes microfluidic devices, gastrointestinal disorders, and stem cells. She is the president of the Camras Scholars, a teaching assistant for an introductory BME course, a Freshman Year Experience mentor, and also volunteers at a local medical clinic. In her free time, she enjoys going to comedy shows and concerts, exploring new places in Chicago, running, traveling, eating french toast, and climbing. After graduation, Jasmine hopes to attend graduate school and continue a life of service, curiosity and laughter.
Angelina anderson
ISB Member
Angelina is a senior at Roosevelt University majoring in Biology. At Roosevelt University, Angelina works as a Science Peer Advisor and a Biology Teaching Assistant. Angelina is a member of multiple organizations at Roosevelt including the College of Arts and Sciences Student Advisory Council, Alpha Phi Omega, and the Graduate Plan for Success, and holds several leadership positions in Alpha Gamma Delta. Her current research projects respectively focus on the effects of climate change and how different communities are affected by medicine. She hopes to go to grad school for biology and plans to go into the field of research focusing on genetics and healthcare policy reform.
Lily Liu
ISB Member
Lily is a fourth-year studying Mathematics at the University of Chicago. She serves on the board of the Society of Women in Math, which seeks to foster a community for women in pure math, applied math, and statistics. She also works as a teaching assistant in the Math Department and sings in the University Women’s Ensemble. Lily is interested in dynamical systems research and would like to study fluid dynamics and pattern formation. She plans to pursue a PhD in Mathematics, working towards a career in research. In her free time, she enjoys running and reading comics.
Justine shiH
ISB Member
Justine is a fourth-year studying neuroscience and music at the University of Chicago. While at UChicago she has served as co-president of UChicago Science Olympiad, hosting invitationals and science enrichment workshops for hundreds of middle and high school students. She currently works in the Hansel Lab, studying the primitive nervous systems and adaptive learning behavior of marine glass sponges, and in the summers, she has worked at the Institute of Biomedical Science at the Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan, researching chronic pain. Outside of science, Justine is a violinist in the University Symphony Orchestra, is a part of the performance group The Underground Collective, serves on the board of the Taiwanese American Student Association, and is an award-winning singer-songwriter. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a Ph.D in neuroscience and going into research.
Manal Mohiuddin
ISB Member
Manal is a senior at Northwestern University, where she is pursuing a major in Biological Anthropology. She is a part of the Laboratory for Human Biology Research in her university’s anthropology department, where she explores leptin variations in pregnant women across several populations. Manal also serves as treasurer for Northwestern’s New Life Volunteering Society chapter, is a member of her school’s Student Advisory Board, and a Peer Academic Coach. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school. In her free time, Manal enjoys running her small baking business, makeup, and exploring places to eat around the city.
Anam Adil
ISB Member
Anam is a junior at Illinois Institute of Technology with a minor in Bioinformatics. Her research interests focus on the autoimmune disorder, diabetes mellitus. Currently, she is working on investigating the technologies diabetic patients need to monitor blood glucose levels and how they can be improved to be more efficient. At IllinoisTech, she is a teaching assistant for a human anatomy class, and she is involved in various student orgs. Aside from this, she works as a phlebotomist at a local clinic. After graduating, she hopes to attend graduate school and continue to do research with diabetes. In her free time, she loves to run, bake, and spend time with her nieces and nephews!
Stephanie Zhang
ISB Member
Stephanie is a third-year at the University of Chicago majoring in History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Medicine and minoring in Statistics. She conducts epidemiology research in the Pierce Lab and has prior experience with molecular biology, immunology, and clinical research. Aside from CAURS, Stephanie enjoys promoting entrepreneurship and new ideas through Midway Ventures and TEDxUChicago, supporting children with parents impacted by cancer through Camp Kesem, mobilizing youth to donate blood through UChicago Blood Initiative, and trying her best at urban farming and beekeeping through Phoenix Farms/Harper Hives. After graduation, Stephanie hopes to attend medical school and potentially pursue a joint PhD or MPH in epidemiology.
Northwestern Undergraduate Research Journal
Shreya Sriram
Editor-in-Chief, NURJ 2020, 2021
Shreya Sriram is a third-year at Northwestern University where she majors in Economics and Communication Sciences and Disorders on the Pre-Medicine track. She is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Northwestern Undergraduate Research Journal where she leads a team of over 60 students in creating and releasing online content and a full-length research journal. She is also the founder of NSSLHA- Undergraduate, a pre-professional group for CSD students, and serves on the Northwestern Alumni Alliance Board of Directors as president of Arch Society. Shreya pursues her research passions through exploring auditory areas in avian models. Shreya hopes to explore the intersections of economics and healthcare as well as the importance of the patient experience in medical school. When not on campus, she can be found volunteering at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, performing stand-up comedy, practicing Bharatanatyam (a Classical Indian dance style), or playing the violin.
Jenna Greenzaid
Editor-in-Chief, NURJ 2021
Jenna Greenzaid ’23 is a rising junior majoring in Journalism and pursuing a Business Institutions Minor and an Integrated Marketing Certificate. She joined the NURJ as a freshman and is interested in exploring how research can be made more interactive through data visualization. In the future, Jenna hopes to work pushing the boundaries of interactive journalism and challenging the way readers experience news and media through online platforms.
Jonic Zhu
Managing Editor, CAURS Proceedings 2021, 2020; Managing Editor, NURJ (STEM) 2020
Jonic Zhehao Zhu ‘22 is a junior studying Chemistry, Philosophy, and Design. He serves as the founding Managing Editor for the NURJ’s STEM team. Since entering Northwestern, he worked with Prof. Emily Weiss on artificial photosynthesis and photochemistry. Jonic loves boxing and running, and works on several photography projects on his own time.
Soumya Jhaveri
Managing Editor, NURJ (STEM) 2021
Soumya Jhaveri ’23 is a sophomore majoring in Journalism with certificates in Integrated Marketing Communications and Design. She joined the NURJ as a freshman on the STEM and Development teams and served as the Associate Managing Director of Development the past year on the NURJ. Soumya began her interests in research in high school with independent projects on diversity in journalism and teenage entrepreneurial characteristics. She is currently a research assistant in the Amato Laboratory working on microbiome research with both non-human and human primate samples. She is involved in many organizations on campus, including the South Asian Student Alliance, Family Ambassadors, and a handful of global health clubs. Soumya is interested in exploring how better design and communication can be used to enhance healthcare and hopes to work in health technology after graduation.
Suzie Bian
Associate Managing Editor, NURJ (STEM) 2021
Suzie Bian is a freshman majoring in Neuroscience and Global Health on the pre-med track. She joined the Northwestern Undergraduate Research Journal this year and is the incoming associate managing editor for the STEM team. Suzie is interested in studying substance abuse and the brain, and she is excited to get started with research as restrictions lift. Outside of research, Suzie enjoys playing soccer and tennis, running, and hiking.
Alex Solivan
Associate Managing Editor, NURJ (Outreach) 2021; Editor, NURJ (STEM)
Alex Solivan '23 is a rising junior studying biology and chemistry at Northwestern University. He serves as the associate managing editor for the NURJ's Outreach team and as a senior editor on the NURJ's STEM team. Outside of the NURJ, Alex has been working in the Mirkin research group on using spherical nucleic acids, a type of modular nanoparticle with unique properties, as vaccines for various types of cancer. In his free time, Alex enjoys playing beach volleyball, riding his onewheel by the lakefill, and baking different types of treats.
Yuchen Liu
Senior Editor, NURJ (STEM)
Yuchen Liu '21 is a senior at Northwestern University majoring in mathematics and philosophy. She had previously worked in a sustainability lab on campus. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing and reading.
Nithya MahakalaS
Editor, NURJ (STEM)
Nithya Mahakala ’23 is a sophomore majoring in Anthropology and Global Health Studies. She joined the journal this past fall as a part of the STEM team. Since coming to Northwestern, Nithya has been working at the Hultquist Lab, focusing on infectious disease research to better understand the host-pathogen relationship. This summer, she will be working on a project specifically focused on HIV host factors and their biological significance to levels of infectivity. In her spare time, Nithya enjoys spending time with friends and discovering new places in Chicago. After graduation, she plans to pursue work in the health care industry.
Hermione Ren
Editor, NURJ (STEM)
Hermione Ren, class of 2023, is majoring in Chemistry and Statistics. She joined the STEM team of NURJ in 2019 fall. She is interested in organic chemistry and nanomaterials and she will officially start research in these areas after returning to campus in the fall. In her free time, Hermione enjoys reading and badminton.
Vivian Xia
Editor, NURJ (STEM)
Vivian Xia '23 is a sophomore majoring in Journalism and Economics with a minor in Data Science and a certificate in Financial Economics from Kellogg School of Management. She has been part of the NURJ STEM team since the fall quarter of her freshman year. Outside of NURJ, she is involved in various other clubs including The Daily Northwestern, Northwestern Business Review, Leadership Development, and Consulting Club, Global Research and Consulting Group, and TAMID. Though Vivian is looking into going into finance after graduation, she has been involved in scientific research in high school and is interested in health & science reporting.
Sarah Tani
Executive Managing Director, NURJ 2021; Managing Editor, NURJ (Design) 2020
Sarah is a rising senior majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Linguistics. She joined the NURJ in 2018 as part of the Design team, and became the Executive Managing Director this year. Outside of the NURJ, Sarah works as a peer mentor within the Department of Computer Science and will be interning at Intuit this summer in its Monetization Services and Experiences group. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, painting, and listening to podcasts.
Juntang Qian
Managing Editor, NURJ (Design) 2021; Associate Managing Editor, NURJ (Design) 2020
Juntang Qian ‘23 is a sophomore majoring in Journalism and Psychology and minoring in Art Theory and Practice. She joined the journal as a print designer in her freshman year and became the associate managing editor of design in 2020. Outside of the NURJ, Juntang loves to paint, take photographs, dance, and write. Her dream is to become a journalist and author who writes and draws illustrations for her books. Juntang currently sees herself going into the journalism industry when she graduates. A fun fact about her is that she has an interest in collecting tickets and has been doing that for 15 years.
Bryan Sanchez
Associate Managing Editor, NURJ (Design) 2021
Bryan E. Sanchez '23 is a sophomore majoring in Learning & Organizational Change, minoring in Computer Science, and pursuing a certificate in Design. He joined the journal in Fall 2019 as a print designer and has recently been promoted to AME of Online Design this spring. Bryan is interested in better understanding how modern-day organizations can be redesigned to better connect with their consumers. This summer he hopes to develop and gain many new skills through his Product Management internship with Compass, a tech company hoping to better organize the real estate market. After graduation, Bryan hopes to land a role in the tech industry before returning to school for either his MBA or a master’s in a field of his choice.
Tony Luo
Managing Editor, NURJ (Web Development) 2020
Tony Luo ‘23 is a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and Statistics. Apart from being the head of Web Development with the NURJ, Tony is the vice president of NU Blockchain Group and has been focusing on developing a decentralized application for campus-wide meme sharing. Tony also involves in multiple research projects in data visualization. After graduation, Tony envisions himself working in the software industry or pursuing a Ph.D. in related fields. Outside of research, Tony loves cooking and is a chef at Northwestern Culinary Arts Club – Cookology.
Allison Rhee
Managing Editor, NURJ (Web Development) 2021
Allison Rhee '23 is a sophomore majoring in journalism and minoring in computer science and legal studies with a certificate in integrated marketing communications. She joined the NURJ this year as Associate Managing Director of the Web Development team. After graduating, Allison hopes to work in the legal field as a litigator. Outside of the NURJ, Allison is involved in the undergraduate law journal, Cookology, and the International Student Association.