STEM Day

Rm. C-197A
The Maryland Collegiate STEM Conference (MCSC): A model for the effective outreach to STEM communities at Maryland community colleges
Jennifer Wilcox; Sven Holbik, PhD; S. Russell Seidel, PhD – Harford Faculty

Heading into its 11th annual meeting, the Maryland Collegiate STEM Conference (MCSC) has been a model for the effective outreach to STEM communities at Maryland community colleges since 2014. Serving largely as a platform for STEM research and related activities at two-year institutions across the state, the MCSC aims to promote learning and networking for students and to provide professional development opportunities for faculty. Its mission is, therefore, dual-purposed, being both simultaneously student-centered and faculty-centered. The MCSC’s history, membership, sponsors, organization, key features, impacts and outcomes, and more will be discussed, as will details about this year’s conference, including abstract submission.

Rm. C-197B
Why is i^i so real?
Chris Jones – Harford Faculty

At first glance, the mathematical statement i^i should produce an imaginary result as the statement raises the imaginary unit to the power of itself. However, by using Euler’s Formula, this presentation will indeed illustrate why the statement produces an irrational yet real result.

Rm. C-197C
From Coursework to Career in Data Science
John Gaughan – Data Management Lead DHMSM, Leidos

Data is a real, and tangible, asset to most organizations. It is expensive to generate, collect, store, protect, distribute, and analyze. It can be a real source of value to an organization which is why the Data Scientist has to be prepared to provide that value to an organization. This presentation starts with the basics (What is Data Science and what can I do with it?) and moves on to current-day issues of applications of Artificial Intelligence based on Data Science tools used to build these systems. Also discussed are the academic steps to prepare for a career in Data Science and where to look to start a career in this field.

Rm. C-195
Patterns and Trends in Netflix Content
Sneha Shrestha – Harford Student

This project looks at a Netflix movies and TV shows dataset using exploratory data analysis in R and Excel. The dataset includes several variables such as type of content, release year, duration, genre, and viewer ratings. I first cleaned the data in Excel by fixing missing values, removing inconsistencies, and selecting the variables needed for analysis. Then, I used R to calculate summary statistics such as the mean, median, minimum, maximum, and standard deviation of ratings. I also compared ratings across different types of Netflix content to look for patterns and trends. Visualizations were used to help understand how ratings are distributed and how much they vary. Overall, this project shows how basic data wrangling and analysis techniques can be used to gain insights from real-world streaming data.

Rm. C-193
From Bricks to Brilliance:
STEM Enrichment Program for Kids
Dr. Nishant Sinha - Director, STEM Enrichment Program,
Young Engineers STEM Academy

This presentation introduces the Young Engineers STEM program and its hands-on, project-based approach to teaching engineering concepts to elementary students. Designed for ages 4–12, the program engages students through guided model building, critical thinking, and problem-solving activities that promote creativity and logical reasoning. The Young Engineers program is supported by research and pedagogical frameworks developed in collaboration with Harvard University and is backed by the European Union, reflecting its strong academic foundation and global recognition. The presentation highlights how the program aligns with school curricula, supports STEM literacy, and fosters curiosity through experiential learning. It demonstrates how Young Engineers can provide meaningful enrichment opportunities, build sustained interest in STEM, and establish a strong foundation for future engineering, robotics, and innovation-focused learning.

Rm. C-197A
CRISPR –It’s cured Sickle Cell Disease, Is Cancer Next?
Alicia Holk – Harford Faculty

The newest gene editing technology, originally found in a jar of yogurt, has been taking the biomedical world by storm. Its ability to accurately and permanently edit mutated genes lies at the heart of its impact. Lifelong genetic diseases such as Sickle Cell Anemia and Huntington’s disease have been targeted and now the cancer research field has begun attempting to turn back the clock on cancer mutations. Will it be the cure for cancer we’ve been waiting for?

Rm. C-197B
Can something get hotter when it cools?
Investigating negative heat capacities
Alejandro Satz, PhD – Harford Faculty

A system with negative heat capacity would, by definition, increase its temperature when releasing energy through heat (or, to put it facetiously, “get hotter when cooling”). In this talk, I will first explain the theoretical consistency of this apparently paradoxical scenario and then discuss real-world examples highlighting their importance for astrophysics and cosmology.

Rm. C-197C
Data Science in Action: Insurance Claims Analysis Using Synthetic Healthcare Data
Jada Wilson – Harford Student

This presentation explores how healthcare insurance claims data can be analyzed in real-world practice using synthetic data. Putting to work the foundational skills taught in Harford Community College’s Data Science 101 course, the project demonstrates how beginner-level data science tools can be applied to understand billing behavior, reimbursement patterns, and claim outcomes in a healthcare practice. Key variables are examined using descriptive statistics and visualizations to highlight trends in payments, denials, and insurance write-offs, revealing opportunities to improve simulated healthcare financial and operational processes. Using Excel and R, this project shows how accessible data science skills can transform raw healthcare data into clear, actionable insights.

Rm. C-195
Geospatial Technology Program
Tamara Biegas, PhD – Harford Faculty

Geospatial Technology (GST) enables the analysis and visualization of data from a geographic perspective. It blends art and science to bring information to life. Professionals in this field learn to gather, process, analyze, map, and deploy geolocated data, then transforms it into actionable insights. Geospatial Technology is utilized in a variety of STEM-related industries such as environmental science, conservation, natural resources, health and human services, engineering, defense, and more. Discover the Geospatial Technology career pathway at Harford Community College.

Rm. C-193
Aerospace Engineering Capstone:
Redesigning a Rover for Lunar Missions
Joessel Ruiz – Harford Alumnus; Current University of Maryland Student

I will talk about the contributions to my capstone project at the University of Maryland for my aerospace engineering program. The project is about my team’s alterations to an existing rover to make it usable for maintenance on a future lunar base that NASA has planned in their Artemis program. I will also discuss my experience as an engineering student at the University of Maryland College Park.

Rm. C-192
BioSuite Virtual: A Virtual Reality
Biomanufacturing Experience
Jared DeCoste, PhD - Chief Executive Officer, Prism Immersive; President, XpeRience Science

This session uses virtual reality to introduce students to biotechnology through BioSuite Virtual, an immersive simulation of a real biomanufacturing laboratory. Participants will explore how fermentation and bioprocessing are used to produce products in areas such as food, medicine, and industrial biotechnology. The experience allows students to interact with authentic lab equipment, follow realistic workflows, and observe how biological systems are applied in modern industry. The session is intended for students interested in science, technology, or hands-on laboratory work who want to learn more about biotechnology as an academic field and potential career pathway.

Rm. C-197A
How Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy Works
Daniel Ford, PhD – Harford Faculty

An oligonucleotide is a small fragment of DNA or RNA. An antisense oligonucleotide has the complementary sequence required to bind to a specific RNA molecule, which can reduce a cell’s ability to produce a protein. This is useful for treating some genetic diseases that produce harmful proteins. In this presentation, I will cover the essential molecular biology required to understand this process and describe some of the recent successes in this area of research.

Rm. C-197B
Planet 9: Another Proposed Planet in the Solar System
Wayne Manrakhan – Harford Faculty

Planet Nine (Planet 9) is a hypothetical, massive planet in the outer solar system proposed to explain the unusual orbits of distant Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs). The primary evidence for its existence is based on mathematical models, which has had a checkered history in the past of successful new planet discoveries in the solar system, with both success and failures. The famous success was the discovery of the planet Neptune, but even in this case, the mathematical model used predicted orbital parameters that widely diverged from the correct values for Neptune. Thus, it is important to understand the mechanism of the models used to predict this new Planet 9. I will also briefly describe the history of previous searches, some of the competing explanations, and the status of the current search.

Rm. C-197C
Data Science: Student Response to Learning R Programming in a Blended Environment
Jill Peregino – Harford Faculty

This presentation explores student responses to learning R programming in a first-semester data science course. Sub-groups of students (credit, noncredit, traditional, dual-enrolled, data science majors, other majors) will be compared. Through surveys, qualitative feedback, and performance data, differences will be assessed between sub-groups. Results will inform how course design can better support diverse learners by improving learning experiences and outcomes in introductory data science education.

Rm. C-195
Utilizing a Remotely Operable SEM as a Teaching Tool in Earth Science
Sven Holbik, PhD – Harford Faculty

Instrument-driven, active learning techniques, and/or research-based curriculum has been an effective strategy in teaching across many disciplines in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and has long been a part of science instruction. Faculty at Harford Community College and Valencia College (VC) implemented a study to measure student achievement, depth of knowledge, and student sentiment after conducting an in-class activity using the remotely operable Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at the Florida Center for Analytical Electron Microscopy (FCAEM). This study was conducted using two sections of Earth Science courses in the fall of 2018 through spring of 2019 at VC and two sections of Earth Science in the fall of 2024 through spring of 2025 at Harford. Students who participated in the instrument-based curricula showed an increase in post-assessment average test scores of ~20% greater than the students who didn’t participate, scored higher (~4%) on formative quizzes, and answered the Creative Exercise (CE) questions with more correct responses and with greater depth of knowledge. The students’ feedback from student impression surveys on the in-class activity was overwhelmingly positive and, in some cases, students would consider pursuing a degree in STEM-related fields. Active-learning and instrument-driven integrated activities conducted by this study may aid the development of technical and intellectual skills in undergraduates appropriate for continued independent research and potentially foster the next generation of STEM scientists.

Rm. C-192
BioSuite Virtual: A Virtual Reality Biomanufacturing Experience
Jared DeCoste, PhD - Chief Executive Officer, Prism Immersive; President, XpeRience Science

This session uses virtual reality to introduce students to biotechnology through BioSuite Virtual, an immersive simulation of a real biomanufacturing laboratory. Participants will explore how fermentation and bioprocessing are used to produce products in areas such as food, medicine, and industrial biotechnology. The experience allows students to interact with authentic lab equipment, follow realistic workflows, and observe how biological systems are applied in modern industry. The session is intended for students interested in science, technology, or hands-on laboratory work who want to learn more about biotechnology as an academic field and potential career pathway.

Discovering and Characterizing the Microbacterium Foliorum Phage Screech
Sophie Viquez – Harford Student

Bacteriophages, viruses that infect and kill bacteria, have potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and food preservation. We participated in the SEA-PHAGES program to isolate and characterize a new bacteriophage to add to the repository of information about bacteriophages. We isolated Screech from a grass sample using the host bacterium Microbacterium foliorum. We determined that Screech forms clear, small-to-medium sized plaques and displays a siphovirus morphology. Screech’s DNA was submitted to the University of Pittsburgh for sequencing and eventual genome annotation. Phage therapy is being studied as an alternative to treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, which have become more prevalent in recent years. While Screech may not be a viable option for treating human infections, since its primary host is a soil bacterium, the information we gained from its study can build the body of knowledge about phages which assist in the development of phage therapy and ecological applications.

Designing, Fabricating and Building a Stabilized Chair
for a Disabled Person
Patrick McNalley, Dan Rivera-Rodriguez, Bill Stephens, PhD –
Harford Students and Faculty

In this poster session, we will describe how a student engineering team at Harford Community College designed, fabricated, and produced a special Stabilized Chair for a Disabled Person so that person can spend more time with her family.

A Genetic Approach to Understanding Mycobacteria Survival in the Macrophage Cytoplasm
Hugo Perez – Harford Student

Pathogenic mycobacteria cause disease in humans and animals by infecting host alveolar macrophages. Mycobacteria utilize virulence pathways to escape from the phagosome and access the macrophage cytoplasm. Most of the mycobacteria survive, while a subpopulation of mycobacteria undergoes bacteriolysis, releasing bacterial components in the cytoplasm. This causes an immune response which results in macrophage death. Mycobacteria utilize the process of bacteriolysis to promote persistence and cell-to-cell spread. We conducted transposon mutagenesis of Mycobacterium marinum to identify genes involved in controlling bacteriolysis. We screened a transposon library through macrophage infections using an adapted reporter system from Listeria monocytogenes to quantify bacteriolysis. We then used PCR and DNA sequencing to determine transposon insertion sites in the genome. We identified 15 genes that impact bacteriolysis, possibly by regulating phagosomal escape, cytoplasmic survival, or bacteriolysis. In the future, targeted deletion of these genes will be used to confirm their role in mycobacterial pathogenesis.

How Caffeine Influences Academic Performance: The Mediating Roles of Sleep Quality, Subjective Sleepiness, and Memory
Ayaan Osman – Harford Student

Caffeine is deeply embedded in American academic culture, where students rely on it to stay sharp, manage school and life, and cope with long hours. Although caffeine can enhance short-term attention by blocking adenosine receptors, research suggests it may interfere with sleep quality and long-term memory consolidation. This study examined caffeine intake, sleep habits, cognitive effects, fatigue, and GPA among 35 undergraduate students. Results showed that 83% consumed caffeine, and two-thirds believed it helped them study or focus. However, caffeine use was not significantly correlated with GPA, nor was the belief that caffeine improved focus. Fatigue showed a moderately strong negative correlation with GPA, suggesting tiredness is more closely associated with lower academic performance. Students with more caffeine-related side effects reported greater fatigue, supporting research that caffeine can disrupt sleep and indirectly impair learning.

Effect of EGCG on HepG2 Cells
Vela Paye and Brooks Buraczynski – Harford Students

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin commonly found in over-the-counter green tea extract supplements, is known for its antioxidant effects. We tested the effects of EGCG on HepG2 liver cancer cells to determine its ability to induce apoptosis. We treated HepG2 cells with varying concentrations of EGCG and examined their effects on cell viability at the 24- and 48-hour time points using a crystal violet viability assay. The results showed a decrease in HepG2 cell viability as well as altered cell morphology that is consistent with apoptosis. These results suggest that EGCG may be cytotoxic to liver cancer cells. Further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of these results.

The Viability of HepG2 Cells in a Quercetin and Bromelain Solution
Meghan Melcher – Harford Student

Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Many natural supplements have been observed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects, including the enzyme bromelain, found in pineapple flesh, and the flavonoid quercetin, found in various fruits and vegetables. Previous in vitro studies demonstrated that individual treatment with these substances had apoptotic and growth suppressing properties. These two substances are commonly sold combined in over-the-counter supplements. The goal of our project was to determine if this compound had cytotoxic effects on HepG2 cells, a human liver cell line. HepG2 cells were treated with varying concentrations of a commercially available quercetin/bromelain supplement over a 24- and 48-hour period, upon which a crystal violet viability assay was performed. Our results indicated that the compound decreased cell viability in a time- and dosage-dependent manner. Further studies are planned to explore the molecular mechanisms of these results.

The Human Computer That Sent America to Space
Erin Lebrun and Sherrie Anim-Asare – Harford Students

It’s hard to imagine a time when every complex calculation had to be solved entirely by hand, yet this was the world in which Katherine Johnson excelled. Many of today’s greatest scientific advancements rely on precise, complex calculations. Katherine Johnson earned the name ‘the human computer’ because her mathematical precision was unmatched. She computed the trajectory for Alan Shepard’s (Apollo 11) flight to the moon as well as other space missions with just a paper and a pencil. Not only was she one of the greatest minds of her time but she broke barriers as an African American woman working in segregation at NASA in the 1960’s.

From Genetic Code to Global Protection:
How mRNA Vaccines Changed Medicine
Retaj Haj Abdullah – Harford Student

With more viruses appearing over time, making traditional vaccines can take years. Technology utilizing mRNA technology has changed that by allowing scientists to design vaccines within weeks once they know a virus’s genetic code. Messenger RNA is a natural molecule in our cells that carries instructions from DNA to make proteins. Scientists figured out how to create synthetic mRNA that tells our cells to make a harmless piece of a virus, like the spike protein, instead of the whole virus. Our immune system sees this piece as foreign and starts building antibodies and memory cells to fight it in the future. The mRNA does not change our DNA and breaks down quickly after it does its job. Today, mRNA is not only used for vaccines but is also being studied for cancer treatment and other diseases, showing how powerful this technology could be for the future of medicine.

How is Artificial Intelligence Changing Healthcare?
Clara Owusuaa Afriyie – Harford Student

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the transformation of healthcare by helping doctors diagnose diseases faster and improve patient treatment. AI can detect illnesses like cancer, analyze medical data, and also improve hospital efficiency. While it offers many benefits, it also raises ethical and privacy concerns.

Does your grammar in an AI prompt affect how many sources it gives you?
Olivia Minichiello – Harford Student

With many large language AI models right at our fingertips, you can get a clear, concise answer to almost any question you ask. But it is well known that AI can make mistakes and provide false information, as well as limited sources. But have you ever wondered if how you ask a question affects the number of sources provided by AI? In this study, we’ll discuss the results of a small-scale experiment that shed some light on the topic.