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Master's Theses

Theses completed by graduate students at the University of Northern Colorado. Older theses can be found using the library catalog

Theses from 2026 2026

Synthesis and Characterization of Gold Nanoparticles Using a Thioether Ionic Liquid as Stabilizer, William Antwi

Investigating the Influence of Beneficial Fungi on Plant Defense and Aphid Resistance Under Heat Stress, N.M Asif Billah

Differences in Music Course Offerings in Secondary Schools within Three School Districts in Colorado, Deirdre Flanagan Slaman

Fish Meal Serum Modulates Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Steroidogenic Cells: Implications for Luteoprotection in Cattle, Tyra Marie Goodluck

Investigating the Taxonomic Uncertainties of Potentilla rupincola, Natalie Elizabeth Hieber

Egyptian Suite: Compositional Reflections, Jeremy Fisher Jacobus

A Genetic Analysis of the Rare Endemic Astragalus ripleyi Barneby, Juan Antonio Jaramillo-Chico

The Acute Effect of a Single Dose of Berberine on Blood Glucose Response Following a Standardized Meal and 2-mile Walk Performance in Healthy Adults, Victor Emmanuel Obaro

Hormonal, Cytokinetic, and Skeletal Response to a Single Weighted Vest Exercise Treatment: A Pilot Study to Determine Weighted Vest “Rucking” Treatment for Osteoporosis in Post-Menopausal Women, Eleanor Pell

Impacts of Elevated Carbon Dioxide and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis on Aphids’ Life History Traits and Defense Gene Expression in Plants, Lina Maria Posada Velez

Students’ Connections Between Electrostatic Potential Maps and Line Angle Structures, Aubrey Stagner

Companion Parrot Vocal Learning and Reproduction of Human Speech Sounds, Karla Vilches Castaño

Sull'essere Umani "On Being Human", Benjamin S. Woodard

State Medicaid Expansion and Mental Health in the Poorest States: Examining Differences in States That Expanded Medicaid Compared to Those Which Did Not, Steven Kyle Yates

Theses from 2025 2025

Exploring Efficient Neuropeptide Extraction Methods for Quantitative Peptidomics and Application in a Principal Central Auditory Nucleus, Ahmad Hejji A Al Mousa

So You Think You Can Teach Dance?: Evaluating Effective Indicators and Assessments for Teaching Ballroom Dance in a High School Setting, Alyssa Arnold

Effects of Chronic Marijuana Use on Postural Control During Quiet Standing, Johnathon S. Ashcraft

Moving Beyond The TikTok Frame: Exploring Middle School Students' Understanding of Dance Composition Through the Use of Choreographic Exercises, Heather Barrett

Phylogenetic Comparative Vocal Evolution, Casper W. Buchanan

N-Aryl Phenoxazines as Polymer Supported Photocatalysts, Mary Kathryn Hall

Navigating the Terrain: Sense of Belonging in Geology Field Camps, Ezra J. Hammersfeld

Development of Polymer-Supported Organic Photoredox Catalysts, Benjamin Kwesi Kakra

Differences in Loading Rate in Shod and Unshod Treadmill Walking, David Austin Kropushek

Edouard Reményi and Johannes Brahms: A Lifelong Influence Reconsidered, Katherine Marie Martin

Dancing with Logic: The Impact of Integrating Dance in Teaching Introductory Computer Science Concepts on Student Understanding and Engagement, April Monk

Imitation and Text Relationships in Tomás Luis de Victoria's Missa O magnum mysterium, Natasha Ann Monroe

Changing the Channel: How Queer Representation in Mainstream Media Influences Social Perceptions in Young Adult Viewers, Lillian Joy Myers

Where Is Dance In Education? Perspectives on the State of Dance in Independent Schools Across the Midwest and How One School Community Fits into the Larger Picture, Megan O'Toole

Integrating Dance Into Early Childhood Education For Children With Developmental Disabilities: A Curriculum-Based Approach, Stephanie Stine

Investigating the Influence of Experimental Parameters on the Formation of Gold Nanoparticles: A Green Synthesis and Design of Experiments Approach, Isaac Opeyemi Subuloye

The Distribution of Spinal Cord Injury Severity Across Age and Injury Location in Frontal Impact Automobile Collisions, Alyssa Teixeira

Characterization of Range-wide Venom Variation in the Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus), Calvin Vick

Evaluating Cannabigerol as a Therapeutic Agent in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Michael J. Viereckl

A Pilot Study Exploring Vitamin D, Mental Health, and Gastrointestinal Health in Humans, Brianna C. Williams

The Impact of Using the Visual, Auditory/Aural, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic (VARK) Model in Ballet Class: A Multifaceted Approach to Teaching Ballet Technique to Children Ages Nine to Twelve Years Old, Angelle Cain Wise

Theses from 2024 2024

Building Foundations for Success: A Study on Aligning Expectations and Realities in College Dance Programs, Ashley Walker Anderson

Sustainable Development: What’s the Problem Here? A Post-Structural Discourse Analysis of the Global Reporting Initiative, Jenniffer Barnett

The Role of B Cell Activation State and Sex in Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Mediated Induction of Chemokine Receptor 9 and Alpha4Beta7 Expression in Vitro, Logan Bauerle

Does Appearance Matter? The Relationship of Perceived Body Size and Physical Appearance on Students' Attraction to Physical Activity at Recess, Danielle Belcher

The Effects of an Acute Dose of Cannabidiol on Health and Two-Mile Time Trial Performance, Elyssa Bell

Psychological Impacts of Competitive Dance: Understanding Mental Health and Team Dynamics Among Young Dancers, Gloria E. Brunner

They Can't Know I Wanna Kiss Robots: Stigma and Audience Segregation in Fanfiction, Micah Arrow Callin

Clonal Growth and Trait Variation in the Colorado Front Range: The Influence of Elevation and Ecosystem, Jordan Conley

Willingness to Report Sexual Victimization Through Formal and Informal Routes and the Correlation to Victim’s Race, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity, Tara Diltz

More Than Windows and Mirrors: Using Culturally Responsive Teaching in Conjunction with Project Based Learning, Victoria DiMarzio

Faking Being Well: Evaluating The Everyday Experiences Of University Students With Chronic Pain, Hannah Ditzenberger

Clonal Plants' Traits and Responses Following Fire Disturbance in Ponderosa pine Ecosystems in the Colorado Front Range, Raymond Erskine

Rape Beyond Fantasy: Exploring the Influence of BookTok's Erotica and Dark Romance Literature on Young Adult Perceptions of Consent and Boundaries, Teagan Bailey Fortune

Determining Spatiotemporal Regulation of Actin Dynamics in Choroid Fissure Closure, Cristal Gonzalez

Induced Systemic Resistance Against Nematodes by Plant Growth-Promoting Microbes in Potatoes, Cole Grannan

Contrast As A Governing Principle: Topic Deployment In Selected Sonatas Of Johann Christian Bach, Morgan Hall

Fostering Creative Bravery: Exploring Innovation Among Future Female Pioneers In Dance Through Historical Composition Studies, Marlo DaRon Harris

Potential Bioprospecting Within Vemons of Rear-Fanged Snakes, Tanner Milbank Harvey

I Belong Here: How Culturally Responsive Learning Builds Community and Acceptance in the Dance Classroom of a Public School System, Britteny Dorothy Hyslip

Exploring the Impact of Dance Arts Integration on General Education Teaching Practices: Insights into Classroom Environment, Planning, Instruction, and Assessment, Sara Kessler-Kennon

Venom Characterization of Three Rear-Fanged Snake Species from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Steven Michael Klioze

Cross-Training Effects: The Impact of Ballet Instruction on Athletes' Physical Attributes and Performance, Erin Lane

Analyzing the Influence of Faculty Diversity on Dance Education in Texas High Schools: A Case Study of Representation in Dance Programs, Aransas Lazo

Little Seeds, Mighty Trees; The Great American Music Educator and Pioneer: Julia Etta (Ettie) Crane, Yu-Hui Lee

Social Justice in Dance: The Exploration of Dance as a Tool for Promoting, Recognizing and Influencing Change, Michelle O'Konis Linnehan

A geospatial analysis of patterns in neighborhood characteristics and United States professional sports stadium relocations from 1922-2022, Kara Logan

Role of ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters as a Protector of Testis Stem Cell Niche from Chemotherapy Drugs in Drosophila melanogaster, Swagata Maity

Exploring the Impact of Using Mirrors Versus Not Using Mirrors in an Intermediate High School Dance Class, Melanie Monnich

Crafting Affective Engagement: The Impact of Choreography and Design Choices on Audience's Emotional Experience in Dance Performances, Amy Morton

Body Positivity via Costuming Performances in Grades Nine through Twelve Dance, Kacey Valentine O'Keeffe

Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Dance in the Academic Schedule: The Effects on Stress Among High School Students, Amanda Polanowski

The Kansas Band’s Musical Depictions of Spiritual Quests, Elizabeth Romero

An Analysis of Resources for Developing Music Curriculum in Charter Schools with Proposals for Research Instruments Specific to the State of Arizona, Emily Stanton

Exploring Audience Perceptions of Elementary School Dance Curriculum: Utilizing Informance to Investigate Beliefs Regarding the Presentation of Student Learning in Dance, Michaela Summers

Athletic Identity Association and Prospective Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Predict Attitudes of Collegiate Athletes Toward Seeking Help From the Athletic Department, Allie Zerr

Theses from 2023 2023

Exploring and Evaluating the Effectiveness of Greeley’s Mental Health Co-Responder Program and “Squad 1”, Mikelle Angiuli

Making it Stick: Exploring Teaching Tools for Choreography Retention in High School Musicals, Katie Arjona

Effects of Triptorelin on Global Deoxyribonucleic Acid Methylation in Skeletal Muscle in Male Adolescent Rats, Max Boland

Restrictions and Criteria for Obtaining Funds After a Victimization: A Content Analysis of Victim Compensation Statutes in the United States, Taylor Brake

Rhythm and Meter as Text Expression: Jake Runestad's "Come to the Woods", Samantha Brewer

Assessing University Dance Programs: Evaluating the Dance Education Vs Performance Majors for Teacher Preparedness, Kionna N. Burgess

Arts-Integrated Teaching of English Literature: Using Dance Making Methods to Enhance High School Student Comprehension of Short Stories and Self-Confidence in Reading Skills, Ashley Carney

A comparison of the perceived effects of injury on collegiate dancers and athletes, Megan Chiles

Student Reasonings and Cognitive Biases in Climate Change Predictions, Kaela Clabaugh Howell

Brain Dance and Brain Power: Impact of Movement on Problem-Solving Skills for Exceptional Learners, Kristin Crain

Analyzing Grassland Bird Song and Success: The Impact of Landscape Characteristics on Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella Neglecta), Leah Crenshaw

Confidence in the Classroom: A Guide for Teaching Dance to Exceptional Learners, Brianna Janae Denmark

Factors Shaping the Choreographic Process of Studio Dance Teachers, Anna Duvall

Auto-resistance Toward Snake Venom Metalloproteases in United States Pitvipers, Kaleb Hill

Investigating the Therapeutic Potential of Cannabigerol (CBG) in Female Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (Nash) Mouse Model, Raznin A. Joly

Inhibition Of Venom Gland V-ATPase Proton Pumps And Their Role In Snake Venom Acidification and Storage, Samuel Kerwin

Exploring the Effect of 8 Weeks of Cannabidiol on Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, Seth T. Kofman

Experiences and Perspectives of a Speech-Language Pathologist on Strategies and Challenges for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the General Education, Inclusion-Focused Classroom Post Distance Learning, Hayley Mahnke

Dance and Emotional Intelligence: Mitigating Anxiety in the Modern Teen, Bridget Morris

Animal Abuse and Psychopathy: Examining Psychopathic Personality Traits in both Animal Abusers and Non-Abusers, Allison Renegar

Assessment of Russian olive as an Ecogeomorphic Agent on a West-Central Semiarid Prairie River, Antonio Reveles-Hernandez

Gendered Experiences in Learning, Interpreting, and Using Sexual Consent, Emma Ryan

Facilitating Artistic Growth in Athletically Trained Contemporary Dancers: Using Brain-compatible Dance Education and Flow State Psychology to Promote Autonomous Movement Choices in Contemporary Movement Practice, Paige Alexis St John

An examination of school resource officers' self-perception of role, student encounters and duties, Alexandra Swanty

A Cross Sectional Comparison of the Mental Health, Sleep, and Anaerobic Power of Cannabis Users, Cannabidiol Users, and Non Users, Taylor Tamanaha

Strength-Training Curriculum for Middle and High School Dancers in a Studio Setting, Monica Taplin

Integrating BrainDance Inspired Movement into the Classroom: Elementary Teachers Respond to the Outcomes of Student Involvement, Callie Taylor

Putting Dance in Triple Threat: Confidence and Knowledge of Dancing in Middle School Actors, Miranda Taylor

An Overview of Speech-Language Pathologists’ Current Practices for Bilingual Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Yessica Villanueva Guerra

The Creation and Application of a Fundamental Hip-hop Curriculum: What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Codifying Classic Hip-hop Technique?, Julie Wolfrum