Senior Thesis 
All undergraduates in the Environmental
Science Program have the opportunity to do research.
The Environmental Science Program is inter-disciplinary and has over 80 faculty
who are involved with it. Seniors take a practicum course
their final year in which they write a senior thesis. Students identify an area where they would like to do research
and collaborate with a professor who serves as the project advisor. The seniors do the primary research, write a 15-20 page
thesis, do a Power Point presentation and compete in a poster competition.
Senior Theses, 2007
First Place EnvS
Research Poster Competition
“Study: The Impact of Mustard and Canola meal application
on
key soil physical properties”
Jon Klemesrud
Advisor: Dr. Jodi Johnson-Maynard
Second
Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
“Population and Conservation Genetics of Gobi Brown Bears”
Adam Schmoeger
Advisor: Dr. Lisette Waits
Honorable
Mention EnvS Research Poster Competition
"Spotted Knapweed Relations with Exotic And Native
Endophytes”
Maryse Crawford
Advisor: Dr. George Newcom
Honorable
Mention EnvS Research Poster Competition
“Stretch Potential with Data Logger Reel Material”
Jon Jacobson
Advisor: Dr. Jim Osiensky
“How to Kilowatt: An Initiative to Raise Student Awareness
of
Electricity Conservation in On-Campus Residences”
Kellie Baker
Advisor: Christine Dixon
“Water wise landscaping on the Palouse”
James Blakely
Advisor: Dr. David Rauk
“The Influence of Military Tanks on the Environment”
Ashley Briggs
Advisor: Dr. Gary Machlis
“Surveying the Lexington Tunnel: A Study to determine the
Geochemistry of Acid Mine Drainage in Butte, Montana”
Andrew Cawrse
Advisor: Dr. Scott Wood
“Taylor Ranch: A Larger Historical Perspective”
Nathan Church
Advisor: Dr. Adam Sowards
“Sockeye Salmon Decline: Social, Historical
and Ecological
Implications”
Eric Crandlemire
Advisor: Dr. Adam Sowards
“Organic Waste generation and management at the University
of
Idaho”
Wes Gregory
Advisor: Dr. Jodi Johnson-Maynard
“A GIS Analysis of Wolf and Cougar Predation Along the Big
Creek
Drainage Basin”
Blaine Krumpe
Advisor: Dr. Lee Vierling
“An Analysis of the Effect of Land Use in Relation to
Non-Point
Source Pollutants based on a Biological Assessment of the
Big
Boulder Creek Watershed”
Tyler McRae
Advisor: Dr. Robert Mahler
“Examination of the Effects of Diesel Fuel Contamination
on Green
Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)”
Fred Merrill
Advisor: Dr. Robert Mahler
“Mine Waste Remediation”
Erik Naylor
Advisor: Dr. Keith Prisbrey
“The Controversy over an American Landscape: Comparisons
of
Public and Producers’ Opinions of Kentucky Bluegrass
Residue
Burning in Idaho”
Katelyn Peterson
Advisor: Dr. J. D. Wulfhorst
“The Changing American West: A Study of A Dynamic Culture”
Tomi Quigley
Advisor: Dr. Gundars Rudzitis
“A GIS Analysis of the Mantel Test for Genetic
Isolation-by-Distance
in Wildlife Populations”
Noel Sanyal
Advisor: Dr. Lisette Waits
“Characterization of Six Soils on the Zumwalt Prairie
Preserve in
Northeast Oregon”
Heidi Schmalz
Advisor: Dr. Paul McDaniel
"Population and Conservation
Genetics of Gobi Brown Bears”
Adam Schmoeger
Advisor: Dr. Lisette Waits
“Boundary Conditions Between the City of Moscow and the
City of
Pullman”
Chelsea Sherman
Advisor: Dr. James Osiensky
“Ecological Effects of Oil Spills and Fires in Iraq,
Kuwait, and the
Persian Gulf during the Gulf War”
Danielle Smith
Advisor: Dr. Gary Machlis
“Metal Contaminant Partitioning of Freshwater
Micro-invertebrates”
Darren Wilson
Advisors: Dr. Dan Strawn & Dr. Steve McGeehan
“Analysis of Pellet ingestion patterns in Northern Idaho
Waterfowl”
Adam Zielke
Advisor: Dr. Kerry Reese
Senior
Theses, 2006
First Place EnvS
Research Poster Competition
GPS and GIS for Managing Land
Application Disposal (LAD) of Residual Heap Leach Effluent
Sonny Thornborrow
UI Advisor: Dr. Ronald Crawford, Environmental Biotechnology
Institute
Second
Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
Estimating the Sustainable Water
Index at the University of Idaho for Future Sustainable Management
Baek Soo "Peggy" Lee
UI Advisor: Dr. Fritz Fiedler, Civil Engineering
Honorable
Mention EnvS Research Poster Competition
McCall Outdoor Science School 2006
Report on Results of Student Questionnaires
Glenda Edwards
UI Advisor: Dr. Stephen Hollenhorst, Conservation Social Science
Honorable
Mention EnvS Research Poster Competition
Using GIS to Map Palouse Prairie
Remnants and Present Biodiversity Data
Kelly Howle
UI Advisor: Dr. Sanford Eigenbrode, Plant Soils and Entomological
Sciences
Glacier
changes in northern Tien Shan during the last 40 years based on surface and
remote sensing data
Michael Clancy
UI Advisor: Dr. Vladimir Aizen, Geography
Heartland Water Resources Survey: Water Issues in Nebraska
Joshua DeGayner
UI Advisor: Dr. Robert Mahler, Plant Soils and Entomological
Sciences
Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in Schlepps' Pond, Coeur d'Alene: Pilot
Study-Plan to Analyze Fish Tissue for Heavy Metal Accumulation
Samer Kattouf
UI Advisor: Dr. Matthew Morra, Plant Soils and Entomological
Sciences
Legacy
of the Silver Valley: Heavy Metal Contamination in Schlepps' Pond
Cody Kelson
UI Advisor: Dr. Matthew Morra, Plant Soils and Entomological Sciences
A
Summary of Nutrient Concentrations in the Paradise Creek Watershed
Amber Rand
UI Advisor: Dr. Jan Boll, Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Elements: Documenting Sustainability at the University of Idaho
Arlie Sommer
UI Advisor: Dr. Philip Druker, English
Corporate Eco-Consumerism an Incentives
Madelon Wills
UI Advisor: Dr. Rula Awwad-Rafferty, Architecture
Senior
Theses, 2005
First Place EnvS Research Poster
Competition
Effects of Weathering on Recent Flood Deposits on
the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River
Matthew Gerulf
UI Advisor: Daniel Strawn
Second
Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
Potential of Braken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)
for Use in Bioremediation of Heavy Metals
James Bukovinsky
UI Advisor: Jodi Johnson-Maynard
Third
Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
Bio-Assessment of Stream Restoration Elk River,
North Idaho
Nicholas Whitaker
UI Advisor: Robert Mahler
A survey of public
opinion on proposed route alternatives on Highway 95 from Thorncreek Road
to Moscow
Benjamin Austin
UI Advisor: Charles Harris
Delineation of Wetland
Soils using IRIS (Indicator in Reduction in Soils) Tubes
Joseph Ford
UI Advisor: Paul McDaniel and Karen Kastenson
Efficiencies in Straw
Bale Design
Maia Hawkes
UI Advisor: Bruce Haglund
Fire Lookouts of the
Northwest: Their Role in Forest Service Fire Policy and their Impact
on the Landscape
Richard Holm
UI Advisor: Adam Sowards
Snowdon Wildlife
Sanctuary Study and Plan for Fund-Raising and Public Relations
Denise Judge
UI Advisor: James Fazio
Chemotaxis of a
Selenate-Reducing Bacteria
Nicole Kallstrom
UI Advisor: Susan Childers
Evaluating Public
Opinion on U.S. 95 Construction Thorn Creek Road to Moscow
Jason Korn
UI Advisor: Charles Harris
Estimating Erosion and
Deposition in a Disturbed Research of Paradise Creek
Allison Marshall
UI Advisor: Jan Boll
Alternative Weed
Control and Soil Fertility Amendments in Organic Farming Systems
Ann Milot
UI Advisor: Jodi Johnson-Maynard
Environmental
Education: Paradise Creek Field Guide
Jennifer Rideout
UI Advisor: Mike Odell and John Ophus
Challenges of Joint
Management in a Wilderness Study Area
Matthew Rodriquez
UI Advisor: Jerry Fairley
Environmental
Education: Paradise Creek Field Guide
Amber Rudeen
UI Advisor: Michael Odell and John Ophus
Evaluation of
Potential Economic Benefits and Feasibility of Developing Sustainable
Tourism of Hot Springs in Idaho
Tess Studley
UI Advisor: Jerry Fairley
Redevelopment and
Analysis of an Abandoned Well
Jason Sweeney
UI Advisor: James Osiensky
Model Simulation of
Construction Site Runoff Loads to Paradise Creek and Construction Site
Runoff Load Mitigation Techniques
Breann Westfall
UI Advisor: Jan Boll
Senior
Theses, 2004
First Place EnvS Research
Poster Competition
An analysis on the Application of Remote Sensing
Techniques for Surface Temperature Measurements in the Alvord Basin
Alex Colter
UI Advisor: Jerry Fairley
Second
Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
Genetic analysis of carnivore hair and fecal
samples from the Lochsa Drainage of Idaho
Ricardo Perez
UI Advisor: Lisette Waits and David Onorato
Third
Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
Rain Water Harvesting
Loy Pehrson
UI Advisor: James Osiensky
Third
Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
Wolf Reintroduction in the State of Idaho;
recovery, population dispersion projections, and management plans
Stacy Smith
UI Advisor: Edward Garton
Long-term Changes in Water Runoff and Water Chemistry in the Upper
Salmon River Basin
Brian Anderson
UI Advisor: Vladimir Aizen
Report on Listing the
McCall Outdoor Science School Dining Hall to the National Register of
Historic Places
Morgan Beasley
UI Advisor: Steven Hollenhorst
Meeting the needs of
wildlife on Paradise Ridge, while maintaining safety on Highway 95
Kathryn Carberry
UI Advisor: Charles Harris
Information Resources
on Moscow Area Groundwater Issues
Ryan Carlson
Advisor: Kajsa Stromberg, Palouse-Clearwater Environmental
Institute
Tiered Water
Conservation Rates in Moscow: A Rate Design and Community Education
Project
Nuri Mathieu
UI Advisor: Larry Kirkland and Robert Mahler
Environmental
Knowledge, Practice and Feelings towards the Environment through Music
Andy Olson
UI Advisor: Don Crawford
The Salmon Basis Water
Resources Geo-Information System
Christina Schwartz
UI Advisor: Vladimir Aizen
Hydrogen Sulfide
Survey
Kyle Steele
UI Advisor: Von Walden
Preliminary Ground
Water Quality Evaluation for Potential Artificial Recharge of the Grande
Ronde Aquifer
John Sugden
UI Advisor: James Osiensky
Cleaner Production
within the Pulp and Paper Industry: Theory, Concepts, and Mindsets in the
US and Abroad
John Van Der Giessen
UI Advisor: Patrick Wilson
Lewis and Clark Flora
and Fauna Interactive Database Investigation Project
Meghan Wilson
UI Advisor: Michael Odell and Scott GravesRica
Senior Theses,
2003
First Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
The identification of core habitat reserves and wildlife corridors in the Big Lost River Basin, south central Idaho: A GIS analysis based on species richness
Troy Blandford
UI Advisor: Karen Humes
Second Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
A Place to Call Home: Finding a Sense of Place & Developing Place Attachments in Stressed Environments
Dawna Jones
UI Advisor: Rula Awaad-Rafferty
Third Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
Mineralogy of contaminated sediments in Lake Coeur d’Alene
Subit Chandran
UI Advisor: Matt Morra
Third Place EnvS Research Poster Competition
Physiological Structures of Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii that Block Stomatal Conductance in Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii
Brad Smith
UI Advisor: Karen Kavanaugh
Role of Siderophores in the Mobilization of Palladium in the
Environment
Michelle Biladeau
Social and Environmental Impact Analysis on Water Flucations in Lake Pend Oreille
Justin Boeck
Determining Forest Structure Stages With IKONOS Imagery
Vladimir Borek
A GIS Assessment of the Water Quality of the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River Watershed
Eric Clark
Hydrological Evaluation and Water Quality Assessment of Paradise Creek
Kristina Clark
Addressing Indian Participation in Social Science Research to Cross Cultural Research, Reconciling Differing Priorities
Janel Falk
Stream Health Assessment Brochure
Jeremy Harris
Drawdown Effects at Dworshak Reservoir
Andy Helkey
What Happens to the Products We Recycle?
Keith Jermalowicz
Conditions Under Which Quicksand Forms
Melissa Karnowski
The Effects of Temperature Variation on Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
Janet Marley
Stream Bank Erosion and Sediment Storage in Paradise Creek
Jason McKenney
Hydrological Evaluation of Soil Erosion Potential
Sara Miles
The National Fire Plan and its Implications in the Wildland-Urban Interface of Kootenai County, Idaho
Dustin Miller
The Impacts Phosphate Mining Activities in Southeast Idaho have on Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus), Elk (Cervus elaphus), and Moose (Alces alces) Populations
Brock Morgan
Outer Banks Group Parks Visitor Services Project Visitor Study
Jason Reed
Habitat Curriculum Kit Design: A Foundation for
Environmental Education
Hallie Reikowsky
Lead Contamination in North Idaho
John Schaller
Development of a Protocol to Determine Burrow Complex Densities in Known Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) Habitat
Shawn Sweetapple
Regional Forest Health and Fuels Build Up Study Using Remote Sensing
Tiege Ulschmid
Estimation of Phosphorus Loading on Surface Water From Non-point Sources on Paradise Creek
Fabiola Urena
A Study of the Role of the Watershed Advisory Groups in the Clearwater Basin
Bob Uebelher
Digital Paleotopographic Mapping of the Moscow Pullman Basin
Nichole Wilson
Senior Theses,
2002
Alternative Energy Planning Workshop
Patrick O'Dell
UI Advisor: Frank Albrecht
Anatomy of a Conservation Easement
Kevin Turner
UI Advisor: Stephen Hollenhorst
Aquatic sediments, plant and
nutrient relationship in the middle Snake River, Hagerman Reach, Idaho
Nathan Johnson
UI Advisor: C.M. Falter
Assessment Hawaii's Endangered
Species Management
Eldon Oyadomari
Sponsor: Environmental Science Program
UI Advisor: J. Michael Scott
Constructed Wetlands: Modeling for
Hydraulic Retention Guidelines
Ian Bordenave
UI Advisor: Fritz Fiedler
Elk Use Impacts Upon Winter Range
Riparian Areas
Matthew Rajala
Sponsor: Environmental Science Program
UI Advisor: James Kingery
Environmental Education: GPS
Investigations
Shawn Mulrooney
UI Advisor: Michael Odell
ESA and CWA Implementation for
Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon Habitat and Species Recovery
Katherine Lanspery
UI Advisor: William Whelan, Boise Extension Center
Establishing Bioregion Boundaries Second
Place Poster Competition
Deborah McCormick
UI Advisor: Patrick Wilson
GIS Applications in Tussock Moth
Infestation Detection
Amanda Hess
UI Advisor: Karen Humes
Identifying Best Management
Practices for the Canyon County Area of Nitrate Concern
Jonathan Suk
UI Advisor: Robert Mahler
Mineralogy of Contaminated Soils First
Place Poster Competition
Lindsay Obray
UI Advisor: Dan Strawn
Nitrate Source Assessment in the
Mud Lake Area of Concern
Edward Jolly
UI Advisor: Robert Mahler
Overview of the Structure of
American Indian Fresh Water Rights Third
Place Poster Competition
Michael Rodman
UI Advisor: Douglas Lind
Paradise Creek Health Assessment
Kip Shields
UI Advisor: Leland Mink
Redefining the Parameters of the
Grande Ronde Aquifer
Justin Nawrocki
UI Advisor: Jim Osiensky
Selenium Sorption
Rachel Henson
UI Advisor: Don Crawford
The Detection of the Natural
Background Level of B. Anthracis
Kihwan Kim
UI Advisors: Ron Crawford
The Idaho Potato; What They're Not
Famous For
Alyssa Douglas
UI Advisor: Jim Osiensky
2001
Projects
An Analysis of the Environmental Education Programs of the Clearwater
Valley and Elk City Schools
Jarod Blades
Advisor: Keith Russell, RRT
Hydrogen
Fuel Cells: Alternative Energy Source For Targhee Hall Andrew
J Brown
Advisor:
Bruce Haglund, Architecture
Agricultural
Pesticides Use and Vulnerability to Underlying Groundwater Contamination
Brady Christensen
Advisor: Bob Mahler, PSES
Cutthroat
Habitat Restoration Plan For a Small Mountain Stream: East Fork of Small
Creek
Beau Crawford
Advisor:
David Bennett,
Fish and Wildlife Res.
Enhanced
Training in Idaho EISs with regard to military bombing ranges; public
input and opinion process
Christopher M. Crisler
Advisor:
Keith Russell, RRT
The
Skull Valley Goshutes and the Mescalero Apaches
3rd
Place Poster
Holly Cunha
Advisor:
J.D. Wulfhorst, Rural Sociology
Assessment of Re-Use and Ultimate Fate of PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
Water Bottles
Kathryn Dallas
Advisor:
Margrit von Braun, Env. Engr.
Evaluation
of Water Flow and Levels in Moscow Wells
Robin M. Dunn
Advisor:
Jim Osiensky, Geology
Water
Level Declines in the Moscow/Pullman Basin: The City of Pullman
Zachary J Garcia
Advisor: James Osiensky, Geology
Lunar
Solar Power System
Max Geidl
Advisor:
Keith Prisbrey, Metallurgy
Expanding
the Public Trust Doctrine
Jenna Gorman
Advisor:
Doug Lind, Philosophy
Comparative
Study on the Missouri River and Snake River
Jennifer Hafner
Advisor:
Pat Wilson, Political Science
Environmental
Justice Case Study: The Skull Valley Goshutes Nicole
Jackson
Advisor:
J.D. Wulfhorst, Rural Sociology
Raingauge
Accuracy
Angie Koski
Advisor:
Jan Boll, Bio. Ag. Engr.,
Snags
and Salvage Logging in the Inland Northwest
Cheyenne Largeteau
Advisor: Leon
Neuenschwander, Forest Res.
Pre-Teacher
Survey of the Effectiveness of the GLOBE Program Dara
Lee
Advisor:
Mike Odell, Teacher Education
Pollutant
Transport Model of the Upper-Missouri Watershed, MT Ryan
McCluskey
Advisor: Keith Prisbey, Metallurgy
Standard
Condition Radical Free Oxidation of Nitrobenzene, a Surrograte for 2,4,6
Trinitrotoluene
1st
Place Winner
Matt McLaughlin
Advisor:
Frank Cheng, Chemistry
Cave
Bay Watershed Analysis
Chris Milewski
Advisor:
Roy Mink, Water Resources Research Institute
The
Impact on Hunting of Sage Grouse (Centrocerus Urophasianus) Kyle
Bradley Olree
Advisor: Kerry Reese, Fish and Wildlife Res.
TNT
Degradation using a Soil Consortium and a Pure Culture of Clostridia
Jeong yeon Park
Advisor: Ron L Crawford, Microbiology
Lunar
and Satellite Based Power Source as a viable alternative energy
source
Travis Powell
Advisor: Keith Prisbrey, Metallurgy
Using
Geological Storativity for Water Generation in Southeast Idaho
Troy
Preuit
Advisor:
Jerry Fairley, Geology
The
Effect of Study Area Size on the Accuracy Vegetation Classification
Derived From Remotely Sensed Data
2nd
Place Poster
Matthew Price
Compilation
of Well Logs to Evaluate the Electrical Conductivity of Open and Clay
Filled Fractures
John Rainey
Advisor:
Jim Osiensky, Geology
Source
Tracking and Mapping of Fecal Coliform Pollution in a Multiple Use
Watershed
Jennifer Rooker
Advisor:
Guy Knudsen, Plant Pathology
Eco
Dorm Interest Analysis
Denise Ronneburg
Advisor:
Bruce Haglund, Architecture
Comparison
of Composted Material and Compost Machines
Eric Salontai
Advisor:
Bob Mahler, PSES
Cave
Bay Water Supply
2nd
Place Poster
Sarah Scott
Advisor:
Jim Osiensky, Geology
Land
Trades in the Northwest
Jessie Shawver
Advisor:
Doug Lind, Philosophy
Nitrate-Nitrogen
Assessment of the Cow Creek Area of Concern Clayton
Steele
Advisor:
Bob Mahler, PSES
Hybrid
Abies Concolor, Abies Grandid Project
Jenah Thornborrow
Advisor: Steve Brunsfield, Forest Resources
An
analysis of Arsenic contamination in private wells of Canyon County,
ID
Aaron S. Torres
Advisor:
Steve McGeehan, Food Sci. & Tox.
Conflict
and Collaboration: A North Idaho Perspective
3rd Place Poster
Cheryl Vincent
Advisor: Pat Wilson, Political Science
Categorical
Analysis Prioritizing the 33 targeted Nitrate Areas of concern in the
State of Idaho
3rd
Place Poster
Jacob Vowels
Advisor:
Bob Mahler, PSES
Composting
Technology as an Approach to Eliminate
Pathogenic E. coli
Edmund Wong
Advisor:
Tom Hess, Bio. Ag. Engr.
Undergraduate