Montana State University Billings

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Bulk optical characterization of dissolved organic matter from semiarid wheat-based cropping systems
(2017-11) Romero, Carlos M.; Engel, Richard E.; D'Andrilli, Juliana; Chen, Cheng-Sao; Zabinski, Catherine A.; Miller, Perry R.; Wallander, R.
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a critical role in the cycling of nutrients and long-term agricultural sustainability. The composition of DOM in soil is likely altered due to management, yet there is limited knowledge on the effect of long-term cropping on DOM chemical character. Here, we characterized water extractable DOM composition along a gradient of soil organic carbon (SOC) affected by differing cropping and tillage intensity in a semiarid climate of the northern Great Plains, USA. Soil samples (0–10, 10–20, 20–30 cm) were collected from conventional till-fallow winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; Ftill-W), no-till spring pea/oilseed-wheat (Pisum sativum L.; Pg/O-W), and no-till continuous wheat (W-W) fields, and analyzed using UV/Vis absorbance and excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy. The concentration of DOM decreased with depth and was significantly greater (P < 0.05) under W-W or Pg/O-W than Ftill-W. The absorbance at 254 nm (Abs254), a proxy for DOM aromatic nature, indicated that aromaticity decreased with depth and lower biomass-C inputs (i.e. W-W ≥ Pg/O-W ≥ Ftill-W). Multidimensional parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis revealed humic-like (C1, C2), monolignol-like (C3), and protein/tannin-like (C4) components with varying fluorescence intensities as a function of cropping system and soil depth. DOM humification, indicated by the humification index (HIX), increased significantly with depth (P < 0.05) and was higher for Ftill-W (2.95) than W-W (2.61) or Pg/O-W (2.28). Overall, DOM became depleted of plant-derived constituents and was enriched by more decomposed, condensed substances in Ftill-W, as compared to W-W or Pg/O-W soils. DOM composition is strongly affected by cropping intensity and such changes are important drivers controlling SOC accretion in arable soils.
Can a Conventional Deadlift Exercise Reduce Low Back Pain in Physical Therapy Patients?
(Montana State University Billings, 2020-04) Cole, Alyssa; Shafer, Alex (Faculty Mentor)
Low back pain is a common health condition affecting 50-80% of American adults. Traditional rehabilitation of the low back includes hip mobility/flexibility and core strengthening/stabilizing exercises. A conventional deadlift executed with proper form, promotes a neutral spine, core stabilization and hip mobility. PURPOSE:To determine the effect of performing a conventional deadlift routine on low back pain. It is hypothesized that the conventional deadlift will provide similar effects as the traditional low back rehabilitation program by reducing pain and improving function. METHODS:Forty participants seeking treatment for lower back pain at an outpatient Physical Therapy (PT) clinic will be recruited to participate in the study. Potential participants will be screened for inclusion/exclusion criterial prior to participation. Half of those who agree to participate will be assigned to the experimental group and receive the additional deadlift exercise routine incorporated into the standard PT administered therapy sessions. The other participants will be assigned to the control group (PT without additional deadlifting). Each participant will complete the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) during the initial visit, mid-point of treatment, and then again at the end of the intervention. The PT staff at the clinic have volunteered to administer the ODI assessment as well as the deadlifting intervention on behalf of the student researcher. EXPECTED RESULTS:Participant characteristics of age, sex, and injury history will be reported. ODI scores and length of treatment will be compared between groups using independent t tests. The results of this study can help to determine whether the benefits of strengthening of the core, hips and back musculature from the deadlift exercise improves patient outcomes beyond a standard low back rehabilitation program. Improving physical therapy treatment options for individuals with low back pain is a critical step in help individuals manage low back related pain and disability.
A Characterization of Search Engine Results
(Montana State University Billings, 2022) McShane, Elizabeth ; Pannell (Faculty Mentor), John; John Pannell
Background: According to a Pew Internet Survey, 91% of online adults use some form of web search. While search engine optimization studies are commonly employed by companies to gauge their visibility in search results, few studies have been done to characterize results from the user’s perspective. We wanted to explore the impact search engine choice may have on search results by characterizing top results from several search engines. Aim: Previous research has relied on manual review of search results. Instead of taking this approach, we began developing and testing a set of tools to gather, analyze, and characterize search engine results automatically. Approach: Selenium will be used to run searches and record the top ten organic results. The URLs of the search results will be stripped down to their domains in a python-based program, then categorized using a URL Lookup API. Finally, the results will be analyzed using a python-based program. Results and Conclusions: To date, we have succeeded in gathering search results from Bing, Google, and DuckDuckGo for 50 random search terms and stripped the URLs, leaving the domains. We have also identified a service that provides website categorization, using IAB taxonomy. The development we have done so far has allowed us to identify the following targets for future development. Data Gathering: Some search engines, such as Google, proved difficult to scrape and some irregular results, such as null values, were returned. We would like to explore other methods of web scraping in addition to Selinium and develop several methods that may be able to overcome unique scraping challenges that come with different search engines. In addition, we want to expand the search engines scraped to other, lesser-known search engines. Due to time constraints, the categorization API has not been fully integrated into the program. Thus, automated API integration is another target for future development. We would also like to identify any data, such as advertisements, that we could gather while scraping search results. Data Handling and Storage: In conjunction with the automated API integration, we would like to develop code that removes already-categorized URLs before handling them off to the API for categorization. Additionally, we want to develop error handling for any unusual search results that may pass through the data collection phase. As a final feature, we would like to develop an algorithm that performs basic analysis of the search results.
Characterizing the growth patterns of novel S. aureus mutants; both in vitro and ex vivo
(Montana State University Billings, 2022) Estes, Dominic ; Wynter, Doyle ; Byrn, Lien ; Collins (Faculty Mentor), Madison; Madison, Collins
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a ubiquitous commensal of the human anterior nares that is estimated to permanently colonize ~30% of the population. S. aureus is also a predominant infectious pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality and bears a considerable burden on the healthcare industry. Options for treating this “superbug” are dwindling at an alarming rate. Although initially being considered a hospital-acquired pathogen, community-associated strains have emerged. These strains have the ability to avoid normal immune cell killing and cause disease in healthy individuals. Mechanisms for how S. aureus can escape the defenses of the body are incompletely defined. Previously published work has demonstrated a role for the two-component gene regulatory system, SaeR/S, in S. aureus and that the SaeR/S system influences the ability for the immune system to perform effectively1–3. Although initially considered a two-component system, SaeR/S is actually composed of four genes: saeP, saeQ, saeR, and saeS and the roles of saeP and saeQ are yet to be fully discovered. It is speculated that SaeR/S inhibits the proper function of attacking innate immune cells that circulate in the blood, although the role of the accessory proteins on the blood are completely unknown. We have begun to characterize the role of these accessory genes by using a clinically relevant strain of S. aureus USA300 and isogenic deletion mutants (deficient in either saeP and saeQ; USA300ΔsaeP and USA300ΔsaeQ, respectively). Experiments first began by quantifying the growth patterns of these mutants during in vitro broth culture, as well as, ex vivo during growth in heparinized human whole blood. These studies will help to fill clinically relevant gaps in our understanding of how S. aureus escapes the host immune system to advance disease during septicemic infection. Defining how this pathogen can survive immune defenses in our circulatory system can help identify new potential targets for the design of therapeutics.
Comparing Effects of Active Student Response with and without Differential Reinforcement on Receptive Identification of Children with Autism During Discrete Trial Training
(Montana State University Billings, 2022) Meyer, Abigail ; Tsai (Faculty Mentor), Shu-Chen; Shu-Chen Tsai
Purpose of the Study and Research Questions: Previous research was evaluated to determine active student response (ASR) error correction procedures used during discrete trial training (DTT). Research specifically indicated teaching skill acquisition to individual learners with autism to shape potential benefits. Gaps will be taken into account regarding introducing differential reinforcement, individuals with less established vocal repertoires, and measures of social validity. In the current study, I will compare two teaching methods to identify which procedure leads to a higher percentage of correct responding, as well as fewer trials to mastery with three learners with less established vocal repertoires who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder using an alternating treatment design. Method: The first method is to give a child a reward with various levels of praise based on the child’s correct answers. The second method is to give a child a reward and the same praise regardless of correct or incorrect answers. Baseline data will be collected prior to intervention to determine skill deficits from a randomized list of animal objects, while also using an assessment to identify potentially rewarding snacks. During intervention, if the learner does not answer correctly, I will help them point to the correct answer. If they still do not answer correctly, the instructor will hold their hand to touch the object. With the help from the instructor, they will get only praise or a snack with praise depending on the teaching method used for that session. Expected Results: Data will be collected after IRB approval to form a conclusion of the results. Active student response without differential reinforcement is expected to result in a higher percentage of correct responding, require fewer trials to mastery, and result in a positive consumer opinion.
Comparing Influenza vaccination rates before and after the H1N1 pandemic
(Montana State University Billings, 2020-04) Brandon, Connor; McMullen, Matthew (Faculty Mentor)
Immunizations are an important public health concern in order to help control the spread of diseases. Influenza is a particularly important seasonal vaccine, as it is updated every year and recommended that all people receive the vaccination. Unfortunately, not everyone receives the vaccine, which can make others more susceptible to contracting the disease andspreading it to others. Using data from the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Immunization Survey (NIS), the number of child and teenage influenza vaccinations were compared before and after the H1N1 (Swine Flu) pandemic of 2009. It was hypothesized that the H1N1 outbreak would lead to an increased rate of vaccinations in both children and teenagers. The data was grouped by geographic region and socioeconomic status. The comparative results show that there was not an increased number of childhoodor teenage vaccinations relative to the total amount of influenza vaccinations that were administered, indicating that the H1N1 pandemic did not cause a greater number of influenza vaccinations in the following years.
A Crisis Like Never Before: The Economic and Ideological Divide of the Colonists and Britain, 1763-1769
(Montana State University Billings, 2021-04) Tecca, Lauryn; Arendt, Emily (Faculty Mentor)
This research seeks to prove that the debt crisis in Britain following the Seven Years’ War manifested itself as an economic and ideological crisis for colonial America. It seeks to examine the shockwaves that follow the first Acts passed by Britain in regards to taxation that left colonists angry and obstinate. It explores the idea of the Seven Years’ War as an economic anomaly for Britain and the colonists alike. Major themes include the impact of the economy on ideals, the nature of the economic issues following the Seven Years’ War, and rifts between colonists and Britain as a result of the Stamp Act of 1765. It will rely on primary sources, specifically newspapers and journals. Based on this primary evidence, it will seek to prove that the economic consequences of the Seven Years’ War became much more ideological in nature, forcing Britain to relinquish its hold on America.
Diversity and Founder Power in Global Start-Up Teams: Implications for Strategic Consensus
(Academic OASIS, 2013) Mori, Patricio
Drawing on Attribution Theory, this paper argues that conditions at founding affect strategic consensus, and its evolution in Global Start ups. High Founder Power and Low Functional Diversity are hypothesized to produce a high level of Strategic consensus in the Global founding team. Time is hypothesized to moderate the relationship between Functional Diversity and Strategic Consensus and also the relationship between Founder Power and Strategic Consensus. Relative Experience and Relative Educational level of the most Powerful Founder are proposed as moderators of the relationship between Founder Power and Consensus. A model for Strategic Consensus in Global Startups is proposed.
Effects of Frequent Internet Use on Aspects of COVID-19
(2024) Petermann, Hailey; McMullen, Matthew
The COVID-19 pandemic changed many people’s way of life. In the early stages, there was a lot of skepticism surrounding the pandemic and how much the media should be trusted. In 2020, the American Trends Panel created by Pew Research Center collected survey data on Americans' skepticism of news media. Research conducted on the data showed frequency of internet use had an effect on attitudes related directly to COVID-19, like wearing a mask in public, employment status post-pandemic, thinking symptoms are COVID without being diagnosed, and what life would look like post-pandemic. The results will shed light on how influential frequent internet usage is on American people’s opinions.
An Elongator Knock Out Mouse Model for ALS
(Montana State University Billings, 2022) Snow, Magge ; Snyder, Sara ; Trudell, Rachel ; Pond, Renzie; Cameron, BreAnna ; George (Faculty Mentor), Lynn; Lynn George
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the death of motor neurons. As a consequence of motor neuron death, the muscles they innervate atrophy, causing patients to lose their ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breath, such that patients typically die within 4 years of diagnosis. Worldwide, ALS is the most common motor neuron disease. Fifteen people are diagnosed with ALS every day and importantly, the number of cases is projected to increase 69% by the year 2040. The George Lab studies a molecular complex called Elongator, and specific mutations in genes encoding Elongator subunits are associated with ALS. To determine whether motor neurons express Elongator, we used a genetically engineered reporter mouse that “reports” the expression of Elp1, encoding the scaffolding subunit for Elongator. Our results indicate that Elp1 is in fact expressed by alpha motor neurons, a subpopulation of motor neurons in the spinal cord that is most impacted in ALS. To investigate Elongator’s specific function in this cell type, we then generated a conditional knockout (CKO) mouse, where Elp1 is selectively ablated in motor neurons. These mice exhibit reduced motor function, as evidenced by PaGE testing, motor fasciculations, diminished muscle mass and overall body weight (~ ½ the weight of their littermate controls), and a shortened life span (averaging only 3 months). All of these symptoms are hallmark features of ALS. We hypothesized that the phenotype of our CKO mice is due to the death of motor neurons. To investigate this question, the number of alpha motor neurons in the lumbar enlargement was quantified in control and CKO mice using immunohistochemistry and Image J software. Alpha motor neuron numbers were found to be significantly decreased in the CKO. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that Elongator function is essential for the function and survival of motor neurons. Additionally, our Chat-Cre; Elp1LoxP/LoxP mice represent a new Elongator mouse model for studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to ALS.
An Exploration into Social Media Sentiment
(Montana State University Billings, 2020-04) Pratt, Ashley; McMullen, Matthew (Faculty Mentor)
Background:International and United States-specific media outlets cover the same news, but do not always utilize the same language. The COVID-19 Outbreak is an opportunity to analyze the sentiments being utilized to convey information to the masses. Exploring the words used and in what context can lead to more in-depth knowledge of what is being covered and how it is being explained by the media. Aim:The goal of this project is to analyze tweets from ten major news organizations, both local and abroad, by sentiment. News organizations will then be assessed for their portrayal of the pandemic in a positive or negative light, what sentiments they are using and the frequency, and what words are being commonly written together. This project will also be able to assess the discrepancies between US coverage and that of the world. Approach:Data will be processed through RStudio, utilizing sentiment data found in the NRC Emotion Lexicon and Bing Sentiments. The results will be correlated and graphed to show the variance between news coverage and language in the United States versus coverage during the same time abroad. Custom bigrams will also be created to explore more specific word connections, i.e., “COVID,” “corona,” “pandemic,” etc., nationally and internationally. Results: Tweets will be divided into data frames and then analyzed by word by both sentiment programs. Results for each news organization will be appropriately represented. Additionally, bigrams will be run on any words of significance. Results of the analyzed data and any statistical significance will be released. Conclusion: From the results, conclusions will be drawn regarding the sentiments nation and international news outlets utilize day-to-day.
Food Insecurity: Hunger Amongst Senior Citizens in Our Community
(Montana State University Billings, 2020-04) Dawes, Alyssa; Kurkoski, Taylor; Mook, Kimber; Robertus, Sari; Mermel, Virginia (Faculty Mentor)
The Honors Capstone course, Honors 499, has been taught approximately every other year for the past six years. The course focuses on ways to help fight food insecurity among people in our community. Each class chooses to address a specific aspect of food insecurity (see Table 1). The Spring 2020 class, in particular, chose to focus on food insecurity among senior citizens. After a decade of decline, hunger is a growing problem in specific sectors of America due to the increasing income gap between service sector jobs and skilled labor, higher birth rates among the lowest compared to the highest income groups and increasing proportion of the population age 55 and above. It can be seen in any community, including Billings, Montana. This paper examines the risk factors of senior food insecurity, the physical and economic consequences of inadequate food intake, and local and federal aid programs aimed at reducing food insecurity amongst older residents. It also includes our plans to fight food insecurity by partnering college students with local food security non-profits, spreading awareness, and sharing resources through advertising, healthy recipes, and a press conference.
"Idiots and Distracted Persons:" Shifting Views on Mental Health in Eighteenth Century Colonial America
(Montana State University Billings, 2021-04) Tiry, Jessica; Arendt, Emily
With research deriving from many historians, and the help of Dr. Arendt, this project explores the eighteenth-century colonial period’s shifting views of mental health. These views during this time period were not solely based on religious standpoints, but medical aspects as well, as there was a new growth of knowledge into the strange minds of human beings. This would eventually lead Americans to view mental illness as a result of actions made by the individual. There were several influences which led to the shifting views on mental health, and each influence was connected and opened the path for another influence. These major shifts encompass changes from religious, political, and medical influences which tracked along one another in the eighteenth century. A major influence on shifting perceptions of mental illness was Native American traditions and beliefs, and minor influences that contributed to major intellectual shifts on mental illness include Cotton Mather, the father to modern medicine Benjamin Rush, and the role of natural law in American Colonies. Although medical explanations and treatments have drastically changed over three centuries, stigma towards those affected by mental illness has not changed since the eighteenth century. Colonial America opened the gates for medicine to be an answer to problems with the human mind, but stigma and treatment of these people were never changed—maybe these people will always be viewed as “idiots and distracted persons.”
Introduction to Intersex and Intersexuality
(Montana State University Billings, 2021-04) Hostman, Seth; McNeill, Vanessa (Faculty Mentor)
There is an extraordinarily special moment in life for many couples--the magical day when they welcome a newborn child into the word. Everyone is excited for the pink or blue, male or female baby that is being brought into this world. Naturally, people try to prepare for these moments. They set up a nursery, stockpile diapers, and begin to buy clothes and other items so they can be ready for the child about to be. While this would ideally be straightforward thinking and acting for new parents it is not always this simple. Picture the parents prepared and anxious for the news--they are having a boy, or they are having a girl. However, no one can truly prepare themselves for the news that their child is neither male nor female, but that the newborn infant is intersexed. Another term used today to understand the complexity of this situation is to describe this is as someone born with ambiguous genitalia. However, this term still does not fully explain the infrequent situation where this occurs. There are several components that must first be examined in order understand the terms intersex and intersexuality
Investigating the Potential Anticonvulsant Effects of Taxol Through Microtubule Stabilization in C. elegans Model of Epilepsy
(Montana State Univeristy Billings, 2024) Elbert, Madelyne; Marcette, Jana
Recent discoveries have unveiled a mutation in the CAMSAP gene as a causative factor in a distinct form of epilepsy. CAMSAP's pivotal role in microtubule stabilization and cellular signaling underscores its significance in neuronal function. This experiment poses to answer the question: Does the stabilization of microtubules stop the progression of convulsions for a specific type of epilepsy? Microtubules orchestrate the spatial organization within cells, essential for cellular integrity and function. Perturbations in microtubule dynamics, marked by instability and subsequent shrinkage due to GTP hydrolysis, can precipitate cellular dysfunction. To address this, we propose the application of Taxol, a renowned microtubule-stabilizing agent, in a C. elegans model. Leveraging the simplicity of C. elegans' nervous system, we aim to elucidate Taxol's potential in mitigating seizures induced by a specified solution. Through systematic observation at five and ten-minute intervals, we anticipate Taxol's intervention to stabilize microtubules and ameliorate convulsions. This research offers a promising avenue for understanding the molecular underpinnings of epilepsy and exploring therapeutic interventions targeting microtubule dynamics.
Is There a Difference in Agility Performance When Preceded by Static Versus Dynamic Stretching?
(Montana State University Billings, 2024) Johnson, Faith; Shafer, Alex
Background: Agility or a rapid change in direction is an important characteristic of team sports. It is well known that many coaches and athletic trainers make their athletes stretch before a game and practice. Some coaches practice static stretching while others practice dynamic stretching in their warmup. Theoretically static stretching may hinder agility performance by changes in the parallel elastic component impairing the force to the line of action and reducing fiber rotation during contraction. On the other hand, dynamic stretching involves controlled active movements that take a joint or muscle through its full range of motion. Therefore, the foundation for agility performance lies on its ability to activate and prepare the muscles and nervous system for the specific movements involved in agility tasks. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test the analyze the claim that dynamic stretching is more beneficial than static stretching when completed prior to in agility performance. Methods: This research involves the participation of ten healthy college-aged volunteers from Montana State University of Billings. The study comprises two distinct groups: Only one group that is counterbalanced. This is a counterbalanced design with a pre-test and posttest of agility where all participants complete the different protocols including acting as their own controls. Participants will engage in the foot fire setting, aiming to maximize the number of steps on the quick board machine. Additionally, all groups will undergo a stability reaction setting, resembling a step dance machine, on the quick board to evaluate reaction time and athletic agility. The agility test is only 10 seconds long. The experiment will utilize the quick board agility test to assess agility scores, and each group will be subjected to this test to determine the most effective stretching techniques for enhancing agility performance.
Leveraging Innovation in Family Startups: A Stewardship Approach
(Academic OASIS, 2014) Mori, Patricio
Family firms are often criticized for failing to seek new ventures, being conservative and resisting change. On the other hand, researchers believe that certain characteristics in family relationship can foster strategic flexibility. Drawing on Stewardship theory, this paper, rather than arguing in favor or against family business innovation, takes a contingency approach and analyzes variables that may affect innovation in family startups and the conditions that leverage their family resources as competitive advantage. Specifically, this paper proposes that altruism, power concentration and their interaction affect strategic flexibility. It is also argued that family business with main founders high in altruism and low on power concentration can become more innovative than when the main founder is low in altruism and high in power concentration. Finally, it is suggested that the effect of altruism on strategic flexibility should be stronger in family business than in non-family business. Implications for theory and practice are derived.
Mathematics for Social Justice
(Montana State University Billings, 2021-04) Fisher, Elizabeth; Day, Corinne (Faculty Mentor)
This research project shares findings from my study of Social Justice Mathematics (SJM), which is mathematics that focuses on promoting equity within the mathematics classroom, but also on empowering students to understand and confront inequities outside the classroom. As part of my project, I created my own SJM lesson featuring Indian Education for All. In this lesson, students will learn through math that there is something happening on the reservations that is causing them to have higher rates of COVID cases and subsequently more deaths. In this lesson, students will calculate the percentages of current COVID cases for each demographic population in Montana and analyze data and identify discrepancies in COVID rates among ethnic groups. This lesson helps students start conversations about why this is occurring, how federal policy affects life on American Indian Reservations, and discuss what they can do to try to help change this.
Native Americans affected by stereotype threat: Resilience vs. Persuasion
(Montana State University Billings, 2022) Two Moons, Destynee ; Masood (Faculty Mentor); Ambrin Masood
Stereotype-threat theory states that minority students underperform because of the pressure created by negative stereotypes about their racial groups. This qualitive case study will explore how first-year, Native American undergraduate students perceive the possibility of or experience with stereotype threat as shaping their experiences in the light of their Elder’s stories of resilience and coping with adversities. Four Native American undergraduate students (3 first-year students, 1 junior) were recruited to participate in a series of three, 1.5-hour long focus group sessions where they first watch videotapes interviews with Native American Elders and successful MSUB graduate students, who shared stories of their journey thought life, reflecting on their resilience. The first-year students were asked to discuss their feelings towards the videos in the light of their own campus experience that have affected their resilience on MSUB campus. Participants were also asked to describe their personal values and stories of overcoming adversity. The data will be transcribed, analyzed, and coded for theme development. The themes coinciding with each research question will hopefully highlight the complex interactions between the impact of stereotype threats on their academic performance versus the resilience gained through inspirational stories if their Elder and other successful Native American students. The results will further help broaden our knowledge about coping skills used by Native American students, and how they are able to stay resilient in mainstream society.
Optimization of DNA extraction and size selection for NGS sequencing across plant families found in dover memorial park
(Montana State University Billings, 2023) Schwartz, Olivia ; Comer (Faculty Mentor), Jason; Jason Comer
Biodiversity can be explored in a variety of ways, from species richness to phylogenetic diversity. This project aims to investigate the plant biodiversity of Montana through analyses of species diversity (floristic collections) and phylogenetic diversity (next-generation sequencing [NGS]). Plants are well known for their secondary metabolites that interfere with downstream applications, such as DNA extraction and sequencing. To investigate phylogenetic diversity, optimized protocols for DNA extraction, fragmentation, and size selection need to be developed first. By optimizing extraction protocols, unique plant family characteristics will minimally affect yields and save time spent troubleshooting downstream applications. Plant specimens collected from Dover Memorial Park over the 2022 growing season were used to optimize an NGS workflow. This study found additional fragmentation of genomic DNA was unnecessary and automated size selection was sufficient to select the optimum fragment size range.