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| Presenter First Name | Presenter Last Name | Academic Department | School | Faculty Mentor Title | Faculty Mentor First Name | Faculty Mentor Last Name | Collaborators | Category | Impact | Project Title | Abstract (200 words or less) | Poster # | Hour | IRB# | Program |
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| Kristin | Arp | Music | CVPA | Dr. | Jonathan | Caldwell | Art & Humanities | Cultural | Early Native American Bands: A Tool of Oppression and Propaganda | From 1819 to 1969, there were 408 federal Native American boarding schools throughout the United States. Band was part of the curriculum in most of these schools, but it was used as a tool of oppression for the Native American students and as propaganda for White audiences outside the school. This presentation will examine the instrumentation and function of early Native American bands at these boarding schools. It will cover the music they played and their reception by the Native American students involved and the White audiences they played for. | 1 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster #01 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Art & Humanities Community Impact: Cultural School: CVPA Kristin Arp - Music Early Native American Bands: A Tool of Oppression and Propaganda From 1819 to 1969, there were 408 federal Native American boarding schools throughout the United States. Band was part of the curriculum in most of these schools, but it was used as a tool of oppression for the Native American students and as propaganda for White audiences outside the school. This presentation will examine the instrumentation and function of early Native American bands at these boarding schools. It will cover the music they played and their reception by the Native American students involved and the White audiences they played for. Faculty Mentor: Jonathan Caldwell |
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| Lisa | Compo | English | CAS | Director | Terry L. | Kennedy | Prof. Stuart Dischell, Prof. Emilia Phillips | Art & Humanities | Societal | Emotional Landscape through the Desert | This project is a collection of poetry that excavates the emotional landscape of childhood, the myths and stories handed down through family, and the complex shape of familial relationships. The desert's topography serves as an apparatus to unearth these things, and to take a closer look at the way trauma often becomes part of a shared experience in familial relationships in the form of inherited trauma. | 2 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster #02 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Art & Humanities Community Impact: Societal School: CAS Lisa Compo - English Emotional Landscape through the Desert This project is a collection of poetry that excavates the emotional landscape of childhood, the myths and stories handed down through family, and the complex shape of familial relationships. The desert's topography serves as an apparatus to unearth these things, and to take a closer look at the way trauma often becomes part of a shared experience in familial relationships in the form of inherited trauma. Faculty Mentor: Terry L. Kennedy |
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| James | Daniels | English | CAS | Prof. | Emilia | Phillips | Art & Humanities | Aesthetics | "valley": an MFA mini-thesis | Everyone is trying to heal. The posture from which we approach this healing, though, must include the whole of us. When engaging in the healing process, it can feel righteous to flee what shapes us–our personalities, communities, experiences–when those parts are deemed unlovable. Well-meaning folks use the metaphor of “mountains and valleys” to describe this devaluation of self, privileging the “mountains” of our perceived strengths and successes, while suffocating the “valleys” of experiences or traits that we are not affirmed in. Though parts of us can manifest in ways that cause harm to ourselves and others, we can confuse these traits and experiences themselves as places that must die. I argue to reframe these valleys as places to nourish and be nourished in, establish lasting joy. My work presents a constellation of poems–in the form of a chapbook–and songs–in the form of an extended play (EP)–ranging different forms, literary traditions, and genres of music. Each piece holds personal and communal stories that guide readers/listeners through a journey of some of my own valleys, embracing the framework of healing that explores the self with brutal honesty–both in solitude and community–by naming and loving the valleys that keep us whole. | 3 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster #03 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Art & Humanities Community Impact: Aesthetics School: CAS James Daniels - English "valley": an MFA mini-thesis Everyone is trying to heal. The posture from which we approach this healing, though, must include the whole of us. When engaging in the healing process, it can feel righteous to flee what shapes us–our personalities, communities, experiences–when those parts are deemed unlovable. Well-meaning folks use the metaphor of “mountains and valleys” to describe this devaluation of self, privileging the “mountains” of our perceived strengths and successes, while suffocating the “valleys” of experiences or traits that we are not affirmed in. Though parts of us can manifest in ways that cause harm to ourselves and others, we can confuse these traits and experiences themselves as places that must die. I argue to reframe these valleys as places to nourish and be nourished in, establish lasting joy. My work presents a constellation of poems–in the form of a chapbook–and songs–in the form of an extended play (EP)–ranging different forms, literary traditions, and genres of music. Each piece holds personal and communal stories that guide readers/listeners through a journey of some of my own valleys, embracing the framework of healing that explores the self with brutal honesty–both in solitude and community–by naming and loving the valleys that keep us whole. Faculty Mentor: Prof. Emilia Phillips |
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| Jordyn | Dreyer | Art | CVPA | Prof. | Lee | Walton | Art & Humanities | Social | Type 1 Live-abetic: The revolutionary act of redesigning chronic illness | In society, health has been constructed as the antithesis to illness. The sociological theories of Deborah Lupton describe health as normal state of being obtained and sustained through disciplined acts of preventative care, while illness is obtained as a result of failing to do so. This is harmful as it perpetuates the binaries of sick and well, as healthy and unhealthy, normal and abnormal, and worthy and worthless. This is perpetuated by the medical industry and their clinical view of people as 'patients' which perpetuates a system in which the chronically ill person themselves becomes a biomedical problem to be solved in order to conform to the standards of the ‘healthy’ ideal. As a creative practitioner and Type 1 Diabetic, I am concerned with the visual language of chronic illness and how these medical aesthetics play a role in the subjugation Type 1 Diabetics. I am interested in the sterile, concise, alienating medical banal and it's subsequent social consequences. Furthermore, I am interested in how this visual language can be appropriated, resisted, and redesigned in an effort to highlight the lived experiences of people with chronic illnesses, instead of their grim imagined futures. | 4 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 04 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Art & Humanities Community Impact: Social School: CVPA Jordyn Dreyer - Art Type 1 Live-abetic: The revolutionary act of redesigning chronic illness "In society, health has been constructed as the antithesis to illness. The sociological theories of Deborah Lupton describe health as normal state of being obtained and sustained through disciplined acts of preventative care, while illness is obtained as a result of failing to do so. This is harmful as it perpetuates the binaries of sick and well, as healthy and unhealthy, normal and abnormal, and worthy and worthless. This is perpetuated by the medical industry and their clinical view of people as 'patients' which perpetuates a system in which the chronically ill person themselves becomes a biomedical problem to be solved in order to conform to the standards of the ‘healthy’ ideal. As a creative practitioner and Type 1 Diabetic, I am concerned with the visual language of chronic illness and how these medical aesthetics play a role in the subjugation Type 1 Diabetics. I am interested in the sterile, concise, alienating medical banal and it's subsequent social consequences. Furthermore, I am interested in how this visual language can be appropriated, resisted, and redesigned in an effort to highlight the lived experiences of people with chronic illnesses, instead of their grim imagined futures." Faculty Mentor: Prof. Lee Walton |
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| Luis | Macias | Theatre | CVPA | Prof. | Michael | Flannery | Art & Humanities | Advancement | The importance of representation and impactful storytelling of independent films through the lens of absurdism | Independent film is more accessible to general populations now than ever before. Anyone can make a movie, because everybody has at least one story to tell: their own. As accessibility to filmmaking tools, among other factors, increases, the entertainment industry is increasingly saturated with new shows and movies. Thus the artist’s dilemma, “how do I make the aIndependent film is more accessible to general populations now than ever before. Anyone can make a movie, because everybody has at least one story to tell: their own. As accessibility to filmmaking tools, among other factors, increases, the entertainment industry is increasingly saturated with new shows and movies. Thus the artist’s dilemma, “how do I make the art I want to make and make money off it?” As actors, it's our duty to tell stories that relate the human experience. In the words of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “…the general effect of a theatrical entertainment is to… augment[s] the natural inclinations, and to give a new energy to all the passions of a people.” Our film 'Vivid' examines sexual assault, familial abuse, and psychological disorders in a dysfunctional family by combining realistic and absurd action. Absurdism is a powerful tool in storytelling. The artist can communicate heavy subject matter by creating distance between what the audience knows and what the artist conveys. The combination of absurdism and realism is sure to cut through the noise of the world, relay important messages, and create jobs in an industry where creativity and problem-solving are the limit. | 5 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 05 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Art & Humanities Community Impact: Advancement School: CVPA Luis Macias - Theatre The importance of representation and impactful storytelling of independent films through the lens of absurdism Independent film is more accessible to general populations now than ever before. Anyone can make a movie, because everybody has at least one story to tell: their own. As accessibility to filmmaking tools, among other factors, increases, the entertainment industry is increasingly saturated with new shows and movies. Thus the artist’s dilemma, “how do I make the aIndependent film is more accessible to general populations now than ever before. Anyone can make a movie, because everybody has at least one story to tell: their own. As accessibility to filmmaking tools, among other factors, increases, the entertainment industry is increasingly saturated with new shows and movies. Thus the artist’s dilemma, “how do I make the art I want to make and make money off it?” As actors, it's our duty to tell stories that relate the human experience. In the words of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “…the general effect of a theatrical entertainment is to… augment[s] the natural inclinations, and to give a new energy to all the passions of a people.” Our film 'Vivid' examines sexual assault, familial abuse, and psychological disorders in a dysfunctional family by combining realistic and absurd action. Absurdism is a powerful tool in storytelling. The artist can communicate heavy subject matter by creating distance between what the audience knows and what the artist conveys. The combination of absurdism and realism is sure to cut through the noise of the world, relay important messages, and create jobs in an industry where creativity and problem-solving are the limit. Faculty Mentor: Prof. Michael Flannery |
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| Samantha | O'Hare | Music | CVPA | Dr. | Kelly | Burke | Art & Humanities | Educational | Leveling-Up Pedagogy: Cue the Music History Video Game | When it comes to recalling the names of each Pokémon, anyone who enjoyed the games can probably recall most of the creature names, among many other details. If a theme song from a Mario game is played, a person who has played a variety of Mario games could probably tell which game it is from. So why are educational institutions not harnessing this incredible ease of learning into a game for students to use? Research shows that students retain information more efficiently by using video games as learning tools. This project’s goal is to drastically improve how students learn music history by creating an immersive game experience: a Music History Video Game. It is an attempt to solve the many music history pedagogical challenges facing teachers and students today. Collaborating with game programmers and scholars, this project is in the process of creating a prototype of the game, which will be used in future research to test the efficacy of learning music history through the use of video games. In a fast changing educational climate, learning resources need to evolve to best support students. Music history pedagogy is long overdue for a level-up. | 6 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 06 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Art & Humanities Community Impact: Educational School: CVPA Samantha O'Hare - Music Leveling-Up Pedagogy: Cue the Music History Video Game When it comes to recalling the names of each Pokémon, anyone who enjoyed the games can probably recall most of the creature names, among many other details. If a theme song from a Mario game is played, a person who has played a variety of Mario games could probably tell which game it is from. So why are educational institutions not harnessing this incredible ease of learning into a game for students to use? Research shows that students retain information more efficiently by using video games as learning tools. This project’s goal is to drastically improve how students learn music history by creating an immersive game experience: a Music History Video Game. It is an attempt to solve the many music history pedagogical challenges facing teachers and students today. Collaborating with game programmers and scholars, this project is in the process of creating a prototype of the game, which will be used in future research to test the efficacy of learning music history through the use of video games. In a fast changing educational climate, learning resources need to evolve to best support students. Music history pedagogy is long overdue for a level-up. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kelly Burke |
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| Pingyi | Song | Music | CVPA | Dr. | Welborn | Young | Art & Humanities | Cultural | An Introduction of Choral Literature by Eastern Asian Female Composers | This research focuses on the introduction of choral literature by female composers in Eastern Asian musical cultures, including Japan, Korea, and China. This study introduces the development of choral music in Eastern Asia, both in its traditional form and under the influence of the Western European musical style. Composers and topics studied in this research include the choral tradition in Japan, Korea, and China, choral musicians’ organizations in Japan, Korea, and China, choral literature, and the significant composers including Nozomi Matsumoto松本望, Makiko Kinoshita 木下牧子, Yuka Yamashita 山下祐加, Unsuk Chin 진은숙, Hyo-Won Woo우효원, Sungji Hong홍성지, Xixian Qü瞿希贤, Ching-Ju Shih石青如, Jenny H. Chou周鑫泉, and Guanyü Cao 曹冠玉. Dedicated to recognizing the underrepresented composers, specifically Eastern Asian female composers and their choral masterpieces, this research aims to provide practical and valuable guidance for music educators and choral directors to study, program, and perform choral repertoire from the musical culture of Eastern Asia. | 7 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 07 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Art & Humanities Community Impact: Cultural School: CVPA Pingyi Song - Music An Introduction of Choral Literature by Eastern Asian Female Composers This research focuses on the introduction of choral literature by female composers in Eastern Asian musical cultures, including Japan, Korea, and China. This study introduces the development of choral music in Eastern Asia, both in its traditional form and under the influence of the Western European musical style. Composers and topics studied in this research include the choral tradition in Japan, Korea, and China, choral musicians’ organizations in Japan, Korea, and China, choral literature, and the significant composers including Nozomi Matsumoto松本望, Makiko Kinoshita 木下牧子, Yuka Yamashita 山下祐加, Unsuk Chin 진은숙, Hyo-Won Woo우효원, Sungji Hong홍성지, Xixian Qü瞿希贤, Ching-Ju Shih石青如, Jenny H. Chou周鑫泉, and Guanyü Cao 曹冠玉. Dedicated to recognizing the underrepresented composers, specifically Eastern Asian female composers and their choral masterpieces, this research aims to provide practical and valuable guidance for music educators and choral directors to study, program, and perform choral repertoire from the musical culture of Eastern Asia. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Welborn Young |
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| Xin | Yin | Music | CVPA | Dr. | Eric | Willie | Art & Humanities | Educational | Bridging the Musical Gap: Developing A Chinese Percussion Ensemble Course in Western Music Schools | As a main part of Ancient Greek education, music was so important in life. However, there are currently fewer grant opportunities for music educators and researchers, showing that in the modern world, people no longer place much attention on nourishing this form of art in education. My project calls attention back to this element we cannot live without and shows the need to expand music and its education to a greater extent. One way to expand is to teach various music genres to the next generation. Even though many Chinese percussion concerts are performed and reviewed in the Chinese language, there is a lack of such music taught in western music schools. As a Chinese percussionist interested in linking cultures through music performance and research, I want my research to serve as the conduit to share Chinese percussion music in English. This project will answer how to teach Chinese percussion in the western music world in three steps: (1) Translating selected materials about Chinese percussion, (2) Finding a balance between Chinese musiAs a main part of Ancient Greek education, music was so important in life. However, there are currently fewer grant opportunities for music educators and researchers, showing that in the modern world, people no longer place much attention on nourishing this form of art in education. My project calls attention back to this element we cannot live without and shows the need to expand music and its education to a greater extent. One way to expand is to teach various music genres to the next generation. Even though many Chinese percussion concerts are performed and reviewed in the Chinese language, there is a lack of such music taught in western music schools. As a Chinese percussionist interested in linking cultures through music performance and research, I want my research to serve as the conduit to share Chinese percussion music in English. This project will answer how to teach Chinese percussion in the western music world in three steps: (1) Translating selected materials about Chinese percussion, (2) Finding a balance between Chinese music teaching methods and western music training, and (3) Selecting music examples from different Chinese percussion genres for an authentic perform-based Chinese percussion class. | 8 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 08 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Art & Humanities Community Impact: Educational School: CVPA Xin Yin - Music Bridging the Musical Gap: Developing A Chinese Percussion Ensemble Course in Western Music Schools As a main part of Ancient Greek education, music was so important in life. However, there are currently fewer grant opportunities for music educators and researchers, showing that in the modern world, people no longer place much attention on nourishing this form of art in education. My project calls attention back to this element we cannot live without and shows the need to expand music and its education to a greater extent. One way to expand is to teach various music genres to the next generation. Even though many Chinese percussion concerts are performed and reviewed in the Chinese language, there is a lack of such music taught in western music schools. As a Chinese percussionist interested in linking cultures through music performance and research, I want my research to serve as the conduit to share Chinese percussion music in English. This project will answer how to teach Chinese percussion in the western music world in three steps: (1) Translating selected materials about Chinese percussion, (2) Finding a balance between Chinese musiAs a main part of Ancient Greek education, music was so important in life. However, there are currently fewer grant opportunities for music educators and researchers, showing that in the modern world, people no longer place much attention on nourishing this form of art in education. My project calls attention back to this element we cannot live without and shows the need to expand music and its education to a greater extent. One way to expand is to teach various music genres to the next generation. Even though many Chinese percussion concerts are performed and reviewed in the Chinese language, there is a lack of such music taught in western music schools. As a Chinese percussionist interested in linking cultures through music performance and research, I want my research to serve as the conduit to share Chinese percussion music in English. This project will answer how to teach Chinese percussion in the western music world in three steps: (1) Translating selected materials about Chinese percussion, (2) Finding a balance between Chinese music teaching methods and western music training, and (3) Selecting music examples from different Chinese percussion genres for an authentic perform-based Chinese percussion class. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Willie |
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| Sharon | Allen | Nursing | NURS | Dr. | Stephanie | Pickett | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | The Implementation of a Yoga-Based Weight loss Program for Children and Adolescents with Obesity | Background: Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic affecting 1 in 5 children and adolescents. Children and adolescents that are obese have an increased risk of being an obese adult and cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression. Risk factors that contribute to childhood obesity are limited physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits, and lower socioeconomic status. Purpose: This DNP project examined the impact of an eight-week yoga program for weight loss and sense of well-being among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Methods: This project used pre and post study design. A convenience sample of obese pediatric patients were recruited from a private pediatrician office. Participants completed an eight-week yoga class. Depression, anxiety, self-concept, body weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured. BMI calculated. Results: Seventeen children and adolescents, ages 10-17, completed the study. The pre and post analysis showed BMI t(16)=1.56, p = .014; WC p = 0.162; depressive symptoms t(16) = 2.86,p = 0.011; anxiety symptoms t(16) = 3.66 p = 0.002 and self-concept t(16) = 2.79, p =0.013. Conclusion: This eight-week yoga program for weight loss produced marginal weight loss but significant reduction in negative mental health symptoms. Future projects should include a longer intervention time frame and larger sample size. | 9 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB-FY22-333 | Poster # 09 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: NURS Sharon Allen - Nursing The Implementation of a Yoga-Based Weight loss Program for Children and Adolescents with Obesity Background: Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic affecting 1 in 5 children and adolescents. Children and adolescents that are obese have an increased risk of being an obese adult and cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression. Risk factors that contribute to childhood obesity are limited physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits, and lower socioeconomic status. Purpose: This DNP project examined the impact of an eight-week yoga program for weight loss and sense of well-being among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Methods: This project used pre and post study design. A convenience sample of obese pediatric patients were recruited from a private pediatrician office. Participants completed an eight-week yoga class. Depression, anxiety, self-concept, body weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured. BMI calculated. Results: Seventeen children and adolescents, ages 10-17, completed the study. The pre and post analysis showed BMI t(16)=1.56, p = .014; WC p = 0.162; depressive symptoms t(16) = 2.86,p = 0.011; anxiety symptoms t(16) = 3.66 p = 0.002 and self-concept t(16) = 2.79, p =0.013. Conclusion: This eight-week yoga program for weight loss produced marginal weight loss but significant reduction in negative mental health symptoms. Future projects should include a longer intervention time frame and larger sample size. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Pickett |
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| Sourav | Chakraborty | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Ramji | Bhandari | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Ancestral BPA exposure led to non- alcoholic fatty liver disease in the offspring up to five generations | As a harmful endocrine-disrupting chemical, BPA induces both reproductive and metabolic diseases by mimicking estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone functions and by chemical modification on DNA. It has also been linked to the modification of genes that affect fat metabolism, including abnormal triglyceride synthesis. Prohibition of BPA use in consumer products will reduce its endocrine-disrupting effects. However, studies found that BPA can leave long-lasting and heritable diseases if germ cells are exposed to it during their critical period of development, such as sex determination and gametogenesis. To understand the heritable metabolic effects of BPA exposure, we studied the livers of medaka (Oryzias latipes) fish exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration of BPA (10 µg/L) for 8 hours after the fertilization until 12 days while germ cells undergo the developmental phase. Abnormal fat accumulation was detected in the liver of the grandchildren (3rd generation) generation, which continuously occurred through the fifth generation in an adult-onset manner. Females from the BPA lineage group showed more severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease than males. Present results suggest that metabolic diseases can be developed in future generations even after the decontamination of BPA from the environment and phasing out of its production. | 10 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 10 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: CAS Sourav Chakraborty - Biology Ancestral BPA exposure led to non- alcoholic fatty liver disease in the offspring up to five generations As a harmful endocrine-disrupting chemical, BPA induces both reproductive and metabolic diseases by mimicking estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone functions and by chemical modification on DNA. It has also been linked to the modification of genes that affect fat metabolism, including abnormal triglyceride synthesis. Prohibition of BPA use in consumer products will reduce its endocrine-disrupting effects. However, studies found that BPA can leave long-lasting and heritable diseases if germ cells are exposed to it during their critical period of development, such as sex determination and gametogenesis. To understand the heritable metabolic effects of BPA exposure, we studied the livers of medaka (Oryzias latipes) fish exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration of BPA (10 µg/L) for 8 hours after the fertilization until 12 days while germ cells undergo the developmental phase. Abnormal fat accumulation was detected in the liver of the grandchildren (3rd generation) generation, which continuously occurred through the fifth generation in an adult-onset manner. Females from the BPA lineage group showed more severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease than males. Present results suggest that metabolic diseases can be developed in future generations even after the decontamination of BPA from the environment and phasing out of its production. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ramji Bhandari |
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| Carrie | Doss | Nursing | NURS | Dr. | Laurie | Kennedy-Malone | Dr. Nancy Hoffart, Dr. Daria Kring, Dr. Jeremy Bray | Health Sciences | Economic | Economic Analysis of a Nurse Residency Program on New Graduate Nurse Turnover in a Multi-Site Healthcare System | Nurse residency programs (NRPs) support newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs). Improvement in first year turnover is known, yet longitudinal turnover and economic outcomes are not. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of an NRP on NLRN turnover rates, as well as program net present value (NPV) and return on investment (ROI). From 2017 to 2021, NRP turnover and cost data were collected from a large healthcare system (n=1,056 study group, n=381 control group). Control group present 2017 and 2018 only. Turnover was determined annually, and NPV/ROI were calculated annually per NLRN. The annual system-wide NLRN turnover rates for the NRP groups ranged from 7 - 20% (M= 14%). Control group turnover rates were higher (range= 9 - 23%; M= 15%) than the NRP groups (p=.693). The annual system-wide NPV per NLRN ranged from $81,937 to $90,859, thus the current dollar value benefit exceeds cost of the NRP. The annual system-wide ROI per NLRN ranged 257% to 337% and demonstrated positive rates of return. Limitations include limited generalizability to a single system in the Southeastern U.S. Future recommendations include continued longitudinal studies on NLRN turnover rates and replication to determine program costs in other healthcare systems for comparison. | 11 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 11 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Economic School: NURS Carrie Doss - Nursing Economic Analysis of a Nurse Residency Program on New Graduate Nurse Turnover in a Multi-Site Healthcare System Nurse residency programs (NRPs) support newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs). Improvement in first year turnover is known, yet longitudinal turnover and economic outcomes are not. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of an NRP on NLRN turnover rates, as well as program net present value (NPV) and return on investment (ROI). From 2017 to 2021, NRP turnover and cost data were collected from a large healthcare system (n=1,056 study group, n=381 control group). Control group present 2017 and 2018 only. Turnover was determined annually, and NPV/ROI were calculated annually per NLRN. The annual system-wide NLRN turnover rates for the NRP groups ranged from 7 - 20% (M= 14%). Control group turnover rates were higher (range= 9 - 23%; M= 15%) than the NRP groups (p=.693). The annual system-wide NPV per NLRN ranged from $81,937 to $90,859, thus the current dollar value benefit exceeds cost of the NRP. The annual system-wide ROI per NLRN ranged 257% to 337% and demonstrated positive rates of return. Limitations include limited generalizability to a single system in the Southeastern U.S. Future recommendations include continued longitudinal studies on NLRN turnover rates and replication to determine program costs in other healthcare systems for comparison. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laurie Kennedy-Malone |
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| Samantha | DuBois | Kinesiology | HHS | Dr. | Jennifer L. | Etnier | Dr. Kyoung Shin Park, Dr. Christopher Wahlheim, Dr. Laurie Wideman | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | The association between aerobic fitness and mnemonic discrimination in middle-aged adults relative to their genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease | The hippocampus experiences early pathological changes related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), impairing its ability to form distinct memories. Individuals who carry the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele (APOE ε4 carriers) are at a heightened genetic risk for developing AD and exhibit hippocampal changes in the absence of AD symptoms. Previous research shows a positive association between aerobic fitness and hippocampal integrity, but it is unclear how a person’s genetic risk for AD influences this relationship. Healthy, cognitively normal middle-aged adult APOE ε4 carriers (n = 19) and non-carriers (n = 41) from an ongoing clinical trial (NIH: R01AG058919) performed an aerobic fitness test and a hippocampal-dependent mnemonic discrimination task that requires participants to discriminate previously studied objects from perceptually similar objects. For the highly similar objects, the interaction of APOE ε4 carrier status by aerobic fitness significantly predicted mnemonic discrimination, whereby higher aerobic fitness was associated with better mnemonic discrimination only for the APOE ε4 carriers. This result suggests that aerobic fitness may benefit the hippocampal-dependent memory of those at a heightened genetic risk for AD. Physical activity aimed at improving aerobic fitness may be a promising preventative intervention for this at-risk population. | 12 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB-FY18-0228 | Poster # 12 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Samantha DuBois - Kinesiology The association between aerobic fitness and mnemonic discrimination in middle-aged adults relative to their genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease The hippocampus experiences early pathological changes related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), impairing its ability to form distinct memories. Individuals who carry the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele (APOE ε4 carriers) are at a heightened genetic risk for developing AD and exhibit hippocampal changes in the absence of AD symptoms. Previous research shows a positive association between aerobic fitness and hippocampal integrity, but it is unclear how a person’s genetic risk for AD influences this relationship. Healthy, cognitively normal middle-aged adult APOE ε4 carriers (n = 19) and non-carriers (n = 41) from an ongoing clinical trial (NIH: R01AG058919) performed an aerobic fitness test and a hippocampal-dependent mnemonic discrimination task that requires participants to discriminate previously studied objects from perceptually similar objects. For the highly similar objects, the interaction of APOE ε4 carrier status by aerobic fitness significantly predicted mnemonic discrimination, whereby higher aerobic fitness was associated with better mnemonic discrimination only for the APOE ε4 carriers. This result suggests that aerobic fitness may benefit the hippocampal-dependent memory of those at a heightened genetic risk for AD. Physical activity aimed at improving aerobic fitness may be a promising preventative intervention for this at-risk population. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer L. Etnier |
| Heather | Emmons | Nutrition | HHS | Dr. | Steve | Fordahl | Dr. Keith Erikson, Dr. Clinton Allred, Dr. Traci Parry | Health Sciences | Innovation | Investigating the Influence of Inflammation on a dopaminergic brain region involved in satiety | Inflammation is associated with many chronic diseases, including obesity. This chronic low-grade inflammation is hypothesized to alter brain signaling pathways responsible for regulating food intake and satiety cues. With the use of immunohistochemistry and gene expression techniques we investigated the influence of inflammation on a specific brain pathway involving the neuromodulator, dopamine. Application of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces pro-inflammatory cytokine production and disrupts dopamine release and reuptake rate similar to that observed with consumption of a diet high in saturated fat. These data support inflammation as a putative disruptor of dopamine signaling. We sought to identify if consuming a high fat diet (HFD) triggered inflammation in the brain by activating immune cells. We found that the amount of saturated fat in the diet had a dose response effect on the number of activated immune cells, measured by immunofluorescence of Iba1, (marker of activated immune cells in the brain). Additionally, this was supported in part by elevated gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β). Together these data implicate neuroinflammatory cells as targets of saturated fat and identify a putative mechanism for disrupted dopamine signaling caused by HFD. | 13 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 13 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Innovation School: HHS Heather Emmons - Nutrition Investigating the Influence of Inflammation on a dopaminergic brain region involved in satiety Inflammation is associated with many chronic diseases, including obesity. This chronic low-grade inflammation is hypothesized to alter brain signaling pathways responsible for regulating food intake and satiety cues. With the use of immunohistochemistry and gene expression techniques we investigated the influence of inflammation on a specific brain pathway involving the neuromodulator, dopamine. Application of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces pro-inflammatory cytokine production and disrupts dopamine release and reuptake rate similar to that observed with consumption of a diet high in saturated fat. These data support inflammation as a putative disruptor of dopamine signaling. We sought to identify if consuming a high fat diet (HFD) triggered inflammation in the brain by activating immune cells. We found that the amount of saturated fat in the diet had a dose response effect on the number of activated immune cells, measured by immunofluorescence of Iba1, (marker of activated immune cells in the brain). Additionally, this was supported in part by elevated gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β). Together these data implicate neuroinflammatory cells as targets of saturated fat and identify a putative mechanism for disrupted dopamine signaling caused by HFD. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Steve Fordahl |
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| Marise | Fernandes | Communication Sciences & Disorders | HHS | Dr. | Denise | Tucker | Dr. M.V. Compton, Dr. M. Pillay, Dr. S. Morrison, Dr. A. Kamhi | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Jambo! Creating a vision with East African Speech Therapists to help families with a child with a feeding disorder | Whether in North Carolina or East Africa, adequate nutrition is essential for healthy development. We all know that food provides far more than just nutrition; it is the medium for emotional, social and cultural experiences that play a central role in families, and in the development of each child physically, intellectually and emotionally. Families of a child with a feeding disorder often find mealtimes hard work, stressful and far from enjoyable. Families need advice from professionals about how to best feed their child to enable them to thrive and reach their full potential and also for mealtimes to become a social and pleasurable pastime once more. In East Africa these services are in their infancy (if present at all). The role of the Speech and Language Therapy profession and others is still emerging. Through an online questionnaire and individual follow up interviews, the Researcher will document with Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) working in East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda ) their vision for future services for this underserved population which are effective, affordable and in keeping with local culture. Now is the time for East African SLTs to create a new path using their own local evidence base. | 14 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB FY23-110 - exempt | Poster # 14 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Marise Fernandes - Communication Sciences & Disorders Jambo! Creating a vision with East African Speech Therapists to help families with a child with a feeding disorder Whether in North Carolina or East Africa, adequate nutrition is essential for healthy development. We all know that food provides far more than just nutrition; it is the medium for emotional, social and cultural experiences that play a central role in families, and in the development of each child physically, intellectually and emotionally. Families of a child with a feeding disorder often find mealtimes hard work, stressful and far from enjoyable. Families need advice from professionals about how to best feed their child to enable them to thrive and reach their full potential and also for mealtimes to become a social and pleasurable pastime once more. In East Africa these services are in their infancy (if present at all). The role of the Speech and Language Therapy profession and others is still emerging. Through an online questionnaire and individual follow up interviews, the Researcher will document with Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) working in East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda ) their vision for future services for this underserved population which are effective, affordable and in keeping with local culture. Now is the time for East African SLTs to create a new path using their own local evidence base. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Denise Tucker |
| Brynn | Hudgins | Kinesiology | HHS | Dr. | Jaclyn | Maher | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Does habit strength moderate affective responses to movement-related behaviors among older adults? | Affective responses and habits related to physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are linked to future engagement in those behaviors. Individuals are more likely to develop habits regarding a behavior if they have positive affective experiences during or following the behavior. Little research has investigated whether habits moderate affective responses to movement-related behaviors. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) was used to determine the role habit strength plays in affective responses to PA and SB. Older adults (n=202) wore accelerometers to measure PA and SB and completed 10 randomly delivered, smartphone assessments per day for four days. At each prompt, participants reported their positive and negative affect. PA and SB were operationalized as time spent in moderate to vigorous PA and step counts, and sitting time, respectively. Habit strength for PA and SB were reported using the Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index prior to beginning the study. Results indicated the negative association between momentary steps in the 60 minutes before the EMA prompt and negative affect at the EMA prompt became more negative as PA habit strength increased (B= -0.00002, p=0.03). SB habits did not moderate affective response to SB. Adaptive affective responses to PA may be a benefit of developing PA habits. | 15 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY20-0216 | Poster # 15 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Brynn Hudgins - Kinesiology Does habit strength moderate affective responses to movement-related behaviors among older adults? Affective responses and habits related to physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are linked to future engagement in those behaviors. Individuals are more likely to develop habits regarding a behavior if they have positive affective experiences during or following the behavior. Little research has investigated whether habits moderate affective responses to movement-related behaviors. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) was used to determine the role habit strength plays in affective responses to PA and SB. Older adults (n=202) wore accelerometers to measure PA and SB and completed 10 randomly delivered, smartphone assessments per day for four days. At each prompt, participants reported their positive and negative affect. PA and SB were operationalized as time spent in moderate to vigorous PA and step counts, and sitting time, respectively. Habit strength for PA and SB were reported using the Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index prior to beginning the study. Results indicated the negative association between momentary steps in the 60 minutes before the EMA prompt and negative affect at the EMA prompt became more negative as PA habit strength increased (B= -0.00002, p=0.03). SB habits did not moderate affective response to SB. Adaptive affective responses to PA may be a benefit of developing PA habits. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jaclyn Maher |
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| Dorcas | Johnson | Public Health Education | HHS | Dr. | Sharon | Morrison | Dr. Sonalini Sapra | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Evaluating Digital Literacy Programming for Health Promotion Among Congolese Refugee Women | The digital divide experienced by minority communities worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Refugees in particular were disadvantaged due to language barriers and lack of access to technology. The Center for New North Carolinians (CNNC) at University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) sought to address these barriers through a funded initiative known as Women’s Opportunities for Mentorship and Empowerment Network (WOMEN), which targeted recently arrived Congolese refugee women. The program included instructional workshops on using digital tablets to: 1) find and use health information in English, 2) communicate with health service providers, 3) assist children with remote learning, and 4) conduct household financial management. We conducted a participatory evaluation of the initiative to assess outcomes. Women reported an increase in ability to navigate and understand health education online resources in English, and make virtual appointments for primary care services for their fThe digital divide experienced by minority communities worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Refugees in particular were disadvantaged due to language barriers and lack of access to technology. The Center for New North Carolinians (CNNC) at University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) sought to address these barriers through a funded initiative known as Women’s Opportunities for Mentorship and Empowerment Network (WOMEN), which targeted recently arrived Congolese refugee women. The program included instructional workshops on using digital tablets to: 1) find and use health information in English, 2) communicate with health service providers, 3) assist children with remote learning, and 4) conduct household financial management. We conducted a participatory evaluation of the initiative to assess outcomes. Women reported an increase in ability to navigate and understand health education online resources in English, and make virtual appointments for primary care services for their family. These were important skills for household management and for handling emergencies. Women offered recommendations for improved programming that included provision of after-school care to allow more flexibility and time to attend advanced digital workshops. This kind of initiative could be modified and applied across other immigrant and refugee groups. | 16 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY22-202 | Poster # 16 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Dorcas Johnson - Public Health Education Evaluating Digital Literacy Programming for Health Promotion Among Congolese Refugee Women The digital divide experienced by minority communities worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Refugees in particular were disadvantaged due to language barriers and lack of access to technology. The Center for New North Carolinians (CNNC) at University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) sought to address these barriers through a funded initiative known as Women’s Opportunities for Mentorship and Empowerment Network (WOMEN), which targeted recently arrived Congolese refugee women. The program included instructional workshops on using digital tablets to: 1) find and use health information in English, 2) communicate with health service providers, 3) assist children with remote learning, and 4) conduct household financial management. We conducted a participatory evaluation of the initiative to assess outcomes. Women reported an increase in ability to navigate and understand health education online resources in English, and make virtual appointments for primary care services for their fThe digital divide experienced by minority communities worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Refugees in particular were disadvantaged due to language barriers and lack of access to technology. The Center for New North Carolinians (CNNC) at University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) sought to address these barriers through a funded initiative known as Women’s Opportunities for Mentorship and Empowerment Network (WOMEN), which targeted recently arrived Congolese refugee women. The program included instructional workshops on using digital tablets to: 1) find and use health information in English, 2) communicate with health service providers, 3) assist children with remote learning, and 4) conduct household financial management. We conducted a participatory evaluation of the initiative to assess outcomes. Women reported an increase in ability to navigate and understand health education online resources in English, and make virtual appointments for primary care services for their family. These were important skills for household management and for handling emergencies. Women offered recommendations for improved programming that included provision of after-school care to allow more flexibility and time to attend advanced digital workshops. This kind of initiative could be modified and applied across other immigrant and refugee groups. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sharon Morrison |
| Ajmal | Khan | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Zhenquan | Jia | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Plastics (micro- and nanoplastics) and human cardiovascular diseases: Are we inadvertently inducing heart attack? | Cardiovascular diseases are touted as the leading cause of death, accounting for one-quarter of all deaths in the United States and one-third worldwide. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is the leading cause of heart attacks. Among various risk factors of atherosclerosis, environmental and dietary exposures to micro- and nanoplastics (M-NPLs) has recently been recognized as an essential contributor to cardiovascular diseases in human. However, its underlying mechanism has not been explored yet. M-NPLs are emerging environmental contaminants found in the air, water, and human food sources. Humans acquire M-NPLs through the consumption and inhalation of contaminated food, water, and air, and they have been detected in human blood, lungs, sputum, saliva, hair, face skin, hand skin, stool, and placenta samples. The present investigation attempts to explore i) the uptake and potential entrance routes of M-NPLs by vascular cells and ii) the role of M-NPLs in blood vessels blockage (atherosclerosis), and iii) the cytotoxic effect of M-NPLs in heart and blood vessels. This study will contribute to our ability to assess the cardiovascular risk of human exposure to M-NPLs from different sources. | 17 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 17 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: CAS Ajmal Khan - Biology Plastics (micro- and nanoplastics) and human cardiovascular diseases: Are we inadvertently inducing heart attack? Cardiovascular diseases are touted as the leading cause of death, accounting for one-quarter of all deaths in the United States and one-third worldwide. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is the leading cause of heart attacks. Among various risk factors of atherosclerosis, environmental and dietary exposures to micro- and nanoplastics (M-NPLs) has recently been recognized as an essential contributor to cardiovascular diseases in human. However, its underlying mechanism has not been explored yet. M-NPLs are emerging environmental contaminants found in the air, water, and human food sources. Humans acquire M-NPLs through the consumption and inhalation of contaminated food, water, and air, and they have been detected in human blood, lungs, sputum, saliva, hair, face skin, hand skin, stool, and placenta samples. The present investigation attempts to explore i) the uptake and potential entrance routes of M-NPLs by vascular cells and ii) the role of M-NPLs in blood vessels blockage (atherosclerosis), and iii) the cytotoxic effect of M-NPLs in heart and blood vessels. This study will contribute to our ability to assess the cardiovascular risk of human exposure to M-NPLs from different sources. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Zhenquan Jia |
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| Nooshin | KianvashRad | Nanoscience | NANO | Dr. | Dennis | LaJeunesse | Health Sciences | Innovation | Native Nanostructure Surface from the Wings of Tibicens spp. Cicada sensitized yeast to antifungal drugs | Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that affects immunocompromised patients and causes superficial to systemic infections. Under varied environmental conditions, this pathogen exhibits a variety of reactions that result in the growth of a virulence factor, such as biofilm formation. The diagnosis of fungal infections is challenging due to the lack of sensitive and rapid diagnostic tools and the failure of antibiotic treatment, which leads to the persistence of infection. Factors such as immunosuppression after implantation, increased utilization of prosthetic devices, as well as catheters in combination with antibiotics, prolonged chemotherapy, and HIV infection, lead to enhanced mortality, and morbidity in immunocompromised patients caused by Candida albicans. These conditions often limit the ability to use antifungals due to their toxicity, impermeability, and side effects, leading to an increasing resistance of Candida albicans to current antifungal drugs. This existing resistance enhances the priority of developing new antifungal drugs or therapies. So, microbial rupture upon interaction with nanostructure surfaces has gained a lot of interest. The goal of our research is to identify the genetic response of the fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, to mechanical stimuli therapy and determine how such a response allows this pathogen to adapt, followed by forming a biofilm on different substrates. | 18 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 18 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Innovation School: NANO Nooshin KianvashRad - Nanoscience Native Nanostructure Surface from the Wings of Tibicens spp. Cicada sensitized yeast to antifungal drugs Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that affects immunocompromised patients and causes superficial to systemic infections. Under varied environmental conditions, this pathogen exhibits a variety of reactions that result in the growth of a virulence factor, such as biofilm formation. The diagnosis of fungal infections is challenging due to the lack of sensitive and rapid diagnostic tools and the failure of antibiotic treatment, which leads to the persistence of infection. Factors such as immunosuppression after implantation, increased utilization of prosthetic devices, as well as catheters in combination with antibiotics, prolonged chemotherapy, and HIV infection, lead to enhanced mortality, and morbidity in immunocompromised patients caused by Candida albicans. These conditions often limit the ability to use antifungals due to their toxicity, impermeability, and side effects, leading to an increasing resistance of Candida albicans to current antifungal drugs. This existing resistance enhances the priority of developing new antifungal drugs or therapies. So, microbial rupture upon interaction with nanostructure surfaces has gained a lot of interest. The goal of our research is to identify the genetic response of the fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, to mechanical stimuli therapy and determine how such a response allows this pathogen to adapt, followed by forming a biofilm on different substrates. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dennis LaJeunesse |
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| Krista | Meder | Kinesiology | HHS | Dr. | Louisa | Raisbeck | Dr. Christopher K. Rhea | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Mimicking a Walking Figure Alters the Walking Pattern of Healthy Adults | Healthy adults walk with both legs behaving similarly; where as many clinical populations (e.g., people with a history of stroke or Parkinson’s disease) have legs that behave differently from each other, which is referred to as gait asymmetry. Gait asymmetry is a major concern as it can lead to increased fall risk. Gait asymmetry is commonly altered using a split-belt treadmill—equipment that can be financially prohibitive, especially in clinical settings. As a more cost effective option, we explored the extent to which mimicking a walking figure with gait asymmetry may increase gait asymmetry in healthy adults, subsequently serving as a proof-of-concept to inversely assist clinical populations. Healthy adults walked on a single belt treadmill at a self-selected pace for two bouts of 10 minutes of walking: baseline and adaptation. During adaptation, participants were instructed to mimic the walking figure that was projected on a screen in front of the treadmill. Analyses indicate that gait asymmetry increased in healthy adults from baseline to adaptation. This proof-of-concept study affords the opportunity to examine if the inverse (i.e., a symmetric walking figure leads to more symmetric gait) is adopted by clinical populations exhibiting gait asymmetry. | 19 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB-FY23-72 | Poster # 19 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Krista Meder - Kinesiology Mimicking a Walking Figure Alters the Walking Pattern of Healthy Adults Healthy adults walk with both legs behaving similarly; where as many clinical populations (e.g., people with a history of stroke or Parkinson’s disease) have legs that behave differently from each other, which is referred to as gait asymmetry. Gait asymmetry is a major concern as it can lead to increased fall risk. Gait asymmetry is commonly altered using a split-belt treadmill—equipment that can be financially prohibitive, especially in clinical settings. As a more cost effective option, we explored the extent to which mimicking a walking figure with gait asymmetry may increase gait asymmetry in healthy adults, subsequently serving as a proof-of-concept to inversely assist clinical populations. Healthy adults walked on a single belt treadmill at a self-selected pace for two bouts of 10 minutes of walking: baseline and adaptation. During adaptation, participants were instructed to mimic the walking figure that was projected on a screen in front of the treadmill. Analyses indicate that gait asymmetry increased in healthy adults from baseline to adaptation. This proof-of-concept study affords the opportunity to examine if the inverse (i.e., a symmetric walking figure leads to more symmetric gait) is adopted by clinical populations exhibiting gait asymmetry. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Louisa Raisbeck |
| Tatiana | Mihaita | Community & Therapeutic Recreation | HHS | Dr. | Amber L. | Vermeesch | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Forest Wellness In Our National Parks | The purpose of this work is to describe a framework for integrating Nature-Based Interventions (NBI) into National Parks in the U.S. through Forest Wellness Programs (FWP). NBIs are becoming increasingly well-known for wellness promotion among various populations and settings. The following research highlights FWPs successful integration of NBIs core concept of improvement of one’s health using a natural setting and the National Park Service’s goal of promoting environmental stewardship. Congaree National Park located in Hopkins, South Carolina, established these FWPs in December 2018 and is used as an illustrative example. These programs provide individuals and families with a unique, peaceful, and reflective experience of the natural world. FWPs are part of the NPS Park Health Ambassador under the Healthy Park Healthy People global initiative. The mission of Forest Wellness at Congaree National Park is to provide specialized recreational programming that focuses on improving visitors’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being through immersive and engaging activities in nature. FWPs emphasize NBIs’ intersection with therapeutic recreation and other health services use of outdoor spaces. | 20 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 20 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Tatiana Mihaita - Community & Therapeutic Recreation Forest Wellness In Our National Parks The purpose of this work is to describe a framework for integrating Nature-Based Interventions (NBI) into National Parks in the U.S. through Forest Wellness Programs (FWP). NBIs are becoming increasingly well-known for wellness promotion among various populations and settings. The following research highlights FWPs successful integration of NBIs core concept of improvement of one’s health using a natural setting and the National Park Service’s goal of promoting environmental stewardship. Congaree National Park located in Hopkins, South Carolina, established these FWPs in December 2018 and is used as an illustrative example. These programs provide individuals and families with a unique, peaceful, and reflective experience of the natural world. FWPs are part of the NPS Park Health Ambassador under the Healthy Park Healthy People global initiative. The mission of Forest Wellness at Congaree National Park is to provide specialized recreational programming that focuses on improving visitors’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being through immersive and engaging activities in nature. FWPs emphasize NBIs’ intersection with therapeutic recreation and other health services use of outdoor spaces. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amber L. Vermeesch |
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| Praveen | Pasupathi | Kinesiology | HHS | Dr. | Eric | Drollette | Dr. Alexis B. Slutsky-Ganesh, Dr. Christopher N. Wahlheim, Dr. Jennifer L. Etnier | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Take a Break for Memory Sake! Effects of Physical Activity on Cognition in Children | The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short physical activity breaks (9-minutes) of cycling and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on cognition (i.e., inhibitory control, episodic memory) and event-related potentials (ERPs; P3, FN400, LPC) in children. METHODS: While fitted with an EEG cap (64 Ag/AgCl electrodes), participants (n = 33; 9-12 years old) completed three counterbalanced sessions including seated rest while watching an educational video, pedaling a stationary cycle, and HIIE (alternating 30-seconds of in-place calisthenics and rest). Next, ERP data were recorded while participants completed a flanker task (P3) and word recognition memory task (FN400 and LPC). RESULTS: Results revealed no differences between conditions for flanker performance and P3 ERP. Memory results revealed overall faster RT and greater accuracy for HIIE, and cycling compared to seated rest. FN400 amplitude remained stable between conditions while LPC revealed greater mean amplitude for cycling compared to seated rest. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that short physical activity breaks improve cognitive and neurocognitive measures of memory. The selective ERP findings further suggest that improvements in memory may be facilitated by recollection (greater LPC amplitude) but not familiarity (FN400). These data emphasize the need to incorporate short breaks in educational environments to improve memory function that may be crucial for successful academic performance in children. | 21 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY22-75 | Poster # 21 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Praveen Pasupathi - Kinesiology Take a Break for Memory Sake! Effects of Physical Activity on Cognition in Children The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short physical activity breaks (9-minutes) of cycling and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on cognition (i.e., inhibitory control, episodic memory) and event-related potentials (ERPs; P3, FN400, LPC) in children. METHODS: While fitted with an EEG cap (64 Ag/AgCl electrodes), participants (n = 33; 9-12 years old) completed three counterbalanced sessions including seated rest while watching an educational video, pedaling a stationary cycle, and HIIE (alternating 30-seconds of in-place calisthenics and rest). Next, ERP data were recorded while participants completed a flanker task (P3) and word recognition memory task (FN400 and LPC). RESULTS: Results revealed no differences between conditions for flanker performance and P3 ERP. Memory results revealed overall faster RT and greater accuracy for HIIE, and cycling compared to seated rest. FN400 amplitude remained stable between conditions while LPC revealed greater mean amplitude for cycling compared to seated rest. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that short physical activity breaks improve cognitive and neurocognitive measures of memory. The selective ERP findings further suggest that improvements in memory may be facilitated by recollection (greater LPC amplitude) but not familiarity (FN400). These data emphasize the need to incorporate short breaks in educational environments to improve memory function that may be crucial for successful academic performance in children. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Drollette |
| Dena | Shore | Nursing | NURS | Dr. | Lynne | Lewallen | Susan Letvak PhD, RN, FAAN | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | The Voice of Novice Nurses: Why Are They Leaving Their Jobs? | Welcoming life and comforting those in death, nurses are professionals who perform work that has been described as a sacred art. There are over three million nurses in the United States, making them the largest employed healthcare profession. Despite the large workforce of nurses, an ominous problem looms: novice nurse turnover. A staggering 31.7% of all new RNs left within a year in 2021 (Nursing Solutions, Inc, 2022). With novice nurses hemorrhaging out of the workforce during a time when they are most needed, further research is vital to understand this phenomenon. To answer the question “Why are novice nurses leaving their jobs?”, a qualitative descriptive study was performed. Novice nurses who had left their first position prior to the first two years of practice were interviewed, and data are currently being analyzed to describe the will provide the researcher with a more direct understanding of the causes of early job departure. This understanding may potentially point the way for desperately needed changes to nursing education, orientation, and support to those transitioning from theory to practice. Without prompt and thorough intervention, nurses will continue to leave their jobs, thereby increasing costs to hospitals and placing patients at risk. | 22 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY23-112 | Poster # 22 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: NURS Dena Shore - Nursing The Voice of Novice Nurses: Why Are They Leaving Their Jobs? Welcoming life and comforting those in death, nurses are professionals who perform work that has been described as a sacred art. There are over three million nurses in the United States, making them the largest employed healthcare profession. Despite the large workforce of nurses, an ominous problem looms: novice nurse turnover. A staggering 31.7% of all new RNs left within a year in 2021 (Nursing Solutions, Inc, 2022). With novice nurses hemorrhaging out of the workforce during a time when they are most needed, further research is vital to understand this phenomenon. To answer the question “Why are novice nurses leaving their jobs?”, a qualitative descriptive study was performed. Novice nurses who had left their first position prior to the first two years of practice were interviewed, and data are currently being analyzed to describe the will provide the researcher with a more direct understanding of the causes of early job departure. This understanding may potentially point the way for desperately needed changes to nursing education, orientation, and support to those transitioning from theory to practice. Without prompt and thorough intervention, nurses will continue to leave their jobs, thereby increasing costs to hospitals and placing patients at risk. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lynne Lewallen |
| Jesse | Sims | Kinesiology | HHS | Dr. | Jessica | McNeil | Hannah Koch, Dr. William Adams, Dr. Laurie Wideman | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Fluid Intake in Black Young Adults | Water is vital for survival and plays a key role in maintaining adequate cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic function. Low water intake has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased risk of obesity and mortality. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that non-Hispanic Black adults appear to be inadequately hydrated compared to non-Hispanic White adults. In this population, habitual fluid intake is typically lower than recommended fluid intake guidelines, but it is unknown if providing non-Hispanic Black adults with self-selected fluids would improve fluid consumption and therefore, hydration status. This issue is indicative of a persistent rhetoric that has plagued the study of physiology for many years,where recommendations for health behaviors are largely based on research in White adult males. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to assess fluid intake behaviors via self-report and objective measures (providing measured quantities of water, juice, milk and soft drink for consumption) and hydration status via urinary markers in Black young adults over seven days. Fluid intake behaviors did not improve when provided with fluid for consumption and overall hydration status remained low. More research on ways to promote greater fluid intake behaviors is needed in Black young adults. | 23 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB-FY22-433 | Poster # 23 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Jesse Sims - Kinesiology Fluid Intake in Black Young Adults Water is vital for survival and plays a key role in maintaining adequate cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic function. Low water intake has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased risk of obesity and mortality. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that non-Hispanic Black adults appear to be inadequately hydrated compared to non-Hispanic White adults. In this population, habitual fluid intake is typically lower than recommended fluid intake guidelines, but it is unknown if providing non-Hispanic Black adults with self-selected fluids would improve fluid consumption and therefore, hydration status. This issue is indicative of a persistent rhetoric that has plagued the study of physiology for many years,where recommendations for health behaviors are largely based on research in White adult males. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to assess fluid intake behaviors via self-report and objective measures (providing measured quantities of water, juice, milk and soft drink for consumption) and hydration status via urinary markers in Black young adults over seven days. Fluid intake behaviors did not improve when provided with fluid for consumption and overall hydration status remained low. More research on ways to promote greater fluid intake behaviors is needed in Black young adults. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jessica McNeil |
| Xuem | Siu | Public Health Education | HHS | Dr. | Sharon | Morrison | Liana Adrong, Andrew Young | Health Sciences | Community Engagement | Mobilization for COVID-19 Crisis Response in Asian Refugee/Immigrant Communities | The Montagnard Dega Association (MDA), a non-profit in Greensboro, NC, partnered with Bhutanese and Cambodian stakeholders on the Addressing COVID Needs of Underserved Asian American Refugee Communities project. The project addressed COVID-19 challenges and used Social Justice principles with culturally feasible and grassroots activities. Accomplishments included social media announcements about testing sites with interpreters and vaccine clinics; vaccines, food, and other assistance to over 1500 families; 45+ trained leaders/crisis responders/managers across these 3 Asian American groups; MDA’s 1st Community Health Scholar, a Montagnard MPH student who oversaw data collection, analysis and reporting across the life of the project; mobilized Bhutanese youth to serve as Community organizers; and purchased and distributed food from 7 Cambodian farmers. We present lessons learned and implications for building stronger and longer-term partnerships across these minority communities. | 24 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 24 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Community Engagement School: HHS Xuem Siu - Public Health Education Mobilization for COVID-19 Crisis Response in Asian Refugee/Immigrant Communities The Montagnard Dega Association (MDA), a non-profit in Greensboro, NC, partnered with Bhutanese and Cambodian stakeholders on the Addressing COVID Needs of Underserved Asian American Refugee Communities project. The project addressed COVID-19 challenges and used Social Justice principles with culturally feasible and grassroots activities. Accomplishments included social media announcements about testing sites with interpreters and vaccine clinics; vaccines, food, and other assistance to over 1500 families; 45+ trained leaders/crisis responders/managers across these 3 Asian American groups; MDA’s 1st Community Health Scholar, a Montagnard MPH student who oversaw data collection, analysis and reporting across the life of the project; mobilized Bhutanese youth to serve as Community organizers; and purchased and distributed food from 7 Cambodian farmers. We present lessons learned and implications for building stronger and longer-term partnerships across these minority communities. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sharon Morrison |
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| Brooks | Youngmark | Public Health Education | HHS | Dr. | Jeff | Milroy | Ann Kearns Davoren, Stephen Hebard | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | TEAMS: The Esport Athlete Mental well-being Study | Esports coaches act as mentors and champions for promoting personal development, work production, and ethical behavior, and esports athletes need guidance on multiple dimensions from their coaches to achieve success within competition and skill development outside of play; their relationship thus serving as a mediator for health and wellbeing outcomes. However, not all schools with collegiate esports employ a formal coach due to a variety of issues. We conducted The Esports Athlete Mental-Wellbeing Study (TEAMS) to collect cross-sectional, self-report data on the well-being of collegiate esports athletes. The purpose of this research was to understand if collegiate esports athletes who have an esports coach report a statistically significant degree of soft skill development than those without coaches. One way ANOVA was ran on these questions on having a coach and developing these skills, and Tukey + Bonferroni measures were conducted to understand where the relationship exists while controlling for false positives. The data captured in this study suggests esports athletes with collegiate coaches are more likely to report greater skill development through their esports experience. These findings imply a critical need for coaching hiring and development within collegiate esports to ensure optimal development for esports athletes. | 25 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY22-423 | Poster # 25 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Brooks Youngmark - Public Health Education TEAMS: The Esport Athlete Mental well-being Study Esports coaches act as mentors and champions for promoting personal development, work production, and ethical behavior, and esports athletes need guidance on multiple dimensions from their coaches to achieve success within competition and skill development outside of play; their relationship thus serving as a mediator for health and wellbeing outcomes. However, not all schools with collegiate esports employ a formal coach due to a variety of issues. We conducted The Esports Athlete Mental-Wellbeing Study (TEAMS) to collect cross-sectional, self-report data on the well-being of collegiate esports athletes. The purpose of this research was to understand if collegiate esports athletes who have an esports coach report a statistically significant degree of soft skill development than those without coaches. One way ANOVA was ran on these questions on having a coach and developing these skills, and Tukey + Bonferroni measures were conducted to understand where the relationship exists while controlling for false positives. The data captured in this study suggests esports athletes with collegiate coaches are more likely to report greater skill development through their esports experience. These findings imply a critical need for coaching hiring and development within collegiate esports to ensure optimal development for esports athletes. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeff Milroy |
| Mitchell | Zaplatosch | Kinesiology | HHS | Dr. | Laurie | Wideman | Dr. William Adams | Health Sciences | Health and/or Safety | The influence of habitual fluid intake on energy balance | Habitually low fluid intake, prevalent in 40 – 60% of the world’s population, is associated with an increased risk of obesity. Yet, despite increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States and the large percent of the population that does not meet current fluid intake guidelines, most weight control interventions do not emphasize fluid intake. Obesity risk is multifactorial but largely driven by an increase in energy intake above energy needs determined by resting metabolism and physical activity levels. Thus, this study seeks to determine the relationship between habitual fluid intake and factors contributing to energy balance. The present study comprehensively examines factors influencing energy balance by capturing participants’ behavioral (dietary intake, fluid consumption, physical activity levels, food preferences) and physiological factors (resting metabolism, appetite responses, hormonal changes) influencing energy balance. Collection is ongoing, but preliminary findings suggest greater habitual fluid intake is associated with a greater percentage of calories burned from fat at rest. Findings from this study will help inform the development of intervention strategies to support adequate fluid intake to reduce the risk of obesity and metabolic disease. This study will add to the larger research initiative emphasizing the role of fluid intake and hydration status on health. | 26 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY23-14 | Poster # 26 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Health Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: HHS Mitchell Zaplatosch - Kinesiology The influence of habitual fluid intake on energy balance Habitually low fluid intake, prevalent in 40 – 60% of the world’s population, is associated with an increased risk of obesity. Yet, despite increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States and the large percent of the population that does not meet current fluid intake guidelines, most weight control interventions do not emphasize fluid intake. Obesity risk is multifactorial but largely driven by an increase in energy intake above energy needs determined by resting metabolism and physical activity levels. Thus, this study seeks to determine the relationship between habitual fluid intake and factors contributing to energy balance. The present study comprehensively examines factors influencing energy balance by capturing participants’ behavioral (dietary intake, fluid consumption, physical activity levels, food preferences) and physiological factors (resting metabolism, appetite responses, hormonal changes) influencing energy balance. Collection is ongoing, but preliminary findings suggest greater habitual fluid intake is associated with a greater percentage of calories burned from fat at rest. Findings from this study will help inform the development of intervention strategies to support adequate fluid intake to reduce the risk of obesity and metabolic disease. This study will add to the larger research initiative emphasizing the role of fluid intake and hydration status on health. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laurie Wideman |
| Runzi | Li | Chemistry & Biochemistry | CAS | Dr. | Shabnam | Hematian | Dr. Firoz S. T. Khan | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Innovation | Green Oxidation Reactions Catalyzed by Light and Air | While oxidation processes which produce value-added chemicals are essential for industrial applications and laboratory research, traditional oxidation reactions are typically energy intensive and catalyzed by harsh oxidizing agents which are harmful to human health and the environment. In contrast, a photocatalyzed oxidation reaction utilizing light and oxygen gas (O₂) from the air as the terminal oxidant offers an ideal, green alternative, since both light and O₂ are sustainable, renewable, and abundantly available in nature. In pursuit of green synthetic procedures, our oxidation studies utilize light as well as a series of synthetic iron/copper photocatalysts which are produced using O₂ gas. The performance of our photocatalysts to transform cheap and unreactive chemical feedstock into chemicals with higher molecular complexity and value will be presented. | 27 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 27 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Innovation School: CAS Runzi Li - Chemistry & Biochemistry Green Oxidation Reactions Catalyzed by Light and Air While oxidation processes which produce value-added chemicals are essential for industrial applications and laboratory research, traditional oxidation reactions are typically energy intensive and catalyzed by harsh oxidizing agents which are harmful to human health and the environment. In contrast, a photocatalyzed oxidation reaction utilizing light and oxygen gas (O₂) from the air as the terminal oxidant offers an ideal, green alternative, since both light and O₂ are sustainable, renewable, and abundantly available in nature. In pursuit of green synthetic procedures, our oxidation studies utilize light as well as a series of synthetic iron/copper photocatalysts which are produced using O₂ gas. The performance of our photocatalysts to transform cheap and unreactive chemical feedstock into chemicals with higher molecular complexity and value will be presented. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shabnam Hematian |
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| Panesun | Tukur | Nanoscience | NANO | Dr. | Jianjun | Wei | Yirong Mo, Frank Tukur, Bukola Adesamni, Raphael Ayivi | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Environmental | Reinventing Catalysts Design to make Water-fueled Engines Practical | Imagine a society were vehicles, airplanes, trains etc. no longer burn gasoline or diesel as fuel but ordinary water. Of course, exciting, however, this comes as no news to many because such concept has been lingering for decades. Despite years of research efforts, such technology is still not practical. This technology requires a system that split water into hydrogen and oxygen and another that converts such products into electricity. Such chemical reactions are favorably driven at the surface of chemical elements called catalyst. Unfortunately, benchmark catalyst for such purposes are the precious metals such as Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru which are extremely scarce (only 3% of total world metals) and expensive, therefore hindering practical deployment of such technology. Since chemical reactions occours at the surface of the catalyst, atoms within the bulk are redundant and therefore adds to the overall cost. In this study, we strive to downsize such catalyst to atomically active centers (single-atom catalyst) with the intent of reducing cost significantly by enhancing atom utilization. To achieve this, single atoms of the catalyst are anchored on stable high entropy oxide supports. With this strategy, we hope toImagine a society were vehicles, airplanes, trains etc. no longer burn gasoline or diesel as fuel but ordinary water. Of course, exciting, however, this comes as no news to many because such concept has been lingering for decades. Despite years of research efforts, such technology is still not practical. This technology requires a system that split water into hydrogen and oxygen and another that converts such products into electricity. Such chemical reactions are favorably driven at the surface of chemical elements called catalyst. Unfortunately, benchmark catalyst for such purposes are the precious metals such as Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru which are extremely scarce (only 3% of total world metals) and expensive, therefore hindering practical deployment of such technology. Since chemical reactions occours at the surface of the catalyst, atoms within the bulk are redundant and therefore adds to the overall cost. In this study, we strive to downsize such catalyst to atomically active centers (single-atom catalyst) with the intent of reducing cost significantly by enhancing atom utilization. To achieve this, single atoms of the catalyst are anchored on stable high entropy oxide supports. With this strategy, we hope to solve the cost puzzle hindering the practical deployment of this technology. | 28 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 28 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Environmental School: NANO Panesun Tukur - Nanoscience Reinventing Catalysts Design to make Water-fueled Engines Practical Imagine a society were vehicles, airplanes, trains etc. no longer burn gasoline or diesel as fuel but ordinary water. Of course, exciting, however, this comes as no news to many because such concept has been lingering for decades. Despite years of research efforts, such technology is still not practical. This technology requires a system that split water into hydrogen and oxygen and another that converts such products into electricity. Such chemical reactions are favorably driven at the surface of chemical elements called catalyst. Unfortunately, benchmark catalyst for such purposes are the precious metals such as Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru which are extremely scarce (only 3% of total world metals) and expensive, therefore hindering practical deployment of such technology. Since chemical reactions occurs at the surface of the catalyst, atoms within the bulk are redundant and therefore adds to the overall cost. In this study, we strive to downsize such catalyst to atomically active centers (single-atom catalyst) with the intent of reducing cost significantly by enhancing atom utilization. To achieve this, single atoms of the catalyst are anchored on stable high entropy oxide supports. With this strategy, we hope to solve the cost puzzle hindering the practical deployment of this technology. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jianjun Wei |
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| Naghmeh | Aboualigaledari | Nanosciene | NANO | Dr. | Jianjun | Wei | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Environmental | Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement using a hybrid gold nanoparticle-carbon nanodot substrate for herbicide detec | The widespread distribution of herbicides in environment can pose a serious risk to human health and wildlife. Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is a powerful detection and analysis technique for herbicide detection. However, the development of a low-cost, highly sensitive, reproducible, stable and Raman active nanostructured substrate for herbicide detection is still a particular challenge. In this research nanohybrid gold nanoparticles@carbon nanodots (Au NPs@CNDs) as SERS substrate was synthesized by reducing HAuCl4 with CNDs at 100°C. The optical, chemical, and physical properties of CNDs, Au NPs and Au NPs@CNDs substrates were investigated by the UV-vis spectrometer, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface electron microscopy (SEM), and transition electron microscopy (TEM). The SERS effect of the substrates was investigated using Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G), a Raman-active probe, and different kinds of herbicides. The results showed that there was significant increase in SERS spectra of Rh6G and herbicide molecules adsorbed on the Au NPs@CNDs substrate compared to that of bare CNDs and Au NPs. The nanohybrid SERS substrate shows promising application for detection of different kinds of organic compounds in solution phase. | 29 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 29 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Environmental School: NANO Naghmeh Aboualigaledari - Nanoscience Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement using a hybrid gold nanoparticle-carbon nanodot substrate for herbicide detec The widespread distribution of herbicides in environment can pose a serious risk to human health and wildlife. Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is a powerful detection and analysis technique for herbicide detection. However, the development of a low-cost, highly sensitive, reproducible, stable and Raman active nanostructured substrate for herbicide detection is still a particular challenge. In this research nanohybrid gold nanoparticles@carbon nanodots (Au NPs@CNDs) as SERS substrate was synthesized by reducing HAuCl4 with CNDs at 100°C. The optical, chemical, and physical properties of CNDs, Au NPs and Au NPs@CNDs substrates were investigated by the UV-vis spectrometer, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface electron microscopy (SEM), and transition electron microscopy (TEM). The SERS effect of the substrates was investigated using Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G), a Raman-active probe, and different kinds of herbicides. The results showed that there was significant increase in SERS spectra of Rh6G and herbicide molecules adsorbed on the Au NPs@CNDs substrate compared to that of bare CNDs and Au NPs. The nanohybrid SERS substrate shows promising application for detection of different kinds of organic compounds in solution phase. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jianjun Wei |
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| Alexis | Addotta | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Amy | Adamson | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Epstein-Barr Virus Manipulates Cellular Metabolism in Cancer Cells | Viruses are intracellular parasites that have the ability to alter typical cell functions. This ability can trigger immune responses or can even lead to diseases like the flu, hemorrhagic fever, and in the case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), mononucleosis (mono) and eventually cancer. EBV will live dormant in your body for the rest of your life after the initial infection, manipulating your cells for energy, growth, and viral reproduction. This manipulation is what can lead to cancerous cells and understanding the mechanisms the virus uses to accomplish this can point pharmaceutical companies in the right direction toward preventative measures. Our research focuses on determining the mechanisms EBV utilizes when it is most active in the body in comparison to its dormant phase in the body. Here we show that EBV alters how cells metabolize glucose, the cells’ most common energy source. Such changes act to benefit viral replication and potentially enhance tumor growth and survival. EBV has been linked to many cancers and understanding these mechanisms can determine if we can treat infected cells to control viral replication and cancer cell growth. | 30 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 30 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: CAS Alexis Addotta - Biology Epstein-Barr Virus Manipulates Cellular Metabolism in Cancer Cells Viruses are intracellular parasites that have the ability to alter typical cell functions. This ability can trigger immune responses or can even lead to diseases like the flu, hemorrhagic fever, and in the case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), mononucleosis (mono) and eventually cancer. EBV will live dormant in your body for the rest of your life after the initial infection, manipulating your cells for energy, growth, and viral reproduction. This manipulation is what can lead to cancerous cells and understanding the mechanisms the virus uses to accomplish this can point pharmaceutical companies in the right direction toward preventative measures. Our research focuses on determining the mechanisms EBV utilizes when it is most active in the body in comparison to its dormant phase in the body. Here we show that EBV alters how cells metabolize glucose, the cells’ most common energy source. Such changes act to benefit viral replication and potentially enhance tumor growth and survival. EBV has been linked to many cancers and understanding these mechanisms can determine if we can treat infected cells to control viral replication and cancer cell growth. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amy Adamson |
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| Kelvin | Adrah | Nanoscience | NANO | Dr. | Hemali | Rathnayake | Sheeba Dawood | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Environmental | Bioinspired Adsorbent for Water Purification | According to the UN, by 2025, 4 billion people will not have access to safe drinking water. This is due to the growing population and industrialization, leading to increased water pollution. Ingesting even trace amounts of these pollutants can be harmful to health. Conventional water treatment methods, such as ion exchange and reverse osmosis, are time-consuming, produce waste, and are expensive. Adsorption technology is efficient and cost-effective and is used to remove harmful pollutants from water sources. However, it must have high adsorption efficiency and be environmentally sustainable. This project intends to overcome these technical limitations by producing a novel adsorbent with high porosity and surface area derived from biomass by-products that can be utilized to remove these hazardous pollutants from water. Initial results revealed that this biomass-derived adsorbent efficiently removed 34.3%, 72.9%, and 41.0% of Na+, K+, and Mg+2 from seawater taken from Kiawah Island, SC, USA, during a single-cycle adsorption process. These adsorbents were also antimicrobial, efficiently destroying microorganisms present in seawater. These bioinspired adsorbents can be produced on a large scale and developed into portable water bottle filters. | 31 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 31 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Environmental School: NANO Kelvin Adrah - Nanoscience Bioinspired Adsorbent for Water Purification According to the UN, by 2025, 4 billion people will not have access to safe drinking water. This is due to the growing population and industrialization, leading to increased water pollution. Ingesting even trace amounts of these pollutants can be harmful to health. Conventional water treatment methods, such as ion exchange and reverse osmosis, are time-consuming, produce waste, and are expensive. Adsorption technology is efficient and cost-effective and is used to remove harmful pollutants from water sources. However, it must have high adsorption efficiency and be environmentally sustainable. This project intends to overcome these technical limitations by producing a novel adsorbent with high porosity and surface area derived from biomass by-products that can be utilized to remove these hazardous pollutants from water. Initial results revealed that this biomass-derived adsorbent efficiently removed 34.3%, 72.9%, and 41.0% of Na+, K+, and Mg+2 from seawater taken from Kiawah Island, SC, USA, during a single-cycle adsorption process. These adsorbents were also antimicrobial, efficiently destroying microorganisms present in seawater. These bioinspired adsorbents can be produced on a large scale and developed into portable water bottle filters. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Hemali Rathnayake |
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| Rachael | Brenneman | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Kimberly | Komatsu | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Environmental | Evaluating the consequences of chronic nutrient addition and pathways to grassland plant community recovery | Grasslands are susceptible to global change factors, especially high nutrient loads from agricultural runoff and atmospheric deposition. In the face of these disturbances, it becomes important to investigate whether ecosystems can recover from global change effects and how we can promote or assist this recovery. My proposed research investigates plant community recovery in tallgrass prairies after a decade of chronic nutrient addition, with the goal of identifying methods to restore healthy grasslands that are grounded in ecological alternative stable state theory. | 32 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 32 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Environmental School: CAS Rachael Brenneman - Biology Evaluating the consequences of chronic nutrient addition and pathways to grassland plant community recovery Grasslands are susceptible to global change factors, especially high nutrient loads from agricultural runoff and atmospheric deposition. In the face of these disturbances, it becomes important to investigate whether ecosystems can recover from global change effects and how we can promote or assist this recovery. My proposed research investigates plant community recovery in tallgrass prairies after a decade of chronic nutrient addition, with the goal of identifying methods to restore healthy grasslands that are grounded in ecological alternative stable state theory. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kimberly Komatsu |
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| Zachary | Bunch | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Kimberly | Komatsu | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Environmental | Impacts of Patch Burn Grazing on the Invertebrate Communities of Kansas Rangelands | Annual burning and grazing (ABG) is a common strategy used to increase cattle productivity. However, this strategy results in homogeneous rangeland ecosystems with reduced habitat for wildlife and decreased ecosystem function. As an alternative, patch burn grazing (PBG) is currently being investigated as a management method that can simultaneously promote ecosystem health while allowing for the same desired increase in cattle productivity. We aim to assess the impacts of PBG on both above and belowground invertebrate communities. Invertebrates provide many vital ecosystem services such as pollination and nutrient cycling. To do this, we are collecting and identifying invertebrate samples from ABG and PBG pastures at the Konza Prairie Biological Station located in Manhattan, Kansas. We predict that PBG will lead to an increase in the invertebrate biodiversity when compared to pastures using an ABG management technique. Overall, our results will provide valuable insight into best practices regarding rangeland management and help land managers make educated decisions with potentially positive environmental outcomes. | 33 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 33 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Environmental School: CAS Zachary Bunch - Biology Impacts of Patch Burn Grazing on the Invertebrate Communities of Kansas Rangelands Annual burning and grazing (ABG) is a common strategy used to increase cattle productivity. However, this strategy results in homogeneous rangeland ecosystems with reduced habitat for wildlife and decreased ecosystem function. As an alternative, patch burn grazing (PBG) is currently being investigated as a management method that can simultaneously promote ecosystem health while allowing for the same desired increase in cattle productivity. We aim to assess the impacts of PBG on both above and belowground invertebrate communities. Invertebrates provide many vital ecosystem services such as pollination and nutrient cycling. To do this, we are collecting and identifying invertebrate samples from ABG and PBG pastures at the Konza Prairie Biological Station located in Manhattan, Kansas. We predict that PBG will lead to an increase in the invertebrate biodiversity when compared to pastures using an ABG management technique. Overall, our results will provide valuable insight into best practices regarding rangeland management and help land managers make educated decisions with potentially positive environmental outcomes. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kimberly Komatsu |
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| Monica | Calhoun | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Malcolm | Schug | Rada Petric, Han Li | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Environmental | The diversity and behavior of bats in wetlands versus forested edge using unidirectional acoustic recordings in the Piedmont | Bats are one of the most economically important vertebrates. Anthropogenic disturbances such as deforestation, pesticide use, and urbanization have decimated bat populations around the world. Previous studies demonstrated wetlands and riparian zones are heavily used habitats by bats. Many insects depend on water for part of their life cycles, making wetland habitats a potentially important foraging habitat for bats. No study has specifically investigated how bats use wetlands. This study is one of the first to examine fine scale wetland use by bats as foraging habitats. To address this research question, 10 wetlands and corresponding forest edges were acoustically monitored in the Piedmont of NC. Using unidirectional microphones at each site, bat echolocation calls were recorded and classified to bat species and to acoustic commuting or foraging calls. This project had two aims: Aim 1 is to determine the species richness of bats at the sites. Aim 2 is to determine if bats use open wetlands for foraging more than forest edges. Results for Aim 1 are concluded from 11,336 auto identified calls from Kaleidoscope Pro. The data demonstrates that all seven species are preseBats are one of the most economically important vertebrates. Anthropogenic disturbances such as deforestation, pesticide use, and urbanization have decimated bat populations around the world. Previous studies demonstrated wetlands and riparian zones are heavily used habitats by bats. Many insects depend on water for part of their life cycles, making wetland habitats a potentially important foraging habitat for bats. No study has specifically investigated how bats use wetlands. This study is one of the first to examine fine scale wetland use by bats as foraging habitats. To address this research question, 10 wetlands and corresponding forest edges were acoustically monitored in the Piedmont of NC. Using unidirectional microphones at each site, bat echolocation calls were recorded and classified to bat species and to acoustic commuting or foraging calls. This project had two aims: Aim 1 is to determine the species richness of bats at the sites. Aim 2 is to determine if bats use open wetlands for foraging more than forest edges. Results for Aim 1 are concluded from 11,336 auto identified calls from Kaleidoscope Pro. The data demonstrates that all seven species are present. Bat activity among the wetlands and forested edges show significant differences between certain species. | 34 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 34 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Environmental School: CAS Monica Calhoun - Biology The diversity and behavior of bats in wetlands versus forested edge using unidirectional acoustic recordings in the Piedmont Bats are one of the most economically important vertebrates. Anthropogenic disturbances such as deforestation, pesticide use, and urbanization have decimated bat populations around the world. Previous studies demonstrated wetlands and riparian zones are heavily used habitats by bats. Many insects depend on water for part of their life cycles, making wetland habitats a potentially important foraging habitat for bats. No study has specifically investigated how bats use wetlands. This study is one of the first to examine fine scale wetland use by bats as foraging habitats. To address this research question, 10 wetlands and corresponding forest edges were acoustically monitored in the Piedmont of NC. Using unidirectional microphones at each site, bat echolocation calls were recorded and classified to bat species and to acoustic commuting or foraging calls. This project had two aims: Aim 1 is to determine the species richness of bats at the sites. Aim 2 is to determine if bats use open wetlands for foraging more than forest edges. Results for Aim 1 are concluded from 11,336 auto identified calls from Kaleidoscope Pro. The data demonstrates that all seven species are preseBats are one of the most economically important vertebrates. Anthropogenic disturbances such as deforestation, pesticide use, and urbanization have decimated bat populations around the world. Previous studies demonstrated wetlands and riparian zones are heavily used habitats by bats. Many insects depend on water for part of their life cycles, making wetland habitats a potentially important foraging habitat for bats. No study has specifically investigated how bats use wetlands. This study is one of the first to examine fine scale wetland use by bats as foraging habitats. To address this research question, 10 wetlands and corresponding forest edges were acoustically monitored in the Piedmont of NC. Using unidirectional microphones at each site, bat echolocation calls were recorded and classified to bat species and to acoustic commuting or foraging calls. This project had two aims: Aim 1 is to determine the species richness of bats at the sites. Aim 2 is to determine if bats use open wetlands for foraging more than forest edges. Results for Aim 1 are concluded from 11,336 auto identified calls from Kaleidoscope Pro. The data demonstrates that all seven species are present. Bat activity among the wetlands and forested edges show significant differences between certain species. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Malcolm Schug |
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| Olivia | Chapman | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Bryan | McLean | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Scholarly | Gut's going on? | Functional traits are characteristics that contribute to fitness of individuals in dynamic and changing environments. In mammals, categorical and continuous functional traits have been extensively utilized as proxies for diet and locomotion, but there has been a lesser focus on soft tissue form and function. This is particularly true for the digestive system, which varies in size and complexity across mammals and plays a major role in energetic balance. To guide effective utilization of gastrointestinal (GI) morphology as a functional proxy in small mammals we examined how GI tracts varied within a population of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in North Carolina, USA. We collected P. maniculatus monthly for one year and measured GI tracts to quantify variation with respect to seasonality and diet (trophic level), thus capturing plasticity in this soft tissue trait over time. We found a relative shortening of the GI tract in summer, corresponding with a partial trophic increase. GI morphology was affected by reproduction, but males and females responded differently. Our study provides proof-of-concept for understanding plasticity in a rarely-collected soft tissue trait, and a roadmap for using GI traits as a functional dietary proxy to understand mammalian ecology and community assembly.Functional traits are characteristics that contribute to fitness of individuals in dynamic and changing environments. In mammals, categorical and continuous functional traits have been extensively utilized as proxies for diet and locomotion, but there has been a lesser focus on soft tissue form and function. This is particularly true for the digestive system, which varies in size and complexity across mammals and plays a major role in energetic balance. To guide effective utilization of gastrointestinal (GI) morphology as a functional proxy in small mammals we examined how GI tracts varied within a population of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in North Carolina, USA. We collected P. maniculatus monthly for one year and measured GI tracts to quantify variation with respect to seasonality and diet (trophic level), thus capturing plasticity in this soft tissue trait over time. We found a relative shortening of the GI tract in summer, corresponding with a partial trophic increase. GI morphology was affected by reproduction, but males and females responded differently. Our study provides proof-of-concept for understanding plasticity in a rarely-collected soft tissue trait, and a roadmap for using GI traits as a functional dietary proxy to understand mammalian ecology and community assembly. | 35 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 35 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Scholarly School: CAS Olivia Chapman - Biology Gut's going on? Functional traits are characteristics that contribute to fitness of individuals in dynamic and changing environments. In mammals, categorical and continuous functional traits have been extensively utilized as proxies for diet and locomotion, but there has been a lesser focus on soft tissue form and function. This is particularly true for the digestive system, which varies in size and complexity across mammals and plays a major role in energetic balance. To guide effective utilization of gastrointestinal (GI) morphology as a functional proxy in small mammals we examined how GI tracts varied within a population of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in North Carolina, USA. We collected P. maniculatus monthly for one year and measured GI tracts to quantify variation with respect to seasonality and diet (trophic level), thus capturing plasticity in this soft tissue trait over time. We found a relative shortening of the GI tract in summer, corresponding with a partial trophic increase. GI morphology was affected by reproduction, but males and females responded differently. Our study provides proof-of-concept for understanding plasticity in a rarely-collected soft tissue trait, and a roadmap for using GI traits as a functional dietary proxy to understand mammalian ecology and community assembly.Functional traits are characteristics that contribute to fitness of individuals in dynamic and changing environments. In mammals, categorical and continuous functional traits have been extensively utilized as proxies for diet and locomotion, but there has been a lesser focus on soft tissue form and function. This is particularly true for the digestive system, which varies in size and complexity across mammals and plays a major role in energetic balance. To guide effective utilization of gastrointestinal (GI) morphology as a functional proxy in small mammals we examined how GI tracts varied within a population of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in North Carolina, USA. We collected P. maniculatus monthly for one year and measured GI tracts to quantify variation with respect to seasonality and diet (trophic level), thus capturing plasticity in this soft tissue trait over time. We found a relative shortening of the GI tract in summer, corresponding with a partial trophic increase. GI morphology was affected by reproduction, but males and females responded differently. Our study provides proof-of-concept for understanding plasticity in a rarely-collected soft tissue trait, and a roadmap for using GI traits as a functional dietary proxy to understand mammalian ecology and community assembly. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bryan McLean |
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| Alexis | Hoopman | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Kasie | Raymann | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Unintended Antibiotic Target: The (Honey Bee) Reproductive Microbiome | Historically, honey bee queen lifespan was two to seven years, but now 50% of colonies replace queens within six months, doubling the chance of colony mortality. Colonies that are failing usually have queens with low sperm viability and drone (male) sperm counts are highly variable. Tetracycline is the main antibiotic used in beekeeping to treat disease and has been shown to decrease reproductive development, sperm viability, and overall success in rodent models. Tetracycline is classified as an endocrine disrupting chemical because of its mitochondrial inhibition in reproductive cells. Microbes have been discovered in reproductive tissues of many animals including insects but to date, no other studies have investigated if honey bees possess a reproductive microbiome or the impact of antibiotic exposure. We hypothesized that honey bees possess a reproductive microbiome and that exposure to antibiotics will perturb the native microbial community, which could lead to reduced fecundity. We have shown that antibiotics are highly toxic to drone sperm and confirmed that ingested antibiotics accumulate in queen reproductive organs. In addition, we have shown that drones do have a reproductive microbiome. Lastly, we have determined that oral antibiotic exposure perturbs the honey bee reproductive microbiome by reducing diversity and abundance. | 36 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 36 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: CAS Alexis Hoopman - Biology Unintended Antibiotic Target: The (Honey Bee) Reproductive Microbiome Historically, honey bee queen lifespan was two to seven years, but now 50% of colonies replace queens within six months, doubling the chance of colony mortality. Colonies that are failing usually have queens with low sperm viability and drone (male) sperm counts are highly variable. Tetracycline is the main antibiotic used in beekeeping to treat disease and has been shown to decrease reproductive development, sperm viability, and overall success in rodent models. Tetracycline is classified as an endocrine disrupting chemical because of its mitochondrial inhibition in reproductive cells. Microbes have been discovered in reproductive tissues of many animals including insects but to date, no other studies have investigated if honey bees possess a reproductive microbiome or the impact of antibiotic exposure. We hypothesized that honey bees possess a reproductive microbiome and that exposure to antibiotics will perturb the native microbial community, which could lead to reduced fecundity. We have shown that antibiotics are highly toxic to drone sperm and confirmed that ingested antibiotics accumulate in queen reproductive organs. In addition, we have shown that drones do have a reproductive microbiome. Lastly, we have determined that oral antibiotic exposure perturbs the honey bee reproductive microbiome by reducing diversity and abundance. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kasie Raymann |
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| Dannielle | Kowacich-Swaney | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Gideon | Wasserberg | Dr. Eduardo Hatano, Dr. Loganathan Ponnusammy, Dr. Coby Schal | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Environmental | Role of intraspecific cues on Ph. papatasi sand fly behavior | Female sand flies assess the conditions of breeding sites to secure the growth and survival of their offspring. Sites with intraspecific eggs and/or larvae present may signal suitable oviposition sites but may also impose risk due to competition or cannibalism. Chemicals in the habitat serve as cues for females to assess habitat conditions. Here, we investigated the attraction of the cutaneous leishmaniasis vector, Phlebotomus papatasi, to intraspecific cues. Attraction to each life stage (eggs, first-, second-, third-, fourth-instar larvae, pupae, and male and female adults) was investigated using behavioral assays. Identification of organic chemical compounds extracted from eggs was performed using GC-MS and chemicals were tested in the same behavioral assays. Behavioral responses were statistically analyzed using logistic models. Ph. papatasi females were significantly attracted to young life stages (eggs and first instars) and decreased towards older life stages. The dose effect of eggs indicated a hump-shaped response. Chemical analysis of eggs revealed the presence of dodecanoic acid (DDA) and isovaleric acid (IVA). Sand flies were significantly attracted to the lowest DDA dose. | 37 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 37 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Environmental School: CAS Dannielle Kowacich-Swaney - Biology Role of intraspecific cues on Ph. papatasi sand fly behavior Female sand flies assess the conditions of breeding sites to secure the growth and survival of their offspring. Sites with intraspecific eggs and/or larvae present may signal suitable oviposition sites but may also impose risk due to competition or cannibalism. Chemicals in the habitat serve as cues for females to assess habitat conditions. Here, we investigated the attraction of the cutaneous leishmaniasis vector, Phlebotomus papatasi, to intraspecific cues. Attraction to each life stage (eggs, first-, second-, third-, fourth-instar larvae, pupae, and male and female adults) was investigated using behavioral assays. Identification of organic chemical compounds extracted from eggs was performed using GC-MS and chemicals were tested in the same behavioral assays. Behavioral responses were statistically analyzed using logistic models. Ph. papatasi females were significantly attracted to young life stages (eggs and first instars) and decreased towards older life stages. The dose effect of eggs indicated a hump-shaped response. Chemical analysis of eggs revealed the presence of dodecanoic acid (DDA) and isovaleric acid (IVA). Sand flies were significantly attracted to the lowest DDA dose. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gideon Wasserberg |
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| Frank | Morales | Chemistry & Biochemistry | CAS | Dr. | Norman | Chiu | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Evaluating a Data Independent Acquisition Method for Analyzing Epitranscriptomic Variations | The primary goal of this study is to evaluate a Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) method in mass spectrometry to discover unknown and detect untargeted RNA modifications that are potentially associated with brain cancer. From our previous work, a targeted method was used, which limited our investigation to a group of pre-selected RNA modifications. Based on the findings in other epitranscriptomic studies, a variety of RNA modifications could be linked to the development of a specific disease. Also, the interplays of RNA modifications could have a significant role in the regulation of biological activities. With the DIA approach, it will maximize the number of RNA modifications that can be detected in each sample of our interests. In other words, the use of DIA will allow us to accomplish a more comprehensive investigation of the association of RNA modifications with brain cancer. This in turn may unravel the roles of RNA modifications in the development of brain cancer and provide new targets for more accurate diagnosis or improved treatment of the disease. | 38 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 38 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: CAS Frank Morales - Chemistry & Biochemistry Evaluating a Data Independent Acquisition Method for Analyzing Epitranscriptomic Variations The primary goal of this study is to evaluate a Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) method in mass spectrometry to discover unknown and detect untargeted RNA modifications that are potentially associated with brain cancer. From our previous work, a targeted method was used, which limited our investigation to a group of pre-selected RNA modifications. Based on the findings in other epitranscriptomic studies, a variety of RNA modifications could be linked to the development of a specific disease. Also, the interplays of RNA modifications could have a significant role in the regulation of biological activities. With the DIA approach, it will maximize the number of RNA modifications that can be detected in each sample of our interests. In other words, the use of DIA will allow us to accomplish a more comprehensive investigation of the association of RNA modifications with brain cancer. This in turn may unravel the roles of RNA modifications in the development of brain cancer and provide new targets for more accurate diagnosis or improved treatment of the disease. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Norman Chiu |
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| Muhammad | Numan | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Ayalew | Ligaba-Osena | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Health and/or Safety | Molecular mechanisms of iron uptake and transport in the iron rich ancient crop tef (Eragrostis tef) | Iron deficiency is a common problem worldwide as it affects more than one quarter of a world’s population. According to National Institute of Health (NIH) About 10 million people in the United States are not getting sufficient iron, and 5 million of them have iron deficiency anemia. This is largely because of the low dietary iron contents. Iron deficiency can be reduced through producing food with higher iron contents. Food supplements and fortifications enhance dietary iron intake; however, these strategies typically have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Eating naturally high-iron plants like tef (an ancient and underutilized orphan crop) are therefore more efficient and safer for increasing iron intake. Comparing iron contents of various food crops reveals that, tef has most iron (>150mg/100gm) contents as compared to other major crops such as rice (0.7mg/100gm) and wheat (3mg/100gm). Tef also offers exceptional health and nutritional benefits. However, very little part of the world knows about tef. On the other hand, food crops such as wheat and rice are consumed throughout the world. Keeping in mind these exceptional features of tef, this study aims to understand the molecular mechanism of iron uptake in tef and integrate the pathway to other major cereals through cutting edge genome editing techniques to enhance iron contents in the major crops. In order to identify the molecular mechanism of iron uptake in tef, seedlings were grown in hydroponics with or with iron. RNA seq has been performed to understand the plant response towards iron deficiency. Genes responsible for the iron uptake (IRT1, IRT2 etc.) and transport (VIT1, 2 and 5, NRAMP, YSL etc.) have been identified through transcriptomic analysis. The important genes and transporters will be further used for transformation into other cereal crops to enhance their nutritional contents specifically iron. Keywords: Eragrostis tef, nutrition, Cereal crops, Iron deficiency, anemia, molecular mechanism | 39 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 39 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Health and/or Safety School: CAS Muhammad Numan - Biology Molecular mechanisms of iron uptake and transport in the iron rich ancient crop tef (Eragrostis tef) Iron deficiency is a common problem worldwide as it affects more than one quarter of a world’s population. According to National Institute of Health (NIH) About 10 million people in the United States are not getting sufficient iron, and 5 million of them have iron deficiency anemia. This is largely because of the low dietary iron contents. Iron deficiency can be reduced through producing food with higher iron contents. Food supplements and fortifications enhance dietary iron intake; however, these strategies typically have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Eating naturally high-iron plants like tef (an ancient and underutilized orphan crop) are therefore more efficient and safer for increasing iron intake. Comparing iron contents of various food crops reveals that, tef has most iron (>150mg/100gm) contents as compared to other major crops such as rice (0.7mg/100gm) and wheat (3mg/100gm). Tef also offers exceptional health and nutritional benefits. However, very little part of the world knows about tef. On the other hand, food crops such as wheat and rice are consumed throughout the world. Keeping in mind these exceptional features of tef, this study aims to understand the molecular mechanism of iron uptake in tef and integrate the pathway to other major cereals through cutting edge genome editing techniques to enhance iron contents in the major crops. In order to identify the molecular mechanism of iron uptake in tef, seedlings were grown in hydroponics with or with iron. RNA seq has been performed to understand the plant response towards iron deficiency. Genes responsible for the iron uptake (IRT1, IRT2 etc.) and transport (VIT1, 2 and 5, NRAMP, YSL etc.) have been identified through transcriptomic analysis. The important genes and transporters will be further used for transformation into other cereal crops to enhance their nutritional contents specifically iron. Keywords: Eragrostis tef, nutrition, Cereal crops, Iron deficiency, anemia, molecular mechanism. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ayalew Ligaba-Osena |
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| Dahlia | Porter-Cole | Chemistry & Biochemistry | CAS | Dr. | Shabnam | Hematian | Runzi Li, Firoz S.T. Khan | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Innovation | Cooperative Activation of Dioxygen by Copper/Manganese Assemblies | Abstract: Dioxygen is fundamental to life on earth, aerobic respiration and dioxygen activation were accomplished by bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes billions of years ago. Nature has selected transition metals such as copper, iron, and manganese to sustain aerobic life. Dioxygen reactivity toward copper, iron, or manganese complexes has been individually investigated for many decades. Copper and iron species readily bind and activate dioxygen, while manganese complexes show no reactivity towards dioxygen at room temperature. Here, we report a bimetallic system where copper and manganese cooperatively bind and activate dioxygen. Furthermore, spectroscopic investigations (e.g., UV-vis and 1H-NMR) at cryogenic and room temperatures, will provide detailed mechanistic insights on this cooperative chemistry of the two metal centers, and their ability to bind and activate dioxygen in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. | 40 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 40 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Innovation School: CAS Dahlia Porter-Cole - Chemistry & Biochemistry Cooperative Activation of Dioxygen by Copper/Manganese Assemblies Dioxygen is fundamental to life on earth, aerobic respiration and dioxygen activation were accomplished by bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes billions of years ago. Nature has selected transition metals such as copper, iron, and manganese to sustain aerobic life. Dioxygen reactivity toward copper, iron, or manganese complexes has been individually investigated for many decades. Copper and iron species readily bind and activate dioxygen, while manganese complexes show no reactivity towards dioxygen at room temperature. Here, we report a bimetallic system where copper and manganese cooperatively bind and activate dioxygen. Furthermore, spectroscopic investigations (e.g., UV-vis and 1H-NMR) at cryogenic and room temperatures, will provide detailed mechanistic insights on this cooperative chemistry of the two metal centers, and their ability to bind and activate dioxygen in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Shabnam Hematian |
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| Shiva | Thapa | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Kasie | Raymann & Louis-Marie Bobay | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Environmental | Fine-scale processes governing strain-level community assembly and functional dynamics in honey bee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiot | Microbes are the most diverse form of life on earth and occupy all environments, including living on and within animal hosts. Host-associated gut microbes have been shown to play key functions in maintaining the health and development of many animals. Numerous studies have characterized the dynamics of genus-level and species-level composition of host-associated microbiomes, but recent studies have shown that microbial phenotypes and functions can vary tremendously across strains of microbial species. However, our understanding of the processes governing strain-level microbial community dynamics is still at its infancy, which hinders our ability to understand and further predict the functionalities of such systems. In mammals, including humans, gut microbial communities are extremely complex and consist of hundreds of species. Therefore, simpler yet robust host model systems need to be used to establish fundamental information about microbial community assembly and functional dynamics. Here, I am aiming to address the overarching question – “What factors influence strain-level community assembly and functional dynamics in host-associated microbial systems?”, using in vivo experimental evolution, whole-genome shotgun metagenomics, and in-silico computational modeling using honey bees (Apis mellifera) as the model system given its simple, yet conserved microbiome. | 41 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 41 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Environmental School: CAS Shiva Thapa - Biology Fine-scale processes governing strain-level community assembly and functional dynamics in honey bee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiot Microbes are the most diverse form of life on earth and occupy all environments, including living on and within animal hosts. Host-associated gut microbes have been shown to play key functions in maintaining the health and development of many animals. Numerous studies have characterized the dynamics of genus-level and species-level composition of host-associated microbiomes, but recent studies have shown that microbial phenotypes and functions can vary tremendously across strains of microbial species. However, our understanding of the processes governing strain-level microbial community dynamics is still at its infancy, which hinders our ability to understand and further predict the functionalities of such systems. In mammals, including humans, gut microbial communities are extremely complex and consist of hundreds of species. Therefore, simpler yet robust host model systems need to be used to establish fundamental information about microbial community assembly and functional dynamics. Here, I am aiming to address the overarching question – “What factors influence strain-level community assembly and functional dynamics in host-associated microbial systems?”, using in vivo experimental evolution, whole-genome shotgun metagenomics, and in-silico computational modeling using honey bees (Apis mellifera) as the model system given its simple, yet conserved microbiome. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kasie Raymann & Dr. Louis-Marie Bobay |
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| Raza | Ullah | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Ayalew | Ligaba-Osena | Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui, Alex Chow, Huan Chen, Clinton Williams | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Environmental | The role of microplastics in the persistence and bioavailability of antimicrobials in agricultural soils irrigated with wastewater | With current trend of increasing population, the demand for food production and freshwater resources is increasing. To enhance global food productivity, the use of reclaimed water from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is considered a feasible alternative for irrigation purposes. Although this practice reduces the strain on freshwater resources, it brings myriad of micropollutants such as microplastics (MPs) and antimicrobials (AMs) into the agroecosystem. Upon entry into the farmlands, these micropollutants interact with each other, and tends to bioaccumulate in crop plants, thus posing public health risk. However, their interaction in soil-plant continuum remains unclear. Therefore, we will conduct a controlled greenhouse experiment and see the impact of MPs on AM accumulation in plant tissues. In addition, we will also observe their effect on plant performance by assessing plant’s biometric parameters and nutrients content. We will also study the effect on the dynamics of microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes in soil. Later, we will determine best management strategies for risk mitigation. This study will provide a new perspective to further understand the combined impacts of MPs and AMs on economically important crops, which may have implications for risk assessment of these micropollutants on plants, environment, and human health. | 42 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 42 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Environmental School: CAS Raza Ullah - Biology The role of microplastics in the persistence and bioavailability of antimicrobials in agricultural soils irrigated with wastewater With current trend of increasing population, the demand for food production and freshwater resources is increasing. To enhance global food productivity, the use of reclaimed water from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is considered a feasible alternative for irrigation purposes. Although this practice reduces the strain on freshwater resources, it brings myriad of micropollutants such as microplastics (MPs) and antimicrobials (AMs) into the agroecosystem. Upon entry into the farmlands, these micropollutants interact with each other, and tends to bioaccumulate in crop plants, thus posing public health risk. However, their interaction in soil-plant continuum remains unclear. Therefore, we will conduct a controlled greenhouse experiment and see the impact of MPs on AM accumulation in plant tissues. In addition, we will also observe their effect on plant performance by assessing plant’s biometric parameters and nutrients content. We will also study the effect on the dynamics of microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes in soil. Later, we will determine best management strategies for risk mitigation. This study will provide a new perspective to further understand the combined impacts of MPs and AMs on economically important crops, which may have implications for risk assessment of these micropollutants on plants, environment, and human health. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ayalew Ligaba-Osena |
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| Amanda | Weller | Biology | CAS | Dr. | Bryan | McLean | Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences | Innovation | Digging into the systematics of the mole voles, genus Ellobius | Mole voles (Ellobius) are small subterranean arvicoline rodents with an immense Palearctic distribution. Despite their wide geographic range, taxonomic understanding of Ellobius is incomplete and may not fully capture the diversity within this group, with recent studies suggesting a cryptic lineage in southeastern Mongolia. There are 5 species recognized (E. talpinus, E. tancrei, E. alaicus, E. lutescens, and E. fuscocapillus), spanning a variety of inter and intra-specific karyotypic forms but minimal phenotypic divergence. To resolve systematics in this group, I generated a new taxonomically and geographically comprehensive dataset of ultraconserved element loci (UCEs) for Ellobius, leveraging two disparate classes of samples: new field sampling and decades-old samples contained in natural history museums. I found UCE capture from historical specimens was comparable to modern samples, considering both loci recovery and length, while age negatively impacted these metrics. I used coalescent-aware approaches for species tree reconstruction and formal species delimitation to infer a comprehensive evolutionary history for this genus. This work is a contribution to the limited understanding of the complexity of mammal diversification across the vast deserts, mountains, and dry shrublands of Central Asia. | 43 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 43 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Natural, Physical, & Mathematical Sciences Community Impact: Innovation School: CAS Amanda Weller - Biology Digging into the systematics of the mole voles, genus Ellobius Mole voles (Ellobius) are small subterranean arvicoline rodents with an immense Palearctic distribution. Despite their wide geographic range, taxonomic understanding of Ellobius is incomplete and may not fully capture the diversity within this group, with recent studies suggesting a cryptic lineage in southeastern Mongolia. There are 5 species recognized (E. talpinus, E. tancrei, E. alaicus, E. lutescens, and E. fuscocapillus), spanning a variety of inter and intra-specific karyotypic forms but minimal phenotypic divergence. To resolve systematics in this group, I generated a new taxonomically and geographically comprehensive dataset of ultraconserved element loci (UCEs) for Ellobius, leveraging two disparate classes of samples: new field sampling and decades-old samples contained in natural history museums. I found UCE capture from historical specimens was comparable to modern samples, considering both loci recovery and length, while age negatively impacted these metrics. I used coalescent-aware approaches for species tree reconstruction and formal species delimitation to infer a comprehensive evolutionary history for this genus. This work is a contribution to the limited understanding of the complexity of mammal diversification across the vast deserts, mountains, and dry shrublands of Central Asia. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bryan McLean |
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| Nana | Addai | Economics | BSBE | Dr. | Martin S. | Andersen | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Environmental | Air Quality, Avoidance Behavior, and Welfare | The cost of damages caused by air pollution runs into billions of dollars annually. In measuring costs, researchers hardly ever include the cost of changes in behavior as a result of air pollution. To obtain unbiased cost estimates, some measure of avoidance behavior is needed in cost calculations for the effects of air pollution. It is important for policy makers to know the full costs of air pollution so that they can make decisions on whether to focus environmental policy on air pollution reduction or on encouraging behavior that reduces exposure to air pollution. In this paper, I measure avoidance behavior by studying how much people change the time they spend at home, the time they spend away from home, and the distance they travel from home in response to the EPA’s air quality index. I find that people are on average expected to spend 8 more minutes at home, spend 10 minutes less away from home, and travel 385 meters less away from home on days of unhealthy air quality than on days of good air quality, and that these estimates differ across different demographic groups. | 44 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 44 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Environmental School: BSBE Nana Addai - Economics Air Quality, Avoidance Behavior, and Welfare The cost of damages caused by air pollution runs into billions of dollars annually. In measuring costs, researchers hardly ever include the cost of changes in behavior as a result of air pollution. To obtain unbiased cost estimates, some measure of avoidance behavior is needed in cost calculations for the effects of air pollution. It is important for policy makers to know the full costs of air pollution so that they can make decisions on whether to focus environmental policy on air pollution reduction or on encouraging behavior that reduces exposure to air pollution. In this paper, I measure avoidance behavior by studying how much people change the time they spend at home, the time they spend away from home, and the distance they travel from home in response to the EPA’s air quality index. I find that people are on average expected to spend 8 more minutes at home, spend 10 minutes less away from home, and travel 385 meters less away from home on days of unhealthy air quality than on days of good air quality, and that these estimates differ across different demographic groups. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Martin S. Andersen |
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| Samantha | Alvarado | Psychology | CAS | Dr. | Jasmine | DeJesus | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Cultural | Examining the Association Between Familism and Children’s Resource Distribution Behavior | Familism is a cultural value emphasizing the importance of family loyalty, obligation, and support (Stein et al., 2014). Familism has primarily been studied in Hispanic/Latinx families. Familism promotes psychological adjustment (Stein et al., 2015) and is associated with prosocial behaviors (Hernandez & Bamaca-Colbert, 2016). Because familism studies often use survey methods, research has focused on adolescents, yet children may demonstrate familial values in their behavior. Children consider family relationships in sharing (Olson & Spelke, 2008; Spokes & Spelke, 2016), consistent with familism questionnaires, with items including “A person should help his or her elderly parents in time of need, for example, help financially or share a house”. Cross-cultural studies of sharing have examined group differences (Blake et al., 2015), but have not examined individual differences like parental familism beliefs. Here, we examine whether 3-to 13-year-old children’s sharing decisions are associated with their parents’ familism values. Children are introduced to a protagonist that has one cookie to share with a family member (parent, sibling, grandparent, cousin) or non-family alternative (friend, stranger, self). We hypothesize that children’s allocations to family will be positively associated with parent familism scores. These results highlight the importance of researching cultural concepts, like familism, in children’s social cognition. | 45 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY22-59 | Poster # 45 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Cultural School: CAS Samantha Alvarado - Psychology Examining the Association Between Familism and Children’s Resource Distribution Behavior Familism is a cultural value emphasizing the importance of family loyalty, obligation, and support (Stein et al., 2014). Familism has primarily been studied in Hispanic/Latinx families. Familism promotes psychological adjustment (Stein et al., 2015) and is associated with prosocial behaviors (Hernandez & Bamaca-Colbert, 2016). Because familism studies often use survey methods, research has focused on adolescents, yet children may demonstrate familial values in their behavior. Children consider family relationships in sharing (Olson & Spelke, 2008; Spokes & Spelke, 2016), consistent with familism questionnaires, with items including “A person should help his or her elderly parents in time of need, for example, help financially or share a house”. Cross-cultural studies of sharing have examined group differences (Blake et al., 2015), but have not examined individual differences like parental familism beliefs. Here, we examine whether 3-to 13-year-old children’s sharing decisions are associated with their parents’ familism values. Children are introduced to a protagonist that has one cookie to share with a family member (parent, sibling, grandparent, cousin) or non-family alternative (friend, stranger, self). We hypothesize that children’s allocations to family will be positively associated with parent familism scores. These results highlight the importance of researching cultural concepts, like familism, in children’s social cognition. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jasmine DeJesus |
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| Mohammed | Alzahrani | Teacher Education & Higher Education | SOE | Dr. | Ye | He | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | Understanding Reflective Practice among University English Language Instructors through the Lens of Cultural-Historical Activity Theory | Teacher’s reflection can be defined as a conscious or intuitive process of thinking followed by actions during or after the real-time of teaching. The purpose of this study is to understand ways, affordances, and constraints of reflective practice among university English language instructors in Saudi Arabia. In this qualitative case study, I collected data from five experienced instructors through a series of semistructured interviews, classroom observations and document reviews. I adopted thematic analysis within the cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) as an analytical framework. I found instructors engage in diverse ways of reflective practice with students inside the classroom but in limited ways outside the classroom. I found instructors’ history of learning and teaching, positive reconceptualization, informal dialogues and translanguaging as major affordances. I found structured surveys and technical professional development sessions as major constraints that limit instructors’ engagement in reflective practice. This study fills a methodological gap in the literature by using CHAT as an influential framework. It also adds knowledge about reflective practice in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). The findings of this study provide practical and research implications for university EnglishTeacher’s reflection can be defined as a conscious or intuitive process of thinking followed by actions during or after the real-time of teaching. The purpose of this study is to understand ways, affordances, and constraints of reflective practice among university English language instructors in Saudi Arabia. In this qualitative case study, I collected data from five experienced instructors through a series of semistructured interviews, classroom observations and document reviews. I adopted thematic analysis within the cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) as an analytical framework. I found instructors engage in diverse ways of reflective practice with students inside the classroom but in limited ways outside the classroom. I found instructors’ history of learning and teaching, positive reconceptualization, informal dialogues and translanguaging as major affordances. I found structured surveys and technical professional development sessions as major constraints that limit instructors’ engagement in reflective practice. This study fills a methodological gap in the literature by using CHAT as an influential framework. It also adds knowledge about reflective practice in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). The findings of this study provide practical and research implications for university English language programs in Saudi Arabia and international language education programs. | 46 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB-FY22-509 | Poster # 46 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational School: SOE Mohammed Alzahrani - Teacher Education & Higher Education Understanding Reflective Practice among University English Language Instructors through the Lens of Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Teacher’s reflection can be defined as a conscious or intuitive process of thinking followed by actions during or after the real-time of teaching. The purpose of this study is to understand ways, affordances, and constraints of reflective practice among university English language instructors in Saudi Arabia. In this qualitative case study, I collected data from five experienced instructors through a series of semistructured interviews, classroom observations and document reviews. I adopted thematic analysis within the cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) as an analytical framework. I found instructors engage in diverse ways of reflective practice with students inside the classroom but in limited ways outside the classroom. I found instructors’ history of learning and teaching, positive reconceptualization, informal dialogues and translanguaging as major affordances. I found structured surveys and technical professional development sessions as major constraints that limit instructors’ engagement in reflective practice. This study fills a methodological gap in the literature by using CHAT as an influential framework. It also adds knowledge about reflective practice in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). The findings of this study provide practical and research implications for university EnglishTeacher’s reflection can be defined as a conscious or intuitive process of thinking followed by actions during or after the real-time of teaching. The purpose of this study is to understand ways, affordances, and constraints of reflective practice among university English language instructors in Saudi Arabia. In this qualitative case study, I collected data from five experienced instructors through a series of semistructured interviews, classroom observations and document reviews. I adopted thematic analysis within the cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) as an analytical framework. I found instructors engage in diverse ways of reflective practice with students inside the classroom but in limited ways outside the classroom. I found instructors’ history of learning and teaching, positive reconceptualization, informal dialogues and translanguaging as major affordances. I found structured surveys and technical professional development sessions as major constraints that limit instructors’ engagement in reflective practice. This study fills a methodological gap in the literature by using CHAT as an influential framework. It also adds knowledge about reflective practice in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). The findings of this study provide practical and research implications for university English language programs in Saudi Arabia and international language education programs. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ye He |
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| Kayla | Baker | Educational Leadership & Cultural Foundations | SOE | Dr. | Leila | Villaverde | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | Like, Share, Subscribe: The Impact of Social Media on Black College Students at Historically White Institutions | This mixed methods study explores the role same-race peer groups created on social media platforms play in the experiences of Black students at Historically White Institutions (HWIs). Building on the research that examines how peer groups influence student experiences, this study gauges why Black students choose to create and participate in Black social media spaces and the influence of the campus climate on their decisions to do so. Using data collected from virtual focus group interview sessions, photo-elicitation, and a survey, this study suggests that Black social media spaces operate as a source of joy, self-preservation, and resistance to assimilation. Study findings also indicate that Black students at HWIs use Black social media spaces to expand their sense of community, thrive in spite of being minoritized, and engage in spaces that support raciThis mixed methods study explores the role same-race peer groups created on social media platforms play in the experiences of Black students at Historically White Institutions (HWIs). Building on the research that examines how peer groups influence student experiences, this study gauges why Black students choose to create and participate in Black social media spaces and the influence of the campus climate on their decisions to do so. Using data collected from virtual focus group interview sessions, photo-elicitation, and a survey, this study suggests that Black social media spaces operate as a source of joy, self-preservation, and resistance to assimilation. Study findings also indicate that Black students at HWIs use Black social media spaces to expand their sense of community, thrive in spite of being minoritized, and engage in spaces that support racial identity expression and affirmation. This research offers up a new lens through which the experiences of Black students at HWIs can be understood, with a specific focus on how same-race peer groups on social media provide supportive, safe, and affirming spaces that aid in their persistence and success in environments that can be racially challenging. | 47 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY22-543 | Poster # 47 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational School: SOE Mohammed Alzahrani - Educational Leadership & Cultural Foundations Like, Share, Subscribe: The Impact of Social Media on Black College Students at Historically White Institutions This mixed methods study explores the role same-race peer groups created on social media platforms play in the experiences of Black students at Historically White Institutions (HWIs). Building on the research that examines how peer groups influence student experiences, this study gauges why Black students choose to create and participate in Black social media spaces and the influence of the campus climate on their decisions to do so. Using data collected from virtual focus group interview sessions, photo-elicitation, and a survey, this study suggests that Black social media spaces operate as a source of joy, self-preservation, and resistance to assimilation. Study findings also indicate that Black students at HWIs use Black social media spaces to expand their sense of community, thrive in spite of being minoritized, and engage in spaces that support raciThis mixed methods study explores the role same-race peer groups created on social media platforms play in the experiences of Black students at Historically White Institutions (HWIs). Building on the research that examines how peer groups influence student experiences, this study gauges why Black students choose to create and participate in Black social media spaces and the influence of the campus climate on their decisions to do so. Using data collected from virtual focus group interview sessions, photo-elicitation, and a survey, this study suggests that Black social media spaces operate as a source of joy, self-preservation, and resistance to assimilation. Study findings also indicate that Black students at HWIs use Black social media spaces to expand their sense of community, thrive in spite of being minoritized, and engage in spaces that support racial identity expression and affirmation. This research offers up a new lens through which the experiences of Black students at HWIs can be understood, with a specific focus on how same-race peer groups on social media provide supportive, safe, and affirming spaces that aid in their persistence and success in environments that can be racially challenging. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Leila Villaverde |
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| Zoie | Bunch | Chemistry & Biochemistry | CAS | Dr. | Maia | Popova | Bailey Thompson | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | A Literature Review of Studies Analyzing Chemistry Textbooks | Chemistry textbooks are a highly used educational resource; instructors and students frequently interact with textbooks when teaching and learning. As such, the analysis of chemistry textbooks is a valuable endeavor. In this comprehensive literature review, we have summarized the trends found in nearly 80 studies analyzing chemistry textbooks, published between 1981 and 2020. Inductive and narrative coding was used to compare various features across these studies. Most of the studies investigated textbooks from the United States or did not specify the country of use. Furthermore, secondary-level chemistry textbooks have been analyzed most extensively, followed by general and organic chemistry textbooks at the post-secondary level. Our findings also show that many studies focused on various aspects of incorporating representations in chemistry textbooks. Within those papers, the methods and results are largely inconsistent likely due to the focus on analyzing textbooks from different countries or textbooks covering different chemistry subjects. In this talk, we will summarize the current trends in textbook analyses, as well as highlight potential directions for future research. | 48 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 48 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational School: CAS Zoie Bunch - Chemistry & Biochemistry A Literature Review of Studies Analyzing Chemistry Textbooks Chemistry textbooks are a highly used educational resource; instructors and students frequently interact with textbooks when teaching and learning. As such, the analysis of chemistry textbooks is a valuable endeavor. In this comprehensive literature review, we have summarized the trends found in nearly 80 studies analyzing chemistry textbooks, published between 1981 and 2020. Inductive and narrative coding was used to compare various features across these studies. Most of the studies investigated textbooks from the United States or did not specify the country of use. Furthermore, secondary-level chemistry textbooks have been analyzed most extensively, followed by general and organic chemistry textbooks at the post-secondary level. Our findings also show that many studies focused on various aspects of incorporating representations in chemistry textbooks. Within those papers, the methods and results are largely inconsistent likely due to the focus on analyzing textbooks from different countries or textbooks covering different chemistry subjects. In this talk, we will summarize the current trends in textbook analyses, as well as highlight potential directions for future research. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maia Popova |
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| Anthony | Casamassima | Music Education | CVPA | Dr. | Tami | Draves | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Societal | A Professional Musician's Socioeconomic Status and Experience in the Music Education and Labor Markets | The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the experiences of a professional musician with respect to his personal levels of socioeconomic status. John holds a doctoral degree in music performance and is a professional upright contrabassist whose main source of income is through playing improvised jazz and art music in New York City. He is a first-generation college student from a modest, rural background in central Florida. His family had little ability to contribute to his studies or career prospects. John’s story is one of critical storytelling and is interpreted through qualitative comparative and intersectional frameworks (Barone, 1992; Corus & Saatcioglu, 2015; Sivesind, 1999). His experience suggests a need for attention to discrepancies among professional musicians regarding socioeconomic status and class background, and the equitability and stratification of musicians from marginalized backgrounds as compared to those from more stable and efficacious ones. Topics of consideration include increased awareness of and support for musicians from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students. Implications for further study include the need for more attention to the impact of socioeconomic status on the career trajectories and outcomes of professional performing musicians. | 49 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 49 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Societal School: CVPA Anthony Casamassima - Music Education A Professional Musician's Socioeconomic Status and Experience in the Music Education and Labor Markets The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the experiences of a professional musician with respect to his personal levels of socioeconomic status. John holds a doctoral degree in music performance and is a professional upright contrabassist whose main source of income is through playing improvised jazz and art music in New York City. He is a first-generation college student from a modest, rural background in central Florida. His family had little ability to contribute to his studies or career prospects. John’s story is one of critical storytelling and is interpreted through qualitative comparative and intersectional frameworks (Barone, 1992; Corus & Saatcioglu, 2015; Sivesind, 1999). His experience suggests a need for attention to discrepancies among professional musicians regarding socioeconomic status and class background, and the equitability and stratification of musicians from marginalized backgrounds as compared to those from more stable and efficacious ones. Topics of consideration include increased awareness of and support for musicians from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students. Implications for further study include the need for more attention to the impact of socioeconomic status on the career trajectories and outcomes of professional performing musicians. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tami Draves |
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| Chibor | Chibor | Teacher Education & Higher Education | SOE | Dr. | Brad | Johnson | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Community Engagement | International students finding sense of belonging in a Host culture :Using Berry four acculturative strategies, its pros and cons | Several theories in student development are fundamental to understanding how different students express their identities in the host culture; in this study, these theories and models are used to demonstrate how international students will be able to utilize Berry Acculturation to explain how many international students will feel or find a sense of belonging. A person's acculturation, or adaptation to the dominant culture, refers to the changes in their beliefs, values, and behaviors following contact with the dominant culture. Acculturation is “a process of cultural and psychological changes involving various forms of mutual accommodation, leading to longer-term psychological and sociocultural adaptations between both groups” (Berry, 2005, p. 699). Ethnic identity is a bidirectional system when people adopt the host culture and maintain their own culture of origin. Intercultural contact between parties results in a need to negotiate for both parties to succeed. Berry outlined four distinct acculturative strategies students of minoritized ethnic groups can use to relate to the dominant culture. They can “ assimilate (identify solely with the dominant culture and sever ties with their own culture), marginalize (reject both their own and the host culture), separate (identify solely with their group and reject the host culture), [or] integrate (become bicultural by maintaining aspects of their group and selectively acquiring some of the host cultures)” (Paton,2016, p.154). | 50 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 50 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Community Engagement School: SOE Chibor Chibor - Teacher Education & Higher Education International students finding sense of belonging in a Host culture :Using Berry four acculturative strategies, its pros and cons Several theories in student development are fundamental to understanding how different students express their identities in the host culture; in this study, these theories and models are used to demonstrate how international students will be able to utilize Berry Acculturation to explain how many international students will feel or find a sense of belonging. A person's acculturation, or adaptation to the dominant culture, refers to the changes in their beliefs, values, and behaviors following contact with the dominant culture. Acculturation is “a process of cultural and psychological changes involving various forms of mutual accommodation, leading to longer-term psychological and sociocultural adaptations between both groups” (Berry, 2005, p. 699). Ethnic identity is a bidirectional system when people adopt the host culture and maintain their own culture of origin. Intercultural contact between parties results in a need to negotiate for both parties to succeed. Berry outlined four distinct acculturative strategies students of minoritized ethnic groups can use to relate to the dominant culture. They can “ assimilate (identify solely with the dominant culture and sever ties with their own culture), marginalize (reject both their own and the host culture), separate (identify solely with their group and reject the host culture), [or] integrate (become bicultural by maintaining aspects of their group and selectively acquiring some of the host cultures)” (Paton,2016, p.154). Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brad Johnson |
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| Farhat | Chowdhury | Economics | BSBE | Dr. | Dora | Gicheva | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | How Does Providing Free Menstrual Products in Schools Affect Test Scores: Evidence from New York | This paper investigates the effect of providing free menstrual products on test scores of female students. Given, women have to bear the financial burden of menstrual products throughout their lifetime and there is no government aid for such products, there are significant adverse effects on women who cannot afford menstrual products. (Cotropia, 2019). Due to the inaccessibility of menstrual products, adolescent females from low-income households may be absent more often, which can impede their academic growth. New York State enacted a policy on July 1, 2018, mandating all public schools in New York State that serve students in any grade from 6 to 12 to provide feminine hygiene products to students in school restrooms, at no cost. (NYSED.gov). Using triple difference framework, I analyze the effects of this policy comparing the test scores of boys and girls in elementary and middle school grades. I use school-level administrative data for the period from 2015 to 2019 from the New York State Education Department. I find a relative increase in math test scores of 0.04 standard deviations for females in grades 6-9 post intervention. The effects are larger in low-income schools. This study shows that a low-cost intervention like the provision of free menstrual products has a positive effect on test scores of female students. This can close part of the income gap in academic achievement. Furthermore, it will add to the literature on effects of menstrual products in developed countries. REFERENCE • Christopher A. Cotropia (2019) Menstruation Management in United States Schools and Implications for Attendance, Academic Performance, and Health, Women's Reproductive Health • New York State Education Department [NYSED.gov] (2018). https://www.p12.nysed.gov//sss/schoolhealth/schoolhealthservices/FeminineHygieneProductsInSchools.html | 51 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 51 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational School: BSBE Farhat Chowdhury - Teacher Education & Higher Education How Does Providing Free Menstrual Products in Schools Affect Test Scores: Evidence from New York This paper investigates the effect of providing free menstrual products on test scores of female students. Given, women have to bear the financial burden of menstrual products throughout their lifetime and there is no government aid for such products, there are significant adverse effects on women who cannot afford menstrual products. (Cotropia, 2019). Due to the inaccessibility of menstrual products, adolescent females from low-income households may be absent more often, which can impede their academic growth. New York State enacted a policy on July 1, 2018, mandating all public schools in New York State that serve students in any grade from 6 to 12 to provide feminine hygiene products to students in school restrooms, at no cost. (NYSED.gov). Using triple difference framework, I analyze the effects of this policy comparing the test scores of boys and girls in elementary and middle school grades. I use school-level administrative data for the period from 2015 to 2019 from the New York State Education Department. I find a relative increase in math test scores of 0.04 standard deviations for females in grades 6-9 post intervention. The effects are larger in low-income schools. This study shows that a low-cost intervention like the provision of free menstrual products has a positive effect on test scores of female students. This can close part of the income gap in academic achievement. Furthermore, it will add to the literature on effects of menstrual products in developed countries. REFERENCE • Christopher A. Cotropia (2019) Menstruation Management in United States Schools and Implications for Attendance, Academic Performance, and Health, Women's Reproductive Health • New York State Education Department [NYSED.gov] (2018). https://www.p12.nysed.gov//sss/schoolhealth/schoolhealthservices/FeminineHygieneProductsInSchools.html Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dora Gicheva |
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| Estefany | Garcia | Teacher Education & Higher Education | SOE | Dr. | Brad | Johnson | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | Destigmatizing Academic Recovery: A Study of Student Perceptions Participating in an Academic Recovery Course | This study aims to examine the perceptions of students who have returned from academic suspension about an academic recovery course, ARS 120: Academic Connections in Education. The focus is on their feelings towards their academic probation status, their view of the ARS 120 course, and their academic outcome in the spring 2023 semester in order to destigmatize the process of Academic Recovery. The research will assess the students' response how they see themselves in during this process, examine how this impacts their academic outcomes and how Academic Recovery courses can address these perceptions to dispel the stigmas around academic probation and academic suspension. The findings will contribute to illuminating how Academic Recovery courses effectively support students' continued enrollment in higher education; alongside promoting Academic Recovery courses as a critical tool to support students in completing their degree. Beyond this, the intent of the research is to strengthen the case for these Academic Recovery courses to become a common resource on campuses nationally. | 52 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 52 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational School: SOE Estefany Garcia - Teacher Education & Higher Education Destigmatizing Academic Recovery: A Study of Student Perceptions Participating in an Academic Recovery Course This study aims to examine the perceptions of students who have returned from academic suspension about an academic recovery course, ARS 120: Academic Connections in Education. The focus is on their feelings towards their academic probation status, their view of the ARS 120 course, and their academic outcome in the spring 2023 semester in order to destigmatize the process of Academic Recovery. The research will assess the students' response how they see themselves in during this process, examine how this impacts their academic outcomes and how Academic Recovery courses can address these perceptions to dispel the stigmas around academic probation and academic suspension. The findings will contribute to illuminating how Academic Recovery courses effectively support students' continued enrollment in higher education; alongside promoting Academic Recovery courses as a critical tool to support students in completing their degree. Beyond this, the intent of the research is to strengthen the case for these Academic Recovery courses to become a common resource on campuses nationally. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brad Johnson |
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| Tracy | Ginn | Business Administration | BSBE | Dr. | Brianna | Caza | Leah Grubb | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Scholarly | A Very COVID Christmas: A Qualitative Study | This study seeks to examine how Santas have had to adapt their business model to deal with the challenges brought on by the pandemic and what sets the more successful ones apart from the pack. Our qualitative study extends beyond the traditional study of gig workers and the platforms that they use for work. Impression management, a challenge for gig workers, is one way in which gig workers make meaning of their work. This holds true for Santas in the gig economy. We discovered that Santas self-organize into a caste system that impacts the types of gig opportunities that they are drawn to and for which their bids are accepted. This caste system further restricts the compensation levels that they are able to garner and affects the adaptations that they were likely to make during the pandemic. The observed adaptations by Santas could serve as a model for how gig workers, in general, have had to adapt to ever-changing market needs during the Covid crisis and beyond. | 53 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB-FY22-317 | Poster # 53 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Scholarly School: BSBE Tracy Ginn - Business Administration A Very COVID Christmas: A Qualitative Study This study seeks to examine how Santas have had to adapt their business model to deal with the challenges brought on by the pandemic and what sets the more successful ones apart from the pack. Our qualitative study extends beyond the traditional study of gig workers and the platforms that they use for work. Impression management, a challenge for gig workers, is one way in which gig workers make meaning of their work. This holds true for Santas in the gig economy. We discovered that Santas self-organize into a caste system that impacts the types of gig opportunities that they are drawn to and for which their bids are accepted. This caste system further restricts the compensation levels that they are able to garner and affects the adaptations that they were likely to make during the pandemic. The observed adaptations by Santas could serve as a model for how gig workers, in general, have had to adapt to ever-changing market needs during the Covid crisis and beyond. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brianna Caza |
| Jersha | Grinage | International Business | BSBE | Dr. | Vladislav | Maksimov | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Environmental | Preserving Belize Natural Resources with Tourism Conservation fee | Belize Natural Resources continues to be seen all over the world as a rich, lush and healthy environment. Maintaining this richness comes at a cost to the country and people of Belize. Because of this concern the Government of Belize implemented PACT known as the Protected Areas Conservation Trust in 1996. Today PACT generates their sustainability by collecting $3.75 US from visitors and 15% commission from cruise ship passenger fees. The Trust has grown from the initial $17,500 to over $10 million from these funds and also from financial agencies and partners. Currently the Trust protects 103 Protected Areas, 18 National Parks, 15 Bird & Wildlife Sanctuaries and 21 Forest & Natural Reserves. | 54 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 54 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Environmental School: BSBE Jersha Grinage - International Business Preserving Belize Natural Resources with Tourism Conservation fee Belize Natural Resources continues to be seen all over the world as a rich, lush and healthy environment. Maintaining this richness comes at a cost to the country and people of Belize. Because of this concern the Government of Belize implemented PACT known as the Protected Areas Conservation Trust in 1996. Today PACT generates their sustainability by collecting $3.75 US from visitors and 15% commission from cruise ship passenger fees. The Trust has grown from the initial $17,500 to over $10 million from these funds and also from financial agencies and partners. Currently the Trust protects 103 Protected Areas, 18 National Parks, 15 Bird & Wildlife Sanctuaries and 21 Forest & Natural Reserves. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Vladislav Maksimov |
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| Paula | Hernandez | Education | SOE | Dr. | Katherine | Mansfield | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | Making Sense of Higher Education Access for Undocumented Students in the US | Each year an estimated 98K undocumented youth graduate high school and are left in a state of limbo, depending on the state in which they reside. This is because each state develops and governs their own policies around access to public, postsecondary education. For the purposes of this study, access is defined in three relevant ways: Access to in-state tuition rates, access to financial aid, and access to obtaining a professional/occupational license. Many states ban undocumented youth from accessing these benefits, which can further complicate their future college career options. Research also finds that K-12 leaders (e.g., counselors) are often unaware of the intricacies of the policy language and/or how to help students navigate this difficult terrain. This research maps out a detailed overview of access to higher education and funding options for undocumented students in the United States with implications for future research. The research concludes by arguing that in addition to being confusing, these policies may inadvertently position students as less deserving of educational opportunity, depending upon where they reside. Documentation status should not impact college access. Rather, U.S. residents deserve the right to further their education and reach their full potential in a democratic society. | 55 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 55 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational School: SOE Paula Hernandez - Education Making Sense of Higher Education Access for Undocumented Students in the US Each year an estimated 98K undocumented youth graduate high school and are left in a state of limbo, depending on the state in which they reside. This is because each state develops and governs their own policies around access to public, postsecondary education. For the purposes of this study, access is defined in three relevant ways: Access to in-state tuition rates, access to financial aid, and access to obtaining a professional/occupational license. Many states ban undocumented youth from accessing these benefits, which can further complicate their future college career options. Research also finds that K-12 leaders (e.g., counselors) are often unaware of the intricacies of the policy language and/or how to help students navigate this difficult terrain. This research maps out a detailed overview of access to higher education and funding options for undocumented students in the United States with implications for future research. The research concludes by arguing that in addition to being confusing, these policies may inadvertently position students as less deserving of educational opportunity, depending upon where they reside. Documentation status should not impact college access. Rather, U.S. residents deserve the right to further their education and reach their full potential in a democratic society. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katherine Mansfield |
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| Lindsay | Jarvis | Psychology | CAS | Dr. | Stuart | Marcovitch | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Community Engagement | The Underrepresentation of the Appalachian People in Empirical Research | The issue being addressed is the lack of Appalachian representation in empirical research and interventions across disciplines including education, health, and psychology (McGarvey et al., 2010). Cultural and historical stereotypes like “rednecks”, “hillbillies,” “isolationists,” (Rock & Taber, 2020) and “feeble-minded” (Powell, 2012) induce societal discrimination and blinders restricting meaningful change and efficient funding for government assistance programs. This scholarship attempts to improve academics' lack of cultural sensitivity by engaging Appalachians in research. Researchers must be aware of the initial 1920s Eugenics Movement that involved seizing and sterilizing Appalachian children at the Lynchburg Colony to prevent the spread of feeble-mindedness (Powell, 2012); and that President Kennedy implemented social and economic reforms to advance Appalachian lives, but his assassination in 1963 halted the projects within the first stage (Eller, 2008). Haunted by past and present social injustices, Appalachians remain frozen in time, suffering from the nation’s highest poverty and lowest education rates (McGarvey et al., 2010). People should care about this because diversity and inclusion initiatives have achieved improvements and understanding for many people groups. Yet, failure to include Appalachians in research promotes exclusion, belittles hardships, and silences voices. Therefore, engaging and sympathizing with the Appalachians is the beginning of enacting change. | 56 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 56 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Community Engagement Lindsay Jarvis - Psychology School: CAS The Underrepresentation of the Appalachian People in Empirical Research The issue being addressed is the lack of Appalachian representation in empirical research and interventions across disciplines including education, health, and psychology (McGarvey et al., 2010). Cultural and historical stereotypes like “rednecks”, “hillbillies,” “isolationists,” (Rock & Taber, 2020) and “feeble-minded” (Powell, 2012) induce societal discrimination and blinders restricting meaningful change and efficient funding for government assistance programs. This scholarship attempts to improve academics' lack of cultural sensitivity by engaging Appalachians in research. Researchers must be aware of the initial 1920s Eugenics Movement that involved seizing and sterilizing Appalachian children at the Lynchburg Colony to prevent the spread of feeble-mindedness (Powell, 2012); and that President Kennedy implemented social and economic reforms to advance Appalachian lives, but his assassination in 1963 halted the projects within the first stage (Eller, 2008). Haunted by past and present social injustices, Appalachians remain frozen in time, suffering from the nation’s highest poverty and lowest education rates (McGarvey et al., 2010). People should care about this because diversity and inclusion initiatives have achieved improvements and understanding for many people groups. Yet, failure to include Appalachians in research promotes exclusion, belittles hardships, and silences voices. Therefore, engaging and sympathizing with the Appalachians is the beginning of enacting change. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stuart Marcovitch |
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| Tamera | Jones | Chemistry & Biochemistry | CAS | Dr. | Maia | Popova | Elizabeth Cieza, Rehnuma Ahmed, Dr. Justin M. Pratt | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | It’s a mixed bag: The experiences of marginalized women while pursuing doctoral degrees in chemistry | While marginalized women have been earning more doctoral degrees in chemistry than ever before, the proportion of women successfully earning doctoral degrees does not align with national population trends. Previous research has explored some of the negative experiences of marginalized women while pursuing doctorates in chemistry, primarily using quantitative approaches to capture experiences. This qualitative study aims to understand why women have these experiences. Marginalized domestic and international women participated in semi-structured interviews designed to explore their identities, reasons for completing their chemistry doctoral degree or why they left their programs, and other experiences related to desired support while in graduate school. Preliminary findings indicate that these women received more positive recognition than negative during their doctoral programs, especially related to research accomplishments. Despite this, some women still experience very problematic treatments: being tokenized by their departments, their accomplishments often downplayed by their peers because of their race, and their peers taking advantage of their abilities because of their gender. These experiences and preliminary implications for departments and advisors will be described. | 57 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY22-148 | Poster # 57 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational Tamera Jones - Chemistry & Biochemistry School: CAS It’s a mixed bag: The experiences of marginalized women while pursuing doctoral degrees in chemistry While marginalized women have been earning more doctoral degrees in chemistry than ever before, the proportion of women successfully earning doctoral degrees does not align with national population trends. Previous research has explored some of the negative experiences of marginalized women while pursuing doctorates in chemistry, primarily using quantitative approaches to capture experiences. This qualitative study aims to understand why women have these experiences. Marginalized domestic and international women participated in semi-structured interviews designed to explore their identities, reasons for completing their chemistry doctoral degree or why they left their programs, and other experiences related to desired support while in graduate school. Preliminary findings indicate that these women received more positive recognition than negative during their doctoral programs, especially related to research accomplishments. Despite this, some women still experience very problematic treatments: being tokenized by their departments, their accomplishments often downplayed by their peers because of their race, and their peers taking advantage of their abilities because of their gender. These experiences and preliminary implications for departments and advisors will be described. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maia Popova |
| Hayley | Liebenow | Psychology | CAS | Dr. | Brittany | Cassidy | Dr. Christopher Petsko | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Social | Characterizing Anti-Transgender Bias from a Person Perception Perspective | Anti-transgender bias is increasing in the United States. To best comprehend and combat anti-transgender bias, we must characterize how people think and reason about transgender individuals. Agency and communality are trait dimensions fundamental to perceiving people that are stereotypically linked with, respectively, masculinity and femininity. These gendered trait associations elicit expectations for how we think people should behave. We examined whether these stereotypic expectations extend from cisgender to transgender individuals given that transgender individuals are often degendered. We examined this question by assessing how people associate agentic and communal traits with both cisgender and transgender celebrities using the Implicit Association Task (IAT). We found that people took longer to make gender-incongruent than gender-congruent associations overall, which validated the use of this IAT. They also took longer to make responses about transgender than cisgender individuals. This difference positively related to people’s levels of anti-transgender bias as well as factors established as relating to anti-transgender bias (e.g., believing gender is not changeable). These findings suggest that people associate gendered traits with transgender individuals, but that the slower processing of these associations for transgender individuals may relate to their prejudice. | 58 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB-FY20-0371 | Poster # 58 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Social Hayley Liebenow - Psychology School: CAS Characterizing Anti-Transgender Bias from a Person Perception Perspective Anti-transgender bias is increasing in the United States. To best comprehend and combat anti-transgender bias, we must characterize how people think and reason about transgender individuals. Agency and communality are trait dimensions fundamental to perceiving people that are stereotypically linked with, respectively, masculinity and femininity. These gendered trait associations elicit expectations for how we think people should behave. We examined whether these stereotypic expectations extend from cisgender to transgender individuals given that transgender individuals are often degendered. We examined this question by assessing how people associate agentic and communal traits with both cisgender and transgender celebrities using the Implicit Association Task (IAT). We found that people took longer to make gender-incongruent than gender-congruent associations overall, which validated the use of this IAT. They also took longer to make responses about transgender than cisgender individuals. This difference positively related to people’s levels of anti-transgender bias as well as factors established as relating to anti-transgender bias (e.g., believing gender is not changeable). These findings suggest that people associate gendered traits with transgender individuals, but that the slower processing of these associations for transgender individuals may relate to their prejudice. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brittany Cassidy |
| Lance | Mabry | Business Administration - Management | BSBE | Dr. | Madelynn | Stackhouse | Dr. Lance Mabry, Justin Martino | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Scholarly | Internal Threats to Professional Identity: Striving to Avoid Inferiority Predicts Intention to Leave the Profession | Previous research has demonstrated that people sometimes distance themselves from groups which they belong when the group’s status is threatened. Yet, less is understood about how and why internal threats within groups (e.g., to status) shape the social identity and the dynamics that occur within an in-group context. We investigate how and why individuals distance themselves from in-group threats and expect striving to avoid inferiority plays a key role in intention to leave the group. We use physical therapy profession as a group exemplar, given the professions increase in doctorally-trained professionals and investigate those with lesser education status as an in-group status threat. Data for this study was collected via a Qualtrics survey with a final sample size of 972 subjects. As expected, striving to avoid inferiority was positively predictive of intention to leave the profession. We found that professional identification mediated this direct association. Finally, we found the relationship between professional identification and intent to leave was moderated by perceived professional rank such that lower levels of professional rank increased the negative relationship between professional identification and intent to leave. Limitations, strengths, and future research directions are discussed. | 59 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB-FY23-63 | Poster # 59 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Scholarly Lance Mabry - Business Administration - Management School: BSBE Internal Threats to Professional Identity: Striving to Avoid Inferiority Predicts Intention to Leave the Profession Previous research has demonstrated that people sometimes distance themselves from groups which they belong when the group’s status is threatened. Yet, less is understood about how and why internal threats within groups (e.g., to status) shape the social identity and the dynamics that occur within an in-group context. We investigate how and why individuals distance themselves from in-group threats and expect striving to avoid inferiority plays a key role in intention to leave the group. We use physical therapy profession as a group exemplar, given the professions increase in doctorally-trained professionals and investigate those with lesser education status as an in-group status threat. Data for this study was collected via a Qualtrics survey with a final sample size of 972 subjects. As expected, striving to avoid inferiority was positively predictive of intention to leave the profession. We found that professional identification mediated this direct association. Finally, we found the relationship between professional identification and intent to leave was moderated by perceived professional rank such that lower levels of professional rank increased the negative relationship between professional identification and intent to leave. Limitations, strengths, and future research directions are discussed. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Madelynn Stackhouse |
| Natasha | Monteith | Educational Research Methodology | SOE | Dr. | Sandra | Ayoo | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | Student Affairs Master’s Degree Preparatory Programs in the United States: Are They All Alike? | On every college campus there are a multitude of student services that do not come from faculty, these services usually fall into the realm of Student Affairs. In the early 1900’s student services shifted away from faculty and Student Affairs was born. This has become not only a job, but a profession where a majority of practitioners hold a Master’s degree. In this project, I will share a statistical breakdown of the Student Affairs preparatory Master’s degree programs in the United States through publicly accessible data. Through this breakdown, I will explore the similarities and differences amongst these preparatory programs and compare patterns in how their academic rigor may be in alignment or against stated professional standards. As the cost of Higher Education continues to rise in the United States, the preparation of Student Affairs practitioners is an important factor to ensure students are receiving their return on investment. This exploratory project is meant to bring about more questions for future research and will join in the ongoing conversation on the role Master’s degree preparatory programs play in defining who are Student Affairs practitioners. | 60 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 60 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational Natasha Monteith - Educational Research Methodology School: SOE Student Affairs Master’s Degree Preparatory Programs in the United States: Are They All Alike? On every college campus there are a multitude of student services that do not come from faculty, these services usually fall into the realm of Student Affairs. In the early 1900’s student services shifted away from faculty and Student Affairs was born. This has become not only a job, but a profession where a majority of practitioners hold a Master’s degree. In this project, I will share a statistical breakdown of the Student Affairs preparatory Master’s degree programs in the United States through publicly accessible data. Through this breakdown, I will explore the similarities and differences amongst these preparatory programs and compare patterns in how their academic rigor may be in alignment or against stated professional standards. As the cost of Higher Education continues to rise in the United States, the preparation of Student Affairs practitioners is an important factor to ensure students are receiving their return on investment. This exploratory project is meant to bring about more questions for future research and will join in the ongoing conversation on the role Master’s degree preparatory programs play in defining who are Student Affairs practitioners. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sandra Ayoo |
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| Malitšitso | Moteane | Educational Research Methodology | SOE | Dr. | Micheline | Chalhoub-Deville | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Scholarly | Race and ethnicity as variables in psychometric research | Race and ethnicity are often used as grouping variables in psychometric studies and offered as reasons for differences in performance on tests/scales despite the imprecise and highly contextual nature of racial and ethnic categories. This sequential explanatory mixed methods study examines the trends in the reporting of studies that use race and ethnicity as grouping variables and invites researchers to reflect on their conceptions of race and ethnicity and the implication of their interpretation and reporting of findings when used in forward citations. The findings of this study will provide guidelines and things to consider when using race and/or ethnicity as grouping variables in psychometric studies. | 61 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY23-349 | Poster # 61 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Scholarly Malitšitso Moteane - Educational Research Methodology School: SOE Race and ethnicity as variables in psychometric research Race and ethnicity are often used as grouping variables in psychometric studies and offered as reasons for differences in performance on tests/scales despite the imprecise and highly contextual nature of racial and ethnic categories. This sequential explanatory mixed methods study examines the trends in the reporting of studies that use race and ethnicity as grouping variables and invites researchers to reflect on their conceptions of race and ethnicity and the implication of their interpretation and reporting of findings when used in forward citations. The findings of this study will provide guidelines and things to consider when using race and/or ethnicity as grouping variables in psychometric studies. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Micheline Chalhoub-Deville |
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| Shourya | Negi | Human Development & Family Studies | HHS | Dr. | Esther | Leerkes | Dr. Kierra Sattler | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Social | Indirect Pathways from Sociodemographic Risk to Mothers’ Supportive Emotion Socialization via Psychological Distress and Social Co | We examined pathways by which sociodemographic disadvantage predicted mothers’ supportive emotion socialization in a 3-wave longitudinal study that followed 259 first-time mothers from pregnancy through 14-months postpartum. Expectant mothers reported their age, education, and income. Prior to the 6-month laboratory visit, mothers reported their depressive symptoms, difficulty regulating emotions, and trait positive and negative emotions. During the 6-month laboratory visit, mother-oriented cry processing (i.e., negative cognitions about crying) was assessed using a video-recall procedure. Supportive emotion socialization at 14 months was assessed based on observer-rated maternal sensitivity during two distress eliciting tasks and maternal reports. Consistent with prediction, the first indirect pathway from higher sociodemographic disadvantage to higher psychological distress to higher mother-oriented cry processing to lower supportive emotion socialization and the second indirect pathway from higher sociodemographic disadvantage to lower supportive emotional socialization through higher mother-oriented cry processing were significant. Over and above these indirect effects, higher sociodemographic disadvantage was directly associated with lower supportive emotion socialization. Psychological distress was not significantly directly associated with emotion socialization. These findings highlight the need of policies and interventions to provide financial assistance to the mothers experiencing sociodemographic disadvantage and to target their psychological wellbeing. | 62 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 62 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Social Shourya Negi - Human Development & Family Studies School: HHS Indirect Pathways from Sociodemographic Risk to Mothers’ Supportive Emotion Socialization via Psychological Distress and Social Co We examined pathways by which sociodemographic disadvantage predicted mothers’ supportive emotion socialization in a 3-wave longitudinal study that followed 259 first-time mothers from pregnancy through 14-months postpartum. Expectant mothers reported their age, education, and income. Prior to the 6-month laboratory visit, mothers reported their depressive symptoms, difficulty regulating emotions, and trait positive and negative emotions. During the 6-month laboratory visit, mother-oriented cry processing (i.e., negative cognitions about crying) was assessed using a video-recall procedure. Supportive emotion socialization at 14 months was assessed based on observer-rated maternal sensitivity during two distress eliciting tasks and maternal reports. Consistent with prediction, the first indirect pathway from higher sociodemographic disadvantage to higher psychological distress to higher mother-oriented cry processing to lower supportive emotion socialization and the second indirect pathway from higher sociodemographic disadvantage to lower supportive emotional socialization through higher mother-oriented cry processing were significant. Over and above these indirect effects, higher sociodemographic disadvantage was directly associated with lower supportive emotion socialization. Psychological distress was not significantly directly associated with emotion socialization. These findings highlight the need of policies and interventions to provide financial assistance to the mothers experiencing sociodemographic disadvantage and to target their psychological wellbeing. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Esther Leerkes |
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| Isi | Patterson | Sociology | CAS | Dr. | Ting | Wang | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Social | How Restorative Justice Supports Positive Youth Personal Narratives | In Restorative Justice, circle process is a tool to discuss the impact of a harmful action with all concerned parties. Circle allows for both harm-doer, the harmed, and community parties to share what they were thinking/feeling, how they were harmed, and what actions can be taken to prevent as well as repair harm done. A key aspect of circle process is storytelling, or allowing participants a chance to construct a coherent story of themselves and their involvement in the incident. In this study, youth participants in circle were asked for a personal narrative both before and after circle programs to search for narrative themes of desistance, or themes in stories linked to harm-doers stopping harmful actions. The study found narratives contained three of the five themes: generativity, or the act of reciprocating care to one's community by making amends, "tragic optimism," or the act of framing one's mistakes as necessary to one's growth and finding a silver lining to unfortunate events, and social embeddedness, or the feeling of connection to something greater than one's own self, such as wider community, nature, or religious/spiritual callings. | 63 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY22-647 | Poster # 63 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Social Isi Patterson - Sociology School: CAS How Restorative Justice Supports Positive Youth Personal Narratives In Restorative Justice, circle process is a tool to discuss the impact of a harmful action with all concerned parties. Circle allows for both harm-doer, the harmed, and community parties to share what they were thinking/feeling, how they were harmed, and what actions can be taken to prevent as well as repair harm done. A key aspect of circle process is storytelling, or allowing participants a chance to construct a coherent story of themselves and their involvement in the incident. In this study, youth participants in circle were asked for a personal narrative both before and after circle programs to search for narrative themes of desistance, or themes in stories linked to harm-doers stopping harmful actions. The study found narratives contained three of the five themes: generativity, or the act of reciprocating care to one's community by making amends, "tragic optimism," or the act of framing one's mistakes as necessary to one's growth and finding a silver lining to unfortunate events, and social embeddedness, or the feeling of connection to something greater than one's own self, such as wider community, nature, or religious/spiritual callings. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ting Wang |
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| Talia | Paz | Library & Information Science | SOE | Prof. | Fatih | Oguz | Andrew Ward | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | Coping strategies of online students during the pandemic | The aim of our research was to explore how online Master of Library Science (MLIS) students coped with the challenges they experienced during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2021 to May 2022. The study fills an important gap in related subject literature by bringing in student voices. The findings of the study should have implications for how online learning environments can support online MLIS students during emotionally difficult environments. | 64 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY22-538 - exempt | Poster # 64 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational School: SOE Talia Paz - Library & Information Science Coping strategies of online students during the pandemic The aim of our research was to explore how online Master of Library Science (MLIS) students coped with the challenges they experienced during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2021 to May 2022. The study fills an important gap in related subject literature by bringing in student voices. The findings of the study should have implications for how online learning environments can support online MLIS students during emotionally difficult environments. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Fatih Oguz |
| Sebastian | Prandoni | Social Work | HHS | Dr. | Kelly J. | Poole | Dr. G. Gowdy, Dr. C. Monico | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Societal | Odonnel v. Harris County, Texas: a look at discriminatory impact of US wealth-based detention system | Background: The size and demographic make-up of the present day prison population in the United States (US) highlights a prevalent theme in the US criminal justice system characterized by systemic racism and predatory policy. A failure to depart from the prevailing discourse of austerity and taxpayer protection has left many prison reform efforts to be only marginally effective. Substance abuse, mental health, and immigration issues inform a societal need for transformational justice reform. Objective: This project will focus on the wealth-based detention model in the criminal justice system of the United States. The project will review the history of the procedural landscape which paved the way for the current wealth-based detention model. The project aims to highlight the generational, disproportionate impact of the due-process of bail on pre-trial detention rates of minoritized, indigent, misdemeanor defendants. Method: This study utilizes the lawsuit of Odonnel v. Harris County to examine the efficacy of utilizing a procedural due process model to address bail reform. The analysis centers around the resulting costs of a US social control model reliant on penal justice. Results: The project will include an assessment of whether the decree was successful in meeting established goals and how they line up with the current push towards a restorative justice model for social control. Background: The size and demographic make-up of the present day prison population in the United States (US) highlights a prevalent theme in the US criminal justice system characterized by systemic racism and predatory policy. A failure to depart from the prevailing discourse of austerity and taxpayer protection has left many prison reform efforts to be only marginally effective. Substance abuse, mental health, and immigration issues inform a societal need for transformational justice reform. Objective: This project will focus on the wealth-based detention model in the criminal justice system of the United States. The project will review the history of the procedural landscape which paved the way for the current wealth-based detention model. The project aims to highlight the generational, disproportionate impact of the due-process of bail on pre-trial detention rates of minoritized, indigent, misdemeanor defendants. Method: This study utilizes the lawsuit of Odonnel v. Harris County to examine the efficacy of utilizing a procedural due process model to address bail reform. The analysis centers around the resulting costs of a US social control model reliant on penal justice. Results: The project will include an assessment of whether the decree was successful in meeting established goals and how they line up with the current push towards a restorative justice model for social control. | 65 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 65 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Societal Sebastian Prandoni - Social Work School: HHS Odonnel v. Harris County, Texas: a look at discriminatory impact of US wealth-based detention system "Background: The size and demographic make-up of the present day prison population in the United States (US) highlights a prevalent theme in the US criminal justice system characterized by systemic racism and predatory policy. A failure to depart from the prevailing discourse of austerity and taxpayer protection has left many prison reform efforts to be only marginally effective. Substance abuse, mental health, and immigration issues inform a societal need for transformational justice reform. Objective: This project will focus on the wealth-based detention model in the criminal justice system of the United States. The project will review the history of the procedural landscape which paved the way for the current wealth-based detention model. The project aims to highlight the generational, disproportionate impact of the due-process of bail on pre-trial detention rates of minoritized, indigent, misdemeanor defendants. Method: This study utilizes the lawsuit of Odonnel v. Harris County to examine the efficacy of utilizing a procedural due process model to address bail reform. The analysis centers around the resulting costs of a US social control model reliant on penal justice. Results: The project will include an assessment of whether the decree was successful in meeting established goals and how they line up with the current push towards a restorative justice model for social control. Background: The size and demographic make-up of the present day prison population in the United States (US) highlights a prevalent theme in the US criminal justice system characterized by systemic racism and predatory policy. A failure to depart from the prevailing discourse of austerity and taxpayer protection has left many prison reform efforts to be only marginally effective. Substance abuse, mental health, and immigration issues inform a societal need for transformational justice reform. Objective: This project will focus on the wealth-based detention model in the criminal justice system of the United States. The project will review the history of the procedural landscape which paved the way for the current wealth-based detention model. The project aims to highlight the generational, disproportionate impact of the due-process of bail on pre-trial detention rates of minoritized, indigent, misdemeanor defendants. Method: This study utilizes the lawsuit of Odonnel v. Harris County to examine the efficacy of utilizing a procedural due process model to address bail reform. The analysis centers around the resulting costs of a US social control model reliant on penal justice. Results: The project will include an assessment of whether the decree was successful in meeting established goals and how they line up with the current push towards a restorative justice model for social control. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kelly J. Poole |
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| Keiana | Price | Psychology | CAS | Dr. | Jasmine | DeJesus | Dr. Shaylene E. Nancekivell | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Social | Living In A Digital World: Children’s Reasoning About How Social History Influences the Value of Digital and Physical Possessions | For children as young as 6 years old, digital media has become an essential component of daily life, including socialization, entertainment, and school. For example, as of June 2021, Minecraft had 126 million monthly users between age 6 and 12. However, little is known about the personal or emotional value children place on digital objects. In two studies, we examined how collaborative experiences related to creating physical and virtual objects influence children’s value judgments. We focus on social histories because they are likely a common way objects gain value in the digital world and in children’s lives. In Study 1, we examine whether collaborating on creating an object in physical and digital settings influences children’s thinking about how much an object is liked or is special to its owner. In Study 2, we examine how the quality of social relationships influences how children reason about the value of co-created digital objects. Children were asked to judge how special and how likable several objects are on a 10-point Likert scale. These studies demonstrate a new way in which children look beyond the immediately perceptible to reason about the world around them (e.g., Kushnir et al., 2008; Nancekivell et al., 2013). | 66 | 1:00-2:00 | IRB-FY21-211 | Poster # 66 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Social Keiana Price - Psychology School: CAS Living In A Digital World: Children’s Reasoning About How Social History Influences the Value of Digital and Physical Possessions For children as young as 6 years old, digital media has become an essential component of daily life, including socialization, entertainment, and school. For example, as of June 2021, Minecraft had 126 million monthly users between age 6 and 12. However, little is known about the personal or emotional value children place on digital objects. In two studies, we examined how collaborative experiences related to creating physical and virtual objects influence children’s value judgments. We focus on social histories because they are likely a common way objects gain value in the digital world and in children’s lives. In Study 1, we examine whether collaborating on creating an object in physical and digital settings influences children’s thinking about how much an object is liked or is special to its owner. In Study 2, we examine how the quality of social relationships influences how children reason about the value of co-created digital objects. Children were asked to judge how special and how likable several objects are on a 10-point Likert scale. These studies demonstrate a new way in which children look beyond the immediately perceptible to reason about the world around them (e.g., Kushnir et al., 2008; Nancekivell et al., 2013). Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jasmine DeJesus |
| Scarlett | Ruppert | Public Health Education | HHS | Dr. | GracieLee | Weaver | Bill Hanson, Minhaz Tabassum, Stephen Hebbard | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Health and/or Safety | Understanding Opioid Misuse in the Workplace | Workers in industries with high rates of opioid dispensing as well as those with high rates of non-fatal work-related injuries are at greater risk for opioid misuse, which can lead to addiction, overdoes, or death. In addition to the risks posed by injury and opioid dispensing, other workplace factors are thought to play a role in substance misuse among employees such as exposure to safety concerns, long working hours, and low job control and autonomy. Using cross-sectional data collected from 941 healthcare workers, this study examines a conceptual model for opioid misuse among workers in an industry at risk for work-related injury and opioid dispensing. Regression results showed significant effects of Beliefs, Behavioral Control, Social Norms, Injunctive Norms, and Knowledge on intentions to use prescription opioids for pain management, but workplace related variables were not significant regarding opioid use. A second regression model however, showed that these workplace related variables did have a significant effect on opioid prescription misuse. Future research should explore additional workplace factors that could be associated with risks for opioid misuse. Findings from this study could be used to inform future interventions on opioid misuse among employee populations. | 67 | 2:00-3:00 | Poster # 67 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Health and/or Safety Scarlett Ruppert - Public Health Education School: HHS Understanding Opioid Misuse in the Workplace Workers in industries with high rates of opioid dispensing as well as those with high rates of non-fatal work-related injuries are at greater risk for opioid misuse, which can lead to addiction, overdoes, or death. In addition to the risks posed by injury and opioid dispensing, other workplace factors are thought to play a role in substance misuse among employees such as exposure to safety concerns, long working hours, and low job control and autonomy. Using cross-sectional data collected from 941 healthcare workers, this study examines a conceptual model for opioid misuse among workers in an industry at risk for work-related injury and opioid dispensing. Regression results showed significant effects of Beliefs, Behavioral Control, Social Norms, Injunctive Norms, and Knowledge on intentions to use prescription opioids for pain management, but workplace related variables were not significant regarding opioid use. A second regression model however, showed that these workplace related variables did have a significant effect on opioid prescription misuse. Future research should explore additional workplace factors that could be associated with risks for opioid misuse. Findings from this study could be used to inform future interventions on opioid misuse among employee populations. Faculty Mentor: Dr. GracieLee Weaver |
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| Md. Hasan | Sheikh | Consumer, Apparel, & Retail Studies | BSBE | Dr. | Jin | Su | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Social | Consumer Perceived Value of Circular Apparel | Sustainability is a crucial driver of innovation in the global apparel industry. The circular apparel business model transfers the apparel industry by implementing the closed-loop process to make sustainable products, including responsible apparel production, consumption, and recycling. Despite the rapidly increased attention from consumers about apparel sustainability issues, consumer perceived value of circular apparel was not examined systematically in the literature. This study uses a systematic literature review approach, and it epistemologically reviews the literature on consumer behavior toward circular apparel. Understanding consumers’ perceptions of circular apparel and identifying the different dimensions of consumer perceived value of circular apparel provide theoretical implications to the literature and managerial implications to apparel and retail industry practitioners. | 68 | 1:00-2:00 | Poster # 68 Hour: 1:00-2:00 Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Social Md. Hasan Sheikh - Consumer, Apparel, & Retail Studies School: BSBE Consumer Perceived Value of Circular Apparel Sustainability is a crucial driver of innovation in the global apparel industry. The circular apparel business model transfers the apparel industry by implementing the closed-loop process to make sustainable products, including responsible apparel production, consumption, and recycling. Despite the rapidly increased attention from consumers about apparel sustainability issues, consumer perceived value of circular apparel was not examined systematically in the literature. This study uses a systematic literature review approach, and it epistemologically reviews the literature on consumer behavior toward circular apparel. Understanding consumers’ perceptions of circular apparel and identifying the different dimensions of consumer perceived value of circular apparel provide theoretical implications to the literature and managerial implications to apparel and retail industry practitioners. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jin Su |
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| Amber | Westover | Human Development & Family Studies | HHS | Dr. | Jennifer | Coffman | Olivia K. Cook | Social Sciences, Education, & Business | Educational | The ABCs and Memory: How Kindergarten Teachers are Supporting Early Memory Development | During elementary school, children exhibit growth in numerous cognitive abilities including their early memory skills (Ornstein et al., 2006). They learn to actively and effectively use strategies while working to remember information (e.g., grouping similar items while trying to memorize a list of words; Kron-Sperl et al., 2008). However, observations of classrooms have shown that teachers spend little time explicitly teaching children about memory strategies (Moely et al. 1992). Recent work has demonstrated that teachers are supporting memory development through memory-focused instructional language (called Cognitive Processing Language or CPL; Coffman & Cook, 2021); when first grade teachers used higher levels of CPL, students were more strategic in their memory behaviors at the end of the year (Coffman et al., 2008). However, to date no studies have looked at how this type of memory-rich language may support memory development in kindergarten. In this study, we found that children exposed to more Cognitive Processing Language in kindergarten had higher strategic memory scores at the end of first grade and developed these skills at a faster rate. These findings suggest that by using memory-rich language, kindergarten teachers may support children’s early memory skills both during kindergarten and into subsequent school years. | 69 | 2:00-3:00 | IRB-FY17-0448 | Poster # 69 Hour: 2:00-3:00 Category: Social Sciences, Education, & Business Community Impact: Educational Amber Westover - Human Development & Family Studies School: HHS The ABCs and Memory: How Kindergarten Teachers are Supporting Early Memory Development During elementary school, children exhibit growth in numerous cognitive abilities including their early memory skills (Ornstein et al., 2006). They learn to actively and effectively use strategies while working to remember information (e.g., grouping similar items while trying to memorize a list of words; Kron-Sperl et al., 2008). However, observations of classrooms have shown that teachers spend little time explicitly teaching children about memory strategies (Moely et al. 1992). Recent work has demonstrated that teachers are supporting memory development through memory-focused instructional language (called Cognitive Processing Language or CPL; Coffman & Cook, 2021); when first grade teachers used higher levels of CPL, students were more strategic in their memory behaviors at the end of the year (Coffman et al., 2008). However, to date no studies have looked at how this type of memory-rich language may support memory development in kindergarten. In this study, we found that children exposed to more Cognitive Processing Language in kindergarten had higher strategic memory scores at the end of first grade and developed these skills at a faster rate. These findings suggest that by using memory-rich language, kindergarten teachers may support children’s early memory skills both during kindergarten and into subsequent school years. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Coffman |
