Digital Commons Network^™

Bringing Yeast Evolution To The Craft Academy, Rebecca L. Bailey, Roger Love, Melissa A. Mefford, Hannah O'Brien, Gabriella Ostrander, Kaylee Poink

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Antifungal resistance, like antibiotic resistance, is a growing health concern. With the increase of immunocompromised patients, as well as advances made in hospital methodologies, antifungal resistance is becoming an increasingly greater threat. Experimental evolution in the laboratory coupled with genome sequencing can identify rare, spontaneous mutations caused by selective pressure that allow for fungi to survive and reproduce in antifungal environments.

Utilizing Telehealth For Post-Stroke In-Hospital Monitoring And Evaluation, Chelsea Green

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

This post-stroke telehealth capstone project intends to discover and implement a telehealth program designed to enhance the care and outcomes of post-stroke patients being treated at Hospital A. After a stroke, patients often face challenges in recovery. Care providers are often stretched thin and have difficulty completing post-stroke monitoring requirements such as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Level of Consciousness (LOC), Glascow Coma Scale (GCS), and other assessments needed by these acutely ill patients at specific intervals. This project seeks to leverage telehealth technology to provide remote monitoring, identification of deficits, and beginning in hospital rehabilitation, ensuring that …

Implementation Of Drug-Assisted Intubation With An Advanced Airway, Tracy Paige Caird

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Advanced airway management is a crucial aspect of caring for critically ill patients. Advanced airways refer to techniques used to maintain an open airway. Examples include endotracheal intubation and nasotracheal intubation. Often, during intubation, you find yourself in an emergency situation and have medications that the doctor or advanced practitioner instructs you to retrieve from the Pyxis (automated medication dispensing station). These medications, such as atropine, lidocaine, and fentanyl, are commonly used to premedicate your patient. Rushing to the Pyxis to obtain these medications consumes valuable time. Each minute of hypoxia results in your brain losing essential oxygen.

Leadership Initiatives: International Public Health Internship, Jayden Bradley, Alana Campbell, Paisley Cooke, Aime Ensenat-Pena, Mindy Highley, Jacob Holbrook, Roger Love, Keira Patton

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Preventing Workplace Violence In Nursing: Strategies For A Safer Healthcare Environment, Annalee Mt. Dennison

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

According to The National Library of Medicine (NLM,2021), Approximately 25% of registered nurses report being physically assaulted by a patient or family member, while over 50% reported exposure to verbal abuse or bullying in the United States Healthcare System. Hospitals must act now by implementing better advocacy and staff training. QSEN principals are the foundation to quality improvement research and implementation with the hospital. Safety and evidence-based practice highlights the improvement needed to make a change in workplace violence.

Plowing Through Struggles: Understanding Mental Health Challenges In Farmers, Emily Cobb

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Growing up around agriculture and within the industry, it has allowed me to see many perspectives of life. One aspect that is not nearly discussed enough is the mental health toll farmers experience due to their grueling occupation. They experience the pressure of fluctuating commodity prices, isolation, financial instability, and working long hours. This project aims to explore the mental health that farmers face, investigate the underlying factors, and assess the support systems available to them. Highlighting the issues will raise awareness, advocate for resources in rural areas, reduce stigma, ensure the farmers have the support needed to navigate their …

Pediatric End-Of-Life Care: Communication Quality Project, Kailey Johnson

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

My chosen Capstone project topic is pediatric end of life care as a quality problem in health care. As I have researched, there was a study conducted about advanced cancer pediatric patients. It stated, “A study of children with advanced cancer revealed that 48% had pain, 46% fatigue, and 37% irritability. In addition, many bereaved (and nonbereaved) parents experience psychological distress, poor health behaviors, work impairment and financial hardship.” (Johnston, 2017) I chose this topic because of the hospice population I have begun to work with and my passion for pediatric healthcare. As you may know, the word hospice is …

Does Childhood Exposure To Substance Use Correlate To Adult Substance Use?, Hannah Jones, Monica Himes

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Children who have grown up around parents or caregivers who use substances face hardships, attachment issues, trauma, and genetics that may cause future use of substances. Twenty-five to seventy-five percent of substance abusers have experienced trauma or abuse (Carmona, 2022). Many studies showed the awareness of parental substance abuse and how it affects their children. The focus of this study is to bring awareness to how substance abuse affects children. It may lead to future substance use or mental health concerns.

Healing Through Nature: The Impact Of Light And Trees As Non- Pharmacological Interventions In Hospital Patient Care, Amanda Ann Isele

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

While in the clinical setting I observed that medications can only go so far (effectiveness, time between doses, and effects of the drugs), and the need for a nonpharmacological approach to improve patient outcomes. While researching the benefits of changing the patients’ environment with lighting, and trees I realized that this would also reduce nurse burnout. • Using the QSEN principles of evidence based practices and quality improvement to guide my approach, I researched natural light, light therapy, and trees to improve patient outcomes and the effects on nurses. • Studies show that natural light, light therapy, and exposure to …

Facing The Silence: Addressing Nurse Abuse In Emergency Departments, Jodi Perkins

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Nurse abuse in emergency departments (EDs) is an escalating concern that jeopardizes both the safety of healthcare professionals and the quality of patient care. The unique and high-pressure environment of the ED, characterized by unpredictable patient volumes, long wait times, and the presence of individuals in crisis, creates a fertile ground for aggressive behavior. Studies have shown that nurses are frequently subjected to various forms of abuse, including verbal harassment, physical assaults, and psychological intimidation, all of which can lead to significant emotional and professional repercussions. • Recent research indicates that a staggering percentage of ED nurses experience workplace violence, …

The Undertreatment Of Pain In Women, Abigail R. Schultz

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Pain is a prevalent reason for patients to seek medical care. Despite a high incidence of pain conditions, there is evidence suggesting that women, in particular, experience undertreatment of pain. The undertreatment of pain in women can contribute to long-term negative health effects and physical suffering. • The QSEN principles are the foundation to quality improvement research and implementation. Within this project, patient-centered care, safety, and evidence-based practice are incorporated to highlight the key focus of the need for women’s health advocacy and pain management

Religion/Spirituality And Substance Use, Jaiden Mckenzie, Monica Himes

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The purpose of this study was to see if there is a significant correlation between a person’s religion or spirituality and their use of substances. In this study, substances can be considered alcohol, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, acid, tobacco/ nicotine, and any other unprescribed substance. • The Research Question for this study was: Does religion/ spirituality affect the use of substances? • The Hypothesis for this study was: Someone who is religiously or spiritually affiliated is less likely to use substances than someone who isn’t religiously or spiritually affiliated

First Generation College Students: Challenges And Rewards, Tabitha Houston, Jennifer Mcwhorter, Lynn Geurin

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

First-generation college students are defined as those whose parents do not hold a bachelor's degree or higher. • There is a 73% higher dropout rate among first generation college students compared to their peers from legacy families (Davis, 2024). • Key factors impacting first-generation students include self-image, academic performance, and financial security (Flynn & Macleod, 2015). • Lack of sufficient support can lead to serious mental health problems for first-generation students (Johnson & Riley, 2021). • Academic programs specifically designed for first generation students have been shown to increase retention and graduation rates (Katrevich & Arguete, 2017). • A study …

Detection Of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes In Bacteria Collected From The Triplett Creek Watershed, Heavenly Mays, Emily Morgan, Geoffrey W. Gearner

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Ongoing research in the Triplett Creek Watershed (TCW) focuses on assessing water quality and monitoring bacterial contamination. The spring 2024 sampling efforts aimed to evaluate bacterial density and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across multiple sites. To screen for AMR in bacteria, the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used. A total of 35 bacterial isolates were tested against multiple antibiotics. This revealed 26 isolates were resistant to Erythromycin, 32 isolates were resistant to Clindamycin, 2 isolates were resistant to Colistin, 7 isolates were resistant to Ampicillin, 4 isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid, 2 isolates were resistant to tetracycline, 3 …

Systemic Strain: Evaluating The Effects Of The Opioid Crisis On Social Service And Treatment Agencies In Appalachian Kentucky, Alma Selina Moreno, Monica Himes

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The opioid epidemic has caused profound and lasting damage to communities all around America, with rural areas like Appalachian Kentucky experiencing disproportionate harm. Due to a lack of resources and transportation options, as well as workforce shortages and pervasive stigma related to substance use disorder, social service and treatment networks in these regions are overwhelmed (Hansen & Netherland, 2016; Keyes et al., 2014). This study examines the longer-term impacts of the opioid epidemic on social service and treatment agencies in Appalachian Kentucky. Data were collected via an online survey (n=73) of social service providers in the region. The study's findings …

Comparative Analysis Of R-Cards And Idexx Quanti-Tray/2000 For The Detection And Enumeration Of Bacteria In Environmental Water Samples, Heavenly Mays, Emily Morgan, Geoffrey W. Gearner

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The Kentucky Watershed Watch program, a non-profit that relies on the help of volunteers, trains Kentucky residents on proper analytical procedures needed to assess waterways near their homes. Volunteers can deliver samples to established labs for bacterial analysis or independently test sample sites’ pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, and Escherichia coli levels. One of the ways the Watershed Watch program analyzes water quality is by using R-Cards, sample cards that contain a chromogenic medium useful for detecting and enumerating E. coli. These cards cost $1 each and are quite simple to set up, whereby one mL of sample site water …

Tiny Earth: The Identification Of Antibiotic-Producing Bacteria From Soil Samples, Joe Reader, Ava Reed, Aiden Wagenlander, Geoffrey Gearner

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Tiny Earth is a nationwide undergraduate student-sourced antibiotic discovery project. Antimicrobial resistance exhibited by pathogenic bacteria has become a significant concern in public health, especially with a group of six bacteria called the ESKAPE pathogens. This project aims to isolate soil bacteria from the local environment and determine if they produce antibiotics when co-cultured with ESKAPE bacteria. Extracts of soil samples collected from the grounds surrounding Lappin Hall were plated on tryptic soy agar (TSA) medium containing amphotericin B (which inhibits fungal growth) and then incubated for a few days at room temperature. Emergent colonies of the cultures were then …

Expectation Vs Reality: Attempting To Circularize Ch. Iv In Yeast Resulted In A Ch. Iv-Ii Fusion, Dylan R. Carroll, Blake D. Hoover, Megan S. Shirley, Adelyn J. Weaver, Mark T. Wilson, Melissa A. Mefford

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Chromosomes are structures that transmit genetic information from one cell to another during cell division • Eukaryotes, like humans, have linear chromosomes containing ends called telomeres that act as buffers to protect the genome • Loss of telomere sequences is associated with aging, and the activation of the enzyme telomerase is correlated with most cancers • Question: Why do eukaryotes have linear chromosomes?

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Emotional Well-Being And Addiction, Joshua Croucher, James Allen Pauley-Baker, Lynn Geurin

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction, such as domestic violence, parental addiction, and mental health issues (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). ▪ Most adults (60%) have experienced at least one ACE per lifetime in the United States. ▪ Rates in Kentucky are high with 64% of the population having a history of multiple ACEs (Kentucky Department for Public Health, 2016). ▪ Research links ACEs to increased risks of mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety) and substance use disorders in adulthood (Kobrinsky & Siedlecki, 2023; Lu et al., 2007; He et al., 2022).

The Impact Of Family Centered Care In Healthcare, Shalyn West

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Family-Centered Care (FCC) is a cornerstone to healthcare that promotes engageFamily-centered carement with families by fostering a respectful relationship and improving the line of communication between staff and families. However, its prioritzation is waning, leading to diminished patient and family satisfaction and increasing nurse burnnout. This project is meant to highlight the importance of FCC to increase patient safety/satisfaction and reduce nurse burnout to better improve the healthcare system as whole. Nurses are experiencing negative attitudes towards FCC, but these feelings are causing a separation between patient families and hospital staff. This creates a strained communication, jeopordizing patient well-being. As …

Environmental And Social Determinants Of Gastrointestinal Cancer In Eastern Kentucky, J.D. Berry, Leah Wells, Dylan Williams, Timothy Hare

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

This study aims to answer the research question: What health behaviors and other factors affect diet and contribute to disproportionately high rates of gastrointestinal cancer in Appalachian Eastern Kentucky? Gastrointestinal cancers and nutrition are closely linked, and certain eating habits increase the risk of these diseases. These patterns are even more complicated in Appalachia, where environmental and social challenges shape how people eat and live. This work explores addresses food deserts, educational disparities, economic hardship, and healthcare access

Evaluation Of Cutting Sizes And Sticking Cutting Times On Propagation Of Rosemary, Emma R. Miller, Emily B. Cobb, Alyssa F. Covell, Mary H. Jackson, Mollie K. Mayabb, Ace B. Shelby, Leo Shelby, Seaanna G. Skinner, Madeline Walsh, Ricky C. Young, Amy S. Collick, Alireza Rahemi

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a well-known culinary and medicinal herb in the Lamiaceae family, which is native to the Mediterranean area. It is a source of antioxidants and has several benefits for the body's health, such as antiinflammatory, anti-fungal activity, anti-aging, and support of the digestive system. Rosemary has several habit types: trailing, creeping, and upright; its flowers can be blue, violet, pink, or white. It could be propagated by seeds or by vegetative methods. Seedlings can show a high level of genetic diversity; therefore, vegetative propagation is used to keep the mother traits of the cultivars. One of the …

The Power Of Bedside Shift Report: The Implementation And Effectiveness Of Patient-Centered Care, Emily Byrd

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The purpose of this project is to implement bedside shift report (BSR) and demonstrate its effectiveness in improving patient care outcomes. Currently, Hospital X lacks BSR, missing a crucial opportunity to enhance patient safety, communication, and overall quality of care. Evidence-based practice (EBP) supports BSR as the gold standard in patient handoff, showing its ability to reduce medical errors, increase patient satisfaction, and improve assessments for patient care. This project aligns with the QSEN principles as guiding objectives, ensuring that its implementation prioritizes patient-centered care, teamwork, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and safety. By integrating BSR, this project aims to elevate …

Captivating Title Reflecting The Essence Of Your Capstone Project, Audrey Newman

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The core aspect of nursing professionalism unites knowledge application with ethical standards and professional conduct guidelines through efficient communication methods. Healthcare outcomes improve when professional conduct builds patient trust and directs ethical decisions to meet patient care standards. This project shows its value through the direct connection between nursing professionalism and improved patient outcomes. Professional nursing practice develops patient trust because it leads to fewer medical errors and better communication while fostering an ethical culture focused on safety. This project aims to fill professional practice gaps through the study of educational approaches, workplace culture dynamics, and ethical standards that affect …

Economics Of Swine Production: A Case Study At Morehead State University's Derrickson Agricultural Complex, Caroline Adkins, Allie Dick, Vijay Subramaniam

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Morehead State University's Derrickson Agricultural Complex (DAC) offers students hands-on experience in livestock management and classroom learning. The swine program focuses on efficient production, herd health management, and sustainable feeding practices. It emphasizes three stages of piglet development: farrowing, weaning, and finishing. The DAC conducts research on economic sustainability and profitability of swine production, refining management strategies, and optimizing herd performance. These efforts align with Morehead State University's mission to promote innovation and best practices in modern livestock production.

Impacts Of Business Management Literacy On A Small Business In A Developing Third World Country, Lisa Abrampah, Amberlee Bailey, Prince Boateng, Jordan Richmond, Dylan Williams

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

This project investigates the importance of cultural empathy, practical business strategies, and effective leadership in the context of global business development. By integrating these elements, the project aims to address the unique challenges faced by a small business in Bauchi State, Nigeria, offering targeted support in areas like marketing and financial management. Students involved in the project engaged in monthly, culturally informed interactions with the business owner, adapting their strategies in real-time based on ongoing feedback and research into effective business management in similar contexts. The research highlights a small welding business in Bauchi State, Nigeria, a region that faces …

Do Individuals With Mental Illness Engage In More Violence Than Others?, Kaley E. Rajewski

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The stigma of mental illness that remains prevalent in our society has direct ties to the idea that mental illness and violence are interrelated. Regardless of data, the public perception of mental illness can and does include a preconceived notion of violent tendencies. Research has examined why these perceptions exist and whether they are valid. Research has evaluated various groups from both the general public and groups of individuals suffering from various levels of mental illness. Examinations in the public perception included location, age, economic status, sex, and race. Examinations in the mental health field evaluated different types of mental …

April 16, 2025 Blazer Weekly, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

Blazer Weekly (student newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Sjsu Erfa Board Minutes, March 3, 2025, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

SJSU ERFA Minutes

SJSU ERFA Executive Board Minutes

March 3, 2025

Interrelationships Of Maternal Characteristics In Hair Sheep, Rachel Bell, Alyssa Howard, Rickalyn Rayburn, Elena Verdecchia, Madison Werner, Flint Harrelson, Patricia Harrelson

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Since the spring of 2022, the MSU sheep flock has been an Innovation Flock for the Sheep GEMS project, led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The GEMS project is a multi-breed, national project evaluating longevity of ewes within flocks. Our part as a participant in the project involves collecting and sending raw data which is compiled into 1 very large data set. The research discussed here uses our preliminary data from the 2022 through 2025 lambing seasons collected from our Katahdin ewes (n = 57; 1-6 years of age). Collected data included fecal egg count (FEC), body condition scoring (BCS), …