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Osmosis Magazine - Fall 2024

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Interview With Dr. Knouse, Paxton Mills

Osmosis Magazine

Dr. Laura Knouse, Professor of Psychology and Faculty Director of the Richmond Scholars Program, came to the University of Richmond from Carlisle, Pennsylvania as an undergraduate student. At UR, she obtained a B.S. in psychology and went on to receive her PhD in clinical psychology at UNC Greensboro. Her studies then took her to Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School for a clinical internship and her post-doc. After continuing her education up and down the east coast, Dr. Knouse gravitated back towards Richmond, where she now lives and works at the very university she attended.

Letter To The Editor, Andrew Watts

Osmosis Magazine

Dear Reader,

Thank you for opening Osmosis Magazine. We are excited to bring you more accessible, intriguing stories in science and technology spanning the disciplines of chemistry, environmental science, psychology, and mathematics. In addition to this edition’s science articles, we are excited to introduce faculty interviews, which chronicle select faculty members’ journeys into science and some of their passions outside of it. Our goal as a magazine is to share the joy of science with the UR community in an accessible and entertaining fashion. We hope that you enjoy reading this Fall edition of Osmosis Magazine.

Happy reading, Andrew Watts …

Osmosis Magazine - Spring 2024

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

A Phase I/Ii Trial Of Avelumab Combinations With Ivuxolimab, Utomilumab, And Radiation Therapy In Patients With Advanced Gastrointestinal Malignancies, Jibran Ahmed, Anne Knisely, Carlos Torrado, Bettzy Stephen, Yali Yang, Juhee Song, Anas Alshawa, Abdulrazzak Zarifa, Anuja Jhingran, Eugene J Koay, Van Karlyle Morris, Milind Javle, Robert A Wolff, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Shubham Pant, Jordi Rodon, Aung Naing

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Checkpoint agonists utomilumab (4-1BB agonist) and ivuxolimab (OX40 agonist) enhance Teffector cell function. Preclinical studies suggest that combining these drugs with avelumab (anti-PD-L1 antibody) can potentially synergize this effect. In addition, tissue abscopal effects of radiation therapy may improve antigen presentation, complementing PD-L1 blockade. We conducted a single institution, open-label, multi-arm, non-randomized, phase 1/2 clinical trial of avelumab in combination with ivuxolimab, with or without utomilumab, and radiation therapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. Herein, we present a subgroup analysis in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) tumors (pancreatic, colon, gastric, and hepatocellular).

Methods: The primary objectives of this study …

Impact Of Acute Stress On Circadian Rhythm Regulation Of Locomotor Activity In Syrian Hamsters, Raquel A. Villarreal, Laura E. Garcia, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Disruptions of circadian rhythms, caused by factors such as environmental changes or stress, are linked to health conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and mood disorders. Circadian rhythm disturbances are particularly relevant for understanding the etiology of conditions like insomnia, depression, and anxiety. The circadian rhythm, primarily regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus, coordinates biological processes to align with daily environmental cycles. Acute stress, especially when experienced immediately upon waking, has been shown to disrupt these rhythms, impair sleep regulation, and exacerbate mood dysregulation. Given the significant clinical implications, understanding how stress impacts circadian rhythms is …

Using Machines To Guide Your Online Shopping Decisions, Daniel Verdi Do Amarante

Osmosis Magazine

I bet you’ve heard the term artificial intelligence in various conversations by now. But do you understand the process of teaching machines to develop abilities that are comparable – sometimes even better – to those of humans? At the University of Richmond, Dr. Park’s lab does just that.

Osmosis Magazine - Fall 2022

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Designing Accessible Ui/Ux For Epileptic Patients: A Scalable Solution For Music Therapy Delivery, Amethyst G.H. Mckenzie

Computer Science Senior Theses

How can we design an accessible, scalable UI/UX system tailored to the cognitive, visual, and motor impairments of epileptic patients, that ensures safe and effective interactions with music therapy applications? This research explores the intersection of accessibility, user-centred design, and digital health, using an iterative design process to develop and refine the SONATA app—a clinically deployable music therapy platform.

Through two prototype iterations, usability testing, and quantitative event logging, this study compares the effectiveness of structured versus flexible navigation in improving user experience. Key findings reveal that structured navigation reduces unintended detours, while progressive disclosure techniques enhance instructional clarity. Additionally, …

Perceived Changes In Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Stress During The Pandemic Predict Current Levels Of These Same Variables, Gretchen E. Elsey, Jessica L. Smith-Ricketts, David Kohan, Andrew Lepp, Jacob E. Barkley

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(4): 306-315, 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions placed on daily life may have negatively impacted overall physical and psychological health as well as health behaviors such as decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behavior. It is important to understand if these potential changes during the pandemic may be predictive of current health behaviors where pandemic-related restrictions are no longer being implemented. This study aimed to assess the relationships between perceived changes in physical activity, sitting, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic to current measures of these same variables. In April 2022, participants …

Phage Therapy: A Fresh Look At Last Century's Candidate For Fighting Bacteria, Savannah Del Cid

Osmosis Magazine

Humanity has fought infectious bacteria for ages, but it wasn't until recently that humans began to distil chemicals from nature to fight bacteria, which we know as antibiotics. At first, bacteria were easily treated with antibiotics, such as the well-known penicillin. However, the improper and overuse of antibiotics over the decades has created the perfect environment for mutated bacteria to thrive despite antibiotic treatments. This has become a major concern for doctors and patients because the need to utilize methods beyond the pharmaceutical has not become widely apparent until now.

Disorder Of Sex Development (Dsd), Dana Oriana Morcillo

Osmosis Magazine

A parent's greatest joy is the moment their child is born. However, this moment can become confusing and even, stressful when their newborn child has different or additional genitalia than the one expected. In moments like this, an important decision lies ahead for both the parents and the physicians in treating the child with caution and more importantly, the appropriate care. Children born with disorder of sex development (DSD) introduce a new medical dilemma that extends beyond the physical, but to psychological, social and ethical concerns as well.

Osmosis Magazine - Fall 2018

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Osmosis Magazine, Spring 2017

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

Osmosis Magazine, Fall 2016, Alex Long, Kristen Rubenstein, Tony Da Lomba, Mary Burns, Liana Saleh, Nicole D'Ambrosio, Maron Tarekegn, Adrianna Guillard, Maggie Michel, Cassie Gilboy, Annie Scalet, Carew Bartley, Colette Buser, Amanda Focht, Ian Gallagher, Adriana Grimes, Helene Keirns, Miriam Mcbride, Joe Ortolani, Annie Ryan, Danielle Storozynsky, Niamh Sutherburg

Osmosis Magazine

Osmosis is a student read, led, and written publication from the University of Richmond, focusing on all aspects of healthcare and science.

The Role Of The Female Reproductive Cycle In Social Communication And Relevance To Mental Health, Julissa Amaro Castillo, Fernando Dominguez, Ariana Hinojosa, Giselle Padilla, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

The female reproductive cycle is characterized by fluctuating hormones, including estrogens and progesterone, that are involved in reproductive health; however, they have also been linked to disorders like Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), mood swings, depression and others. The goal of this study is to use the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as an animal model to examine the influence of the reproductive cycle and hormones on behavior. Scent-marking activity known as flank marking is exhibited by territorial or sociable animals. In essence, animals mark their territory or convey information such as reproductive status by rubbing their flanks or …

Effects Of Arginine-Vasopressin In The Brain On Cardiovascular Function In A Psychosocial Stress Animal Model, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Fernando Dominguez, Giselle Padilla, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Psychosocial stress impacts cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of events like myocardial infarction (MI), stress cardiomyopathy, and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety. However, our understanding of the biological mechanisms that connect psychosocial stress with negative cardiovascular and psychological outcomes remains incomplete. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is linked to both mental and physical health by regulating social behavior, blood pressure, and anxiety-related behaviors. This study investigates the potential cardioprotective effects of the neuropeptide AVP, in an effort to generate evidence that it may strengthen heart function and lessen the severity of adverse cardiovascular events caused by stress, brain …

Could Psilocin Rescue Chronic, Stress-Accelerated, Transcriptional Aging In Brain?, Danny R. Craig, Eric M. Blalock

Journal of Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences

Brain aging (BA) processes are complex, often affect multiple systems, and frequently lead to cognitive decline and increased susceptibility to insults. BA appears to be a primary risk for the development of many prominent neurodegenerative pathologies. The US Census Bureau predicts that the aging population (65+) will represent a greater proportion of the US population than children (under 18) by 2034, dramatically increasing the burden on health-care infrastructure.¹⁷ Several mechanisms of stress driven, aging-related neurologic dysfunction have been advanced in the past 50 years and include: Stress hormone exposure and glucocorticoid cascade;^{7, 16} calcium ion dyshomeostasis;⁸ allostatic …

Investigating The Relationship Among Environmental Factors, Reproductive Status, And Stress In A Preclinical Model Of Endocrine Function In Women’S Translational Health, Bianca A. Camacho, Laura Emma Garcia, Raquel Villarreal, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: The average menstrual cycle of a healthy adult woman is a duration of approximately 28 days, during which in the follicular phase (first 14 days) the progesterone hormone is at a stable level while estrogen increases to its peak level on day 14. Day 14 is known as ovulation, during which progesterone increases during its Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge while estrogen decreases. Menses, known colloquially as a woman’s “period,” begins approximately at day 14 after ovulation and lasts an average of 7 days. The luteal phase, otherwise known as the secretory phase, lasts for the remaining 14 days until …

Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Ssris On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Under Induced Stress –Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Giselle Padilla, Fernando Dominquez, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been found to have a wide range of effects on not just the neuropsychological processes but has also been found to exert effects outside the central nervous system (CNS); regulating numerous biological processes, such as metabolism, gastrointestinal system, reproductive function, and even the cardiovascular system. However, there is still a limited understanding of how serotonin affects all these systems due to its complexity and ability to regulate homeostasis. This project aims to create a stronger foundation of knowledge about serotonin and its influence on the interaction between the CNS, behavior, and cardiac function …

Treatment Related Exercise And Supportive Care Needs Of People Living With And Beyond Breast Cancer, Elise Legault, Dominique Matthys, Lise Gauvin, Isabelle Doré, Alain Steve Comtois Phd, François B. Tournoux Dr, Paula A. B. Ribeiro

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 276-289, 2025. People living with and beyond breast cancer (LWBBC) experience different side effects relative to the type of medical treatments they received which may influence their needs for additional supportive care. Investigating people LWBBC’s needs according to treatment regimen may guide decision making about supportive care priorities. The study’s objectives were to identify individuals LWBBC’s needs for supportive care and to determine exercise program participation facilitators according to treatment type. A survey assessing the needs for supportive care and exercise facilitators was distributed on the Facebook pages of five non-profit Canadian cancer organizations …

Associations Among Shopping Methods, Diet Adherence, And Nutrition Knowledge Of Employed Primary Grocery Shoppers In Households With Children, Baylee Schneider

Master's Theses

Obesity is a prominent risk factor for chronic disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Obesity and chronic disease rates continue to rise, requiring a need for prevention and intervention efforts. The future role of dietetics is to provide treatment and prevention through holistic approaches, by understanding individuals’ habits that contribute to the onset of disease, specifically their food choices, grocery shopping methods, and influences that waver these selections. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between grocery shopping methods (online or in-store), Mediterranean diet adherence, nutrition knowledge, and food purchase patterns …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 35. Natural Selection By Evolution., Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823?1913) is remembered, with Charles Darwin, as the co-originator of the concept of evolution by natural selection. But Wallace’s framing of the idea increasingly became one in which natural selection itself was regarded as a law of nature, not a theory per se.

A Preliminary Report Of The Carotenoid Assessment In Adults 50 Years Of Age And Older In Louisiana, Mary-Catherine Feazell

Master's Theses

Fruits and vegetables are at the core of a healthy, balanced diet. They assist in preventing the development of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (Fadnes, et al., 2022). Aging is a natural biological process followed by disease, cognitive impairment, and a natural decline of the body’s ability to perform at its best. The older adult population is currently the fastest-growing population globally (El-Shebiney et al., 2022). Vitamin A is crucial for several parts of the body to function correctly. Despite the positive effects of Vitamin A on the body, the recommended dietary intake is not …

Wright State University's Celebration Of Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities From Thursday, March 13, 2025, Wright State University

Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Abstract Books

The student abstract booklet is a compilation of abstracts from students' oral and poster presentations at Wright State University's Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities on March 13, 2025.

The Swahili Version Of The Cd-Risc 10 Resilience Scale: Psychometric Properties And Factors Associated With Resilience Among Healthcare Workers In Tanzania, Kevinson Mwangi, Sabina Odero, Gideon Mbithi, Rachel Odhiambo, Rosemary Stephen, Tumbwene Mwansisya, Eunice Pallangyo, Eunice Ndirangu, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Despite the central role of resilience in promoting mental well-being, little is known about the resilience process among healthcare workers in East Africa, partly due to the lack of adequately standardised and psychometrically sound assessment tools for our context. This study provides the first psychometric evaluation of the Swahili version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 (CD-RISC 10) among nurses/midwives and community health volunteers (CHVs) in Tanzania, potentially informing the accuracy of measuring resilience in this setting. Additionally, we examine factors associated with self-reported resilience as measured by the CD-RISC 10 scale.

Methods We used cross-sectional data on nurses/midwives …

Connecting The Dots Between Narcissism And Fame Appeal: The Role Of Imaginary Audience Fantasies, Dara Greenwood, Qiana Archer, Sydney Ash, Julian Paul Keenan

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background:
Although prior research has found a significant association between narcissistic tendencies and fame interest, details regarding the particular nature of this relationship remain to be elucidated. The present online survey study (N = 355) replicates and extends prior research examining the links between two subtypes of narcissism and fame appeal. Specifically, we distinguish between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, as predictors of Visibility, Status, and Prosocial domains of fame appeal. Further, we examine the potential mediating role of imaginary audience fantasies.

Participants and procedure:
Participants were drawn from a student sample (74% female-identifying) aged 18 to 25 who completed an …

Contraceptive Hormone Influences On The Role Of Primary Reinforcement And Reinforcer-Enhancement In Nicotine Self-Administration, Kathleen Robin Mcnealy

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Hormonal contraceptives contain a synthetic estrogen (e.g., ethinyl estradiol/EE) and/or a synthetic progestin (e.g., levonorgestrel/LEVO) and can exacerbate nicotine intake. However, whether altered intake reflects changes in nicotine reinforcement or enhancement by nicotine of co-occurring reinforcers is unknown. This reinforcer-enhancement effect is evidenced in rats when nicotine self-administration is increased by the presence of a visual stimulus (VS) reinforcer. This dissertation examined the effects of EE and LEVO on nicotine reinforcement and reinforcer-enhancement in ovary-intact female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were implanted with a jugular catheter and assigned to receive daily injections of EE (Vehicle, 0.125 [Low], or 0.18 [High] μg/day; …

Neutrophil Exosomes: New Pathogenic Entities In Copd, Tiera L. Isom

Theses (2016-Present)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disease that leads to chronic inflammation and, in turn, a high level of comorbidity and healthcare expense. An increasing body of evidence involves neutrophils, as well as their exosomes, in lung damage exacerbation via the protease-mediated degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We hypothesize that the PMN-exosomes would be significantly increased in the active smoker COPD patient and that they would enhance disease progression by augmenting the proteolytic cascade and tissue damage. This multi-center clinical study included a total of 46 veterans separated into four cohorts: active smoking COPD patients, COPD …

Global Review Of Consumer Preferences And Willingness To Pay For Edible Insects And Derived Products, Zewdu Abro, Kibrom T. Sibhatu, Gebeyehu Manie Fetene, Mohammed Hussen Alemu, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Subramanian Sevga, Menale Kassie

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The rising global demand for protein, driven by population growth, urbanization, economic development, and climate change, underscores the need for sustainable alternative protein sources. Edible insects have emerged as a viable solution to enhance foodfeed and nutritional security while contributing to waste management. This study reviews 128 peer-reviewed publications to assess consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for edible insects and their derivatives. Findings reveal that studies predominantly focus on Europe and insect-based foods, with limited research on insect-based feeds and derived products. Consumers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America show higher acceptance of insect-based food compared to those …