Digital Commons Network^™

Resiliency Storyboard: Learning How To Handle These New Challenges In Medical School, Natalie Amodei, Yusuf Yasarlar, Thomas Tracy, Connor Dasbach, Mohamad Saleh, Genevieve Joseph-Mofford

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Blending Our Personal & Professional Identities, Elsa Nylund, Ajith Dupati, Leah Warren, Daniel Settecerri, Unie Gu, Kevin Cobty

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Uncovering The Uncomfortable, Sabrina Montemayor, Kathleen Young, Shobi Mathew, Matthew Brennan, Aarti Patel, Husain Al-Saffar

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Let’S Fight Burnout, Aliaa Bahzad, Jonathan Richards, Priya Sharma, Taichi Suzuki, Megan Seyerle, Jason Liu

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Mental Health, Nicholas Livingston, Laura Aravena, Tabassum Chowdhury, Kia Sweeney, Andrew Rabah, Andrew Gregory

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Reevaluating Norms Of Success Through Adaptive Collaboration, Alexander Wind, Mina Juma, Coltrane Groves, Alexandra Breves, Brandon Holland, Sydney Colbert

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Shifting From Negatives To Positives, Anyan Cheng, Nicolas Ceniza, Alex Duvall, Sai Dheeraj Reddy Kagithala, Maighdlin Patterson

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Compassionate Growth, Rachel Feldstein, Matthew Kim, Anthony Grayson, Mikaela Grudzien, Sara Kazyak, Joel Drazin

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Depression, Arjun Muralidharan, Eleftherios Halkias, Dawei Chen, Rumyah Rafique, Saiteja Mogasala, Cecilly Kelleher

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Time Management, Melissa Ly, Veronica Marougail, Adam Elder, Zoe Jeffries, Vanessa Drust, Mina Sitto

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Adapting To New And Unusual Experiences, Alexis Malecki, Ehsan Noori, Rana Elhamzawy, Neil Patel, Benjamin Sliwinski, Logan Nguyen

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Confidence In Professional Identity Formation, Matthew Corsi, Joshua Kirschner, Samantha Pfiffner, Haniyeh Zamani, Catherine Bogolawski, Logan Thayer

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: Supporting Studying Endeavors And Maintaining Mental Health, Alyssa Dsouza, Samuel Grand, Hassan Ahmad, Sreenavya Gandikota, Nicholas Zura, Allison Boland

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Resiliency Storyboard: The Long Journey Ahead, Shirley Elfishawy, Nicole Naidoo, Jacob Sullivan, Bethani Dunlap, Andrew Mizerowski, Andrew Kirmse

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Laboratory Based Grazing Incidence X-Ray Fluorescence Instrument, Tyler Hershenhouse

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

A Grazing Incidence X-Ray Fluorescence instrument is used for the characterization of 3-dimensional elemental distribution on flat surfaces. The GIXRF instrument works on the basis of analyzing the X-ray fluorescence that is induced by a generated X-ray beam incident under the glancing angle. The lab-based GIXRF instrument will be instrumental in the following research thrusts: solar wind samples collected from the NASA Space probe Genesis will be characterized with respect to their surface contamination and their surface structure; layered materials used in semiconductors and energy storage can be measured with respect to thickness and composition; identification of element distribution in …

Optimizing Microbial Communities For Anaerobic Digestion, Brennan Mcdonald

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Anaerobic digestion has the potential to eliminate the food waste Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus sends to off-site composting and landfills. This process utilizes a diverse microbial community to degrade organic waste. In small-scale (500mL) bioreactors, this microbial community began to optimize after being fed a consistent food type. Preliminary data suggest that this optimization results in higher methane content in biogas, which allows more energy to be recovered when burned. Changes to biogas production rate and composition are consistent with shifts in the microbial community, which will be explored in additional analyses by future Loyola researchers.

Frankie Diaz, Francisco Diaz

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Current treatments for cancer have been successful in decreasing the size of the tumors and prolonging life, but often do not result in long-term remission. A promising new type of therapy uses a patient’s blood or tumor tissue to help their immune system fight cancer. Chimeric antigen receptors provide antigen-binding and T-cell activating functions which strengthen the immune system and selectively target the patient’s tumor. New research has investigated the use of CAR-T cell-derived exosomes in the treatment of cancer in the hope of more effective oncolytic properties and lasting remissions. The specific hypothesis of the current project is that …

Expression Of Mrna Of The Col2a1b Gene During Zebrafish Embryogenesis, Arturo G. Gutiu, Mansi V. Patel, Rodney M. Dale, Austin P. Runde

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Our research group is interested in furthering our investigation and elucidating the expression of the Zebrafish's col2a1b Type II collagen gene, an ortholog of the human COL2A1 Type II collagen gene. We utilize the process of in situ hybridization to isolate, identify, and characterize the nature of col2a1b expression in developing Zebrafish. Our study chronologically traces the development and manifestation of this cartilage gene during various stages of embryogenesis, which we use to further our understanding of cellular and genetic processes that regulate growth and establishment of col2a1b collagen. Our study is also interested in the evolutionary history and maintenance …

Cook County Community Survey: Online Food Delivery Services, Ben Stringer

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Food delivery services were already extremely popular before the COVID-19 induced lockdowns, as shown by market research published before the COVID-19 pandemic, is the COVID-19 pandemic an event that makes using food delivery services a necessity in urban life? Using data from the Cook County Community survey, we see significant use of these services but use across age and income brackets.

Investigating The Relations Between Psychache And Co-Occurring Depression And Anxiety Symptoms, Osinigwe Ibekie, Alexis Walker, Rebecca Silton

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This research will analyze self-report data collected from N = 2,500 undergraduate students to determine whether interacting depression and anxiety symptoms contribute to increasing psychological pain, or whether depression symptoms are a contributing factor. Psychological pain frequently co-occurs with depression; however, anxiety and depression also co-occur at very high rates, but minimal research has focused on studying psychological pain and anxiety. We plan to investigate how psychological pain decreases subjective wellbeing beyond the impact of depression and anxiety symptoms. Data analyses will be conducted in R, and analytic methods will involve correlations and regression analyses to evaluate the research aims.

Impacts Of Great Lakes Typha Invasion On Anuran Species, Elizabeth Thilges

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Anuran (frog and toad) populations are in decline worldwide, including around the Great Lakes. Simultaneously, the abundance of the hybrid cattail, Typha x glauca, has expanded in Great Lakes coastal wetlands. This invasive plant alters wetlands by forming dense stands, negatively impacting anuran species by fragmenting their suitable habitat. To quantify the effects of Typha on different anuran species, sound recorders were placed in paired invaded and uninvaded wetland sites in the spring of 2021 in northern Michigan. Vegetation surveys were conducted around the sound recorders and I listened to the audio data to determine the presence of anuran species.

Neighborhood Majority Race's Impact On Mortgage Loans, Zoe Christenson

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Comparing demographic census tracts data to mortgage loan amounts, the racial divides today are the same as redlining divides from 1934. This is significant, as property is the main vehicle for generational transfer of wealth. Recently, WBEZ wrote an article entitled “Where Banks Don’t Lend.” The article studied total loan size per census tract. What are the most important factors affecting loans? In this project, we examined freely-available mortgage data with a more robust mathematical lens. We discovered that loan acceptance/denial is correlated with redlining. Although some banks are doing better, systemic racism is codified in the mortgage industry.

An Analysis Of Income-Based Health Care Clinics In The City Of Chicago, Valeria Monreal

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Diabetes is one of the top ten most prevalent chronic health conditions in the United States. The increase in new cases among low-income groups renders low-income clinics especially critical for meeting the needs of marginalized ethno-racial groups. This research will evaluate the effectiveness of low-income clinics in the City of Chicago as they seek to go beyond emergency care for acute conditions and work on providing long-term diabetes management. I will perform a content analysis of public clinical resources, and I will interview clinicians and clinic staff to determine barriers to providing effective long-term diabetic care.

Investigating The Relationship Between Psychological Pain And Co-Occurring Depression And Anxiety Symptoms, Alexis Walker

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Mental pain also referred to as psychological pain or emotional pain originates from non-physical sources however, much of the language to describe this experience relates to physical pain. Previous mental pain research from Dr. Shneidman,who coined the term psych-ache, describes it as an acute state of intense psychological pain associated with feelings of deep guilt, anguish, panic, angst, loneliness and a sense of helplessness. It can be associated with psychiatric disorders such as depression and an increased risk for harmful behavoiral patterns including self-harm and suicide.

Depression prevalence has tripled since the start of the pandemic and continues to rise. …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Ethnic/Racial Congruence In Schools And The Challenges And Supports Newcomer Families Experienced During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Paloma Unda Charvel, Susana S. Sosa, Catherine Decarlo Santiago

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This qualitative study aims to understand the different challenges and supports newcomer families experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also seeks to understand the association between support received and ethnic representation in schools. Participants for this study were parents from the pilot evaluation of a school-based intervention for newcomer youth. Interviews and school demographics were analyzed to identify challenges, supports, and ethnic/racial congruence.Newcomer parents experienced challenges with meeting human needs, such as financial, health, and academic challenges. The study also concludes that schools should work towards better demographic collection that represents all students and their multiple identities.

Trans Contact Relates To More Positive Trans Attitudes, Kamryn Hinkle

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Some feel that transgender people threaten the gender binary. Motivation to defend the status quo may prompt negative trans attitudes when exposed to system threat. Personal contact may lessen the effect of threat on trans attitudes. Participants were randomly exposed to a system threat or control, then reported attitudes towards and previous level of contact with transgender people. Results show more personal contact with a trans person relates to more positive attitudes. We found no effect of threat regardless of contact level. These findings indicate the importance of personal contact on positive transgender attitudes, encouraging future initiatives to increase it.

Indoor Air Quality And Its Impact On Low Income Communities, Ty List

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation discusses the prevalence of poor indoor air quality and the adverse health effects felt from living in poor indoor air quality. Also discussed is the link between lower income communities and a greater chance of having indoor air quality, and providing progress toward a greener future.

Polyethylene Mediated Photolysis Of Halogenated Flame Retardants In An Aqueous Environment, Claire J. Calhoun

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Plastic has become a ubiquitous threat to essentially every corner of the globe due to massive production rates, waste mismanagement, and the polymer’s resistance to degradation (1). Plastic pollution is known to cause numerous harmful ecological effects, such as the leaching or accumulation of toxic additives into wildlife. Such toxins may then rise through the food chain, where they are ultimately consumed by humans (2). These can include persistent organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, and emerging contaminants, such as certain flame retardants, which are ubiquitous endocrine disruptors susceptible to photodegradation (3). The objective of this study is to investigate …

Long Term Clinical Outcomes For Crouzon And Apert Syndrome Patients Who Underwent Monobloc And Le-Fort Procedures, Sara Fuentes-Lara

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Long term clinical outcomes for Crouzon and Apert syndrome patients who underwent Monobloc and Le-fort procedures

Sara Fuentes-Lara, Reilly Frauchiger-Ankers, Amir Dorafshar, MBChB, FACS, FAAP

Department of Surgery

Introduction: Crouzon and Apert syndrome are genetic disorders that cause craniosynostosis and midface hypoplasia. Limited growth in the face leads to airway blockages and obstructive sleep apnea. Typical procedures to relieve symptoms include Monobloc advancements and Le-Fort surgeries.

Purpose: To determine whether sleep apnea indices in patients decrease after undergoing said procedures, and possible postoperative complications.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study is being applied to analyze records of patients at Rush Medical …

The World Of Arachnids And Observational Findings, Jose Reyna, Julia Rygiel

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Varied species of arachnids were observed and classified in the province of Puerto Maldonado, Peru at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Research Station. From the data collected, we were able to create a dichotomous key of 20 species. Information in the form of pictures, dates, and location of the species found were submitted to iNaturalist, an application used to share biodiversity information as a form of citizen science. This identification is in contribution to Inkaterra Association and the Loyola Institute of Environmental Sustainability.