Digital Commons Network^™

Epigenetic Potential Remains Stable Over 100 Years After Introduction, Danielle Dawkins

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Introduced species provide important insights into organismal behavioral responses. Epigenetic mechanisms are one of the various ways in which behaviors can be modified, particularly through DNA methylation. Through such mechanisms, phenotypic changes can occur in response to environmental changes, allowing an organism to be more plastic. Epigenetic potential (EP) represents the capacity for an organism to be epigenetically modified, and can be measured by counting CpG motifs; cytosine adjacent to guanine within a DNA sequence. Phenotypic plasticity as it relates to EP has been studied extensively in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), a globally introduced songbird. It is …

An Infrared Thermography Assessment For Monitoring Aging Mse Walls, Charles Lawal

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls play a vital role in ensuring the stability of transportation infrastructure, yet traditional inspection techniques often struggle to detect subsurface defects and demand significant labor. This research explores the application of Infrared Thermography (IRT) as a non-destructive, cost-effective approach for inspecting MSE walls across Southeast Georgia. By capturing thermal images under diverse environmental and operational conditions, the study aims to identify potential issues, including cracks, voids, delamination, and honeycombing, which can undermine integrity over time. Utilizing advanced image processing tools, the research implements specialized software to enhance the accuracy of defect detection, facilitating the generation …

Exploring Lgbtq+ Competency In Healthcare, Jordan Whiteman

Honors College Theses

Marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ community are known to face healthcare disparities that negatively affect their process of navigating healthcare systems. This project explores the perceived lack of representation and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community within healthcare settings, exposing the deficits in knowledge for unique challenges and inequalities these patients may face. By viewing the literature, a myriad of complications faced by LGBTQ+ people in clinical settings can be identified. They possess a generalized feeling of mistrust towards the healthcare system. Healthcare staff overall describe low confidence with caring for this demographic. Heteronormativity’s presence in the field of healthcare …

Exploring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: Causes, Reconstruction, And Outcomes, Holly L. Bollinger

Honors College Theses

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a critical structure in knee stability, and its injury can significantly impair athletic performance and daily functionality. The ACL plays a vital role in stabilizing the knee joint, preventing excessive forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur and aiding in rotational control. ACL tears are commonly associated with sports and physical activities that involve sudden stops, pivots, or changes in direction. These injuries can lead to knee instability, impaired function, and long-term complications. Despite the prevalence of ACL tears, there remains a lack of consensus on the multifactorial causes, optimal reconstruction techniques, …

Ankle Dorsiflexion Range Of Motion And Its Association With Semi-Professional Female Soccer Player's Overall Performance, Lily G. Nolan

Honors College Theses

Lower extremity injury screening is a common tool in soccer due to the changes of direction, jumping, landing, and cutting maneuvers players must exhibit. Talocrural dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), vertical jump (VJ) and unilateral hop tests are used to assess ankle and knee injury risk. Further, DFROM asymmetries may present a higher risk than reduced DFROM alone. It is unknown how DFROM asymmetries affect these tests. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between DFROM and hop and VJ performance, and to examine the differences between those with and without DFROM asymmetries. The current results …

English Language Learners In The Classroom: Perspectives And Teaching Approaches Using Art Integration, Kimberly M. Rodriguez

Honors College Theses

Art is a sensory language. In language learning, visual literacy is an essential factor in developing interlanguage. Art can interchange cultural understanding and promote social learning. The research gathered is based on the perspectives of teachers in the neighboring schools located in Georgia. The purpose of this paper is to examine how teachers can support language learning using visual literacy. Teachers are asked to participate in an interview to record their experiences in language learning. In the completion of the data collected, the analysis gives a deeper understanding of how to improve accommodating language learners in the classroom using visual …

Exploring The Effects Of Resource Salience On Perceptions Of Social Support And Belongingness In Undergraduate Students, Arya C. Johnson, Karen Z. Naufel

Honors College Theses

In recent years, mental health has been a rising concern among college students (Worsley et al., 2022). One method to mitigate stress and raise levels of mental health is social support, which is support derived from relationships or the environment (Zee & Bolger, 2019). Social support presents in different forms, such as visible social support, or support directly given to and acknowledged by the recipient, and invisible social support, or support indirectly given to and unacknowledged by the recipient. Another method to mitigate stress is belongingness, which is the feeling that one is an intrinsic part of their environment (Hagerty …

2024-2025 University Awards Of Excellence, Georgia Southern University

University Awards of Excellence

• Student Success
• Teaching
• Research
• Discovery & Innovation
• Inclusive Excellence
• Operational Efficiency, Effectiveness and Sustainability
• Community Engagement
• Collaboration
• Academic Excellence
• Sustainability
• Leadership
• Team Award

2025 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

SoTL Commons Conference

2025 Conference Program

The Silent Transition: Lack Of Awareness Of Perimenopause Leaves Women Unprepared, Tara Hassani Goodarzi, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Challenges And Interventions For Type 1 Diabetes In Young Children, Patra Chisom Ezeamii, Nenrot Gopep, Ho-Jui Tung

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Domestic Violence And Mental Health: A Complementary Perspective, Olayemi Aloba, Jacob Gakpo, Katie M. Mercer

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

The Importance Of Supply Chain Management In Improving Maternal, Newborn, And Child Health, Tamah Kamlem, Katie M. Mercer

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

The Important Role Of Health State Departments In The Surveillance And Control Of Tick-Borne Diseases, Seun Abiola, Marina Eremeeva

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

An Emerging Obstacle To Childhood Obesity Control And Prevention, Queeneth C. Edwards, Jian Zhang

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

The rise of telehealth has created both opportunities and challenges as healthcare providers seek to balance the convenience of telemedicine with the need for effective and comprehensive care.1-3 This commentary highlights the implications of telehealth for addressing pediatric obesity, a pressing public health issue.

Bullying As A Public Health Crisis: Linking Aces To Long-Term Health Consequences, Doreen Ugwu, Dziyana Nazaruk

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Leveling The Playing Field: The Critical Role Of Ada Compliance In Graduate Education, Victoria Davis, Katie M. Mercer, Amber J. Culpepper

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection – A Neglected Parasitic Infection And Overlooked Risk Of Cardiovascular Events, Patra Chisom Ezeamii, Nenrot Gopep, Jian Zhang

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

The College High: Unmasking America’S College Students' Substance-Use Surge, Jacob O. Gakpo, Frank Dake, Christabel Uti, Philip Oduro, Carolyn Puobebe, James Thomas

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

The State Of Maternal Health In Georgia: Updates, Evidence, And Practice Implications, Alba Kuqi, Sarah Sejoro, Christabel Uti, Doreen Ugwu, Adra Muntaha, Logan T. Cowan, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Rural Hospital Closures And Possible Solutions, Samuel Anokye-Mesah, Samuel Opoku, Carolyn Puobebe

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Machine Learning On Public Health: A Walk From Data To Decision-Making, Keya Rani Das, Jacob O. Gakpo, Jing X. Kersey

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Health Disparities In Iowa: Lessons From Place, Access, And Equity, Ahmad (Adra) S. Muntaha, Hadeer Hegazy Hegazy, Ho-Jui Tung

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Air Pollution Exposure During Pregnancy And Its Association With Postpartum Depression: A Crucial Public Health Concern Demanding Immediate Attention, Jacob O. Gakpo, Padde Musa, Atin Adhikari

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

The Intersection Of Mental Health And Education:Ptsd’S Role In Student Academic Success, Victoria L. Davis, Katie Mercer

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Latch: Supporting Maternal Health During Breastfeeding, Emmanuela Nwaonumah, Amenah Qotineh, Hadeer Hegazy, Logan Cowan, Joanne Chopak-Foss

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Health Informatics And Geographic Variations In Vital Records Issuance, Jeff Jones, R. Chris Rustin, Jacquelyn Mesenbrink-Sainz, Dana Holmes, Bushra Shah, Angela Peden

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Education And Alzheimer’S Mortality: Understanding A Hidden Driver Of Dementia In Georgia, Taylor Voisine, Gulzar H. Shah

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Rural Hospital Closures On Maternal Health Outcomes, Samuel Mbadu, Joanne Chopak-Foss, Samuel Opoku

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Opioid Crisis In Georgia: A County-Level And Racial Equity Analysis, Lillian C. Fealy, Gulzar H. Shah

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.