Digital Commons Network^™

Loneliness And Health Behaviors, Haylee Goral, Jianna Bigio, Ashley Bustamante, Ruby Maton, Sullivan Morefield, Avery Owen

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Histological Quality Of Immersion Vs Intravascular Fixation Of Fresh Tissue, Andrew Hodges, Bright Danso, Gretchka Mair, Kingsley Ampong, Rebekah Satalino

Liberty University Research Week

Tissue fixation is a fundamental determinant of histological quality, preserving cellular architecture through protein cross-linking and enzymatic inactivation [6]. Among fixation approaches, intravascular (perfusion) and immersion methods differ significantly in mechanism and outcomes. Perfusion fixation rapidly distributes fixative via the vascular system, often producing more uniform preservation, whereas immersion fixation relies on diffusion, which may result in delayed penetration and heterogeneous tissue quality [5]. Despite these limitations, immersion-based preservation remains widely used in anatomical education and commercial specimen preparation due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness [2]. Reports suggest that fixation quality can influence analyses, including morphology, antigenicity, and staining reliability, …

Prayer As A Predictor To God Attachment, Levi Morgan, Hampton Still

Liberty University Research Week

Attachment theory describes the innate desire for infants to form bonds with their caregivers, which impacts biopsychosocial functioning across the lifespan. Attachment theory has expanded to religious and spiritual contexts to describe the innate desire for individuals to form a relationship with God. One prominent religious practice is prayer, which is a relational tool performed by an individual or a group to communicate with and form a stronger relationship with God. Prayer has demonstrated relationships with various positive mental health outcomes and a stronger attachment to God. However, previous literature has yet to examine the relationship between various forms of …

The Psychological And Physiological Effects Of Acute Social Media Use, Noah Rimmer

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Preparatory Mixed-Methods Evaluation Of Ipc Infrastructure Vulnerability After Elc Funding Retrenchment: A Pilot Study Protocol, Komal Jessica Arsin, Ifeoluwanimi Shobayo, Prince Osei Sarpong, Robyn Anderson

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is essential for preventing healthcare-associated infections and strengthening healthcare system preparedness. Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are particularly vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks due to high-risk resident populations and shared care environments. Federal programs such as the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) initiative have supported IPC workforce development and surveillance systems, but reductions in emergency funding may expose vulnerabilities in IPC infrastructure.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of conducting a mixed-methods evaluation of IPC infrastructure vulnerability among long-term care facilities in Southwest Virginia following ELC funding retrenchment.

Methods: A preparatory mixed-methods pilot study will collect …

Exploring The K-12 Educational Experiences Of First-Generation Hispanic Undergraduate Students, Stephanie Hernandez-Lopez

Liberty University Research Week

Research Question: This qualitative study examines how first-generation Hispanic undergraduate students perceive their K-12 educational experiences and how these shaped their transition into higher education. Method: Through semi-structured interviews with four participants, the research identifies recurring themes, including parental involvement, language barriers, access to resources, motivation, and preparedness for college. These insights contribute to understanding systemic factors behind the achievement gap and inform strategies for more equitable educational support. Conclusion: Overall, the findings show that first-generation Hispanic students’ college readiness is shaped by the combined effects of limited early academic rigor, inconsistent school–family communication, and assumptions about home academic support. …

Rain: The Biologist, Jennifer Trahant

Liberty University Research Week

This mixed-media sculpture focuses on creating a stylized fantasy creature that tells a story through its design. The piece combines different materials and techniques, including sculpting, making miniature clothing, casting resin eyes, airbrushing color, and using yarn for hair, to build a character that feels expressive and intentional. Inspired by the custom doll redesign community, this project looks at how small details and material choices can shape personality and suggest a narrative. Each part of the sculpture works together to give the character a sense of life and individuality. Overall, this piece shows how pulling techniques from different art practices …

Civilization Vi, Jennifer Trahant

Liberty University Research Week

This oil painting explores the process of building a finished work from initial inspiration to final rendering. The piece follows a structured approach, including sketching, value mapping, and layering color, to develop a cohesive composition. While technical skill plays an important role in creating a successful painting, this project also focuses on how inspiration and emotional depth affect the final result. Throughout the process, decisions in composition, color, and detail were used to strengthen both the visual impact and overall meaning of the piece. Rather than relying only on technique, the painting aims to show how personal interpretation and intention …

Almost Home: Creating Design For Community, Kayla Burch

Liberty University Research Week

I was tasked with creating a visual brand, identity package, and collateral for a fictitious company of my choosing. The project’s main concept was to avoid the cliches of typical food industry businesses. For my project, I created a fictitious coffee shop called “Almost Home” and placed the business on Main Street in Lynchburg, Virginia. Coffee shops can contain cliches by using coffee puns in their names or by having a copy and paste aesthetic. “Almost Home” avoids food industry and coffee shop cliches by building an identity that is not seen in other coffee shops (specifically in Lynchburg, Virginia). …

Wood Fired Teapot, Philip Perry

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Mr. Meerkat, Marie Shumaker

Liberty University Research Week

"Mr. Meerkat" is a graphite drawing that explores how character and personality can be expressed through realistic yet imaginative animal imagery. The project combines accurate meerkat anatomy with human elements to create a tap-dancing performer inspired by the elegance of the 1920s. This nostalgic theme contrasts with modern minimalist trends by emphasizing craftsmanship, effort, and expressive detail. Using graphite techniques such as shading, hatching, and contouring, the drawing captures varied textures including fur, fabric, and wood, creating a cohesive and character-driven composition.

Guppy: From Fleet Boat To Modern Submarine, Nathaniel Estrada

Liberty University Research Week

World War II changed everything when it came to American submarine warfare. Before the war, American naval leaders and planners debated over what the purpose of their submarine fleet should be. The more progressive thinkers claimed the submarine would be in-of-itself a decisive combat asset, while the conservative naval minds saw their “fleet boats” as supplementary to the main battle line. When the war ended, the debate was no longer about what role the submarine would play in the great game on the sea. In the Atlantic, the German U-boat fleet of 1,131 submarines would sink 14,878,463 tons of Allied …

Personality Correlations, Blake Stillman

Liberty University Research Week

For this research project, the focus was to conduct a survey of people and ask them what their Enneagram types were, what their Myers-Briggs personalities were, and how they correlated with one another. With that information, we were then going to see what their preferred communication style was and see if there was any kind of pattern, and then apply this to the world of communication to better understand how to communicate with different personalities of people. There have not been any studies done on this specific topic and how it relates to the field of communication. I wanted to …

When The Music Stops: How Removing The Musical Scores Changes The Message Of The Film, Natalie Dean, Caroline Breen

Liberty University Research Week

Music has always been an intricate part of film. Films like Jaws, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Avengers are not simply recognized by their logos and characters, but also popular scores and theme songs that are tailored specifically to those films. Character theme songs, opening musical scores and more are used to create a communicative connection between the film and the audience. Previous research has primarily evaluated cognitive data such as attention level, or explored altering the music itself, such as a change in tempo, rhythm, and pitch. This study investigates how a film’s overall messaging to its audience …

How Did Maternal Influenza And Tdap Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women In Mississippi Change From 2018–2021, And How Do Coverage Rates Differ By Race/Ethnicity?, Soala Esther Abere, Atika Ali, Fadzai Nyarugwe, Ifeoluwanimi Shobayo, Jalena Smith

Liberty University Research Week

Maternal vaccination is a critical component of preventive care, yet coverage in the United States remains inconsistent, with persistent racial and age-related disparities. This study examined maternal influenza and Tdap vaccination coverage among pregnant women in Mississippi from 2018–2021, a state with disproportionately high maternal and infant mortality. Using publicly available CDC surveillance data, a quantitative secondary data analysis was conducted to assess vaccination trends and differences by race/ethnicity and maternal age group. After excluding suppressed estimates, 48 observations were analyzed. Overall maternal vaccination coverage averaged 51.55% across all years and demographic groups, with influenza coverage ranging from 49–54% and …

Disability Studies In Historical Context: The Research Behind The Creative Writing Process, Annabelle Welch

Liberty University Research Week

This study examines the process of  writing a short story “The Shoes,” set in New Orleans during World War II, and creating a main character through the lens of research within the field of disability studies. This research is closely intertwined with my creative process of writing “The Shoes.” The first portion of the poster focuses on the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, during America’s involvement in World War II. My aim is to build a foundational understanding of the microculture in that region, especially as it was shaped and molded by the strong presence of soldiers, the heavy hand …

Music Enhances Theta Brainwave Activity Regardless Of Tuning Frequency, Robert Somerville, Davis Raz, Ersilia Mirabelli, Jettson Yarborough, Luc-Shalom Kouame

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Mother-Daughter Ties Across Borders: Identity And Connection In Dreaming In Cuban, Alvaro Ricardo Larrea Salazar

Liberty University Research Week

This project examines how trauma, memory, and political displacement shape generational identity in Cristina García's Dreaming in Cuban. I argue that García presents memory as both a bridge and a barrier within the matrilineal line of Celia, Lourdes, and Pilar, ultimately suggesting that reconciliation across political and cultural divides is possible only through acknowledgment rather than suppression of inherited trauma. While Celia’s devotion to the Cuban Revolution and her nostalgic attachment to lost love root her identity firmly in the past, Lourdes responds to revolutionary violence and exile by rejecting her heritage and embracing American capitalism as a form of …

Purposes For Sacred Song In Eighteenth-Century British Colonial America, Merrily Kelsey

Liberty University Research Week

In eighteenth-century colonial America, the colonists sang sacred songs for several reasons which they identified in song text, song book introductions, journals, sermons, and several other places.

The Influence Of Pre-War Cruiser Design And Doctrine On The Guadalcanal Campaign Of World War Ii, Dawson Baber

Liberty University Research Week

The development of cruisers and their accompanying doctrine played a critical role in the hotly contested night engagements during the Guadalcanal Campaign of the Second World War. Upon entering the war, the US Navy’s doctrine focused on long range, open seas, decisive battles centered on a battleship battleline with cruisers serving as scouts or fleet screens/escorts. However, this research will focus on the Guadalcanal campaign, which saw close range, nighttime, defensive battles fought by vessels not designed for the task and men untrained for that type of combat. While the historiography surrounding the Guadalcanal campaign is vast, there are practically …

Decoding Christianese: Analyzing The Double-Edged Sword Of Evangelical Jargon, David Enns

Liberty University Research Week

This qualitative study investigates the rhetorical function of "Christianese," the insider jargon of American Evangelicalism, responding to the need for clarity in religious communication within a pluralistic and digital society. While religious language is often studied through liturgical or interfaith lenses, limited empirical work exists on the informal, culturally constructed dialect used in everyday evangelical discourse. Utilizing Burke's (1966) terministic screens theory — which posits that language selects, reflects, and deflects reality — this research examines how evangelical slang functions as a gatekeeping mechanism that simultaneously builds community and alienates outsiders. Employing a corpus-based qualitative design, the study analyzed 142 …

From Theses To Podcasts: A Digital Humanities Analysis Of Religious Communication From The Reformation To The Digital Age, Fallon Tridento

Liberty University Research Week

This project looks at how religious communication has changed alongside major technological developments, from the printing press to artificial intelligence, throughout history, using a digital humanities perspective. Beginning with the Protestant Reformation, it explores how print culture allowed ideas to spread more quickly, especially through the work of Martin Luther. It then follows how later figures, including St. Maximilian Kolbe, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, and Mother Angelica, made use of emerging forms of media, from print to radio and television, to reach wider audiences. The project also considers the work of Fr. Roberto Busa, whose use of early computing marked …

Bridging The Gap In Adolescent And Young Adult Sexual Health Education, Claire Rau, Anjali Jacob, Cassidy Harris, Michael Ago Tetteh

Liberty University Research Week

This research addresses the critical need for improved sexual health education for adolescents and young adults, prompted by current STI and pregnancy data in Virginia. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review evaluated existing evidence-based, relationship-skills-focused sexual health interventions. The findings indicate that while current programs effectively target risk reduction and pregnancy prevention, they often lack the integration of a Biblical worldview and sufficient focus on comprehensive relational development alongside sexual health knowledge. Consequently, this project proposes adapting the Love Notes program and developing the Digging Deep curriculum to better bridge these gaps.

Profanity In Public Address And Its Influence On Audience Perception, Emma Witler

Liberty University Research Week

Profanity is not a novel addition to the context of language and communication. While words themselves or the connotation and severity surrounding them has assuredly evolved, the presence of profanity in society is just as significant now as it has always been. Geography, culture, religious beliefs or affiliations, politics, and even age can be determining factors of what is considered “too far” and when or where this boundary has been crossed. Due to the nature of profanity and its inherent impact on society, it is essential that the use of profanity is analyzed contextually with the intent of increasing communicative …

Epidemiology And Sexual Transmission Of Mpox In Non-Msm Populations: A Systematic Review Proposal (2022-2025), Ifeoluwanimi Shobayo, Ashlan Killeen, Chelsea Mazonde, Eunice Onwuka, Michael Ago Tetteh, Prince Osei Sarpong, Rachel Williams

Liberty University Research Week

Introduction: Mpox epidemiology during the 2022–2025 global outbreaks has been extensively characterized within men who have sex with men (MSM) networks. However, transmission dynamics among non-MSM populations including heterosexual men, women, children, and mixed-population groups remain insufficiently described. This gap limits comprehensive public health understanding and response. This study aims to: (1) identify exposures and transmission routes among non-MSM populations, (2) describe demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, and outcomes, and (3) identify evidence gaps to inform preparedness strategies.

Methods: This systematic review will follow PRISMA-P guidelines. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and …

Analysis Of Instructional Asl Resources For Ddeaf Children, Rayah Finstad

Liberty University Research Week

Living in a digital age, online resources are commonly used to teach, entertain, develop skills and build connections for both Hearing and dDeaf1 children around the world. However, no research has been conducted to determine what makes these videos successful in reaching their goals. Literature in the fields of education, dDeaf education, American Sign Language (ASL), and dDeaf spirituality is limited in scope. The current research demonstrates that dDeaf individuals primarily learn through visual means, namely, ASL. In communicating, consideration must be given to culture, language preferences, and visual methods. While educational studies mention some effective strategies for teaching literature …

Assessing Communication Within Education For Students Who Are Deaf With Additional Disabilities (Dwd), Lisa Grane

Liberty University Research Week

There is a growing number of Deaf students diagnosed with additional disabilities (DWD) who have a diverse range of needs. Yet there is also a prevalence of misdiagnosis that leads to educational and developmental challenges. Due to this fact, there is a shortage of evidence-based research regarding beneficial support for DWD students. Parents and educators often report a lack of sufficient information about services and resources that could be implemented to further communication support for DWD individuals. This research will investigate how schools in Illinois assess and meet both the educational and developmental needs of DWD students. This will be …

Who Delivers Care-And Does It Matter? Patient Satisfaction With Task-Shifted Mental Health Services., Perseverance Nothando Moyo, Benson Varghese, Chelsea Mazonde, Fadzai Nyarugwe, Ifeoluwanimi Shobayo, Oluwatosin Marylyn Oduneye, Tahirou Diallo

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Global mental health systems face severe workforce shortages and structural inequalities, leaving over one billion people without access to adequate care. Task-shifting, which involves training non-specialist providers such as community health workers and lay counselors to deliver mental health services, has been proposed as a scalable strategy to expand access to care. Although research has demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of task-shifted mental health interventions, less attention has been given to understanding patient satisfaction and experiences of care within these service models. Objective: To synthesize global literature examining patient satisfaction with task-shifted mental health services delivered by non-specialist providers. Methods: …

High Intensity Laser Therapy For Shoulder Tendinopathies: A Critically Appraised Topic, Rhayl Danfer Gray

Liberty University Research Week

Context: Rotator cuff tendinopathy, characterized by tendon-related pain, weakness, and decreased range of motion (ROM), accounts for more than 50% of chronic shoulder disease cases. While traditional treatments include physical therapy and ultrasound, high-power laser therapy has emerged as a modality that utilizes heat to increase local vasodilation and microcirculation, potentially decreasing pain and inflammatory biomarkers. This Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) aims to determine if high-intensity laser therapy effectively reduces pain and improves ROM in adults with shoulder tendinopathies.

Methods: A computerized search of Google Scholar, MEDLINE Ultimate, and PubMed was conducted in January and February 2026. Search terms included …

The Power Of Cult Rhetoric, Daniel Murphy

Liberty University Research Week

What moves individuals to leave families, sell businesses, and reconstruct their identities in devotion to a charismatic leader? This study explores the communicative movement at the heart of cult recruitment, persuasion, and retention. Grounded in social identity theory, this qualitative phenomenological research investigates how cult leaders strategically mobilize identity, language, and belonging to attract and sustain followers.

Existing literature that applies social identity theory to persuasive language will be examined, alongside documentary and textual analysis, to understand how individuals interpret and internalize these communicative strategies. Drawing from existing literature and rhetorical analysis of leaders such as Marshall Applewhite, Warren Jeffs, …