Digital Commons Network^™

Parasites In Flight: Toxoplasma Gondii Genotypes In South Florida Birds, Ava Barrasso, Katherine Hirt, Kaitlin Whalen, Shree Diora, Adhiraj Katoch, Aansi Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that significantly impacts human and wildlife health. Often associated with domestic cats, avian hosts also contribute to the parasite's persistence in global ecosystems. This research investigates the strain diversity of T. gondii found within South Florida birds. Florida is an avian biodiversity hotspot along two migratory flyways and therefore presents unique opportunities to detect novel and/or virulent genotypes that may present health risks to humans. These risks are increasing with environmental factors (e.g. urbanization and climate change) that facilitate pathogen transmission between feral and domesticated animals, and susceptible human populations. Our approach consists of …

Pecking At Protozoan Parasites: Pcr Diagnostics Of Toxoplasma Gondii In South Floridian Birds, Senia Bu, Donna Huynh, Sridevi Gundimeda, Samhita Doranala, Madeline Hsu, Valentina Cevallos

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite whose prevalence and transmission remain underexplored in wildlife, especially in birds. This is a crucial gap since birds can serve as pathogen reservoirs (facilitating transmission to humans and other animals) and because T. gondii’s prevalence in wildlife (e.g. birds) helps illuminate its environmental distribution. Thus, characterizing T. gondii in local avian communities can help us assess and mitigate risks to the health of humans, pets, agricultural animals, and endangered wildlife. This study investigates T. gondii prevalence in South Florida’s diverse avian species. We obtained tissue samples from >100 birds by dissecting carcasses provided …

Uncovering Alzheimer's One Sense At A Time, Maya Totev, Marcus Marek Tortorella, Dylan Kurni

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting 55 million people worldwide and is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. Without effective interventions, diagnoses are expected to quadruple by 2050. One major barrier to treatment is the difficulty of detecting AD early, limiting the opportunity for timely intervention prior to the accumulation of significant, irreversible brain pathology. Therefore, developing specific, sensitive biomarkers is crucial for early diagnosis as it enables timely intervention and can potentially slow disease progression. Electronic-senses (E-senses) technology, which mimic human senses like olfaction and gustation, show promise in detecting changes in health …

Yoga Nidra As A Non-Pharmacological Intervention For Improving Mood, Bharath Kumar, Reddy Burri, Shravya Konatam

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Yoga Nidra, a meditative practice blending relaxation and guided imagery, has shown potential as a non-invasive, accessible intervention for stress and mood disorders. This study investigated the effects of Yoga Nidra (iRest) on psychological mood and physiological markers, focusing on its neural engagement and sleep modulation in a sample of 21 college-age participants (6 males). Participants completed a Yoga Nidra condition involving EEG and EDA monitoring, followed by mood assessments using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Neural activity patterns indicated that higher alpha and beta wave engagement during Yoga Nidra were associated with improved vigor and reduced fatigue and …

Adoptive Transfer Of B10 Cells Promotes Resolution Of Periodontal Inflammation, Jayant Ari

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Regulatory B cells (Bregs) play a crucial role in reducing the inflammation of periodontitis. It has been shown that specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) synthesis and production mediate the resolution of periodontitis inflammation and alleviate bone resorption. Bregs has been reported alleviate the inflammation in periodontitis, but little is known about their function in SPM production. The present study aims to investigate whether IL-10 expressing regulatory B cells (B10) can inhibit periodontitis progression by promoting the production of SPMs. Experimental periodontitis models were established in mice by ligation combined with periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis bacteria inoculation for 14 days, and B10 …

Eat-26 As A Stable Measure Of American College Athletes: Diet, Food, Preoccupancy, And Calorie Counting As Predictors Of Health, Simrin Raju

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This study examines the structure and reliability of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) in a sample of 144 college athletes. The EAT-26 is commonly used to measure eating attitudes but is not intended to diagnose eating disorders. The study aims to confirm if the test's factor structure, which has been stable since its development in 1979, remains consistent in this new group. The results show that the EAT-26 continues to reflect three main factors—Dieting, Preoccupation with Food (Others Notice) and Calorie Counting (Oral Control). These factors accounted for the majority of the variation in responses, with "Dieting" being the most …

Examining The Impact Of Volleyball-Specific Movements On Landing Using Vert Wearable Technology, Camille Fonseca

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The sport of volleyball involves constant vertical and lateral motion, as it requires players to attack, block, or serve a ball. The frequency of jumps and landings creates stress on the body, predisposing female athletes to lower extremity injuries. Additionally, volleyball-specific movements such as the slide, swing block, and 7-ball, may cause injury. The purpose of this study is to assess jumps and landings from volleyball-specific movements in female collegiate volleyball athletes using VERT wearable technology. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Volleyball athletes wore the VERT device collecting data on performance and workload during team practices and games including …

Effect Of Dopamine On Nlrp3 Inflammasome Activity And Thiol Metabolites In Human Thp-1 Macrophages, Grace K. Wong, Emily H. Guirguis

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Neuroinflammation plays an important role in aging and neurological disorders across the lifespan and the NLRP3 inflammasome has been closely linked to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and is a potential target for therapy. The neurotransmitter dopamine regulates production of inflammatory cytokines in an age-dependent manner and in neurons dopamine is stored in a complex with ATP and both are released during neuronal activity. ATP promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activity via the P2X7 receptor. However, the combined influence of dopamine and ATP on inflammasome activity has not been previously investigated. The goal of this study was to examine lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NLRP3 …

Identifying Key Characteristics In Aspiring Healthcare Professionals: A Strengths And Preference Profile Analysis On Emotional Intelligence, Abbygail Salcido, Emily Young

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Topic: As undergraduate students in a pre-health path or an advisor for these students, understanding one's priorities, strengths, and motivations is crucial for self-awareness and career clarity. This understanding is pivotal in guiding students toward a fulfilling and appropriate career choice. Purpose: Our study aims to identify the characteristics of students with the potential to excel as Optometrists - a profession known for its emphasis on patient care, attention to detail, and creative intuition. In our current investigation, we assessed 125 students aspiring to become Optometrists. Each participant completed a strengths inventory and a positive psychology-based personal preference test. According …

Investigating Epigenetic Modification As Bio Markers In Ovarian Cancer Cells, Nitya Gourishetty, Anthony Marzouk, Fatimah Hassan M. Alssamani

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Ovarian cancer (OCs) is a one of the leading causes of mortality among gynecological cancers, with approximately 10/100,000 women in the U.S. being diagnosed with the disease. A significant challenge in treating OCs is its inherent resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy drugs, particularly Cisplatin. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying cisplatin resistance (CR) in ovarian cancer cells by comparing biomarkers of DNA modification between cisplatin-resistant and sensitive ovarian cancer (A2780) cell lines.

Both sensitive and resistant (A2780/A2780-CR) cells were treated with 2 μM of RG-7388, Cisplatin, and CM-272. These drugs are known to act as MDM2 inhibitor, alkylating agent, …

Ketogenic Diet Improves Cognitive Function And Hippocampal Neurogenesis While Reducing Amyloid Pathology In The Tg-Swdi Mouse Model Of Dementia, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Ariana Hernandez, Eleanor J. Wind, Yingying Zhu, Chana Vogel, Shaina Binu, Mikayla Jeneske, Dylan Kurni, Vedika Chidiruppa, Bianca Echeverria

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by amyloid buildup in cerebral blood vessels, is highly comorbid with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and, on its own, increases the risk of stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Despite its high incidence, no FDA-approved treatments currently exist to treat or prevent this condition. The ketogenic diet (KD), which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, has shown promise for its therapeutic potential in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. Studies in AD rodent models have found that KD and/or ketogenic supplements attenuate cognitive-behavioral impairments, neuroinflammation, and amyloid pathology. However, its effects on CAA remain unclear. …

Modeling The Binding Of Five Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (Ssris) To The Human Serotonin Transporter (Hsert) To Allosteric And Central Binding Sites, Alessandra Alvarez Coke, Ivanna Mathew, Srika Saai Talanki

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Rates of depression are rising globally. A proposed physiological basis of depression is low levels of neurotransmitters, in particular serotonin. SSRIs are a form of medication that is used to treat depression disorders by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by Human Serotonin transporter (hSERT). Modeling the structure of hSERT allows for rational drug design, potentially improving the medications that are available to the public. The Protein Data Bank file of hSERT was retrieved (PDB ID: 5I6Z). Additional PDB files were utilized to analyze various SSRIs and their respective central and allosteric binding sites to determine the most critical portions required …

Quantifying Coral Live Tissue Cover At Cano Island, Costa Rica, Tehya Fulcher, Abigayle Groth

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Coral reefs are essential marine ecosystems, serving as a reservoir of biodiversity while providing habitat and nourishment for associated benthic and demersal species. This research quantifies scleractinian coral live tissue cover at Caño Island, Costa Rica. Two study sites encompassing 225m², one shallow (4m depth) and one deep (11m depth), were each surveyed in January 2024 using GoPro Hero 11 cameras. Two photomosaics were created from several thousand smaller images (3,644 shallow and 3,888 deep) using AgisoftMetashape. Live coral tissue area was calculated using TagLab, documenting 53.09 m² and 58.16 m² in the shallow and deep …

Resilience And Its Effects On Psychological Well Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Taylor Reinsel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Stressors and trauma in life are unavoidable. However, the way we respond and adapt to them can be within our control. This response differs from person to person, but there are factors that can influence the likelihood of an individual rebounding from a crisis, as well as factors that can put them at a higher risk of developing mental illness. One of the main factors that influences Psychological Well Being is the presence of Resilience. The main goal of this study was to examine how factors of Resilience relate to Psychological Well Being and COVID-19 Well Being during the COVID-19 …

Photodynamic Inactivation (Pdi) Of Microorganisms With Copper Meso-Pyridyl Porphyrin Isomers, Dylan Mavlyanov, Sanjana Sivaiah, Andrew Siedlecki, Rohan Reddy, Andersen Cheong

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) is an antimicrobial approach, independent of antibiotic resistance, that targets pathogens utilizing light and photosensitizers in the presence of oxygen. The growing international concern for the rise in drug-resistant microorganisms has driven research to determine approaches that will keep microbes from developing further immunological adaptations. Photosensitizers are molecules activated by light that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) lysing and causing cell death in structures of microbes and in diseased mammalian cells. The photosensitizers applied in this experiment are meso–Tetra(N–methyl–pyridyl)porphine tetrachloride isomers. Three variations of the nitrogen placement were used to understand the interactions with the bacterial cell …

Resources And Racial Identity: Differences In Women's Accumulation Of And Preference For Six Forms Of Capital, Alyssa J. Grant

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Across the world, resources are a necessity so individuals can lead a healthy and wealthy life. Research has found there are six forms of resources that can be measured (Starratt and Zambrano, 2022). However, we do not yet know the extent to which resources are related to cultures, traditions and customs and so, may differ among people with different racial and ethnic identities. This study investigated differences among accumulation of and preference for six forms of resources among women of different racial and ethnic identities. The participants included 248 women who self-reported racial and ethnic identity and completed an inventory …

Reproductive Outcomes In A Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Melanie Mendonca, Esperanza Barrios, Chana Vogel, Victoria Pulido-Correa

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease lacking effective treatment. Despite women having 2x greater risk for developing AD, few studies have investigated the sex-specific factors that influence AD risk. Reports show a difference in the risk and progression of AD in parents and nonparents, suggesting motherhood may mitigate the risk and impacts of AD, but alternative explanations could play a role. For example, healthier and wealthier people may have more reproductive opportunities and less disease risk. Moreover, genes that alter disease risk could also modify fertility/fecundity, such as APOE4, a gene that increases both AD risk and fertility. …

Size At Sexual Maturity Of The Bluntnose Stingray (Hypanus Say) And The Atlantic Stingray (Hypanus Sabinus) From The Indian River Lagoon, Florida, Katelyn Mckimmy, Jordan Zulli, Jessica Schieber

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Bluntnose (Hypanus say) and Atlantic (Hypanus sabinus) stingrays in Family Dasyatidae are benthic species found in abundant numbers in the Indian River Lagoon, a major estuarine ecosystem along the Atlantic coast of Florida. Although the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem is experiencing increasing anthropogenic pressures and effects on local habitats from climate change, data specifically regarding H. say and H. sabinus life histories are currently lacking. Using specimens collected monthly from a collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, average size at sexual maturity was assessed for both sexes of H. say (n = 126) …

The Effects Of Turkesterone On Mood And Sexual Functioning, Alexandra Jimenez Gonzalez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Introduction: Turkesterone, an ecdysteroid found in the ajuga turkestanica plant, is a naturally occurring compound used historically in Central Asia and India to treat a multitude of health conditions. Turkesterone may hold properties that could improve physical and mental performance. This study aimed to determine the impact of four-week Turkesterone supplementation on mood and sexual function.

Methods: This randomized study included 30 active participants (14 males, 16 females). The placebo group received rice flour; the treatment group received Turkesterone (500mg/day). The participants were instructed to take their respective supplements for 28 days without altering their daily activities, diet, or exercise …

Synergistic Anticancer Effects Of Jq-1 And Doxorubicin Via Myc Downregulation And Apoptosis Induction, Abby Morrill, Srika Saai Talanki, Sneha Subhash, Sabrin Safar, Maria Moreno Hollweg, Kyuree Chang, María Guillén-Méndez, Swara Chindahade

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Aggressive cancers are particularly challenging due to their rapid growth, ability to adapt, and resistance to single therapies. Combination therapies or a multipronged approach can increase tumor cell killing and limit the development of drug resistance. The potential of combining conventional chemotherapy with targeted therapies was investigated. To determine the best drug combinations, viability assays using an 8 x 8 dose response matrix format (checkerboard) with small-step serial dilutions of cytotoxic and targeted drugs was performed. The resulting viability data, as determined by MTS assay, was analyzed using the web application SynergyFinder. The results indicated that the combined drug treatment …

The Impact Of A Healthy Intervention And Psychotherapy On Cardiovascular Disease In Ptsd Individuals, Radiah Patwary

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Significant research indicates a relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Those affected with PTSD have been found to show higher patterns of CVD risk earlier in life compared to the general population. Interventions need to be developed to reduce the risk of CVD in PTSD individuals. Although there has been research regarding the elevated CVD risk in PTSD, little research has been done addressing CVD risk reduction in the same population. To tackle this issue, adjunctive treatments, such as health behavior interventions, may be required in addition to traditional psychotherapy for PTSD to reduce overall …

The Role Of Attachment And Self-Esteem In Identity Development Among Emerging Adults, Akhila Nalluri, Preetham Gopu, Charvi Thumati

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Emerging adulthood, a transitive period between 18 and 25 years, is widely considered a period marked by change, experimentation, exploration, and development. Attachment theory postulates that relationships between children and their caregivers are crucial for the organization/representation of the self. Extant research indicates that secure parent-child-relationships and identity-development co-exist during emerging-adulthood. Self-esteem has also been associated with secure identity-formation. While there is considerable research on the associations between parent-child relationships and identity formation, as well as self-esteem and identity-formation, relatively little is known about the combined effects of parent-child relationships and self-esteem on identity-development during emerging-adulthood.

The present study explores …

Targeting The Renin-Angiotensin System For The Treatment Of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Ariana Hernandez, Chana Vogel, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Natalia Noto, Yazmin Restrepo, Shay Moen, Julianna Bonetti

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), the accumulation of amyloid proteins in the cerebral vasculature, can increase the risk of stroke, vascular cognitive impairment, and dementia. CAA is highly comorbid with Alzheimer’s disease and contributes to Alzheimer’s pathology by affecting the clearance of amyloid from the brain. Epidemiological studies suggest that certain renin-angiotensin system-targeting drugs, commonly used for the treatment of hypertension, decrease the risk of dementia. This study assesses whether two FDA-approved RAS-targeting drugs: telmisartan [a brain-penetrant angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)], and lisinopril [a brain-penetrant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor]; can be repurposed to mitigate CAA, associated neuropathologies, and cognitive decline in …

Trends And Disparities In Preventative Oral Health Across Demographics: Unveiling And Analyzing 24 Years Of Data In The Us (1999-2023), Tania Anousheh

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Oral health is a fundamental component of our overall well-being. Not only can it greatly influence our physical health but also the emotional, psychological, and socioeconomic aspects of our lives. Despite advancements in dental care, we have noted that there is limited research on how demographic factors impact our oral health behaviors, with underrepresented populations often excluded from large-scale studies. Recognizing this critical gap, we will examine trends in oral health preventive behaviors in the United States from 1999 through 2023, using data from over 106,289 surveys in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We will use RStudio …

The Effects Of Turkesterone On Sleep, Antonio Crisanti, Ava Lukowiak, Tobin Silver Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Introduction

Turkesterone is a naturally occurring compound found in the ajuga turkestanica plant, traditionally used in Central Asia and India for treating various ailments. It has been suggested that supplementation with turkesterone, a type of ecdysteroid, may also have properties that promote improvements in physical and mental performance. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if four weeks of Turkesterone (500 mg daily dose) supplementation affect sleep quality.

Methods

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of turkesterone supplementation on mood, sexual functioning, and sleep quality in 30 active individuals (14 males, 16 females). Participants …

Training Alters Joint Power Distributions During Running In National Football League Draft Preparation Players, Jacob Haberer

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The aim of this study was to compare joint-specific contributions to total lower limb joint power during a speed run in American style football players before and after a 6-week National Football League (NFL) draft preparation camp. Fifty-two players performed one 5-second treadmill run at 5.5 – 6.5 m/s before and after camp. Speed was consistent between tests. Bilateral hip, knee, and ankle power generation (positive) and absorption (negative) were calculated from kinematics and kinetics using inverse dynamics. Negative total limb power decreased for both limbs, significantly for the left (Z = - 2.113, p = .035, r = …

Write To Calm: How College Students Use Writing To Manage Stress And Anxiety, Tanvi Rudrangi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Writing has gained attention for its mental health benefits, particularly among high-stress populations, such as adolescents and young adults. College students, facing academic pressures, social challenges, and transitions to adulthood, are an ideal group for studying the potential therapeutic impact of this practice. This study explores how college students use writing as a tool to manage stress and anxiety. The different forms of writing therapy, a technique involving writing to process emotions and experiences, that are explored in this study include free-form journaling, expressive writing (e.g., letters, personal essays, etc.), creative writing (e.g., poetry, stories, etc.), and structured writing, which …

Spend/Thrift, Jocelyn Saccucci, Mia Alvarado, Matthew Mccall

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In this short documentary, Mako TV talks to college-age South Florida locals to find out why thrifting is becoming popular among them. People cite many different reasons for wanting to purchase items secondhand, with the most prevalent being the lower cost. Many individuals struggle with financial hardships and find thrifting an easier solution than buying items from firsthand stores. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, there are unique difficulties that owners of local thrift stores face with keeping their stores open. The documentary shows that any stigma that previous generations may have had about thrift stores is not as common with …

National Coral Reef Management Fellowship Newsletter Volume 5 | Issue 3, National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) Coral Reef Conservation Program

National Coral Reef Management Fellowship Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Nsu Kpcom Link - Spring 2025 - Volume 4.1, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Florida Link Newsletter

No abstract provided.