Digital Commons Network^™

Christian Monasticism And The Making Of Modern Medicine In London, Nicole Shaker

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Christian monasteries were the first formal healthcare settings in London. They defined doctors as Jesus-imitators, hospitals as inclusive shelters, and medicine as the holistic treatment of mental, spiritual, and physical maladies. Today, London’s medical students are taught to strive towards Christian values like empathy and patience and London’s model of free healthcare represents inclusivity and generosity. But because medicine has evolved away from faith, London’s healthcare ultimately displays a watered-down image of its roots in love-based monastic service. This paper will examine how three values of monastic medicine in London during the Late Middle Ages— agape love, hospitality, and holism— …

Climate Change Attitudes About Human Responsibility Among The Nsu Community, Anshu Jasani

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This research is about how people self-report climate change attitudes about human responsibility. Self-reports precede actions (Critchfield & Perone, 1990), so a predictive model of attitudes is important. Ransdell (2016) surveyed a similar NSU sample in 2015 and found that 62% reported a belief that climate change is mostly human-caused. The present study is a replication with some additional questions. As before, all with NSU email addresses were sent the survey once, without any incentive or follow-up. In this survey, the main goal was to predict Question 6 which showed participants' views on climate change as mostly human caused. The …

Comparative Genomics Across Ganoderma Species To Identify Anti-Cancer Producing Secondary Metabolite Clusters, Abril Chao, Omobolanle Ayangade, Rajendra Pangeni Ph.D., Braham Dhillon Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Ganoderma lucidum is a mushroom-forming fungus that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. G. lucidum, also known as lingzhi or reishi, is consumed in several Asian cultures to promote health and longevity. Bioactive molecules with anticancer properties have been isolated and characterized primarily from the species Ganoderma lucidum, and the cytotoxic potential of other species in the genus Ganoderma remains relatively unclear. Bioactive molecules isolated from mushroom fruiting bodies are demonstrated to have cytotoxicity against different cancer cell lines. Triterpenes and polysaccharides are the two major groups of compounds that exhibit antitumor and …

Comparing Methodologies In 2-2'-Bipyridine Synthesis, Valentina El Khouri Faieta, Emily Andersen, Cameron Martinez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this study is to determine the most economical and efficient way to synthesize functionalized bipyridine adducts for future incorporation into ruthenium complexes. These complexes show promise in treating bladder cancer and their extensive conjugated system demonstrates strong photovoltaic activity.

Two distinct approaches will be contrasted. The first method uses several disubstituted 2-bromopyridine substrates in homo-coupling reactions to create functionalized bipyridines, at the expense of long reactions times. The second route utilizes unsubstituted 2,2’-bipyridines and functionalizes them in a symmetrical pattern using a microwave synthesizer, to attempt to drastically shorten reaction times.

The first mode utilizes deactivating groups …

Comparing The Effects Of Invasive Waterhyacinth On Aquatic Communities, Maria José Gacharná Ferro, Colby Holbrook, Reginald Kempson Iii, Andrew Kuntz, Layla Lacelle, Claire Scobie, Indaya Byer

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Waterhyacinth is an invasive freshwater species that rapidly grows across water bodies, creating dense mats that disrupt local ecosystems. Our goal was to measure the impact of waterhyacinth on aquatic communities. We tested the hypotheses that waterhyacinth supported different fish and invertebrate species than native aquatic plants, used more dissolved oxygen (DO), and provided different levels of support to abundant invertebrates like amphipods. The fish communities under both plant groups were collected using a 1m2 throwtrap and a backpack electrofisher. This allowed for comparison between fish communities and method efficiency. We compared invertebrate community assemblages by collecting samples of roots …

Conserved Domains In Promoters Of Differentially Expressed Genes Under High Night Temperature Stress In Rice: How To Find Them And What Can They Tell Us?, Emalynn Tobias, Jenna Handal, Paul Lup, Michael Egozi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Crop plant response to stress involves changes in gene expression patterns. The complex process of regulation of gene expression involves cis- and trans-acting components. One of the key steps in understanding changes in gene expression associated with a plant’s response to stress begins with identifying “conserved domains” in the promoters of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). By providing binding sites for transcription factors, the conserved domains can play a crucial role in gene regulation. In this study, we aim to identify the cis-regulatory elements (CREs) in the promoters of 149 DEGs that were identified in the transcriptomic analysis of two rice …

Eating Disorders: A Public Health Perspective, Avisha Thota

Undergraduate Student Symposium

There are six primary eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder (BED), avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, pica, and rumination disorder. The purpose of this project is to identify the underlying patterns between cultural taboos and/or low food insecurity (FI) and the likelihood of developing an eating disorder. It was hypothesized that if either cultural taboo about eating or low food insecurity is present, then the development of an eating disorder is more likely. A comprehensive literature review extracted keywords and reoccurring patterns from various primary and secondary sources. The hypothesis was partially supported, as the two factors have …

Effective Use For Design, Aruhi Kodeboyina

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Flyers, which foster human connection and communication, are integral when looking at human interaction throughout various stages of life. They require a balance between attractability and simplicity through both words and visuals, and they can create and/or foster a space for discussion and discourse. In this study, I examine the relationship between texts, visuals, phrasing, and audience in the process of making flyers. Relevant scholarship suggests that the wording/framing on the flier has a large part in whether people are influenced by it. Using my own primary research methods, I also found that participants paid a lot of attention to …

Effects Of Altered Tpp-1 Expression In Human Neural Progenitor Cells, Nitisha Gajavalli, Julia Langman, Amelia E. Zannoni, Grace K. Wong, Chase A. Gonzales, Roberto G. Fileni, Peter Stringer

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Batten’s Disease or neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2) is a pediatric autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder due to a deficit of the lysosomal protease tripeptidyl peptidase (TPP-1). The lack of TPP-1 leads to an accumulation of lysosomal waste and cell death. CLN2 is characterized by language delays, seizures, cognitive and motor decline, blindness, and early death. Currently, a clinical trial of the experimental treatment Brineura® (Cerilponase Alfa) is the only approved treatment for CLN2. The clinical trial involves infusion of human recombinant TPP-1 (rhTPP1) into the ventricles of the brain. Diffusion models suggest the protein will spread along …

Evaluating A Research Course Designed To Help Students Understand Protein Structure And Function, Omar Saleh, Jordan Nichole Carreras, Ryan Luib

Undergraduate Student Symposium

An educational curriculum has been implemented through the Farquhar Honors College (FHC) to integrate computational biology research for undergraduate students. Since its time as an independent study course, it has evolved into an Honors interdisciplinary course that is co-taught by professors from both the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry & Physics with support from the NSF-funded Connecting Researchers, Educators, and STudents program, and 3D Molecular Designs. The course is intended to be applicable to FHC students regardless of their academic background. Throughout the Fall 2023 semester, peer mentors worked with student groups to assist in literature comprehension, protein selection, …

Evaluating Telmisartan's Impact On Metabolic Health And Cognitive Function In Mice Subjected To A High-Fat Diet, Julianna Bonetti, Ariana Hernandez, Iliana Uribe, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Chana Vogel, Nikhila Paleati, Natalia Noto

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A high-fat diet can induce metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In turn, metabolic diseases increase the likelihood of developing neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g. dementia, anxiety, and depression). While telmisartan, an ARB (angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker), is known to treat hypertension, it can also reduce weight gain, while improving dyslipidemia and glucose metabolism in male mice fed a high-fat diet. However, it is unknown whether telmisartan can reverse behavioral changes caused by a high-fat diet. This study assesses the effects of treatment with telmisartan on metabolic outcomes and cognitive-behavioral function, …

Evaluating The Association Between Undergraduate Major And Telehealth Utilization, Nimisha Kumar, Rojie Ekanayake, Wardah Lodhi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Telehealth is a rapidly advancing phenomenon that utilizes technology to provide long-distance healthcare services to patients. The convenience of telehealth services is essential during emergency situations. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased awareness and reliance of telehealth services worldwide. Additionally, telehealth provides time-saving crisis intervention amongst the recent worsening of the fentanyl and opioid crisis. Telehealth’s increased flexibility and convenience benefits populations facing barriers to healthcare access. As telehealth rapidly evolves, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence its adoption. The purpose of this study is to evaluate any associations between undergraduate students’ majors and telehealth …

Exercise As A Natural Kappa Opioid Receptor To Treat Binge Drinking Withdrawal, Eleanor Wind, Iliana Uribe, Ariana Hernandez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Binge drinking is a serious public health problem in the United States especially among college students. Clinical trials demonstrate positive results for the treatment of alcohol abuse with aerobic exercise. Research in animal models aims to answer questions regarding implementation across sexes and age groups by studying underlying neurobiological mechanisms such as kappa opioid receptor (KOR) activation. KOR antagonists have been shown to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms associated with ethanol withdrawal. Chronic treadmill exercise reduces KOR binding and G-protein activation in rodents, suggesting exercise could have an effect on symptoms of ethanol withdrawal similar to KOR antagonists. Previous research …

Expanding Shelter Dog Research And Service To Encompass University Campus Communities, Lea Stephen, Richa Patel, Raquel Walton

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Many animal shelters are actively exploring social enrichment (SE) programs to alleviate animal stress and reduce residency times. SE invests in resources for focal animals (e.g. field trips, play groups, and/or augmented cages) to improve health, temperament, and adoption prospects. SE hinges on many factors, including strategic design and resource recruitment (e.g. human volunteers) to implement data-driven protocols. We propose that college students can help expand and refine SE efforts of campus-adjacent animal shelters, while meeting student needs for meaningful service and research opportunities. To demonstrate this, we completed diverse SE-related activities over the last two semesters using public data, …

Exploration Of Mdm2-Aurkb Regulatory Interaction: Implications For Cell Cycle Arrest And Cell Death In Lung Cancer, Akshara Sriram, Esha Surana

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of 26.6% in the USA contributing to a higher mortality in comparison to other cancers. Among various abnormalities, MDM2 overexpression can positively influence the intracellular mechanisms and contribute to cancer progression through AURKB activation. Also, FOXO3A, a member of the Forkhead Box transcription factors linked to MDM2, serve as intermediates for various cellular mechanisms, including tumorigenesis, cell cycle progression, DNA damage, and cell death. Therefore, blocking MDM2 with specific inhibitors has become one of the promising strategies for the restoration of p53 mediated tumor …

Exploring The Genetic Elements Regarding The Early Onset Of Arthritis Due To Crohn's Disease, Vamsi Korisapati, Karam Asad

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Crohn’s disease is a rare inflammatory bowel disease that negatively impacts the lining of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease increases the probability of early onset arthritis, both of which are commonly associated chronic conditions. An overactive immune response is the primary cause of inflammation in Crohn's disease, and this inflammation can damage not only the digestive tract but also other regions of the body such as the joints. However, patients who are diagnosed with arthritis are typically prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are not recommended for patients with Crohn’s disease (ex. aspirin, naproxen, & celecoxib). On the other hand, disease-modifying …

Exploring The Therapeutic Potential Of Telmisartan Against High Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Dose- And Sex-Dependent Study In Mice, Nitisha Dundigalla, Ariana Hernandez, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Chana Vogel, Iliana Uribe, Shalet James, Eleanor Wind, Natalia Noto, Valeria Cohen, Julianna Bonetti

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver, often developing in response to poor diet consumption and associated metabolic disturbances (obesity, Type II diabetes). Telmisartan, an Angiotensin II receptor blocker commonly used for treating hypertension, may hold therapeutic value against the adverse metabolic effects of a high fat (HF) diet, including NAFLD. This project explores whether the effects of Telmisartan are dose- and sex-dependent in obese, prediabetic mice. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat (HF) or low-fat (LF) diet starting at ~3 months old; diet was maintained for the remainder …

Exploring Trends In Hate Crime Statistics And Trauma-Related Disorders In Asian And Black Americans, 2017-2021, Arun Jagarlamudi, Meghana Jagarlamudi, Varun Jagarlamudi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The rise of COVID-19 and social movements (i.e., protests) were also accompanied with the rise of hate crimes, specifically against Asian and Black communities. Along with physical threats from hate crimes, long-term consequences of this include trauma-related responses such as developing feelings of anger and facing higher risks of PTSD compared to other crimes committed against these groups. This project explored a 5-year trend analysis of the relationship between hate crimes and trauma-related mental health disorders among Black and Asian populations in the United States. It was hypothesized that hate crimes and trauma-related disorders would be positively correlated and would …

Fish Market, Aria Tan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Aria Nicolette Tan was born in the United States and then grew up on an island off the coast of Malaysia. After moving back to America, she moved frequently across the US. Influenced by her time in culturally diverse communities, Tan developed a fascination with the simplicity of the human experience. Generation Z's media is heavily centered in personal identity and how it strengthens the connection of an individual to society. This experience serves as an inspiration for Tan's art. Her creative motivation is to represent a journey that is accessible to anyone.

Her painting portfolio titled "Fish Market" contains …

Fluorescence Analysis Of Carboxyphenyl Porphyrins, Janani Prasanna, Ayush Desai, Andersen Cheong, Amanda Leon

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Studies to analyze the effects of metals on the fluorescence properties of porphyrins were carried out by comparing a metalloporphyrin (Cu(II) meso-Tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin, abbreviated as Cu–4- CPP) with it freebase counterpart (meso-Tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin, abbreviated as 4-CPP) at various emissions. These porphyrins were selected based on their solubility, structure, and electrochemical properties. A trial was carried out in the UV spectrophotometer to obtain the peak wavelengths of major absorption which were then used to carry out the trials in the spectrofluorometer. In each experiment, the resulting fluorescence peaks were obtained at various emission wavelengths. After analyzing the peaks, it was determined …

Fluoride-Mediated Gene Expression Regulated Epigenetically Via H3ac Modification In Ameloblast-Lineage Cells, Melanie Mendonca, Shohei Yamashita, Motoki Okamoto, Susanne Brueckner

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Objectives: Previously we reported that fluoride-mediated histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activation contributed to p53 acetylation to promote fluoride toxicity in mouse ameloblast-like cells (LS8). However, the roles of fluoride-mediated HAT activation in histone acetylation and epigenetic regulation of fluoride-mediated gene expressions remain unidentified. This study demonstrates that fluoride-mediated gene expression is regulated epigenetically via modification of histone acetylation status (H3K27Ac) in transcription start sites (TSS) in LS8 cells.

Methods: LS8 cells were treated with or without 5 mM fluoride for 24 h and subjected to chromatin isolation followed by immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and DNA purification. ChIP assay was performed using antibodies specific …

Genome Characterization And Annotation Of Two Newly Discovered Bacteriophages Makomanhole And Penjamin420, Janelle Bachman Rodríguez, Sara Faruqui, Caleb Siguenza, Taylor R. Butler, Christopher Huang, Brianna Khrakovsky, Kayle Mederos, Monserrat Montanez, Gabriella Nazarov, Ilan Nedjar, Anneliese Rodriguez, Laurent F. Zayas Diaz, Megana S. Guntur, Naitik K. Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

While many bacteria are beneficial, some can have negative impacts on humans, animals, and the environment. One avenue of exploration to combat these effects is using bacteriophages (phage). Phage are viruses that target and kill specific bacterial host cells. While approximately 10³¹ bacteriophages exist, 99% of them are undiscovered. In recent years, scientists have utilized phage in real-world applications including fighting antibiotic resistance, food biocontrol, bioremediation, and treating wastewater. Therefore, it is essential to genetically characterize novel bacteriophages for their use in these different bacterial control applications. The aim of this research was to annotate the genomes of newly …

How Do Residents Of South Florida Perceive Aquaculture?, Jayce Oldham

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Aquaculture is the raising of fish either extensively, in cages located in public waterways or coastal waters, or intensively, in closed-circuit tanks on land. Aquaculture is mainly done to produce seafood for human consumption. This study used an IRB-approved survey of South Florida residents to assess attitudes regarding the potential ability of aquaculture to produce seafood and how the process of aquaculture is viewed by the public. The survey used voluntary participants for the main results, with stratified sampling to select participants for a subsequent voluntary focus group. The focus group collected additional information about the views of the participants. …

Identification Of Regulatory Roles For Stress Responsive Transposable Elements In Rice, Jenna Handal, Paul Lup, Emalynn Tobias, Andy Pereira Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Transposable elements, or mobile DNA sequences, are known for their structural and functional roles in the rice genome. As sources of genetic variation and drivers of evolution, transposable elements have been extensively studied for their role in regulation of gene expression. In addition, transposable elements are shown to be activated in response to various biotic and abiotic stresses and can possibly serve as a contributor to heat stress adaptation by modification of gene expression. As the global temperature rises, heat stress threatens crop production worldwide by affecting optimal rice growth, development, and yield. Concern for food security amidst a growing …

Identifying The Binding Residues On Cyp3a4 To Naringin Using Protein Modeling And Docking, Parth Shah, Vraj Patel, Sanjana Ananthula

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cytochrome p450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is one of the most abundant cytochrome enzymes and is involved in the detoxification of many medically relevant drugs. Inhibition of CYP3A4 can increase the bioavailability and duration of the availability of medications in the bloodstream and is therefore of great medical relevance. CYP3A4 has been noted to be inhibited by naringin, a flavanone found in grapefruits and other citrus fruits. As no structure exists of naringin bound to CYP3A4, the binding residues to naringin were investigated using 3-D protein modeling and in-silico molecular docking simulations. The CYP3A4 protein structure was obtained from the RCSB Protein …

Influence Of Growth Efficiency, Bacterial Density, And Metabolism On Antibiotic Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus, Shreeya Patel, Estefania Marin Meneses

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic resistance presents a formidable challenge in medicine, with rising mortality rates and escalating hospital expenses attributed to infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To address this critical issue, comprehending the mechanisms of bacterial resistance is paramount to the development of innovate drugs and treatment strategies. One such mechanism is the inoculum effect (IE), where the initial bacterial population density determines the minimum concentration of antibiotic required to eliminate the population. While previous work has shown that for gram negative bacteria, the relationship between ATP production and growth rate can account for the IE. However, it remains unclear as to if …

Invertebrate Cover Within A Submerged Lava Tunnel, Concha De Perla Lagoon, Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Giavanna Iglio

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Shallow water (<10m depth) coastal benthic invertebrate communities in the Galápagos Archipelago are well-described. However, the submerged Concha de Perla lava tunnel is undescribed, despite being at a main tourist area in a lagoon near (~150m east) the main dock for the town of Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island. The tunnel is oriented along an east-west axis, is ~15m long, with an interior diameter of ~2m. This creates habitat for cavernicolous fauna in the interior, with more typical benthic cover at the entrances. Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) trees surround and grow on top of the tunnel. Benthic cover on the tunnel interior includes sponges, cnidarians, sea urchins and bryozoans. The most common invertebrates include the endemic sea urchin Eucidaris galapagensis, white sponges, bryozoans and the azooxanthellate orange cup coral Tubastrea coccinea. Algae is absent except for a patch of crustose coralline algae on the northern wall near the west opening that receives dim light in the late afternoons. This descriptive survey quantifies the contribution of each taxonomic group to the lava tunnel walls, ceiling, and floor. Community structure is …

Ketogenic Diet Improves Cognitive-Behavioral Function In A Mouse Model Of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Chana Vogel, Lauren Rosenburg, Iliana Uribe, Ariana Hernandez, Bianca Echeverria

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the accumulation of amyloid protein in cerebral vessels, is linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD), stroke, and cognitive impairment. Currently, there is no effective treatment or prevention for this condition. The ketogenic diet (KD), which is characterized by high fat, low carbohydrate, and moderate protein consumption, has gained considerable attention in recent years for its potential therapeutic use in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Studies in AD rodent models have found that KD and/or ketogenic supplements attenuate cognitive-behavioral impairments and dementia-related pathology. However, it is unknown whether KD can similarly benefit individuals with CAA. Considering KD’s …

Learning From Louisiana: How Legislation And Location Affect Lgbtq+ Youth Mental Health, Abhay Dharanikota

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Queer youth are disproportionately vulnerable to mental health challenges including elevated risks of social isolation and suicide ideation. Disparities in mental health outcomes among queer students exist across states, but the underlying factors contributing to these variations remain unclear. This research aims to understand why certain states exhibit better mental health outcomes among queer youth than others by analyzing nationwide LGBTQ+ mental health statistics. This knowledge can then inform effective programs and approaches to improving outcomes in other states. It is hypothesized that states offering accessible mental health services, safe spaces such as Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), and LGBTQ-affirming …

Linguistics And Math: Using Math To Understand The History Between Languages, Diana E. Dancea

Undergraduate Student Symposium

We investigate the idea of calculating distances in higher dimensions and then mapping them to 2D data visualizations and observing the results. Applying the experiment to a real-world representation, we consider the linguistic concept of the Swadesh list, a list of 207 standard concepts across languages, and use mathematical methods to analyze the lexical distances between languages. A lexical distance is a measure that defines a method to analyze the similarity or difference between two distinct languages. In Linguistics, the Levenshtien distance represents the number of characters needed to transform one word into another, which fits perfectly with what we …