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Biomechanical Profiles In Cross-Country Runners: Pca Identifies Patterns, Not Injury, Kiana Medina, Sathvi Gandra, Auston Hsieh Apr 2026

Biomechanical Profiles In Cross-Country Runners: Pca Identifies Patterns, Not Injury, Kiana Medina, Sathvi Gandra, Auston Hsieh

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Running biomechanics reflect coordinated strategies rather than isolated variable effects and are thought to influence injury risk. This study investigates whether distinct running gait patterns identified through principal component analysis (PCA) of biomechanical variables were associated with injury occurrence in collegiate cross-country athletes. Twenty-two university cross-country runners (N=22; n = 5 males, n = 17 females; age range = 18-25 years) completed a 3D biomechanical gait assessment from which we derived step frequency (SF), hip and ankle propulsive power, knee abductor moments (KAM), vertical stiffness (kvert), contralateral pelvis drop (CPD), hip adduction (HADD), time of braking force ( …

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Tissue-Specific Stable Isotope Fractionation In Subarctic Pinniped Species, Morgan Michalek Apr 2026

Tissue-Specific Stable Isotope Fractionation In Subarctic Pinniped Species, Morgan Michalek

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios are widely used to evaluate marine mammal diet, trophic position, and nutrient assimilation. However, interpretation is often confounded by tissue-specific isotopic discrimination, which alters isotope ratios during nutrient assimilation and tissue synthesis. Quantifying these offsets is essential for ensuring accurate trophic reconstructions across multiple tissues with different biochemical compositions. This study measured δ13 and δ15N values in muscle, blood, blubber, brain, collagen, kidney, liver, skin, fur, and vibrissae of Steller sea lions (Eumentopias jubatus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and northern fur …

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Ankle Dorsiflexion Differences Due To Fatigue In Men's Division Ii Collegiate Basketball Players, James Manuel Moonnumacakal Apr 2026

Ankle Dorsiflexion Differences Due To Fatigue In Men's Division Ii Collegiate Basketball Players, James Manuel Moonnumacakal

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Previous research indicates the biomechanics at the ankle joint can lead to increased risk of injury such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, Achilles rupture, or patellofemoral tendinopathy. Studies also revealed that the establishment of baseline ankle range-of-motion (ROM) measures can allow the decrease of injury for a team over the course of professional season. Understanding ankle ROM norms can lead to detecting critical injuries and the development of a strength and conditioning plan to help avoid injury. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship that fatigue has upon ankle ROM using a static lunge test to …

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Dft Modeling Of Steroid–Phospholipid Noncovalent Interactions: Conformations, Binding Energy, And Solvation Effects, Sohan Mothkur Apr 2026

Dft Modeling Of Steroid–Phospholipid Noncovalent Interactions: Conformations, Binding Energy, And Solvation Effects, Sohan Mothkur

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Steroids (STRs) have essential roles in human physiology and disease, regulating processes such as metabolism and immunity. STRs exert their effects through receptor-mediated pathways and by modulating cell membrane properties. STRs can intercalate into phospholipid (PL) bilayers, altering membrane properties that can influence downstream biological processes. While STR-protein interactions have been widely studied, little is known about how STR-PL interactions influence membrane properties. In this study, we used density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the interactions between testosterone (TST) and cholesterol (CHOL) with three representative PLs: phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). STR-PL complexes were modeled using an aqueous …

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Comparative Genomics Across Ganoderma Species To Identify Secondary Metabolite Clusters With Cytotoxic Properties, Fatima Muhammad, Maya Pasapuleti, Emily Abraham, Navya Mysore Apr 2026

Comparative Genomics Across Ganoderma Species To Identify Secondary Metabolite Clusters With Cytotoxic Properties, Fatima Muhammad, Maya Pasapuleti, Emily Abraham, Navya Mysore

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Fungi in the genus Ganoderma have been widely studied in Chinese culture for their medicinal properties and promoting overall health and longevity. Our prior work on eight Ganoderma species showed that they contain Secondary Metabolite Clusters (SMCs) that code for multiple terpenes, betalactones, and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). These compounds are well known for their cytotoxic and anticancer potential. Using the bioinformatics platform antiSMASH, we previously identified and annotated the specific SMCs within these genomes that are predicted to produce such bioactive metabolites. To test the results obtained from the bioinformatics analysis, fungal extracts were prepared from …

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Effects Of Bhb(Beta-Hydroxybutyrate) Of Mood, Memory, And Handgrip, Christianna Needham, Sahanj Joshi, Jairaj Bajaj Apr 2026

Effects Of Bhb(Beta-Hydroxybutyrate) Of Mood, Memory, And Handgrip, Christianna Needham, Sahanj Joshi, Jairaj Bajaj

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of acute beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on handgrip, mood states and memory of healthy men and women. The subjects were exercise science students from Nova Southeastern University between 18-22 years of age. Subjects performed Handgrip strength, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Memtrax the tests prior to consuming BHB, as well as 30 minutes, and 60 minutes post consumption. A total of 136 healthy participants (20.5±1.4 years) were randomized into three groups: D-BHB (n=47), L-BHB (n=46), or placebo (n=43). A Two-Way ANOVA test revealed no significant …

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Developing A Novel Protocol To Isolate Mitochondria From The Cnidarian Aiptasia Pallida For Bioenergetic Studies , Chelsea Nguyen, Kiran Sajnani Apr 2026

Developing A Novel Protocol To Isolate Mitochondria From The Cnidarian Aiptasia Pallida For Bioenergetic Studies , Chelsea Nguyen, Kiran Sajnani

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The symbiotic relationship between cnidarian hosts and photosynthetic dinoflagellates relies on a dynamic exchange of metabolites between key organelles including chloroplasts and mitochondria. Understanding how temperature affects this exchange is pivotal to determine its role in metabolic dysbiosis, but methodological challenges in isolating mitochondria from cnidarian tissue must be addressed. The aim of this project is to develop a reproducible homogenization and isolation protocol of mitochondria from the upside-down sea jelly Cassiopea xamachana, to be used as a model for subsequent bioenergetic studies. Mesogleal tissue from laboratory acclimated C. xamachana was finely minced, and several mechanical homogenization methods were …

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Passion Versus Predisposition: How Engagement, Personality, And Trait-Anxiety Predict Homesickness, Bala Sivani Padala, Porsha Adoghe, Alyssa Harris Apr 2026

Passion Versus Predisposition: How Engagement, Personality, And Trait-Anxiety Predict Homesickness, Bala Sivani Padala, Porsha Adoghe, Alyssa Harris

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Homesickness is a prevalent condition affecting many college students. Several factors contribute to homesickness, including, but not limited to, adjustment difficulty, missing family and friends, rumination, and loneliness. To better understand homesickness, we explored how engagement, anxiety, and personality moderate each factor. Engagement and personality were hypothesized to negatively correlate with homesickness. Trait anxiety was hypothesized to positively correlate with homesickness. We examined these variables by having participants complete a Google form that included questions from four surveys: the Utrecht Homesickness Scale (UHS), the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory …

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Overcoming Gbm Stem Cell Resistance With Resveratrol Analog E03, Alma Partenza, Vansh Linga, Maanas Mallela Apr 2026

Overcoming Gbm Stem Cell Resistance With Resveratrol Analog E03, Alma Partenza, Vansh Linga, Maanas Mallela

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis, driven by GBM stem cells (GSCs) that promote growth, recurrence, and treatment resistance. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is frequently hyperactivated in GBM, contributing to cell survival and proliferation, making it a key therapeutic target. Resveratrol (RSV), a natural anticancer polyphenol downregulates AKT signaling but is limited by poor bioavailability and potency. We developed diaryl acrylonitrile analogs of RSV to improve potency, stability, and drug-like properties for targeting GSCs. This study aimed to synthesize, evaluate the anticancer activity of these analogs against GSCs, and elucidate their mechanism of action to …

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Refining Potent Stat3 Inhibitor Structure Through Molecular Docking, Dev Patel, Dev Patel Apr 2026

Refining Potent Stat3 Inhibitor Structure Through Molecular Docking, Dev Patel, Dev Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a central role in signaling regulation in many cancers including glioblastoma. Normally, STAT3 is activated by the presence of ligand. In cancer cells, STAT3 is constitutively activated, making it a therapeutic target. STAT3 inhibitors currently used in clinical trials act by targeting upstream activators of STAT3. However, cancer cells bypass these pathways, activating STAT3 through receptor-pathway independent mechanism. Therefore, there is a need for inhibitors to directly target and inhibit STAT3, therefore blocking its function. Nitro groups (-NO2) are being investigated as potential anti-cancer compounds. In cellular studies, IX-11 …

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Gene Loss And Ecological Adaptation In Honeybee Venom: Exploring The Absence Of Melittin In Apis Andreniformis, Diya Patel, Grace Wong, Rishubh Madaboosil, Kaylee Reyes Lazo, Jovonne Grant, Isabella Garcia Apr 2026

Gene Loss And Ecological Adaptation In Honeybee Venom: Exploring The Absence Of Melittin In Apis Andreniformis, Diya Patel, Grace Wong, Rishubh Madaboosil, Kaylee Reyes Lazo, Jovonne Grant, Isabella Garcia

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Genetic divergence within the Apis honeybee genus is shaped by geography, climate, and ecological specialization, leading to variations in morphology, behavior, and venom composition. Comparative genomic analyses have revealed both gene loss and lineage-specific adaptations that contribute to these traits. In this study, we investigate the evolutionary, molecular, and biochemical factors influencing venom production across honeybee species, with a focus on the unexpected absence of a detectable melittin gene in Apis andreniformis (Black Dwarf Honeybee). While melittin constitutes 40-60% of the venom in Apis mellifera, BLAST searches failed to identify a homolog in A. andreniformis, despite its venom …

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Biomechanical Stress And Asymmetrical Loading: Comparing Unilateral Landings Across Volleyball Hitter Positions, Nihar Patel Apr 2026

Biomechanical Stress And Asymmetrical Loading: Comparing Unilateral Landings Across Volleyball Hitter Positions, Nihar Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Jump-based movements in volleyball, particularly unilateral landings, generate substantial injury risk to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). These landings create asymmetrical ground reaction forces and patellar joint instability, with outside and right-side hitters most affected since they often land on a single leg after spiking. Prior studies show that unilateral landings produce higher peak forces and reduced knee flexion compared to bilateral landings, increasing biomechanical stress. Lead-limb dominance and player position further influence landing mechanics and loading patterns. Using VERT, a wearable sensor that records jump height, frequency, and landing impact, along with synchronized video analysis, this study compares landing …

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Is Left Ventricular Dysfunction Associated With Increased Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease Independent Of Classical Vascular Dementia Pathways?, Priyanshi Patel Apr 2026

Is Left Ventricular Dysfunction Associated With Increased Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease Independent Of Classical Vascular Dementia Pathways?, Priyanshi Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This poster examines the potential connection between left ventricular dysfunction and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. Studies suggest that reduced heart function may affect brain health by limiting blood flow to the brain, increasing inflammation, and interfering with the brain's ability to clear harmful proteins such as amyloid-β and tau. These processes resemble changes commonly seen in Alzheimer's disease. In population-based studies, individuals with heart failure or structural abnormalities of the left ventricle appear to have a higher risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, even after accounting for major risk factors such as hypertension and clinical …

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Mapping Neurobehavioral Outcomes Of Glyphosate Application In The United States Through A Data Science Framework, Parushi Porwal, Sharvani Nune, Japji Madan, Arrin Carter, Mitali Athwale, Aliyah Khan, Roham Hadidchi, Umayyah Ahsan, Junaid Muktadir, Rishi Porwal Apr 2026

Mapping Neurobehavioral Outcomes Of Glyphosate Application In The United States Through A Data Science Framework, Parushi Porwal, Sharvani Nune, Japji Madan, Arrin Carter, Mitali Athwale, Aliyah Khan, Roham Hadidchi, Umayyah Ahsan, Junaid Muktadir, Rishi Porwal

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glyphosate is the most widely used active ingredient in herbicides globally, yet its impact on mental health and neurodegenerative disorders is under-researched. This project developed a data science approach to build a structured database that consolidates evidence of glyphosate exposure and neurological health outcomes, with a primary focus on the United States. A systematic search of scientific databases identified over seventy peer-reviewed studies, primarily U.S.-based with some global representation. Data for six primary health outcomes (depression, anxiety, reported suicide, ADHD, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease) were extracted. Each study was reviewed for design type, study location, exposure assessment methods, health …

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Pattern Formation In A Β-Amyloid Plaque Model For Alzheimer's Disease , Hannah Prudhomme Apr 2026

Pattern Formation In A Β-Amyloid Plaque Model For Alzheimer's Disease , Hannah Prudhomme

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with complex physiological mechanism that are not fully understood. Over 7 million Americans are known to be living with the disease, and an Alzheimer's diagnosis accounts for 60-70% of dementia cases. Current hypotheses attribute the cause to an interplay between β-Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, resulting in central nervous system disruption and decline in cognitive functioning. In this project, we study a spatial dynamical system model that incorporates the interaction between β-Amyloid monomers, oligomers, microglia, and interleukins in the context of plaque aggregation. We establish conditions for the existence and stability of a spatially …

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Repurposing Nilotinib In A Metabolically Compromised Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Maria Ramirez Aleman, Victoria Pullido-Correa, Ariana Hernandez, Chana Vogel, Ana Carvalho, Daniel Lopez, Esperanza Barrios, Katilin Martin, Dylan Kuni, Maria A. Paiz Apr 2026

Repurposing Nilotinib In A Metabolically Compromised Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Maria Ramirez Aleman, Victoria Pullido-Correa, Ariana Hernandez, Chana Vogel, Ana Carvalho, Daniel Lopez, Esperanza Barrios, Katilin Martin, Dylan Kuni, Maria A. Paiz

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Diet-related metabolic disorders, including obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes, significantly increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite substantial research, effective disease-modifying therapies remain limited. Nilotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for leukemia, has shown neuroprotective effects in preclinical AD models, including reduced amyloid-β pathology and improved cognition. In vitro studies also suggest nilotinib enhances mitochondrial bioenergetics. However, its efficacy under conditions of metabolic dysfunction remains unclear. This study therefore evaluated the effects of nilotinib in an AD mouse model with diet-induced metabolic impairment. Male and female B6129SF1/J control and 3xTg-AD mice were fed a low-fat (LFD) or high-fat …

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Understanding Ice Age Climate In Buffalo Gap National Grasslands Through Heavy Mineral Analysis, Chancellor Rockwell Marks, Jenna Church Apr 2026

Understanding Ice Age Climate In Buffalo Gap National Grasslands Through Heavy Mineral Analysis, Chancellor Rockwell Marks, Jenna Church

Undergraduate Student Symposium

More information about ice age climate change during Marine Isotope Stage 2 (MIS 2), the last glacial maximum, is known from ice cores and marine sediments than from continental geology. For scientists to construct climate models, they need climate information about continental areas for comparison. Marine and ice sediments are deposited in layers, year after year, with relatively little disturbance after deposition. Changes in isotopic composition of these sediments reflect profound changes in Earth's climate. The equivalent continental sediment record is loess (windblown dust), which is deposited in fine layers without subsequent disturbance. Here, we studied loess to determine paleowind …

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Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Exacerbates Cognitive Deficits In A Mouse Model Of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Apr 2026

Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Exacerbates Cognitive Deficits In A Mouse Model Of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects around 69 million people each year, with mild TBIs (mTBIs) making up the majority of cases. These injuries, often sustained during contact sports, military service, or incidents of domestic violence, typically involve brief or no loss of consciousness and few immediate symptoms. However, repeated occurrences significantly elevate the risk for long-term complications, including dementia. While repetitive in mTBI is strongly linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the relationship with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the accumulation of amyloid peptides in the cerebral vasculature, remains understudied. Given that CAA significantly contributes …

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Modeling The Binding Of Salinosporamide A (Mzb) To The Human 20s Proteasome For Potential Cancer Treatment, Jayden Ross, Jayant Ari, Audrey Anand, Giezel Medina Apr 2026

Modeling The Binding Of Salinosporamide A (Mzb) To The Human 20s Proteasome For Potential Cancer Treatment, Jayden Ross, Jayant Ari, Audrey Anand, Giezel Medina

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This project aims to model and observe the binding of the drug Marizomib (MZB) and compare its binding affinity other similar drugs to the proteosome using the PDB ID 9HMN and bioinformatics tools. MZB is an anti-cancer drug that was derived from the marine bacterium, Salinosporamide A. Its function is to inhibit the human 20S proteasome from breaking down excess proteins, causing the cell to trigger apoptosis. Additionally, MZB has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and utilize three catalytically active amino acid sites. The existing PDB ID (9HMN) of a 20S proteasome with MZB bound was 3D printed. …

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Psychological Separation As A Developmental Moderator Of Cognitive Maladjustment, Tanvi Rudrangi, Kaleigh Cummings, Misha Patel Apr 2026

Psychological Separation As A Developmental Moderator Of Cognitive Maladjustment, Tanvi Rudrangi, Kaleigh Cummings, Misha Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Developing a personal identity is a central task of late adolescence (Erikson, 1968). Emerging adulthood, a developmental period spanning the late teens to mid-twenties, is characterized by increased independence and self-focus, providing opportunities for life skill development and self-understanding. Despite this emphasis on self-focus, emerging adults' psychosocial adjustment remains closely tied to parent relationships, particularly the process of separation-individuation from parents. The present study examined whether paternal psychological separation moderates the relationship between self-focused life perspectives and maladaptive cognitions of ego inflation/superiority. Participants included 95 emerging adults (ages 18-25, M=20.7, 60 women). Paternal separation was assessed using the 69-item Psychological …

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Pelvic Posture And Spinal Mechanics In Collegiate Golfers: A Tpi Screening And Video Analysis, Rachel Shaw Apr 2026

Pelvic Posture And Spinal Mechanics In Collegiate Golfers: A Tpi Screening And Video Analysis, Rachel Shaw

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Understanding golf swing mechanics is essential for both performance and long-term physical sustainability. The golf swing is a complex movement requiring coordinated action of multiple joints, particularly the spine, hips, and shoulders. Even minor mechanical inefficiencies can reduce shot accuracy, distance, and consistency, while poor mechanics may increase stress on the spine, hips, shoulders, and wrists, raising injury risk. Swing analysis is especially important in collegiate golfers, who are in a critical developmental phase where performance and physical health directly influence future success. Collegiate golfers, typically aged 17-22, are adapting to higher training loads while developing peak strength and power. …

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Trail-Camera Monitoring Of Gopher Tortoise Burrows And The Commensal Wildlife Across South Florida Natural Areas, Madison Smith, Heidi Martz, Coral Kovac, Olivia Baker, Javier Vasallo, Jade Andreu Apr 2026

Trail-Camera Monitoring Of Gopher Tortoise Burrows And The Commensal Wildlife Across South Florida Natural Areas, Madison Smith, Heidi Martz, Coral Kovac, Olivia Baker, Javier Vasallo, Jade Andreu

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are a keystone species whose burrows provide essential shelter for numerous commensal organisms in Florida's upland ecosystems. Understanding tortoise behavior and the wildlife activity that occurs around burrow entrances is critical for informing conservation management and public outreach. This project used motion-triggered trail cameras to document gopher tortoise activity and burrow-associated wildlife across multiple protected natural areas in South Florida. At each natural area, three active burrows were selected and monitored, resulting in three trail cameras deployed per site and nine cameras deployed in total. All cameras operated continuously over an extended observation period. …

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Analysis Of Conserved Domains In Promoters Of Differentially Expressed Genes In Rice, Mahalaxmi Some, Eimaan Ahmad, Emalynn Tobias Apr 2026

Analysis Of Conserved Domains In Promoters Of Differentially Expressed Genes In Rice, Mahalaxmi Some, Eimaan Ahmad, Emalynn Tobias

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Plant responses to stress involve changes in gene expression, and understanding these changes is key to improving crop resilience. A critical step in this process is identifying "conserved domains" in the promoters of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs), as these domains often provide binding sites for transcription factors. In this study, we aim to identify the Cis-Regulatory Elements (CREs) in the promoters of DEGs associated with heat stress. Previously, we identified 149 DEGs from transcriptomic analyses of two rice varieties, Cypress (heat-tolerant) and LaGrue (heat-sensitive), both exposed to high night temperatures (HNT; 82.4 ± 1°F or 28 ± 1°C). We hypothesize …

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From Resume To Risk Factor: The Connections Between Occupation, Chronic Disease, And Mental Health In The United States, Nemo Thomas, Joshua Dumond, Nicole Real Apr 2026

From Resume To Risk Factor: The Connections Between Occupation, Chronic Disease, And Mental Health In The United States, Nemo Thomas, Joshua Dumond, Nicole Real

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Mental health affects various aspects of overall health, including physical, emotional, and social well-being, which influences behavior and management of disease. Furthermore, occupational types (blue-collar, white-collar, and grey-collar) can influence how individuals manage stress. This can be due to the various responsibilities an individual has or the work environment that one is consistently exposed to, which can lead to detrimental mental health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between occupational type and the occurrence of individuals' self-reported levels of distress, anxiety, hopelessness, restlessness, sadness, and worthlessness. The data from this study was obtained from the IPUMS NHIS 2024 surveys, a …

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Repurposing Glp-1ra Drugs For Modulating Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy And Neurodegeneration, Janhavi Tonge Apr 2026

Repurposing Glp-1ra Drugs For Modulating Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy And Neurodegeneration, Janhavi Tonge

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sepsis, a life-threatening disorder caused by an exacerbated immune host response towards a pathogen, accounts for about 1 in 5 deaths worldwide with more than 11 million deaths. In septic pathophysiology, pathogen components interact with the receptors of immune and endothelial cells, causing the release of inflammatory signals. This results in a hyperinflammatory phase that leads to "leaky" blood vessels through vasodilation, which causes improper tissue perfusion and hypotension. If untreated, this can lead to multiorgan damage and can be especially damaging to vulnerable, non-regenerative organs such as the brain. Post-sepsis recovery has long term consequences in the central nervous …

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The Central Role Of Caffeine In Energy Drink Effects, Viviana Valerio, Sarah Bailey Apr 2026

The Central Role Of Caffeine In Energy Drink Effects, Viviana Valerio, Sarah Bailey

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The goal of this study was to assess the effects of caffeine in an energy drink against a caffeine-matched control on attention span. Two double-blind groups of a total of 107 subjects were formed. Each group was either assigned to the energy drink (C4 - Nutrabolt®) or a caffeine-matched control of 200 mg of caffeine. The subjects consumed the caffeine sources and waited 45 minutes. They then completed a psychomotor vigilance test (PVT), Memtrax (memory), handgrip strength, and a wall-sit endurance test. There were no differences in the improvement (pre vs. post) of the PVT test between the caffeine-matched control …

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The Functional Movement Screening In Collegiate Soccer Players, Sophia White, Karina Manrique Apr 2026

The Functional Movement Screening In Collegiate Soccer Players, Sophia White, Karina Manrique

Undergraduate Student Symposium

About 70% of soccer injuries are non-contact, resulting from underlying mobility, stability, or movement pattern issues. Soccer players are particularly susceptible to ankle, knee, and hip injuries due to the high demands on lower body mobility, stability and repetitive dynamic motions. Functional Movement Screening is a popular evaluation method that is used to find asymmetries and dysfunctional movement patterns that could put athletes at risk for injury. Scores from the FMS test have been linked to injury risks. The purpose of this study is to conduct and evaluate the FMS performances among collegiate soccer players (n=26) to decrease injury risk, …

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Colon Cancer Findings And A Community Solution, Brintia Wright Apr 2026

Colon Cancer Findings And A Community Solution, Brintia Wright

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Colorectal cancer remains a significant public health concern due to its high incidence, mortality, and persistent demographic disparities. The primary goal of this project was to develop an evidence-based community resource guide for the South Florida region to support early detection and equitable screening for colon cancer. The resource guide was informed by a structured review of current screening guidelines, peer-reviewed literature, and population-level data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. SEER incidence, stage at diagnosis, and survival data for individuals aged 25-84 years diagnosed with colon cancer between 2000 and 2022 were synthesized to identify high-risk …

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Determining The Life Cycles Of Gordonia Rubripertincta Phages, Joshua Yue, Aron Balazs, Jenny Cristina Gallardo Arauz, Akshaj Gandra, Yuktha Milukuri, Suhani Ketan Pothiwala Apr 2026

Determining The Life Cycles Of Gordonia Rubripertincta Phages, Joshua Yue, Aron Balazs, Jenny Cristina Gallardo Arauz, Akshaj Gandra, Yuktha Milukuri, Suhani Ketan Pothiwala

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic resistance continues to rise globally, increasingly limiting the effectiveness of conventional antimicrobial treatments and prompting the exploration of alternative therapies. Bacteriophages are viruses that can specifically infect and kill bacteria, and have emerged as a promising solution, particularly for infections resistant to antibiotics. This study is part of the Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) program, which aims to isolate, characterize, and catalog bacteriophages for research and potential therapeutic use. We focused on bacteriophages infecting Gordonia rubripertincta, an actinobacterium with growing clinical relevance as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients and catheter related infections. …

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Effects Of Renin-Angiotensin System Targeting Drugs On Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy And Related Neuropathology, Anna Maria Weber, Ariana Hernandez, Chana Vogel, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Maria Agustina Paiz, Shaina Binu, Sonakshi Kose, Aayush Doshi, Dylan Kuni, Sylvia Yousef Apr 2026

Effects Of Renin-Angiotensin System Targeting Drugs On Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy And Related Neuropathology, Anna Maria Weber, Ariana Hernandez, Chana Vogel, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Maria Agustina Paiz, Shaina Binu, Sonakshi Kose, Aayush Doshi, Dylan Kuni, Sylvia Yousef

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common cerebrovascular disease characterized by beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation in the cerebral vasculature, resulting in vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) along with other neuropathologies such as inflammation. Given that medications approved to treat CAA currently do not exist, this highlights that there is a pressing need for more innovative approaches to drug discovery. In this study, classical renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-inhibiting antihypertensive drugs were repurposed to investigate their efficacy for mitigating CAA-associated neuropathology and cognitive decline, while additionally evaluating for sex-specific outcomes. Male and female Tg-SwDI mice were treated for 4 months with non-hypotensive doses …

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