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Protecting Citrus Through Patents: Legal And Economic Implications Of Uf/Ifas Biotechnological Advances, Laeila Scott Apr 2026

Protecting Citrus Through Patents: Legal And Economic Implications Of Uf/Ifas Biotechnological Advances, Laeila Scott

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Citrus greening, or Huanglongbing (HLB), threatens the survival of Florida's citrus industry, driving innovation in disease-resistant crops through biotechnology. This research examines how intellectual property (IP) law shapes these advancements, focusing on the direct industry impact of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Through analyzing patent strategies, licensing models, and governance structures, this study explores the balance between proprietary protections and public access. Additionally, it considers broader ethical and economic implications, including the challenges of patent enforcement and the impact on citrus growers. This research situates UF/IFAS's biotechnological innovations within the larger legal and economic …

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More Utilitarian Or Less Deontological? A Process Dissociation Approach, Kyle Fleming Apr 2026

More Utilitarian Or Less Deontological? A Process Dissociation Approach, Kyle Fleming

Undergraduate Student Symposium

It is well known in consumer behavior research that normatively equivalent tasks can elicit different preferences. Recent work has extended this finding to moral judgments, showing that matching tasks elicit stronger utilitarian preferences than choice or rating tasks. However, the processes driving these reversals remain unclear. According to the reflective utilitarian view, deeper processing increases utilitarian tendencies (i.e., the perceived importance of the outcome increases relative to the intrinsic moral value of the action). The intuitive deontologist view posits that deeper processing decreases deontological tendencies (i.e., the moral value of an action becomes less important). Finally, the reflective minimalist view …

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Understanding Atopic Dermatitis In East Asian Populations, Kaitlin Chao Apr 2026

Understanding Atopic Dermatitis In East Asian Populations, Kaitlin Chao

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder driven by disrupted skin barriers and immune dysregulation. While much research has explored its mechanisms, most studies focus on generalized populations, overlooking critical ethnic differences. East Asian individuals, for example, experience a particularly high prevalence of AD, linked to unique genetic and immunologic patterns. Common FLG mutations in East Asians include R501X and c.3321delA; however, certain ethnic subgroups carry other variants, such as K4022X, S3296X, and S2889X, demonstrating how different mutations contribute to a range of atopic dermatitis severity. Immune analyses further reveal heightened Th17 and Th2 activation, elevated IgE levels, …

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A Civil War Of Screens: How Partisan Media Fractures American Democracy, Ava Khlopin Apr 2026

A Civil War Of Screens: How Partisan Media Fractures American Democracy, Ava Khlopin

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Political polarization in the United States has always consistently posed a fragile threat to democratic stability, as seen in historic timelines of the Civil War. With the rise of highly partisan media, these threats have rapidly increased over the past two decades, forcing ideological division and threatening our nation's unity once again. This research focuses on whether partisan media affects political polarization. The study utilizes the NES data set and incorporates Framing Theory, Selective Exposure Theory, and Participatory Media Theory to examine the relationship between exposure to a particular media stream and ideological extremity. The results indicate that viewers of …

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Low-Dose Atropine As A Therapeutic Intervention For Myopia Progression, Annabelle Chang Apr 2026

Low-Dose Atropine As A Therapeutic Intervention For Myopia Progression, Annabelle Chang

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The prevalence of myopia (nearsightedness) is growing at an increasingly alarming rate throughout the world. Data from 2010 measured myopia presence in the world's population to be 27% yet is predicted to reach 52% by 2050. One of the most common interventions implemented today is low dose atropine (0.01-0.05%) which acts upon muscarinic receptors in the back of the eye to slow eyeball elongation. The objective of this experiment is to examine the effectiveness of low dose atropine on slowing myopia progression in children by monitoring refractive error and axial length. It was hypothesized that low dose atropine will produce …

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Importance Of Patient-Provider Concordance And Sickle Cell Disease, Hamza Atiq Shaikh, Shivank Lattupally, Stavya Gupta Apr 2026

Importance Of Patient-Provider Concordance And Sickle Cell Disease, Hamza Atiq Shaikh, Shivank Lattupally, Stavya Gupta

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary blood disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and approximately 100,000 individuals in the United States, with a disproportionate impact on African American communities. The disease is characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells that restrict blood flow, leading to chronic pain, organ damage, and reduced life expectancy. While medical advances such as hydroxyurea therapy, bone marrow transplantation, and emerging gene therapies have improved disease management, many patients continue to experience barriers in receiving effective and equitable care. One factor that may influence patient outcomes is patient-provider concordance, defined as shared characteristics such …

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Effects Of Reproductive Experience On Cognitive-Behavioral Outcomes In Mouse Models Of Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias, Chana Vogel, Esperanza Barrios, Ariana Hernandez, Natalia Noto Apr 2026

Effects Of Reproductive Experience On Cognitive-Behavioral Outcomes In Mouse Models Of Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias, Chana Vogel, Esperanza Barrios, Ariana Hernandez, Natalia Noto

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia are devastating conditions lacking safe and effective treatments. Despite the striking sex difference in dementia's prevalence, few studies have investigated sex-specific factors that likely influence the greater risk and faster progression of disease in females: prior pregnancy and motherhood. Women with children experience slower rates of cognitive decline and lower risk of developing cognitive impairment than women with no children. However, other studies report mixed results, suggesting that the influence of reproductive experience could depend on an individual's number of children and/or their geographical location. Therefore, controlled studies in animal models are needed to determine …

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Artificial Intelligence Liability: Implications And Best Practices For Legal Professionals And Ai Developers, Alyssa Heinze Apr 2026

Artificial Intelligence Liability: Implications And Best Practices For Legal Professionals And Ai Developers, Alyssa Heinze

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence into the legal profession has transformed legal research, drafting, and decision-making, while simultaneously introducing novel ethical, regulatory, and liability risks. As attorneys increasingly rely on generative AI systems, concerns surrounding hallucinations, bias, confidentiality breaches, and deceptive outputs have exposed both legal professionals and AI developers to heightened scrutiny. This presentation examines the current and emerging landscape of artificial intelligence liability in the United States, with particular attention to the absence of a comprehensive federal regulatory framework and the constitutional controversy surrounding Executive Order 14179 and its preemption of state AI legislation. By analyzing federal …

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Long Covid Analyzed: A Systematic Review Comparing Adults Affected By Long Covid To Adults Without Persistent Symptoms, Dev Patel Apr 2026

Long Covid Analyzed: A Systematic Review Comparing Adults Affected By Long Covid To Adults Without Persistent Symptoms, Dev Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Over one-hundred million Americans were diagnosed with COVID-19, resulting in over one million deaths so far. Long COVID is defined as a chronic condition that presents a wide range of conditions occurring after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least three months. Since there is no definite test for Long Covid, many individuals may not know that they have this illness. Therefore, it is imperative within the Public Health field to synthesize current research to generate meaningful interventions and preventive practices. The research question is "What is the symptom spectrum like clusters, burden, for adults eighteen or older diagnosed …

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Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Illness In Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ella Riddle Apr 2026

Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Illness In Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ella Riddle

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Co-occurring mental health conditions are highly prevalent among adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and represent a significant area of concern in adult mental health care. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders reports that between 73%-81% of adults with ASD meet the criteria for at least one co-occurring mental illness (Buck et al., 2014). The national average of adults living with mental illness, as determined in 2022, is 23.1% (National Institute of Health, 2022). As these statistics illustrate, adults with ASD experience high rates of co-occurring mental illness, yet these conditions are often treated …

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Marine Mammal Bone As Recorder Of Trace Element Dynamics During The Past 5500 Years In The North Pacific Ocean, Aidan Pflieger Apr 2026

Marine Mammal Bone As Recorder Of Trace Element Dynamics During The Past 5500 Years In The North Pacific Ocean, Aidan Pflieger

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The North Pacific Ocean has been geologically dynamic and biologically diverse since the Last Glacial Maximum (20,000 ybp). Natural fluctuations in island arc volcanism and climate likely influence the input of essential and nonessential trace elements to the Aleutian Island Archipelago, even to present day. Accumulation of these elements in the region's marine food webs provides a measure of natural fluctuations in the environment. Ninety-eight samples of tephra-preserved marine mammal bone (primarily pinnipeds) sourced from temporally identified archeological Aleut midden sites on Unalaska Island (5500-200 ypb), were analyzed for 20 trace elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations …

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The Impact Of Mouthwashes On Oral Microbiome Communities In University Students, Jinil Milind Shah, Simar Mathoun, Richa Rajesh, Hyungkyu Kim, Varsha Adabala, Chelsea Borja, Rhianna Jacob, Trisha Jois, Jordan Monteiro, Noura Naami Apr 2026

The Impact Of Mouthwashes On Oral Microbiome Communities In University Students, Jinil Milind Shah, Simar Mathoun, Richa Rajesh, Hyungkyu Kim, Varsha Adabala, Chelsea Borja, Rhianna Jacob, Trisha Jois, Jordan Monteiro, Noura Naami

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The oral cavity hosts a complex microbial ecosystem, which can be altered due to physical or chemical exposures, such as dental mouthwashes. This study examined the short-term impact of two commonly used Listerine mouthwashes, alcohol-containing and alcohol-free, compared to water (as control) on the oral microbiome and salivary pH in a college student population. Oral swab samples were collected after the oral rinse and salivary pH measurements were obtained to assess immediate biochemical changes. Microbial DNA was extracted and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using PCR. Sequencing was performed on an Illumina MiSeq platform, producing …

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Identifying Biomarkers Indicative Of Active And Passive Exposure To Electronic Cigarette Aerosols, Armaan Makwana, Om Patel, Suhani Makwana, Chelsea Nguyen Apr 2026

Identifying Biomarkers Indicative Of Active And Passive Exposure To Electronic Cigarette Aerosols, Armaan Makwana, Om Patel, Suhani Makwana, Chelsea Nguyen

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have grown in popularity as they are portrayed as a healthier alternative to conventional cigarettes. However, recent studies have identified the presence of toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes liquids and their aerosols. While active users of e-cigarettes (AE) are directly exposed to these chemicals, little is known about the extent of exposure in non-users who are passively exposed (PE) to e-cigarette aerosols. In this study, we analyzed saliva samples from active users and non-users who are either passively exposed (those who live or work with an active user) or not exposed to e-cigarette aerosols to determine whether their …

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Exploring The Presence Of Persistent Organic Pollutants (Pops) In The Muscle Tissue Of Various Alaskan Salmon Species, Sara Simonetti, Victoria Angelini, Vanessa Miro Apr 2026

Exploring The Presence Of Persistent Organic Pollutants (Pops) In The Muscle Tissue Of Various Alaskan Salmon Species, Sara Simonetti, Victoria Angelini, Vanessa Miro

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alaska supplies 60% of the fish consumed in the United States; therefore, determining the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish sourced from that area is critical. POPs are chemical compounds that are classified as one of 209 congeners of either polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). They resist degradation and contribute to a range of harmful effects to both humans and wildlife, such as cancers and birth defects. Their introduction into the environment stemmed from their industrial and agricultural usage. However, despite being banned by the Stockholm Convention in 2004, they continue to be present in …

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Assessing Sediment Composition, Organic Matter, Metal Contamination, And Ecological Risks In Port Everglades, Florida, Elisa Prodhomme, Gabrielle Spankus Apr 2026

Assessing Sediment Composition, Organic Matter, Metal Contamination, And Ecological Risks In Port Everglades, Florida, Elisa Prodhomme, Gabrielle Spankus

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Port sediments often accumulate heavy metals and organic pollutants from anthropogenic inputs. The planned expansion of Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA) raises concern that dredging may remobilize contaminated sediments, potentially affecting nearby benthic habitats, including coral reefs. To assess sediment quality, eighteen cores were collected from five port sites and one control site, along with additional surface sediments. Cores were sectioned at 10 cm intervals and analyzed for 14 metals (ICP-MS), percent organic matter, and grain size. Geo-accumulation index results indicated moderate to strong contamination by As and Mo, while ecological risk assessments suggested moderate to high overall metal …

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Comparative Profiling Of Persistent Organic Pollutants In Alaskan Pink Salmon Roe And Muscle Tissue (Oncorhynchus Gorbuscha), Aleena Thomas, Megan Bailey, Luisa Torres Apr 2026

Comparative Profiling Of Persistent Organic Pollutants In Alaskan Pink Salmon Roe And Muscle Tissue (Oncorhynchus Gorbuscha), Aleena Thomas, Megan Bailey, Luisa Torres

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxins that bioaccumulate through food chains--especially in marine ecosystems. They are primarily classified as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), each with 209 congeners associated with adverse human health outcomes such as cancer. Despite bans placed during the 2004 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, POP concentrations have remained consistent. Alaskan pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) are integral to Southeast Alaskan River ecosystems as a major food source for humans and animals. Detecting POPs in roe provides evidence of maternal offloading, indicating that these pollutants persist across life stages and generations. Salmon …

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Endoparasites In Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata Magnificens Rothschildi) From Southeast Florida, Usa, Isabelle Petty, Alexia Hilber Apr 2026

Endoparasites In Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata Magnificens Rothschildi) From Southeast Florida, Usa, Isabelle Petty, Alexia Hilber

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) is a pelagic seabird widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Due to its wide-ranging foraging behavior and fish-based diet, these birds are susceptible to parasitic infections. However, little is known about the species' endoparasite communities. Despite its ecological importance, research on this species remained limited, particularly regarding the diversity and distribution of endoparasites. This study aims to investigate the endoparasite community in these birds. Specimens were collected from multiple rehabilitation centers from southeast Florida. A total of six individuals were examined (MAFR 2000, 3105, 3106, 3107, 3108, and 3109) for parasite presence …

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Modeling The Disruption Of Binding Of Three Ige Antibodies With Six Mutated Interaction Sites On The Arah2 Allergen, Amaan Khan, Hansi Parmar, Jyothi Vivekananda Apr 2026

Modeling The Disruption Of Binding Of Three Ige Antibodies With Six Mutated Interaction Sites On The Arah2 Allergen, Amaan Khan, Hansi Parmar, Jyothi Vivekananda

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Peanut allergy is a life-threatening food allergy that affects millions of children and adults across the world. This issue presents serious public health concerns and heavy interest from the scientific community to find viable treatments that minimize immunological side effects. To better understand and explain the peanut allergy response, the literature was examined, and a 3D model was printed based on two protein database files. Arachis hypogaea 2 (Arah2) is the dominant peanut allergen protein. When Arah2 binds IgE antibodies, a strong allergic response is triggered. This reaction makes treating allergy patients with Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) difficult due to adverse …

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Disrupting Stat3 Signaling In Glioblastoma Stem Cells Using Nitro-Modified Curcumin Analogs, Sneha Subhash, Swara Chindhade, Maria Moreno Hollweg, Kyuree Chang Apr 2026

Disrupting Stat3 Signaling In Glioblastoma Stem Cells Using Nitro-Modified Curcumin Analogs, Sneha Subhash, Swara Chindhade, Maria Moreno Hollweg, Kyuree Chang

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is frequently overactivated in cancers, including glioblastoma (GBM), where its dysregulation is associated with aggressive disease and poor patient survival. STAT3 supports tumor progression by promoting proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, maintenance of cancer stem cells, and immune suppression. Although numerous STAT3 inhibitors are under preclinical and clinical evaluation, none have yet achieved FDA approval. GBM remains a highly lethal brain cancer with limited therapeutic options, underscoring the need for new targeted treatments. Nitro-containing compounds, known for their strong electron-withdrawing characteristics, are emerging as potential anticancer agents. A library of 41 nitro-containing chalcones …

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Ticked Off: A Systematic Review Of Alpha-Gal Syndrome Mechanisms Apr 2026

Ticked Off: A Systematic Review Of Alpha-Gal Syndrome Mechanisms

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alpha-gal syndrome is characterized by an IgE-mediated immune response against galactose-α-1,3-galactose. In the United States, the principal vector is the Lone Star tick, whose range has expanded nationwide. 110,000 cases have been reported since 2010, with the CDC estimating 450,000 as many cases go unrecognized. Vomiting, difficulty breathing, and hypotension can occur immediately or hours after exposure. Ongoing exposure to alpha galactose with AGS increases mast cell inflammatory response, raising coronary artery disease risk. Perioperative ingredients like gelatin, monoclonal antibodies, and stearic acid have triggered anaphylactic shock in AGS patients. These complications hinder diagnosis. The inclusion criteria required original research …

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Snapping Shrimp Acoustic Activity As An Indicator Of Ecosystem Health Across Mangrove, Seagrass, And Coral Reef Habitats In The Florida Keys, Catherine Salazar, Alexander Wheeler Apr 2026

Snapping Shrimp Acoustic Activity As An Indicator Of Ecosystem Health Across Mangrove, Seagrass, And Coral Reef Habitats In The Florida Keys, Catherine Salazar, Alexander Wheeler

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass provide refugia, nursery areas, and feeding grounds for many marine species. These ecosystems have faced declines in habitat complexity through natural and anthropogenic causes. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is used to track changes in habitat characteristics through the monitoring of acoustic species, like snapping shrimp. Snapping shrimp are among the most active species inhabiting shallow subtropical marine environments, and their abundance, often tracked through their acoustic activity, are strong indicators of a healthy ecosystem. This study compares the acoustic activity of snapping shrimp across mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef habitats in Key Largo, Florida, as …

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Sold For Parts: Moral Connections Between Paid Surrogacy And Paid Organ Donation, Alessandra Coke Apr 2026

Sold For Parts: Moral Connections Between Paid Surrogacy And Paid Organ Donation, Alessandra Coke

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Throughout this presentation, I make ethical arguments about paid surrogacy, based on established arguments regarding paid living organ donation possible due to similarities between the procedures. I establish the differences between conceptualizations of surrogacy: unpaid/altruistic and paid/compensated, and clarify what is meant by paid surrogacy. The primary similarity between paid living organ donation and paid surrogacy is that both practices are a 'voluntary' violation of bodily integrity for financial benefit. I argue that both practices due to financial incentives cannot truly be seen as voluntary. I argue that the reasons that are used to understand paid living organ donation as …

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Advances In Aortic Valve Replacement For The Recovery Of Elderly Patients In Southern Florida, Khushi Faldu Apr 2026

Advances In Aortic Valve Replacement For The Recovery Of Elderly Patients In Southern Florida, Khushi Faldu

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve, is a significant health burden in aging populations, as in Broward County, Florida, where the elderly demographic is rapidly expanding. The classical approach to valve replacement is performed via Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR). Recently, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive alternative, has emerged as a life-changing option for patients with a high surgical risk. Using inductive methods, this study compiled and analyzed data from existing research records and publications comparing endothelial recovery following TAVR and SAVR. We aim to design a teaching case study to highlight how procedural choice …

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When Peers Matter: Peer Communication And The Association Between Parental Dependence And Superiority Cognitions, Preya Pandya, Bala Sivani Paddala, Anisha Nandra Apr 2026

When Peers Matter: Peer Communication And The Association Between Parental Dependence And Superiority Cognitions, Preya Pandya, Bala Sivani Paddala, Anisha Nandra

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Although parent-child relationships have been widely studied during childhood and adolescence, less attention has been given to how these relationships continue to influence adjustment during emerging adulthood. This developmental period is marked by instability and exploration, as young adults begin transitioning into adult roles such as higher education, employment, and long-term relationships. Research suggests that parenting continues to matter during this time, with successful separation-individuation representing a normative developmental task. Excessive parental dependence, however, may be associated with maladjustment. At the same time, peers play an increasingly important role in emerging adulthood, and positive peer relationships are often linked to …

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Reengineering Bone Health: Preventing Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis Without Jaw Damage, John Voudouris Apr 2026

Reengineering Bone Health: Preventing Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis Without Jaw Damage, John Voudouris

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glucocorticoid ("steroid") drugs are essential for treating autoimmune diseases, but long-term use often weakens bones, leading to a condition called glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). In the United States, steroids such as prednisone and dexamethasone are prescribed to over 10 million patients annually, and roughly 30% of long-term users develop GIO, contributing $20-30 billion in annual health-care costs. To this end, bisphosphonates are commonly used to treat GIO by preventing bone-loss; however, they can also cause a serious adverse effect called medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Thus, safer jaw-protective treatments are urgently needed. In this study, we tested a different strategy …

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Analyzing The Variation In Microplastic Intake Of Waterhyacinth And Pennywort In Lake Okeechobee, Aashvi Gowrisankar Apr 2026

Analyzing The Variation In Microplastic Intake Of Waterhyacinth And Pennywort In Lake Okeechobee, Aashvi Gowrisankar

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The Florida Everglades ecosystem faces many threats, including municipal pollution and agricultural runoff. This study compares the microplastic intake of two types of floating vegetation in Lake Okeechobee. Water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) has a greater root mass and surface area than its native equivalent pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellate). We hypothesize that water hyacinth would have greater microplastic intake due to its increased capillary action. Our project was conducted using three guiding questions: which plant type had the greatest microplastic intake, did accumulation vary with location, and did concentration vary among roots, stems, and leaves in each plant …

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A Descriptive Survey Of Reef Fish Biodiversity At The Erojacks Artificial Reef, Dania Beach, Florida, Daniella Michelle Acosta Reyes Apr 2026

A Descriptive Survey Of Reef Fish Biodiversity At The Erojacks Artificial Reef, Dania Beach, Florida, Daniella Michelle Acosta Reyes

Undergraduate Student Symposium

South Florida has one of the highest biodiversity's of reef-associated fish species in the United States. Reef systems play a crucial role in sustaining regional biodiversity. Ongoing declines in natural coral reef systems caused by climate change, coastal development, and other anthropogenic factors have increased the reliance on artificial reefs as alternative structures for coral and fish communities to aggregate. Artificial reefs play an important role in maintaining marine biodiversity and provide habitat for reef-associated fishes. The Erojacks Reef, an artificial reef system located off the coast of Dania Beach, South Florida acts as a gathering site for reef fishes. …

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A Review Of Reproductive Cycling In Batoid Dentition Morphology With New Data On Two Dasyatid Stingrays From The Western North Atlantic, Lacey Adamik Apr 2026

A Review Of Reproductive Cycling In Batoid Dentition Morphology With New Data On Two Dasyatid Stingrays From The Western North Atlantic, Lacey Adamik

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Elasmobranchs continuously replace their teeth throughout their lifespan, allowing changes in tooth morphology associated with feeding and reproduction to occur. In many batoid species, males will bite females during pre-copulatory behavior, placing male dentition under selective pressure to meet the demands of both diet and grasping of females. Previous research has documented sexual dimorphism and seasonal dentition changes in several species of batoids, suggesting that this phenomenon is widespread. Much of this research is observation-based, and quantitative studies of dentition are limited, particularly in pelagic species. Pelagic Stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea) specimens were previously collected by commercial fishermen, and …

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From Prediction To Prevention: How The Va Uses Analytics To Reduce Chronic Disease And Mental Health Risk, Leelakrishna Angadala Apr 2026

From Prediction To Prevention: How The Va Uses Analytics To Reduce Chronic Disease And Mental Health Risk, Leelakrishna Angadala

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Predictive analytics has become an essential component of preventive care strategies within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which serves a medically and psychosocially complex population at elevated risk for chronic disease and mental health conditions. This research examines how the VHA has leveraged predictive analytics to improve early identification, prevention, and targeted intervention for chronic illnesses and mental health disorders. Specifically, it explores established initiatives such as the Care Assessment Needs (CAN) score for identifying veterans at high risk of hospitalization or mortality, the Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials for Veterans (REACH VET) program for suicide risk prediction and prevention, …

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The Role Of Hip Internal Rotation And Ground Reaction Forces On Lower Back Pain In Amateur Golfers, Katrina Arndt Apr 2026

The Role Of Hip Internal Rotation And Ground Reaction Forces On Lower Back Pain In Amateur Golfers, Katrina Arndt

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal injury amongst golfers; the high velocity and repetitive motion of the golf swing on the lumbar spine leads to substantial compressive and torsional forces, making LBP primarily and overuse injury. An additional risk factor for LBP is limited lead hip internal rotation (LHIR), which forces the lumbar spine to compensate through excessive rotation. The golf swing also relies heavily on the efficient transfer of energy generated from the ground through the lower body, a process quantified by ground reaction forces (GRFs). While existing research has separately examined LBP and GRFs, there …

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