Digital Commons Network^™

Rats And Emperors: The Justinianic Plague And A Shaken Empire, Miranda Allaire

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

For this research proposal, I decided to analyze the question of how the Justinianic Plague affected Eastern Roman politics. The benefits of taking a Research-Intensive class are easy to see, especially as a History major. Through constructing this research proposal, I noticed how my skills of critical thinking, source analysis, and comprehension of evidence improved. By participating in this project, this has continued to confirm my desire to pursue even higher education.

Social Media In Schools, Lily Cring, Olivia Skvarenina, Brianna Philips, Rachel Blank, Joshua Carrizales

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

For our service-learning project for our final semester as part of LEAD Scholars Academy, we dove into deliberative dialogue. In our class, we research 2023 Florida State Bill 52. This bill requires public schools to provide education on the social and emotional impacts of social media, limiting social media usage during schools hours, and limiting cell-phone usage on school property as a whole.

Through this project and the interactions we had in class we learned just how powerful social media is, and the importance of awareness around the negative impacts it can have, especially on youth and teens.

Impact Of Senate Bill 1580: Medical Conscience In Florida, Rishi Nair, Nicholas Mistry, Vishanth Murugesan, Hunter Burtha, Douglas D'Amelio

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 1580 (SB 1580), which enshrined protections of medical providers’ conscience into law. Upon enactment, proponents have hailed the bill’s leadership in enabling providers to uphold their personal values and refuse to provide care on such grounds. Opponents have questioned SB 1580’s ability to ensure accessible healthcare by enabling personal beliefs to potentially overshadow the scientific consensus. We analyzed the benefits and drawbacks of this new law in relation to existing research on the impact of medical conscience on health outcomes. SB 1580 draws upon affirmations of the Hippocratic Oath and moral practices …

Chm2045c: The Hurdle, Benjamin F. Cherkasskiy, Kira Garvey, Abigail David

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

Many undergraduate students at UCF are required to take chemistry classes and the chemistry pathway to fulfill their major conditions. As ULAs for one of the first college chemistry courses that students will take, we have witnessed students struggle when being introduced to the content. This contributes to lower motivation among students and an overarching feeling of “I can’t do this”. We aim to help alleviate the assumption that chemistry is “hard” or “impossible” by personally working with students and utilizing the strategies we learned in our Pedagogy class (CHM 4942). Throughout the semester, we have worked one-on-one with students …

Unraveling Molar Wear Patterns Of San Pedro Maya: Exploring Dietary Correlations And Oral Health, Julie M. Alvarez, Emily Boutin

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

This study investigates the oral health and dietary practices of the historical San Pedro Maya population in Belize. By analyzing the wear patterns on their molars, we gained insights into their past diet and oral health conditions. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the lifestyle and health of the San Pedro Maya in ancient times. This research illuminates the connections between diet and oral health among this indigenous group, offering valuable historical insights into their well-being and contributing to our understanding of ancient Maya civilization. We hope to add to what is known about the Maya of San …

Leadership Through The Special Olympics Florida, Aubrey M. Anthony, Brooke Leggiero, Cameron Weeks, Octavius Woods

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

The Special Olympics is a nationwide organization that focuses on providing a safe environment for individuals with intellectual disabilities. In Florida, this organization provides many opportunities for us to get involved and is why we chose this organization. We admired their mission for positivity and inclusivity, and therefore jumped at the opportunity to get involved. Some of this involvement included attending the recreational sporting events, playing with the athletes, and contacting the staff that was involved. We learned through this service learning, that the Special Olympics Florida is a truly congruent organization, and shows that their espoused values align with …

Social Media And Kids: An Issue Guide, Timothy A. Mcallister, Mekhai Ryan, Connor Sands, Matthew Turman, Spencer Friedberg

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

Our goal with this project is to foster civil discourse on issues relating to kids and social media, examining both the potential benefits and harms they may experience. We used HB 1: Online Protections for Minors as a starting point, as a relevant example of regulatory measures aimed at safeguarding children online.

Throughout our project, we've learned a lot to deeply understand the various perspectives on this issue. From concerns about the detrimental effects on mental and physical health to considerations of privacy and freedom of speech, we have definitely expanded our own knowledge on the topic while completing this …

The Impact Of Behavioral Modification Therapy On Addiction Recovery In Young Adults, Claire Belin

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

View Claire's project at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VuVRD6p-HkvcdQdb8_9KBbP7SNvDwDAx/view?usp=drive_link

In this presentation, I discuss my proposal for research addressing the impact of behavioral modification therapy on addiction recovery in young adults from ages 20 through 30. My PowerPoint presentation overviews background on the subject, gaps in the literature that demand further research, a study design, my proposed method of behavioral modification treatment, a potential sample and method, and an analysis to assess the data.

The purpose of my presentation is to address a real problem we experience in our communities that could affect even the people in our lives that we cherish most. With …

History Of Injustices And The Current Interim Government Actions In Bangladesh, Kazi S. Salsabil

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

The project illustrates the knowledge I obtained through the U-LEAD global leadership course and the research project assessing global issues. This illustration will discuss the past and current situation of Bangladesh. It has only been 53 years since Bangladesh became independent. Unfortunately, the country has a long history of political struggles. The country is recovering from the destabilized government left by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The purpose of this project is to assess the political and societal obstacles faced by Bangladesh.

Additionally, psychological well-being and accessibility to resources will be evaluated. For this project, I used Google Forms to …

Pathways To Potential: Guiding Middle School Students Through Career Exploration, Megan Rhodes

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

Megan partnered with a local middle school to supplement their curriculum through career development small groups and class lessons, focusing on soft skills and learning about the self. She worked with sixth graders in small groups, and a mix of all grades for classroom lessons. The goal of these interventions is for students to feel more confident in their knowledge about themselves, and to be more equipped with knowledge about their different interests and strengths. The focus of each intervention includes skills, grit, Holland codes and interests, community helpers, and effort. Megan learned how to confidently communicate to students in …

"Addressing Sexual Abuse: Unveiling Hidden Realities", Shanzida Toha

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

My inspiration was from my IDS 4939 course where we had to present about a topic that we are devoted towards. It could be conveyed through PowerPoint, video, etc. but for me I chose to write a research paper about the indiscriminate circumstances that influence Sexual Abusers behavior, and how it profoundly directs their course of action. After an endless time spent on gaining data, this sensitive topic sent me to a black hole of no return. With boundless sources of support with the help of the internet I was feeling guilty as to what I could do with this. …

Slow Glycolysis Exercise Responses On The Body When Fueled By Short-Term Differing Carbohydrate Levels, Skylar Gayman

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

Dieting fads have been a fascination across America for many years. “Have you tried the keto diet?” “What about a low carb diet?” But what many people may not know, or consider, is the physiological effects that these may have on the body. Dieting faddists often find themselves in “bad moods” or “irritable”, lacking the energy necessary to maintain physical activity. Weight loss, although necessary for borderline obese and obese populations, has become a hyper fixation of our population. Often leading us to find “quick fixes” to the very simple, yet well-disciplined answer of a healthy diet and exercise to …

There's No Place Like Ucp Central Florida!, Tamar Isidor, Natalya Sparrow

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

Well hello there! This project focuses on two university students volunteering at a charter school that focuses on inclusivity, giving students with special needs a chance to fulfill their education like everyone else. Learning from a course called Leadership Through Service: An Advanced Leadership Experience (LDR 3215), Tamar Isidor and Natalya Sparrow used what they've learned in class and applied it to an educational field that can be practiced.

As both students volunteered, they developed skills such as patience and quick problem-solving. They also learned the importance of cooperating with teachers and administrators to see the connection between every worker's …

What, Like It's Hard? (It Is If You Don't Have The Right Foundation!), Grayson Spillman, Juliana Baez, Emily Davila

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

This presentation is about our experience as learning assistants for General Chemistry I and how we observed that student with the best understanding of topics had a solid foundation of chemistry knowledge. Our presentation encourages professors and learning assistants to call attention to and emphasize topics that are part of students chemistry foundation.

The Association Between Disease Burden And Alzheimer's Hospitalization Rates In Older Adults., Autumn Johnson

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Dementia refers to symptoms that impair daily life, including social and intellectual abilities, with memory loss being a key feature. Conditions such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are major causes of memory loss. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disorder that deteriorates memory and thinking skills, characterized by withdrawal from social activities, mood changes, and confusion about time or place.

Age is the leading risk factor for Alzheimer’s, alongside non-modifiable factors like genetics and family history. Modifiable factors include physical activity, smoking, education, and social engagement. The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2024 fact sheet emphasizes the need for more research …

Disability Representation In Contemporary Playwriting, Caroline Hull

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Is it possible for a playwright to authentically capture the disabled experience without it becoming privy to stereotypes or utilized as a catalyst for the plot? The thesis aims to challenge the prevalent notion that making the disability intrinsic to a theatrical plot is essential for authentic representation, and instead asserts that authentic portrayal of the disabled experience can exist independently of making the disability a central plot device. To support this claim, In Chapter One, I engage with relevant work in the field of playwriting and narrative media studies, such as the workshop "Inaccessible: Writing Plays with Characters who …

Theatre As Resistance: Application Of Queer And Feminist Theories To Theatrical Practice And Pedagogy, Chanel H. Gomaa

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Throughout my time at UCF, I have committed my studies to better understanding my positionality as someone who both benefits and suffers from systems of oppression. I have dedicated my pedagogy and artistry to questioning how I can apply theatre as a tool to resist these systems through my work, as well as wondering how I may communicate my thoughts and concerns to the colleagues I collaborate with as I am to hold myself accountable for my involvement in works that I recognize as being in need of revision in order to resist systems of oppression. I conceptualize that to …

The Boyfriend Dungeon Controversy: Fan Labor And Toxic Fan Practices In Progressive Fandom, Angela Orozco

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

On August 11, 2021, the hack and slash video game and queer dating simulator, Boyfriend Dungeon, was released to play on PC and various gaming consoles by indie developer, Kitfox Games. Quickly upon its release, the development team was met with fan outrage regarding a misleading content warning and themes that were not mentioned during the game's fundraising stage. This culminated in an online harassment campaign against Kitfox Games, with many fans targeting the voice actor of the game's main villain.

The following study attempts to analyze some of the core elements of what is now known to online …

In Vitro Metabolite Identification Of Indole 3-Ylcycloalkyl Ketones, Inez M. Jacobs-Hinton

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) have emerged as a complex and evolving class of compounds designed to mimic the effects of natural cannabinoids, targeting the endocannabinoid system. Despite their widespread recreational use and therapeutic potential, the safety and pharmacokinetic properties of synthetic cannabinoids remain inadequately understood. This study examines the in vitro drug metabolism of a prominent class of SCs—indole-3-ylcycloalkyl ketones—by identifying and characterizing their metabolites. Human liver microsomes were used to investigate the metabolism of several SCs, including (2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)[1-(4,4,4-trifluorobutyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-methanone (XLR-12), 1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-1H-indol-3-yl-methanone (A-796260), 1-[(1-methyl-2-piperidinyl)methyl]-1H-indol-3-yl-methanone (AB-005), 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl-methanone (FAB-144), and 1-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methyl]-1H-indol-3-yl-methanone (A-834735). Several time points were chosen to assist in elucidating the dynamics of …

Dna Nanotechnology: The Development Of Multi-Functional Hybridization Sensors, Brittany L. Mueller

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Hybridization probes have been used to detect specific nucleic acids for the last 50 years. These probes have medical applications, including identifying disease-causing genes or multi-drug resistant bacteria. To be considered robust, a probe should have high selectivity at ambient or low temperatures, be able to detect folded analytes, and remain economical for use in clinical settings. This work will uncover a challenge faced by molecular beacon probes (MBP), describe an adaptation to MBPs that enables the hybridization of the probe to a folded target, a multicomponent DNA sensor (OWL2) that overcomes common challenges faced by hybridization probes, and a …

Mathematical Developments For Bubble Dynamics, Kacie Kulenguski

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis explores bubble dynamics described by the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. The primary focus is on bubble growth. A theoretical discussion of bubble growth is given using the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. This work considers bubble growth in four different cases: a polytropic case without the consideration of surface tension, an isothermal case without surface tension, a polytropic case with surface tension, and an isothermal case with surface tension. Based on these cases, this work develops asymptotic solutions for the evolution of radial bubble growth over time. This thesis provides numerical solutions to these cases through the use of the Runge-Kutta method. These …

Trauma And Dynamic Needs: Examining The Role Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) On Changes In Youth Needs While In Residential Placement, Ashley Lockwood

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) for youth in residential facilities is greater than youth in the general population and those in other justice settings. Despite recent advancements in the literature on ACEs and treatment for justice-involved youth, an expansion of this inquiry continues to be warranted. The Risk, Needs, and Responsivity framework has not conceptualized the influence of trauma across youth sex and race/ethnicity in rehabilitation efforts. Therefore, the current study has two primary objectives: (1) to explore the presence of ACEs in the lives of youth in residential facilities, and (2) examine the association between ACEs and …

Effects Of Language Differences On Healthcare Barriers Experienced By Arab Americans, Abigail Yazdiya

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study analyzes the effects of language differences on healthcare services for Arab Americans. The research specifically investigates the subpopulation of ESL (English Second Language)/bilingual Arab Americans, in order to learn about the effect of a lack of interpretation services and therefore the use of family translators on healthcare treatment. There has been a lack of research on this growing population in the United States. Language barriers can hinder the already difficult process of healthcare. These barriers, combined with other barriers, such as cultural factors, can negatively affect healthcare treatment and outcomes. This study uses surveys to reach people in …

A Social Portal To Online Higher Education: How Students With Disabilities Experience Online Courses, Marisa Lucca

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Although people with disabilities have made significant strides toward educational equity, they continue to face struggles in college that perpetuate their dismal college outcomes. Current research focuses on struggles endured in the on-campus setting and provides little insight into online course experiences. Toward addressing the knowledge gap, the study opened a social portal to online higher education, leveraging disability as an experiential lens to understand online course challenges and the potential for universal design for learning practices to reduce obstacles to academic success. We considered online course experiences concerning impairment effects and disablism within a social relational disability studies perspective. …

Competing Narratives And Converging Perspectives: Analyzing The Dynamics Of The Pulse Memorial Crisis, Amy E. Maciel

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

In the wake of the Pulse nightclub massacre, the effort to create a memorial devolved into a crisis and ultimate failure amidst a complex interplay of divergent claims. This study explored the evolving memorialization process for the creation of a Pulse Memorial, utilizing Fisher's narrative paradigm to analyze articles from the Orlando Sentinel published between January 1st, 2023, and January 31st, 2024. By employing Fisher's framework, which emphasizes narrative fidelity and narrative probability, this study investigated the dynamic evolution of storytelling related to the Pulse Memorial Crisis. Through thematic analysis, the study explored how stakeholders constructed and challenged the memory …

How Sexual Health Knowledge Can Affect The Reproductive Behaviors Of Ethnic Minority Women, Bansari Modi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Health knowledge plays a large role in health outcomes, especially those of racial and ethnic minorities. There is a lack of literature discussing the relation between sexual health knowledge obtained during adolescence and the reproductive behaviors of minority women later in life.

Purpose: To examine the association between sexual health knowledge during adolescence and subsequent contraception use among racial and ethnic minority women in adulthood.

Methods: Data from Waves I, III, and IV of the National Longitudinal Study if Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) was used to explore the relation between adolescent health knowledge and subsequent contraception use …

Abundance And Habitat Associations Of Bivalves In Mosquito Lagoon, A Preliminary Survey, Mariam Sonbol

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study investigates the understudied abundance and habitat associations of bivalves in Mosquito Lagoon. Seagrass habitats were found to support the highest diversity of mollusks in earlier surveys (Mikkelsen et al., 1995). Twelve sites, including seagrass-vegetated, unvegetated, and seagrass-restored areas, were sampled in March and May 2024. Habitat characteristics, such as sediment composition and seagrass cover, were analyzed alongside bivalve populations. Across all sites, 6 genera were identified among 44 individuals. Overall abundance and diversity of bivalves collected were low in all sites, and most individuals were juveniles. Sediment characteristics influenced differences in diversity across site types, with restored sites …

The Effect Of Mating Pheromone 2,6-Dichlorophenol On Gene Expression In Male Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma Americanum), Mitchell E. Dyen

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) are tick species known for their generalist feeding habits, pursuing blood meals with little preference for specific host species. They are found in the southern and midwestern United States but have been rapidly expanding northward due to climate change and white-tailed deer population expansion. Since they are a zoonotic disease vector, their increased abundance has caused the concurrent increased prevalence of a variety of tick-borne illnesses such as tularemia, heartland virus disease, alpha-gal syndrome, ehrlichiosis, and southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), which effect both humans and animals alike. This increased prevalence of tick-borne …

No-Fault Compensation Plans In Negligence Cases: Is The Exclusive Remedy Constitutional?, Elizabeth A. Wyman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Act has been the subject of intense scrutiny regarding its efficacy, constitutionality, and ethical implications, specifically as it relates to the widespread practice of patients agreeing to its terms prior to providing them with prenatal care. This research investigates the potential unconstitutionality of the Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) as an exclusive remedy, questioning the legality of the bill under the Fourteenth Amendment due to potential violations of patient rights to litigation. Through a comprehensive analysis of relevant case and statutory laws as well as secondary sources, this paper addresses the ethical and legal …

Coping With Creativity - The Relationship Between Depression/Anxiety And Creative Coping In College-Aged Students, Nelly M. Dragu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The relationship between creativity and mental illness has been established in the literature. There are multiple possible explanations for how mental illness and creativity are connected, and creativity has shown to be an effective treatment for different mental illnesses (for example, through art therapy). Despite this, there is limited research on which creative activities those with mental illnesses naturally use to cope. Information on the type of creative coping that the mentally ill naturally gravitate to and find most effective can further inform possible treatment plans and suggestions. This study aims to address gaps in the literature concerning how college-aged …