Digital Commons Network^™

Optimization Of Antibiotic Selection Conditions In Human T-Cell Lines To Study Mechanisms Of Resistance To Bi-Specific Antibody Therapy In Multiple Myeloma, Raphael Gabra

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of plasma cells for which emerging therapies increasingly target B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). Many experimental approaches used to investigate therapeutic resistance rely on genetically modified cell populations that must be maintained through antibiotic selection to ensure stable expression of introduced constructs. However, antibiotic sensitivity varies across cell lines and drug types, and improper dosing can compromise experimental reproducibility by allowing unmodified cells to persist or inducing excessive cytotoxic stress. This study aimed to define efficient and practical selection conditions for two commonly used antibiotics, G418 and puromycin, in Jurkat and TALL-104 human T-cell lines. Cells …

Maternal Feedback Over Time: Associations With Youth Perceptions Of Autonomy Support, Andrew Middleton, Genevieve Martin, Alyssa Lazanowski, Wendy M. Rote

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Parental feedback and direction are often interpreted as controlling; however, developmental theory suggests these behaviors may function as autonomy support when they are responsive to youths’ need. Drawing on self-determination theory, autonomy supportive parenting involves the promotion of volitional functioning through behaviors that align with youths’ perspectives and fosters independent problem-making and a sense of choice (McCurdy et al., 2020; Zhang & Whitebread, 2021). Similarly, scaffolding frameworks emphasize that provisions of parental support (e.g., feedback, direction, and emotional encouragement) contingent on the child’s task performance can promote higher levels of independent functioning (Mermelshtine, 2017; Salonen et al., 2007). The present …

The Overestimation Of Minority Group Size, Kennedy Tennant, Kiara Overstreet, Ty Curci

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Politicians and citizens often claim that a problem is "growing" or even "out of control" without providing metrics to support their claim. We wondered if people who fear immigration might be prone to overestimate the percentage of people who they perceive as "foreign" and further, whether that overestimation is moderated by the degree of fear or contempt held towards that group. In Study 1, participants viewed fictitious graduate school applications and then estimated the percentage of applicants that were from the Middle East. In study 2, participants viewed fictitious head shots and estimated the percentage of individuals who were wearing …

Leveraging Infection Control Practices To Maximize Quality Patient Outcomes, Sydney Busch, Lauren Rielly Mcconnell, Lauren Rae Selent

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Health care associated infections (HAI) remain a significant challenge for hospitals and may negatively affect patient outcomes if infection control practices are not consistently followed. A very important indicator of the safety and quality of health care is hand washing as it demonstrates the link between good hygiene practices and low health care related infection rates 1,2. This study examined how infection control practices differed across clinical units. A quantitative, causal- comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the unit the patient was assigned to. Student researchers paired with faculty and infection control practitioners …

Cyclobenzaprine: Psychiatric Side Effects In Patients With Mood Disorders, Shelby R. Mcgrew, Michael Pestova-Habera

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Cyclobenzaprine, also known under the brand name Flexeril, is one of the most widely prescribed skeletal muscle relaxants globally. While treatment is typically limited to post-injury pain relief, long-term use has increased due to evidence of pain reduction in patients with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and temporomandibular joint disorder. Recently, cyclobenzaprine was found to be contraindicated for patients with bipolar disorder and other mood disorders. This is thought to result from its structural similarity to amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. As a result, some patients utilizing cyclobenzaprine for pain management may experience acute manic episodes following administration. This study reviews …

Leveraging Cauti & Evidence-Based Best Practices, Jacob G. Slipak, Lauren Rae Selent, Lauren Reilly Mcconnell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

An estimated 44% of urinary tract infections are classified as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). In 2020, stated United States CAUTI infection rates were estimated at 0.754 per 1000 catheter days1 (with higher rates in ICUs). CAUTI is associated with an adjusted incremental total hospital cost of $9,807 (p<0.0001) and increased length of stay of 3.01 days2 (p<0.0001). This study examines staff compliance with known CAUTI best practices. A quantitative, causal- comparative approach was utilized. All patients (n=119) had an indwelling foley catheter. The independent variables were the individual clinical units each patient was assigned to. The dependent variable was adherence to the CAUTI Prevention Bundle best practices. Best practices included proper removal protocol and catheter maintenance (ensuring an unobstructed flow). Initially, a MANOVA was used to compare differences across groups. For a statistically significant criteria one way ANOVA contrasts were conducted. There were statistically significant findings as evidenced by Wilk’s Λ (36, 472) = 0.53, p<0.0005. One-way ANOVA contrasts identified two statistically significant differences: 1) Less than half of employees (48%) were adhering to best practice guidelines for catheter removal protocol (p< 0.02); and 2) Employees (71%) were compliant with best practices for catheter care (p< 0.005). It was chilling to note that less than half of employees (48%) complied with the catheter removal process. This information is the first of its kind in CAUTI and may assist policymakers and other key stakeholders in Florida—and nationally—in identifying, designing and implementing strategies to promote best practices.

Crossing The Quality Communication Chasm Among Inpatients, Julie Gaurang Patel, Jacob Aiden Boyle, Lauren Reilly Mcconnell, Lauren Rae Selent, Joshua Refaat Gerges

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Identifying the most effective approach to enhancing service quality and patient satisfaction may be challenging for providers. Efficient communication between healthcare providers and patients is frequently mentioned as a fundamental element of favorable patient experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine patient satisfaction regarding ‘interpersonal communication’ within a multi-hospital system.  A quantitative, causal-comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the floor the patient was admitted to. The dependent variables were the patients' responses to satisfaction survey questions including: 1) Friendliness of hospital staff; 2) Explanations provided in a way patients could easily …

Reducing Expenses Through Digital Innovation Among Medicare Advantage Plans, Stanley Y. Huang, Jada N. Faircloth, Lauren R. Selent, Lauren R. Mcconnell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The United States healthcare system is approaching unsustainable cost levels. Within the next ten years Medicare Advantage plans face potential insolvency. Medicare Advantage plans are expanding, and many receive priority over patient care and physician payments yet operating without meaningful accountability. Many of these rising costs affect quality and lead to increased overhead expenses. 1, 2 The purpose of this project was to examine whether replacing traditional methods with safe, timely, and HIPAA-compliant digital innovation would lower cost and maximize outcomes. A quantitative, causal- comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was fiscal year, and …

Leveraging Patient Satisfaction In The Hospital Admission & Parking Processes, Leila Joyce Babb, Manasa Jaishankar, Lauren Rae Selent, Lauren Reilly Mcconnell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare quality. Patient expectations and experiences during healthcare encounters, such as the admission process, strongly influence perceived quality of care and overall satisfaction with hospital services.[^1  ]Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare quality. Limited healthcare resources require efficient and effective process improvement efforts. The purpose of this study is to examine patient satisfaction with the hospital admission and parking processes at a multi-hospital system in Tampa-Bay. A quantitative, causal-comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the floor the patient was assigned to. The dependent variables …

Emerging Technology In Leptospirosis Testing: Comparison And Future Directions, Ashley Kassay, Mallory Caldwell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Leptospirosis is an under-recognized zoonotic bacterial infection that is responsible for 1 million cases and 60,000 deaths globally every year. With vague symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose in early stages, and if left undiagnosed, it is highly fatal. To prevent late diagnosis, there must be research into improving testing methods, especially with respect to countries with limited resources. The following will compare emerging technologies in leptospirosis testing, such as CRISPR, LAMP, microfluidic-based paper device, and photothermal immunosensing, with traditional testing methods such as MAT and PCR. Comparing biomarkers, sample type and amount, time, sensitivity, point-of-care ability, this research determined …

Leveraging Healthcare Providers Responsiveness To Patient Needs, Kevin R. Garcia, Lauren R. Mcconnell, Lauren R. Selent

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Patient satisfaction is viewed as a vital key driver that holds significant importance for healthcare leaders. The healthcare arena is continually evolving and marked by advancements in medical technologies with emphasis on patient-centered care. The patient experience is recognized as the drivers of healthcare quality.1 The purpose of this study was to examine patients’ perceptions of ‘timeliness’ by clinical unit. A quantitative, causal-comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the clinical unit to which the patient was assigned. The dependent variables were the patients responses to survey questions including: 1) Pain medication administered timely; …

Crossing The Quality Chasm With Accommodations Among Hospitalized Patients, Sarieli Lakshmi Sribhashyam, Erica Mainenti Lima, Lauren Rae Selent, Lauren Reilly Mcconnell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The healthcare landscape has evolved significantly over time, placing greater emphasis on patient-centered care as a fundamental component of effective healthcare delivery. High levels of patient satisfaction contribute to improved perceptions of care, stronger trust in physicians, better treatment compliance, reduced errors, greater staff satisfaction, and ultimately improved clinical outcomes and provider profitability. While factors such as hospital environment and sanitation remain essential in shaping these outcomes.¹ The purpose of this study is to examine patient satisfaction regarding ‘accommodations’ in their hospital room. A quantitative, causal-comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. A Multi Variate Analysis of …

Testing Downstream Analysis Of Noninvasive Anoa Dna Samples Using The Mm12 Primer, Madisen Hamai

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is an endangered species of wild cattle endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. As anoa populations are expected to decline in future years, genetic analysis is important to monitor numbers and guide both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts. Because anoa avoid human interaction, noninvasive sampling methods of DNA collection are being tested. These methods minimize stress to the animal and allow scientists to measure genetic diversity within anoa populations and relatedness between individuals.

This study uses PCR amplification of a microsatellite to determine whether noninvasive DNA is suitable for population level analysis. The study uses …

Amplifying The Anoa: Noninvasive Genetic Amplification Of The Lowland Anoa With Csrm60, Haley B. Merkle

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is the smallest species of wild cattle in the world and is classified as endangered on the ICUN Red List. Noninvasive genetic assessment allows for collection of samples with minimal impact on animal welfare but can result in low-quality DNA or contamination. Little is known about effective forms of noninvasive sampling and the DNA analysis protocol that follows regarding the anoa. This study is part of a continuing collaborative investigation and helped gain insight into the suitability of noninvasive DNA for population research. To determine whether the DNA is suitable, a set of …

Benefits Of Art Therapy On Quality Of Life In Middle Aged Women With Gynecological And/Or Breast Cancer, Rylee N. Diehl, Iman Ahmed, Piper S. Bell, Lamya Moore, Giada Anastasi, Constanza Bravo Rodriguez, Taylor Edmondson

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Art therapy involves the use of art representations in clinical and mental health care. Art mediums such as painting, dance, and movement can be interventions for diagnoses such as gynecological or breast cancer (GBC). GBC incidence is highest among women 45-65, and art therapy has shown potential to improve their quality of life (QoL). Art therapy’s impact on QoL is often assessed by measuring physical and mental health, coping and adjustment capabilities, healthcare relationships, and social life. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted with an initial 181 articles extracted from multiple journals of psychology. A final selection …

The Gothic’S Boy Mom: A Depiction Of The Jocasta Complex In Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, Rylee N. Diehl

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

This paper explores the dynamic between Mrs. Danvers and Rebecca in Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It is revealed later in the novel that Mrs. Danvers worked for Rebecca’s family prior to becoming the housekeeper of Manderley. She took on a maternal role over the other woman that was characterized by an overbearing love for her. After Rebecca’s death, this love turned into obsession and readers have often noted sexual undertones within the way Mrs. Danvers refers to the woman she watched grow up. This is reminiscent of Raymond de Saussure’s Jocasta Complex which analyzes a mothers incestual fixation with her …

Effectiveness Of Mindfulness-Based Interventions In Treating Behavioral Addictions, Arjun Tummala, Eshal Farhan, Tina Zhang, Ayesha Menon, Harshini Janapaty

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Behavioral addictions are non-substance compulsive disorders creating urges to engage with actions such as gambling and internet gaming disorder (IGD). Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) use conscious awareness of the present to improve both mental and physical health. However, their long-term effectiveness remains unclear compared to other therapies. This literature review explores how the use of MBIs, compared to other therapeutic techniques, help adults and adolescents struggling with behavioral addictions. A systematic screening of peer-reviewed articles was conducted using PubMed. Of 135 articles published from 2021-2026, “mindfulness”/“meditation”, “behavioral addiction”/”gambling”/“gaming disorder”/“internet”, and “long-term”/“relapse”, only studies that explored MBIs for behavioral addiction with experimental …

Gender Differences In The Diagnosis Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: The Role Of Vulnerable Narcissism And Clinical Judgment, Shreya Patel, Marvel Abdelmalak, Madison Dumerlin, Deeley Nice, Forat Waleed, Arjun Tummala, Amanda Janner

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition categorized into grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Current guidelines used to evaluate NPD include the ICD-11 and DSM, however, the accuracy of their results is arguable. NPD presents differently in males vs. females which may lead to misdiagnosis. This study reviews how clinician judgements are influenced by the gender-based differences in the presentation of narcissistic traits while using current diagnostic guidelines, aiming to understand the misdiagnosis of NPD when the traits are less grandiose. A literature review was conducted through PubMed using the search terms: (“Narcissistic Personality Disorder” OR narcissism) AND (“gender differences” …

Citing The Usage Of Generative A.I. In Academic Articles: Avoiding Plagiarism And Staying Authentic, Amanda Bitkauskaite

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The usage of generative A.I. increases day by day as the technology improves and remains accessible to the public. Inside academia, many argue the technology will help students and scholars to write papers quicker, to improve their writing, and/or to organize data quicker. However, there is the issue of if A.I. really improves workflow, and if it can correctly be used in the realm of publishing without impeding on the merit of their research and without insulting readers and editors alike, as is explained in “When and how to disclose AI use in academic publishing: AMEE Guide No.192” (L. Cleland, …

Ai-Enabled Food As Medicine In Hospitality: Children’S Wellness Menus, Guest Perceptions, And Service Design, Isabella Fonte

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Dietary management plays a crucial role in alleviating symptoms of chronic health conditions, yet accessible, credible resources remain underutilized. This project focuses on collecting and standardizing online recipes designed to support individuals managing ailments through nutrition, emphasizing that these recipes provide foundational dietary guidance rather than curative solutions. For instance, recipes targeting heart disease consistently prioritize whole grains, low-fat proteins, and vegetables, offering structured starting points for those navigating dietary changes. Our methodology involves identifying credible sources that meet specific criteria: nutrition information, dietary tags, serving sizes, preparation and cooking times, and detailed instructions to name a few. Selected recipes …

Engineering Synthetic Promoters And Gene Circuits For Tumor-Specific Dreadd- Mglur2 Expression Across Age Groups, Sara J. Bariq, Theresa Anil, Harsith Kollipara, Luis Zayas, Devanshi Krishna Gollamudi

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Synthetic promoters and chemogenetics offer emerging strategies to control cancer cell signaling. Prior work examined tumor-specific promoters and glutamatergic signaling in cancer, yet evidence remains limited on restricting DREADD-engineered GPCRs to tumor cells using multi-gene circuits, particularly across age groups. This review evaluates synthetic promoter–gene circuit designs enabling tumor-restricted expression of DREADD-modified mGluR2 and assesses age-related effects on performance. A comprehensive review of 54 peer-reviewed articles was conducted, investigating factors such as relations between age and changes in gene expression, epigenetic promoter alterations within cancer therapies, and mGluR2 function and implications for therapeutic applications in cancer therapies and immunotherapy. Articles …

The Mediterranean Diet And Lipid Profiles In Hyperlipidemia, Aarav Shah, Kartheek Malireddy, Advith Katta, Ishani Sunkara, Alyssa Resendez, Serena Bhaskar

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) reduces risk of hyperlipidemia by reducing LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) levels, which cause plaque buildup. However, the comparison of the MedDiet with other diets for improving lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic patients has not been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluates how MedDiet compares to diets such as the Vegan, Keto, and DASH diets on adults with hyperlipidemia concerning our primary outcome LDL-C levels and our secondary outcome HDL levels. A meta-analysis on 47 studies, 169 screened, from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect focused on comparing effects of DASH, vegan, low-fat, Western, and Keto diets against MedDiet. …

Reimagining Academic Editorial Procedure For Creative Novel Publishing: Press Of Rebellious Origins And Imagination’S Manuscript Process, Suravi Gurung

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

My close examination of manuscripting processes based on common ethical practices outlined in “The Handbook of Journal Publishing” (Sally Morris, et al.) explores how academic publishing pipelines are established and the functionality of each stage. This project further inspects internal editorial systems within journals or publishing houses throughout a manuscript’s processing, and how these frameworks can appear through applied analysis, with both text and flowcharts for each stage. “Press of Rebellious Origins and Imagination’s Manuscript Process” is a mock in-house guidebook based on the pre-existing journal of POROI (Project on the Rhetoric of Inquiry at the University of Iowa and …

Demographics Of Published Nonfiction Authors In Literary Magazines And What It Means For Academia, Amanda Bitkauskaite

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

In a 2023 survey done by The Author’s Guild (“Key Takeaways from the Authors Guild’s 2023 Author Income Survey”), the demographic of published authors has shifted from what many perceive to be a male dominated field–with the data collected showing that published authors are majority women, writing romance and fantasy. This survey study was conducted to see if this applies to academic creative writing, in particular, non-fiction. The study took a look at 100 writers who were published in 6 different academic literary magazines, looking at several demographics—age, gender, and sexuality. It also examined their education level, job, and whether …

A Pooled Analysis Of Efficacy Outcomes Of Til In Advanced Mel Patients Treated At Moffitt Cancer Center, Joel Kuriakose

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy induces durable responses in a subset of patients with metastatic melanoma, yet determinants of efficacy remain incompletely defined. We performed integrated immunophenotypic and spatial transcriptomic profiling of TIL infusion products and matched tumor microenvironments (TMEs) from patients treated in early-phase TIL-based trials at Moffitt Cancer Center. The objective response rate was 36%, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 10 months. Responders exhibited infusion products enriched for CD8⁺ T cells, stem-like memory (TSCM) CD8⁺ subsets, and LAG3⁺CD8⁺ T cells, along with enhanced TIL persistence in the periphery. Notably, prior exposure to immune checkpoint was associated with …

Improving Cancer Diagnosis And Patient Outcomes With Deep Learning Models, Mariana Arriz-Jorquiera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cancer care depends on timely and reliable decisions, from detection and diagnosis to treatment planning and patient monitoring. These decisions are often made under uncertainty because medical images and healthcare data may be noisy, incomplete, or difficult to interpret. In breast cancer imaging, ultrasound is widely used because it is safe, accessible, and complementary to other imaging modalities. However, variations in image quality, acquisition conditions, and noise can obscure lesion boundaries and texture, affecting human interpretation and artificial intelligence reliability. This dissertation develops deep learning, image-analysis, and optimization methods to improve healthcare decisions under imperfect information. Its primary focus is …

Gnsi Decision Brief: Is $1.7 Billion Enough? Breaking Down The Economic Effects Of Ukraine’S Cyber War, Tom Johansmeyer

GNSI Decision Briefs

Ukraine’s claims of causing Russia more than $1.72 billion in economic harm may have been intended to tout success, but the impact really reveals the limitations of offensive cyber operations outside a narrow collection of mission sets. By comparing that total to past cyber event economic losses, the shortcomings of cyber operations as a form of direct action become clear.

Impostor Syndrome In The Ranks: Understanding Self-Doubt To Improve Leader Performance, Joel Kotanko

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Impostor syndrome (IS) — the persistent pattern of self-doubt in which capable individuals fear being exposed as frauds despite objective evidence of competence — has been studied extensively in academic, healthcare, and corporate populations, where it is generally treated as detrimental to professional performance. Little empirical work has examined IS in U.S. military officers, a population operating under structural conditions the literature identifies as primary amplifiers of fraudulence perceptions: high-stakes permanent evaluations, up-or-out promotion systems, cultural pressure against outward expressions of doubt, and recurring role transitions under compressed timelines. This dissertation provides the first quantitative investigation of the relationship between …

Vertebrate Diversity In Cave Systems Of Colombia: An Approach Based On Environmental Dna Metabarcoding Analysis, Rita Daniela Martinelli Marín, Carlos Andres Lasso, Francesco Sauro, Susana Josefina Caballero

International Journal of Speleology

There is currently limited knowledge of the biological communities inhabiting cave ecosystems in South America. This study examines the vertebrate community composition of 21 caves across diverse subterranean ecosystems in Colombia using environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. Water was collected from water bodies inside caves and subterranean systems in six of the eight speleological regions of Colombia in eight departments. Water was filtered manually through a 0.8 m pore size filter and preserved with Longmire solution. A 170-base pair (bp) fragment of the 12s mitochondrial gene specific for vertebrate identification was amplified by PCR and sequenced by Illumina (metabarcoding). Data corresponding …

Considering What Counting: Measuring Lives Saved And Other Things That Don’T Happen, Joel Best, Keith R. Johnson

Numeracy

While most statistics are assumed to count elements in the empirical world, it is also possible to calculate the numbers of things that don't or won't happen. Estimates of "lives saved" represent an important application. This column explores insights numeracy skill offers to such discussions.