Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Lactoferrin And Iron-Enriched Whey On Iron Absorption, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, And Menstrual Health In Women, Mia Dustin

Student Research Symposium

Background

• Iron is essential for oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and overall health. ¹
• In the U.S., 20% of women aged 18–45 do not meet the estimated average requirement (18 mg/day). ^2,3
• Ferrous sulfate (FS) effectively improves iron levels but often causes severe gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. ⁴
• Previous research has suggested that lactoferrin, a milk-derived glycoprotein, may provide comparable iron delivery with fewer GI issues. ⁴
• Research suggests that lactoferrin, a milk-derived glycoprotein, delivers iron as effectively as ferrous sulfate, with fewer gastrointestinal issues. ⁴
• This clinical trial, conducted at USU’s Center for Human Nutrition Studies, examined the effects of …

Harvest Extend Volunteers Report Improved Mental And Social Wellness, Clarissa Richins

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Harvest Extend volunteers help reduce food waste, improve food security, and learn fruit preservation techniques

Phylogeny And Historical Biogeography Of Uroleucon Aphids, Audrey Mullen

Student Research Symposium

Research Questions

• Are South American Uroleucon aphids endemic or recently introduced?

• If endemic, did the aphids come from North America or Eurasia?

• When did dispersal events occur?

• Did temperate zone-adapted Uroleucon aphids cross through equatorial tropical forest?

Ghostlight: A Fargedy, Ethan Shaw

Student Research Symposium

November 9th

8:30 PM

PG-13

Ages 14 & Up

Caine Lyric Theatre

All Students $10

General Public $15

Who Supports Democracy In The Post-Arab Spring Maghreb?, Jacob Sagers

Student Research Symposium

Background

During the Arab Spring in 2011, youth became the backbone of protests and a force for democratic change. Particularly in Tunisia – the heart of the Spring– youth had a dominant role in starting protests and toppling regimes. Extant literature's mixed findings on wealth’s positive association with democratization processes suggest democracy’s support depends on public opinion and age. Building off fieldwork and interviews with students in Tunisia, my study focuses on economic development and its impact on public opinion.

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Measuring Small Currents At Fast Speeds Using A 2Nd Generation Electrometer, Donna Metcalf

Student Research Symposium

The Electron Emission Test (EET) chamber in the Utah State University Materials Physics Group (MPG) is used to determine the electron yield of highly insulating materials. An electrometer is employed alongside the EET chamber to measure the output current of 10-6 to 10-14 pulses of 10-7 seconds to DC duration. In previous years, a first- generation electrometer was used for these measurements. However, the introduction of a new electrometer presents an opportunity to achieve faster measurement speeds and improved sensitivity to smaller current values.

The Stories Of Dress: Exploring Fashion Histories In The Usu Clothing Collection, Ysabel Birmingham

Student Research Symposium

The Family Life Consumer Science and Education Department at Utah State University houses the Historic Clothing Collection, featuring over 530 donated items from the 1840s to the 1990s. This collection, contributed by USU alumni and Northern Utah residents, includes apparel, accessories, and print documents of historic and cultural significance. The challenge lies in preserving these pieces while increasing student access to support future research on the intersection of fashion and society. The goals for this project were to

• Organize the collection
• Assign unique accession numbers to each object
• Digitize all existing paper documentation
• Photograph each item in the collection
• Assess …

Biosecurity Strategies For Combating Iuu Fishing: Protecting Ecosystems And Economies, Spencer Anderson

Student Research Symposium

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens marine ecosystems and global economies by driving overfishing, spreading aquatic diseases, and introducing invasive species. It disrupts biodiversity, jeopardizes fisheries' sustainability, and undermines the livelihoods of millions, intensifying food insecurity and socio- economic vulnerabilities, particularly in fishing- dependent communities.

This research examines biosecurity strategies— including regulatory frameworks and collaborative efforts—to safeguard marine biodiversity and support sustainable fishing economies. Addressing the complex challenges of IUU fishing bridges gaps between conservation, public health, and economic resilience.

This study adopts an interdisciplinary approach to develop practical solutions to preserve biodiversity, enhance public health protections, and promote …

Social Media And Sports Betting, Mikey Bishop

Student Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Antibiotics: The Ph Factor, Tyler Barry, Camila Campos, Claire England, Carson Porter

Student Research Symposium

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a global concern. Antibiotic production depends on factors like pH and salinity. Antibiotics are waiting to be discovered in soil that can aid with health treatments [1]. We isolated colonies from soil. One isolate produced antibiotics, forming an inhibition zone against Staph. epidermidis. Our soil had a pH of 8, suggesting it's an alkaliphile that can thrive in basic conditions. Optimal pH enhances antibiotic production, benefiting medicine [3].

Estimating Equivalent Annual Costs: A Comparative Analysis Of Electric And Traditional Roadways, Noelia Garcia Weidling

Student Research Symposium

As electric vehicle (EV) adoption increases, new infrastructure like Electric Road Systems (ERS)—which wirelessly charge EVs while driving—is being explored. While promising, ERS are more expensive to build and maintain than traditional roads.

Because U.S. roads are primarily funded by taxpayers, this project explores:

• Traditional roadway costs and ERS costs

• Ways to recover that investment in a sustainable, fair way.

Through The Lens: Analyzing Apple's 'Shot On Iphone' Social Media Marketing Campaign, Awsumb Hardy

Student Research Symposium

While promoting the iPhone 6s, Apple launched the #ShotOniPhone campaign. It encouraged iPhone users to share photos under the tag #ShotOniPhone.

• Was the campaign a success? Why?
• Did the campaign increase iPhone sales?
• What can we learn from #ShotOniPhone?

The Meme-Ification Of Barbie: How Social Media Turned A Movie Into A Cultural Phenomenon, Jayke Martin

Student Research Symposium

The 2023 Barbie movie became a cultural phenomenon, driven by an innovative marketing campaign that leveraged memes and user- generated content, particularly on TikTok. Users embraced the movie's catchy songs and dance routines, sparking widespread excitement. Strategic brand collaborations with Crocs, Cold Stone Creamery, and NYX, combined with the fashion industry's embrace of pink, amplified the film's impact. Notably, the extensive use of fluorescent pink paint led to a global shortage. The teaser trailer, which parodied 2001: A Space Odyssey and premiered before Avatar: The Way of Water, generated early buzz by challenging audience expectations. The “Barbenheimer” phenomenon emerged when …

The Apple Effect: Unveiling The Power Of Social Media Marketing In Apple's Advertising Mastery, Annie Ploehn

Student Research Symposium

This research dives into the top marketing strategies shown by Apple on their Instagram page. Five main themes have been identified: Creativity, people, nature, emotion, and technique. Through each of these themes we see how Apple fosters a sense of belonging and uses this marketing strategy to encourage continued company growth.

Educational Policy And The Ballot Box: The 2024 Ghanaian Election Through Students' Eyes, Ebenezer Botsio, Irene Kyereh, Stephen Kwame Ameko

Student Research Symposium

The Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy, introduced in Ghana in 2017, marked a major shift in educational access by removing financial barriers at the secondary level. While several studies have examined its implementation and socio-economic impacts, limited attention has been given to its political consequences, particularly among young voters. This study examines the impact of the FSHS policy on the voting decisions of university students in the 2024 general elections. Grounded in historical and contemporary policy contexts, the study traces Ghana's educational reforms from the Nkrumah era through the FCUBE initiative to the FSHS policy, situating them within a …

Racism On Social Media, Britton Larsen

Student Research Symposium

For centuries, racism has been an issue in society; however, the emergence of social media has drastically altered the landscape of the vulgarity and encounter of racist content. Social media has become a crucial communication, advocacy, and information battleground. While these platforms have provided a voice through which underprivileged populations become equal in terms of advocating for equality and justice, the same platforms have nurtured the breeding ground for hate messages and discriminatory ideologies. This research will look to explore the relationship between social media and racism, doing so to look at how these social media platforms amplify racist content …

Environmental Racism: The Role Of Racism In The Unequal Distribution Of Environmental Hazards And Resources In Urban Areas, Acadia Petersen

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

There is a large difference in the number of environmental hazards and environmental resources that people live with depending on their race. This is very damaging as certain minorities are being provided with fewer resources and more polluted areas, leading to worse health outcomes.

There is “A strong association between non-white and poor communities and the location of hazardous waste sites…Studies on air quality have documented that minorities and the poor face higher levels of air pollution than other groups” (Pinderhughes 1996).

Are Logan Police Officers Equipped To Deal With Domestic Disturbances Effectively, Jaden Baugh

Student Research Symposium

If officers do not have proper training to deal with domestic violence, then they become ineffective tools to help the public. We as the public need officers to keep the peace but if there is improper training they are ineffective

Martha Stewart's Enduring Legacy: A Social Media Case Study, Holly Asay

Student Research Symposium

Martha Stewart gained fame in the 1990s and, at 83 years old, remained culturally relevant on her personal Instagram account. Despite early criticism, she had 2.6M followers and high engagement in 2025.

Wiped Out?: Testing Peribacillus Frigoritolerans Against Hospital Disinfection Techniques, Alexis Lupus, Ashtyn Whatcott, Asaria Zizumbo, Cade Neuberger

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Hospital disinfection is essential to patient health, as harmful bacteria can compromise patient health. Factors like pathogen type and cleaning frequency influence disinfection efficacy. Sani-Cloth® disinfectant wipes are widely used in healthcare settings and have shown high effectiveness, particularly on surfaces such as iPad screens. The Sani-Cloth® disinfectant wipes tested in this experiment protect against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria .This experiment evaluates three types of Sani-Cloth® wipes against Peribacillus frigoritolerans, a gram-positive soil bacterium. Given the range of microbes introduced in hospital environments, especially in high-traffic areas like emergency departments, identifying the most effective wipes helps ensure optimal infection …

Tiktok Triumph: Unpacking Duolingo's Marketing Success, Kylee Malcolm

Student Research Symposium

Duolingo, a language learning app, has an infamous social media presence across many platforms. Recently, they took their risky humor to the next level by killing their mascot (don’t worry, there’s a happy ending!)

Their platform on TikTok typically receives more engagement from users and brands, because that is where they first went viral for their ‘threats” against users.

The Digital Dairy Diary: Exploring The Emotional Responses Of Utah Social Media Users To Dairy Content, Patryce Eldredge

Student Research Symposium

Social media is powerful in distributing information and helping society to develop perceptions and sentiments. Social media can be a useful tool in community agriculture. However, without an understanding of the emotions held by social media users concerning the dairy content on social media, ag educators can’t effectively use social media as an educational tool.

Sizzling Success: The Impact Of Wendy's Twitter Roast Campaign, Bryan Mortensen

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

The Wendy’s Roast Me social media campaign created massive engagement, increased brand awareness, and improved brand reception. The reason that I choose to analyze this campaign is because I wanted to read more Wendy’s roasts.

The social media platform that I have chosen to analyze is TikTok, however I did do some research on Twitter as well in order to be able to compare their performance.

Today, I am aim to answer three questions:

• How did TikTok compare to Twitter?
• What made this campaign so successful?
• Can we apply anything from this campaign to others

Child Protective Services Accountability And Reform: The Role Of Judicial Oversight, Caseworker Training, And Systemic Failures In Protecting Vulnerable Children, Amiah Kuykendall

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

What is the purpose of this project?

▪ Investigate systemic failures

o Research question:

▪ How does judicial oversight influence CPS caseworker accountability in child abuse cases, and what legal measures can be taken to ensure policy enforcement?

Frequency Of Fruit And Vegetable Consumption Among Women Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes, Hailey Koster

Student Research Symposium

• Consuming fruits and vegetables has been associated with a reduced risk of gestational diabetes and improved pregnancy outcomes. ¹

• However, the majority do not meet the recommendation of five servings per day or 400 g per day according to the World Health Organization.²

Understanding Carbon Storage Of Uinta Mountain Fens, Eleni Christley

Student Research Symposium

• Peat is partially decomposed organic matter that forms under cool, inundated conditions.
• Peatlands, a type of wetland, are critical carbon sinks and store about 30% of the globe's soil organic carbon.
• Not much is known about peatlands in Utah, nor do we understand the factors that may contribute to carbon storage

When Looking Back; A Photographic Exploration Through The Wet-Plate Collodion Process, Annora Madden

Student Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Establishing Methods For In Vitro Static Culture Of Gut Microbiomes For Nutritional Intervention Studies, Jeremy Case

Student Research Symposium

The National Cancer Institute reports colorectal cancer as the leading cause of cancer death for individuals under 50 in the United States (American Cancer Society). These rates continue to rise with poor diet, microbiome dysbiosis, and gut inflammation being the primary drivers.

Our lab performs nutrient- intervention studies on DSS/AOM colitis-induced mouse models fed the total Western diet, reflective of the average American’s diet. A poor diet promotes gut microbiome dysbiosis and subsequent colitis, ultimately yielding colon cancer. We seek to understand how the introduction of a bioactive compound may lessen or promote these effects in in vivo mouse models. …

Unveiling The Success: Analyzing The Social Media Marketing Of Hailey Bieber's Rhode Skin 'Lip Shape' Campaign, Kensington Clements

Student Research Symposium

For this project, I’m looking at Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Skin Lip Shape campaign and how it was marketed on social media. I decided to focus on Instagram because Hailey is the most active there.

How Does Social Media Influence Gen Z'S Perception Of American Politics?, Payden Dalley

Student Research Symposium

This study examines whether social media influences Gen Z voters depending on which app they use and their political affiliation. Specifically, it explores how social media platforms shape perceptions of the American political system by analyzing survey responses from Utah State University students regarding the most recent election. Understanding this influence is crucial, as social media plays a central role in shaping political information, particularly for young voters. The findings will help determine whether social media can be used in future elections and which platforms are the most reliable for each party. Given the limited research on the role of …