Digital Commons Network^™

Functional Characterization Of Cryopreserved Plasmodium Yoelii Sporozoites In Vitro, Victoria I. Mills

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Malaria is a major global health burden, contributing to morbidity and mortality across various continents. Due to challenges in malaria research and its advancements, developing novel interventions and further understanding host-parasite interactions is required for future studies. Plasmodium vivax is a human malaria species that is difficult to maintain in laboratory settings, posing obstacles in research. Cryopreservation offers a reliable method to provide a consistent supply of sporozoites for reproducible studies. Plasmodium yoelii is a rodent malaria model commonly used in studies due to its genetic similarity to human malaria species. Utilizing cryopreserved P. yoelii sporozoites potentially extends their usability …

Genetic Counseling Student Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, And Study Strategy Use For The Genetic Counseling Board Certification Exam., Teagan E. Nunnery

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With a 76% pass rate for the 2024 American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) certification exam, it's crucial to evaluate the study strategies used by candidates and their alignment with evidence-based practices. This study surveyed 84 genetic counseling students and graduates from 35 U.S. and Canadian training programs, focusing on demographic data, study strategy usage, anxiety, and self-efficacy. Study strategies were categorized into one of three groups: 1) active strategies, which promote recall and understanding, 2) passive strategies, and 3) hybrid, for strategies that involve both active and passive engagement as well as three metacognitive strategies: regulating learning, monitoring learning, …

Three Essays Exploring The Interaction Between Health And Labor Market Outcomes, Jingxin Nie

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the influence of health policies and employment disruptions on individual health, behavior, and cognitive outcomes, utilizing quasi-experimental methods to address causal inference challenges across three distinct studies.

The first chapter examines the effects of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act on workers' compensation claims, leveraging variation in insurance coverage resulting from the policy change. Employing a difference-in-differences (DID) approach and a staggered DID framework following Callaway & Sant'Anna, this study uses data from the Current Population Survey’s Annual Social and Economic Supplements (ASEC). The findings reveal that despite increasing insurance coverage, Medicaid expansion did not significantly …

Evaluating And Improving The Serious Game Life With Hereditary Cancer, Jenna K. Peterson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hereditary cancer syndromes increase cancer risks for individuals with pathogenic variants and their family members, yet many at-risk individuals do not pursue genetic testing due to barriers in family communication. Serious games—interactive tools designed to educate through gameplay—offer a promising approach to addressing these barriers by engaging users and creating supportive learning environments. LIFE with Hereditary Cancer is a serious game designed to improve genetic literacy, promote informed decision-making, and encourage family conversations about hereditary cancer risks and genetic testing. This evaluation used a mixed-methods approach to assess participant emotions, perceptions, and experiences with LIFE with Hereditary Cancer and identify …

Personal Perspectives Of Political Action: A Case Study Of How Women Discuss The Black Panther Party’S Free Breakfast For Schoolchildren Program, Megs Peterson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to investigate the impact ideology has on social movement actors. I do this by conducting a case study on the influence of Marxist feminist ideologies on the Black Panther Party’s (BPP) Free Breakfast for Schoolchildren Program (FBP). Within this case study, I narrow my focus to Marxist feminism, rather than Marxism more broadly, to choose a theoretical framework that aligns with my subject while ensuring gender is considered as a critical axis for examination. This research is situated at the intersection of feminisms and social movements, drawing from both social movement scholarship and Women’s, …

Breaking Binaries: Gender Non-Conforming Lesbians And The Undercurrent Of Biopower On Dating Apps, Lily M. Connolly

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how gender nonconforming lesbians experience and navigate algorithmic constraints, commodification, and self-expression on dating apps. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s concept of biopower, this study analyzes focus group discussions to argue that dating apps encode and enforce traditional gender norms. However, rather than acting solely as sites of constraint, dating apps also provide spaces where gender nonconforming lesbians creatively resist these limitations and subvert platform design to assert their politicized queer identities. This research highlights how biopower operates within digital dating platforms while also illuminating the subversive strategies users employ to reclaim agency. By situating gender nonconforming lesbian …

Hidden In Plain Sight: Chinos, Casta, And La Florida, Kylie A. Culver

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

"Hidden in Plain Sight: Chinos, Casta, and La Florida" looks at the origin and use of the term chino/a within the Spanish casta system, focusing on its role in the St. Augustine Parish Archives from 1693 to 1754. In the St. Augustine parish registers, there were thirty-two separate entries that consisted of chinos/as. The presence of multiple individuals identified as chinos in Spanish Florida highlights the diversity of colonial Spain and demonstrates crucial understandings of the legal effects of casta. A careful analysis of these individuals reveals that the term chino/a did not necessarily refer to people of Asian origin …

The Knowledge, Ability And Willingness Of Instructors To Accommodate Students With Disabilities In Higher Education, Hawa Allarakhia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the findings of a study investigating the knowledge, ability, and willingness of faculty at a large university to accommodate students with disabilities (SWD). It reveals that while many instructors demonstrate a solid understanding of disability legislation, variations in knowledge and confidence exist based on demographic factors, particularly years of experience. Accommodations like extended time and distraction-free testing environments are more likely to be received positively by instructors and granted easily, while there needs to be more inclination to offer resource-intensive options like note-takers. The study also recommends future research and practical strategies for higher education institutions to …

Linking Education And Work: Understanding The Influence Of Community Schooling Models On Student Pathways, Takiyah N. Dixon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the integration of work-study programs, mentorship, and support systems at Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School (CRTSHS) and their role in preparing underrepresented students for post-secondary education and professional careers. Utilizing a case study methodology, this research centers on an in-depth analysis of a single participant's experience, which provides a qualitative insight into the impacts of these educational components. The study examines how the school's work-study program equips students with practical skills, how mentorship shapes their academic and personal development, and how support systems contribute to their readiness for higher education and employment.

The data for this …

Next-Gen Hr: How People Analytics And Business Acumen Drive Leadership In Strategy, Wistaria J. Joseph

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Quantitative research within the Human Resources (HR) field is scarce, specifically for HR professionals. This study aimed to add to the body of HR professional research focusing on professional development of HR professionals to ascend to significant leadership roles and gain a seat at the company’s strategic decision-making table. This research tackled the moderating role of people analytics and business acumen to determine if they drove Human Resource Management (HRM) strategic propensity from transactional HR expertise and transformational leadership, with upper-echelon and strategic leadership theories providing the backdrop. To this end, a survey was deployed to obtain responses from a …

Narratives Of Resilience: The Power Of Creative Expression And Community Support During Familial Incarceration, Alana Alexander

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Existing literature stresses that the far-reaching effects of mass incarceration extend beyond prison walls, profoundly shaping familial experiences. Despite this, families remain consistently overlooked in criminal justice discourse, leading to heightened stress and diminished resilience. This thesis is a program review of a community-based program, referred to here as the Storytelling, Creativity, and Care (SCC) program, to protect the confidentiality of its participants and activities. The SCC program integrates neuroscience and narrative theory to explore how storytelling influences cultural perceptions, shapes lived experiences, and supports psychological and physiological healing. Additionally, this work investigates the socio-political narratives that perpetuate stigma and …

“It’S Essential We Learn How To Grow For Ourselves”: The Legacies Of Black Gardening In Racialized Food Systems., Funmi Odumosu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, I aim to investigate the impact of food racism on Black communities, with a specific focus on the importance of gardening in combatting food apartheid and fostering holistic connections to nature and community in school-aged children. Inequitable access to major retail supermarkets and unequal distribution of healthy food options are intentionally occurring patterns in the food spaces of predominately Black communities. These food system inequities exacerbate a lack of consumption and potential consequences on the health and well-being of children of color particularly during critical physical and cognitive developmental periods.

Many solutions to these inequities entail implementing …

Additive Value Of A Reinforcer Preference Assessment In Elementary Classroom Group Contingencies, De'vohn J. Roman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Disruptive behavior in elementary classrooms can hinder students' academic engagement and overall learning experience. This study examined the effectiveness of using a student-selected reinforcer preference assessment in a positive variation of the Good Behavior Game, a widely implemented classroom management strategy, in general education elementary classrooms. The study's purpose was to determine whether student-selected reinforcers led to better outcomes compared to teacher-selected reinforcers, by examining the intervention's effects on academic engagement and disruptive behavior. The methodology involved a single-case research design and an alternating treatment design, which were employed to answer the research questions. Findings revealed the benefits of integrating …

Organizational Intentionality: Enhancing Business Engagement With Black Entrepreneurs Through Purposeful And Inclusive Strategies, Willye G. Shaw

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Motivated by demands for greater business diversity and proactive efforts of organizations to improve their inclusive engagements with minority stakeholders, this research contributes to the academic body of knowledge related to Black-owned business value by highlighting the impacts of organizations committed to shifting the conventional approach to diversity with this business community. The objective is to delve more into the need for enhanced relationships between organizations and Black-owned businesses, offering insights into the intentional actions, decisions, and strategies that lead to purposeful initiatives by the organizations to refine their business practices, with a focus on sustainable success for Black entrepreneurs. …

Assessing Fish Species Richness Using Edna And Seine Nets In A Restored Estuary In Tampa Bay, Florida, Us, Alex Seigel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Coastal estuarine systems associated with the Tampa Bay region along the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, US, are critical to the region’s fishing industry, which contributes significantly to Florida’s economy. Restoring estuaries along the Gulf Coast of Florida is an investment in Florida’s environmental health and economic stability. Estuaries serve as nurseries for many marine species, including commercially important organisms like finfish. Restoring these areas can enhance fish stocks and, by extension, boost the economic returns from commercial and recreational fishing. In this study, differences in fish species richness were compared among a seven-month period in 2022, seine nets (once in …

Ecological Epidemiology Of The Fungal Pathogen Ophidiomyces Ophiodiicola In Southeastern U.S. Snake Populations: Distribution, Drivers, And Anthropogenic Risk Factors, Shivam Shukla

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Studying wildlife diseases is an important conservation measure, as many pathogens are a critical threat to biodiversity worldwide. Ophidiomycosis is an emerging infectious disease caused by the invasive fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola that affects a wide variety of snake species, often causing mortality. There has been limited surveillance for ophidiomycosis in the southeastern United States’ (US) snake populations and research into the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on disease spread is also lacking. Thus, this project aimed to quantify the distribution and drivers (taxonomic, anthropogenic, and morphological) of ophidiomycosis in Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi’s free ranging snakes as well as study …

Reflections On The Teacher Evaluation Process: Experiences Told By K-12 Teachers, Trinicia S. Murphy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In education, it is essential for stakeholders like district leaders, teachers, and government officials to collaborate and create a plan of action that would support K-12 instruction. Collaborations as such have been used for decades by policymakers and researchers to express philosophies, values, and beliefs about education to make improvements and/or push for change. Therefore, the educational system will continue to evolve with current and upcoming research findings. For example, evaluating teachers effectively has been one of the most controversial topics in education. According to Boyd (1989), teacher evaluations were constructed to measure teachers’ competences and promote professional development. Today, …

Evaluating How Malaria Transmission Season, Residency, And Travel History Modify The Association Between Vector Control Method Use And P. Falciparum Infection In Accra, Ghana., Anna Beltrame

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background. Urbanization and population movements increase urban malaria risk, necessitating adjustments to traditional control strategies. Data on vector control methods in urban African settings and their association with malaria risk remain limited.

Objectives. To evaluate the association between vector control methods and Plasmodium falciparum infection in Accra, Ghana, and how this association varies by malaria transmission season, residency, and travel history.

Methods. This observation study utilized data from two cross-sectional household surveys conducted in March-April and June-July 2024 as part of the MUSE study. Participants were household members over six months old who gave consent, randomly selected from 13 health …

Analysis Of Adverse Events Associated With Sglt2 Inhibitors And Molecular Mechanisms Using Faers Database And Transcriptome Data, Rahinatu Bawah Ali

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, we explored the differential effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on cardiovascular and renal health, utilizing both clinical data and molecular insights. Focusing on three commonly prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors—Dapagliflozin, Canagliflozin, and Empagliflozin—we employed the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to assess adverse events, including myocardial infarction, cardiac failure, tachycardia, acute kidney injury (AKI), renal failure, urinary tract infections, and fungal infections. This analysis was complemented by transcriptomic data from kidney cell lines treated with these drugs, processed through NCBI’s GEO2R and Limma programs, to reveal the gene expression profiles linked to these …

Hurricane Evacuation: Navigating Uncertainty During Covid 19 And With Existing Communication Scales, And Considering Public And Expert Perception Of Alternative Scales, Leilani D. Paxton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the effectiveness of current hurricane warning products and communication strategies, exploring factors influencing public perception of risk and decision-making during evacuations. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining survey data, focus group discussions, and interviews with meteorologists and emergency managers. The first paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hurricane risk perception and evacuation decisions. Findings indicate that while COVID-19 concerns played a role in some individuals' decisions, particularly those with pets or concerns about shelter conditions, the majority of participants evacuated for Hurricane Ian. The study highlights the importance of providing clear, consistent, and …

Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Incorporation Of An Ecojustice Framework In An Undergraduate Stem Integration Course, Rita G. Ortiz

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Environmental education across the K-12 science curriculum lacks critical examination of human and ecological relationships, particularly in relation to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. While the Next Generation Science Standards include environmental topics within their disciplinary core ideas and many schools offer environmental science courses, this gap can be addressed in teacher preparation programs, particularly for those teaching younger students. Ecojustice centers on socioecological topics by addressing cultural assumptions we, as humans, live by in relation to natural systems. Ecojustice education is a critical pedagogy that engages learners about social issues related to our current ecological crisis. This …

Advanced Magnetic Sensing Technologies For Enhanced Biodetection And Healthcare Monitoring, Kee Young Hwang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The development of biosensing systems that leverage the unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles and the high sensitivity of magnetic sensors for detecting biomolecules and cancer cells has been an active area of research. However, challenges remain in detecting and differentiating the magnetic signals of biomarkers made from nanoparticles that have similar sizes but distinct magnetic properties. Additionally, overcoming the reduction in detection sensitivity caused by non-magnetic coatings on magnetic nanoparticles remains a key hurdle. Concurrently, there is a pressing need to develop advanced magnetic sensor technologies that can enhance existing healthcare monitoring systems and enable more precise, real-time diagnostics.This dissertation …

Understanding The Impact Of Cultural Competency Development On College Students Through Experiential Learning: A Study Of An Honors High-Impact Course, C. H. Kevin Lee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore how students develop cultural competency through participation in an experiential learning-embedded college course. Existing literature often addresses career readiness, student success, cultural competency, and faculty-student affairs collaboration as distinct areas of research. However, while students may engage with diversity best practices as leaders or through diversity-related courses, bridging the gap between curriculum and competency development remains a critical area for ongoing discussion.

This study focused on a course I designed on Korean culture and identity, which provided an overview of topics such as history, politics, cuisine, music, and current events. The …

Foundations Of Music Education: Creativity, Curriculum, And Terminal Degrees, Charles Edwin Patterson Iii

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This collection of articles includes three concepts centered on critical areas within music education: (1) creativity and the creative personality, (2) curriculum development with a focus on orchestral string teaching, and (3) the historical evolution and current status of doctoral programs in music education in the United States. These three articles are correlated through their shared focus on enhancing the field of music education by examining the essential elements that shape practices by students, teachers, mentors, etc. Together, they explore how creativity, curriculum approaches, and advanced training programs in music education contribute to a holistic and adaptive music education framework …

Can The Effluent From Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Be Effectively Managed For Health And Nutrient Recovery?, Michael Glass

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Wastewater stabilization ponds, such as facultative and maturation lagoons, have been shown to be effective processes to manage conventional water quality parameters found in domestic wastewater. The main goal of this thesis is to explore whether wastewater stabilization ponds can simultaneously reduce pathogens to safe levels while supporting agricultural activities through nutrient recovery. A large dataset for water quality of wastewater lagoon effluent in the U.S. was obtained at the state level and combined into regional southern and northern locations. Analysis of data showed there was significant difference in lagoon effluent concentration between northern and southern states for the water …

Beyond The Mask: Veterans Challenging The Strong Black Woman Trope In Their Journey To Heal In The South, Meya J. Hemphill-Hodges

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to emphasize notions of citizenship and accessibility as experienced by Black women Veterans. By expanding our worldview of Veteran identity, the ethnographic data demonstrate issues of displacement, alienation, and longing that contribute to the dissonance Black women Veterans rooted in the U.S. South may experience. To forge belonging through place-making, Black women Veterans may seek sisterhood by building sites of resistance in person or online. Findings are based on in-depth interviews with Black women Veterans and participant observation with community partners who service Veteran needs. Black women Veterans construct their identities often in oppressive …

Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Level Of Preparedness To Support Students Who Encounter Adverse Childhood Experiences, Lanicia P. Marshall

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore preservice teachers’ perceptions of their preparedness to support students who have been exposed to or/are currently encountering adverse childhood experiences. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a form of trauma and are very likely to occur among students. Due to students spending a significant amount of time in classroom settings, teachers are the first to identify possible issues that can interfere with academic performance. The present study was built upon the few studies that have focused on preservice teachers and their perceptions of preparedness to support students experiencing ACEs. Data were collected using an online survey …

Preparing Children For Kindergarten Readiness: Early Childhood Teachers’ Goals And Practices, Julie Chappell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Literature in the field of early childhood education suggests that standardization and the accountability movement in the United States has changed the way that teachers approach kindergarten, resulting in less play and more teacher-directed activities. This pedagogical shift causes challenges for early childhood educators striving to promote developmentally appropriate, play-based and child-centered approaches to learning for young children while preparing children for the expectations of kindergarten. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of prekindergarten teachers’ views about their role in preparing children for kindergarten. The study was guided by two research questions: How do prekindergarten …

Navigating Change: Youth Civic Engagement At Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, Alex R. Whitacre

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the impact of gentrification on the Tampa Heights community in Florida, focusing on the role of Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association (THJCA) in fostering civic engagement and youth empowerment amidst urban transformation. Using a mixed-methods ethnographic approach, including participant observation, archival review, spatial analysis, surveys, and interviews, the research investigates how THJCA affiliates conceptualize and respond to gentrification, space, and community change. Employing urban place theories and social capital frameworks, the research challenges deficit-oriented narratives in examining the experiences of current and former residents, the effects of gentrification on youth educational services, and THJCA's strategies for maintaining …

Six-Year College Graduation Status For High School Students Participating In An Upward Bound Program, Raymond Upward Cabrera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the impact of high school academic indicators and participation in the federally funded Upward Bound program on college graduation rates for first-generation, low-income students. Specifically the extent to which participation in the federally funded TRIO Upward Bound program and related factors—high school GPA, course rigor, program involvement, gender, race, and college type—predict 6-year college graduation rates for first-generation, low-income students. Using stepwise logistic regression analysis on data of 163 students in an Upward Bound program in the Southeast, the results show that students with higher GPAs, active engagement in the program, and females were significantly more likely …