Digital Commons Network^™

Game-Based Learning And Behavior At Westwood, Tristan Tang, Quincy Vo

Service Learning Showcase

Behavior challenges in elementary classrooms can often take up valuable learning time, leaving teachers trying to balance keeping students on task with making lessons engaging and thorough. At Westwood Elementary, we saw this firsthand while working with around 100 students from prekindergarten to sixth grade through the University of the Pacific’s College Corps program. We wanted to observe and change, combining a behavior system with educational games to address both problems simultaneously rather than handling them separately.

One of our first projects is using Class Dojo as a behavior management tool, where students earn points for following directions such as …

Calm Corner, Jaylene S. Campos, Laly Quen

Service Learning Showcase

This project addresses behavioral dysregulation among students in the After School Bridge Program at Wagner-Holt Elementary School by creating a dedicated “Calm Corner” space to support emotional regulation. Many students in this setting experience overstimulation, frustration, and feelings of being misunderstood, which can lead to yelling, classroom disruption, and difficulty managing emotions—especially among students with learning disabilities. The Calm Corner was designed as a structured, supportive environment where students can step away, reflect, and practice self-regulation strategies before reacting. By providing tools and space for students to recognize and process their emotions, the intervention encourages healthier responses to stress and …

From Vision To Progress: Bridging Reflection Into Growth, Naomi Nguyen, Cindy Reyes

Service Learning Showcase

In our project, we worked closely with students from Stagg High School, who are part of the Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) program. The goal of our work was to support student growth, reflection, and engagement by creating interactive and meaningful tools within their everyday school environment .We created two interactive tools for the IYT office: a Vision Board, where students respond to prompts about their goals and aspirations using sticky notes, and a Progression Board, where students rate how they're feeling on a scale of 0–100% and identify ways to improve. Both boards are designed to build self-awareness, accountability, and …

Impact Of Human Disturbance On Moth Populations In Ecuador, Gianna Jones, Abbie Miller, Esther Frederickson, Grace Glerum

Science Seminar

Habitat disturbance in the temperate zone has been shown to negatively impact moth biodiversity and population size through a reduction in moth food resources and light pollution. Our study sought to understand how human activity impacts moth population numbers and diversity (# unique taxa) in the tropics. Specifically, we sampled moth population and diversity using light traps on two different nights in a disturbed habitat (Mera township, Ecuador) and on two nights at a nearby ecolodge situated in dense tropical forest. Significantly fewer moths were observed during trapping sessions in the township, and many fewer distinct taxa were noted when …

Patterns Of Moth Diversity In Relationship To Human Disturbance And Forest Type, Gianna Jones, Abbie Miller, Esther Frederickson, Grace Glerum

Science Seminar

Moths play a vital role in the health of tropical ecosystems, acting as important pollinators and food resources for a variety of species. Unfortunately, human habitat disturbance has been associated with declines in moth populations and diversity. To explore the impacts of habitat disturbance on taxonomic diversity in the tropics, we sampled moth populations at two different locations in the Pastaza Province (Mera township and an undisturbed forest at Tamandua Ecolodge). Though small in population (

The Impacts Of Wing-Flashing By Northern Mockingbirds On Foraging, Parental Care, And Reproductive Success, Anna Starman, Hayley Ponn

Science Seminar

Foraging efficiency may be enhanced by flashing patches of white wing and tail feathers and has been documented in several avian species. Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos, NOMO) exhibit this "wing-flashing" (WF) behavior while foraging, during displays, and in response to predators. In NOMOs, WF has been hypothesized to increase foraging success, but previous findings are inconclusive. To further investigate the biological role(s) of WF behavior in NOMOs, the ventral surface of white primary feathers of male NOMOs were artificially darkened and the foraging and provisioning rates of undarkened (control) males and their mates were compared. While foraging, undarkened males performed …

Foraging Load Size And Activity In Leaf-Cutter Ants In Rural And Urban Ecuador, Natalie Tollison, Anna Starman

Science Seminar

Leaf cutter ants are important ecosystem engineers in Neotropical forests, moving a significant amount of nutrients from the forest canopy to the soil. We were interested in understanding how time (day vs. night), weather, and level of human disturbance would impact foraging activity in leaf-cutter ants (Atta spp.). To investigate, we sampled activity levels and leaf size along leaf-cutter ant trails in Mera (urban, N=17) and Tamandua (forest, N=27). During the daytime, ants in Mera carried significantly more leaves that were larger in size as well as more total items than did ants in Tamandua. Factors such as the level …

Biodiversity And Diet Patterns: Environmental Impacts On Ecuadorian Birds, Holly Hylton, Fin Bolt, Gracyn Herbst

Science Seminar

The current biodiversity crisis is of great concern, particularly to bird species in temperate and tropical areas. We examined avian biodiversity patterns in Ecuador, one of the most bird-biodiverse countries in the world (1650+ species). In January 2026, birds were surveyed (visual and auditory) for 30 minutes on consecutive days in 4 different locations that differed in the degree of human development. As expected, species richness was much higher in undisturbed locations than disturbed locations. In addition, our comparison of dietary patterns between sites showed a much higher proportion of frugivorous and insectivorous species in areas with less human disturbance …

Using Action Research To Inform Graduate Research Theories, Methods, And Praxis Among Master’S And Phd Multilingual And International Students, Thomas Maldonado

Frontera Retórica Symposium

In an attempt to provide multilingual and international graduate students food for thought, this work-in-progress presentation examines a day in the life of a multilingual PhD student’s use of action research during the teaching of RWS 1301 in both Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 to better inform his data collection via student questionnaires.   Action research, “generally involves inquiring into one’s own practice through a process of self-monitoring that […] includes entering a cycle of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting on an issue or problem in order to improve practice” (Farrell, 2007, p.94).   My research question answers how using action research …

Silent Persuasion In The Classroom: Rethinking Student Silence As Rhetorical Agency, Deepa Silwal

Frontera Retórica Symposium

In most educational settings, rhetorical participation refers to the recognized ways people communicate and persuade. It is measured almost exclusively through verbal contribution, a norm that frames silence as disengagement or deficit. This assumption overlooks the communicative work performed through the body itself, particularly among students navigating linguistic, cultural, or institutional constraints. I ask: how might embodied silence be theorized as a form of rhetorical agency among students positioned at the margins of institutional power? I propose the concept of silent persuasion, which refers to rhetoric enacted not through speech but through the body's presence, posture, stillness, and restraint. Drawing …

From Dilemma To Decision: Rhetorical Positionality As A Framework For Designing A Doctoral Dissertation Topic, Purna Bhusal

Frontera Retórica Symposium

Finding a dissertation topic for doctoral students in liberal arts education is one of the most difficult and defining moments of their academic journey. In my experience and observation, most graduate students struggle to identify a research topic that is both intellectually meaningful and aligns with their personal and scholarly commitments. To address this challenge, in this presentation, I propose rhetorical positionality as a framework for designing and formulating a doctoral research topic. To develop this framework, I draw on theoretical and methodological insights of the rhetorical situation as discussed by Scott Consigny, Richard Vaz, and Lloyd Bitzer, as well …

Spin-Label Probing Of Gp28 Elucidates Interactions With Lipid Vesicles Using Cw-Epr, Maxwell Sutherland, Binaya Baral, Gary Lorigan

ONU Student Research Colloquium

The phage protein gp28 is a bacterial membrane lysis protein that functions outside of currently understood canonical pathways for bacterial lysis. Primarily, lysis is done in conjunction with proteins called spanins, however about 15% of gram negative bacteria infecting phages have coding for spanins. This led to the discovery of the disruptins, a class of non-spanin outer membrane disrupting proteins which includes gp28 from the φKT phage. To understand the mechanism in which gp28 disrupts the outer membrane, we employ spin labeling of the protein in its synthesis and create samples of artificial membranes. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we …

Targeting Chemical Pollutants Through Assimilation Of Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents With Metal-Organic Frameworks, Carbon Nanotubes, And Activated Carbon, Tanner William Baughman

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Water contamination by heavy metals has a harmful human threat to the environment and to human health. This is derived from their bioaccumulation and toxicity characteristics. The study directly looks at the assimilated of lignin-derived hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDES) with 3 different class of materials: Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), and Activated Carbon (AC). Four different HDES mixtures were assimilated into these porous materials through impregnation. Composites were evaluated by characteristic peaks through Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The morphology of the samples was assessed as well through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The colloidal stability …

Implementing A School Nurse-Facilitated Communication And Tracking Bundle To Improve Vision Care Follow-Up Rates, Natalie Autumn Johnston

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Abstract

Problem: Children’s cognitive, physical, and social development are influenced by vision. This means that early interventions in school-aged children are critical. While school-based vision screenings are standardized and effective in identifying visual deficits, post-screening follow-up rates with eyecare professionals remain low. This trend is especially prevalent in underserved school districts, perpetuating systemic healthcare gaps.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the rates of follow-up eye care among school-aged students who fail vision screening will improve following the implementation of school nurse facilitated follow-up communication and referral tracking bundle.

Methods: This study will …

The Veil Of Jurisprudence: How International Law Masks Coercive Violence, Kenneth H. Mcmillen

Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement

Who enforces international law? The answer lies in the different countries that make up international treaties and bodies that legislate international law. These laws conceptually are supposed to serve the same purpose that laws domestically do. They are meant to preserve justice for the different nations, with a theoretical framework that follows liberal ideals popularized by theorists like H.L.A Hart. However, these conceptions are wholly inaccurate as they lack the historical context that any analysis and justification of a system must need to be valid. I begin with a historical analysis of how the legal system has been used under …

Behavioral Effects Of Cocaine After Activation Of Cb1 Cannabinoid Receptors In Male And Female Mice, Cade Baughman, Jejun Lee, Jessica Acheampong, Jihoon Choi, Sarah Seeley, Manoranjan Dsouza

ONU Student Research Colloquium

The goal of this study was to assess the behavioral effects of cocaine following activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in male and female mice. This study was undertaken because recently published data suggest sex-dependent behavioral differences after CB1 receptor activation. However, the sex-dependent effects of CB1 receptor activation on the rewarding and psychomotor effects of cocaine have not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to address this gap in knowledge. The study will use adult male and female C57BL6 mice. CB1 receptors will be activated using synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55212. Behavioral effects assessed after CB1 receptor activation will include both …

Effects Of Limb Dominance On Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration In A 6-Ohda Rat Model Of Parkinson’S Disease Assessed By Immunoblotting, Jasin Aziz Porshia, Deanna Chaialee, Dipesh Pokharel, Kala Venkiteswaran, Thyagarajan Subramanian, Dilshan Beligala

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Effects of Limb Dominance on Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in a 6-OHDA Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease Assessed by Immunoblotting

Jasin Porshia^a , Deanna Chaialee^a , Dipesh Pokharel^b,c , Kala Venkiteswaran^{b, c, d} , Thyagarajan Subramanian^{b, c, d}, Dilshan Beligala^a

^aDepartment of Biological Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, USA

^bDepartment of Neurosciences and Psychiatry, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA

^cDepartment of Neurology, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA

^dDepartment of Neurology, Howard University, Washington, DC, …

A Single Administration Of Psilocybin Is Ineffective In Reversing Ptsd-Like Sequelae In A Rat Model Of Stress-Enhanced Fear Learning, Kylie M. King, Marisa J. Savini, Noelle M. Molnar, Evelynn J. Schneider, Savannah E. Straub, Joe Parker, Lillianna P. Puppel, Aleece K. Al-Olimat, Allison M. Bach, Phillip R. Zoladz

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Single treatments with psychedelics produce rapid, long-lasting antidepressant effects. Psychedelics may also exert anxiolytic effects and be useful in treating more complex psychiatric conditions, such as PTSD. However, less is known about the impact of these agents on PTSD-related symptoms. Thus, we aimed to determine whether a single administration of psilocybin could reverse PTSD-like sequelae induced by stress-enhanced fear learning in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in Context A (circular, white conditioning box) and exposed to several uncontrollable footshocks (Stress) or no footshocks (No Stress). The next day, the rats were placed in Context B (square conditioning box with clear …

Psilocybin And The Related Tryptamine, Norbaeocystin, Exert Acute Anxiogenic Effects That Depend On Sex, Marisa J. Savini, Kylie M. King, Noelle M. Molnar, Evelynn J. Schneider, Savannah E. Straub, Joe Parker, Lillianna P. Puppel, Aleece K. Al-Olimat, Allison M. Bach, Andrew Jones, Phillip R. Zoladz

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Single treatments with psychedelics have demonstrated rapid, long-lasting antidepressant effects. However, psychedelics often produce unfavorable psychoactive effects that could worsen existing psychological distress. Thus, we compared the effects of psilocybin and the related tryptamine, norbaeocystin, on anxiety-like behavior in male and female rats. In Experiment 1, rats were treated with 1 mg/kg psilocybin (PSIL), 1 mg/kg norbaeocystin (NOR), or vehicle 30 min before a 5-min trial on an elevated plus maze (EPM) or in an open field test (OFT). On the EPM, PSIL led to decreased open arm time and fewer arm entries in males and females. NOR led to …

Impact Of Caffeine On Participant Memory For A Stressful Experience And The Development Of Intrusive Memories, Jaycee L. Kirkland, Kaylina R. Mcclenen, Natalina E. Porter, Sarah M. Wood, Julia Gross, Madilyn E. Paphanchith, Kelsey M. Siereveld, Jasmine Ic Ifeakanwa, Caeden M. Gurganus, Koen N. Suzelis, Aiden J. Farrell, Boyd R. Rorabaugh, Phillip R. Zoladz

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Most individuals consume caffeine on a daily basis. Research has shown that caffeine stimulates the release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines and can enhance cognition. Caffeine also amplifies stress-induced increases in arousal and aggravates PTSD-like symptoms. Thus, we examined the impact of caffeine on memory for a stressful experience and intrusive memories related to that experience. Undergraduate students ingested caffeine or a placebo. Thirty minutes later, they were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST; stress condition) or friendly-TSST (f-TSST; control condition), both of which were designed to enable participant memory for the experiences to be quantified. In each condition, …

Role Of Cb1 Receptors In Mediating Thermal Pain In Male And Female Mice, Jessica Acheampong, Sarah Seeley, Manoranjan S. Dsouza

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Pain is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the United States and all over the world. CB1 cannabinoid receptors have been reported to play a role in pain. Also, more recently sex-dependent behavioral differences after CB1 receptor activation have been reported. However, the sex-dependent effects of CB1 receptor activation on thermal pain have not been systematically assessed. This project will address this gap in knowledge. The study will use adult male and female C57BL6 mice. CB1 receptors will be activated using the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55212. Thermal pain will be assessed using the hot plate method. Data for the …

Cultivating Home: Nepali Migrants And Gardening As Everyday Rhetoric, Menuka Gurung Lama

Frontera Retórica Symposium

Rhetorical knowledge is often discussed through formal institutions and textual traditions, leaving everyday community practices underexamined. This paper engages the theme “Rhetoric from the Margins” by examining how Nepali migrants’ gardening practices in Hooksett, New Hampshire produce knowledge outside dominant academic and institutional frameworks. I ask: How do Nepali migrants use gardening as a way of making meaning, sustaining memory, and cultivating belonging in unfamiliar environments? In what ways does gardening function as a rhetorical and epistemic practice through which migrants carry and transform land-based knowledge across borders? Rather than treating gardening simply as leisure or subsistence activity, I examine …

Abstract Book (Pdf), Lsu Health School Of Medicine

Medicine Research Day

No abstract provided.

Empowering Seniors As Mentors: A Framework For Peer Development In Nursing Education, Kaitlin M. King, Jenna Davis

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Many nursing education programs face ongoing challenges related to the transition of sophomore nursing students into professional nursing coursework and initial clinical experiences. The coursework and clinical experiences can bring significant academic, emotional, and professional challenges for students. Peer mentorship has been demonstrated as an effective strategy to improve mentee student confidence, retention, and academic success; however, many programs lack the formal preparation and structured framework for the senior students who serve as the mentors.

Purpose: This evidence-based practice project is aimed to develop a structured peer mentorship training program to help empower the senior nursing students as they …

Gratitude Is The Attitude: Increasing Meaningful Recognition And Staff Collaboration In The Nicu, Devin Angiulo, Catherine Michele Lawless, Jenna Matteo, Lauren Miller

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Our team noticed a deficit in meaningful recognition from our HWEAT survey results. Our team identified what meaningful recognition meant to our staff to understand our area of deficit and evaluate current literature. Meaningful recognition plays a key role in employee satisfaction, motivation, and overall work performance, with reduced nurse turnover.¹ Our staff defined meaningful recognition as personal appreciation. Nurse recognition has been viewed as a critical component of a healthy work environment.² Our staff utilized many forms of recognition, including our organization’s electronic recognition program “Kudos,’ verbal recognition, hand-written notes, Daisy nominations, and yearly evaluations. “Expressions of …

Enhancing Post Surgical Communication By Utilizing An Electronic Epic Handoff, Mimi Le, Nina Harner, Jacqueline Corbett

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of implementing a standardized electronic handoff template within EPIC. The goal is to improve the quality of post-operative communication, improve efficiency, increase nurse satisfaction, and ensure continuity of care while mitigating risks associated with handwritten documentation.

Introduction: Effective communication during patient handoffs is vital for patient safety and continuity of care, especially in post-surgical settings. Inadequate communication often leads to delays and complications. Current reliance on handwritten reports from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to surgical floors results in confusion and delays due to illegibility and lost documents. …

Bridging Two Worlds: A Qualitative Exploration Of Nurses Returning To Work Postpartum, Katherine Metz, Darlene Narca, Amanda Cortes, Michael Young, Nicole Bohr

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Introduction: Each percentage change in nurse turnover is associated with roughly $289,000 in organizational cost/savings annually.¹ Despite this increased focus and nurses being primarily women of childbearing age², little data exists on retention in nurses during the postpartum period. Supporting postpartum nurses is essential for workforce sustainability and organizational stability.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of nurses returning to bedside after childbirth. By examining their perspectives, this study seeks to identify key factors influencing job satisfaction, workplace well-being, and retention, and to inform the development of evidence-based organizational strategies that …

Mental Health Crisis Among Icu Nurses: A Global Study Across 65 Countries During Covid-19, Amal Mobarki, Hillary J. Dutton, Allison Squires

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic imposed heavy demands on ICU nurses, who provided patient care while facing emotional exhaustion, staffing shortages, and limited resources(Boluarte et al., 2020; Shen et al., 2020). Evidence shows that working in critical care during pandemics greatly increases psychological distress among healthcare professionals (Azoulay et al., 2020). Given the significant differences in healthcare systems across countries, cross-national research is crucial for addressing the mental health of ICU nurses.

Aim: This study examines the prevalence of mental health symptoms and evaluates organizational supports provided to intensive care unit nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic across multiple international healthcare settings. …

From Burnout To Resilience: Evidence-Based Strategies To Promote Nurse Well-Being, Rachell Nguyen

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Purpose: To review and translate evidence-based interventions into practical strategies for promoting mental health, preventing burnout, and fostering resilience among nurses.

Background: Nurses are experiencing unprecedented challenges to mental health and well-being, calling for the systematic adoption of research-supported interventions to maintain the workforce and improve patient care outcomes.

Methods: A comprehensive review of evidence-based interventions was conducted across individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels, focusing on promoting nurses' mental health, preventing burnout, and building resilience.

Findings: Mental health promotion has strong empirical backing through mindfulness-based interventions, as shown by systematic reviews that consistently report reductions in stress and anxiety. Peer …

A Cross-Sectional Study To Explore Healthcare Providers’ Wellness: Current Challenges & Gut Health, Linda Liu, Simi Joseph

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Healthcare provider well-being is essential for high-quality patient care. However, stress, burnout, and demanding work environments negatively impact physical and mental health, including gut health. The gut-brain axis underscores the link between gastrointestinal function, stress, and well-being, yet limited research has explored gut health among healthcare professionals.

Purpose: This study assessed the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms among healthcare providers and examined associations with stress levels, clinical environment, and quality of life in acute and outpatient settings.

Framework: Guided by the Biopsychosocial Model, this research explored how biological, psychological, and social factors influence the well-being and gut health of healthcare …