Digital Commons Network^™

Aerodynamic Performance Analysis Of High-Powered Rocket Airbrakes, Simon Babcock, Samuel Worthington, Sophia Batchelor

Liberty University Research Week

This research investigates the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to derive a coefficient-of-drag (Cd) profile for a high-powered rocket with an active airbrake control system to drive precise apogee control and trajectory prediction. High-fidelity CFD simulations are used to produce a reliable drag-coefficient function across relevant Mach numbers with airbrakes retracted and extended into the relative airstream, enabling more accurate trajectory modeling and control strategies for rockets employing aerodynamic drag modulation. This accurate drag characterization is critical as small deviations in the rocket’s Cd can significantly alter the predicted launch behavior and stability during high-powered flight. Prior work in …

Limited Access To Reproductive Health Care And Maternal Health Outcomes In Lynchburg, Virginia, Akuchinyere Titus-Okpanachi, Oyebolu Aderinola Akinkugbe, Wuraola Awosan

Liberty University Research Week

Introduction/Background

In 2022, the Virginia Maternal Mortality Review Team reported an increase in pregnancy-associated deaths, rising from 64 to 67, with a death rate of 70.1 per 100,000 live births, surpassing the U.S. rate of 18.6. Black women experienced a notably high death rate of 50.3, highlighting significant racial disparities, including a much higher infant mortality rate among Black infants compared to White infants. In the Central Virginia Health District, disparities are observed, although data availability is limited by small populations in surrounding counties. Lynchburg has recorded higher rates of late or no prenatal care, low birth weights, and preterm …

Social Connectedness In The Age Of Ai: Chatbot Use And Loneliness Among University Students, Pamela Mcilrath

Liberty University Research Week

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are rapidly becoming integrated into everyday life, with recent data indicating that approximately 29% of U.S. adults have used AI in the past year (Google & Ipsos, 2025). While AI tools are often utilized for productivity purposes (e.g., drafting emails, taking meeting minutes, etc.), younger populations are beginning to use them for personal conversations, companionship, and emotional/mental support. Recent research suggests that OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform might be the largest provider of mental health services in the United States of America (Rousmaniere et al., 2025). This development presents a unique opportunity to examine how use of AI …

Does A Youth-Led Faith Revival Suggest Promise For Reversing Decades-Long Trends Of Religious Decline, James Black

Liberty University Research Week

Literature focusing on religious trends among demographic groups in both America and nationally have been generally understood to be showing a decline in the share of the population consistently practicing and holding religious beliefs, including Christianity. However, in more recent years, particularly from 2020 onwards, new research has been introduced, hinting at the possibility that these trends indicating religious decline among selected populations may be reversing due to increased church attendance and religious participation among younger demographics such as Milennials and Gen Z. While these trends are in their infancy, new literature suggests they are accompanied by broader cultural shifts …

Reconceptualizing Grief Following The Death Of Abusive Or Toxic Family Members: A Trauma-Informed Theoretical Framework, Janita Daggy

Liberty University Research Week

Grief after losing an abusive, neglectful, or chronically toxic family member is a clinically understudied and commonly invalidated form of grief. Most grief frameworks are built upon attachment and normative constructs of loss, centering feelings of longing, sadness, and wanting to be with the deceased again (Bowlby, 1980; Worden, 2018). When survivors lose someone who has caused them harm through words, emotions, or physical pain, their grief response can include feelings of relief, numbness, guilt, anger, loss of identity, and other complex emotions which do not align with mainstream grief expectations and are often invalidated by cultural norms and family …

Hybrid Rans-Les Modeling Of Airflow In A Bronchial Flow Simulation Of A Human Lung, Sunday Joseph

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Reframing Alpha-Gal Syndrome As A One Health Oral Health Risk: A Theoretical Model For Dental Safety And Policy Reform, Oyebolu Aderinola Akinkugbe, Akuchinyere Titus-Okpanachi, Oluwatosin Marylyn Oduneye

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of Hybrid Turbulence Methods For Predicting Flow Oscillations In Supersonic Ramp–Cavity, Nansar Clement Jangfa

Liberty University Research Week

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of Supersonic cavity flow is presented. Supersonic cavity flows are characterized by complex interactions between shear-layer instabilities, shock waves, and acoustic feedback mechanisms that produce strong pressure oscillations. Accurate prediction of these phenomena remains a major challenge for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) due to the limitations of conventional turbulence models. In this study, hybrid Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes and Large-Eddy Simulation (RANS–LES) approaches are applied to investigate the unsteady flow behavior in a Mach 2 ramp–cavity configuration. The performance of the Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (IDDES) model is evaluated against traditional RANS models in predicting shear-layer …

Decades After Exposure: The Continuing Burden Of Asbestos-Related Diseases In The United States, Hannah Mnayarji, Luke Montgomery, Tunde Adebola

Liberty University Research Week

Many consider diseases caused by asbestos exposure to be antiquated conditions that are rarely observed today. However, asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) have long latency periods, meaning that the time between exposure to asbestos and the onset of disease typically ranges between 20-40 years. Since the last import of asbestos to the United States was in 2023, occupational exposure has continued into recent history. This study hypothesizes that there has not yet been a decline in asbestosis and mesothelioma incidence and mortality–two conditions primarily caused by asbestos exposure–indicating that the latency period between asbestos exposure and disease occurrence persists into the modern …

Family Is Forever: A Qualitative Study Of The Impacts Of Adoption On Adoptees, Rebekah Hedlund

Liberty University Research Week

This study explores the lived experiences of adoptees and the ways in which adoption has impacted them. Grounded in communication theory of identity (CTI), this research examines how adoptees express their identities throughout their lives via communication. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with adoptees over the age of 18 from diverse backgrounds. The findings revealed three key themes from adoptees: identity, education, and opportunity. Participants described identity to be an ongoing and evolving process throughout life, often influenced by biological origins and family dynamics. The theme of education emerged through participants’ desire for educating potential adoptive …

Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas)Exposure And Its Influence On Fetal And Early Childhood Development, Tahirou Diallo

Liberty University Research Week

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals ubiquitous in environmental and biological matrices, with growing evidence implicating prenatal exposure in adverse developmental outcomes. This systematic review synthesizes cohort-based evidence published between 2016 and 2026 to evaluate the effects of maternal PFAS exposure on fetal growth and early childhood development. Studies were identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, and were included if they assessed prenatal PFAS concentrations in relation to birth weight, gestational age, fetal growth trajectories, or childhood anthropometric outcomes. Findings across multiple cohorts consistently link higher prenatal exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) …

Differential Effects Of Curcumin And C646 On Mitogenic And Metabolic Signaling In Insulin-Stimulated Hepg2 Cells, Davis Raz, Rachael De Klerk

Liberty University Research Week

Curcumin and C646 both inhibit p300/CBP histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity, but they differ markedly in their mechanisms, potency, and effects on cellular function. Both compounds have been investigated as modulators of the insulin-signaling pathway and have shown potential for improving insulin-signaling–related defects in experimental models. Our previous findings showed that curcumin positively impacted a metabolic pathway by reducing IRS-1 phosphorylation at S1101, a negative regulatory site, while maintaining downstream PRAS40 and RPS6 phosphorylation. Although C646 also reduced IRS-1 S1101 phosphorylation, it did not preserve downstream insulin signaling as effectively as curcumin. We hypothesized that target proteins within the mitogenic pathway, …

Manual Tissue Slicer Designed For Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation, Levon Shukrian, Caleb Anene, Daniel Archer, Derek Works, Jack Durham, Joby Anthony, Jumana Rizk, Maria Mendoza Lopez, Shanice Rerrie

Liberty University Research Week

Fertility preservation techniques such as ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autotransplantation provide important options for patients at risk of primary ovarian insufficiency due to medical treatments or disease. A critical step in this process is the preparation of uniform ovarian cortical slices (0.5–1.5 mm thick) that preserve follicular architecture prior to cryopreservation. However, the discontinuation of the Stadie-Riggs tissue slicer, previously used for fresh tissue slicing, has created a significant gap in both translational research and clinical practice. To address this need, a compact manual ovarian tissue slicer was designed and constructed using biocompatible 316L stainless steel and borosilicate glass. The …

Sublethal Pesticide Exposure Leads To Pesticide Resistance Across Chemical Classes, Andrew Duncan

Liberty University Research Week

Mosquitoes are well recognized as a vector for human pathogens, contributing to global morbidity and mortality.8 Broad spectrum rise in mosquito resistance is a well-documented phenomenon, especially in locations of persistent pesticide usage for mosquito population control. Reduced pesticide effectiveness in vector control can lead to heavier usage and higher levels of off-target effects. Recognizing this, selective mechanisms for mosquito resistance have been heavily studied. While natural selection is a well-established paradigm for understanding the development of resistance, recent research has pointed to non-selective mechanisms as a contribution factor. Mosquitoes are frequently exposed to sublethal doses of pesticides, potentially leading …

Statistical Ghosts: The People Our Health System Can’T See, Claire Rau, Alexandra Mixan, Shaira Neupane

Liberty University Research Week

Health equity depends on accurate representation, yet vulnerable populations are often undercounted in community health assessments. In Lynchburg, Virginia, reliance on voluntary survey data in the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) obscures the true scale of transportation barriers to care. This study examines how transportation access intersects with socioeconomic disadvantage to shape health outcomes.

Using census-based data from the American Community Survey and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention PLACES dataset, we analyzed the overlap of low income, lack of insurance, and limited vehicle access. Data were processed in SAS and standardized using Z-scores to create a Vulnerability Index identifying …

A Created Longing: Sehnsucht And The Creative Arts, Hope Dornfeld

Liberty University Research Week

The German concept of Sehnsucht is expressed explicitly in several musical selections from the Romantic era; however, the emotional state it represents is implicit in a much greater field of music, crossing a wide variety of styles, genres, and periods of history. The concept first gained popularity through the writings of Goethe and Schiller, and was employed in poetic, musical form through the works of the German Romantic composers. Significant research exists on the philosophical and theoretical implications of Sehnsucht. However, the extent of its intersection with the creative arts has not been explored in a great deal of depth. …

Rolling A Mile In My Wheels, Jaiden Lane

Liberty University Research Week

This thesis project emphasizes the importance of supporting students with disabilities on campus. The hope is that readers and participants will leave the project more educated on disabilities and accommodations. Ideally, all people reading the thesis will feel a burden to continue promoting and contributing to the field of disability research, specifically from a biblical worldview. As a Christian who believes that all people have been created in God's image, the goal when writing this thesis was to ensure that all readers and participants of the research know how loved and valued they are by their Creator.

U.S. Involvement In Romania During World War Ii, Timothy Brophy

Liberty University Research Week

U.S. involvement in Romania during World War II was significant. This involvement began with a U.S. Army Air Forces bombing campaign against the country's oil refineries, which provided approximately 25% of Nazi Germany's oil supply during the war. Initial bombing raids occurred in 1942 and 1943, but it was not until April 4, 1944, that the Fifteenth Air Force (15th AF) launched a sustained bombing campaign against Romania. By August 1944, the American bombing of Romania had successfully crippled Romanian oil production and export to Nazi Germany, paved the way for the Soviets to drive German forces out of Romania, …

Influence Of Pathogen Carbon Metabolism On Host Immunity, Bright Danso

Liberty University Research Week

Cryptococcus neoformans is an emerging fungal (yeast) pathogen worldwide that causes cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and also responsible for life-threatening diseases of the lungs and skin. In this study, we assessed the production of host immune signals in response to infection with carbon assimilation mutants of C. neoformans to better understand the relationship between pathogen carbon metabolism and virulence. We focused on experimentally creating mutation in pyruvate kinase (pyk1¿), previously shown to have marked deficiencies in virulence without rapid clearance from the host. Cytokine production was investigated both in vivo and ex vivo using cultured macrophages. We furthermore employed additional carbon utilization …

Cfd-Based Multi-Objective Optimization Of Airflow Channel Design For Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Management, Somto Azike

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Music Enhances Theta Brainwave Activity Regardless Of Tuning Frequency, Robert Somerville, Davis Raz, Ersilia Mirabelli, Jettson Yarborough, Luc-Shalom Kouame

Liberty University Research Week

Music has been shown to increase our ability to retain and recall information. This study attempts to expand the scientific knowledge in this area of study and seeks more efficient and effective genres and frequencies of music for increasing memory retention. In a world filled with those seeking knowledge and an ability to retain and use said knowledge to enhance their lives and the world around them, a method of enhancing their ability to do so would be revolutionary. Music is a powerful tool for relaxation, focus, and memory, but what if the way it is tuned is adversely affecting …

Who Really Creates Reality Tv? How Audiences Complete Stuart Hall's Reception Theory Model, Cathryn Thomas

Liberty University Research Week

Broadcast television ratings are declining due to the popularity of streaming platforms (Attest Media, 2024; Bauder, 2025). Shows must adapt to survive in this increasingly digital environment. In 2025, Bachelor in Paradise (Teti, 2025) hired a new showrunner, Scott Teti, who adjusted the show’s format, structure, location, cinematography, and editing with the hope of boosting viewer engagement (Franklin, 2025). This study applied Stuart Hall’s (1973, 1980, 2021) encoding/decoding model to analyze audience Instagram comments in response to Teti’s premiere episode of Bachelor in Paradise. This study explored how audiences decoded and responded to these changes, and whether social media commentary …

Bridging The Gap In Adolescent And Young Adult Sexual Health Education, Michael Ago Tetteh, Anjali Jacob, Cassidy Harris, Claire Rau

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Risky sexual behavior among adolescents is a significant public health concern in the United States and locally in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 2024, Virginia reported elevated rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including 851 new HIV cases (21.4% occurring in ages 15–24), as well as high rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, which heavily burden youth. In Lynchburg specifically, 43.5% of high school seniors report having had sexual intercourse, and the teen birth rate is 12 per 1,000 for females aged 15–19. Beyond physical health, these behaviors reflect poor spiritual health and a departure from a biblical sexual ethic, as …

Healthcare Access Barriers And Ags Outcomes In Central Virginia: A Qualitative Study, Oluwatosin Marylyn Oduneye

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Gospel Reception And Response In Students With Profound Cognitive Disabilities, Reagan Lewis

Liberty University Research Week

This study attempts to build a bridge over a gap in research regarding how to measure children with cognitive disabilities’ understanding of the gospel, also incorporating information about ministry structure, caregiver responsibility, and methods for presenting the gospel. While there is a plethora of research surrounding the design of disability ministries, very little research has been done in the area of gospel reception, particularly in children with cognitive disabilities. This study utilized a qualitative research design to collect data for analysis and discussion. Specifically, this study included individual interviews, one focus group discussion with all participants at the conclusion of …

Notification Efficiency, Lashundra Rucker

Liberty University Research Week

Service organizations rely on operational metrics to evaluate performance. Yet, traditional measures prioritize speed over value, often concealing variables that hide inefficiencies. This project introduces Notification Efficiency (NE) as a construct that utilizes a composite percentage value reflecting the resources used to achieve full operational status. In the proposed framework, a notification is defined as an artifact documenting evidence of a service recovery event. NE is designed to relate directly to resources involved in service recovery—as travel, labor, shipping, and escalation—with an extended goal of triggering early intervention opportunities. As a natural extension to field service, NE can also reside …

Sexual Differentiation In A Unique Vertebrate Lineage: Mapping The Development Of Genitalia In The Lizard Anolis Sagrei, Alina Mathew

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

• Genitalia are some of the most rapidly evolving structures on the vertebrate body, yielding an immense amount of genital diversity. Lizards and snakes have paired genitalia, while all other amniotes have a single, midline phallus. The lizard, Anolis sagrei is an important organism to study the development of genitalia to understand differences between paired and single genitalia. Genital development in A. sagrei begins with two genital swellings in both males and females. Then as the anole progresses, the swellings either elongate into hemipenes or reduce to hemiclitores. The objective of my research was to determine the normal course of male …

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Migration, Culture, And Healthcare In Chicago’S Pakistani Community, Sultan Cheema

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

How does Chicago’s Pakistani community understand and access the US healthcare system? This ethnographic study will draw on 10 semi-structured interviews and five in-depth interviews to investigate how first and second-generation Pakistanis interact with healthcare in the United States. By exploring factors such as religion, length of stay, socioeconomic status, non-Western medical practices, household configuration, and education, this study will examine the relationship between cultural adaptation and healthcare decision-making among Pakistani immigrant communities.

All Walks Of Life: Exploring Different Paths To Independence, Naina Kapur

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

As a Social Justice Intern at Loyola, I have learned a great deal about how to advocate for others, use my leadership skills effectively, and build valuable relationships. I was placed at Misericordia Heart of Chicago, where I worked closely with different residents of varying ability levels, creating plans to help residents work towards more independence in their daily lives. This experience has been incredibly valuable for me to learn about effective leadership, behavior management, and proactive behavior support. My internship helped shape my path to advocacy for others in the disabled community like me.

Pathways To Compassion: Mapping Gender-Affirming Healthcare Experiences, Ashley Gotlib

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals face significant obstacles accessing gender-affirming care, particularly within religious healthcare organizations. This mixed-methods study (n=59) found that 94% of participants reported barriers and 86% experienced misgendering. Key impediments include financial and insurance constraints, limited regional availability, and restrictive policies. The primary barrier remains provider knowledge gaps, with 98% of respondents citing a critical need for specialized education and training. Socioeconomic and geographic factors also influence access, alongside a noted avoidance of faith-based systems. These systemic issues highlight the urgent need for provider training, better care navigation, and policy reform.