Digital Commons Network^™

Deciphering The Role Of 4hvt From Structure To Function, Stephanie Avelar, Kayle Mederos

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Proteins are molecules crucial to living organisms, as they drive catalytic reactions, cell communication, and cellular structures. Proteins play an important part in all biological processes, and understanding their structure and function is essential for advancing knowledge of life at the molecular level. The protein data bank (PBD) contains thousands of protein structures but many are not functionally characterized. In collaboration with the Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease, this research focuses on elucidating the function of , 4HVT, a hydrolase derived from Rickettsia typhi. The protein was isolated and analyzed using a combination of biochemical and computational …

Decrypting Unknown Viruses: Characterizing Two Unique Bacteriophages, Razorc And Astralis, Through Genome Sequence Annotation, Lidhu Arakkal, Chris Cherian, Vivian Luong, Yuktha Milukuri, Hrishi Paliath-Pathiyal, Hansi Parmar, Shruthi Senthil, Jerqual Smith, Ashley Thompson, Chanakya Prasad Valmiki, Despina Varghese, George Vasilakis, Jyothi Vivekananda, Kayle Mederos, Swara Chindhade, Dev J. Patel, Earlissa Tucker, Rishubh Madaboosi, Mehtab Singh

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In 1915, Frederick William Twort and Felix d’Herelle discovered bacteriophages (phage), viruses that kill bacteria. As this was prior to the discovery of antibiotics, their work led to early development of phage therapy, treatment that involves the use of phage to selectively kill bacterial. Today, phage therapy provides an alternative to antibiotics especially by targeting specific pathogens that are normally resistant to multiple treatments. Even with its ability to alleviate the antibiotic-resistant problem, the vast majority of phage remains uncharacterized. Therefore, it is important to expand bacteriophage discovery-based and genome characterization research. Through the SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance – Phage …

Determining The Differences In Aquatic Community Structure Between Invasive Waterhyacinth And Native Pennywort In The Everglades And Lake Okeechobee, Indaya Byer, Roman Devlin, Mariía José Garcharná Ferro, Aashvi Gowrisankar, Reginald Kemspon Iii, Layla Lacelle, Ainsley Andoscia, Amanda Bogle, Jasmyn Todaro

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Waterhyacinth is an invasive floating plant that rapidly grows across aquatic environments, creating dense mats that disrupt ecosystems like the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee. Our prior observations showcased that waterhyacinth supports different fish and invertebrate species assemblages than the native plant species. More invertebrates, especially amphipods, are found in the roots of waterhyacinth than its native equivalent, pennywort. To determine what causes these patterns, we asked four different questions: whether waterhyacinth has a greater root surface area than pennywort, whether fish preferred native plant environments, whether dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were comparable, and whether predation rates were similar. Surface area …

Effects Of Reproductive Experience On Cognitive-Behavioral Outcomes In Mouse Models Of Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias, Chana Vogel, Esperanza Barrios, Ariana Hernandez, Natalia Noto

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, are devastating conditions lacking safe and effective treatments. Despite the striking sex/gender difference in the prevalence of dementia, few studies have investigated sex-specific factors that may influence the greater risk and faster progression of disease in females. These factors include but are not limited to prior pregnancy and motherhood. Women with children have slower rates of cognitive decline and lower risk for developing mild cognitive impairment or dementia than women with no children. However, other studies have reported mixed results, suggesting that the influence of reproductive/maternal experience may depend on an individual’s number …

Evaluating Diagnostic And Treatment Timelines For Alk-Positive Nsclc Patients: Results From A Global Registry For Consideration In The Journal Of Clinical Lung Cancer, Swara Chindhade, Aula Alqased

Undergraduate Student Symposium

ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an aggressive subtype affecting younger, nonsmoking individuals. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are essential treatments; however, global data on comorbidities, diagnosis, treatment, and intervals from initial medical visits to TKI treatment remain limited. This study examines symptoms, comorbidities, and treatment timelines to identify factors contributing to delays in TKI treatment. We conducted a longitudinal observational study using a global registry of ALK-positive NSCLC patients via online surveys from September 2022 to November 2024. Participants were recruited through support groups, patient newsletters, and oncologist referrals. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression analyses evaluated the impact of …

Exploring Oral Health Challenges In Pateints With Als: Practices, Barriers, And Disparities, Eden Pressley

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Proper oral health is often neglected in vulnerable populations such as persons living with ALS (plwALS) due to the myriad of physical demands and limitations of the disease.¹ Poor oral hygiene increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia, with studies demonstrating oral bacteria in the pulmonary tract of patients with pneumonia, and contributes to oral discomfort, reduced quality of life and increased caregiver burden.^4-6 Although oral hygiene represents a modifiable risk factor for pulmonary sequalae, it is not routinely addressed in the current standard of care for ALS and our knowledge of oral health in plwALS is limited. Therefore, …

Feedback Literacy In Higher Education: A Mixed Methods Examination Into Student Perceptions Of Feedback Literacy & Feedback Processes Using The Deft Toolkit As A Training Intervention, Tiya Goins

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Feedback literacy has emerged as a critical skill in higher education, enabling students to actively engage with, interpret, and apply feedback to improve their learning outcomes. Despite its significance, there is limited research examining how students perceive their own feedback literacy and how they engage with feedback dependent mechanisms, such as Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETs). This study aims to investigate student perceptions of feedback literacy and feedback processes using the Developing Engagement with Feedback Toolkit (DEFT) as a training intervention. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating pre- and post-intervention surveys, a scenario-based assessment in which students evaluate a mock …

How Framing Medical Treatments Affects Patient Risk-Taking Behavior, Deepthi Prince

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The framing effect, a psychological phenomenon in which decision-making is influenced by how information is presented, is crucial in understanding human behavior under risk. This study examined the influence of positive versus negative framing on risk-taking behavior in a medical context. This study hypothesized that participants exposed to positive framing (emphasizing success) would exhibit lower levels of risk-taking behavior, while participants exposed to negative framing (emphasizing failure) would display higher levels of risk-taking behavior. Participants chose between two hypothetical treatment options for a life-threatening illness, with framing manipulated accordingly. Decision-making was assessed through participant preference, confidence, and awareness of cognitive …

Impact Of Educational Attainment On Coronary Heart Disease Risk Among Black Individuals, Lyndzee Bensky

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Coronary heart disease disproportionately affects Black individuals and is caused by the buildup of fatty acids in the heart. Research has shown a correlation between educational attainment and the diagnosis of coronary heart disease in Black individuals. Higher levels of education—ranging from high school diplomas to college degrees—may enhance individuals' understanding of health issues and preventive measures related to this disease. This study aims to explore the relationship between educational attainment and coronary heart disease among Black individuals. Using a cross-sectional study design, the researchers will analyze data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey. The study will create an …

Income Disparities In Educational Institutions And The Risk Of Prediabetes In Students, Dev J. Patel, Saketh Kodavanti, Toby Cheng

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Approximately thirty-five million Americans face type 2 Diabetes: a chronic health condition that results in complications like heart disease, kidney failure, and more. Most students ages 6 to 18 spend most of their time in schools, making the funding of these institutions a major factor in their health. Identifying type 2 diabetes, defined as a blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dL, is an early biomarker of type 2 diabetes, enabling early intervention. The research question is "What is the relationship between socioeconomic inequalities in education institutions and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes amongst 6-18-year-olds?"

A descriptive systematic review of …

Investigation Children's Sensory Responses To Stressful Stimuli Using Eye Tracking Technology, Pearly Trivedi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have a challenging time navigating stressful situations. This can be connected to the differences in emotional regulation and sensory processing when compared to children who are neurotypical. Despite the research performed on ASD, there seems to be a gap in understanding how effectively children with ASD are able to reconnect with reality after experiencing an overstimulating environment. To bridge the gap, this study was performed to use advanced eye-tracking technology to gather objective data on key indicators such as facial expressions, pupil dilation, and eye movement patterns. By comparing the responses of …

Investigating The Structural And Functional Roles Of Transcriptionally Active Rice Transposons, Eimaan Ahmad, Leelakrishna Angadala, Udhay Nallapati, Rushil Mehrotra, Braham Dhillon Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Transposable elements (TES) are notorious given their contributions to genome dynamics, evolution, gene structure, and regulation of gene expression. Famously once branded as 'junk DNA', TEs are now known to play significant roles in genome structure and function. Plethora of data generated from sequencing projects have advanced the study of transposons but their large size-often larger than read lengths of most sequencing platforms- has limited TE research due to limited coverages in sequenced datasets. Additionally, high copy number of TEs and high sequence similarity-often greater than 80%- between multiple copies of a TE family may lead to erroneous and misguided …

Lower Extremity Kinematics And Injury Risk In Collegiate Cross-Country Runners, Arizel Sosa, Hope Laughlin

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Faulty stance-phase running kinematics such as decreased knee flexion (KFLEX) and excessive hip adduction (HADD), contralateral pelvis drop (CPD), and trunk lean (TL) have been linked to running related injuries (RRI) in recreational distance runners. Less is known about collegiate runners who typically have higher and more uniform training volumes. Thus, the study purpose was to prospectively determine if select kinematics could identify RRI risk in collegiate NCAA Division II runners. We conducted laboratory-based 3D biomechanical analyses of 22 runners (sex, 17♀, 5♂; age, 18-25 yrs; height, 1.7±0.1 m; mass, 60.4±8.9 kg) at their competitive season start and tracked RRI …

Medicaid Expansion And State-Level Insulin Copay Caps, Renee L. Rowley

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Background: The rising cost of insulin poses a significant public health issue of accessibility among populations with diabetes. Several states have implemented state insulin copay caps (SICC) to mitigate out-of-pocket costs for insured individuals. This study examines the relationship between Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act and the implementation of SICC.

Methods: To determine whether Medicaid expansion is associated with states’ decisions to initiate SICC, we conducted a cross-sectional study among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. We used SICC status data from the American Diabetes Association and state-level demographics data from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2021 County …

Metformin's Beneficial Usage As A Therapeutic And Cost-Effective Drug For Ovarian Cancer, Kaitlin Chao, Leelakrishna Angadala

Undergraduate Student Symposium

According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer is a leading cause of gynecologic cancer related mortality in the United States, with over 20,000 new cases and 14,000 deaths annually. Despite advancements in treatment, the need for effective, accessible, and affordable therapies remains critical. Metformin, a widely prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes, has shown significant promise as a cost-effective adjunct in ovarian cancer therapy.

This literature review examines emerging evidence on metformin's anticancer properties, including its ability to inhibit ovarian cancer cell proliferation through AMPK activation, mTOR inhibition, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Epidemiological studies report improved survival …

Modeling Nicotine, At-1001, & Varenicline At The α3β4 Nicotine Acetylcholine Receptor, Japji G. Madan, Mourya Khandai, Andersen Cheong

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The escalating prevalence of nicotine addiction among adolescents has been linked to the increasing use of e-cigarettes, known as vapes. Approximately, 1.63 million students in the United States (ages 11-18) use vapes, reflecting a concerning trend of nicotine dependence among adolescents. Activation of the nicotine acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) can modulate the dopamine pathways in the mesolimbic system, increasing nicotine addictive behavior. A 3-D printed molecular model was prepared using the PDB file 6PV7, to explore the molecular dynamics of one of the binding sites between subunits A and B of the pentameric receptor. This model highlights the binding of two …

Methyl Group Substituent Effect On The Basicity Of Meso-Substituted Porphyrins, Krisha Patel, Rochelle Avezki, Tej Chaudhari, Alex Arshavsky

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Titration studies of three freebase porphyrins (meso-tetra-2-methylphenyl, meso-tetra-3-methylphenyl, meso-tetra-4-methylphenyl) were carried out to determine the corresponding basicity in solution with a nonpolar solvent (toluene). The differences in the porphyrin structure lie within the position of the substituents, specifically the position of the methyl group. In each trial, protonation of the porphyrins was reached through the repeated addition of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). In examining the protonation of these different isomers, the pKa values were determined through a spectrophotometric analysis. The apparent pKa values were found using the modified Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.

Olive Oil To Carbon Dots: A Renewable Pathway In Green Chemistry, Srika Saai Talanki, Amaan Khan, Aryan Rathi, María Guillén-Méndez, Tasfia Tazri Howlader, Pierce Canavan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Olive oil, rich in triglycerides like oleic acid, is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, yet its potential in nanoparticle synthesis is underexplored. This study focuses on synthesizing fluorescent carbon dots (C-dots) from extra virgin olive oil using a bottom-up approach. Cdots are valued for their unique optical, physical, and chemical properties, making them suitable for applications in semiconductors, biomedical research, food packaging, and LED technology. The synthesis involved heating a mixture of olive oil, citric acid, and ethylenediamine at 180°C for 72 hours. The resulting C-dots underwent purification through liquid-liquid extraction and freeze-drying, yielding water-free, oily fluorescent carbon …

Persistent Organic Pollutants (Pops) Profiling Of Alaskan Pink Salmon, Tulsi Modi, Aleena Thomas, Tejaswi Achanta

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxins that bioaccumulate in the environment and are resistant to degradation. Of the POPs, there are 209 congeners each of either polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), contributing to human detriment and dysfunction to vital organs in the human body. Individual POPs have been completely banned by the 2004 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, however, levels have remained consistent over the years. The pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) samples used in this study are acquired from three different river locations: Hilda Creek, Salmon River, and Sheep Creek. Hilda Creek is in …

Playing Stereoscopic Video Games Enhances The Precision But Not The Accuracy Of Depth Perception, Charlene Li, Nada Bleibel, Lara Cereminati, Yingzi Luo, Betty Z. Li Ph.D., Dennis M. Levi Ph.D., Sandy W. Chat

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Purpose. We recently reported that playing immersive video games in a three-dimensions (3D) environment boosts stereo vision in young adults with normal vision. Here we asked whether the improvement in stereoscopic acuity (precision) was the result of a reduced disparity pedestal, as indicated by a decreased subjective depth bias (accuracy).

Methods. Twenty-one university students with normal visual acuity and stereoacuity were recruited. All of them had limited previous video game experience, and none had ever played 3D video games. Participants were required to play stereoscopic 3D video games for a total of 40 hours, 2 hours per session, over 4-5 …

Predictive Toxicological Analysis Of Novel Prostate Cancer Drug, Dani Sheil

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the United States, claiming approximately 1 in 44 lives. While novel cancer therapies aim to selectively target cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues, these treatments can still cause significant side effects. The drug discovery process remains costly and time-intensive, with only 10-20% of compounds making it from clinical trials to market, often due to toxicity issues that arise during later-stage testing. To address this, computational methods in predictive toxicology can expedite drug development by assessing potential toxic effects early, reducing costs and risks. In this study, we …

Psychedelic Substituted Phenethylamine Alters Human Neural Progenitor Cell Morphology, Proliferation, And Survival, Omar E. Saleh, Grace K. Wong, Chase A. Gonzales, Mark Apterman, Laury Pierre, Stacey Doret, Isaac Hai, Travis J.A. Craddock

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Examining how psychedelic substituted phenethylamines affect neural plasticity is key to understanding harms and potential medical implications of recreational drugs. The microtubule cytoskeleton has been proposed to modulate the effects of phenethylamines as a downstream effector and through scaffolding mechanisms. Microtubules play a crucial role in neurite outgrowth, protein transport, and synaptic stability in cells. Our group has shown that specific psychedelic substituted phenethylamines (25B-NBF, 25C-NBF, and DMBMPP) alter microtubule formation in a dose-dependent manner. As these phenethylamines limit microtubule capacities, they may impact cytoskeletal-mediated neural plasticity. This study’s purpose is to determine if substituted phenethylamines, 25B-NBF, 25C-NBF, and DMBMPP …

Role Of Exosomes In Gulf War Illness, Chetana Movva, Lily Tehrani, Joshua Frank

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a multi-symptom chronic disorder affecting over 200,000 veterans deployed during the Gulf War from 1990-1991. GWI veterans deployed during the Persian Gulf War were exposed to multiple chemical warfare agents. Veterans with GWI experience chronic pain, fatigue, neurocognitive symptoms, gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, etc. GWI-associated biomarkers have revealed a proinflammatory biomarker signature, a discovery that has recently led to research further exploring the inflammatory response within GWI patients.

Exosomes are small extracellular particles that range in diameter between 50-200 nm and have specific markers. Exosomes contain DNA, proteins, and RNA and carry this information from one …

Seizure Vulnerability In A C. Elegans Obesity Model, Carina Pavlov, Jeremy Ignatius, Scarlet Jinhong Park Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, characterized by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, affect millions of people and increasingly more. Epidemiological studies have shown that individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing epilepsy, a neurological disorder where recurrent seizures occur. Conversely, many antiepileptics affect glucose and lipid metabolism.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a model organism suited for studying metabolic and neurological disorders, due to its genetic tractability, short life cycle, and conserved signaling pathways. Although previous studies have developed and used genetic and diet-induced obesity models in C. elegans, none …

Sgi-1027 Small Molecule Inhibits Dnmt And Promotes P21-Mediated Apoptosis Via Epigenetic Alterations In Sk-N-Sh Neuroblastoma Cells, Sadhna Seth, Anika Singh, Shyam Sundar Jaganathan Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Neuroblastoma is an aggressive childhood cancer originating from neural crest cells. Treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma includes chemotherapy. Emerging evidence indicates that DNMT inhibitor codenamed SGI-1027 may facilitate cell cycle arrest and induce apoptosis by modulating cell cycle regulatory pathways. Therefore, we hypothesize that SGI-1027 treatment could lead to apoptosis mediated cell death in SK-N-SH cells through the upregulation of p21 transcription.

This study investigated whether SGI-1027, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, causes DNA methylation and upregulation of p21 through a p53-independent pathway, which could lead to cell cycle arrest and intrinsic-pathway mediated apoptosis in SK-N-SH cells. To assess the effects of …

Social Humanoids And Human Interactions: Investigating The Role Of Trust, Persuasion, And Empathy In Fostering Healthy Behaviors Among College Students, Nitya Alaparthy, Anvita Kalepalli, Walter Chang, Vinay Manlapudi, Savri Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The exposure of social humanoid robots introduces a wide variety of interactive opportunities by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered automatons/automated machines to enhance both the quality and simplicity of human lives. Using AI systems, humanoid robots can be programmed to execute various tasks autonomously, ranging from assisting with administrative and clerical tasks, clinical and healthcare tasks, social interaction and emotional support tasks, as well as educational and training tasks, amongst others. With successful integration into healthcare settings, current research explores employing social humanoids to add social dimensions to patient care, fostering human-like interactions. Researchers are assessing the quality of interactions between …

Solvent Effect On The Stabilization Of The Monoprotonated Species Of Tetraphenylporphyrin, Pablo Perez, Dani Sheil

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The protonation of Tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) demonstrates unusual behavior where protonation causes only the formation of a diprotonated species. This behavior is due to a change in conformation leading to an unstable saddle deformation in which the monoprotonated species is highly unfavorable. The stabilization of the unfavored conformation in the monoprotonated intermediate species may be achieved by understanding the effects of different solvents on the protonation of TPP. This study was done to explore the protonation of TPP using Toluene Chloroform, and Dichloromethane using trifluoroacetic acid and chloroacetic acid to analyze the effects of the different solvents. Using a UV spectrophotometer, …

Spliceosomal Modulation Induces Immunogenicity Of Melanoma Cells And In Vivo Immune Response, Sadeeshkumar Velayutham, Shweta Shah, Tulsi Desai, Keiran S.M. Smalley Ph.D., Aveta Singh Ph.D., Jun Yong Choi Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with high mortality rates, often driven by BRAF and NRAS mutations. While targeted therapies like Vemurafenib have improved outcomes in BRAF-mutant melanoma, resistance and adverse effects limit their long-term efficacy. There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches to overcome these challenges. This study investigates the efficacy of novel anti-melanoma compounds, 2155-14 and 2155-18, targeting spliceosomal proteins, in a xenograft model derived from the A375 BRAF/NRAS double mutant cell line. Seven-week-old mice were implanted with A375 BRAF/NRAS mutant cells and treated with 2155-14 or 2155-18. Treatments were administered subcutaneously thrice weekly. Tumor growth …

Student Perception Of Ai And Its Effect On Creativity, Jade Sanchez, Juman Hai

Undergraduate Student Symposium

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence, it is important to investigate its impact on how this will affect students. Our study aimed to see how generative artificial intelligence (AI) affects student creativity levels. We hypothesized that as students use of AI increases, their creativity levels decrease. We collected data from participants’ demographics, their scores on the Short Scale of the Creative Self, an AI usage survey, and the Alternative Use Task (AUT). The creativity survey had subscales for Creative Self-efficacy, Personal Identity, and Self-concept. We also created subscales for ethical and unethical AI usage. Our data showed that there was …

Synergistic Effects Of Quercetin And Lutein In Tagetes Erecta Against Antibiotic-Resistant Microorganisms, Ninoshka I. Garcia Torres

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The increasing global problem of antibiotic resistance has driven the need to look for innovative classes of antimicrobial agents. Phytochemicals isolated from Tagetes erecta, such as Quercetin, a flavonoid, and lutein, a carotenoid, have antimicrobial properties against bacteria through various mechanisms, such as disruption of bacterial membrane integrity, production of reactive oxygen species, and biofilm inhibition. Quercetin and lutein also improve the effectiveness of standard antibiotics, indicating their usability as adjuvants against resistant microbes such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Despite their potential, several challenges need to be addressed, including the fluctuating yield production of phytochemicals, the …