Digital Commons Network^™

Phenotypic Variation Between Surface And Cave-Adapted Poeciliids And Its Effect On Metabolism, Karch Knipp, Michael Tobler, Soren Johnson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Cave-adapted organisms often exhibit pronounced morphological changes relative to their surface counterparts, a phenomenon known as troglomorphy. In Poecilia mexicana (Atlantic molly), these differences include variation in coloration between surface and cave populations. Troglobitic organisms also typically exhibit reduced metabolic rates, likely as an adaptation to environments with low primary productivity. This makes P. mexicana an ideal system for investigating the evolution of metabolic traits. In this study, we leveraged variation in coloration among cave-dwelling mollies to examine potential associations with resting metabolic rate (RMR). Coloration was quantified using PCR values, and individuals were categorized as “yellow” or “non-yellow.” We …

Prenatal Depression And Maternal-Fetal Attachment: The Moderating Role Of Trauma Experiences, Ayla G. Heun, Jessilyn M. Froelich, Haley L. Ringenary, Emily D. Gerstein

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Prenatal depression is associated with lower maternal-fetal attachment (Dubber et al., 2015; Filippetti et al., 2022; Kitamura et al., 2025; Røhder et al., 2020). Trauma exposure and PTSD symptomology have also been linked to lower maternal-fetal attachment (Bailes et al., 2024; Can Caglayan et al., 2023; Sanjuan et al., 2020). This study examines the moderating effect of each; Criterion A trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms on the relationship between prenatal depression and maternal-fetal attachment. It is hypothesized that more depressive symptoms will be associated with lower maternal-fetal attachment and that trauma experience will moderate the relation between depressive symptoms and …

The Impact Of Caffeine On Bumble Bee Hunger, Hallie Chapman, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) are crucial pollinators, responsible for pollinating multiple native plants and agricultural crops. Caffeine, which is classified as a stimulant, is present in some of these plant species at varying levels. Alterations in bumble bee cognition, including motivation, learning, and hunger, have been associated with caffeine intake. This study explored the impacts of caffeine on the bumble bee behavior on a biological level. While previous research has examined caffeine’s effects on cognition and learning, fewer studies have investigated its effects on hunger at the level of individual bees. Bumble bees, identified with numerically labeled tags, …

Caffeine Concentration: An Analysis On Bumble Bee Foraging Efficiency, Carson Leonard, Becky Hansis-O’Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Caffeine (trimethylxanthine) is a synthetically and naturally produced stimulant that has been shown to elicit an effect on the central nervous system of humans as well as invertebrates. Although the exact mechanisms by which caffeine alters biological processes in invertebrates are still being investigated, its physiological and behavioral effects have been extensively documented. Naturally occurring caffeine is produced by certain flowering plants, including cocoa and tea species, and has been shown to influence invertebrate behavior, particularly cognitive performance and foraging patterns. In pollinating insects, the exposure to caffeine in floral nectar may affect how pollinators evaluate, select, and revisit food …

Tarantulas Can Use Black And White Cues In A Discrimination Learning Task, Jordan Kolinski, Becky Hansis O'Neill, Amiee Dunlap

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Animals use vision to perceive light, shapes, colors, and movement. Many animals that have poor vision are understudied. The purpose of this experiment was to study color vision in tarantulas (Brachypelma hamorii). Researchers have found genes associated with color vision tarantulas, but no behavioral experiments have been done on this topic. Previous research has also shown that tarantulas can see polarized light. In this experiment, we wanted to know if tarantulas could use visual cues to move away from a noxious stimulus - vibration. There were twelve tarantulas being tested in this experiment for between twelve and fifteen …

Evaluating The Nash Reaction As A Sustainable Alternative To The Snar Reaction In The Synthesis Of Pharmaceutical Intermediates, Allison L. Ryerson, James K. Bashkin, Jessica R. N. Thompson, Adam Weiss, Huy Q. Nguyen

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reactions are one of the most widely used reaction classes in pharmaceutical production today, used for example to produce nitroaryl amine intermediates. In comparison to the traditional SNAr pathway, the nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen (NASH) provides a greener alternative in pharmaceutical production by using cheaper starting materials, eliminating more hazardous solvents, and reducing toxic waste.

Relationship Between Morphological And Behavioral Laterality In Astyanax Mexicanus, Allison Lendman, Michael Tobler, Erik Johnson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Populations within the Astyanax genus have experienced extreme differences in environment, leading to distinct morphological adaptations. The cave populations of these fish are eyeless and have acquired fixed, cranial asymmetries. We explored a possible relationship between this physical asymmetry and behavioral laterality. We tested 28 adult fish, 14 male and 14 female, from the Pachón cave in controlled behavioral trials. We found that both sexes demonstrated behavioral laterality, observed as a consistent left-turn bias in these trials. This supports the hypothesis that these populations display behavioral laterality that is correlated to their physical asymmetries. Ongoing research comparing behavioral patterns in …

Under The Surface: Human Disturbance Reduces Species Richness In Glade Microhabitats, Maddie Smith, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Human disturbance can alter microhabitats in ways that affect biodiversity, especially in sensitive ecosystems like glades where many animals rely on rocks for thermoregulation and refuge. This study examined how rock displacement by human activity influences species richness and community composition in glade habitats at Shaw Nature Reserve and Victoria Glades Conservation Area. We hypothesized that disturbed rocks would be less suitable for wildlife and would support fewer species. From September to November 2025, about 30 rocks per site were pseudo-randomly selected and monitored. Each rock was classified as displaced or nondisplaced, and all organisms found beneath them were recorded. …

Leisure Activities And Stress Levels Among College Students​, Ellie Nahm

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The present study sampled 30 university students to test the effects of time spent participating in leisure activities on stress levels, with social support and physical activity as moderators. Participants were aged18 to 56 and were largely White and women. We hypothesized that the relationship between time spent engaging in one's leisure activity and stress will be moderated by the physical exertion and social support experienced through leisure activity engagement. Results indicated no significant relationship between leisure participation and stress levels in this sample, nor a moderating effect of social support or physical exertion. Limitations include a small sample size …

Support For Human Rights, Megan G. Shipp

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This project is important because it seeks to understand why the United States fails to implement human rights frameworks into its laws. Despite being at the center of the international system, the US thinks itself above international law while evading following international standards. It fits into the discussion of at what point human rights ideals are encouraged by the public. This research delves further into at what point human ideals are encouraged by the public, and what ideals are most encouraged, if any. The United States does not educate its citizens on the concept of international human rights, leaving it …

Synthesis And Charge Transport Characterization Of 9,9'-Bifluorenylidene-Based Conjugated Molecules For Single-Molecule Conductance, Zach Moughamian, Jahnavi Badiganti, Jinjia Xu

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Molecular electronics explores the use of individual molecules as functional components in nanoscale electronic devices. In this project, fluorenone-based π-conjugated molecules including 9,9'-bifluorenylidene-S and triphenylamine-substituted derivatives were synthesized to investigate structure-property relationships relevant to molecular charge transport. The synthesized compounds were obtained in 13% and 27% yield respectively. ¹H NMR spectroscopy confirms characteristic aromatic resonances in the 7-9 ppm region consistent with the conjugated framework. UV–Vis spectroscopy reveals absorption maxima at 459 nm and 470 nm, indicating extended π-conjugation and donor-acceptor effects. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms the structure of 9,9'-bifluorenylidene-S, which crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P2₁/c). In …

Transposon Mutagenesis Identifies Genes Involved In Salicylate-Induced Regulation Of Cyclopropane Fatty Acid Expression And Membrane Lipid Modification In Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium, Presconique Cooper, Taiwo Iromini, Lon Chubiz

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Salicylate, a topical antiseptic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is known to induce physiological stress adaptation in bacteria. One such adaptation involves the cyclopropanation of unsaturated membrane fatty acids, a process that enhances membrane integrity under stress conditions. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium 14028S, the cfa gene encodes cyclopropane fatty acid synthase, a key enzyme that modifies membrane lipids to promote stress tolerance. To understand regulatory mechanisms underlying salicylate induction of cfa expression, a lacZ reporter system was employed to screen a library of transposon mutants for altered cfa promoter activity. Mutant 243 showed a pronounced 5-8 fold decrease in …

The 1993 E. Coli Outbreak: The Epidemic That Spurred Changes For Food Regulations, Piper G N Ruebling

Undergraduate Research Symposium

An overview of the 1993 E. coli outbreak that occurred in the Northwest region of the United States. The outbreak came from not enough regulation to detect disease before being sent from production to restaurants, most notably Jack-in-The-Box. The outbreak was a terrifying experience for several families, as children were the most affected. This single outbreak spurred changes for food safety in several ways, including bringing change to other countries that trade resources with the United States.

Tornado Impacts: St. Louis Neighborhoods And Physical Environment, Jeremiah J. Dyson, Kymberli Philpott, Ricardo Belle, Jamilah Bracely, Will Ranney, Cornell Evans

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This work explores the aftermath of the St. Louis May tornado last year that impacted parts of the area. Many homes, forests, properties, and other spaces such as wildlife habitats were destroyed. Through field explorations, geospatial technology, interviews, documentation, and comparing data, as a group we aimed to gain a better understanding of the geographic and sociological impact of the tornado, and the steps taken to help rebuild. With this project in mind, this work is also an explanation on what the preventative measures are to avoid mass destruction in natural disasters.

A Unified Pipeline For Network-Based Gene Pattern Discovery, Siddhartha Reddy Pullannagari, Sharlee Climer

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Large-scale genetic datasets from diverse diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, provide unprecedented opportunities to study disease pathogenesis and generate hypotheses for drug discovery. However, identifying meaningful genetic interaction patterns within these datasets remains challenging due to combinatorial relationships amongst genes and heterogeneous biological underpinnings across subtypes. This project systematically analyzes a diverse collection of omics datasets (e.g., GSE44076, GSE97810, GSE127711, GSE112679) obtained from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), spanning multiple biological conditions and data types. We use a unified computational pipeline designed to handle variation in dataset size, structure, and context. The steps in …

Making Indole-Based Drug Ingredients Faster With A Simple Iron Catalyst, Samuel Voell, Eike B. Bauer

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Substituted indoles have significant pharmaceutical relevance and are common building blocks in medicinal chemistry. They are part of many approved drugs across various areas and are also widely explored as leads for antiviral and antibacterial activity. This includes treatment of MRSA, a bacterium type that is resistant to common antibiotics and responsible for complicated infections. Many reactions in pharmaceutical production are slow and inefficient; catalysis facilitates the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant products. Catalysis provides an efficient, lower-energy pathway to form a product, thereby saving time and energy. Ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate (FcBF4), is a catalyst we are currently investigating. FcBF4 is an …

Black Mothers' Stress And Harsh Parenting Moderated By Child Age: A Longitudinal Secondary Analysis, Mandiryn M. Diffee, Theresa A. Moore, Hannah White

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Black mothers from lower socioeconomic status experience the highest stress levels in the United States due to structural and societal disadvantage, and one study shows parenting stress for Black mothers increases as children age from 5 to 8 years old. Stress is a well‑established risk factor for maladaptive parenting practices, including harsh parenting, and can influence these behaviors in ways that extend beyond parents’ conscious control. However, no studies have investigated Black mothers’ parenting stress trajectories from toddlerhood to adolescence, nor whether these trajectories relate to harsh parenting. To address this discrepancy, the present study conducted a multilevel analysis using …

Are You In Control? How Timing And Severity Of Trauma Shape Perceived Self-Agency, Kinsey L. Henrichsen, Caleb A. Sanders, Carissa L. Philippi

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Exposure to trauma may alter self-agency, or the sense that one can influence outcomes and exert control over life circumstances. The present study examined whether the timing and severity of traumatic experiences are associated with perceived self-agency across development. Based on prior research, we tested whether trauma occurring earlier in life would be associated with lower self-agency than trauma occurring later, and whether greater trauma severity would be associated with further reductions in perceived control. Participants were 116 trauma-exposed adults (38 male; 78 female) who reported trauma exposure using the Life Stressor Checklist. Trauma variables included age at earliest trauma, …

Enantioselectivity Of The Photochemical Continuous-Flow Isomerization Of Humulones, Gregory M. Giovine, Trevor Smith, Bruce Hamper

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Humulones, the primary natural product present in the historically significant hop flower, represent a largely unexplored candidate for structure-based pharmaceutical design.  Showing promising biological activity as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent, humulones are of interest both for their bioactive properties and for their long-established tolerability and natural abundance.  Humulones undergo a characteristic isomerization reaction, where the six-membered substituted phloroglucinol ring contracts to a five-membered ring isohumulone, under a variety of conditions, including those enabled by brewing conditions (thermal, metal-catalyzed) and by exposure to UV light.  Optimization of the photocatalyzed isomerization of n-humulone to n-isohumulone in flow conditions resulted in a …

Mapping St. Louis History: Slavery, Redlining, And The May 16th Tornado, Safa M. Altamimi, Aster Horbanova, Riley J. Bearden, Vivian B. Rhodes, Bridget Ragan

Undergraduate Research Symposium

For this project, our group members are traveling across St.Louis to areas that are affected by the May 16th tornado. We will be taking pictures and using ArcGIS survey123 to input data connecting the tornado to historical forces such as Redlining and Slavery. Using this data, we will be creating an ArcGIS StoryMap and presenting our findings.

Love And Artificial Intelligence: A Research Proposal, Bryanna M. Deatherage, Necdet Gurkan, Sandra J.E. Langeslag

Undergraduate Research Symposium

What happens when people fall in love with Artificial Intelligence (AI)? This study seeks to examine individuals who are in love with AI companions to gain a deeper insight in the cognitive and affective consequences. In addition, this study will examine the most effective forms of intervention regarding growing or reducing feelings of love toward AI. The first part of this study will be a questionnaire about the social and emotional impact of being in love with an AI companion. Three hundred participants will be recruited through online communities related to AI companions. The second part of this study will …

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Disease Made Invisible By Stereotypes, Isabella Tober

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a very complex disease that is often overshadowed by public opinion. Stereotypes within modern-day media have turned this disease into a social joke, leading individuals to suffer in silence and isolate in fear of judgment. Historically, society has allowed this invisibility to be placed upon the disease, but so has the medical industry through misdiagnosis and inaccurate treatment. The reality of OCD is very real and impactful for those living with this condition. Through proper education and exposure to the truth behind OCD, negative discourse will turn positive, ultimately allowing people to feel visible and seek proper …

Wasps Survive Tornadoes, But It Impacts Nest Growth, Natalie Cummins, Sara E. Miller

Undergraduate Research Symposium

As the climate becomes more variable, extreme weather events become more common. Last May, St. Louis was hit by an EF-3 tornado. Many areas of the city suffered 90-150 mph winds and severe property damage. We knew there were established paper wasp populations in the affected areas, and so we took this opportunity to monitor emerging nests throughout the summer and fall in both tornado-affected and non-affected areas to observe any possible effect on their nest growth rate and overall size. There is currently very little literature investigating the response of insects to natural disturbances, like tornadoes. Additionally, most studies …

Building Genetic And Culturing Tools For The Understudied Soil Bacterium E. Flagellatus, Aaron Butler, Brenda Pratte, Lon Chubiz

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Soil bacteria play essential roles in nutrient cycling, yet many abundant groups remain poorly characterized due to challenges in cultivation and genetic manipulation. One such organism is Edaphobacter flagellatus, a member of the Acidobacteriota frequently detected in soil environments but lacking well-developed experimental tools. To address this limitation, our laboratory has generated a genome-wide mutant library using the Tn5 transposon, enabling random disruption of genes across the population.

This project aims to establish culture conditions necessary to support the use of this library for functional genomic studies. In particular, defined minimal media can impose selective pressures that reveal …

Winter Contents Of Tree Cavities In Oak Woodland Habitats, Lucy V. Roth, Addy Yoder, Jalene M. Lamontagne Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Woodpeckers create cavities in dead and decaying trees and branches of live trees, many of which are used by a range of other animals, and are thus called “ecosystem engineers”. A species of conservation concern in the midwest is the red-headed woodpecker (RHWO). RHWO in the upper midwest are facultative migrators meaning some individuals stay in their territories over winter and others migrate south. Most tree-cavity research is done during the breeding season, leading to a knowledge gap of their use in the non-breeding season; therefore, studying them in winter could help us understand their ecological impact. RHWO require food …

Exploring Digital Media Literacy And Its Impact On Pedagogical Innovation And Creativity, Suparno Suparno, Tuty Sariwulan, Bagus Shandy Narmaditya, Ari Saptono, Saparuddin Muchtar, Muhammad Ridlo, Dingot Hamonangan Ismail

Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints

Enhancing teachers’ innovative work behavior is prominent in promoting educational quality. This exploratory study aims to understand the linkage between digital media literacy, creativity, and innovative work behavior among teachers in Indonesia. The data were obtained from teachers using an online self-administered survey. In addition, the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with AMOS software. The results of this study indicate that there is a positive and significant influence between digital media literacy and teachers’ innovative work behavior. Indeed, creativity can also be a predictor of innovative work behavior among teachers in Indonesia. This study also notes the connection …

School Belonging Among Primary School Female Students With Disabilities In The Context Of Inclusive Education In Public Schools In Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Methods Study, Basmah Fahad Alshahrani

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

This study aimed to explore the reality of school belonging among primary school female students with disabilities in the context of inclusive education in public schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To achieve this goal, a mixed-methods approach with an explanatory sequential design was used. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire administered to a sample of (165) female students, followed by the collection of qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with (7) of their teachers. The quantitative results showed that the level of school belonging among the students was generally high, with the “school attachment” dimension scoring the highest …

Exploring The Contextual Relationships Between Match Day Load And Recovery Biomarkers In Professional Soccer Players, Carina Hanson-Evans, Ryland Morgans, Rafael Oliveira, Jule Scholten, Roi Gil, Ben Ryan, Jon Oliver, Piotr Żmijewski, Michael G. Hughes

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study examined the relationship between match-day (MD) load and contextual factors on recovery biomarkers in professional soccer players across the 2024/2025 competitive season. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six male professional soccer players provided blood samples following 38 competitive matches. High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), Free-Oxygen Radicals Test (FORT), Free-Oxygen Radicals Defence Test (FORD) and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) were analyzed. Physical MD load was measured via a Global Positioning System (GPS). Results: Differences in High-Load vs Low-Load matches did not significantly influence post-match levels of hs-CRP, FORD, FORT or OSI. Increased high-intensity running and elevated inflammation, with non-significant moderate-to-large effects …

Requirements For Enhancing Dynamic Smart Leadership (Dsl) To Achieve Sustainable Competitive Advantage In Saudi Universities, Tahani Ali Al-Mutlaq

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

The present study aims to explore the requirements for enhancing Dynamic Smart Leadership (DSL) to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in Saudi universities. Within the framework of Saudi universities’ efforts to support institutional excellence and contribute effectively to the realization of Saudi Vision 2030, DSL emerges as a strategic approach to address contemporary challenges, adapt to rapid changes, and manage crises with both human and technological efficiency. The study employed a descriptive analytical method and utilized a questionnaire as the primary tool for data collection. The instrument was administered to a sample of 207 academic leaders (deans, vice-deans, and department heads) …

Sex-Related Differences In Fingerprint Minutiae Counts Among Secondary School Students In Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria, Olukayode Olushola Odubela, Osonuga Ifabunmi Oduyemi, Dr Kazeem Adeyinka Adeboyejo, Opeyemi Abel Bamgbose

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Background: Dermatoglyphic minutiae are permanent epidermal ridge characteristics widely utilized in forensic identification and biometric science. Previous studies have demonstrated sex-related differences in fingerprint ridge morphology and ridge count, with females generally exhibiting higher ridge count than males. However, quantitative minutiae-based studies among Nigerian adolescents remain limited. This study evaluated sex-related and bilateral variations in fingerprint minutiae among secondary school students in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study involved 300 apparently healthy students aged 14–18 years, recruited from an initial pool of 318 students assessed for eligibility across Batoro Community Grammar School, Remo Secondary School, and Remo …