Digital Commons Network^™

Colorimetric Assay For Detecting Forever Chemicals, Sara Miller, Erika L. Doctor

Student Publications and Presentations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals added to products like paper cups and teflon pans to make them water-resistant and durable. Exposure to PFAS have been a growing concern for the health of humans because of the migration of PFAS into foods we consume. PFAS have been linked to various health issues such as cancer, immunotoxicity, and thyroid disturbances. This research project examines a colorimetric assay for detection of PFAS in aqueous samples. Looking at the three most common PFAS, it will be determined if different concentration levels of the three PFAS affect data results. We performed the …

Barriers To Dental Care Access In Minority Communities, Sebastian Leslie, Daniel Ceccoli

Student Publications and Presentations

This poster presentation examines the persistent oral health disparities affecting African American children in the United States. Drawing from four key sources, including CDC reports and cohort studies, the paper analyzes the prevalence of these disparities, explores contributing factors, and discusses strategies for addressing this public health issue. Findings indicate that African American children consistently experience higher rates of untreated dental caries and tooth decay compared to their white counterparts, with disparities persisting across different age groups. The research identifies structural, sociocultural, and familial factors contributing to these disparities and emphasizes the significant role of social determinants of health. Proposed …

Planarian Exposure To The Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D), Emily Pintilie, Alexis Galindez, Cassandra S. Korte

Student Publications and Presentations

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a widely used agricultural pesticide, primarily on crops such as corn, soybean, and wheat; in recent years, its global usage has increased. Exposure to this pesticide has been linked to adverse effects, including reproductive disorders, genetic alterations, carcinogenic effects, and endocrine disruption. Planarians, aquatic flatworms with simple anatomy, are often used in toxicological studies due to their sensitivity to various stimuli, including chemicals, and their ability to exhibit reproducible behaviors in response to exposure. This study investigates the effects of 2,4-D exposure on planarians at concentrations of 0, 25, 40, 50, 60, 75, and 100 mg/L …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Investigating Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Re-Analysis Using The Framingham Study, Théo Desroches, Félix E. Rivera-Mariani

Student Publications and Presentations

The Framingham Heart Study is one of the most comprehensive studies of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This project evaluates the feasibility of investigating key cardiovascular risk factors using a sample of the data from the Framingham Study, assessing relationships between blood pressure, smoking, gender, and myocardial infarction risk. After familiarizing ourselves with the dataset, we developed research questions to challenge and analyzed sample data (n=11,626) from the Framingham Study. Relationships between systolic (SYSBP) and diastolic (DIABP) blood pressure, smoking, gender-based hypertension predisposition, and myocardial infarction risk were evaluated using correlation and chi-square analyses. A significant correlation was found between …

Big Five Personality Traits And Emotional Eating In Young Adults, Madisyn Mae Andrade, Patrick J. Cooper

Student Publications and Presentations

Emotional eating (EE) refers to consuming food in response to emotionally provoking triggers rather than physical hunger (Tinmazoglu & Guvender-Doksat, 2020). Often acting as a learned coping mechanism, EE is associated with emotions like anxiety, depression, anger, or stress. This behavior can lead to overeating or undereating depending on the individual's emotional response and coping style, posing risks for obesity, eating disorders, and nutritional imbalances (Tinmazoglu & Guvender-Doksat, 2020). Psychological factors affect susceptibility to EE, with research indicating that personality traits interact with biological, environmental, and social influences to heighten vulnerability to disordered eating behaviors (Brown et al., 2020). This …

Do Different Brands Of Environmentally Friendly Paints Affect Forensic Paint Analysis?, Hailee Leach, Emily Pintilie, Alanna L. Lecher, Erika L. Doctor

Student Publications and Presentations

Paint chip analysis is an essential part of forensic trace evidence in many cases. Standard paint chip analysis is performed via attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). This process allows an examiner to identify the chemical fingerprint that may be unique to the paint and identify the components used to manufacture the paint, including the binders. This study is a continuation of a previous study to determine if environmentally friendly paints present new problems in forensic sciences. Some environmentally friendly paints function as an absorber of volatile organic compounds, including ECOS and Sherwin Williams. In the previous study, ECOS paints …

The Impact Of Variable Decibel Level Noise Exposure On Drosophila Melanogaster, Angelina Pologeorgis, Simona Tollis, Elijah Oran, Madeline Barlow, Daniel Ceccoli, Kimberly D. Rowland

Student Publications and Presentations

Environmental noise pollution has been associated with adverse health effects in various organisms, yet its impact on small invertebrates remains underexplored. This study investigates the effects of chronic noise exposure on Drosophila melanogaster by subjecting an experimental group to noise levels ranging from 70 dB to 100 dB, while a control group remains unexposed. Key parameters to be assessed include viability, reproductive success, and activity levels, with the hypothesis that chronic noise exposure will lead to increased mortality rates, decreased reproductive output, and reduced activity compared to the control group. Both groups are housed in identical incubators with controlled temperature …

Trust In Scientists, Climate Policy, And Government Skepticism: A Global Re-Analysis, Lily Day Drons, Félix E. Rivera-Mariani

Student Publications and Presentations

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change, skepticism persists, influencing public resistance to policies and governmental inaction. This study analyzes survey data (doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-04100-7) from 68 countries to explore public trust in scientists, sources of science information, emotional responses to climate change, and policy support. Findings indicate that while the public generally trusts scientists’ expertise and intelligence, concerns remain about their transparency and ethics. Trust in scientists is 23% higher than distrust and positively correlates with climate policy support (r = 0.30), whereas political conservatism is linked to lower trust (β = -0.0258, p < 0.001). Science communication plays a key role—TV/radio and news websites/apps are the most trusted sources, followed by social media. Regression analysis shows TV/radio increases trust by ~4%, while news websites/apps increase trust by 3.7%. Social media has a weaker effect (β = 0.00005, p > 0.05). Emotionally, anxiety and helplessness are felt …

Probiotic Promise Verses Reality: A Quantitative Analysis, Gabby Ramos Yarala, Cassandra S. Korte

Student Publications and Presentations

Understanding gut health isn't just about digestion, it's the key to unlocking mental clarity, immune efficiency, and long-term wellness. The gut microbiome consists of bacteria located in the gut. These bacteria assist with digestion, destroying harmful bacteria, and managing the immune system. Probiotics are live microorganisms found in food and drinks. Mainstream highly promoted probiotic products such as kombucha, drinkable probiotic yogurt, and apple cider vinegar were tested to determine which popular products would have the highest bacteria count. To measure these counts, a serial dilution method was used. The results suggest that drinkable probiotic yogurt had the highest probiotic …

Antibiotic Resistance In Yogurt Bacteria, Kevin Sosa, Rafaela Oda, Max Werner, Cassandra S. Korte

Student Publications and Presentations

Probiotics are live microorganisms that benefit gut health in their host. Antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of bacteria becoming tolerant to antibiotic treatments. As the antibiotics are now useless, this resistance can cause difficulties in the treatment of bacterial infections. This study investigated the difference in antibiotic resistance in bacteria found in a probiotic yogurt vs. greek yogurt by testing the effectiveness of five antibiotics: penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, and chloramphenicol. We are investigating the research question: Is there a significant difference in antibiotic resistance in bacteria from probiotic plain whole milk yogurt vs. non-probiotic greek yogurt? Using sterile …

How Does Caffeine Affect Your Learning?, Kiana Rhee-Osorio, Carlton Parke, Khalique Ahmed, Alexis Galindez

Student Publications and Presentations

In the Organic Chemistry I laboratory, caffeine was extracted from tea using dichloromethane. This experiment sparked an interest in exploring the effects of caffeine consumption on the learning process. Caffeine, a widely consumed psychoactive substance found in various consumer products and medications, exerts significant physiological effects on the central nervous system (Khalique Ahmed & Ahmad, 2023). While it is often perceived to enhance cognitive performance, its primary action is the temporary alleviation of caffeine withdrawal symptoms (Kalumuck, 2019; Thau and Sharma, 2020),creating a misleading sense of improved function. Due to its structural similarity to adenosine and its high hydrophobicity and …

Circadian Rhythm Analysis In Drosophila Melanogaster Using Dam2 And Shiny-R: An Examination Of Activity Patterns, Rebeckha Theodore, Anaisha Desravines, Kimberly D. Rowland

Student Publications and Presentations

Circadian rhythms are inherent cycles that last approximately 24 hours and govern numerous physiological and behavioral processes, such as sleeping and waking, hormone secretion, and feeding (Fagiani, F., Di Marino, D., Romagnoli, A. et al., 2022). These rhythms are entrained in the external environmental signals of light and temperature so that organisms can anticipate and adapt to daily changes in their ambient environments. These molecular rhythms depend on a core set of clock genes and proteins that produce self-sustaining feedback loops to sustain periodicity. Light and temperature are the main external cues that control these cycles, allowing organisms to anticipate …

Student Perceptions On Career Decision Making Skills In Relation To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Emily G. Oliver

Honors College Theses

The Covid-19 pandemic had major ramifications on all areas of the professional world as well. As mandatory quarantines and shutdowns were implemented, the negative effects were widespread and everyone was impacted. People from all different career fields faced unforeseen circumstances that caused anxiety about their income and workplace stability. With all of these changes in the world, students who were in high school and first years of college still had to make a decision about their future and what they wanted to do for an occupation one day. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on …

Week Of April 14, 2025, Student Life

College, School and Department Newsletters, Magazines, and Journals

Your weekly hub for events, resources and updates.

Supporting Elementary Educators Through A Nervous System Regulation And Social-Emotional Learning Skills Workshop Intervention: An Musc Capstone Project, Lily Morgan

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Teachers have a great influence on developing children’s emotional intelligence, regulatory capacity, and occupational engagement. These professionals also happen to report some of the highest rates of stress, mental health challenges (Agyapong, B. et al, 2022), and burnout (Xie, M., et al, 2022). Providing teachers with education and support on nervous system regulation, social-emotional learning skills, and related topics can improve their ability to manage job stress, enhance modeling and interactions with students, and improve their quality of life. This project aimed to enhance knowledge, provide access to resources, and serve to support elementary educators at an inner-city school in …

The Wellness Connection April 2025, Roger Williams University School Of Law Office Of Student Life

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of A Sel-Based School Transition Readiness Program For Fifth Grade Students, Abigail V. Hall, Cynthia Haynes, Trish Chialastri

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster presents a study that developed and evaluated a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) based educational program designed to support fifth-grade students transitioning to middle school. This program targeted five key SEL skills: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. The study aimed to improve students' occupational performance and self-perceived skill sets while also expanding knowledge on the role of OT with a psychosocial emphasis. The research addresses the gap in knowledge regarding SEL-based interventions for supporting students during critical educational transitions.

Big Five Personality Traits And Emotional Eating In Young Adults, Madisyn Andrade, Patrick J. Cooper

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Casar Student Discussion Series #7: Censored Classrooms - Should Parents And Community Members Have A Say In Restricting Certain Books In Schools, Based On Factors Such As Religion, Age Appropriateness, And More?, The Prince Alwaleed Center For American Studies And Research Casar

Performances, Events, and Presentations

Every semester, CASAR AUC holds miscellaneous student debates discussing the hot controversial topics in the US, Egypt and from around the world in hopes of raising awareness about these topics & broadening the perspectives of our students as they learn to engage in fruitful discussions as they share different opinion on the topic being deliberated.

On April 10th 2025, at this CASAR Student Discussion event #7 in light of the current book bans in the US happening from Trump's administration, we debated this question: 'Censored classrooms: Should parents and community members have a say in restricting certain books in schools …

Motives Matter: Exploring Psychological Predictors Of Student Drinking Behavior, Emily Kemp, Patrick J. Cooper, Melissa Lehman

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

Alcohol use among college students remains a critical area of research, particularly regarding its implications for mental health. Prior studies have established connections between alcohol dependence and mental health disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD), with evidence suggesting that these issues often begin early, around age 14 (Schneier et al., 2010). Specific student populations, including student-athletes and members of Greek-letter organizations, may be at increased risk for alcohol-related problems (Turrisi et al., 2006). Building on this knowledge, this study examines whether resilience—an individual’s capacity to adapt to and recover from stressful situations—moderates the relationship …

Till You've Lost It (April 9-12, 2025), Edward Reggi

Student Theatre Programs

Event program for Till You've Lost It (April 9-12, 2025), Lindenwood University.

To view the photos from this production of Till You've Lost It, , please click here.

Ready To Shine: A Framework For Coaching K-12 Educators To Support Diverse Learners, Kathleen Childs, Angela Blackwell, Katie Gebhart

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The Ready to Shine: A Framework for Coaching K-12 Educators to Support Diverse Learners is meant to guide occupational therapy practitioners in training and coaching educators to implement strategies to support students with social-emotional, behavioral, sensory, or other unique needs. Through this framework, practitioners will aim to equip educators with the confidence, self-efficacy, and competence to use tools and/or techniques that promote participation and performance among their students.

Students For Sustainable Fashion & The Impact Of Fast Fashion, Anne M. York

Honors Theses

This thesis report took a project-based approach, making a change on campus through Students for Sustainable Fashion (SFSF), a club I founded here at the University of Mississippi. My thesis intends to document the establishment process and record the growth of SFSF throughout its last three semesters. SFSF emerged due to a significant challenge identified through casual class conversations, observational thinking, and campus engagement. However, university students are provided with abundant information about fast fashion's detrimental effects, and many feel unable to act due to social pressures, financial constraints, and the influence of fast-paced consumer culture. While students often desire …

Week Of April 7, 2025, Student Life

College, School and Department Newsletters, Magazines, and Journals

Your weekly hub for events, resources and updates.

Student Senate Meeting Minutes April 7, 2025, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for April 7, 2025.

A Cross-Sectional Analysis: Employment And Its Impact On Physical Activity, Academic Performance, And Quality Of Life Among Bellarmine University Students, Orlando Exposito Nuñez

Undergraduate Theses

Introduction: Half of undergraduate students are employed, meaning they must balance work with academics, physical activity (PA), and personal responsibilities. This study examines the potential negative impact of employment on PA, academic performance, and quality of life (QOL) among college students. Methods: The cross-sectional survey comprised 125 Bellarmine University students (Age 21.07 ± 3.40; 52% female, 48% male). Measures included the RAND SF-36 for QOL, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and a custom academic and employment questionnaire. Racial and ethnic demographics included White (75.2%), Black or African American (11.2%), Hispanic or Latino (15.2%), Asian (4.8%), Multiracial (4.8%), …

Church As Community: Religiosity And Queer Identity Among Emerging Adults In Adventist Higher Education, Chris N. Ngugi

Honors Theses

How do LGBTQ+ or “queer”-identifying emerging adults attending Seventh-day Adventist Christian institutions of higher education in the United States relate to their religiosity or relationship with religion? Within certain religious contexts (Avishai, 2020; Chiongbian et al., 2023; Lockett et al., 2023), including within the Seventh-day Adventist church (Pew Research Center, 2014), an individual’s LGBTQ+ identity may seem incongruent with commonly held stigmas, norms, doctrines, and beliefs maintained by religious group members and officials. LGBTQ+ identity and religiosity in such contexts are often described through “conflict” and “beyond conflict” theories, principally Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Identity Integration Theory (Rêgo-Moreira et al., …

“Like A Fish Being Judged By My Ability To Fly”: Barriers To Accessibility In Postgraduate Study, Molly E. Thompson

Publications and Research

This research paper explores the unique accessibility challenges faced by disabled postgraduate students and what can be done to address them. Testimonies and formal studies alike show how disabled graduate students have to deal with stigmatizing attitudes from their instructors (especially if they hold intersectional marginalized identities) on top of systemic barriers such as strict deadlines, unsustainably heavy workloads, inaccessible travel requirements, and disability services that are not suited to undergraduate needs. These problems are especially prominent in medical school where demands on time and energy are especially rigorous. To address these issues, disability service programs must be reformed to …

Satori 2025, Jack Guimont, Elida Roskamp, Lucy Severson, Ashley Shorba, Emily Sowers, Jack Mulvaney, Madeline Avila, Osvin Baltazar Gonzalez, Celia Stern, Kiera Norman, Ashleigh Campbell, Allen Wedekind, Dorothy Moore, Caitlin Larsen, Jackie Velishek, Jaydon Wilson, Elysia Beynon, Grace Emiliusen, Sunehra Subah, Elena Kulschar, Zoey Cavanaugh, Alivia Tima, Jed Nelson, Draconian Onyz, Ava Diekmann, Elly Herrick, Helena Dowler, Kristin Victor, Elizabeth Schneider, Isabel Teitelbaum, Greta Kirsch, Sarah Huderle, Caleb Kottke, Maria Windley-Daoust, Tim Galvin, Kaylee Nickisch

Satori Literary Magazine

The Satori is a student literary publication that expresses the artistic spirit of the students of Winona State University. Student poetry, prose, and graphic art are published in the Satori every spring since 1970.

The Satori 2025 editors and creators are:

Design and Technical Editors: Elida Roskamp, Lucy Severson, Ashley Shorba, Emily Sowers

Fiction Editors: Jack Guimont, Jack Mulvaney, Elida Roskamp

Poetry Editors: Madeline Avila, Ashley Shorba

Art Editors: Lucy Severson, Emily Sowers

Vibe Coordinator: Jack Guimont

The Satori 2025 faculty advisor is Dr. Liberty Kohn, Professor of English

Includes the annual WSU English Department prize winners:

2025 Winona Prize …

Chronic School Absenteeism: A Symptom, Not A Sentence, Zahra Mohamed, Jessica Navarro, Kelsey Ogren, Eloise Reitzel, Katelyn Vonch

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Chronic school absenteeism has long been a persistent issue, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this challenge. Chronic absenteeism leads to poor academic outcomes and lower graduation rates, which limit future opportunities and potential. While many school districts have traditionally responded through child protection services (CPS) or juvenile court proceedings, these punitive strategies do not address the root causes of absenteeism or reduce barriers to school attendance. CPS resources are stretched thin, focused on more urgent child welfare issues, and should not be diverted to issues that can be better addressed through supportive, preventative strategies. Implementing proactive, supportive strategies rather …