Digital Commons Network^™

Tell Your Friends You Love Them, Marina Glik

Undergraduate Student Symposium

My senior year of high school, the course of my life took an unexpected and tragic turn with the untimely passing of a dear friend, Isabella. Isabella lost her life in a devastating car accident. As the weight of her loss took hold of me, I found myself going through a challenging journey of grief, seeking comfort and understanding from the people I had come to rely on for support: my school counselors, teachers, and relatives. However, to my dismay, I found that their ability to provide assistance was limited, as they struggled with the complexities of my grief in …

The Craniocervical Nerve Plexus: A Microdissection Study, Teya Plastich, Roham Hadidchi, Nicole Starke, Brittany Puebla, Andrew Schleffer, Kaitlyn Morell

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The parapharyngeal space (PPS) is a region adjacent to the pharynx housing crucial structures including the last four cranial nerves (CN), upper cervical spinal nerves, superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCSG), jugular vein, and internal carotid artery. This study aims to elucidate the microanatomy of the understudied series of neural anastomoses in this space, the craniocervical nerve plexus (CCP). To expose the CCP, we performed gross and stereomicroscopic dissection on nine bisected heads, accessing the PPS laterally by removing the mandibular ramus and mastication muscles. To delineate the CCP, nerves were traced, and a composite drawing of the neural anastomoses was …

The Impact Of Mass Media Coverage And Mass Shooting Copycats, Zamil Abid

Undergraduate Student Symposium

As a business, journalism relies on attention for profit through ad revenue. In order to survive, they need to find ways to remain interesting and worthy for the viewer to watch, and the occurrence of a mass shooting is the perfect opportunity for the media to capture attention from viewers. This easy money grab by saturating the news with mass shooting coverage gives rise to an inadvertent side effect: copycats, or people who attempt to imitate a mass shooting incident, are incentivized to do so by attention and overnight fame given through extensive media coverage. This constant cycle leads to …

The Impact Of The Delivery Style Of A Down Syndrome Diagnosis On Familial Attitudes, Palak Bhargav, Rehan Contractor

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Down syndrome is a common genetic disorder that is caused by the nondisjunction of chromosome 21 and usually manifests in the form of a third 21st chromosome. Clinical outcomes of Down syndrome include but are not limited to distinct facial features, intellectual disabilities, and developmental delays. According to numerous studies, parents have expressed that physicians often use a biased and directive tone when explaining their child’s diagnosis of Down syndrome. This often results in ambiguity for parents regarding future treatment plans, decreased self-efficacy when providing for their child, and negative stigmas associated with the condition. The purpose of this study …

The Life Of Carmen, Madison Hurtado

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The Life of Carmen is a short documentary film about the life and experiences of a 94-year-old Ecuadorian raised woman, Carmen Panchana. Her vast encounters allow her to share advice to those who are willing to learn from an elder. We travel back through her life experiences and memories shown through photos and stories about her time in Ecuador, moving to America, and her relationships with her husband and son. The film is directed by Madison Hurtado, Carmen’s granddaughter. The film was coedited by Brooke Bowser.

The New Global Wave Of Authoritarianism: An Inevitable Economic Downfall?, Charlotte Opris

Undergraduate Student Symposium

After decades of democracy establishing itself as both the norm and most moral form of government, many countries are gradually shifting towards autocracy. Whether it be a natural progression of societal growth or associated with economic instability and government inefficiency, this is an overarching global trend. A debate about the consequences of this phenomenon naturally arises, especially regarding possible economic impacts. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether authoritarianism and democracy are equally capable of positive economic development. Some argue that democracy is essential for capitalist growth, while others promote autocracy's power in implementing policy. However, capitalism and …

The Social Benefits Of Merit-Based Education Versus Compulsary Education, Ajani Saldaña, Taaron Branch

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Are there social benefits to children being placed in specific educational tracks at an early age? The Austrian school system is comprised of four levels of schooling with divergent paths for vocational and academic interests. Students who are not academically inclined can be placed on a vocational pathway at an early age or even stop schooling as early as 14 if they feel their time is better spent in the workforce. This approach, known as ability tracking, groups students by similar interests, which can lead to increased participation and targeted instruction. The Austrian system ensures that every student doesn't surpass …

True Wilds, Justin Abonce, Gabrielle Spankus

Undergraduate Student Symposium

“True Wilds” is a documentary filmed in Miami-Dade County covering the concern of the conservation of South Florida’s Pine Rockland ecosystem. Miami Wilds, a projected water park, was to be built adjacent to Zoo Miami and within their property, which contained most of the remaining Pine Rocklands acreage. The documentary informs viewers on South Florida’s ecological history, displays the opinions of local residents rallying against the construction of Miami Wilds, and brings awareness to the larger ongoing issue of South Florida’s loss of nature to urbanization. The film is directed by Justin Abonce and Gabrielle Spankus. Other crew members include …

Ubiquitinated Il-1Β & Defective Inflammasome Formation In Alzheimer's Disease: Implications For Chronic Brain Inflammation, Deepthi Prince, Vibha Sankavaram

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Chronic inflammation, a prolonged and more long-term process, has been implicated in various diseases, including Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is the most common form of progressive dementia, associated with memory deficits and neuron damage. Multiple hypotheses have been proposed for the development of the disease, and among them, chronic inflammation is increasingly considered as an important underlying factor for the disease's development.

This research explores the role of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), a key inflammatory cytokine, in Alzheimer's pathogenesis. Elevated IL-1β levels are found in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The study focuses on the post-translational modification …

Using 3d Modeling To Describe The Electromotility Of The Outer Hair Cell Protein Prestin, And Its Role In Sound Perception Among Mammals, Marqus Colon, Syed Hussain, Russel Robert Reside

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Prestin is a vital motor protein that enables auditory perception in mammals by modulating the shape of cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) in response to environmental voltage. Part of the SLC26A5 anion transporter family, prestin excels at binding anions, which facilitates its oscillation through unique conformations. While salicylate has been demonstrated to induce reversible inhibition in prestin, the broader mechanisms of how this protein senses and transduces voltage into cellular movement are not fully understood. Crucial to sound amplification in the cochlea and the ability for OHCs to selectively respond to different sound frequencies is non-linear capacitance (NLC), wherein conformational …

Using Physiochemical Properties Of Phenylalkylamines In Silico As A Predictive Classification Of Psychedelic Effect, Tatum Hedrick, Caleb Siguenza

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Rationale: Substituted phenethylamines have been widely used and distributed for religious, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. While some correlations have been reported on small subsets of these molecules and their action, little is known about the fundamental basis of their action at an atomic level. As such, collecting a large collection of computationally predicted physiochemical properties of these compounds in a comprehensive database can serve to aid in predicting their mechanisms of action. Knowing this will ultimately reduce harm among recreational users and increase efficacy in personalized therapies. As such this study aims at establishing a relationship between the calculated atomic …

What Is Categorized As A War Crime Depends On Who Commits It: An Asymmetry In Moral Judgments Of Acts Of War, Alexis Lass

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Should all acts of aggression carried out in war be categorized as War Crimes? The Geneva Conventions and the International Criminal Court set specific parameters as to what does and does not constitute a war crime. Research in the domain of moral psychology displays that individuals are guided by the justness of cause when making moral judgements about combatant behavior. However, minimal research has evaluated the differentiation of atrocities being categorized as a war crime or not. Across two studies, this research seeks to investigate the role aggressors play in lay people’s categorization of war crimes. Do pre-existing beliefs about …

Repurposing Renin-Angiotensin System-Targeting Medications For Later Stage Treatment Of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy And Associated Cognitive-Behavioral Deficits In Tg-Swdi Mice, Ariana Hernandez, Chana Vogel, Iliana Uribe, Eleanor Wind, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Mikayla Jeneske, Bianca Echeverria, Julianna Bonetti, Natalia Noto

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), the accumulation of amyloid proteins in the cerebral vasculature, is highly comorbid with Alzheimer’s disease, and on its own, increases the risk of stroke and vascular dementia. Epidemiological studies suggest that certain renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-targeting drugs, commonly used for treating hypertension, decrease the risk of dementia. This study assesses whether two FDA-approved RAS-targeting drugs: telmisartan [a moderately brain-penetrant angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)], and lisinopril [a brain-penetrant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor]; can be repurposed to treat CAA. At ~8 months of age, male and female Tg-SwDI mice (CAA model) began treatment with telmisartan (1 mg/kg/day) or lisinopril …

Assessing The Impacts Of Social Media In Educating Individuals On The Importance Of Influenza Prevention, Alianys Rodriguez, Daniella Martinez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Social media serves as a powerful tool for organizations to spread information to the public. This research, conducted in collaboration with Broward Regional Health Planning Council (BRHPC), a nonprofit organization that has an online presence on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn, investigates the benefits of using social media as a platform to educate and raise awareness regarding the importance of influenza vaccines among individuals and communities. In the realm of public health, individuals must understand the importance of influenza vaccinations, as a way to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu and minimize its impacts on different communities. A total …

Bees And Bvocs: Characterization Of Scents From Flowers And What Bees Leave Behind, Chase Pagley, Dana Kraska, Maria Castellon

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Insect pollinators, such as bees, are an essential component to their ecosystem and surrounding plant life. Flowers emit odors, also known as biological volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), to attract bees to themselves during pollination. Additionally, when bees visit flowers, they are known to leave “scent marks” to communicate with other hive members which flowers to select or avoid for pollination. While BVOCs have been identified for many flowering species, there has not been extensive work analyzing odors from flowers that are popular with bee pollinators, such as Bidens alba (Spanish Needle). Furthermore, studies have not explored which odors are scent …

Burst Size Determination Of A Newly Discovered Yersinia Pestis Bacteriophage, Jewel Mousa

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The escalating global resistance to antibiotics has called for innovative alternatives to combat bacterial infections. Bacteriophages, viruses that can specifically target and destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria, have emerged as a promising potential solution in phage therapy. This research focuses on a newly discovered phage capable of infecting Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the bubonic plague, through the lytic cycle. In the lytic cycle, bacteriophages infect and replicate within bacterial cells, causing the cells to burst and release newly formed phages. Specifically, this study aims to characterize this recently discovered phage, utilizing experiments to determine its burst size, which indicates …

Characterization Of Exosomes From Melanoma Cells, Kishan Goli

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Melanoma is a specific type of skin cancer associated with the melanocytes developing into malignancy. Melanocytes produce a pigment that provides protection from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Melanocytes produce this pigment when ultraviolet radiation hits the skin, causing damage to the epidermis. When the epidermis is damaged, it triggers a signal to produce melanin to protect against ultraviolet radiation. However, too much exposure can cause DNA damage within the epidermis, especially within melanocytes, leading to the inhibition of regulated mitosis. Hence, non-regulated mitosis can lead to excessive melanocyte production, which may result in melanoma. Exosomes are vesicles generated by all …

Christian Monasticism And The Making Of Modern Medicine In London, Nicole Shaker

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Christian monasteries were the first formal healthcare settings in London. They defined doctors as Jesus-imitators, hospitals as inclusive shelters, and medicine as the holistic treatment of mental, spiritual, and physical maladies. Today, London’s medical students are taught to strive towards Christian values like empathy and patience and London’s model of free healthcare represents inclusivity and generosity. But because medicine has evolved away from faith, London’s healthcare ultimately displays a watered-down image of its roots in love-based monastic service. This paper will examine how three values of monastic medicine in London during the Late Middle Ages— agape love, hospitality, and holism— …

Comparing The Effects Of Invasive Waterhyacinth On Aquatic Communities, Maria José Gacharná Ferro, Colby Holbrook, Reginald Kempson Iii, Andrew Kuntz, Layla Lacelle, Claire Scobie, Indaya Byer

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Waterhyacinth is an invasive freshwater species that rapidly grows across water bodies, creating dense mats that disrupt local ecosystems. Our goal was to measure the impact of waterhyacinth on aquatic communities. We tested the hypotheses that waterhyacinth supported different fish and invertebrate species than native aquatic plants, used more dissolved oxygen (DO), and provided different levels of support to abundant invertebrates like amphipods. The fish communities under both plant groups were collected using a 1m2 throwtrap and a backpack electrofisher. This allowed for comparison between fish communities and method efficiency. We compared invertebrate community assemblages by collecting samples of roots …

Eating Disorders: A Public Health Perspective, Avisha Thota

Undergraduate Student Symposium

There are six primary eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder (BED), avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, pica, and rumination disorder. The purpose of this project is to identify the underlying patterns between cultural taboos and/or low food insecurity (FI) and the likelihood of developing an eating disorder. It was hypothesized that if either cultural taboo about eating or low food insecurity is present, then the development of an eating disorder is more likely. A comprehensive literature review extracted keywords and reoccurring patterns from various primary and secondary sources. The hypothesis was partially supported, as the two factors have …

Evaluating Telmisartan's Impact On Metabolic Health And Cognitive Function In Mice Subjected To A High-Fat Diet, Julianna Bonetti, Ariana Hernandez, Iliana Uribe, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Chana Vogel, Nikhila Paleati, Natalia Noto

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A high-fat diet can induce metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In turn, metabolic diseases increase the likelihood of developing neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g. dementia, anxiety, and depression). While telmisartan, an ARB (angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker), is known to treat hypertension, it can also reduce weight gain, while improving dyslipidemia and glucose metabolism in male mice fed a high-fat diet. However, it is unknown whether telmisartan can reverse behavioral changes caused by a high-fat diet. This study assesses the effects of treatment with telmisartan on metabolic outcomes and cognitive-behavioral function, …

Evolution Of Sequencing Technologies And Implications For Transposon Research, Renita Varghese, Janseen Meghadri, Jennifer Pulido-Luis

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This study explores the complex field of transposable elements (TEs) and how Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies are used to identify them, including their limitations. Transposons, also known as transposable elements, are dynamic DNA segments that have the ability to shift locations within a genome, impacting gene regulation, evolutionary processes, and genomic stability. TEs play vital roles in genetic research. They provide pathways for precise genetic alterations and mutagenesis, which facilitate the investigation of gene function and disease mechanisms in many organisms. Rapid DNA and RNA sequencing capabilities provided by NGS technologies have transformed genetic research. Improvements in DNA sequencing …

Exercise As A Natural Kappa Opioid Receptor To Treat Binge Drinking Withdrawal, Eleanor Wind, Iliana Uribe, Ariana Hernandez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Binge drinking is a serious public health problem in the United States especially among college students. Clinical trials demonstrate positive results for the treatment of alcohol abuse with aerobic exercise. Research in animal models aims to answer questions regarding implementation across sexes and age groups by studying underlying neurobiological mechanisms such as kappa opioid receptor (KOR) activation. KOR antagonists have been shown to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms associated with ethanol withdrawal. Chronic treadmill exercise reduces KOR binding and G-protein activation in rodents, suggesting exercise could have an effect on symptoms of ethanol withdrawal similar to KOR antagonists. Previous research …

Expanding Shelter Dog Research And Service To Encompass University Campus Communities, Lea Stephen, Richa Patel, Raquel Walton

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Many animal shelters are actively exploring social enrichment (SE) programs to alleviate animal stress and reduce residency times. SE invests in resources for focal animals (e.g. field trips, play groups, and/or augmented cages) to improve health, temperament, and adoption prospects. SE hinges on many factors, including strategic design and resource recruitment (e.g. human volunteers) to implement data-driven protocols. We propose that college students can help expand and refine SE efforts of campus-adjacent animal shelters, while meeting student needs for meaningful service and research opportunities. To demonstrate this, we completed diverse SE-related activities over the last two semesters using public data, …

Exploration Of Mdm2-Aurkb Regulatory Interaction: Implications For Cell Cycle Arrest And Cell Death In Lung Cancer, Akshara Sriram, Esha Surana

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of 26.6% in the USA contributing to a higher mortality in comparison to other cancers. Among various abnormalities, MDM2 overexpression can positively influence the intracellular mechanisms and contribute to cancer progression through AURKB activation. Also, FOXO3A, a member of the Forkhead Box transcription factors linked to MDM2, serve as intermediates for various cellular mechanisms, including tumorigenesis, cell cycle progression, DNA damage, and cell death. Therefore, blocking MDM2 with specific inhibitors has become one of the promising strategies for the restoration of p53 mediated tumor …

Exploring The Genetic Elements Regarding The Early Onset Of Arthritis Due To Crohn's Disease, Vamsi Korisapati, Karam Asad

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Crohn’s disease is a rare inflammatory bowel disease that negatively impacts the lining of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease increases the probability of early onset arthritis, both of which are commonly associated chronic conditions. An overactive immune response is the primary cause of inflammation in Crohn's disease, and this inflammation can damage not only the digestive tract but also other regions of the body such as the joints. However, patients who are diagnosed with arthritis are typically prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are not recommended for patients with Crohn’s disease (ex. aspirin, naproxen, & celecoxib). On the other hand, disease-modifying …

Exploring The Therapeutic Potential Of Telmisartan Against High Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Dose- And Sex-Dependent Study In Mice, Nitisha Dundigalla, Ariana Hernandez, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Chana Vogel, Iliana Uribe, Shalet James, Eleanor Wind, Natalia Noto, Valeria Cohen, Julianna Bonetti

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver, often developing in response to poor diet consumption and associated metabolic disturbances (obesity, Type II diabetes). Telmisartan, an Angiotensin II receptor blocker commonly used for treating hypertension, may hold therapeutic value against the adverse metabolic effects of a high fat (HF) diet, including NAFLD. This project explores whether the effects of Telmisartan are dose- and sex-dependent in obese, prediabetic mice. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat (HF) or low-fat (LF) diet starting at ~3 months old; diet was maintained for the remainder …

Exploring Trends In Hate Crime Statistics And Trauma-Related Disorders In Asian And Black Americans, 2017-2021, Arun Jagarlamudi, Meghana Jagarlamudi, Varun Jagarlamudi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The rise of COVID-19 and social movements (i.e., protests) were also accompanied with the rise of hate crimes, specifically against Asian and Black communities. Along with physical threats from hate crimes, long-term consequences of this include trauma-related responses such as developing feelings of anger and facing higher risks of PTSD compared to other crimes committed against these groups. This project explored a 5-year trend analysis of the relationship between hate crimes and trauma-related mental health disorders among Black and Asian populations in the United States. It was hypothesized that hate crimes and trauma-related disorders would be positively correlated and would …

Flirting With Danger: A Review Of Mental Health Factors Associated With Sexual Risk Behaviors In Young Adult Women, Megana Guntur

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sexual risk behavior is a global public health challenge that contributes to transmission of sexually transmitted infection, negatively affecting the health of young people all around the world, particularly young women. Both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified reduction of sexually transmitted infections as a goal for which reducing sexual risk behavior is crucial. In recent years, as the prevalence of mental health issues has risen in young people, several studies have examined the associations between mental health factors and participation in risky sexual behaviors. The present review synthesizes findings from research …

Molecular Diagnostics Of Toxoplasma Gondii, The World's Most Interesting Parasite, In Diverse Floridian Avifauna, Trisha Jaganathan, Sri Vaishnavi Konagalla, Roshini Bodicherla, Sonia Rao, Mihir Kurup, Adam Sewnarine, Pari Cribbins

Undergraduate Student Symposium

T. gondii is an intracellular parasite that infects terrestrial mammals and birds worldwide; it also has important impacts on human and wildlife health. Data on this parasite’s prevalence in our local (South Florida) ecosystem is lacking, which could help inform both public health and conservation efforts. Our questions for this study include: a) how prevalent is this parasite locally? b) do avian species differ in infection rates? c) does parasite abundance differ between localities?

Thus far, tissues have been dissected from carcasses provided by partner conversation facilities, including two very common South Florida bird species: Green Herons (a large wetland-associated …