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Pecking At Protozoan Parasites: Pcr Diagnostics Of Toxoplasma Gondii In South Floridian Birds, Senia Bu, Donna Huynh, Sridevi Gundimeda, Samhita Doranala, Madeline Hsu, Valentina Cevallos

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite whose prevalence and transmission remain underexplored in wildlife, especially in birds. This is a crucial gap since birds can serve as pathogen reservoirs (facilitating transmission to humans and other animals) and because T. gondii’s prevalence in wildlife (e.g. birds) helps illuminate its environmental distribution. Thus, characterizing T. gondii in local avian communities can help us assess and mitigate risks to the health of humans, pets, agricultural animals, and endangered wildlife. This study investigates T. gondii prevalence in South Florida’s diverse avian species. We obtained tissue samples from >100 birds by dissecting carcasses provided …

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 …

Photodynamic Inactivation (Pdi) Of Microorganisms With Copper Meso-Pyridyl Porphyrin Isomers, Dylan Mavlyanov, Sanjana Sivaiah, Andrew Siedlecki, Rohan Reddy, Andersen Cheong

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) is an antimicrobial approach, independent of antibiotic resistance, that targets pathogens utilizing light and photosensitizers in the presence of oxygen. The growing international concern for the rise in drug-resistant microorganisms has driven research to determine approaches that will keep microbes from developing further immunological adaptations. Photosensitizers are molecules activated by light that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) lysing and causing cell death in structures of microbes and in diseased mammalian cells. The photosensitizers applied in this experiment are meso–Tetra(N–methyl–pyridyl)porphine tetrachloride isomers. Three variations of the nitrogen placement were used to understand the interactions with the bacterial cell …

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 …

Reproductive Outcomes In A Mouse Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Melanie Mendonca, Esperanza Barrios, Chana Vogel, Victoria Pulido-Correa

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease lacking effective treatment. Despite women having 2x greater risk for developing AD, few studies have investigated the sex-specific factors that influence AD risk. Reports show a difference in the risk and progression of AD in parents and nonparents, suggesting motherhood may mitigate the risk and impacts of AD, but alternative explanations could play a role. For example, healthier and wealthier people may have more reproductive opportunities and less disease risk. Moreover, genes that alter disease risk could also modify fertility/fecundity, such as APOE4, a gene that increases both AD risk and fertility. …

Resilience And Its Effects On Psychological Well Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Taylor Reinsel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Stressors and trauma in life are unavoidable. However, the way we respond and adapt to them can be within our control. This response differs from person to person, but there are factors that can influence the likelihood of an individual rebounding from a crisis, as well as factors that can put them at a higher risk of developing mental illness. One of the main factors that influences Psychological Well Being is the presence of Resilience. The main goal of this study was to examine how factors of Resilience relate to Psychological Well Being and COVID-19 Well Being during the COVID-19 …

Resources And Racial Identity: Differences In Women's Accumulation Of And Preference For Six Forms Of Capital, Alyssa J. Grant

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Across the world, resources are a necessity so individuals can lead a healthy and wealthy life. Research has found there are six forms of resources that can be measured (Starratt and Zambrano, 2022). However, we do not yet know the extent to which resources are related to cultures, traditions and customs and so, may differ among people with different racial and ethnic identities. This study investigated differences among accumulation of and preference for six forms of resources among women of different racial and ethnic identities. The participants included 248 women who self-reported racial and ethnic identity and completed an inventory …

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 Anticancer Effects Of Jq-1 And Doxorubicin Via Myc Downregulation And Apoptosis Induction, Abby Morrill, Srika Saai Talanki, Sneha Subhash, Sabrin Safar, Maria Moreno Hollweg, Kyuree Chang, María Guillén-Méndez, Swara Chindahade

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Aggressive cancers are particularly challenging due to their rapid growth, ability to adapt, and resistance to single therapies. Combination therapies or a multipronged approach can increase tumor cell killing and limit the development of drug resistance. The potential of combining conventional chemotherapy with targeted therapies was investigated. To determine the best drug combinations, viability assays using an 8 x 8 dose response matrix format (checkerboard) with small-step serial dilutions of cytotoxic and targeted drugs was performed. The resulting viability data, as determined by MTS assay, was analyzed using the web application SynergyFinder. The results indicated that the combined drug treatment …

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 …

Synthesizing Ferrocene Bipyridine Adducts For The Creation Of New Metal Based Photosensitizing Complexes, Gabrielle Spankus, Jarlynn Ramirez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Metal-based photosensitizers commonly use bipyridine molecules and their ligands. Their absorption and chemical properties can be tuned through substitutions. This study synthesized a ferrocene appended 2,2 -bipyridine dimer (Fc-bipy2-Fc) using palladium(0)-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reaction to create new photosensitizing molecule that could further complex with metals such as ruthenium to enhance photophysical and electronic properties. The product was purified by flash chromatography and characterized by NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Targeting Glioblastoma Stem Cells: Structure-Activity Relationship Of Potent Diaryl Acrylonitrile Resveratrol Analogs, Brianna Calderon, Alma Partenza, Neha Jasti, Saya Seraj, Nhi Van, Daniela Otero-Wincher, Elaine Chen, Xavier Pantig, Sabrin Safar, Maria Moreno Hollweg, Eduardo Véliz Ph.D., Steven Vanni Ph.D., Venkatesh Shanbhag Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor that presents significant treatment challenges due to its infiltrative nature and therapy resistance. Elimination of GBM stem cells (GSCs), which drive tumor progression and treatment resistance, is essential for a successful outcome. Resveratrol (RSV), a natural compound with anticancer properties, shows limited therapeutic potential due to poor bioavailability, prompting the development of more potent analogs. In this study, 80 diaryl acrylonitrile RSV analogs were synthesized via Knoevenagel condensation and evaluated for their cytotoxicity toward GSCs using MTS assay. Among these compounds, E03 exhibited notable activity, with an average GSC IC50 value of 106 …

Targeting The Renin-Angiotensin System For The Treatment Of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Ariana Hernandez, Chana Vogel, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Natalia Noto, Yazmin Restrepo, Shay Moen, Julianna Bonetti

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), the accumulation of amyloid proteins in the cerebral vasculature, can increase the risk of stroke, vascular cognitive impairment, and dementia. CAA is highly comorbid with Alzheimer’s disease and contributes to Alzheimer’s pathology by affecting the clearance of amyloid from the brain. Epidemiological studies suggest that certain renin-angiotensin system-targeting drugs, commonly used for the treatment of hypertension, decrease the risk of dementia. This study assesses whether two FDA-approved RAS-targeting drugs: telmisartan [a brain-penetrant angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)], and lisinopril [a brain-penetrant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor]; can be repurposed to mitigate CAA, associated neuropathologies, and cognitive decline in …

Telemedicine For Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Impact Patient Quality Of Life Compared To Traditional In-Person Therapy, Rani Mehta, Shreya Katapally

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that stroke accounts for around 11% of all deaths globally. Stroke rehabilitation plays a crucial role in helping patients recover and regain lost function, offering the potential for improved quality of life after a stroke. Unfortunately, in-person therapy can be challenging to access due to lack of transportation, financial burden, and geographical barriers. Telemedicine offers an alternative solution, allowing patients to receive therapy at the convenience of their home.

Research Question: What are the differences in recovery outcomes over time between stroke patients receiving telemedicine-guided physical therapy and those receiving in-person physical therapy? …

The Development, Ethical Controversies, And Importance Of Xenotransplantation, Dakota Koenig

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Xenotransplantation, the use of animal organs in human patients, is one of the newest developments in allotransplantation (Chisholm-Burns, 2024). Due to genetic similarities, pig livers and hearts could be used in patients waiting for a transplant. While these organs seem like the perfect solution, the organs must still be genetically altered to be used in human patients. Scholars like Thom et al (2023) explain how specific genes must be added to or removed from the pig’s genome to make the organs suitable for human transplants. While the idea seems to be a positive way to shorten the list of those …

The Effects Of Early Mobilization On Rotator Cuff Tears: A Meta Analysis, Colton Batz

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this research is to assess post-surgical early mobilization of the rotator cuff compared to conservative treatment and the impact on return-to-participation. BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff tears are common upper-body injuries in sports such as baseball, volleyball, and handball, requiring surgical intervention in 21% of reported rotator cuff tears among volleyball players, and often dependent on tear size and severity of tear among athletes. Although, some post-surgical rehabilitation programs may provide quicker return-to-participation times compared to others, further research may provide insight into the impact of early mobilization. (P:) Rotator cuff patients looking for effective and prompt …

The Effects Of Lysogenic Bacteriophages On Gordonia Rubripertincta Superinfection Immunity, Nathalia Gonzalez, Harami Athwale, Joshua Dinh, Rithvik Jarugula, Julian Oliver Bozek, Julia St. Clair, Mitchell Thenor

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in the field of medicine, making an increasing demand for alternative treatments to antibiotics. One option is phage therapy, the use of viruses that specifically kill bacteria. Bacteriophages present two life cycles: lytic, where they rupture the cell, and lysogenic, where they sneak into the host's DNA and remain dormant. Temperate phage can alternate between the two life cycles and when lysogenic can prevent other phages from infecting the bacteria, providing the bacteria with superinfection immunity. This lowers phage therapy’s effectiveness. Our goal is to determine if novel phages that infect Gordonia rubripertincta, …

The Effects Of Turkesterone On Isometric Muscular Strength, Alyana Andal

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Introduction: The supplementation of Turkesterone, a phytoecdysteroid, has been suggested to have the anabolic capability to enhance muscular growth thereby increasing muscular strength. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Turkesterone supplementation on the isometric muscular strength of active males and females after four weeks of daily dosage.

Methods: The sample of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial consisted of thirty-one males (n=14) and females (n=17) who were physically active. Participants orally consumed 500 mg of turkesterone (Ajuga Extract) or a placebo (rice flour) daily for four weeks. The handgrip strength of each participant was measured (i.e., …

The Effects Of Turkesterone On Mood And Sexual Functioning, Alexandra Jimenez Gonzalez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Introduction: Turkesterone, an ecdysteroid found in the ajuga turkestanica plant, is a naturally occurring compound used historically in Central Asia and India to treat a multitude of health conditions. Turkesterone may hold properties that could improve physical and mental performance. This study aimed to determine the impact of four-week Turkesterone supplementation on mood and sexual function.

Methods: This randomized study included 30 active participants (14 males, 16 females). The placebo group received rice flour; the treatment group received Turkesterone (500mg/day). The participants were instructed to take their respective supplements for 28 days without altering their daily activities, diet, or exercise …

The Effects Of Turkesterone On Sleep, Antonio Crisanti, Ava Lukowiak, Tobin Silver Ph.D.

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Introduction

Turkesterone is a naturally occurring compound found in the ajuga turkestanica plant, traditionally used in Central Asia and India for treating various ailments. It has been suggested that supplementation with turkesterone, a type of ecdysteroid, may also have properties that promote improvements in physical and mental performance. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if four weeks of Turkesterone (500 mg daily dose) supplementation affect sleep quality.

Methods

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of turkesterone supplementation on mood, sexual functioning, and sleep quality in 30 active individuals (14 males, 16 females). Participants …

The Effects Of Turkesterone Supplementation On Body Composition, Ava Lukowiak

Undergraduate Student Symposium

It has been proposed that turkesterone supplementation can cause an increase in muscle mass and overall improvements in body composition. Turkesterone is a phytoecdysteroid derived from plants such as common wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Vitex plants (sage and mint). The purpose of this study was to determine if turkesterone supplementation in healthy, active males and females can increase lean muscle mass. This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial consisted of thirty-one physically active males (n=14) and females (n=17). Muscle mass was determined pre-test and post-test using a dual-energy Xray absorptiometry machine (DEXA). The treatment group ingested 500 milligrams of turkesterone daily for …

The Impact Of Doula Support On Maternal Mental Health, Neonatal Outcomes, And Epidural Use: Correlation With Mental Health Inventory-5 And Apgar Scores, Katherine Dookhan, Eesha Ramisetti, Rosselyn Perez, Rhea Hede-Sakhardande

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Maternal and neonatal health disparities disproportionately affect Black and biracial women in underserved communities, with higher rates of mental health challenges and adverse neonatal outcomes. This longitudinal cohort study examines the impact of doula support on maternal mental health, neonatal outcomes, and epidural use during labor. Participants are recruited from the Urban League of Broward County and the Broward Healthy Start Coalition in Florida and divided into two groups: those receiving doula support from 16 weeks of pregnancy to one month postpartum and those receiving standard care. Outcomes are assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) for maternal mental health, …