Digital Commons Network^™

Determinants Of Opioid-Relevant Exposure From 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products In The Evolving U.S. Marketplace, Igor Koturbash, Scott Alsbrook, George Pro

Oxford ICSB

Kratom’s U.S. market has rapidly evolved from largely botanical powders and capsules to products enriched in 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist that is typically present only at trace levels in leaf material. To quantify downstream behavioral health burden and contextualize it with real-world signals of product diffusion, we analyzed National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data (2021-2023) alongside public health alert trends and systematic online product surveillance. In NSDUH, 5.8% of adults met criteria for serious mental illness (SMI). SMI increased by 150% among adults with combined opioid use disorder (OUD) and kratom use between 2021 …

Naturally Derived Kratom Extracts: Toxicological Evaluation In Humans And Rodents, Sibyl Swift

Oxford ICSB

Peer-reviewed literature provides limited toxicological data on the consumption of naturally derived kratom extracts. Given the increasing use of kratom products, understanding their safety profile is critical for public health and regulatory decision-making. To address this gap, we conducted a rodent toxicology assessment and a controlled human clinical study. Human Clinical Study: Healthy male and female participants consumed specified kratom extracts daily for 14 consecutive days under controlled conditions. Clinical observations and biochemical markers were monitored throughout the study. Rodent Toxicology Study: Equivalent extract doses were administered to rodents for 90 days to evaluate subchronic exposure. Assessments included body weight, …

Effects Of Parental Communication On Alcohol Use And Self-Esteem As A Mediating Variable, Alanna Hartman

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Alcohol abuse has become a problematic phenomenon among young adults. Previous studies have found that parental communication with low warmth leads to greater risk for alcohol abuse later in life. We predict there is going to be a positive correlation between negative parental communication and alcohol abuse. Self-esteem has also been shown to have a relationship with alcohol abuse in previous research. We hypothesize that self-esteem would negatively correlate with alcohol abuse in the current study. Additionally, the literature suggests a relationship between self-esteem and parental communication. Given the relationships among these variables, we predict that self-esteem would partially or …

Beyond Caseloads And Calendars: Measuring Staff Satisfaction In Treatment Court, Ariana R. Huntington

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Background and Purpose: Treatment courts are specialized programs designed to divert individuals from incarceration while supporting recovery and rehabilitation. With more than 4,000 treatment courts operating nationwide and serving over 150,000 individuals annually, they represent a critical component of the criminal justice system. Treatment court staff may be particularly vulnerable to stress due to sustained exposure to complex substance use cases and systemic, administrative, and team-related demands. Assessing staff well-being is therefore essential, as it has implications for court effectiveness, workforce stability, and overall system functioning. Despite this importance, limited research has examined the experiences of treatment court professionals. The …

The Impact Of Early Skin-To-Skin Contact On Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In Preterm Infants, Ashia Meister

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Preterm infants face significant neurodevelopmental risks due to the interruption of late gestation brain maturation. Early skin to skin contact has emerged as a low cost intervention that supports sensory regulation, physiological stability, and neural development. This honors project synthesizes current evidence on how early skin to skin contact influences cognitive, motor, language, and socio emotional outcomes in preterm infants and translates these findings into an educational presentation for pre licensure nursing students. Across studies, early and sustained skin to skin contact is associated with improved brain activity, behavioral organization, and developmental scores in infancy, with additional evidence of structural …

Molecular Basis Of 24-Methyl Cholesterol As An Anti-Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma Agent In The Context Of Altered Cellular Glucose Metabolism, Josiah Chung, Merritt Smith, Zachary Wang

Liberty University Research Week

Cancer remains a major global cause of mortality, with kidney cancer representing a significant portion of newly diagnosed cases each year worldwide and in the United States. In Virginia alone, more than one thousand new kidney cancer cases are reported annually. The majority of these cancers are classified as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounting for roughly 70% of diagnoses. ccRCC tumors exhibit substantial metabolic reprogramming that supports rapid proliferation and survival under fluctuating nutrient conditions. Because of this metabolic dependence, targeting pathways involved in glucose uptake and cellular energy production has emerged as …

Comparison Of Total Distance And Sprint Distance Between Positions Of Division Ii Female Soccer Players, Tamas Sebestyen, Jonathan P. Bayer

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Introduction: To manage player health, minimize injury, and optimize performance in NCAA Division II soccer, this study analyzed positional demands using GPS technology. The findings provide insights into enhancing training plans and recovery based on specific positions. Methods: NCAA Division II female soccer players were tracked during sixteen in-season competitions using 10 Hz GPS wearable technology. Players were grouped into tactical roles including Wing Backs (WB), Center Backs (CB), Defensive Midfielders (6), Attacking Midfielders (10), and Forwards (9). Key metrics analyzed included Total Distance (TD), Total Sprint Distance (TSD), and Distance per Minute (D/M). Results: Forwards (9) and attacking midfielders …

Machine-Learning Based Airbrakes Control For Rocket Apogee Targeting, Sara Schweitzer, Christopher Brown, Daniel Isenhour

Liberty University Research Week

In rocketry, small variations in weather and launch conditions can cause large differences in the highest altitude (“apogee”) a rocket can reach during flight, which makes targeting a precise altitude difficult. Airbrakes—small and deployable surfaces that increase drag—can actively adjust a rocket’s climb to achieve the intended apogee. Our goal is to develop an airbrake deployment approach that can translate to real rocket applications for teams lacking resources such as high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics, wind tunnel testing, or multiple test launches. Therefore, rather than using a control method that continuously adjusts the amount the airbrakes are deployed into the airstream, …

Exploration Of Preservative-Surfactant Aggregation Effects On Biologic Drug Formulations, Joseph Turmelle

Liberty University Research Week

A key challenge in the development of injectable drug formulations is the need for multi-dose administration, which increases the risk of bacterial contamination. To reduce this risk, preservatives such as phenol (PhOH) and benzyl alcohol (BzOH) are commonly added to formulations. However, preservatives can aggregate with other critical excipients, particularly surfactants such as polysorbate 20 (PS20). This aggregation leads to physical instability, often observed as turbidity or precipitation. Previous work has shown that preservatives induce the formation of large, unstable aggregates with surfactants at pharmaceutically relevant concentrations. The purpose of this study is to characterize and understand this phenomenon of …

A Heart's Home, Kayla Santos

Liberty University Research Week

A Heart’s Home is a collection of creative poems exploring themes of belonging and grief. The poem “Lunchtime” is a snapshot of the school lunch experience of a child of immigrants. “Of Belonging and Of Not” outlines the personal journey of finding a place to belong and sometimes even having to make that space. “Quiet Life” explores living life with a partner and being a home for that person. “Beautiful People” tells about the beauty of belonging with the right people. “Cleaning House” transitions to exploring grief through cleaning a house caked with years of memories. Lastly, the collection concludes …

Creative Resilience In Career Counseling: Innovative Strategies For Diverse Populations, Janita Daggy, Deepa Michelle Emmanuel, Stacey Coyne

Liberty University Research Week

Ongoing workforce shifts and social inequities have intensified the challenges many individuals face during career transitions. While creativity and resilience are each associated with career adaptability and success, their combined application in career counseling has received limited attention. This presentation introduces a creative resilience framework grounded in career construction and narrative approaches. Creative interventions, including narrative reframing, metaphor, expressive writing, and experiential strategies, are highlighted as tools for supporting flexibility, meaning-making, and engagement. A culturally responsive practitioner toolkit is proposed for use with diverse populations such as first-generation students, veterans, and displaced workers. Implications for counseling practice and future research …

When Microbiology Meets Public Health: Exploring Metabolites From Dictyostelium Discoideum For Infection Control, Rebekah Figuereo

Liberty University Research Week

Background: The social amoeba, slime mold, formally known as Dictyostelium discoideum, produces novel chlorine-containing antimicrobial compounds that can be used to improve antimicrobial resistance by targeting and preventing bacterial spread by inhibiting bacterial growth. This bridges microbiological discoveries with public health applications, thereby strengthening infection control strategies. Current research connects the slime mold to infection recovery/intervention/control.1

Methods: A systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles, biochemical databases, and experimental findings was conducted. Scientific databases featured PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Chemical Abstracts Service, ScienceDirect, and Scopus.

Results: Metabolites produced by Dictyostelium discoideum demonstrated antimicrobial activity by inhibiting bacterial growth, including …

Association Between Preexisting Chronic Conditions And Hospital Outcomes Among Pediatric Trauma Patients In The United States, 2000-2019, Grace Sibert

Liberty University Research Week

The prevalence of chronic disease among children in the United States has increased substantially over the past two decades. Children with chronic disease experience higher morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization, disparities that may be amplified following traumatic injury. However, nationally representative longitudinal data examining these associations remains limited. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database (HCUP-KID) from 2000 to 2019. Pediatric patients (=18 years) hospitalized for traumatic injury were identified using ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes. Chronic conditions were classified using the HCUP Chronic Condition Indicator and grouped into major diagnostic categories. …

The Role Of Medical Nutrition Therapy In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review, Alexis Snyder

Liberty University Research Week

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is type of high blood sugar with an onset during pregnancy that leads to insulin resistance. Annually, 5-9% of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes. GDM frequently causes excessive birth weight, breathing problems, preeclampsia, an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and hypoglycemia following pregnancy. Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is the primary treatment for GDM, but actual dietary guidelines tend to differ between various studies. This narrative literature review aims to synthesize current studies on the effectiveness of MNT for the management and outcome of gestational diabetes. Specifically looking at pathophysiology of the disease, blood …

Exploring The K-12 Educational Experiences Of First-Generation Hispanic Undergraduate Students, Stephanie Hernandez-Lopez

Liberty University Research Week

Research Question: This qualitative study examines how first-generation Hispanic undergraduate students perceive their K-12 educational experiences and how these shaped their transition into higher education. Method: Through semi-structured interviews with four participants, the research identifies recurring themes, including parental involvement, language barriers, access to resources, motivation, and preparedness for college. These insights contribute to understanding systemic factors behind the achievement gap and inform strategies for more equitable educational support. Conclusion: Overall, the findings show that first-generation Hispanic students’ college readiness is shaped by the combined effects of limited early academic rigor, inconsistent school–family communication, and assumptions about home academic support. …

Effect Of Static Stretching On Power Output During A Wingate Test, Anna Ruegsegger, Maddie Kliment

Liberty University Research Week

Background: This study examined the effect of short duration static stretching on power output from a maximal cycling test called a Wingate test. There are debates in the current literature on whether static stretching or a different method is best to include in the warmup to enhance subsequent performance. Static stretching has been shown to have a negative effect on muscle strength and power due to changes in musculotendinous stiffness, neuromuscular factors, and reflex sensitivities. It has been suggested that short duration static stretching does not have a negative impact on performance, but longer duration does. Methods: 17 females volunteered …

The Effect Of Early Sport Specialization On Psychological Burnout In Youth Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic, Caitlynn Ybarra, Brylee Starling

Liberty University Research Week

Context: The prevalence of youth athletes specializing in a single sport prior to puberty has steadily increased, often driven by aspirations to achieve elite performance status and secure scholarships. Clinicians, however, have observed significant negative consequences associated with early specialization, including psychological burnout, premature retirement, amotivation, and exhaustion. Within youth athletics, how does single-sport specialization early on compare with multi-sport participation when looking at the impact it has on psychological burnout throughout growth and maturation?

Methods: Across the included studies, early single-sport specialization was consistent in having higher levels of psychological stress and burnout symptoms when compared to multi-sport youth …

Development Of A Laboratory Aquaculture System For Education And Research: Experimental Culture Of Fathead Minnows, Jill Crunkilton

Liberty University Research Week

As global fish consumption rises and wild stocks continue to decline, aquaculture has become essential for meeting protein demands sustainably. To prepare college-level graduates for careers in this expanding field, hands-on education in aquaculture systems and fish husbandry is critical. This project focuses on the development of a laboratory aquaculture system centered on the experimental culture of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), a model species widely used in aquatic research and toxicity testing. The system will serve dual purposes: (1) providing students with experiential training in aquaculture techniques, including breeding, water quality management, and biosecurity; and (2) establishing a platform for …

Co2 Washout Performance Of Single-Prong And Dual-Prong High-Velocity Therapy, Robert Kacinski

Liberty University Research Week

Computational models were used to investigate the flow in the upper airway during high-velocity therapy delivered via a single-prong or a dual-prong cannula geometry. A temporally varying boundary condition was used to apply a realistic breathing cycle to the base of the trachea. The patient mouth was “closed” to specific percentages by modifying the cross sectional area of a plane in the patient mouth. The total amount of CO2 inhaled, which should be minimized, was collected as a measure of therapy effectiveness. The mass CO2 inhaled was calculated by subtracting the mass of CO2 present in the airway at the …

Hargreaves Test On Formalin Injected Mice: A Neuropathic Pain Model, Caleb Mast

Liberty University Research Week

Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition resulting from nervous system injury or disease, commonly associated with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and diabetes. Current mouse models rely on invasive surgical techniques such as spinal nerve ligation (SNL) or chronic constriction injury (CCI), which require specialized training, increase variability, and reduced accessibility. Previous studies in rats have shown that formalin injections can induce a persistent pain state and spinal molecular changes comparable to those observed in surgical models. This study investigated whether a single subcutaneous injection of 5% formalin is sufficient to produce neuropathic pain behaviors and nervous tissue changes CCI …

Virginia Stream Condition Index Score Of Benthic Macroinvertebrates In Opossum Creek¿, Ella Mason, Lance Jones, Sean Genota

Liberty University Research Week

Recently, Lake Hydaway, an artificial lake in Lynchburg, Virginia, was expanded from 6 to 31 acres. The expansion project included the demolition of the old dam, excavation of the lakebed, construction of a new dam, and the removal of riparian vegetation directly downstream of the dam. Opossum Creek, a first-order stream and tributary flowing into and out of the lake, is at risk of being disturbed by the expansion, which has the potential to impact its freshwater ecosystem. Through observing communities of benthic macroinvertebrates, insights can be made into the health of aquatic environments. This research selected four sites along …

Exploring The Mandelbrot Set In Real Algebras, Shane Weimar

Liberty University Research Week

The Mandelbrot set is a fractal in the complex plane. Its boundary is chaotic, and very difficult to determine completely. In recent years, mathematicians have put considerable effort into understanding the Mandelbrot set, since understanding the Mandelbrot set would give insight into how fractals and chaos work in general. However, very little research has been conducted into the Mandelbrot set in abstract algebras. This research will categorize some of these algebras and compute the Mandelbrot set in them.

Environmental Limitations Of A Low-Cost, Cots Lora Meshcore Node Network, Robert Thompson, Alexander Weir, David Zelinsky, Hannah Murai, Judah Sotomayor

Liberty University Research Week

During catastrophic emergencies, when the existing cellular infrastructure is rendered unusable, reliable off-grid communication equipment can save lives. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of low-cost consumer radio hardware utilizing LoRa wireless technology in an emergency communications scenario. During catastrophic emergencies, when the existing cellular infrastructure is rendered unusable, reliable off-grid communication equipment can save lives. LoRa is a wireless communication technology that can be easily deployed with low-cost radio hardware. Due to its low power consumption, flexible deployment, and wide range, LoRa modules are well-suited for setting up a network in an emergency response scenario when traditional communication …

The Inhibitory Effects Of Fluorophenol On Cytochrome P450 2a6, Andrew Hodges

Liberty University Research Week

The cytochrome P450 family is composed of several metabolic enzymes found in the liver that are responsible for the processing and excretion of many xenobiotics and toxins. Cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) is of pharmacological interest because of its key role in nicotine metabolism. Because of this, it is considered a primary target for inhibition as a potential strategy for smoking cessation and curtailing cigarette addiction. However, such a pharmacological agent is still being developed as the enzyme kinetics of CYP2A6 are not fully understood. It is also the only cytochrome that converts coumarin, a substance found in many plants, to …

Histological Quality Of Immersion Vs Intravascular Fixation Of Fresh Tissue, Andrew Hodges, Bright Danso, Gretchka Mair, Kingsley Ampong, Rebekah Satalino

Liberty University Research Week

Tissue fixation is a fundamental determinant of histological quality, preserving cellular architecture through protein cross-linking and enzymatic inactivation [6]. Among fixation approaches, intravascular (perfusion) and immersion methods differ significantly in mechanism and outcomes. Perfusion fixation rapidly distributes fixative via the vascular system, often producing more uniform preservation, whereas immersion fixation relies on diffusion, which may result in delayed penetration and heterogeneous tissue quality [5]. Despite these limitations, immersion-based preservation remains widely used in anatomical education and commercial specimen preparation due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness [2]. Reports suggest that fixation quality can influence analyses, including morphology, antigenicity, and staining reliability, …

Thinking Under Pressure: Does Mindset And Mood Affect Cognitive Performance?, Pamela Kplivi, Hannah Nowicki, Emmy Carmichael, Charlie Guri, Abigail Blanda, Brandon Sookkasem, Shayne Alexander, Hope Williams, Gabriella Tossah, Meeraben Patel, Michael Woodcock, Virginia Wickline

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Cognitive performance, particularly on tasks requiring creative problem-solving, can be influenced by both individual and situational factors. Prior research highlights intrinsic beliefs about intelligence and external factors such as mood states as determinants of problem solving outcomes (Baumeister & Vohs, 2016; Okon-Singer et al., 2015). The present study utilizes a 2 x 3 between-subjects experimental design to examine how mindset (growth vs. fixed) and temporary mood state (positive, neutral, negative) interact to shape performance on a creative problem solving task. Mindset is assessed using the Implicit Theories of Intelligence Scale (ITIS; Dweck, 1999), cognitive performance is measured using a shortened …

Honoring Survivors’ Wholeness: Recommendations For University Offices Of Wellness, Maeve Jillian King

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Rates of child abuse are nationally significant, especially after considering how much violence goes unreported. Many college students have experienced sexual violence prior to arriving on campus, where incidents of sexual victimization are prominent. With this in mind, how can university offices of wellness support survivors wherever they are in their journey of survivorship? Previous research rarely considers both realities of victimization, but displays large concerns surrounding survivor’s mental health and educational obtainment. Additionally peer and social support play significant roles in survivor outcomes. This interdisciplinary literature review examines current university practices, mental health realities, and impacts of culture on …

What Is Philosophy For? Reading Wittgenstein After Cavell, Maggie L. Zhang

2026 Claremont Colleges Library Undergraduate Research Award

This literature review examines two major strands of Cavellian scholarship on Wittgenstein, arguing that their relative separation has obscured the insights each offers the other. Cavell’s “therapeutic” reading of Wittgenstein understands his philosophical project not as a theory of language but as an activity aimed at dissolving the philosophical fantasy of such a theory. This approach has been taken up along two largely distinct lines of inquiry: one focused on the Tractatus and the debate between substantial and austere views of nonsense, and another centered on the Philosophical Investigations and its relation to ordinary language philosophy, particularly in light of …

Systemic Barriers To Parental Involvement In Immigrant Families: Impact On Children’S Academic Outcomes, Ama Jane Baffoe

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This literature review examines how parental involvement and systemic barriers influence children’s academic outcomes, specifically within immigrant families. By analyzing research on language proficiency and work schedules, this study identifies how these factors limit parental participation in school-based activities. Findings indicate that while parental involvement consistently correlates with academic achievement and emotional stability, current school systems often disadvantage immigrant families facing these barriers. The review concludes that schools must develop more inclusive involvement strategies to eliminate educational inequalities and better support the success of students from diverse backgrounds.

Effects Of Exercise And Chemotherapy Treatments On Survival And Climbing Activity In Drosophila Melanogaster With Different Mitochondrial Genotypes., Amber A. Haines

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Mitochondrial variation plays a role in energy production, physical performance and responses to physiological stress. This study investigated how Drosophila melanogaster, fruit flies, mitochondrial differences and exercise affected survival under the cisplatin and climbing abilities. Fruit flies with different mitochondrial genotypes were assigned to exercise and non-exercise groups. These groups were then split and assigned to either sugar or cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug. Survival rates and climbing ability, a measure of neurodegeneration, were monitored after the treatment. This study will provide information about how mitochondrial variation and exercise can influence responses to environmental and chemical stress.