Digital Commons Network^™

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, …

The Role Of Future Time Perspective And Social Support In Shaping Psychological Well-Being During Emerging Adulthood, Amala Vadukumcherry, Japji G. Madan, Kaleigh Cummings, Riya Vadaliya

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The present study explores the associations between future time perspective and perceptions of social support and their influence on psychological well-being in emerging adulthood. The sample consisted of 334 emerging-adults between the ages of 18-25(average-age18.76years, 267women). Subjects completed self-report measures of future time perspective, perceptions of social support, and psychological well-being.

Regression-results indicate that social-support and future time perspective together predict psychological well-being. Follow up tests using the procedures recommended by Aiken and West (1991) indicate that social support moderated the links between future time perspective and psychological well-being.

Specifically, emerging-adults with low-medium family support who see their future as …

The Universal Mass Function And Its Applicability To Organic Molecules, Gabrielle Andrews, Taylor Butler

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The ability to predict the yield when synthesizing an organic molecule is a challenging issue in organic chemistry and a major obstacle when planning multi-step organic synthesis. The Universal Mass Function (UMF) states that cosmic objects are in direct relation to each other and suggests that massive objects are much rarer than objects with lower masses. As a result, the following research aims to examine if the UMF theory is applicable to the field of organic chemistry, specifically to the yield prediction. The primary reaction conducted was completed in an aprotic environment. This reduction was performed on several different ketone …

Training Alters Joint Power Distributions During Running In National Football League Draft Preparation Players, Jacob Haberer

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The aim of this study was to compare joint-specific contributions to total lower limb joint power during a speed run in American style football players before and after a 6-week National Football League (NFL) draft preparation camp. Fifty-two players performed one 5-second treadmill run at 5.5 – 6.5 m/s before and after camp. Speed was consistent between tests. Bilateral hip, knee, and ankle power generation (positive) and absorption (negative) were calculated from kinematics and kinetics using inverse dynamics. Negative total limb power decreased for both limbs, significantly for the left (Z = - 2.113, p = .035, r = …

Understanding The Healthcare Needs Of Lgbtq+ Adults In South Florida, Vir Patel, Emilee Tennen, Christina Bedley, Dhruv Edamadaka

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Adults over the age of 65 represent 18% of Broward County's population. Over 886,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) individuals live in Florida, with 43,000 LGBTQ+ seniors residing in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Lifetime stigma, discrimination, and structural stressors impacting their social determinants of health (SDOH) engender negative long-term health outcomes, such as elevated rates of mental health and substance abuse issues, among LGBTQ+ adults. The purpose of this study is to assess the SDOH that affect LGBTQ+ adults in South Florida and their interests in community health events. 110 LGBTQ+ adults who attended either the …

Unraveling The Complexities Of Gulf War Illness: Insights From Symptom Clustering And Laboratory Analysis, Anushka Agrawal

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic condition impacting a subset of veterans who served during the Gulf War of 1990–1991. Exposure to extreme stress, endocrine-disrupting chemical agents, and mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) has been implicated in the development of persistent and overlapping symptoms. Understanding the associations between symptoms and laboratory findings is critical for developing more effective therapeutic strategies.

In this study, observational analysis was conducted on a cohort of GWI veterans to explore potential biomarkers and symptom patterns. The dataset included self-reported health surveys (SF36, MFI-100), laboratory panels (cortisol stress tests, cytokine profiles, CD cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, …

Write To Calm: How College Students Use Writing To Manage Stress And Anxiety, Tanvi Rudrangi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Writing has gained attention for its mental health benefits, particularly among high-stress populations, such as adolescents and young adults. College students, facing academic pressures, social challenges, and transitions to adulthood, are an ideal group for studying the potential therapeutic impact of this practice. This study explores how college students use writing as a tool to manage stress and anxiety. The different forms of writing therapy, a technique involving writing to process emotions and experiences, that are explored in this study include free-form journaling, expressive writing (e.g., letters, personal essays, etc.), creative writing (e.g., poetry, stories, etc.), and structured writing, which …

Yoga Nidra As A Non-Pharmacological Intervention For Improving Mood, Bharath Kumar, Reddy Burri, Shravya Konatam

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Yoga Nidra, a meditative practice blending relaxation and guided imagery, has shown potential as a non-invasive, accessible intervention for stress and mood disorders. This study investigated the effects of Yoga Nidra (iRest) on psychological mood and physiological markers, focusing on its neural engagement and sleep modulation in a sample of 21 college-age participants (6 males). Participants completed a Yoga Nidra condition involving EEG and EDA monitoring, followed by mood assessments using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Neural activity patterns indicated that higher alpha and beta wave engagement during Yoga Nidra were associated with improved vigor and reduced fatigue and …

Percent Cover Of Porifera Species On Red Mangrove Roots In Key Largo, Lindsay Scherer, Jayleen Spaulding, Charlotte Gifford, Marissa Langnickel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sponges (Porifera) and mangroves (Rhizophoraceae) have a mutualistic symbiotic relationship: the mangrove provides a stable habitat for the sponge and carbon needed for sponge growth, while the sponge provides inorganic nitrogen necessary for mangrove development. Understanding the relationship between these species is important because this relationship allows both to grow faster and thrive in their environment. This study used photographs of quadrats framing the target species to investigate the percent coverage of Porifera on mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) roots in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida. It was expected that there …

The Therapeutic Potential Of Telmisartan On Male And Female Mice Subjected To A High Fat Diet, Julianna Bonetti, Ariana Hernandez, Iliana Uribe, Victoria Pulido-Correa, Chana Vogel, Natalia Noto

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A high-fat diet gives rise to metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for developing obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia resulting in cardiovascular disease. Overactivation of the brain renin-angiotensin system (b-RAS), mainly through the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT₁R), causes vasoconstriction and neuroinflammation, thereby increasing the likelihood of neurodegenerative disorders. Telmisartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that is selective for the AT₁R type, typically used to treat hypertension, can also reduce weight gain, while improving dyslipidemia and glucose metabolism in male mice fed a high-fat diet. However, whether telmisartan can reverse behavioral changes …

Growth And Survival Of Sexually Propagated Land-Reared Brain Corals During An Intermediate Offshore Nursery Phase, Emma Horton

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Florida’s Coral Reef has degraded from significant stony coral loss due to global and local stressors, including heat stress, disease, and coastal development, leading to reduced natural coral recruitment. Assisted sexual propagation in land-based nurseries can increase the number of genetically unique corals available for restoration efforts. A grow-out phase, in which land-reared corals are placed into an offshore nursery before outplanting on the reef, is often employed to allow corals time to grow and acclimate to the ocean environment. However, research on the performance of recruits within offshore nursery settings remains limited. Here we examine the growth and survival …

Volleyball Serve Analysis Using A Wearable Electroencephalograph (Eeg) Device In Collegiate Athletes, Taylor Stockman

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The volleyball serve is a crucial skill within the sport. Service errors drastically change the momentum of the game, and understanding how to reduce these errors could create positive outcomes for players. The study will utilize the electroencephalograph (EEG) device to analyze brain activity and record the four types of brain waves: alpha, beta, theta, and delta. The added component of the self-report survey will aid in exploring individual differences of athlete’s connection between brain function and volleyball serves. The purpose of this study is to assess collegiate volleyball players brain function during volleyball serves using a wearable EEG. Participants …

Spend/Thrift, Jocelyn Saccucci, Mia Alvarado, Matthew Mccall

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In this short documentary, Mako TV talks to college-age South Florida locals to find out why thrifting is becoming popular among them. People cite many different reasons for wanting to purchase items secondhand, with the most prevalent being the lower cost. Many individuals struggle with financial hardships and find thrifting an easier solution than buying items from firsthand stores. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, there are unique difficulties that owners of local thrift stores face with keeping their stores open. The documentary shows that any stigma that previous generations may have had about thrift stores is not as common with …

The Brain's Plasticity Past The Cortex: Investigating The Portrayal Of Glial Cells In Neuroplasticity And Disease Rehabilitation, Sofia Valladares

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Neuroplasticity, the brain’s capability to reorganize and create new neural connections, has consistently been assigned to neurons. Still, up-and-coming research highlights the important role of glial cells: astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, in adjusting synaptic plasticity, carrying out neuronal survival, and clearing the way for network reconstruction. This research aims to investigate how glial cells influence and contribute to the brain’s flexible response and evaluate their possible future as therapeutic targets for conditions like traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer’s disease. Glial cells have proved to regulate neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal network reconstruction, proposing their potential as treatment objectives. By …

Uncovering Alzheimer's One Sense At A Time, Maya Totev, Marcus Marek Tortorella, Dylan Kurni

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting 55 million people worldwide and is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. Without effective interventions, diagnoses are expected to quadruple by 2050. One major barrier to treatment is the difficulty of detecting AD early, limiting the opportunity for timely intervention prior to the accumulation of significant, irreversible brain pathology. Therefore, developing specific, sensitive biomarkers is crucial for early diagnosis as it enables timely intervention and can potentially slow disease progression. Electronic-senses (E-senses) technology, which mimic human senses like olfaction and gustation, show promise in detecting changes in health …

Media Representation And Public Perception Of Supreme Court Decisions, Estrella G. Romero Barriola

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This research project explores how inadequate, or oversimplified media portrayals can distort public understanding of the United States Supreme Court’s (the Court) intricate decisions. Through a close examination of notable cases like Bush v. Gore and Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, in addition to other important rulings from the current 6-3 Court majority, the study investigates how partisan narratives and selective information shape public perception. It examines how media framing can obscure essential legal principles and foster misunderstandings about the judiciary’s function and neutrality. Furthermore, the project considers how the current Court, frequently viewed as favoring a particular ideological …