Digital Commons Network^™

Educational Services And Language Congruency In Low-Income Children Who Are Deaf Of Hard-Of-Hearing, Courtney J. Austin, Dylan Chan, Jihyun Stephans

Research Colloquium

Background: Children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) are required by United States law to have access to educational services through the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). However, access to language-congruent providers, as well as supplemental services, varies considerably. Household income is associated with poorer hearing care access and outcomes in DHH children. We predict that access to supplemental, language-congruent DHH services is poorer in DHH children from lower-income homes.

Methods: This is a secondary, ad hoc exploratory study of DHH children aged 0-27 months enrolled in a randomized clinical trial (CT.gov: NCT04928209). Children were enrolled across all …

A Puzzling Case Of Visual Disturbances Leads To A Fatal Neurodegenerative Diagnosis, Courtney J. Austin, Aaron Carrillo, Jennifer Rojas Huen, Victoria Parada

Research Colloquium

Background: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease in which early diagnosis is complicated by the presence of early non-specific and atypical presentations. Sporadic CJD (sCJD), the most common type of CJD, is caused by the spread of a disease-forming prion known as PrPSc. PrPSc multiplies and binds to the normal form of prion, or PrP, converting it to an abnormal, structurally altered disease form that spreads throughout the brain. sCJD can initially present with six different phenotypes: cognitive, affective, classic, visual (Heidenhain variant), atactic (Oppenheimer-Brownell variant), and indeterminate. The classic presentation of CJD includes rapidly progressive dementia with …

Material Hardship And Postpartum Depression: The Moderating Role Of Social Support Across Family Structures, Christine Pham, Chantal Uzoma, Monica Perez

Research Colloquium

Background: Economic hardship is a significant risk factor for postpartum depression (PPD), a condition with lasting impacts on maternal and child well-being (Agrawal et al., 2022). Although social support is theorized to buffer stress, little is known about whether its protective effects on PPD differ by family structure (Wang et al., 2023).

Objective: The objective of the current study is to examine whether higher social support moderates the association between material hardship and postpartum depression among new mothers and whether this relationship varies across marital status groups (married, cohabiting, single).

Methods: Data will be drawn from Wave 1 of the …

The Intersection Of Obesity And Breast Cancer In South Texas: Clinical Implications And Regional Disparities, Aura M. C. Calderon, Ivan Mogollon, Luis Salcedo, Jose Loayza, Diane Nguyen

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Breast cancer continues to be the most frequently identified malignancy among females in both Texas and the broader United States. Although South Texas presents a marginally diminished incidence rate overall, the area persists in confronting significant disparities in terms of disease burden and health outcomes. These discrepancies are particularly pronounced among Hispanic women residing in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), who encounter heightened probabilities of receiving diagnoses at advanced stages despite a lower general incidence rate. Structural inequities, such as restricted access to healthcare services, socioeconomic deprivation, and inadequate health literacy, interact with obesity-associated biological risk factors, thereby engendering …

From Resettlement To Employment: Bridging Barriers And Empowering Refugee Women Through Workforce Training In Tampa Bay, Mikayla William, Haley Mendillo, Aileen Pinell, Brittany Gordon

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Approximately 12,425 refugees aged 18-60, resettled in Hillsborough County in fiscal year 2023, highlighting a need for targeted programs supporting refugees in building career skills and gaining confidence in navigating the job market. Refugee women face unique challenges as they integrate into the U.S. workforce, including communication barriers, limited work history, and adapting to workplace norms. A workforce readiness program tailored to refugee women in Tampa Bay provides essential career development tools, fostering economic independence and integration through culturally sensitive training methods. Over a two-day program, a structured curriculum was implemented to accommodate varying educational backgrounds and English proficiency levels. …

Alternative Delivery Systems In Gene Therapy For Parkinson's Disease, Sebastian Rakowski, Mahek Khiantani, Aaryan Wali, Talia Koussayer, Ameera Jamil, J'Nya Harry

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor impairments resulting from dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra. Gene therapy presents a promising approach to restoring dopamine synthesis and alleviating PD symptoms. This study reviews and evaluates current gene therapy strategies, including the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentiviral vectors, as well as direct infusion of neurotrophic growth factors. By analyzing 50 peer-reviewed articles from 1993 to 2024, the project explores the therapeutic potential and limitations of these delivery systems. AAV and lentiviral vectors show promise in increasing dopaminergic function and sustained protein expression …

Impact Of Stat3 Inhibition On Tumour Progression And Immune Evasion In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Alejandra Santos, Anjali Mukkamalla, Saranya Nallamothu, Sandy Henin

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is a critical transcription factor that regulates cell growth, survival and immune responses. It is implicated in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), the most prevalent form of lung cancer categorized by aggressive tumour progression and high metastatic potential. NSCLC’s aggressiveness stems from the overactivation of STAT3, promoting cancer cell proliferation, survival, and invasion through mechanisms including genetic mutations, cytokine signalling and inflammatory pathways within the tumour microenvironment. This heightened STAT3 activity not only supports tumour growth but also suppresses anti-tumour immune responses and fosters an immunosuppressive environment. Currently, treatment for NSCLC patients …

Exploring The Role Of Hsv-1 In The Pathogenesis Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Kali Solages, Shruti Sreekanth, Anuita Kremsaliuk

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by excessive amyloid beta(Aβ) plaque and tau protein tangles in the brain. While the exact cause of AD remains unclear, recent research implicates viral vectors, particularly Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1), in its progression. This review investigates how HSV-1 infection can contribute to the development and transmission of AD through viral mechanisms, including pathological amyloid beta and tau protein deposition. A systematic review of 30 peer reviewed articles from the past 10 years was conducted, focusing on HSV-1’s influence in AD, using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar with …

Point Of Care Ultrasound (Pocus): No Hocus Among Anesthesiologists, Natalie A. Brin, Andrea Camila Marcano-Rodriguez, Muhamed Jaber, Grace Victoria Faberlle, Ryan Singh

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Andrea Camila Marcano-Rodriguez, Natalie Andrade Brin, Muhamed Muntaser Jaber, Grace Victoria Faberlle, Ryan Singh Faculty Mentor: Dr. Donna Lee Ettel-Gambino (Judy Genshaft Honors College) An anesthesiologist’s ability to recognize the intrinsic utility of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) as a diagnostic tool may improve patient safety, decrease anesthesia time, and maximize patient outcomes.1 Evidence suggests that POCUS is a safe, inexpensive, non-invasive, portable, and easily accessible perioperative tool. The purpose of study was to identify the anesthesiologists’ systems and processes for clinical decision-making utilizing POCUS for patients during the perioperative phases of care. A MANOVA was conducted to identify differences …

Economic Impact Of Nicotine Addiction: A Multi-Stakeholder Cost Analysis, Shikha Patel

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Extensive research has examined the health consequences of nicotine addiction, but economic analyses incorporating multiple stakeholder perspectives remain scarce. This study quantifies the annual financial burden of nicotine addiction across users, employers, and insurers. A systematic analysis was conducted on direct and indirect costs, utilizing data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Bureau of Labor Statistics, and insurance industry reports (2022-2024). The financial impact was assessed for each stakeholder, including consumption expenses, productivity losses, healthcare utilization, and insurance claims. The estimated annual economic burden of nicotine addiction was ₹1,773.4 billion in India, while in the U.S., costs …

Effects And Risks Of Pediatric Malnutrition On Neurodevelopmental Disorders And Cognitive Decline, Aminata A. Thiam, Ana M. Beatriz, Katie-Linn Poindexter, Mandy Jiang, Maxx Struhs, Valerie Vargas Ardila

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Malnutrition during early childhood is a significant risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and cognitive decline (CD), with lasting effects into adulthood. Deficiencies in essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, hinder the proper development of the brain, leading to issues such as attention deficits, cognitive delays, and neurological disabilities. This project aims to examine the effects of pediatric malnutrition on neurodevelopmental outcomes and assess the metrics used to analyze cognitive outcomes in pediatric patients. Utilizing electronic databases such as PubMed and JAMA Network, a systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate the impact of CD and NDD …

Government Expenditure On Education And Its Impact On Access To Higher Education In The U.S. And Germany, Miguel Barrero Garcia, Minh Anh Nguyen

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

On the surface level there seems to be a discrepancy between access to higher education in the U.S. and Germany, so we would like to explore its connection with government expenditure on education. How does government spending on education in Germany and the U.S. differ and how does it shape access to higher education? The research is being conducted by going over different studies on how each country’s government treats education and spends on it. Research will also be done on access to higher education in both countries and what other factors, aside from government expenditure on education, could affect …

A Comparative Analysis Of Healthcare Systems: The United States And Germany, Catherine Ugwu, Belinda Solis

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Healthcare systems around the world can differ significantly in areas such as their structure and accessibility. This study compares key aspects of the German and American healthcare systems, focusing on an unbiased comparison of the two. Germany’s healthcare system, grounded in its Basic Law of “Grundgesetz”, ensures universal access to medical care using their main system of statutory health insurance (SHI) and private insurance. In contrast, the U.S. operates a fragmented healthcare system characterized by a mix of private and public insurance, leading to significant disparities in coverage and costs. By analyzing these differences, this study highlights the strengths and …

Impact Of Background Music In Information Retention Techniques On Short-Term Memory In Engineering Students, Eduardo Barbosa Sanchez, Beatriz Primo E Silva, Ana Carolina Rezende Neves

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The relationship between background music and memory retention is a growing area of interest, particularly among students who frequently use music during study sessions. According to the Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, around 75% of students listen to music while studying. Based on a Harvard publication, understanding short-term memory is essential for study efficiency, as it is influenced by word exposure modes, auditory environments, and individual factors. This study investigates the impact of auditory environments on short-term memory retention in College of Engineering students aged 18–25. Using a within-subject factorial design combined with a Randomized Complete Block Design, …

Assessing The Effectiveness And Implementation Of Artificial Intelligence In Detecting And Preventing International Financial Crimes: A Case Study Of The United Kingdom, Robert J. Dalton

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Financial crime has been an issue that has plagued the world for as long as the concept of trade has existed. With the rise of the digital age and globalization, financial crime has continuously and significantly evolved, with increasingly complex and intricate methods of financial crime and fraud being committed each year. Government organizations and financial institutions are having to constantly overcome new barriers and challenges to monitor financial crimes due to their evolving nature. Artificial intelligence, a new technology that is being constantly researched and explored, has the potential to innovate current and new technologies within the financial intelligence …

Evaluating Impact Of Congenital Zika Virus Infection On Reproductive Health And Neonatal Outcomes In Latin America, Adrianna Soto, Maria Ivanova, Amanda Chinea, Daniela Davila, Ana Laura Alcantara Nascimento, Michelle Rodriguez, Valerie Vargas Ardila

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) represents a severe and multifaceted outcome of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy, with far-reaching implications for both maternal and neonatal health. ZIVK, transmitted through the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector, has been linked to a range of birth defects, most notably microcephaly. CZS also increases the risk of other complications such as stillbirth, miscarriage, neonatal death, and a spectrum of congenital malformations. Between 2015 and 2016, over 2,000 confirmed cases of microcephaly linked to ZIVK were reported in Brazil, underscoring the epidemic as a public health crisis, particularly in Latin America, where environmental and socio-economic …

Evaluating The Effect Of Competition On Adult Physical Activity Using Heart Rate Monitoring, Julia De Paula Silva

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

As of 2023 it has been reported that the United States is facing a physical inactivity crisis, with approximately 24.2% of adults meeting the recommended engagement levels of physical activity (PA). A lack of PA engagement is associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and types of cancer (e.g., colon, breast). Therefore, the purpose of the proposed study is to develop a cost-effective behavioral intervention to promote PA among adults. This study will recruit dyads of existing friends between ages 18–65 who engage in low levels of PA (i.e., at least 45 min per week). …

Future Critical Habitat For The Roseate Spoonbill In Florida: A Probabilistic Habitat Suitability Model Based On County Population Growth And Existing Spoonbill Sightings, Ria R. Reynolds

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Historically, studies surrounding future conservation practices for the roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) have been scarce, instead focusing on ecosystem/community based spatial analyses. The roseate spoonbill has long acted as both a flagship species for conservation and ecotourism and an indicator species of wetland health. However, the lack of focus on this species in research only aids in the disjointed classification of their vulnerability levels – the IUCN Red List labeling them as a species of least concern while the Gulf Coast Vulnerability Assessment describes them as highly vulnerable with the lowest capacity to adapt. An individualized assessment of the roseate …

The United States’ Secret Warfare Against Democracy, Ashtyn J. Smith

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

This study examines the methods used by the U.S government to orchestrate the overthrow of the democratically elected Guatemalan president Jacobo Árbenz in 1954, by focusing on declassified CIA and State Department documents. Through operation PBSUCCESS, the U.S employed a combination of psychological warfare, economic pressure, diplomatic isolation, and paramilitary operations to destabilize the Árbenz administration. CIA documents reveal the role of propaganda campaigns, assassination proposals, and the arming of opposition forces to create internal chaos. By using primary sources such as CIA memos, and the Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) archives, this research will outline the step-by-step …

Cardiopulmonary Interactions In Heart Failure And Chronic Lung Disease, Krish Makhija, Rithvik Bhathivi, Riya Narwani, Stuti Dibbur

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Globally, cardiovascular diseases, which are directly related to cardiopulmonary interactions, affect over half a billion people and cause 20.5 million deaths in 2021. Cardiopulmonary interactions refer to the complex interactions between the heart and lungs, particularly in diseases where dysfunction in one organ significantly impacts the other. This research aims to discover treatments and prevention methods for Cardiopulmonary Interactions in Heart Failure and Chronic Lung Disease. The aim is to help find early detections of these diseases and educate the public on how to prevent these diseases. A systematic review analyzed 22 peer-reviewed studies out of 45 from 2010 to …

Gpcr-Mediated Mechanisms In Obesity: The Role Of Ghrelin And Glp-1 Receptors​, Ryan Singh, Tuana Cenberoglu, Jonathan Budlong, Jaclyn Alejandro, Andrea Weitoschova, Libin Ye

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate metabolism and transmit appetite cues throughout the brain and digestive system. Binding to GPCRs, ghrelin, and GLP-1 are ligands that influence hunger, energy balance, and insulin secretion. Understanding the relationship between GPCRs and ligands such as ghrelin and GLP-1 offers critical insights into treating metabolic disorders such as obesity, a growing issue in America. Our methodology involved a literature review using USF, NIH, and JSTOR databases. Search terms like “GPCR obesity,” “GLP-1 obesity,” and related keywords identified articles from 2000 onward, yielding 59 studies on GLP-1 and ghrelin in obesity. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), initially …

The Effects Of Sleep Deprivation On Cognitive Function Of University Students, Ikshita Achanta, Anthony Hamati, Vanessa Singh, Joanne Nguyen, Rebecca Pothen, Reneta Pothen, George Malki, Bhavisha Hirani

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Sleep is vital for college students, directly influencing their cognitive, emotional, and physical health, which are crucial for academic success and overall well-being. Sleep deprivation affects memory consolidation, learning, focus, problem-solving, and decision-making, all of which are essential for retaining knowledge, applying it in assignments, and excelling academically. By strengthening neural connections, adequate sleep enhances critical thinking and productivity, while its absence leads to reduced concentration and impaired cognitive performance. Sleep deprivation tends to affect multiple areas of the brain in regard to neural activity, alertness, and cognitive function. Our investigation examines the impact of sleep deprivation on undergraduate cognitive …

Book Review: Coexistence: Stories, Gabrielle Velazquez

History in the Making

No abstract provided.

Film Review: Wicked Part 1, Isai Martinez

History in the Making

No abstract provided.

Megastructures: Forced Labor And Massive Works In The Third Reich, Randi Stoner

History in the Making

No abstract provided.

A Familiar Taste: Considerations On Honey In California’S Historical Record, Ahlys Gandara

History in the Making

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Elite Patriot Women, Anthony Luna

History in the Making

This research paper explores the overlooked yet pivotal contributions of elite patriot women had on the American Revolution. It argues that their participation in the revolution was instrumental in shaping its outcome through grassroots organizing, frontline support, and propaganda creation. While men like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton dominated popular narratives, women from influential families played critical roles by organizing boycotts, producing goods, delivering intelligence, and rallying financial and moral support for the Continental Army. This study investigates how elite women such as Mercy Otis Warren, Sarah Fulton, Esther DeBerdt Reed, and Martha Washington didn’t just support the revolution from …

Reverberations Of The 1950s Puerto Rico Nationalist Independence Movement, Gustavo Alonso Chamu

History in the Making

In the first half of the twentieth century, the nationalist movement in Puerto Rico, led by Harvard Law School graduate Pedro Albizu Campos (1893–1965), firmly called for the independence of the island. Its supporters made vociferous calls against the exploitation of the island by the United States government, its military and multinational corporations. Their campaign for independence culminated on October 30, 1950, with small-scale armed insurgencies across Puerto Rico, the Governor’s residence in San Juan, and the attacks against then President Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) at Blair House, Washington D.C. While a combination of domestic and foreign actors played significant …

The Black Curse: The Curse Of Ham And The Mark Of Cain As Justification For Black Subjugation, Margaret Phillips

History in the Making

The concept of race, particularly the construction of blackness and anti-blackness, emerged during the Medieval and Early Modern periods around the Mediterranean and its surrounding cultures. It is a concept of religious origin, in that it first depended on the worldview of the Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam— and their interpretations of the narratives surrounding the Biblical figures Cain and Ham. This established the “mark” of black skin as a curse placed by the Abrahamic God that made up the foundational justifications for racial hierarchies and the subjugation of black Africans. The convenient narrative framed blackness as inherently inferior and …

Introduction And Acknowledgements, Editors Of History In The Making

History in the Making

No abstract provided.