Digital Commons Network^™

Efficacy Of Curcumin As An Ayurvedic Adjunct To Standard Therapy In Patients With Mild To Moderate Ulcerative Colitis, Varsha S. George

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective:

To evaluate the current evidence regarding curcumin as an adjunctive therapy for adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis(UC) and determine whether using it with standard medical therapy improves clinical remission, clinical response/symptom control, and endoscopic remission compared  with standard therapy alone

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta analyses published between 2014 and 2026 evaluating adjunctive curcumin for UC. Studies of adults with mild-moderate UC receiving adjunctive curcumin were included. Pediatric populations, severe UC, and studies lacking clinical or endoscopic outcomes were excluded.. Five …

Oxybenzone In Sunscreen: Examining Human Health Implications, Madelyn Landsteiner

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current evidence regarding the human health effects associated with exposure to oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) containing sunscreen in individuals using sunscreen products. This review examined outcomes, including systemic absorption, endocrine function, and reproductive health, while considering established benefits of sunscreen for skin cancer prevention.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed publications identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Valparaiso University library database. Selected studies included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, pharmacokinetic studies, observational studies, and toxicological research. Literature evaluating systemic absorption, endocrine disruption, reproductive health effects, biomonitoring data, and regulatory safety …

The Therapeutic Effects Of Bee Venom And Its Implication For Future Practice, Anna Speckhard

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: Bee venom acupuncture (BVA) has been used in Asia for its anti-inflammatory effects for hundreds of years, and recently it has proposed anti-cancer effects. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of bee venom to determine its use in future medical practice.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using the databases PubMed and Google Scholar with search terms including bee venom therapy, BVA, pain, cancer, and melittin. Inclusion criteria were studies investigating bee venom in the context of pain or cancer. Exclusion criteria were studies with no evaluation of bee venom and endpoints …

“Beyond Weight Loss: Evaluating The Anti-Inflammatory Potential Of Glp-1 Receptor Agonists In Hidradenitis Suppurativa”, Lindsey Roos

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this narrative literature review was to evaluate the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) as adjunctive therapy in adults with moderate-to-severe Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The clinical question explored whether GLP-1 RAs improve disease severity, flare frequency, quality of life, and metabolic outcomes in patients with obesity or metabolic dysfunction.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed Central, Christopher Center Library, NIH resources, Research Rabbit, and JAMA Dermatology. Studies published from 2019 to 2025 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included adults with clinically confirmed moderate-to-severe HS (Hurley stage II–III), measurable baseline disease severity, …

Arrythmias In Autoimmune Diseases: Immune-Mediated Mechanisms And Management, Kamala P. Tamirisa, Jorge A. Irizarry-Caro, Ian Curnutt, Devika Adusumilli, Mia Jose, Meenakshi Jolly, Estelle Torbey, Annabelle S. Volgman

Student Publications

Autoimmune diseases substantially increase the risk of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death through shared immune-mediated mechanisms. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, autoantibodies, and progressive myocardial fibrosis disrupt ion channel function, impair conduction, and create re-entrant substrates. Across systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic sclerosis (SSc), these pathways manifest as atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, conduction disease, and heightened arrhythmic mortality. Anti Ro/SSA antibodies, in particular, contribute to QT prolongation and atrioventricular (AV) block, while cytokines such as TNF α, IL 1β, and IL 6 remodel electrophysiological properties and promote fibrosis. Advanced cardiac imaging, especially cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), …

A Review Of Bast Fibres And Their Composites: Part 5 ~ Sustainability, Luke Branca, Badr Moutik, John Summerscales

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology for the evaluation of the (relative) potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle. It is standardised under the ISO14040 and ISO14044 series. When conducted rigorously, LCA provides a quantitative framework for comparing environmental impact and can challenge or substantiate common assumptions regarding environmental performance of the system. However, it is essential that any reported results are read in combination with the defined goal and scope, as the choice of the system boundary and/or the allocation of burdens and other methodological choices can influence the outcome presented. This review will …

The Aging Muscle Phenotype Of C57bl/6j Wild-Type Mice, Gaurav Shingote

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Aging causes a slow and progressive loss of muscle fiber number and size. Sarcopenia is termed as an age-related loss of muscle mass and function. Here, we characterized the aging skeletal muscle phenotype of C57Bl/6J wildtype mice. 30 weeks old (young) and 2 years old (aged) C57Bl/6J wildtype male mice were utilized in this study. The body weight and hind leg muscle weight were recorded during collection. The hind leg muscle Tibialis anterior (TA) was OCT embedded, cut at the mid- belly region, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain as per our previously published protocol. The 20X images …

Efficacy Of Monoclonal Antibody Treatment On Lowering Infectious Disease Burden In U.S. Elderly Patients, Lyndsey M. White, Daniel Johnson, A'Niya Jackson, Laiba Majid

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Older adults in the United States experience a high burden of infectious diseases due to age related immune decline, reduced vaccine responsiveness, and increased comorbidities. Monoclonal antibody therapies are an important strategy for lowering this burden because they provide immediate and highly specific immune protection. This review evaluates the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies in reducing infectious disease severity in elderly populations and examines how neutrophils and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps interact with antibody based treatments. Throughout the review, these therapies have been shown to be successful against multiple infectious diseases, and clinical findings suggest that hospitalized elderly or …

Accelerating Protein Engineering: Using Computer Modeling To Identify Beneficial Interleukin-23 (Il-23) Mutations, Andrew S. Chadwell

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) regulates inflammation, yet its overproduction, driven by genetics or overactive immune triggers, can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases like psoriasis. IL-23 consists of two subunits; an exclusive subunit, p19, and a second subunit, p40, that is shared with Interleukin-12. Driving selectivity of p19-p40 interactions promotes a shift in cytokine formation between IL-23 and IL-12. By integrating computational biology, protein engineering, and structural data from the RCSB Protein Data Bank (entry 4RGW), the research addressed structural challenges like unresolved regions in experimental structures and the difficulty of predicting beneficial mutations. Structural modeling using ColabFold, a prediction tool based on …

Annotation Of The Immunity Cassette In Ay Cluster Phage Lebruni, Kelis Brown, Mehalia Hoyte, Ella King, Bianca Kulcsar, Zayda Perez

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Bacteriophages typically follow either a lytic or lysogenic life cycle, yet the genetic mechanisms controlling the decision in Arthrobacter phages remain poorly understood. In the well-studied phage Lambda, various proteins are found to regulate the control between lysogeny and lysis. Inspired by this model, this research project investigates whether LeBruni contains immunity genes and a defined immunity cassette. LeBruni genes were annotated and analyzed using bioinformatics tools such as NCBI Blast, HHPred, PhageDB, and Phamerator to predict functions of the gene products. The immunity cassette in LeBruni determined to span genes 39 – 54, with gene 39 encoding a tyrosine …

Strategies To Improve Car-T Efficacy: Preconditioning, Gene Knockouts, And Enhancing Infiltration, Safa A. Khan, Salvina Alexander, Duy Anh Khuc, Tumaris Jarkinova, Fatema-Zahra Vhora, Neha Kunka, Rebecca Detweiler

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a powerful form of immunotherapy that has shown success in treating blood cancers. CAR-T cells often face challenges that limit their overall effectiveness; hence, researchers are focusing on strategies that improve how well CAR-T cells survive, grow, and target cancer cells. This review was conducted to analyze how CAR-T cells are constructed, highlight the major barriers that limit CAR-T’s efficacy, and determine how to improve it through preconditioning, gene knockouts, and enhanced infiltration. Literature was found through the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The following key search terms and synonyms were …

Comparative Analysis Of Car-T Cell Therapy Across Cancer Subtypes: Influence Of Antigen Binding Properties On Efficacy And Safety, Isabella Ware, Nadia Rohani, Kai Peñalosa, Samia Khan, Selena Berhie, Sreehitha Sajja

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

CAR-T cell therapy is a personalized immunotherapy that genetically engineers a patient’s own immune T-cells in a lab to recognize and attack specific cancer cells. CAR-T cell therapy has shown remarkable success in hematologic malignancies, where antigen expression is highly uniform. The research question that was addressed is “To what extent does antigen heterogeneity and downregulation in solid tumors reduce CAR-T cell cytotoxicity compared with the more uniform antigen expression seen in hematologic malignancies?” CAR-T cell cytotoxicity is measurably reduced in solid tumors due to the tumor’s capacity to alter antigen expression and downregulate CAR proteins whereas hematologic malignancies exhibit …

Reproductive Equity: A Comparative Chemical Analysis Of Emerging Male Contraception Technology, Grace Kim, Esmaralda Pilar-Lopez

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Female oral contraceptives, although abundant in access and successful as contraceptives, pose significant risks to women’s health. Biosocial factors that discourage male contraceptive drugs include harmful hormonal changes and inconsistent efficacy. This research employs comparative analysis of three current methods on potential male contraceptive options, focusing on steroid chemistry, functional group modification, and bioavailability. Emerging male contraceptive drugs of interest include the non-hormonal retinoic acid (vitamin A) receptor to antagonize sperm production, blocking the sperm-specific 〖Ca〗^(+2)  ion channel, and a reversible “Chemical Plug” that limits sperm movement at the vas deferens. Through comparison, this research will use six references to …

How Has Western Biomedical Framing Of Type 2 Diabetes Shaped Prevention And Treatment In South Asian Populations?, Amrita Nayak, Sreehitha Sajja

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

This paper examines how Western biomedical framing of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has shaped prevention and treatment strategies in South Asian populations, often with limited effectiveness. The dominant Western model emphasizes individual responsibility, standardized dietary guidelines, and generalized treatment protocols. While these approaches have proven useful in broader populations, they frequently fail to address the distinct biological, cultural, and structural realities that influence T2D risk among South Asians. A key limitation lies in the underrecognition of earlier metabolic risk. South Asian individuals tend to develop T2D at younger ages and lower body mass index (BMI) levels compared to European populations, …

It's In Your Dna: A Comprehensive Overview Of Forensic Genetic Genealogy And The Future Of Profiling Methods And Legal Implications, Selah A. Thompson

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) is a relatively modern and transformative technique within the field of forensics that allows for precise scientific identification of suspects or victims through DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) analysis, primarily consisting of analyses of Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) found within samples of DNA. While FGG is quite new within the field, the applications for accurate, scientific-based analysis of crime scenes can help make an unsolvable case something that can be resolved, including some of the most famous cold cases of the past century. Current FGG technology provides incredibly valuable investigative leads, but current …

Determination Of The Degree Of Channeling Present Between Separate Catalytic Domains In Rat Peptidyl-Glycine Alpha-Amidating Monooxygenase, Chloe E. Jones, Tyler Holets, David J. Merkler

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Rat Peptidyl-Gly Alpha-Amidating Monooxygenase, or PAM, is the ortholog of the enzyme in humans solely responsible for amidating bioactive peptides to enable full biological function. The enzyme is composed of two catalytic domains held together by a flexible linker. The first domain is the copper-containing peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase, or PHM, which α-hydroxylates the peptidyl-glycine substrates. The second domain is the zinc-containing peptidyl-α- hydroxyglycine α-amidating lyase, or PAL, which produces glyoxylate and the amidated peptide final product. In part due to the flexible linker between the domains, the mechanism of substrate transfer between PHM and PAL is poorly characterized. Channeling, or …

Exploring Stem Faculty Perceptions On The Barriers Of Community Engaged Learning, Chandni M. Rattansingh

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Calls to transform STEM education increasingly emphasize student-centered practices that move beyond passive lectures toward meaningful learning, preparing the future STEM workforce for complex, science-driven challenges. Community Engaged Learning (CEL) represents one such approach. While prior CEL research has largely focused on student outcomes, STEM faculty perceptions, especially regarding motivations, benefits, and barriers, remain understudied, despite faculty being central to CEL design and sustainability. This study investigates STEM faculty perceptions of the barriers to implementing CEL. We conducted 5 focus groups, each varying from 3-6 participants, intentionally separating adopters and non-adopters. Participants were STEM faculty from research-intensive universities holding the …

Optimization Of Antibiotic Selection Conditions In Human T-Cell Lines To Study Mechanisms Of Resistance To Bi-Specific Antibody Therapy In Multiple Myeloma, Raphael Gabra

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of plasma cells for which emerging therapies increasingly target B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). Many experimental approaches used to investigate therapeutic resistance rely on genetically modified cell populations that must be maintained through antibiotic selection to ensure stable expression of introduced constructs. However, antibiotic sensitivity varies across cell lines and drug types, and improper dosing can compromise experimental reproducibility by allowing unmodified cells to persist or inducing excessive cytotoxic stress. This study aimed to define efficient and practical selection conditions for two commonly used antibiotics, G418 and puromycin, in Jurkat and TALL-104 human T-cell lines. Cells …

Localization And Function Of Tgsfa2 During Tachyzoite Division In Toxoplasma Gondii, Tom Goro

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite infecting 30% of the global population. During host cell invasion, new parasites are formed through a budding process that partitions nuclei and organelles into daughters through a specialized form of division is known as endodyogeny. It involves closed mitosis, a single round of DNA replication, and coordinated organelle assembly within the mother cell. In cell division, centrosomes duplicate and serve as a central point for the reorganization of cytoskeletal structures known as microtubule organizing centers (MTOC). In typical eukaryotic cell division, centrosomes duplicate and migrate to opposite poles forming bipolar mitotic spindles required …

Cyclobenzaprine: Psychiatric Side Effects In Patients With Mood Disorders, Shelby R. Mcgrew, Michael Pestova-Habera

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Cyclobenzaprine, also known under the brand name Flexeril, is one of the most widely prescribed skeletal muscle relaxants globally. While treatment is typically limited to post-injury pain relief, long-term use has increased due to evidence of pain reduction in patients with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and temporomandibular joint disorder. Recently, cyclobenzaprine was found to be contraindicated for patients with bipolar disorder and other mood disorders. This is thought to result from its structural similarity to amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. As a result, some patients utilizing cyclobenzaprine for pain management may experience acute manic episodes following administration. This study reviews …

Investigation Of Antimicrobial Properties In Bacteria Of Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta) Nesting Beaches, Norah P. Nunez

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Identifying bacteria of Loggerhead turtle nesting beaches can shed light on antimicrobial properties of agents that could impact turtle hatchling survival. Bacteria from beaches in Fort de Soto and Lido Key were isolated and analyzed for antimicrobial properties, as these beaches are commonly Loggerhead nesting sites. Isolates were chosen for apparent inhibition of bacterial growth then tested against medically significant bacteria in two rounds of modified Kirby-Bauer. The identities of the bacteria were investigated through a series of differential and selective tests and confirmed with …

Gopher Tortoise Burrow Census And Population Estimate In The University Of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Conservation Area, Anthony J. Richard, Linda Vesser

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a threatened species in Florida, and both the tortoise and its burrow are protected in their range across the southeastern United States.  The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM) campus is home to a 6.6-acre conservation area that supports a population of gopher tortoises as well as other native and threatened plant and animal species. As an initial determination of population size, we mapped all current burrow locations using a Garmin GPSMAP 64st.  As tortoises spend most of their time inside their burrows, estimates of population size can be difficult.  However, burrow surveys are …

Testing Downstream Analysis Of Noninvasive Anoa Dna Samples Using The Mm12 Primer, Madisen Hamai

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is an endangered species of wild cattle endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. As anoa populations are expected to decline in future years, genetic analysis is important to monitor numbers and guide both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts. Because anoa avoid human interaction, noninvasive sampling methods of DNA collection are being tested. These methods minimize stress to the animal and allow scientists to measure genetic diversity within anoa populations and relatedness between individuals.

This study uses PCR amplification of a microsatellite to determine whether noninvasive DNA is suitable for population level analysis. The study uses …

Amplifying The Anoa: Noninvasive Genetic Amplification Of The Lowland Anoa With Csrm60, Haley B. Merkle

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is the smallest species of wild cattle in the world and is classified as endangered on the ICUN Red List. Noninvasive genetic assessment allows for collection of samples with minimal impact on animal welfare but can result in low-quality DNA or contamination. Little is known about effective forms of noninvasive sampling and the DNA analysis protocol that follows regarding the anoa. This study is part of a continuing collaborative investigation and helped gain insight into the suitability of noninvasive DNA for population research. To determine whether the DNA is suitable, a set of …

Evaluating Tgla126 For Pcr Amplification Of Noninvasive Dna Samples In The Lowland Anoa, Autumn Merkle

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is also known as the dwarf water buffalo endemic to the Island of Sulawesi. This species is considered endangered under the IUCN Red List with less than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Genetic research for anoa is insufficient because of population fragmentation and their avoidance of humans. Utilizing noninvasive samples alleviates the need for direct animal interaction and can provide DNA suitable for population level analysis of genetic diversity. DNA was previously isolated from anoa fecal and saliva samples. In this study, both fecal and saliva samples were tested, with focus on saliva samples. …

The Invasive Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura Similis): Insights From Diet, Parasites, And Genetics, Spence Gerber, Andre Aquino, Valentin Basarevskij, Abigail Pal

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis), native to Mexico and Central America, is invasive to Florida following its introduction in the 1980s. Research on C. similis integrates anatomical examination, parasite identification, genetic characterization, and gut content analysis to better understand its ecological impact. Specimens culled by authorized agencies were utilized as a source of otherwise unused biological samples. To date, nearly 30 carcasses have been dissected, yielding data on diet and endoparasite fauna as well as providing insight into the species’ potential effects on native ecosystems through resource competition and predation. Although their identification has been problematic, a …

Circadian Regulation Of Viral Replication And Immune Responses: Implications For Covid-19 And Other Viral Infections, Carolina Santa Cruz, Saanvi Dhala, Raneen Daoud, Arianna Skevington-Olivera, Ruhani Dashmesh, Arjun Tummala

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Circadian rhythms are 24-hour biological cycles regulating sleep, metabolism, and immune activity. Recent research shows circadian clock genes can influence immune responses. Studies on SARS-CoV-2 and influenza show clock genes regulate viral entry, replication, and immune signaling. However, their role in infection risk, immune defense, replication dynamics, and disease outcomes remains undefined. This study evaluates how circadian rhythms regulate viral replication and immune responses in COVID-19 and other viral infections. This review utilized PubMed to identify articles from the past five years using the terms “(immunity) AND (circadian) AND (viruses OR virus OR viral).”After reviewing 149 abstracts, 44 peer-reviewed articles …

How Do Grandiose And Vulnerable Narcissism Differ In Their Expression Of Physical Aggression Within Intimate Partner Violence, Ryan Dumrauf, Kianna Romero, Adam Ghonimy, Vincent Yang

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) involves the feeling of self-importance and apathy, divided into grandiose and vulnerable subtypes. Grandiose narcissism is characterized by dominance and confidence, while vulnerable narcissism reflects insecurity and sensitivity. However, patterns across these subtypes concerning physical aggression have minimal research. Thus, the study aims to identify differences between these subtypes with respect to physical aggression in intimate relationships. A comprehensive literature review was performed through reliable, academic engines with the following keywords: intimate partner violence, narcissism subtypes, physical aggression, and IPV narcissism, which yielded seventy-seven articles. These sources were screened for criteria constituting intimate partner violence, with …

Gender Differences In The Diagnosis Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: The Role Of Vulnerable Narcissism And Clinical Judgment, Shreya Patel, Marvel Abdelmalak, Madison Dumerlin, Deeley Nice, Forat Waleed, Arjun Tummala, Amanda Janner

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition categorized into grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Current guidelines used to evaluate NPD include the ICD-11 and DSM, however, the accuracy of their results is arguable. NPD presents differently in males vs. females which may lead to misdiagnosis. This study reviews how clinician judgements are influenced by the gender-based differences in the presentation of narcissistic traits while using current diagnostic guidelines, aiming to understand the misdiagnosis of NPD when the traits are less grandiose. A literature review was conducted through PubMed using the search terms: (“Narcissistic Personality Disorder” OR narcissism) AND (“gender differences” …

Examining The Effects Of Music Rhythm And Harmony On Emotional Arousal, Rebecca Nieves, Ioana Vasilescu, Srigopika Vibhavari Adiraju, Jakab Kabai, Chandler Castillon

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Music has long been acknowledged for its influence on the mind, most notably in its capacity to elicit measurable changes in emotional arousal. A stimulus will induce emotional arousal, or activation, that can be assessed through physiological measures (e.g., heart rate and brain activity) or self-reported emotional levels. While music’s emotional effects are established, the roles of features such as rhythm and harmony remain unclear. Harmony is created when sounds are united together, and rhythm is the pattern of music over time. This review examines how these influence emotional arousal, which may have relevance in music therapy development. The study …