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Designing Life Science Assessments In The Era Of Generative Artificial Intelligence, Andrew C. Kwong, Christopher Magnano, Christine Goglia, Joseph J. Loparo, John J. Peters Apr 2026

Designing Life Science Assessments In The Era Of Generative Artificial Intelligence, Andrew C. Kwong, Christopher Magnano, Christine Goglia, Joseph J. Loparo, John J. Peters

Biology Faculty Publications

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) algorithms have the potential to reshape education. Though GAI may help democratize access to education, it also presents many challenges for educators. Already, the ease of use of GAI has made it easier for students to bypass learning gains by prompting GAI for answers to assignments. Here, we assessed how ChatGPT performed on take-home assignments in a doctoral-level molecular biology course designed to train students in experimental design. Using Bloom’s taxonomy as a framework, we hypothesized that ChatGPT would perform similarly to doctoral students on lower cognitive levels involving memorization and underperform at higher levels that …

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Sports Equality In The Ring: All Genders Can Catch These Hands, Gordon Chan Apr 2026

Sports Equality In The Ring: All Genders Can Catch These Hands, Gordon Chan

International Law Journal

This Article examines the intersection of sports governance, gender identity, and international human rights law, using boxing as a central case study to explore the inclusion of transgender and nonbinary athletes. Tracing the historical and cultural evolution of gender participation in sports from ancient civilizations to contemporary institutions, the Article highlights how colonial, patriarchal, and pseudoscientific ideologies have long shaped the regulatory frameworks of modern sports. The doctrine of lex sportiva, which governs international sports through autonomous legal norms, is analyzed for its exclusionary gender practices and resistance to external legal oversight. Focusing on the World Boxing Council (WBC), the …

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The History Of Women In Neuroradiology In North America From 1990 To The Present, Vijay M. Rao Apr 2026

The History Of Women In Neuroradiology In North America From 1990 To The Present, Vijay M. Rao

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

From 1990 to 2024, women neuroradiologists in North America have made tremendous progress in the areas of leadership, clinical innovation, research, education, diversity, equity and inclusion, and global outreach. This chapter begins with summaries of their key accomplishments in four broad domains, followed by short biographical sketches of numerous luminaries organized by leadership roles and areas of expertise, and ending with conclusions and future directions.

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Screening Biostimulants To Enhance Early Growth Of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) Under Water-Limited Conditions, Claudia Garrido-Ruiz, James Frisby, Amita Kaundal, Youping Sun, Milena Maria Tomaz De Oliveira Apr 2026

Screening Biostimulants To Enhance Early Growth Of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) Under Water-Limited Conditions, Claudia Garrido-Ruiz, James Frisby, Amita Kaundal, Youping Sun, Milena Maria Tomaz De Oliveira

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Biostimulants offer a sustainable strategy to improve plant growth and stress resilience, particularly under limited water availability. We evaluated seven biostimulant treatments, including beneficial bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, seaweed extract with humic acid, and their combinations, on early growth and physiological responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under well–watered and drought-stressed conditions. Plants were assessed before and after a seven-day controlled drought period using a range of morphological and physiological traits, including height, effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII), stomatal conductance (gs), and leaf pigment profile. Results showed that microbial treatments that included Bacteria + …

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Bdcd: A Comprehensive Brain Disease Cell-Cell Communication Database, Xinyi Liu, Citu Citu, Wendao Liu, Nitesh Enduru, Andi Liu, Chia-Hao Tung, Zhongming Zhao Apr 2026

Bdcd: A Comprehensive Brain Disease Cell-Cell Communication Database, Xinyi Liu, Citu Citu, Wendao Liu, Nitesh Enduru, Andi Liu, Chia-Hao Tung, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Dysregulated cell–cell communication (CCC) is increasingly recognized as a driver of brain disease pathology, contributing to neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. Nevertheless, existing resources remain limited in brain specificity, regional coverage, and functional annotation. To address this gap, we develop the Brain Disease Cell-cell communication Database (BDCD), the first comprehensive resource focused on CCC networks across major brain diseases. BDCD integrates 38 manually curated datasets, comprising 8 519 425 single cells from single-cell RNA-seq studies and 140 744 spots from spatial transcriptomic maps, spanning 14 brain regions and 13 canonical cell types covering Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, …

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Photogrammetric Analysis Of Porites Lobata And Pocillopora Spp. Live Coral Cover At Devil's Crown, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Katherine Whitehouse, Preston Toutant Apr 2026

Photogrammetric Analysis Of Porites Lobata And Pocillopora Spp. Live Coral Cover At Devil's Crown, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Katherine Whitehouse, Preston Toutant

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Porites lobata and Pocillopora spp. are predominant scleractinian corals at Devil's Crown, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador that have been monitored for 48 years. Fluctuations in colony abundance and live tissue surface area of both taxa are associated with environmental variability driven by El Niño-Southern Oscillation. To better quantify colony number and live tissue cover of the two taxa, photogrammetry was utilized during a research expedition in May 2025. Two GoPro cameras were used during snorkel transects in the northwest (Porites) and northeast (Pocillopora) sectors of the shallow (2-3 m depth), elliptical submerged caldera to produce overlapping digital …

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The Hidden Map Of Women's Health: Predictors And Protectors Across Our Lives, Tasfia Howlader Apr 2026

The Hidden Map Of Women's Health: Predictors And Protectors Across Our Lives, Tasfia Howlader

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Women's health has constantly been changing-from public health infrastructure to health policies, and even medical advancements. Yet, the struggles are persistent within the gaps present in women's health. The Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) explains interactions between different levels of relationships, which result in health outcomes that vary from individual factors to environmental factors. Applying the SEM to describe health disparities can help explain how the relationships an individual has influenced their health. This project serves to exemplify these different levels while discussing the tailoring of services to the needs and the importance of populations based on their experiences. Specifically, adhering to …

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Judicial Legacy, Presidential Controversy: Ronald Reagan’S Appointment Of Sandra Day O’Connor, Katie Cassady Apr 2026

Judicial Legacy, Presidential Controversy: Ronald Reagan’S Appointment Of Sandra Day O’Connor, Katie Cassady

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

No abstract provided.

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Beyond Therapy Culture: Solutions For Our Digital Hubris, Spiritual Bankruptcy, And The Moral Imperative Of Humility, Giancarlo Newsome, Andrew Bibb, Merrick Davis Apr 2026

Beyond Therapy Culture: Solutions For Our Digital Hubris, Spiritual Bankruptcy, And The Moral Imperative Of Humility, Giancarlo Newsome, Andrew Bibb, Merrick Davis

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

No abstract provided.

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Parental Perceptions About Crispr And Other Biological Treatments For Fragile X Syndrome Compared With Sickle Cell Disease (2000-2025): Systematic Review Protocol, Ethan Hunter, Lukah Varghese, Mohit Belur, Prathiv Raj Ramesh Babu Apr 2026

Parental Perceptions About Crispr And Other Biological Treatments For Fragile X Syndrome Compared With Sickle Cell Disease (2000-2025): Systematic Review Protocol, Ethan Hunter, Lukah Varghese, Mohit Belur, Prathiv Raj Ramesh Babu

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a genetic condition associated with intellectual disability, while Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) comprises inherited red blood cell disorders. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) gene-editing therapies are currently being implemented for SCD but remain experimental for FXS. Understanding caregiver perspectives on CRISPR-based therapies is crucial because families play a central role in weighing risks/benefits during treatment decision-making. Synthesizing evidence on caregiver attitudes toward CRISPR-based therapies for FXS and SCD can help determine if perceptions observed with SCD can inform expectations for FXS. This systematic review will include qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies published between …

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Predicting Alzheimer's Disease Via Machine Learning Through Adni Data, Sahana Reddy Apr 2026

Predicting Alzheimer's Disease Via Machine Learning Through Adni Data, Sahana Reddy

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Since the neurological pathology, including protein deposits and neurodegeneration, starts a decade before cognitive, memory, and behavioral symptoms, AD development should be predictable from physical biomarkers. This study investigates how patients' memory and cortical brain thickness at baseline can predict their likelihood of developing AD through supervised machine learning. From baseline visits, 205 participants' data were extracted from the ADNI database, all designated as healthy control in the first visit, but some converted to AD or Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in later visits (Group 2), and some remained healthy (Group 1). The …

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Creatine: More Than Just A Gym Bro Supplement? An Evidence-Based Review Of The Safety And Efficacy Of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation, Lara Kotak Apr 2026

Creatine: More Than Just A Gym Bro Supplement? An Evidence-Based Review Of The Safety And Efficacy Of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation, Lara Kotak

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Creatine monohydrate (CrM) is an extensively researched supplement that has been used to enhance athlete performance, muscle mass, recovery, and even improve health span beyond athletes. Despite the plethora of reasearch supporting creatine supplementation at recommended dosages, misconceptions and further questions regarding its safety and effectiveness remain. Examples of existing concerns include the potential effects of creatine on hydration levels, renal and liver function, fat mass, hair loss, muscle cramping, and fertility. Additionally, there are questions regarding the safety and effectiveness of creatine across populations of such as children, adolescents, females, older adults, and pregnant individuals. Furthermore, inquiry about the …

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Time-Dependent Modulation Of Isr And Upr In Glioblastoma Stem Cells Using A Curcumin-Inspired Bis-Chalcone Analog, Abby Morrill, Carleigh Miller Apr 2026

Time-Dependent Modulation Of Isr And Upr In Glioblastoma Stem Cells Using A Curcumin-Inspired Bis-Chalcone Analog, Abby Morrill, Carleigh Miller

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor driven by therapy-resistant GBM stem cells (GSCs). GSC's rely on adaptive stress pathways like the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) and Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). Curcumin modulates these pathways but has poor bioavailability. We developed curcumin-inspired bis-clacone analogs with improved potency and selectivity against GSCs and tested efficiency using a time-course study. A series of bis-chalcone analogs were synthesized and tested against three patient-derived GSC lines using MTS assay (0.1-10 μM, 72 h). A lead derivative compound compatible with carbon dot nanoparticle conjugation was synthesized and evaluated for mechanistic consistency and GSC cytotoxicity. ISR/UPR …

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Marine Biodiversity Monitoring And Community Engagement On The Boulder Reefs Of Peanut Island, Sophia Oliveira, Luke Mckeon, Josie Larson, Raymond Hernandez, Triumph Perry, Lianna Rasimowicz Apr 2026

Marine Biodiversity Monitoring And Community Engagement On The Boulder Reefs Of Peanut Island, Sophia Oliveira, Luke Mckeon, Josie Larson, Raymond Hernandez, Triumph Perry, Lianna Rasimowicz

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Artificial boulder reefs were constructed along the shoreline of Peanut Island in Palm Beach County, Florida to enhance habitat complexity and provide a safe, accessible snorkeling experience for the island's many visitors. These nine boulder reefs support a diverse assemblage of marine organisms and offer an ideal setting for ecological monitoring. This project documents the fish, invertebrate, and coral species that utilize these structures and provides the public with accurate, easily accessible information about the organisms they may encounter while snorkeling. Monthly GoPro surveys employing a roving fish sampling technique were conducted on each reef to record new species observations …

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Evaluation Of The Use Of Longitudinal Data For Depression Research And Antidepressant Drug Discovery, Rojie Ekanayake, Niousha Mousavi Apr 2026

Evaluation Of The Use Of Longitudinal Data For Depression Research And Antidepressant Drug Discovery, Rojie Ekanayake, Niousha Mousavi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, affecting over 280 million people globally. Diagnosis of depression remains limited, and treatment is complicated due to the subjectivity of using psychometric scales for diagnosis. This has created a need for more objective methods for the diagnosis of depression and the assessment of the outcome of various treatment/management methods. These methods should consider a holistic approach encompassing biochemical, mental, and socioeconomic factors of patients. Longitudinal datasets, in the age of AI, offer an unprecedented opportunity for such an approach. Thus, it is hypothesized that the application of machine learning to …

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Investigating Oct3-Mediated Buprenorphine Transport As A Mechanism For Salivary Accumulation And Oral Toxicity, Laasya Vemparala, Veda Pesala, Sydni Gunpath, Mehtab Singh Apr 2026

Investigating Oct3-Mediated Buprenorphine Transport As A Mechanism For Salivary Accumulation And Oral Toxicity, Laasya Vemparala, Veda Pesala, Sydni Gunpath, Mehtab Singh

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In this study we prepared a 3D printed model to better understand OCT3-mediated buprenorphine transport. Buprenorphine is a high affinity partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor (μ-OR) and main component of Suboxone. It has a unique pharmacological profile that makes it effective for treating both pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) but has been linked to oral health issues such as dry-mouth and tooth decay. The exceptionally tight binding of suboxone to μ-OR allows for sustained receptor occupancy and reduced opioid misuse potential by patients. Recent evidence suggests that the Organic Cation Transporter 3 (OCT3), a membrane transporter expressed in …

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Comparative Evaluation Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Implications For Active Learning And Assessment In Global Stem And Health Sciences, Vinay Munlapudi Apr 2026

Comparative Evaluation Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Implications For Active Learning And Assessment In Global Stem And Health Sciences, Vinay Munlapudi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Today's all-pervasive emergence of Artificial intelligence (AI) necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of its role in education, especially for occupational disciplines in healthcare and STEM. AI has reshaped student learning and instructors' navigation of the evolving, post COVID-19 global academic landscape. This study aimed at encapsulating evidence-based AI implications for student-centered, active learning and assessment of STEM and health-science education in developed countries versus underprivileged communities. An exploratory, scoping review of 50 recent, scholarly journal-publications was conducted over six months through diverse search engines (Pub-Med, Google Scholar, and library databases) using keywords such as "Active learning with AI" and "Assessment of …

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Voice As A Bio-Marker Of Surgical Recovery: Classifying Post-Operative Ent Patients Using Vowel Acoustics, Habeeb Kotun Jr., Shumit Saha Apr 2026

Voice As A Bio-Marker Of Surgical Recovery: Classifying Post-Operative Ent Patients Using Vowel Acoustics, Habeeb Kotun Jr., Shumit Saha

Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) Conference

Voice has garnered significant interest as a biomarker for diagnosing and managing neurological, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases. However, upper airway surgeries such as septoplasty, tonsillectomy, and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) can substantially alter vocal tract anatomy, thereby changing vocal acoustics and potentially confounding voice-based diagnostic systems. This study investigates whether acoustic features from sustained vowels can differentiate between these procedures and a control group. Audio was collected from 105 Spanish-speaking participants 15 days pre surgery and 15 days post surgery. For each vowel, 121 chroma, cepstral, spectral, and temporal features were extracted and then reduced to 90 longitudinally responsive …

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Integrating Domain Knowledge And Machine Learning In Rice Cultivation: A Case Study Of Algeria, Sara Faruqui, Jane Krivosheev, Jenna Handal Apr 2026

Integrating Domain Knowledge And Machine Learning In Rice Cultivation: A Case Study Of Algeria, Sara Faruqui, Jane Krivosheev, Jenna Handal

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Research has highlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a promising solution to mitigate the threat of food insecurity. Rice, a staple in the global diet, is particularly vulnerable to heat stress caused by climate change. The challenges of climate change, population growth, and increased famine risk may be alleviated through the implementation of AI models in rice cultivation. For decades, agricultural workers have faced the dilemma of needing to increase crop yields while dealing with dwindling resources and the need for more efficient practices. AI models, however, are limited by the quality and scope of the data they receive. Integrating domain …

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Molecular Consequences Of Pcos-Linked Aromatase Variants: Structural Modeling And Inhibitor Docking, Kiran Sajnani, Bharath Kumar Reddy Burry, Yuktha Milukuri, Preya Patel Apr 2026

Molecular Consequences Of Pcos-Linked Aromatase Variants: Structural Modeling And Inhibitor Docking, Kiran Sajnani, Bharath Kumar Reddy Burry, Yuktha Milukuri, Preya Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 10% of reproductive-age women and involves hormonal imbalance partly driven by impaired estrogen synthesis. Aromatase (CYP19A1) catalyzes conversion of testosterone and androstenedione to estrogen, but structural consequences of PCOS-associated variants remain unclear. We investifated Val161Asp (V161D), a PCOS-linked substitution that replaces a nonpolar valine with a negatively charged aspartate in a hydrophobic helical region. Using the wild-type structure (PDB 3EQM), we generated a 3D-printed model highlighting the mutation and key catalytic features (heme, substrate-binding channel, conserved monooxygenase motifs). We then produced an AlphaFold V161D model and compared it with wild type in Jmol to …

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From Bedtime To Bacteria: A Sleep Extension Pilot Study Revealing Gut-Linked Pathways, Maya Totev Apr 2026

From Bedtime To Bacteria: A Sleep Extension Pilot Study Revealing Gut-Linked Pathways, Maya Totev

Undergraduate Student Symposium

While the gut contains trillions of bacteria that influence the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems, its implications in health interventions and wellness are often underappreciated. Lifestyle factors, including sleep duration and quality, influence gut microbiome composition and are linked to adverse health outcomes. While sleep extension is known to benefit health, emerging evidence suggests the gut microbiome and inflammatory pathways may help clarify these underlying mechanisms. This pilot study examined the effects of a two-week sleep extension on the gut microbiome composition in healthy adult females as part of a larger investigation of sleep, stress, and systemic inflammation. Participants completed …

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The Association Between Ultra-Processed Foods And Inadequate Sleep In Us Adults From Nhanes, 2005-2018, Seema Rajper Apr 2026

The Association Between Ultra-Processed Foods And Inadequate Sleep In Us Adults From Nhanes, 2005-2018, Seema Rajper

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Ultra-processed food (UPF), rich in sugar and fat, could affect sleep quality due to inflammation and hormonal imbalance. However, the population level data is scarce, and the findings are mixed, especially in adult populations. We examined associations between UPF consumption and odds of inadequate sleep (characterized by sleep difficulty and/or inadequate sleep duration: short sleep (<7h) or long sleep (≥9 hours)) among U.S. non-pregnant, non-lactating adults using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with a 14-year span. We assessed 33,156 adults (aged ≥ 20 y) using up to two 24-hour diet recalls from the NHANES (2005 to 2018). UPF intake was calculated using the NOVA classification system, and inadequate sleep (specifically sleep difficulty, short sleep, long sleep) was ascertained from the self-reported sleep disorder survey. Odds of inadequate sleep (aORs) were compared across the quartile intakes of UPF using population weights-adjusted multivariable general logistic regression. Of the 33,156 adult participants, 34.9% had short sleep (n=11,576), 11.9% had long sleep (n-3,937), and 24.7% had sleep difficulty (n=8,199). We also found that the highest quartile of UPF, relative to the lowest quartile, is significantly associated with 23% increased odds of short sleep (aOR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.07-1.41; p=0.023), after adjusting for all covariates. The dose-response relationships between higher UPF intake and higher risk of short or long sleep were determined, respectively (both p <0.05). However, no association was found with sleep difficulty (aOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.95-1.26; p =0.6185). We found the dose-response relationship between higher UPF intakes and higher risk for inadequat sleep …

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Microbial Signatures Of Breast Carcinogenesis: Synthesizing Evidence From Breast Tissue Microbiome Studiese, Caroline Rodriguez Chang, Revanth Madamsetty, Krishna Dasyam Apr 2026

Microbial Signatures Of Breast Carcinogenesis: Synthesizing Evidence From Breast Tissue Microbiome Studiese, Caroline Rodriguez Chang, Revanth Madamsetty, Krishna Dasyam

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, affecting approximately one in eight women in the United States. Recent advances in microbiome research have highlighted the microbiome's essential role in maintaining health and influencing disease progression. Increasing attention has been directed toward understanding how microbial communities contribute to cancer development, particularly through effects on immune function, metabolism, and cellular signaling pathways. While most existing research has examined the gut microbiome and its relationship to breast cancer focusing on the gut-breast axis, microbial translocation, and their contributions to tumor progression, there is a growing need to characterize the breast …

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Energy Drinks Are Bad... Or Perhaps Not? A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Review Of Energy Drink Safety And Performance Effects, Saanvitha Rajendara Apr 2026

Energy Drinks Are Bad... Or Perhaps Not? A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Review Of Energy Drink Safety And Performance Effects, Saanvitha Rajendara

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Energy drinks rank as some of the most widely consumed functional beverages. However, they still cause controversy, confusion, and strong public opinions. Although many assume that these products are inherently harmful, a growing amount of research is constructing a different understanding. In reviewing the comprehensive analysis conducted by Dr. Jose Antonio, this presentation examines the scientific evidence behind the more common questions and misconceptions about energy drinks. These include rols of key ingredients like taurine and B-vitamins, as well as the energy drinks' influence on performance, metabolism, and overall health. The review also looks at sleep, cardiovascular function, and cognitive …

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A Quantum Argument Against Zeno's Paradox Of Dichotomy, Ryan Christie-Muller Apr 2026

A Quantum Argument Against Zeno's Paradox Of Dichotomy, Ryan Christie-Muller

Undergraduate Student Symposium

During the pre-Socratic period, Parmenides created his radical idea of an eternal, unchanging, and motionless world. This was met with much doubt, contempt, and counterarguments that sought to disprove his statements claiming that the concept of past and future were false, and that both change and movement were impossible. Yet his student, Zeno, came after him and sought to further prove his teacher Parmenides' arguments, creating what are now talked about thousands of years later known as Zeno's paradoxes. This paper will specifically talk about Zeno's dichotomy paradox, claiming that movement cannot exist due to the inherent need to be …

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Microbial Photodynamic Inactivation (Pdi) With Meso-Pyridyl Porphyrin Isomers Under Metabolic Gene Knockouts, Dylan Mavlyanov, Kenneth Supersano Apr 2026

Microbial Photodynamic Inactivation (Pdi) With Meso-Pyridyl Porphyrin Isomers Under Metabolic Gene Knockouts, Dylan Mavlyanov, Kenneth Supersano

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) is an antimicrobial technique that functions independently of conventional antibiotic resistance by combining light, photosensitizers, and oxygen in order to eliminate pathogens. Drug-resistant microorganisms have long posed a global challenge, increasing the need for methods that prevent microbes from acquiring further immune adaptations. Photosensitizers serve as compounds that, upon light activation, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in order to induce microbial membrane damage and cell death, while also showing effects against cancerous mammalian cells. An investigation was conducted on three meso-Tetra(N-methyl-pyridyl) porphyrin tetrachloride isomers, examining their three conformations of nitrogen substitutions in both freebase and copper-metalated …

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Environmental Monitoring Of The Coral Nursery Lagoon At Peanut Island, Lindsay Scherer, Kamille Jackson, Madelyn Hooper, Briana Badowski, Nicole Mazhar Apr 2026

Environmental Monitoring Of The Coral Nursery Lagoon At Peanut Island, Lindsay Scherer, Kamille Jackson, Madelyn Hooper, Briana Badowski, Nicole Mazhar

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, and pH are critical abiotic factors influencing coral reef ecosystems. Enclosed lagoons, such as the one at Peanut Island, often experience reduced water exchange, making them prone to environmental fluctuations that may stress corals. The purpose of this project was to investigate potential correlations between water quality and coral health within the Peanut Island Coral Nursery Lagoon in Palm Beach County, Florida over a year-long period. Three Onset HOBO data loggers were deployed: U22-001 to measure temperature and pH; U26-001 to measure dissolved oxygen; and U24-002-C to measure salinity. The data loggers were deployed near …

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Red Mangrove Heavy Metal(Loid)S Accumulation In Contaminated Sediments Of The South Florida Intracoastal Waterway, Sophia Welch Apr 2026

Red Mangrove Heavy Metal(Loid)S Accumulation In Contaminated Sediments Of The South Florida Intracoastal Waterway, Sophia Welch

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Mangroves, recognized as hyperaccumulators, can tolerate and store high concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s without visible toxicity. While metal accumulation in mangroves has been extensively studied worldwide, data remain limited for North America, particularly in southeastern Florida, where urbanization and port activity increase contamination risk. This study quantified 16 heavy metal(loid)s in roots, branches, and leaves of red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) and associated surface sediments collected across four sites within Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park at Port Everglades using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Sediment samples were collected at distances of 0, 10, 50, and 100 …

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Hsc-3 Spheroid Enhances Macrophage Autophagy Through Upregulation Of Hgf Activator, Dhara Patel Apr 2026

Hsc-3 Spheroid Enhances Macrophage Autophagy Through Upregulation Of Hgf Activator, Dhara Patel

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Autophagy plays a critical role in regulating macrophage function within the tumor microenvironment. Hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA) can modulate autophagy-related pathways, potentially affecting macrophage function. This study aimed to test HGFA expression in oral cancer cell cultures and its effect on macrophage autophagy in a co-culture system. THP-1- derived macrophages were co-cultured with human oral cancer cells (HSC-3) in two-dimensional (2D) monolayers and three-dimensional (3D) spheroids generated using the hanging drop method. HGFA expression in HSC-3 cells was quantified by qPCR. After 72 hours of co-culture, macrophage polarization and autophagy were assessed by flow cytometry. To evaluate the functional …

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Nanomedicine-Based Modulation Of Parkinson's Disease Pathology Through Integrated Biological And Computational Approaches, Emma Hickey, Annu Joji, Abdallah Samarah, Larry Delgado, Parushi Porwal, Jonathan Tran, Jaashvi Chandagari Apr 2026

Nanomedicine-Based Modulation Of Parkinson's Disease Pathology Through Integrated Biological And Computational Approaches, Emma Hickey, Annu Joji, Abdallah Samarah, Larry Delgado, Parushi Porwal, Jonathan Tran, Jaashvi Chandagari

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons and the aggregation of α-synuclein, a protein that misfolds into neurotoxic fibrils. Current therapies primarily alleviate motor symptoms but do not slow disease progression, leaving PD pathology unaddressed. Biocompatible nanoparticles, known as carbon nanodots (CNDs), represent a promising therapeutic approach by penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and distrupting amyloid structures. Preclinical studies in zebrafish models of neurodegeneration have shown that our CNDs, developed by the LeBlanc Lab, reduce tau and amyloid-β aggregation, decrease neuroinflammation, and improve neuronal function, emphasizing their translational potential for PD. Here, …

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