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Executive Committee - Minutes, 5/6/2025, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Ultralight Aircraft Built By Student Team Takes Flight, Keith Testa

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Restoration In Slowing Down, Alejandra Montalvo

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

As public community colleges like Kennesaw State University, Marietta Campus, see an increase in admissions due to the rise in higher education enrollment, the social, emotional, and creative well-being of first-year and first-generation students can be at risk. Public community colleges often become overwhelmed with other programs, leading to the neglect or underfunding of resources that genuinely support students. These students often face unique challenges in adapting to academic pressures, new social environments, and balancing personal and cultural expectations.

This thesis proposes the development of a design framework for restorative, neutral third places on public community college campuses. These spaces …

Age Well Spaces: A New Model For Elderly Healthcare Architecture, Will Traylor, Ameen Farooq

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

In America, most try to plan for every aspect of life from birth. The country is home to some of the most advanced education systems in the world and has office buildings that aim to not only prioritize work efficiency, but also worker health. From cradle to Casket, architects challenge themselves with the task of making everyday spaces better. It was my experience and privilege over the past few years to bear witness and assist my grandparents through the last, fragile stages of life. I watched as each of them moved from home life, to assisted living, and then nursing …

From Farmers To Architects To Artists: Who Lived And Worked In The David Adler Estate, Libertyville, Illinois, 1864-2020, Rebecca D. Katz

Honors Capstones

The thesis of this paper investigates the transformation of the David Adler Estate from its creation in 1864 to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. The way our communities’ function is based in local histories, yet many individuals fail to see the importance of it. Through research focused on census data, newspapers, and oral histories, a clear timeline was formed in how the David Adler Estate was utilized. By examining the estate’s progression through agricultural, architectural, and artistic phases, this paper shows how a single house can reflect the growth of a region. Grounded in the belief that local history holds …

Optimizing Information Security In Cloud Environments: A Risk Management Approach And Guide For Enterprise Cloud Security, Joshua Olusegun Oyeniyi, Oluwashina Akinloye Oyeniran

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

In recent years, cloud computing has become increasingly integral to organizational operations due to its scalability, accessibility and cost effectiveness in managing data and resources. However, the rise in security threats and attacks on cloud environments necessitates having robust measures in place to protect data confidentiality, integrity and availability. This paper presents an optimized approach to cloud information security management by reviewing the current threat landscape, evaluating key risk management frameworks, and provided practical solutions for enhancing enterprise cloud security. The study examined three leading cloud security frameworks: the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) known for its cloud-specific controls, the NIST …

Unraveling The Impact Of Vessel Geometry In Resonant Acoustic Mixing, Jefferson Guthrie

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

This study aimed to advance the understanding of ResonantAcoustic® Mixing (RAM) and its application in industrial powder processing. RAM, which consists of vertically oscillating boundaries operating at nominally 60 Hz with accelerations up to 100 g’s, is particularly effective for mixing fine powders and materials. RAM is able to complete mixing processes 10 to 100 times faster than traditional methods without the risk of cross contamination. Despite RAM’s growing potential, the underlying mechanisms of RAM are not fully understood, limiting its optimization and broader adoption. Research in this study sought to bridge existing gaps in understanding by investigating the influence …

Re-Imagining Recovery: The Role Of Architecture In Sobriety, Teagan Littleton

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis explores the design of a sober living house in Atlanta, focusing on integrating choice architecture and biophilic design to enhance the mental well-being of its residents. Choice architecture, a concept rooted in behavioral economics, aims to influence decision-making by altering the environment. (Thaler, Sunstein, 2010) Biophilic design seeks to connect occupants with nature to improve overall health and wellbeing. (Terrapin, 2014)The design of the sober living house incorporates elements such as natural light, green spaces, and views of nature to create a sense of calmness and connection to the environment Choice architecture is applied through the layout and …

Fifty-Ninth Commencement (Graduate), Sacred Heart University

Commencement Programs

Program for graduate ceremonies, May 6 & 7,  2025.

Experiences Of Support And Success For Students Of Color In The Midwifery Educational Setting, Laura Jenson

Dissertations and Theses

The United States spends more on healthcare than any other developed country, yet perinatal health outcomes are among the worst, particularly for Black and Indigenous pregnant women and people. Structural and societal racism has contributed greatly to these inequities, and while a diverse perinatal healthcare workforce has the potential to mitigate the impact of pervasive racism, professions such as nurse-midwifery have evolved over time to be predominately white. The purpose of this study is to explore how students of color experience support and apply personal strategies for success in the midwifery educational setting. A basic qualitative study was done using …

What Is Your Why? An Exploration Of Why Teachers Remain In The Professsion At An Urban Elementary School In The South., Malikah Bennett

Dissertations

This qualitative research investigates the factors affecting teacher retention at a Title I elementary school in the Southern region of the United States, utilizing Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory of motivation and hygiene as a framework. This study seeks to identify intrinsic motivators, such as recognition, professional growth, and a sense of purpose, as well as extrinsic hygiene factors like administrative support, work conditions, and compensation, to analyze their influence on teachers' decisions to remain in the profession. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 teachers, all possessing five or more years of teaching experience at Cardinal …

Student Engagement In Ela Choice-Based Core Curriculum: A Case Study Of The Dramatic Writing For Film, Television, And Theater Course, Brian Thomas Clements

Dissertations

This paper describes a case study examining student feelings towards engagement in choice-based core ELA courses and teacher feelings towards student engagement specifically within the Dramatic Writing for Film, Television, and Theater course offered in the state of Georgia. The context of this study focuses on the impact that student agency, choice, and voice have on student engagement from their own perspective and how Invitational Education Theory connects to this impact and the course itself. The case study examines the course, its students, and teachers in two schools in a large, suburban metro Atlanta school district. Through interviews and observations, …

Unified Evaluation Of Real-World Iot-Based Federated Learning, Yi Gu

Master's Theses

Federated learning (FL) is a novel paradigm that enables the training of a global machine learning (ML) model across distributed devices by exchanging model parameters instead of raw data in the training process. Internet of Things (IoT) devices typically operate with limited resources, have weaker security protections, and are more vulnerable to potential thermal stress (TS). Current evaluations of FL are mostly conducted through simulations of multiple clients on a single device. However, there remains a gap in understanding how FL performs under TS in real-world, low-power IoT environments. Conformal prediction (CP) is an effective method for quantifying uncertainty in …

How Extreme Rainfall And Failing Dams Unleashed The Derna Flood Disaster, Ayman Mokhtar Nemnem, Ahad Hasan Tanim, Audrika Nahian, Sadik Khan, Erfan Goharian, Jasim Imran

Faculty Publications

On September 11, 2023, Storm Daniel unleashed unprecedented rainfall over the Wadi Derna watershed, triggering one of the most devastating floods in modern history, striking Derna, a coastal city in Libya. This study reconstructs the disaster using an integrated modeling approach that combines satellite imagery, hydrologic, hydraulic, and geotechnical simulations, machine learning, eyewitness accounts, and digital elevation data to assess the impact of cascading dam failures. Our findings reveal that the region’s dams, even if structurally sound, would have provided minimal protection against the extreme runoff. However, their failure unleashed a destructive surge wave, amplifying the disaster’s magnitude and devastation. …

Building Bridges: Weaving Culture And Community Through A Museum-Housing Hub In South Downtown Atlanta, Tony Vu

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This thesis explores the architectural potential of a facility that combines a museum and affordable housing, focused on revitalizing South Downtown Atlanta. This historically significant district, rich in African American culture, has faced neglect due to urban sprawl and economic challenges. By addressing the needs of the unhoused population alongside the area’s diminished cultural vibrancy, the design proposes a strategic intervention through urban infill and the adaptive reuse of vacant parking lots. The project envisions an inclusive museum alongside supportive housing and vocational training facilities, aimed at facilitating the reintegration of the unhoused into society while providing affordable housing units …

Folk Art As A Catalyst: Unfolding Salvadoran Identity Through Design., Kevin E. Lopez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

This research explores how folk art can act as a catalyst to revitalize spaces and deepen connections to Salvadoran culture. It examines works of folk art as cultural artifacts that embody Salvadoran identity, revealing their underlying structures, patterns, and meanings. This understanding of form and symbolism within these artistic expressions will serve as a foundation for translating cultural identity into architectural design.

Ideas and experiences can be ephemeral, but through design, these concepts can be translated into architectural forms. Knoespel argued in “Diagrammatic Transformation of Architectural Space” that diagrams conveys architectural information, suggesting that by analyzing an element, new information …

Gradient Fibro-Porous Materials For Tailored Sound Absorption, William Johnston, Janith Godakawela, Bhisham Sharma

Michigan Tech Publications

Reducing the pore size of bulk sound absorbers often increases weight and introduces manufacturing challenges, limiting their practical use. To address these issues, a class of materials is introduced that uses 3D printing to seamlessly integrate fibers within porous scaffolds, allowing improved sound absorption performance without a significant weight addition. The reliance on 3D printing enables the creation of gradient fibro-porous structures with customizable acoustic properties. This study explores the effect of through-thickness gradients in the scaffold’s relative density, fiber thickness, and fiber density on the acoustical performance with the goal of identifying the optimal strategy to obtain broader and …

Shoals Marine Laboratory Offers Mom A Memorable Island Garden Adventure, Robbin Ray

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

Biogenic Synthesis Of Metallic And Bimetallic Oxide Nanoparticles For Water Treatment Applications, Gunarani G.I

Theses and Dissertations

Access to clean water is a quality-of-life indicator. The availability of clean water apart from water scarcity is marred due to contamination by heavy metals and synthetic dyes, posing a grave environmental and public health challenge. This necessitates the implementation of advanced and sustainable treatment solutions towards water remediation. This research work focusses on the fabrication and application of biogenic and chemically synthesized metallic and bimetallic nanoparticles for the efficient removal of uranium, chromium, and toxic dyes from aqueous environments. The study particularly focuses on zero-valent (C-Fe and B-Fe) and bimetallic (C-NiFe and B-NiFe) nanoparticles, evaluating their adsorption capabilities and …

Methods And Compositions Related To Modified Green Fluorescent Protein (Gfp) With An Embedded Foreign Peptide, Vladimir N. Uversky, Bogdan S. Melnik

USF Patents

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions comprising chimeric green fluorescent protein (GFP) molecules embedded with foreign molecules. Also disclosed are methods of treating a subject with chimeric GFP molecules embedded with foreign molecules. Further disclosed are methods of delivering a desired molecule to a cell, wherein said desired molecule is embedded within a chimeric GFP molecule.

Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes For Adoptive Cell Therapy, Amod A. Sarnaik, Shari Pilon-Thomas, Mark Mclaughlin, Hao Liu

USF Patents

Disclosed are compositions and methods for ex vivo expansion of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes for use in adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Also disclosed are compositions and method for identifying an agent for ex vivo expansion of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes for use in ACT. Also disclosed are methods for treating cancer using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expanded by the disclosed methods.

Can You Hear Me Now? Student Perspectives Of 3d Phenomena-Based Science Teaching Practices, Leshea A. Moncrease

Dissertations

This dissertation presents findings of a self-study that investigated how student input, through reality pedagogy, may inform 3D phenomena-based teaching practices. 3D phenomena-based teaching practices are not new, but teachers are trying to determine how to use this framework to meet the needs of all students. 3D phenomena-based lessons use phenomena to drive instruction using core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices. The goal of using 3D phenomena-based teaching practices is to create 21^st century critical thinkers and problem-solvers who engage in scientific habits. The acquisition of student perceptions through the analysis of student interviews, reflective journal …

First-Order And Second-Order Adjoint Method And Stochastic Approximation For Inverse Problems, Adrian Heldt

Theses

We present a unified framework for estimating stochastic parameters in general variational problems. This nonlinear inverse problem is formulated as a stochastic optimization problem using the output least-squares (OLS) objective, which minimizes the discrepancy between observed data and the computed solution. A key challenge in OLS-based formulations is the efficient computation of first- and second-order derivatives of the OLS functional, which depend on the corresponding derivatives of the parameter-to-solution map—often costly and difficult to evaluate, especially in stochastic settings. To address this, we develop a rigorous computational approach based on first- and second-order adjoint methods for inverse problems governed by …

Development Of A Miniaturized Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (Ecmo) Device On A Microfluidic Platform, Nayeem Imtiaz

Theses

This research investigates the design, performance, and optimization of blood-contacting microfluidic medical devices, with each aim contributing to a broader understanding of how engineering choices influence hemocompatibility and oxygen transfer. Collectively, the findings from Aims 1A–2B offer integrated strategies to develop safer, more effective microfluidic systems for ECMO and dialysis. Aim 1A assessed hemolysis across device geometries using computational and experimental methods. All designs showed low device-induced hemolysis (< 2 ppm), validating their hemocompatibility. However, Power-Law models frequently overpredicted hemolysis, indicating a need for refined parameters tailored to microfluidic flow conditions. Aim 1B demonstrated the effectiveness of thrombosis assay techniques in evaluating clot formation in microfluidic device geometries. Results showed that geometry and local shear patterns strongly influence thrombogenesis. While hemolysis remained minimal even in high-shear devices, thrombus formation was more geometry-sensitive—underscoring the need to account for both factors in design. Modifying surface properties and accounting for blood composition could further reduce thrombotic risk. In Aim 2A, we compared PDMS, polypropylene (PP), and nanoporous silicon nitride (NPSiN) membranes for oxygen transport. Findings showed that in ECMO devices, blood-side resistance, not membrane permeability, often dominates oxygen transfer. Thus, membrane choice must be paired with optimized blood-side flow for full performance gains. Aim 2B directly addressed these limitations by integrating staggered herringbone mixers (SHBs), which introduced secondary flows and enhanced mixing. The Single Channel Herringbone design yielded the highest oxygen transfer, confirming the synergy between flow geometry and oxygen transport performance. Altogether, Aims 1A and 1B establish a strong framework for hemocompatibility evaluation, while Aims 2A and 2B provide complementary insights into optimizing oxygen transfer. Their interconnections highlight the value of a systems-level approach to designing microfluidic blood-contacting devices.

Enhancing Aptv Reliability: A Study Of Design And Operational Efficiencies At An Aluminium Manufacturing Company, Mohammad Tayeb Alawadhi

Theses

This paper aims to focus on enhancing the reliability of Anode Pallet Transport Vehicles (APTVs) used in Aluminium Manufacturing Company. The primary objective of the project is to establish the causes of failure modes, assess the operational problems, and implement strategies that would prevent, reduce, or minimize the frequency of failure, low equipment utilization, and high maintenance costs. APTV performance analysis involves the use of maintenance logs, operational data, and engineering specifications to obtain the best results. Applying Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), the study highlights the most critical parts causing the largest effect on operations, which include traction …

A Self‐Monitoring Mobile App To Mitigate Risk Factors For Suicide And Self‐Harm In Junior (Resident) Doctors: A Review, Thematic Analysis And Concept Proposal, Rohit Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

Doctors, particularly those in training in the UK, are exposed to high levels of stress in their work, which can lead to burnout and mental health problems. According to the health and safety executive (HSE) Management UK standards, employers should recognise and minimise work-related stress for staff. Our review looks to examine if known risk factors for suicide and self-harm in doctors align with the themes of the HSE management standards on stress control i.e., demand, control, support, relationships, role, and change and if so, could this be used to build a self-awareness digital application. Four research databases were searched …

Can't Women Kill?: Women, Violence, And Power In Nazi Germany, Kelly Ornelas

History Theses

This thesis examines the role of women as perpetrators of violence within the Nazi apparatus, challenging traditional narratives that depict them as passive supporters or victims of their circumstances. Through a Foucauldian analysis, it explores how ordinary German women were conditioned by Nazi propaganda, manipulated discourses, and social expectations to engage in acts of brutality, often without direct orders. Case studies, including Erna Petri and Ilse Koch illustrate how women actively participated in the mechanisms of state violence without rank or official status, raising critical questions about complicity and moral responsibility. This study interrogates the bounds of guilt, arguing that …

Acetaminophen’S Contribution To Autism And Adhd From A Mitochondrial Perspective, Stephanie G. Chu

Senior Honors Theses

The CDC reported that one in 36 children were identified with autism in 2020, a 22% increase from 2018 and a 98% increase from 2010. Simultaneously, ADHD diagnoses increased 36% from 2003 to 2016-2019. Despite this surge, their etiologies remain largely unknown. However, numerous studies document higher incidences of mitochondrial abnormalities in affected individuals. Additionally, acetaminophen has been implicated in these disorders in longitudinal studies and murine models. This paper is a compilation of literature aiming to present a novel theoretical framework for acetaminophen-induced mitochondrial damage in utero. It focuses on a toxic metabolite of acetaminophen, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine, and its …

How Extreme Rainfall And Failing Dams Unleashed The Derna Flood Disaster, Ayman Mokhtar Nemnem, Ahad Hasan Tanim, Audrika Nahian, Sadik Khan, Erfan Goharian, Jasim Imran

Faculty Publications

On September 11, 2023, Storm Daniel unleashed unprecedented rainfall over the Wadi Derna watershed, triggering one of the most devastating floods in modern history, striking Derna, a coastal city in Libya. This study reconstructs the disaster using an integrated modeling approach that combines satellite imagery, hydrologic, hydraulic, and geotechnical simulations, machine learning, eyewitness accounts, and digital elevation data to assess the impact of cascading dam failures. Our findings reveal that the region’s dams, even if structurally sound, would have provided minimal protection against the extreme runoff. However, their failure unleashed a destructive surge wave, amplifying the disaster’s magnitude and devastation. …

Disrupting Monotony, Elias Mendez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

At the start of this project, I was confronted with a range of global issues that revealed the harsh realities many regions face in securing basic human needs, particularly shelter. One issue that stood out to me was the housing crisis in Mexico, where low-income families often struggle to afford homes while also meeting essential needs like food and clothing. Many of these homes are poorly constructed due to strict budget constraints and are built in such close proximity that both private and communal spaces are sacrificed in favor of maximizing land use. This often results in rows of identical …