Digital Commons Network^™

Microburst Day Potential Index: Improving Launch And Public Safety, Zachary Kopel

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Microbursts

•  A common convective wind event 
• Capable of causing damage from wind exceeding 30kts (NWS) 
• Cape Canaveral is a prime microburst environment 
• Can affect launch ops and daily activities by exceeding safety standards

Influence Of Sediment Composition On Seagrass Growth, Hattie Lechner, Joshua Ahrens

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Seagrass Beds are a vital component of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). They support biodiversity and improve water quality, yet they have experienced significant declines in recent years. Multiple restoration efforts have attempted to replant seagrass in the lagoon and have experienced varying levels of success. Sediment characteristics such as grain size, pH, and nutrient/sulfide concentrations can influence seagrass health and growth, but the relative importance is unclear. This study investigated the relationship between sediment characteristics and the performance of the seagrass Halodule wrightii across multiple different types of sediments found within the IRL in order to identify ideal sediments/locations …

The Carbon Dioxide Utilization Potential Of Marine Algae, Declan O'Leary, Giovanni Williams, Joey Ciocher, Aidan Yeilding, Eddie Wawrzycki-Stein, Melvin Jarrett, William Marple, Olivia Mullenski, Abby Tickett, Connor Burnand, David Kulcsar

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Excessive atmospheric CO₂ drives ocean acidification, lowering seawater pH and carbonate ion availability, which impairs calcification in corals, mollusks, and many plankton—threatening reef structure, biodiversity, and food webs (1, 2).

The goal of this research is to explore the potential of marine algae or seaweeds in reducing carbon dioxide in the oceans.

Multi-Strain Assessment Of Quorum Sensing In Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Jacqueline Krueger

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Quorum sensing (QS) allows microbial populations to coordinate phenotypic switching, selecting for specific behaviors that are only beneficial when expressed at high cell densities (HCD, >106 cells/mL) rather than low cell densities (LCD, < 106 cells/mL)

Finding Jaws: Dna Barcoding Shark Cartilage To Identify Species, Kenna Peters

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are vital keystone predators that help regulate the health of marine ecosystems, and some of the largest and most wide-ranging fishes in the ocean1. Elasmobranch identification is difficult due to morphological similarities between species, and the high risk of encountering cryptics. These are evolutionarily distinct, but physically identical to more common taxa, and can only be identified using genetics. Misidentification is a major obstacle to shark science, especially considering new data showing that >70% of all elasmobranchs have been lost in the past 50 years, and many sharks are now shifting ranges in response to global …

Growth And Nutrient Uptake Of Ulva Lactuca: Theoretical Nutrient Removal And Fertilizer Reuse Potential, Audrey Crawford

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

• Eutrophication is a major problem in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL)  
• One natural response to eutrophication is increased algal growth
• Previous studies identified Ulva lactuca as one of the fastest-growing macroalgal species in the lagoon (Whitehouse and Lapointe, 2015) 
• Ulva lactuca also has potential use as a fertilizer, creating a link between nutrient removal and beneficial reuse
• This study aimed to quantify nutrient uptake rates of Ulva lactuca in order to estimate how much nutrient load could theoretically be reduced through large-scale cultivation

Impact Of Bryozoans On The Psii Efficiency Of Sargassum, Maxwell Ronan Stanfield

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Sargassum species such as s. fluitans and s. natans support epiphytic organisms on its surface, such as diatoms, hydrozoans, and encrusting bryozoans. Evidence previous studies suggests that marine epiphytic organisms have a negative effect on the photosynthetic pathways of the algae they live on (Khan, Du, Khan, Che, and Khurshid 2021; Cancino, Mufioz, Mufioz, and Orellana 1987). Interestingly, some evidence shows that even when epiphytic encrusting bryozoans limit the light reaching red algae, the algae was able to produce more photosynthetic pigments to compensate for the lowered light intensity (Muñoz, Cancino, and Molina 1991). No data is currently available on …

Waste Not, Get Watts: Waste-To-Energy And Gas-To-Energy Systems Comparison, Sydney E. Cordeiro

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) systems generate power by converting waste into usable energy through processes such as combustion and gasification, reducing reliance on landfills and recovering energy from discarded materials.¹ Gas-to-Energy (GtE) systems produce electricity from natural gas using high-efficiency generation technologies like gas turbines and combined-cycle plants, offering reliable and efficient power output.² This comparison evaluates the feasibility and scalability of WtE and GtE systems for Florida Tech, determining which approach would better meet campus sustainability goals.

Brevards Microplastics: A Literature Review And Proposed Methods To Study Florida Beaches, Kenna Peters

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

With populations along coastlines rapidly increasing so does the risk of microplastics entering the environment. Previous studies have found that 68% of microplastics found in the environment come from man-made cellulosic materials like rayon. Little information is known about the distribution, transportation, and final location of microplastics once they are introduced. Brevard County contains multiple types of beaches that differ substantially in human activity levels, urban density, and land-use patterns. Having a full picture of microplastic distribution and intensity is vital to understanding and reversing the impact these pollutants have on the environment.

Does Information Loss Bias Our Estimates Of Predation In The Fossil Record?, Ashcon Davachi

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

• Predation in fossil marine-ecosystems is generally estimated through analysis of time-averaged prey assemblages.
• Do time-averaged assemblages reflect predation on smaller ecological time scales?
• In this project I compared estimates of predation-related damage to snail shells derived on two ecological time scales to determine whether information loss biases our estimates of predation in the fossil record

Reefstarter Deployment System, Dylan Alvarez, Jacob Elston, Alex Ketchen, Jaidyn Lodens

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

• Threats from coastal erosion drive the need for effective and sustainable protection methods. 
• Interlocking concrete reef blocks dissipate wave energy while also supporting habitat restoration.
• Current deployment methods are inefficient and require significant human interaction.
• A compact hydraulic lifting system should enable increased safety, control, and efficiency

The September 17th, 2025, Gigantic Jet Off The Puerto Rican Coast: A Case Study, Jaedon Benbow

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Gigantic jets (GJs) are an electrical discharge that propagates upward from the top of a thunderstorm, reaching altitudes between 70 and 90 km, terminating in the lower ionosphere (Lazarus et al., 2021). This GJ event occurred on 5:33:53 UTC on September 17th, 2025. Despite the rarity of gigantic jets, tropical regions like Puerto Rico have a higher likelihood of occurrence due to more available convection. This GJ event was caught on radar. This provides additional data helpful for analyzing this case.

Current Capture, Maggie Palmer, Colin Stefan, Ricky Gay, Sofia Scarpa, Hayden Linkel

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

Current Capture aimed to design, develop, and test a prototype of a hydropower turbine that is scalable and deployable. The design considers the harsh ocean environment, corrosion in the material selection, efficiency in the blade choice, and structural positioning in the housing extremities. Two NACA foil composite blades were designed and manufactured to perform an experiment and analyze the velocities and RPMs.

The Forecasting Challenge Of Snow Cover Induced Temperature Depressions, Lucas Silva

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

• Snow cover can keep the surface layer cool in the day and amplify cooling at night
• Unexpected SCITDs can cause sudden freezes, deteriorating travel conditions
• To what extent is the forecast accuracy of the NWS affected during SCITDs?

Midwest Extremes: Quantifying 26 Years Of Excessive Heat Events And Demographic Risk, Nasir Grant

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

• According to Vose et al. (2017), the Midwest experienced the largest increase in average minimum temperature among all regions of the United States which is a noticeable risk to the Midwest population.
• The climatology of the Midwest is majority hot summer humid continental and includes warm summer humid continental and cold semi-arid.
• This study investigated cities that have experienced high counts of (EHEs) and positive population growths in between 2000 and 2020 while plotting the cities into a risk map.

Plant Growth Promoting Phenotypes Of Fungal Isolates From The International Space Station, Shane Doyle, Frances A. Edmonson

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

• In situ (on site) space crop production is vital for sustainability and dietary health of astronauts. 
• We hypothesize that International Space Station (ISS) derived fungal isolates will stimulate plant growth and express PGP phenotypes.
• Eleven space-viable fungi were screened via phenotypic testing to identify plant growthpromoting (PGP) activity.
• Prior research has been conducted solely with ISS derived bacteria, while ISS fungi are unexplored, which could reveal new or improved symbiotic relationships and growth factors.

The Invisible Shield: Why Our Stomach Doesn’T Digest Itself, Kevon Findley

Mathematics and System Engineering Student Publications

The stomach contains highly acidic gastric fluid with a very low pH.  A thin mucus lining protects the stomach from self-digestion and keeps nearby epithelial cells near a pH 7.  A weakened mucus layer is associated with conditions such as Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer Disease.

How can the protective mucus barrier be maintained and be of stable thickness?

A Continuous Viral Vaccine Biomanufacturing Platform Utilizing Multiple Bioreactor Configurations, Justin Sargunas, Bradley Priem, Dylan Carman, Taravat Sarvari, Natalie Nold, Vaishali Sharma, Andrew Pekosz, Caryn Heldt, Michael Betenbaugh

Michigan Tech Publications

Scalable, continuous biomanufacturing processes have grown in importance to meet demand for smaller bioreactor sizes, lowered production costs, and improved quality attribute consistency. The Sf9/recombinant baculovirus (rBV) expression system demonstrates promise for virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine and gene therapy production. Here, we present a continuous rBV platform integrating an infection plug flow reactor (PFR) between stirred tank growth (gCSTR) and production (pCSTR) bioreactors. Cell expansion in the gCSTR included a ramp-up stage followed by continuous growth, reaching a steady state of 5×10 cells/mL and >90% viability. Péclet number-fit tracer studies confirmed near-ideal plug flow in the PFR, yielding a 10 …

Virtual Reality Rehabilitation And Visual Recognition Recovery After Stroke, Ivy Westfall, Brandy Whitford

Student Publications and Presentations

Every year, many stroke survivors experience challenges that go beyond movement. In addition to physical weakness, changes in thinking and vision can last long after the stroke. Most rehabilitation programs focus first on balance and motor skills. As a result, problems with visual recognition and interpretation can go unnoticed. When the temporal lobe is damaged, a person may not be able to recognize familiar faces, everyday objects, or even well-known places, even when they can see. Virtual reality (VR) has become a growing tool in stroke recovery. By immersing patients in interactive, goal-directed visual environments, VR may engage neuroplastic mechanisms …

Circadian Genes In Fruit Flies: What They Teach Us About Human Sleep And Health, Laney Wilson, Mia Gonzalez, Kimberly Rowland

Student Publications and Presentations

Circadian rhythms are cycles developed internally that influence the behavioral and physiological changes that happen daily. They occur in organisms as diverse as humans and fruit flies. They are the product of “clock” genes that set the rhythm and tune them in response to changes in the ambient light. In the present study, we aimed to determine the contribution of functional clock genes to the circadian regulation of movement of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. An equal number of wild-type flies (n = 5) and clock-mutant flies (n = 5) were placed in an incubator for 1 week to allow …

An Analysis Of Surface-Level Macro And Microplastics Along Western Central Leyte, Philippines, Graham B. Morrison-Plumley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

With the pervasive use of plastics worldwide, their environmental effects can reach even the most remote ecosystems. This study examines both macro and microplastic pollution in the Greater Baybay region in western Leyte, Philippines. Samples from 10 separate sites within Baybay and its adjacent communities represent the unique environmental and geologic diversity of the central Visayan region of the Philippines. At each of the 10 sampling sites, 3 excavations were conducted, yielding 30 samples. Macroplastics were collected in the field, immediately around microplastic digs. Microplastic samples were analyzed in Florida Atlantic University’s Environmental Change Lab. It was determined that spatial …

Pepper Spray Exposure And The Effect On Dna Profiling Of Blood, Brandon Schmakel

Honors Projects

Pepper spray is a common self defense tool used in both law enforcement and civilian settings, with the goal of incapacitating the sprayed individual. In real casework where pepper spray was used, a red-brown stain which tested positive presumptively for blood provided no DNA profile after further testing six months later. A previous graduate student, Emma Crawn, attempted to emulate these casework conditions and instead achieved a DNA profile with slight indications of inhibition or degradation. Further analysis of active pepper spray ingredients such as Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) and Chloroacetophenone (CN) reveals that there are observed reactions, such as oxidation, …

Examination Of Celebrity And Influencer Endorsements, Mackenzie Molnar

Honors Projects

This study examines the effects of celebrity and influencer endorsements on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions. A digital survey was distributed through Prolific to 210 U.S. participants ages 18–24. Participants viewed fictional advertisements featuring either a celebrity or an influencer endorsing a product and then rated each endorsement on familiarity, relatability, authenticity, believability, and likelihood of purchase. Results showed that endorsement type alone did not significantly affect believability, indicating that celebrities and influencers can be similarly effective in marketing. However, gender, media usage, and relatability significantly influenced consumer responses. Female participants responded more positively to influencer endorsements, while higher relatability …

How Pollinator Populations Can Impact Chronic Disease Risk, Kylee Cubbison

Honors Projects

This project investigates how pollinator populations can impact chronic disease risk. Pollinator populations are declining, which can have serious implications for human health. Declining pollinator populations can limit healthy food production and affordability. Poor nutrition is a major risk factor for most chronic diseases. Less healthy food available for people to consume can negatively impact diets and increase the risk of developing chronic diseases. This project aims to address a potential gap in research existing on this specific topic regarding pollinator populations and human chronic disease risk. A brochure targeted towards educating the general public on this topic was created …

Narrative Traditions In Francophone Africa And The Caribbean, Elizabeth Kill

Honors Projects

This research paper explores the cultural significance and the roles of folktales in francophone countries in Africa and the Caribbean. By analyzing recurring themes and character types in folktales, this study argues the importance of storytelling and traditional folklore in the shaping of a culture. Through close reading of a selection of folktales from a variety of francophone countries in Africa and the Caribbean, the research highlights themes of wisdom, greed, and explanations of the natural world, among others. Additionally, this paper touches on the historical importance of storytelling in cultures around the world. The research draws on information from …

Crimson Skies And Another Pale Blue Dot: Can Life Begin Again?, Ingrid R. Carrasco, Joseph Mocerino

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

Enceladus is one of the most promising moons in our Solar System for housing an environment necessary for prebiotic synthesis or life itself. This is due to the fact that aqueous plumes ejecting form the subsurface ocean penetrate the ice shell dispersing water and subsequent organics (if present). We hypothesize that as our Sun evolves into a red giant, the increase in stellar flux will result in higher average temperatures leading to increase the potential of habitability for Enceladus.

Exploration Of Thermal Management Using The Random Close Packing Of Binary Hard Spheres, Niru Shakya

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs), such as pastes, resins, and glues, are designed to transfer heat away from sensitive electronic components. Current TIMs in the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) at the LHC use radiation-hard resins doped with single-diameter (20um) diamond spheres. These spheres act as thermal fillers and conduct heat away through contact. In order to maximize probability of this contact, the occupied volume fraction of these spheres must be maximized. It is theoretically accepted that mixing sphere sizes can increase the volume fraction.

The Three-Dimensional Spherical Quantum Harmonic Oscillator: A Theoretical Exploration, Aurora M. Bowman

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

The three-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator is analyzed in spherical coordinates. The Schrödinger equation is solved using separation of variables. The system exhibits a quantized energy spectrum determined by quantum numbers.  Results describe the structure of radial and angular wavefunctions.

Analyzing Hst Observations Of Ngc 6251, Ean Deuschle

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

NGC 6251 is a giant elliptical radio galaxy (gEr) ~340 Mly away, hosting an AGN that produces one of the most noteworthy relativistic jets known. Using archival WFPC2 and NICMOS data, obtained from the Hubble Legacy Archive (HLA), we will present an analysis of NGC6251’s structure, dust distribution, and stellar population, to better understand the relationship between the object’s primary morphologies.

Silent Skies, N. Sawhney, J. Strank, A. Brownie, A. Bakhouch, T. Vogt, J. Lane, D. Kramer

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

Aircraft noise remains a key challenge in aviation due to its environmental and regulatory impacts. • Project Silent Skies investigates noise reduction through passive serrated trailing edges and an active feedforward ANC system integrated into a modular RC aircraft. • The goal is to achieve ≥ 3 dBA noise reduction while maintaining aerodynamic performance.