Digital Commons Network^™

The Concentration Of Heavy Metals Within Bird Feathers Of Neotropical Migrants Found On Loyola’S Lakeshore Campus, Rowan Schul

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation explores the relationship between heavy metal concentration in birds and migratory season. Over the course of three migration seasons, birds were collected from window strike fatalities across campus in collaboration with Student Operation for Avian Relief. Feathers from these individuals were tested using ICP-MS for their heavy metal load. They were tested for metals that are known to have adverse effects on avian health. Significant differences in metal loads were found between species, metal concentration and migratory season. The findings indicate similar testing could be done to identify potential metal pollution hot spots.

Assessing Functional Changes In The Gut Microbiome In Ctcl Patients Pre- And Post Therapy, Merjaan Ahmad, Sophia Rahman

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The human microbiome, composed of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, is influenced by diet, health, and the environment, impacting immune response, digestion, and mental health. This study analyzed microbiome data from CTCL patients, focusing on changes after phototherapy. Using Microbiome Analyst, we identified 32 significant enzymes and 8 pathways. Notably, enzyme EC:1.1.1.370 and pathway P562 increased post-phototherapy, indicating metabolic shifts in inositol processing. These findings suggest phototherapy may modulate microbial metabolism, warranting further research.

Motility In Urinary And Non-Urinary Bacterial Strains, Olive Kolar, Helen Appleberry, Ali Osborn, Catherine Putonti

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

A recent study from the Putonti lab concluded that there are two genetically distinct lineages of the bacterium Streptococcus anginosus: group 1, found throughout the body; and group 2, found in the urogenital tract. A 1995 study asserted that urinary strains of S. anginosus exhibited motility, but this was observed before current taxonomic classifications were established. Here I test for motility in both groups of S. anginosus. I expect to find evidence of motility in S. anginosus group 2, but not in group 1. This will add to the classification criteria of group 2 as S. anginosus subsp. …

How Political Instability Affects Migration Crises And Refugees' Risk For Human Trafficking: A Chicago Case Study, Emily Mordeson

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

“[A] student from the Congo, his mom, while she was fleeing their village, had to hide under a bush and birth him and then just … keep going” (F, 2r). Political turmoil in countries around the globe has dramatically increased the likelihood of forced migration among numerous populations,1 playing a role in their increased risk of victimization by human trafficking (HT).2 In recent years, Chicago, IL, has received an influx of migrants coming into the country at unprecedented rates, worsening issues such as acquiring legal status and inhibiting access to resources. This study explores the relationship between political instability, migration …

Modernism’S Mythic Mothers: Queering Motherhood Through Classical Matrilineage, Laura Wilcox

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Samantha Lepak's dissertation Modernism's Mythic Mothers: Queering Motherhood Through Classical Matrilineage focuses on the Modernist poet H.D. (Hilda Doolittle) and her rewritings of Greek mythology that center women, particularly mothers. By writing on this mythology’s women, and by being a woman writer herself, H.D. marks a significant deviation from the male-dominated literary traditions surrounding her which designated the classical world as reserved for men. A classical patrilineage is replaced by matrilineage, with this dissertation arguing H.D.’s role as a mythical mother herself while additionally exploring H.D. in relation to queer theory and concepts of temporality.

Development Of Analytical Methods For Heavy Metal Detection In Soil, Morgan Ashauer, Lizzy Bruening

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Among the various types of pollution, heavy metal pollution is a major area of concern as high concentrations of heavy metals can have detrimental effects on terrestrial and aquatic environments as well as human health.1 In the city of Chicago, the industrial corridors are a particular area of interest as they have been used for industrial purposes for over a century resulting in heavy metals being released into the environment.2 To explore this, soil samples can be analyzed using various methods to quantify the heavy metal concentrations–specifically for chromium, cadmium, and lead.

The various methods explored in this study are …

Skin Microbiota Differs Between Black And White Patients With Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Mylee S. Mccool, Dania Achmar, Saima S. Rahman

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) disproportionately affects Black patients, who experience higher rates of sepsis and mortality. This study examines differences in the lesional and non-lesional skin microbiomes of Black and White CTCL patients using 16S rRNA and tuf gene sequencing. Results reveal distinct microbial compositions, with increased Staphylococcus aureus abundance in Black patients. Our team contributed by developing RStudio-based code to visualize and analyze microbiome sequencing data, facilitating clearer interpretation of microbial differences. These findings suggest microbial factors may contribute to racial disparities in CTCL outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted therapeutic interventions and further microbiome research.

Girlforward Mentor Internship Experience, Amelie Malone

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

GirlForward is a community of support dedicated to creating and enhancing opportunities for girls who have been displaced by conflict and persecution. Girls ages 14 to 21 who identify as immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers are served by GirlForward. Amélie Malone worked as a GirlForward Mentor Intern for the academic year 2024-2025. The Mentoring Program engages girls in "4W" activities (Wellness, Wisdom, Wallet, and World) by matching them with female community mentors. As a mentor intern, I tutor girls, organize safe space events, go on home visits to meet their families, and manage volunteers. GirlForward hours for girls to hang …

Modern-Day Aquatic Species Comparisons To Trabecular Development In The Early Tetrapod Ossinodus And Its Significance To The Vertebrate Conquest Of Land, Natalie Kaytor, Megan Whitney

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Nearly 350 million years ago, early tetrapods made a critical transition from living in water to living on land. To better understand how early tetrapods may have spent their time on land during their lifetimes, I examined a growth series of femora from an early Australian tetrapod, Ossinodus. I then compared these to modern-day turtle specimens with the goal of relating Ossinodus to either more aquatic or more terrestrial species. Preliminarily results indicate that Ossinodus may have lived their lives between the two environments. More comparisons to modern-day species may further these results.

Amphibian Density In The Inkaterra Reserve In Madre De Díos, Peru ​ A Measurement Of Species Density Within The Inkaterra Reserve​, Isabella Songer, Rachel Kinsella, Isaac Morales

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Research on the species richness in the Amazon has been sought after for conservation work and the international trade business. Frogs, salamanders, and toads are especially rich in this wet and warm environment. This study will focus on measuring the density of these species using visual monitoring to create a list of species density and diversity. This has the goal of being able to assist in future citizen science projects in the Madre de Díos region of Peru.

A Nourish Chicago Community Education Project: The Sweet Truth About The Food Science And Chemistry Of Sugar, Lily Grace Yezback

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Sugar is a fundamental component of food science, playing a significant role in our lives beyond its satisfying taste. This research dives into the sweet world of sugar and explores its contribution to texture, preservation, color and flavor. The various structures of sugar, their chemical properties, and important impact on human health are investigated as well. Additionally, hidden and artificial sugars are unveiled and their secretive consequences are highlighted. Under Dr. Pine's guidance, I worked to spread this knowledge to the greater Chicago community in order to enlighten the public and encourage healthier consumption habits across the city.

Exploring The Effects Of Biocide Exposure On Non-Target Organisms: How Glyphosate And Imidacloprid Affect Daphnia Vital Rates, Logan Granger

Academic Festival

Abstract

The use of herbicides and pesticides is ubiquitous in the United States, yet the effects that exposure to these biocides has on non-target organisms, particularly in aquatic systems, remains under-emphasized. The unintended consequences of single and concomitant biocide exposures could include changes in vital rates (survival, growth, reproduction), as well as behavioral, morphological, or physiological characteristics. Daphnia is a key species in most lakes and ponds, consuming phytoplankton and regulating algal densities while also being a valuable prey for planktivorous fish. We tested the independent and combined effects of two common biocides (the pesticide Imidacloprid and the herbicide Glyphosate) …

Analysis Of Microbial Community Structure Reveals Significant Differences Between River Basins On The Dingle Peninsula Of Ireland, Mary Mcmanus, Megan Prettyman

Academic Festival

The Feohanagh, Milltown, and Owenmore rivers of the Dingle Peninsula on the southwest coast of Ireland drain conjoined basins of approximately equal size and shape. While these rivers occupy similar spaces of land, the land surrounding the basins serves different purposes and varies substantially in land-use and land-cover (LULC). Our specific aim was to compare the planktonic microbial communities at the outflow region of the rivers for spatial and temporal variation. Five water samples were taken from each of the three rivers at two different timepoints, and Illumina sequencing of the 16S and ITS rRNA regions was conducted to identify …

Chronic Stress Effects On Anxiety And Spatial Memory Is Altered By Adolescent Bisphenol-A Exposure In Female Rats, Elizabeth A. Brennan, Liam T. Connelly, Joseph R. Giegerich, Julianna J. Mondella, Kristina M. Rybak

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Recognizing Child Maltreatment: A Study Of Knowledge & Practice In Sacred Heart Students, Alicia Sanders, Francesca Lanni

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Resilience In Adversity: Older Refugees' Experiences During Covid-19 Pandemic In The U.S., Gianna Cicalese

Academic Festival

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, and older refugees faced unique vulnerabilities. They often experience social, psychological, and practical difficulties, compounded by forced migration and displacement (Miller & Rasmussen, 2017). These challenges are magnified by healthcare accessibility, language barriers, and discrimination. Unlike the general population, older refugees navigated these issues alongside the stress of displacement. Understanding how they coped during crises like COVID-19 is critical for developing support systems. Thirty-seven Congolese refugees, aged 55–67 (average 65.7 years), were recruited from an East Coast U.S. community. The study explored their perceptions of life during COVID-19, particularly how they coped. Participants were …

Should We Be ‘Calling-In’ Or ‘Calling-Out’? Student Perspectives On Bias Intervention Strategies, Ava Bjelka, Raegan Doyle, Christina Poirier, Dorainne J. Green, Kathryn M. Kroeper

Academic Festival

When people encounter prejudiced comments about marginalized social groups, many feel compelled to confront them. In this study, we aim to better understand two confrontation approaches: “call-ins” and “call-outs." Call-ins are educational conversations aimed at explaining why a comment or behavior is offensive, while call-outs call attention to offensive comments or behaviors, often to provoke guilt or shame. Despite a growing emphasis on “calling people in” over “calling them out,” little research has examined how these approaches are perceived and experienced. In the present study, a sample of college students (N = 600) imagined that a friend made an …

Rescuing Behavioral Development After Prenatal Alcohol Exposure In Mice, Grace Pendleton

Academic Festival

Due to the difficulty of detecting a pregnancy, prior to 6 weeks of gestation, ~30% of pregnant women report drinking alcohol during the first trimester. Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can be extremely dangerous for the development of a child, often leading to an increased risk of developing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which can affect a child’s ability to learn, control behavior, or regulate emotions. Alcohol initially stimulates an inflammatory cells in the central nervous system, known as microglia, causing a fetal anti- inflammatory response which alters the vascular and neurological in the fetal brain. Repeated or chronic alcohol exposure …

Hot Heads And Hitchhikers: Hippocampal Gene Expression As A Function Of Simulated Heat Waves And Ectoparasites In Nestling Tree Swallows​, Cassandra Vallon, Vita Pivtorak, Emily J. Levy

Academic Festival

Climate change threatens species that cannot adapt to increasing temperatures. Understanding the physiological responses of endotherms to heat can help predict how species will fare in the face of global warming. However, we know relatively little about the physiological response to heat in endotherms, particularly in the brain. This study tests the impact of simulated heat waves on brain gene expression in tree swallow nestlings (Tachycineta bicolor). Tree swallows are altricial, endothermic songbirds common across a wide range of latitudes. We hypothesize that, within the hippocampus, a simulated heat wave will activate the immune system and self-maintenance mechanisms, increasing the …

Understanding College Students' Knowledge About Filing Taxes, Matthew Roessel, Jordan Leon

Academic Festival

Taxes serve as the foundation for security and prosperity in any organized government. In the United States, taxes play a vital role in allowing our government to provide us safety, education, healthcare, retirement, and an endless list of necessities U.S. citizens depend on. It is our responsibility as citizens to properly pay the taxes we owe our government. However, one apparent flaw regarding taxes in the U.S. is the ability to educate young adults on how to correctly file and pay the taxes they owe as they become productive members of society. The objective of this study is to assess …

Analytical Report Of Texas Instruments, Michael Angeletti

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Women In The Workforce - Wage Gap, Olivia Petrucci, Ella Eagle

Academic Festival

This essay explores the unfortunate modern-day issue women face of the wage gap between genders in the workplace, proposing solutions such as transparency laws, corporate policy changes, and investment in women leaders. After researching the issue, when comparing women and men, it is clear that a lot of progress is needed before we as a country can say that women and men have equal pay. The wage gap is evident when you see that women on average make about 16% less than men when doing the same jobs (Forbes.com). The gender wage gap women face is further complicated by race, …

The Clark Bar, Angelina Turieo, Angelina M. Turieo

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Netflix: Streaming Pioneer Turned Market Leader, Megan Albert, Kapaii Fortin, Taylor Hall

Academic Festival

Since its founding in 1997 as a DVD rental service, Netflix has led the streaming entertainment industry through innovation and adaptability. Its success stems from breaking industry norms and expanding into new areas. The research identifies the key factors behind Netflix’s long-term success and offers strategic recommendations, considering market trends, AI, and globalization’s impact on the media sector.

Reducing Unnecessary Cesarean Sections: Identifying Risk Factors And Promoting Evidence-Based Practices At Stamford Hospital, Caroline Miller

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Lesson Sequence: Teaching Author's Craft And Structure, Lauren Casale

Academic Festival

My poster revolved around my capstone lesson sequence that was taught to the 5th grade class I am student teaching in. In this sequence of three lessons I built students knowledge on visualization, point of view, and dialogue in a play. I assessed students on their learning during the lessons and analyzed the class data.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Eras) Protocol Impact, Maeve Hamling

Academic Festival

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Model works to improve post-operative care for patients in all hospital settings. This presentation will identify the impacts this model can provide with a select set of pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative interventions. Evidence-based protocols are utilized in the ERAS model to offer better quality, patient-centered care. Healthcare systems are always looking to refine cost reduction strategies and limit complication outcomes. This model defines an intervention to change current standards and improve these care efforts for all patients undergoing surgery.

The Use Of Thermal Imaging For Pressure Injuries, Jessica Greenberg

Academic Festival

Stage three and four pressure injuries are the most prevalent hospital acquired injuries throughout the entire state of Connecticut despite the fact that approximately ninety-five percent of all hospital acquired pressure injuries have been determined to have been preventable (Díaz-Caro & García Gómez-Heras, 2020). This illustrating that despite meticulous efforts to implement preventative measures, such as frequent turning and positioning, proper skin care and nutrition and pressure alleviating mattresses they are not being implemented fast enough to prevent injury or injury progression. The integration of thermal imaging upon admissions to all medical -surgical hospital units has been proven beneficial in …

Hypertension & Diabetes In The Ed: Unpacking Uncontrolled Co-Morbities, Janessa Marchegiani, Hannah Parath

Academic Festival

Hypertension and diabetes are two of the most prevalent yet under diagnosed chronic conditions that disproportionately affect underserved populations. Often asymptomatic in early stages, these "silent killers" frequently remain undetected until patients present to the emergency department (ED) with severe, life-threatening complications. This project explores the recurring issue of patients arriving at the ED with uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes, many of whom are unaware of their diagnosis or lack the resources to manage these conditions effectively. Through a detailed analysis of patient data, clinical case studies, and current literature, the project identifies systemic gaps in chronic disease education, early screening, …

Reinforcing Nurse Leadership Rounding In Pediatric Float Pool Through Use Of A Checklist Tool, Erika Yourous

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.