Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Lactoferrin And Iron-Enriched Whey On Iron Absorption, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, And Menstrual Health In Women, Mia Dustin

Student Research Symposium

Background

• Iron is essential for oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and overall health. ¹
• In the U.S., 20% of women aged 18–45 do not meet the estimated average requirement (18 mg/day). ^2,3
• Ferrous sulfate (FS) effectively improves iron levels but often causes severe gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. ⁴
• Previous research has suggested that lactoferrin, a milk-derived glycoprotein, may provide comparable iron delivery with fewer GI issues. ⁴
• Research suggests that lactoferrin, a milk-derived glycoprotein, delivers iron as effectively as ferrous sulfate, with fewer gastrointestinal issues. ⁴
• This clinical trial, conducted at USU’s Center for Human Nutrition Studies, examined the effects of …

Phylogeny And Historical Biogeography Of Uroleucon Aphids, Audrey Mullen

Student Research Symposium

Research Questions

• Are South American Uroleucon aphids endemic or recently introduced?

• If endemic, did the aphids come from North America or Eurasia?

• When did dispersal events occur?

• Did temperate zone-adapted Uroleucon aphids cross through equatorial tropical forest?

Ghostlight: A Fargedy, Ethan Shaw

Student Research Symposium

November 9th

8:30 PM

PG-13

Ages 14 & Up

Caine Lyric Theatre

All Students $10

General Public $15

Investigation Of Immune/Performance Trade-Offs In Neonate Children's Pythons, Ellie Hartman

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Energetic trade-offs are a key consideration when understanding an organism’s life history. One of these tradeoffs occurs between investment in immunity and performance.

• Individuals that invest more energy into immunity may be less equipped to avoid predation or find food, while those prioritizing performance may be more susceptible to infection
• Hypothesis: In response to a novel antigen, neonate snakes will have an immune response we can measure by counting immune cells. Additionally, we predict that strike frequency, swim speed, and endurance will be reduced in snakes undergoing an immune response and that with greater immune response we will see …

Beyond The Finish Line: How Mindset & Setbacks Shape Future Success In High School Sprinters, Hannah Lybbert

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Across many domains, mindset has been shown to affect performance; however, quantifying that belief can be challenging to do empirically.

Track and Field 100m results provide a perfect environment to attempt to quantify the magnitude of the effect of mindset on performance – timing equipment and wind sensors never lie!

Evaluating The Effects Of Oxidative Stress On Primary Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells, Sophia Hessami

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss worldwide, affecting 200 million adults over the age of 40

• Affects subretinal layers: retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch’s membrane, and choroid (Fig. 1)

Problem: Early mechanisms of AMD are not well understood; oxidative stress is often cited as a key contributing factor to the development of AMD.3 Current studies neglect to use primary RPE cells when investigating oxidative stress.

Oxidative Stress occurs when there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular antioxidant defenses

• Overabundance of ROS results in damage to tissue and …

Harvest Extend Volunteers Report Improved Mental And Social Wellness, Clarissa Richins

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Harvest Extend volunteers help reduce food waste, improve food security, and learn fruit preservation techniques

The Stem Gender Gap: Can It Be Closed?, Makenna Roberts

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

While many industries have achieved gender parity, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, with participation stagnating between 32% and 35% from 2011 to 2021. Research suggests this gap is influenced by relative cognitive strengths and social/societal factors. This study analyzes two datasets: (1) SAT score report data from the National College Board and (2) employment data from the 2021 NCSES Survey of Recent College Graduates. Findings highlight disparities at the highest percentiles and lower workforce participation among female STEM graduates.

To Bee Or Not To Bee: Investigating Pesticide Behavior Inside And Outside Semi-Field Cages, Mallory Bingham

Student Research Symposium

Background

Pesticides are vital in preventing crop damage from pests but are cited as a key factor in decreasing bee populations.¹ The alfalfa leaf cutting bee is essential in alfalfa seed production in the Western US.² Current research seeks to examine the effects of pesticides on these solitary bees to maintain healthy populations while controlling pests.³

One research tool commonly used to examine pesticide effects on bees is field-cages. Field cages are thought to simulate agroecosystem conditions while restricting bees to plots that have been sprayed with pesticides.^1,4

However, environmental conditions can be different inside and …

Impacts Of Reef Fish Length On Foraging Radius: Exploring Behavioral Patterns Within A Patch Reef Ecosystem, Kilia Brawand

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Coral reefs support high levels of marine biodiversity

• Patch reefs serve as vital refuges for small fish.
• Predation risk shapes how far fish stray from their reef, creating a “foraging radius”— the maximum distance traveled before retreating.

Absolute swimming speed in fish increases with body size (1).

• Therefore, larger fish may travel farther away from their refuge to forage over greater areas

This study tested the following question: Does a reef fish’s length influence how far it travels from its patch reef refuge?

Robinhood Stock Pitch, Morgan Cole

Student Research Symposium

Investment Overview

Projected 2 Year Stock Price

$86.89

Current Stock Price (as of close 4/1/25)

$42.85

Projected Upside

103%

Data Science For Engineers, Heidi Moulton

Student Research Symposium

30% of USU undergraduate students participate in some sort of research, and for engineering students this often means generating large amounts of data.

Data Science for Engineers is a series of four modules that introduce students to data processing, visualization, and graphing in the Python programming language using Pandas DataFrames and Juypter Notebooks.

The modules are intended for students with a basic understanding of programming in Python, specifically those who have taken CS 1400 Introduction to Computer Science.

Adaptation Of Influenza A Virus Strains A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7n9) And A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7n9) For Development Of Effective Mouse Models, Spencer Mullen

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Animal models are key to the research and development of antiviral interventions. Two strains of low-pathogenic avian influenza virus, A/Anhui/1/2013 and A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7N9), isolated from a 2013 outbreak in China and acquired by USU’s Institute for Antiviral Research from the CDC, are the subject of this project.

Developing antiviral interventions against Influenza A H7N9 is essential because:

• Global outbreaks have caused high mortality among bird and human populations since 2013.^[1]

• Low-pathogenic avian flu viruses can mutate to become highly pathogenic.^[2]

• No current prophylactic or therapeutic human interventions exist.^[3]

BALB/c mice, commonly used for …

Who Supports Democracy In The Post-Arab Spring Maghreb?, Jacob Sagers

Student Research Symposium

Background

During the Arab Spring in 2011, youth became the backbone of protests and a force for democratic change. Particularly in Tunisia – the heart of the Spring– youth had a dominant role in starting protests and toppling regimes. Extant literature's mixed findings on wealth’s positive association with democratization processes suggest democracy’s support depends on public opinion and age. Building off fieldwork and interviews with students in Tunisia, my study focuses on economic development and its impact on public opinion.

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Evaluating The Stress System Of The Grieving Brain: Corticotropin-Releasing Factors And Partner Loss In Coyotes, Rachel Tong

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Social bonds are fundamental and essential

• Positive and negative effects

The stress system¹ :

• Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system
• CRFR1 and CRFR2
• Acts on the HPA axis, amygdala, and hippocampus

Genetic monogamy is common among coyotes

Importance:

• Coyotes’ greatest threat are humans
• An abandoned partner can disrupt biology and behavior

Animals experience social loss too!

Assessing Response Diversity Of Spawning Conditions Among Streams Due To Interannual Changes In Snowpack, Autumn Zierenberg

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

• Temporarily available streams, including intermittent streams, account for roughly 79% of streams in Utah alone (National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) 2008; Goodrich et al., 2018), yet are often overlooked as suitable habitats for native fishes.
• Intermittent streams are inundated during native Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) spawning season (Budy et al., 2012) and can be used by spawning trout during some years (Rousseau 2024)
• Understanding the role of intermittent streams for productivity of basin scale populations is critical to determining the scale of habitats necessary to conserve stable, productive populations.
• To characterize intermittently available spawning habitats, we assess the …

Women In Accounting, Heidi Sundberg

Student Research Symposium

There is currently a shortage of about 340,000 accountants in the US, which is detrimental to companies.

• However, especially in Utah, there are many women who graduated in accounting but don’t stay in the field for very long. These women could help to fill the shortage, which would be beneficial for them to grow as professionals and for companies.
• My hypothesis is that employers aren’t aware of all the barriers that women face in the accounting field.

Media Entertainment, Louis Bosshart, Ilaria Macconi

Communication Research Trends

No abstract provided.

Social Media And Sports Betting, Mikey Bishop

Student Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

The Digital Dairy Diary: Exploring The Emotional Responses Of Utah Social Media Users To Dairy Content, Patryce Eldredge

Student Research Symposium

Social media is powerful in distributing information and helping society to develop perceptions and sentiments. Social media can be a useful tool in community agriculture. However, without an understanding of the emotions held by social media users concerning the dairy content on social media, ag educators can’t effectively use social media as an educational tool.

Biosecurity Strategies For Combating Iuu Fishing: Protecting Ecosystems And Economies, Spencer Anderson

Student Research Symposium

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens marine ecosystems and global economies by driving overfishing, spreading aquatic diseases, and introducing invasive species. It disrupts biodiversity, jeopardizes fisheries' sustainability, and undermines the livelihoods of millions, intensifying food insecurity and socio- economic vulnerabilities, particularly in fishing- dependent communities.

This research examines biosecurity strategies— including regulatory frameworks and collaborative efforts—to safeguard marine biodiversity and support sustainable fishing economies. Addressing the complex challenges of IUU fishing bridges gaps between conservation, public health, and economic resilience.

This study adopts an interdisciplinary approach to develop practical solutions to preserve biodiversity, enhance public health protections, and promote …

Martha Stewart's Enduring Legacy: A Social Media Case Study, Holly Asay

Student Research Symposium

Martha Stewart gained fame in the 1990s and, at 83 years old, remained culturally relevant on her personal Instagram account. Despite early criticism, she had 2.6M followers and high engagement in 2025.

The Stories Of Dress: Exploring Fashion Histories In The Usu Clothing Collection, Ysabel Birmingham

Student Research Symposium

The Family Life Consumer Science and Education Department at Utah State University houses the Historic Clothing Collection, featuring over 530 donated items from the 1840s to the 1990s. This collection, contributed by USU alumni and Northern Utah residents, includes apparel, accessories, and print documents of historic and cultural significance. The challenge lies in preserving these pieces while increasing student access to support future research on the intersection of fashion and society. The goals for this project were to

• Organize the collection
• Assign unique accession numbers to each object
• Digitize all existing paper documentation
• Photograph each item in the collection
• Assess …

Optimizing Antibiotics: The Ph Factor, Tyler Barry, Camila Campos, Claire England, Carson Porter

Student Research Symposium

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a global concern. Antibiotic production depends on factors like pH and salinity. Antibiotics are waiting to be discovered in soil that can aid with health treatments [1]. We isolated colonies from soil. One isolate produced antibiotics, forming an inhibition zone against Staph. epidermidis. Our soil had a pH of 8, suggesting it's an alkaliphile that can thrive in basic conditions. Optimal pH enhances antibiotic production, benefiting medicine [3].

Estimating Equivalent Annual Costs: A Comparative Analysis Of Electric And Traditional Roadways, Noelia Garcia Weidling

Student Research Symposium

As electric vehicle (EV) adoption increases, new infrastructure like Electric Road Systems (ERS)—which wirelessly charge EVs while driving—is being explored. While promising, ERS are more expensive to build and maintain than traditional roads.

Because U.S. roads are primarily funded by taxpayers, this project explores:

• Traditional roadway costs and ERS costs

• Ways to recover that investment in a sustainable, fair way.

Through The Lens: Analyzing Apple's 'Shot On Iphone' Social Media Marketing Campaign, Awsumb Hardy

Student Research Symposium

While promoting the iPhone 6s, Apple launched the #ShotOniPhone campaign. It encouraged iPhone users to share photos under the tag #ShotOniPhone.

• Was the campaign a success? Why?
• Did the campaign increase iPhone sales?
• What can we learn from #ShotOniPhone?

Racism On Social Media, Britton Larsen

Student Research Symposium

For centuries, racism has been an issue in society; however, the emergence of social media has drastically altered the landscape of the vulgarity and encounter of racist content. Social media has become a crucial communication, advocacy, and information battleground. While these platforms have provided a voice through which underprivileged populations become equal in terms of advocating for equality and justice, the same platforms have nurtured the breeding ground for hate messages and discriminatory ideologies. This research will look to explore the relationship between social media and racism, doing so to look at how these social media platforms amplify racist content …

Measuring Small Currents At Fast Speeds Using A 2Nd Generation Electrometer, Donna Metcalf

Student Research Symposium

The Electron Emission Test (EET) chamber in the Utah State University Materials Physics Group (MPG) is used to determine the electron yield of highly insulating materials. An electrometer is employed alongside the EET chamber to measure the output current of 10-6 to 10-14 pulses of 10-7 seconds to DC duration. In previous years, a first- generation electrometer was used for these measurements. However, the introduction of a new electrometer presents an opportunity to achieve faster measurement speeds and improved sensitivity to smaller current values.

The Meme-Ification Of Barbie: How Social Media Turned A Movie Into A Cultural Phenomenon, Jayke Martin

Student Research Symposium

The 2023 Barbie movie became a cultural phenomenon, driven by an innovative marketing campaign that leveraged memes and user- generated content, particularly on TikTok. Users embraced the movie's catchy songs and dance routines, sparking widespread excitement. Strategic brand collaborations with Crocs, Cold Stone Creamery, and NYX, combined with the fashion industry's embrace of pink, amplified the film's impact. Notably, the extensive use of fluorescent pink paint led to a global shortage. The teaser trailer, which parodied 2001: A Space Odyssey and premiered before Avatar: The Way of Water, generated early buzz by challenging audience expectations. The “Barbenheimer” phenomenon emerged when …

Sizzling Success: The Impact Of Wendy's Twitter Roast Campaign, Bryan Mortensen

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

The Wendy’s Roast Me social media campaign created massive engagement, increased brand awareness, and improved brand reception. The reason that I choose to analyze this campaign is because I wanted to read more Wendy’s roasts.

The social media platform that I have chosen to analyze is TikTok, however I did do some research on Twitter as well in order to be able to compare their performance.

Today, I am aim to answer three questions:

• How did TikTok compare to Twitter?
• What made this campaign so successful?
• Can we apply anything from this campaign to others