Digital Commons Network^™

Faulty Focus, Sleep Suffers: Grandparent Caregiving Responsibility And Grandchild Sleep, Samantha N. Greenfield

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Grandparents raising grandchildren face heightened caregiving demands that may strain cognitive functioning and disrupt family routines. Cognitive failures—such as lapses in attention, memory, or action—can undermine caregiving quality and are associated with difficulty maintaining consistent bedtime routines. This may lead to disrupted sleep and longer sleep onset latency (SOL) in grandchildren. Despite the growing number of grandparent caregivers in the United States, little research has examined how caregiver cognitive functioning interacts with caregiving responsibility to influence child sleep. Grandparents (N = 185, Mage = 54.31, 79.8% female) responsible for caring for their grandchildren (Mage = 8.05, 49.4% female) completed the …

Investigation Of Antimicrobial Properties In Bacteria Of Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta) Nesting Beaches, Norah P. Nunez

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Identifying bacteria of Loggerhead turtle nesting beaches can shed light on antimicrobial properties of agents that could impact turtle hatchling survival. Bacteria from beaches in Fort de Soto and Lido Key were isolated and analyzed for antimicrobial properties, as these beaches are commonly Loggerhead nesting sites. Isolates were chosen for apparent inhibition of bacterial growth then tested against medically significant bacteria in two rounds of modified Kirby-Bauer. The identities of the bacteria were investigated through a series of differential and selective tests and confirmed with …

Prehistoric Indigenous Foodways At A Northwest Florida Shell Midden, Layla M. Alvarado

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Florida archaeology can give us further understanding of the ecology and environmental changes that occurred in the past and could re-occur in the present. In this thesis, I examine one site left by the indigenous peoples from prehistoric northwest Florida between about 1500 to 500 years ago to try to understand the environmental conditions they lived in and their food waste. The Van Horn Creek shell midden site (8Fr744) is in the Apalachicola River valley region, about 50 miles west of Tallahassee. In my research, I studied cultural materials from Test Unit 1 at the site, which was excavated in …

Investigating The Role Of The Gut Microbiome In Modulating Immune Responses To Infections, Abhinav Muthiraparambath, Matthew Guzie, Matthew Lim, Aryan Sharma, Julia Mendez, Irelis Orlando, Archi Patel

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Increasing evidence links the gut microbiome to immune regulation, homeostasis, and infectious outcomes. Although gut dysbiosis is associated with impaired immune responses, the mechanisms linking microbial imbalance to immune dysfunction and diseases remain under-investigated. This study aims to investigate how changes in the gut microbiome contribute to immune dysfunction and disease progression, and whether biomarkers can improve the prediction of disease outcomes and therapeutic responses. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies explaining the relationship between gut microbiome dysbiosis and immune dysfunction. This was conducted by searching select words such as ‘Gut microbiome’, ‘Gut dysbiosis’, and ‘microbial …

Gopher Tortoise Burrow Census And Population Estimate In The University Of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Conservation Area, Anthony J. Richard, Linda Vesser

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a threatened species in Florida, and both the tortoise and its burrow are protected in their range across the southeastern United States.  The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM) campus is home to a 6.6-acre conservation area that supports a population of gopher tortoises as well as other native and threatened plant and animal species. As an initial determination of population size, we mapped all current burrow locations using a Garmin GPSMAP 64st.  As tortoises spend most of their time inside their burrows, estimates of population size can be difficult.  However, burrow surveys are …

Testing Downstream Analysis Of Noninvasive Anoa Dna Samples Using The Mm12 Primer, Madisen Hamai

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is an endangered species of wild cattle endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. As anoa populations are expected to decline in future years, genetic analysis is important to monitor numbers and guide both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts. Because anoa avoid human interaction, noninvasive sampling methods of DNA collection are being tested. These methods minimize stress to the animal and allow scientists to measure genetic diversity within anoa populations and relatedness between individuals.

This study uses PCR amplification of a microsatellite to determine whether noninvasive DNA is suitable for population level analysis. The study uses …

Amplifying The Anoa: Noninvasive Genetic Amplification Of The Lowland Anoa With Csrm60, Haley B. Merkle

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is the smallest species of wild cattle in the world and is classified as endangered on the ICUN Red List. Noninvasive genetic assessment allows for collection of samples with minimal impact on animal welfare but can result in low-quality DNA or contamination. Little is known about effective forms of noninvasive sampling and the DNA analysis protocol that follows regarding the anoa. This study is part of a continuing collaborative investigation and helped gain insight into the suitability of noninvasive DNA for population research. To determine whether the DNA is suitable, a set of …

Evaluating Tgla126 For Pcr Amplification Of Noninvasive Dna Samples In The Lowland Anoa, Autumn Merkle

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is also known as the dwarf water buffalo endemic to the Island of Sulawesi. This species is considered endangered under the IUCN Red List with less than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Genetic research for anoa is insufficient because of population fragmentation and their avoidance of humans. Utilizing noninvasive samples alleviates the need for direct animal interaction and can provide DNA suitable for population level analysis of genetic diversity. DNA was previously isolated from anoa fecal and saliva samples. In this study, both fecal and saliva samples were tested, with focus on saliva samples. …

The Invasive Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura Similis): Insights From Diet, Parasites, And Genetics, Spence Gerber, Andre Aquino, Valentin Basarevskij, Abigail Pal

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis), native to Mexico and Central America, is invasive to Florida following its introduction in the 1980s. Research on C. similis integrates anatomical examination, parasite identification, genetic characterization, and gut content analysis to better understand its ecological impact. Specimens culled by authorized agencies were utilized as a source of otherwise unused biological samples. To date, nearly 30 carcasses have been dissected, yielding data on diet and endoparasite fauna as well as providing insight into the species’ potential effects on native ecosystems through resource competition and predation. Although their identification has been problematic, a …

Type 2 Diabetes As A Predictor Of Fibrosis And Mortality In Mafld: A Literature Review, Abrahim Khan, Guna Krita Ranjith Kumar, Lara Santa Cruz, Ahmed Kandil, Muhamed Jaber, Ryan Singh

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a leading driver of progressive liver fibrosis and premature mortality. However, MAFLD is clinically heterogeneous, comprising three distinct metabolic sub-phenotypes: obesity- driven, diabetes-driven, and metabolically dysregulated. Whether specific sub-phenotypes confer differential risk of fibrosis progression and mortality remains unclear. To identify which MAFLD sub-phenotype is associated with the greatest risk of advanced liver fibrosis and all-cause mortality through review of existing literature. A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed with search terms “liver fibrosis,” “metabolic dysfunction,” “cardiovascular,” “diabetes,” and “obesity,” yielding 151 papers screened. Articles not explicitly addressing MAFLD or published more …

Biopsy-Free Diagnosis Of Celiac Disease: A Review Of Current Evidence And Emerging Technologies, Chanith Gunaratne, Kylie Labra, Angelina Ott, Addie Prasal, Sandi Wadie, Mark Shaker, Ryan Singh

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Celiac disease is a common immune-mediated disorder often overlooked due to vague or asymptomatic presentations. Current diagnosis depends on endoscopy and biopsy, which are invasive, costly, and frequently inaccessible, leading many patients to avoid or delay testing. To evaluate clinical evidence of new diagnostic methods including blood tests, genetic tests, biosensors, and AI tools, and assess whether these non-invasive techniques serve as alternatives to endoscopic biopsy in diagnosing celiac disease. Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed with keywords “Celiac Disease,” “Diagnosis,” “Biopsy,” “Non-invasive,” “Detection,” and “Methods,” yielding 343 articles published between 2021 and 2026. Of these, 152 abstracts …

Comparative Evaluation Of Surgical And Non-Procedural Intervention On Fibroid Burden In Women Aged 30-50, Skylar Skupienski, Hiba Boumahdi, Vienna Nguyen, Brianna Casasu, Maimouna Dembele, Ryan Singh

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors arising from the uterine wall that commonly affect women aged 30–50. While surgical options such as hysterectomy and myomectomy remain the most prevalent treatments, emerging non-procedural approaches including dietary and lifestyle strategies show promise as alternatives. However, the comparative effectiveness of surgical versus non-procedural interventions on fibroid size and symptom burden remains unclear.

To compare the effectiveness of surgical, hormonal, and non-procedural interventions, including dietary and lifestyle strategies, on fibroid size reduction and symptom burden in women aged 30–50. A literature review was conducted using PubMed with search terms including “Uterine Fibroid Management,” “Dietary Interventions,” …

Benefits Of Art Therapy On Quality Of Life In Middle Aged Women With Gynecological And/Or Breast Cancer, Rylee N. Diehl, Iman Ahmed, Piper S. Bell, Lamya Moore, Giada Anastasi, Constanza Bravo Rodriguez, Taylor Edmondson

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Art therapy involves the use of art representations in clinical and mental health care. Art mediums such as painting, dance, and movement can be interventions for diagnoses such as gynecological or breast cancer (GBC). GBC incidence is highest among women 45-65, and art therapy has shown potential to improve their quality of life (QoL). Art therapy’s impact on QoL is often assessed by measuring physical and mental health, coping and adjustment capabilities, healthcare relationships, and social life. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted with an initial 181 articles extracted from multiple journals of psychology. A final selection …

The Gothic’S Boy Mom: A Depiction Of The Jocasta Complex In Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, Rylee N. Diehl

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

This paper explores the dynamic between Mrs. Danvers and Rebecca in Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It is revealed later in the novel that Mrs. Danvers worked for Rebecca’s family prior to becoming the housekeeper of Manderley. She took on a maternal role over the other woman that was characterized by an overbearing love for her. After Rebecca’s death, this love turned into obsession and readers have often noted sexual undertones within the way Mrs. Danvers refers to the woman she watched grow up. This is reminiscent of Raymond de Saussure’s Jocasta Complex which analyzes a mothers incestual fixation with her …

Gender Differences In The Diagnosis Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: The Role Of Vulnerable Narcissism And Clinical Judgment, Shreya Patel, Marvel Abdelmalak, Madison Dumerlin, Deeley Nice, Forat Waleed, Arjun Tummala

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition categorized into grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Current guidelines used to evaluate NPD include the ICD-11 and DSM, however, the accuracy of their results is arguable. NPD presents differently in males vs. females which may lead to misdiagnosis. This study reviews how clinician judgements are influenced by the gender-based differences in the presentation of narcissistic traits while using current diagnostic guidelines, aiming to understand the misdiagnosis of NPD when the traits are less grandiose. A literature review was conducted through PubMed using the search terms: (“Narcissistic Personality Disorder” OR narcissism) AND (“gender differences” …

Circadian Regulation Of Viral Replication And Immune Responses: Implications For Covid-19 And Other Viral Infections, Carolina Santa Cruz, Saanvi Dhala, Raneen Daoud, Arianna Skevington-Olivera, Ruhani Dashmesh, Arjun Tummala

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Circadian rhythms are 24-hour biological cycles regulating sleep, metabolism, and immune activity. Recent research shows circadian clock genes can influence immune responses. Studies on SARS-CoV-2 and influenza show clock genes regulate viral entry, replication, and immune signaling. However, their role in infection risk, immune defense, replication dynamics, and disease outcomes remains undefined. This study evaluates how circadian rhythms regulate viral replication and immune responses in COVID-19 and other viral infections. This review utilized PubMed to identify articles from the past five years using the terms “(immunity) AND (circadian) AND (viruses OR virus OR viral).”After reviewing 149 abstracts, 44 peer-reviewed articles …

The (P)Ppgpp Conundrum: Bacterial Gamblers And Bet-Hedgers Cash Out On Antibiotic Resistance, Jacob M. Hard, Oscar Colin-Castruita

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat, contributing to an estimated 4.95 million deaths associated with bacterial AMR in 2019. A key regulator of bacteria’s stringent stress response is the alarmone phosphorylated guanosines (p)ppGpp which shuts down most cell processes preserving survival. Firstly, bacteria exposed to DNA-damaging antibiotics undergo SOS (Save Our Soul) response promoting the formation of a “gambler” sub-population. Recent work suggests that (p)ppGpp binding to RNA polymerase influences SOS signaling in these gambler cells which initiate error-prone DNA repair to promote mutations to evolve and survive DNA damaging stress. Secondly, upon exposure to lethal doses …

Effectiveness Of Mindfulness-Based Interventions In Treating Behavioral Addictions, Arjun Tummala, Eshal Farhan, Tina Zhang, Ayesha Menon, Harshini Janapaty

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Behavioral addictions are non-substance compulsive disorders creating urges to engage with actions such as gambling and internet gaming disorder (IGD). Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) use conscious awareness of the present to improve both mental and physical health. However, their long-term effectiveness remains unclear compared to other therapies. This literature review explores how the use of MBIs, compared to other therapeutic techniques, help adults and adolescents struggling with behavioral addictions. A systematic screening of peer-reviewed articles was conducted using PubMed. Of 135 articles published from 2021-2026, “mindfulness”/“meditation”, “behavioral addiction”/”gambling”/“gaming disorder”/“internet”, and “long-term”/“relapse”, only studies that explored MBIs for behavioral addiction with experimental …

How Do Grandiose And Vulnerable Narcissism Differ In Their Expression Of Physical Aggression Within Intimate Partner Violence, Ryan Dumrauf, Kianna Romero, Adam Ghonimy, Vincent Yang

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) involves the feeling of self-importance and apathy, divided into grandiose and vulnerable subtypes. Grandiose narcissism is characterized by dominance and confidence, while vulnerable narcissism reflects insecurity and sensitivity. However, patterns across these subtypes concerning physical aggression have minimal research. Thus, the study aims to identify differences between these subtypes with respect to physical aggression in intimate relationships. A comprehensive literature review was performed through reliable, academic engines with the following keywords: intimate partner violence, narcissism subtypes, physical aggression, and IPV narcissism, which yielded seventy-seven articles. These sources were screened for criteria constituting intimate partner violence, with …

Gender Differences In The Diagnosis Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: The Role Of Vulnerable Narcissism And Clinical Judgment, Shreya Patel, Marvel Abdelmalak, Madison Dumerlin, Deeley Nice, Forat Waleed, Arjun Tummala, Amanda Janner

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition categorized into grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Current guidelines used to evaluate NPD include the ICD-11 and DSM, however, the accuracy of their results is arguable. NPD presents differently in males vs. females which may lead to misdiagnosis. This study reviews how clinician judgements are influenced by the gender-based differences in the presentation of narcissistic traits while using current diagnostic guidelines, aiming to understand the misdiagnosis of NPD when the traits are less grandiose. A literature review was conducted through PubMed using the search terms: (“Narcissistic Personality Disorder” OR narcissism) AND (“gender differences” …

Citing The Usage Of Generative A.I. In Academic Articles: Avoiding Plagiarism And Staying Authentic, Amanda Bitkauskaite

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The usage of generative A.I. increases day by day as the technology improves and remains accessible to the public. Inside academia, many argue the technology will help students and scholars to write papers quicker, to improve their writing, and/or to organize data quicker. However, there is the issue of if A.I. really improves workflow, and if it can correctly be used in the realm of publishing without impeding on the merit of their research and without insulting readers and editors alike, as is explained in “When and how to disclose AI use in academic publishing: AMEE Guide No.192” (L. Cleland, …

Examining The Effects Of Music Rhythm And Harmony On Emotional Arousal, Rebecca Nieves, Ioana Vasilescu, Srigopika Vibhavari Adiraju, Jakab Kabai, Chandler Castillon

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Music has long been acknowledged for its influence on the mind, most notably in its capacity to elicit measurable changes in emotional arousal. A stimulus will induce emotional arousal, or activation, that can be assessed through physiological measures (e.g., heart rate and brain activity) or self-reported emotional levels. While music’s emotional effects are established, the roles of features such as rhythm and harmony remain unclear. Harmony is created when sounds are united together, and rhythm is the pattern of music over time. This review examines how these influence emotional arousal, which may have relevance in music therapy development. The study …

Adherence To Mediterranean Diet Vs. Western Diet And Its Effects On Gut Microbiota And Inflammatory Bowel Disease Outcomes, Sarah K. Ziegler, James T. Oh, Lukas Farley, Dawid Boc, Marolina Binyamen

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic condition resulting from genetics, gut microbiome, and environment. Diet plays a key role in IBD with research linking the Western Diet (WD), high in saturated fats and refined sugars, to rising IBD cases, and the Mediterranean Diet (MD), rich in fiber and antioxidants, to reduced patient symptoms. This review compares the WD and MD to assess how dietary patterns affect the gut microbiota and IBD patients. An organized literature search was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the Web of Science to determine the effects each diet has on the gut microbiota and IBD …

Benefits Of Community Paramedicine In Reducing Health Disparities In Underserved Populations, Ahmi Z. Santiago-Turner, Rhod'ann Belizaire, Mirjam Almasi, Dorothy Estrada, Inioluwa Fatimilehin, Lucrecia Sanchez-Perez, Tinashe Sandy, Tracy Chen, Savannah Woods

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The implementation of EMS in the U.S. has improved access to healthcare, but led to an increasing reliance on emergency services. To combat this, Community Paramedicine has been implemented to expand the capabilities of paramedics and to improve care for underserved populations.

A systematic review examined the potential benefits of Community Paramedicine Programs on underserved communities with the hypothesis that it would lead to a reduction in EMS utilization. Using Rayyan’s software, 698 articles were screened. 5 articles were selected using search strings, and 5 were found through related article links.

Despite heterogeneous study designs, Community Paramedicine showed mixed but …

Ai-Enabled Food As Medicine In Hospitality: Children’S Wellness Menus, Guest Perceptions, And Service Design, Isabella Fonte

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Dietary management plays a crucial role in alleviating symptoms of chronic health conditions, yet accessible, credible resources remain underutilized. This project focuses on collecting and standardizing online recipes designed to support individuals managing ailments through nutrition, emphasizing that these recipes provide foundational dietary guidance rather than curative solutions. For instance, recipes targeting heart disease consistently prioritize whole grains, low-fat proteins, and vegetables, offering structured starting points for those navigating dietary changes. Our methodology involves identifying credible sources that meet specific criteria: nutrition information, dietary tags, serving sizes, preparation and cooking times, and detailed instructions to name a few. Selected recipes …

The Effectiveness Of Ube3a To Reduce Tau Pathology, Rishabh Katla

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the buildup of amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and cognitive impairment. NFTs are caused by the buildup and aggregation of the Tau protein due to hyperphosphorylation. Damaged proteins are degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, however, this system is dysregulated in AD leading to protein accumulation. UBE3A, one of many proteins that are responsible for ubiquitination of proteins for degradation, is reduced in AD. Therefore, we hypothesized that overexpression of UBE3A in mouse models with tau overexpression may lead to improved pathological outcomes. We used the Tg4510 mouse model which has a …

Differential Effects Of Testosterone And Estrogen On Inflammation And Disease Severity In Asthma And Copd, Samyslandine B. Eugene, Prisha Gupta, Srimayi Yeedara, Abdulwahab Eddib, Tanya Joseph, Tanmayee Maddineni

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, and airflow obstruction, while Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition characterized by irreversible airflow limitation. Although previous research has examined hormonal influence, the specific effects of sex hormones in asthma and COPD remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate how testosterone and estrogen influence inflammation, disease severity and exacerbation frequency in adults with asthma and COPD. A comprehensive literature review using PubMed with keywords (asthma OR COPD) AND (sex hormones OR estrogen OR testosterone) AND (inflammation OR disease severity OR exacerbations) yielded 145 articles. After screening …

Functional And Phenotypic Analysis Of Kimona Gp55 And Gp56, Kyrillos E. Takla

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Bacteriophages encode many proteins with limited functional annotation, making it difficult to predict how individual gene products influence bacterial hosts. Phenotypic assays that directly test expressed proteins provide a more reliable way to assess biological function. Here, I evaluated the effects of Kimona phage proteins gp55 and gp56 following inducible expression in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Based on conserved sequence features, I hypothesized that gp55 functions as a DNA primase but lacks the metal-binding motif, whereas gp56 lacks the catalytic domains required for primase activity, and that neither protein would exhibit cytotoxic effects. Gene 55 encodes gp55, a 219-amino-acid protein containing core …

The Differential Impacts Of State Surface Acting And Between-Person Expressive Suppression On Daily Emotional Experiences, Arin Singh, Laraib Farooq, Kerri Bump

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Surface acting is a form of emotional labor involving the modification of external emotional expression without changing internal feelings. While consistently linked to negative psychological outcomes, less is known about how momentary changes in surface acting influence daily life or how these influences interact with between-person differences in emotion regulation. The current study used an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design to examine how within-person variability and between-person differences in both surface acting and expressive suppression predict subsequent positive and negative affect. Participants (N = 70) provided momentary reports over the course of five days. Using multilevel modeling to disaggregate within-person …

Effects Of Modified T-Cells On Treatment Response Of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Landon Lam, Ana Luiza Macedo, Jayla Comes, Addison Morris, Madison Hansen, Leyli Hasanli, Tanish Guin

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a prevalent childhood malignancy; although survival for standard cases is high (85%), prognosis for relapsed or refractory disease remains poor, with survival rates at 50%. Innovations in immunotherapy, including Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, address these relapse rates. CAR-T therapy harvests and modifies T-cells from the patient to target and eliminate cancer cells. This review evaluates the clinical impact of modified T-cells on treatment response, analyzes the management of associated toxicities, and identifies biological barriers to sustained remission in pediatric populations. The review was conducted using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar …