Digital Commons Network^™

Somewhere Between Tool And Teammate:A Construct-Level Framework For Ai-Assisted Coding Reliability, Amanda N. Moeller, Abi K. Leyden, Joey Welles, Isaac J. Moelter, Erin E. Johnson, Samuel Hunter, Gina Scott Ligon

Reports, Projects, and Research

Federal Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives have increasingly emphasized accelerating AI adoption across government operations while maintaining appropriate governance and oversight mechanisms (Office of Management and Budget [OMB], 2025; The White House, 2025). AI systems are increasingly being integrated into research and operational workflows to support the large-scale analysis of unstructured information. Across high-impact environments, AI-enabled systems are being used to accelerate document review, organize information repositories, extract structured indicators, and support operational and analytic decisionmaking. However, despite rapid adoption, many organizations still lack practical frameworks for determining when AI-generated outputs are sufficiently reliable to support operational use and when human …

Meet And Greet With Tony Pérez (Laii Career Series), Tony Pérez

LAII Events

This event will offer students the opportunity to learn about Tony Pérez’s career in public service and to engage with him about his current work in the field. Students interested in pursuing careers in government service are especially encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be provided.

José Antonio “Tony” Pérez is a New Mexico native who earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Latin American Studies and Spanish in 2012 from UNM. He furthered his education by completing a Master of Arts in International (Sustainable) Development at the SIT Graduate Institute in Washington, D.C., in August 2014. Tony currently serves …

Spartan Daily, May 6, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 166, Issue 42

Does Your Sleep Really Matter?, Kristy Riddle

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

In this project, I am tracking 10 of my daily statistics revolving around my routine. I am using an Oura Ring to help accomplish some of the statistics. These include: readiness score, sleep score, screen time on cell phone, time spent on social media, steps taken, stress levels, restorative time, pages read, homework time spent, and oz of water consumed. I will be utilizing Excel for my data and will have around 3 months worth of statistics. hope to learn more about my levels of efficient sleep and how I can better improve my motivation as a student. This project …

Assessment Of Cognitive Function In Stroke Survivors Using The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Moca), Georgia Cameron

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Falls are a common and serious complication in post-stroke patients, with 37–73% of individuals falling within the first 6 months post-stroke and up to 73% within the first year (Verheyden et al., 2013). This study is part of a broader investigation examining whether gait characteristics and impaired cognitive function can predict fall risk when used alongside artificial intelligence. Prior to strength testing and gait analysis, multiple surveys were administered to assess the participants' cognitive function, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The MoCA is a cognitive screening tool developed to detect mild cognitive impairment and assess multiple cognitive domains, including …

Parasocial Relationships In Identity & Mental Health, Josephine Railston

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Parasocial relationships are one-sided emotional connections people form with media personalities such as influencers, streamers, and celebrities. Although these relationships are inherently unreciprocated, prior research has shown that they can provide meaningful feelings of companionship. While parasocial relationships are often viewed negatively, the current study examined the association between parasocial relationship strength and multiple dimensions of psychological well-being, including loneliness, perceived stress, self-esteem, and behavior mimicry. Grounded in Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, media personalities were conceptualized as role models whose behaviors and attitudes are observed, internalized, and potentially imitated by audiences. Participants completed an online survey assessing the strength of …

Listening To The Landscape: Designing A Conversational Agent For Native Botanical Literacy, Lucy Periale

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This project investigates how physical devices integrated with conversational AI can support botanical literacy and encourage engagement with the natural world, with a particular focus on increasing awareness of California native plants. It asks: how can tangible, voice-interactive devices facilitate place-based learning without disrupting direct outdoor experience? Existing plant identification tools rely on screen-based interaction, which can distance users from their natural surroundings. This research contributes to interaction design and human-computer interaction discourse by exploring embodied learning through devices that prioritize environmental immersion. This project developed multiple design concepts and developed three prototypes namely Buddy Bot, Radio Agent and Plant …

State-Religion Entanglements And Public Acceptance Of Censorship: Appeals To Social Harmony In Asian Hybrid Regimes, Jackson Pace Campbell

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

In Asian hybrid regimes, where religious and ethnic diversity intersects with political authority, governments often justify censorship through appeals to social harmony. This paper examines how state-religion entanglements shape public tolerance for such restrictions on speech.  Drawing on theories of authoritarian resilience and Durkheimian collectivism, this study argues that higher state-religion entanglements embed religious legitimacy in institutions, legitimize suppression of dissent under the precept of collective harmony, and prioritize collectivist norms over individual rights, thus increasing public acceptance of censorship. Employing a sequential mixed-methods design, the study analyzes Asian Barometer Survey Wave 6 data from Indonesia, Vietnam, Mongolia, and South …

The Weight Of The Unknown: Xenophobia In Lucía Puenzo’S Xxy, Daylen Motamed

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This project examines how Lucía Puenzo’s film titled XXY critiques societal responses to unique identities (specifically intersex as an example), asking how xenophobia and normative gender expectations shape the marginalization of bodies that exist outside the binary. Situating the film within scholarship on queer adolescence and intersex representation, the analysis of this poster will argue that XXY exposes how institutions such as medicine and family reinforce harmful notions of “normalization.”

Drawing on close textual analysis of key scenes and engagement with critical sources, including Guillermo Olivera’s work on space and visibility and testimonies from intersex individuals, this study investigates how …

Between Authenticity And Exploitation: Rethinking The Intended Audience Of Sean Baker's Tangerine, Ava Brandt

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Sean Baker's Tangerine (2015) has generated genuinely divided responses among trans critics, and for good reason. This paper takes that division seriously, using two reviews published on Autostraddle within six weeks of each other to frame a central question: who is Tangerine actually for? Existing scholarship on trans cinema has tended to evaluate films on a spectrum from exploitative to affirming, but this paper argues that framework is insufficient for a film like Tangerine, which operates as both simultaneously. Through close reading of the film alongside its production history, paratexts, and reception, and drawing on Paige Macintosh's scholarship on trans …

Information Exposure And Vote Choice: The Role Of Social Media In The 2020 U.S. Election, Brooke Beardsley

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

How does social media use affect vote choice during the 2020 election in the United States? Research shows that social media can shape political attitudes and behaviors by increasing exposure to political information and like-minded communities. However, much of the recent literature focuses on specific platforms or broader political participation, leaving open the question of how much social media use influences party vote choice. I argue that individuals who use social media platforms such as Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram are more likely to support Democratic candidates than individuals who do not use these platforms. To test this argument, I used …

"Silent Or Seen: How Trust Influences Protest Engagement", Adam M. Erdkamp

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The research question I have chosen for my project is, “In what ways do levels of trust impact whether someone chooses to participate in an in-person protest?” A current problem within this field from previous findings is that research claims there is no consensus on whether trust encourages participation or if distrust drives it. Therefore, while some believe that a minimum level of trust is necessary to participate in politics, others argue that distrust drives citizens to partake in non-institutionalized, radicalized, or in-person protests. My answer to this question is that I believe if people were to have high levels …

Ai Is Taking Over!: A New Generation Of Unemployment Fears, Amaya V. Hepburn

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The growing panic surrounding AI taking over the workforce is strong in a distinct group of demographics, in contrast to the fear of computers taking over the workforce that was seen in previous generations. This suggests that AI developments have sparked a wave of fear that is unlike the fear of tech developments in the past. I have discovered that this fear is prevalent across several demographics: age, employment, and income. By cross-analyzing through the 2017 and 2025 fear surveys, I discovered that fear of AI is more prevalent in younger generations and is more threatening to students entering the …

Acculturation Pressures And Substance Use Among Latino Populations In The U.S., Julie Misiewicz, Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-Macphail

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

In 2001, the Office of the Surgeon General classified Latinos with substance use disorders as a vulnerable population (Villalobos & Bridges, 2018). Although Guerrero et al. (2013) found that rates of substance use among Latinos were comparable to or exceeded those of other ethnic groups, disparities remain in access to and quality of treatment. Early adulthood is considered a high-risk period for substance use, yet Latino individuals may face additional pressures during this developmental stage while exploring identity and navigating acculturation (Unger et al., 2014). Despite documented links between acculturation pressures and substance use, little was understood about how these …

Raised To Hold Firm: Authoritarian Child-Rearing Values And Opposition To Political Compromise, Morgan Romine

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This research project examines how at-home values might explain an individual's view on political compromise. Using the 2024 American National Election Studies (ANES) survey data, I study the relationship between authoritarian child-rearing preferences and support for political compromise. While existing research has linked authoritarian values to attitudes such as prejudice and support for strong leaders, less attention has been paid to how those same values shape attitudes toward political negotiation. My hypothesis is that people who prioritize obedience, respect, and good manners over independence and curiosity in children reflect broader goals toward order and stability, and that those preferences translate …

Evaluating Team Formation Strategies With Algorithms, Ethan E. Lopez, Andy Vo

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Effective teamwork is essential for collaborative learning, yet forming compatible student groups remains a persistent challenge. This study explores how algorithmic team-building methods influence students’ social and academic compatibility overtime. To support this investigation, we designed a visual survey system called “The Disco Ball." Evaluating work ethics, lifestyles, behaviors, and communication styles, students were initially assigned to project teams using one of three conditions: (1) random assignment (control), (2) a “most matches” condition maximizing similarity between students, and (3) a “diverse communication styles” condition designed to balance differing interaction preferences. After an initial collaboration period, students were given the opportunity …

Democratic Legitimacy And Data Governance: Data Privacy Philosophy And Regulatory Preferences In The U.S. Vs Eu, Mia H. Truong

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and large-scale data collection has intensified tensions between commercial innovation and consumer privacy, raising a fundamental democratic question: do Americans understand their data protections–and does this shape their demand for regulation? The EU and U.S. represent two fundamentally opposed approaches to data privacy regulation: the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) treats personal data as a fundamental human right, rooted in post-WWII constitutional protections against state surveillance and authoritarianism, while the U.S. operates through fragmented, sector-specific state laws that treat personal data as a market commodity. This study is the first to empirically investigate …

Voter Gender And U.S Senatorial Candidate In 2024 Election, Gwenn Ricordel

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This study examines whether gender influences voters' decisions to support candidates based on the political party of the senatorial candidate in the U.S. Senate elections. While research suggests that gendered stereotypes and perceived issues on ability create a clear gender gap in voting behaviors, this research argues that in high-information national elections, these identify factors come second to party identification and economic outlook. The main goal of this research is to determine whether the gender of the voter truly impacts whether they vote for a candidate based on political party, or whether their decision is rooted more on identity based …

Fear Of The Other: Explaining Immigration Anxiety In The United States, Ramon Arguelles

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Illegal immigration has become one of the most politically divisive issues in the United States, with many Americans fearing its social, political, and economic effects. This paper examines possible causes of the fear of illegal immigration, specifically focusing on media consumption, employment status, and education level. Using Wave 11 of the Chapman Survey of American Fears, a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults, this paper analyzes whether these variables can serve as indicators of fear of illegal immigration. Drawing on media framing theory, labor-market competition theory, and theories of education and cognitive sophistication, three hypotheses were tested using Pearson correlation …

Alone And Radicalized: The Hidden Link Between Isolationism And Political Violence, Zaina Siddiqui

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

As some socially isolated individuals come to view political violence as legitimate, what exactly draws the line towards political extremism? My findings examine the relationship between loneliness, social marginalization, and support for political violence through psychological theories on radicalization. Using Chapman University’s American Fear Survey Wave 11, I examined the correlation between isolationism and a sense of belonging, with the latter leading to support for political violence and extremism. The project contributes to research on political extremism by focusing on loneliness as a loss of belonging and personal significance rather than on ideology or pathology alone. In my research, I …

Beyond Clicktivism: Analyzing The Most Effective Forms Of Civic Engagement, Charlotte Grace Iribarren

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Civic engagement is not only characterized by voting, it can take the form of protesting for a political cause or donating to campaigns. Today, a highly common form of political involvement is posting online or signing online petitions, also referred to as “clicktivism.” In this paper, I intend to examine the extent to which voting in general presidential elections correlates with individual engagement in protests, donations to campaigns, or engages in “clicktivism”. Using the American National Election Survey which measures voting behaviors, political participation and public opinion, I find that the most consistent voters are clicktivists and campaign donors. Conversely, …

Discrepancies In Pediatric Oral Health, Tyler B. Truong

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

In 2024, data was collected by the CDC on untreated tooth decay. From that data, children living in low-income households had an estimated 18.8% of tooth decay untreated, almost triple the amount when compared to children from middle to high income households (6.6%). As the income disparity continues to grow in the US, it is critical that we implement strategies to aid lower income communities in providing their children with proper oral hygiene tactics. In order to understand how communities can help promote healthy oral hygiene for their children, a survey of dentists from various areas was conducted to see …

Behind The Self-Report: Cognitive Symptoms And Moderating Variables During Covid-19 Quarantine, Ashley H. Jo

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

A lesser-known impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is the impairment of cognitive functioning among seemingly unsusceptible, healthy, and young populations. Research suggests that the circumstances of extreme social isolation, incited by the pandemic, have had significantly negative effects across various social, cognitive, and psychological dimensions, with a specific focus on adolescents who are at a unique and more extreme risk than adults and children. By applying the cognitive load theory (CLT) to the COVID-19 quarantine landscape, this study measured the effects of the COVID-19 quarantine on cognitive functioning among those who were adolescents and young adults at the time …

Breaking Down A.B.C.D. (American Born Confused Desi): Dual Identity Struggles & Mental Health Outcomes In South Asian American Youth, Sanchi Kohli, Desiree Crevecoeur-Macphail

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

South Asian American youth are an understudied population in mental health-related research. When looking at data, we saw that in Asian American youth, suicide is the leading cause of death. The current study examined South Asian youth mental health and the confounding factors that lead to suicidality. Including parental pressures, dual identity struggles, and internalized racism. This was done specifically under the guidance of Benet-Martínez & Haritatos’ (2005) theory of Bicultural identity integration. The study described how individuals with compatible or opposing cultural identities perceived their dual identities. In the case of this study, we identified whether South Asian American …

Determinants Of Successful Completion In The Rowan-Virtua Dual Cprs/Chw Program: Literature Review & A Work In Progress, Timothy Breiner, Donato F. Tassoni, Richard Jermyn, Venkat Venkataraman, Alexander Abbott, Kenneth Stagliano

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS) and Community Health Workers (CHWs) expand access to behavioral health and social care through training, credentialing, and community-based support. Although these programs improve knowledge, skills, and workforce readiness, retention and completion remain important barriers to program scale-up. Evidence on predictors of successful completion in dual-role CPRS/CHW pathways is limited.

Objective: To identify participant, programmatic, and contextual factors associated with successful completion of the Rowan-Virtua Dual CPRS/CHW Program.

Methods: This work-in-progress combines a focused literature review with ongoing program analysis. The review examined English-language studies from 2010 onward related to CPRS and CHW training, program …

Mental Health Vs Substance Misuse: Predicting Restraint Use In The Emergency Department, Chloe Lafosse Bs, Michael Witt Md, Mph

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: Violence in the emergency department affects approximately 30% of hospital staff every 6 months. Presenting complaints may contribute to violence risk, particularly in those with mental health or substance misuse issue where there are heightened risks of cognitive impairment and involuntary holds.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of literature published between 1957-2025 using multiple databases, identifying studies that observed physical restraint use on adult emergency department patients. All relevant data was recorded and imputed into SPSS for a chi-square test.

Results: Thirteen studies (2019-2025) met inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 58 to 1,035,522 participants. All studies …

Impact Of Routine Yoga Practice On Metabolic And Hormonal Outcomes In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Priya Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting approximately 8–12% of reproductive-aged women and is commonly associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and metabolic dysfunction¹. Lifestyle modification remains first-line therapy; however, adherence to conventional interventions is often limited²,³. As a result, there has been growing interest in complementary approaches such as yoga, which integrates physical activity, breath control, and stress reduction⁴.

This focused literature review evaluates the impact of routine yoga practice on metabolic and hormonal outcomes in women with PCOS. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted, identifying 201 articles. After screening and applying …

Impact Of Early Term Induction Of Labor On Cesarean Delivery And Impact Of Early Term Induction Of Labor On Cesarean Delivery And Maternal-Fetal Outcomes In Patients With Obesity: A Maternal-Fetal Outcomes In Patients With Obesity, Priya Patel, Nathanael Hoskins

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: Obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m²) in pregnancy is associated with increased risks, including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and higher cesarean delivery (CD) rates. Evidence supporting early-term (37 0/7–38 6/7 weeks) induction of labor (IOL) to improve outcomes remains limited. This study evaluated whether IOL in patients with obesity is associated with decreased CD rates.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pregnancies undergoing IOL between 37 0/7 and 41 6/7 weeks from 2018–2023 at a single institution. Exclusion criteria included spontaneous labor, prior CD, multiple gestations, fetal anomalies, non-vertex presentation, and pre-labor rupture of membranes. Primary exposures were …

Case Report: Dandy-Walker Malformation In An Adolescent Presenting With Aggressive Behavior, Kristen Arulsamy, Wayne Tamaska, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report a case of a 15-year-old male who presented to the Emergency Department(ED) for agitation and was subsequently diagnosed with Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM). DWM is a rare congenital abnormality of the posterior fossa characterized by hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, cystic dilation of the fourth ventricle, and enlargement of the posterior fossa. It is typically diagnosed during infancy due to hydrocephalus, developmental delay, or neurologic abnormalities. Late presentations in adolescence are uncommon and may occur incidentally during evaluation for unrelated conditions.

Treatment Of Propionic Acidemia With Acetate Donors, Chorlada Paiboonrungruang, Zhaohui Xiong, Xiaoxin Chen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Propionic acidemia (PA) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase, resulting in toxic metabolite accumulation and impaired energy production. Current treatments are largely supportive, highlighting the need for targeted metabolic therapies. This study evaluates whether acetate donors can improve cell viability in a PA model.

Human hepatocyte (HepG2) control and PCC-deficient (PCCΔ) cells were treated with triacetin, sodium acetate, or acetylcarnitine. Dose-response studies (0.1–10 mM) showed no cytotoxicity. Propionate exposure identified 800 μM as an optimal stress condition that reduced viability without excessive cell death.

Under propionate-induced stress, all acetate donors improved cell viability …