Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of Cadaver Tissue Antigenicity As A Practical Teaching Tool For Immunohistochemistry, Shanice Rerrie, Jumana Rizk, Levon Shukrian, Maria Mendoza Lopez

Liberty University Research Week

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a core technique in biomedical research and is increasingly important for teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, teaching laboratories typically rely on animal-derived tissues because the access to fresh human specimens is restricted due to ethical concerns. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether cadaveric tissue can retain sufficient antigenicity for immunohistochemical analysis and thereby serve as an effective and ethical teaching resource. Liver lobe and renal cortex samples (approximately 1 cm³) were collected from an 88-year-old female donor. Target proteins were selected for their established roles in vitamin D metabolism and their …

When The Music Stops: How Removing The Musical Scores Changes The Message Of The Film, Natalie Dean, Caroline Breen

Liberty University Research Week

Music has always been an intricate part of film. Films like Jaws, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Avengers are not simply recognized by their logos and characters, but also popular scores and theme songs that are tailored specifically to those films. Character theme songs, opening musical scores and more are used to create a communicative connection between the film and the audience. Previous research has primarily evaluated cognitive data such as attention level, or explored altering the music itself, such as a change in tempo, rhythm, and pitch. This study investigates how a film’s overall messaging to its audience …

Single Step Cyanoacrylate Fumigation With Common Dyes, Abigail Proffitt, Jared Filegar

Liberty University Research Week

Cyanoacrylate fumigation is a widely used fingerprint development method to visualize latent fingerprints left on nonporous surfaces. This methodology relies on heating cyanoacrylate, otherwise known as superglue, to create vapors that polymerize onto fingerprints. These vapors react via biological components such as amino acids and other residues left from finger oils. This technique is very effective; however, once the polymer has completed its reaction the fingerprint is colorless resulting in the need for a secondary staining technique. The additional procedure increases processing time and introduces potentials for smearing or human error. This research aims to investigate a way to consolidate …

A Bloody Window To The Past: Str Analysis Of Dna From A Bloodstained Civil War Surgical Table, Nadia Walter

Liberty University Research Week

This study aimed to generate DNA profiles from the bloody Hillsman House surgical table via STR analysis while also determining the best method of sample collection and analysis from a wooden substrate. During the Battle at Sailor’s Creek in 1865, the historical Hillsman House served as a field hospital where hundreds of Civil War soldiers were treated. In 2016, Jones and McClintock collected and analyzed samples from bloodstains on the floorboards of the house, showing that historical DNA is still viable for profiling. During this process, marks on the floorboard were presumed to be from the surgical table, which was …

Regulation Of Glut5 Expression And Fructose Uptake By Heat Stress And Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines In Enterocytes, Landri Shope, Gretchka Mair

Liberty University Research Week

Diabetes is an escalating global health concern, affecting 11.1% of the adult population worldwide, with over 90% of cases classified as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (Facts & Figures., n.d.). T2DM is characterized by chronic fasting hyperglycemia and is increasingly associated with alterations in the gut microbiome. This study tests the hypothesis that heat stress, a gut dysbiosis-associated stressor, will upregulate the fructose transporter GLUT5 in enterocytes. Increased GLUT5 expression may enhance intestinal fructose uptake, thereby contributing to worsened glycemic control in T2DM. While the mechanism linking inflammation and impaired glucose homeostasis remains elusive, emerging evidence supports strong associations among …

Various Animal Species Microscopic Hair Analysis, Bryanna Smith

Liberty University Research Week

This research aims to determine whether animal hair characteristics can reliably differentiate various animal species, a study with potential forensic applications. Both human hair and animal hair are comprised of three key components: the cuticle (the outer coating composed of overlapping scales), the cortex (protein-rich structure that surrounds the medulla and contains pigments) and the medulla (the central core, which may be absent). The goal of this research project is to document data collected from microscopic analysis of a variety of non-domesticated animal hair/fur samples, such as bear, skunk, or wolf, to determine detailed similar and different characteristics between them …

Forensic Differentiation Of Canine Hair, Allison Kelley

Liberty University Research Week

The goal of this research is to determine whether the characteristics of dog hair can effectively differentiate between canine breeds, which is important for forensic applications. While there is extensive literature on human hair analysis, there is not much to be found on canine hair, although dogs are present at many crime scenes. This research ultimately aims to gather sufficient data on a wide range of dog breeds to compile a comprehensive database to identify differences in dog hair, contributing to the discipline of trace evidence hair analysis within forensic science. The central hypothesis in this study is that specific …

The 3-D Apparatus Of Local Ticks: A New Insight Into The Mechanism Of Sensing Hosts And Their Storage Of Pathogens, Sara Grant, Tristan Davis, Maggie Milhorne, Zipporah Nedlock, Jonathan Marks, Alan L. Gillen

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

How Did Maternal Influenza And Tdap Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women In Mississippi Change From 2018–2021, And How Do Coverage Rates Differ By Race/Ethnicity?, Soala Esther Abere, Atika Ali, Fadzai Nyarugwe, Ifeoluwanimi Shobayo, Jalena Smith

Liberty University Research Week

Maternal vaccination is a critical component of preventive care, yet coverage in the United States remains inconsistent, with persistent racial and age-related disparities. This study examined maternal influenza and Tdap vaccination coverage among pregnant women in Mississippi from 2018–2021, a state with disproportionately high maternal and infant mortality. Using publicly available CDC surveillance data, a quantitative secondary data analysis was conducted to assess vaccination trends and differences by race/ethnicity and maternal age group. After excluding suppressed estimates, 48 observations were analyzed. Overall maternal vaccination coverage averaged 51.55% across all years and demographic groups, with influenza coverage ranging from 49–54% and …

Production, Isolation And Characterization Of Novel Peroxidases From Cucurbita Family, Rahel Mamo

Liberty University Research Week

Peroxidases are found throughout nature and are valuable biocatalysts due to their versatility in catalyzing oxidative reactions using hydrogen peroxide as a co-substrate. The peroxidase from horseradish root is widely used in diagnostics and synthetic applications, however, plant peroxidases from other plant sources remain underexplored. Recently, a peroxidase from the skin of Cucurbita maxima (PKS) was isolated and demonstrated promising biocatalytic properties related to the decomposition of a wide variety of fluorinated aromatic compounds. Purification and characterization of this enzyme revealed a protein sequence that was similar to the well characterized HRP, with some key amino acid substitutions. A second …

Investigating The Natural Communities And Flora Of Candler’S Mountain, Lydia Harris, Cyrus Harris, Tyler Knick

Liberty University Research Week

Candler’s Mountain is home to a variety of natural communities and flora. With more than 1200 vascular plant species documented in Campbell County, the identification and growing historical record of local flora will support short and long-term recognition of the importance of biodiverse natural communities in central Virginia. This project seeks to (1) document flora diversity in this region, (2) further establish an herbarium teaching and research collection of representative species, and (3) advance our understanding of the flora in relation to natural communities. Identified ecological groups and community types are based upon the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation …

Characterizing B1 B-Cells In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Alyssa Canelo, Victoria Pacheco

Liberty University Research Week

This project tests the hypothesis that developing antibodies specific to zebrafish CD5 and IgM will enable the reliable identification and characterization of B1 B-cells in zebrafish. B1 B-cells play a critical role in autoimmunity across species, yet their functions remain poorly characterized in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish are widely used as a developmental and immunological model organism due to their genetic similarity to humans as well as their transparent embryos. The lack of species-specific antibodies has hindered the study of B1 B-cells in zebrafish.

This project seeks to develop and validate antibodies against zebrafish CD5 and IgM. This will be …

Characterization Of Peroxidase From Butternut Squash Skin: Potential Use In Bioremediation, Ava Witkowski

Liberty University Research Week

Peroxidases are present in many diverse plant species and catalyze chemical oxidations, some that may have significance in biotechnological areas like bioremediation. In several recent papers we characterizes a novel peroxidase from the skin of pumpkin that possessed desirable catalytic activities in relation to a class of environmental contaminants call fluorinated phenolics. In the course of these studies, we were able to do genomic analysis on a related plant species curcubita moscata (butternut squash) and identified a peroxidase with very similar sequence. The current study focusses on the characterization of that novel peroxidase in comparison with the pumpkin skin squash. …

Disability Studies In Historical Context: The Research Behind The Creative Writing Process, Annabelle Welch

Liberty University Research Week

This study examines the process of  writing a short story “The Shoes,” set in New Orleans during World War II, and creating a main character through the lens of research within the field of disability studies. This research is closely intertwined with my creative process of writing “The Shoes.” The first portion of the poster focuses on the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, during America’s involvement in World War II. My aim is to build a foundational understanding of the microculture in that region, especially as it was shaped and molded by the strong presence of soldiers, the heavy hand …

Kinetic Analysis Of Degradation And Maximum Catalytic Capacity For Plant Peroxidase Enzymes, Hayden Stollings

Liberty University Research Week

In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began investigation into the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. PFAS, which stand for “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” are a highly stable and toxic compound that were mass produced throughout the 1900’s and was commonly found in common kitchenware, carpets, furniture and even produced in industrial processes.

The function behind PFAS’ stability lies in the abnormally strong Carbon-Fluoride bond, which explains for its initial functionality. Moreso, PFAS can withstand natural degradation in the environment, leading to buildup. Exposure to certain PFAS have been linked to health problems such as increased cholesterol, thyroid issues, reproductive …

Characterizing Novel Peroxidase Activity Through Enzyme Kinetics And Equilibrium Binding, Marika Yelle

Liberty University Research Week

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants, motivating the exploration of peroxidases as potential bioremediation catalysts. This study spectroscopically characterized three peroxidases, with a focus on Pumpkin Skin Peroxidase (PKS). Initial characterization assessed PKS equilibrium binding with various ligands to determine dissociation constants (Kd) for each ligand-enzyme interaction. To characterize PKS catalytic activity, guaiacol oxidation was monitored, with parallel KF trials modelled by Michaelis-Menten kinetics, revealing fluoride-induced increases in Km and Vmax, consistent with an inhibitory effect on substrate binding and catalytic turnover. These findings provide insight into the function of PKS and its potential for environmentally relevant …

Investigating The Role Of The Active-Site Metal In Plant Peroxidase Catalysis, Alexandra Knight

Liberty University Research Week

This study investigates how replacing the native iron heme with manganese or cobalt protoporphyrins affects the enzymatic activity of horseradish (HRP), pumpkin skin (PKS), and butternut squash (BNT) peroxidases. A heme extraction protocol was adapted for generating apoenzymes by removing the native iron heme cofactor, and extraction was confirmed using UV-vis spectroscopy. While initial reconstitution of apo-HRP with manganese protoporphyrin IX appeared to be incomplete based on UV-vis analysis, the results suggested that manganese incorporation modifies the spectroscopic characteristics of the native enzyme. Comparing horseradish, pumpkin skin, and butternut peroxidases will reveal potential differences in metal-dependent activity and stability among …

Morphological Evaluation Of Cadaveric Tissues Integrity Using Histology Staining, Jumana Rizk, Levon Shukrian, Maria Mendoza Lopez, Shanice Rerrie

Liberty University Research Week

The transition from gross anatomical dissection to microscopic evaluation is essential for a comprehensive understanding of human biology. While systemic anatomy reveals the macroscopic organization of the body, histology provides insight into cellular structure and tissue integrity. This study aimed to bridge these disciplines through histological assessment of cadaveric tissues. Our objective was to determine whether tissue samples after prolonged fixation could be processed and stained to meet standards for histology education. Tissue samples of the cerebral cortex, renal cortex, liver lobe, and skeletal muscle were obtained from two cadaveric donors, one male and one female. Tissues were processed, embedded …

Spectroscopic Characterization Of Pfas Ligands Binding To Novel Plant Peroxidases, Vladimir Bogatov

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Elephant's Toothpaste: A Statistical Investigation Of The Yeast-Catalyzed Decomposition Of Hydrogen Peroxide, Annaliese Defelice

Liberty University Research Week

Catalase is the main enzyme in yeast that catalyzes the popular “elephant’s toothpaste” reaction. Elephant’s toothpaste reactions often proceed using an iodide or yeast catalyst, but iodine is favored for ease of quantitative analysis. There remains little statistical data on the yeast-catalyzed hydrogen decomposition reaction. The relationship between reagent amounts and reaction rate was measured by manipulating reagent quantity while maintaining other variables. The results were graphed and fitted for linearity, indicating the relative relationship between each reagent and the overall reaction rate. There were strong positive correlations between yeast and hydrogen peroxide concentrations and reaction rate. Augmenting the volume …

Investigating Nutritionally Derived Treatments For Metabolic Disease: Enterolactone And Its Effect On Glp-1 And Pyy Secretion, Aidan Clancy

Liberty University Research Week

Gut-derived hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) play essential roles in maintaining glucose homeostasis and appetite regulation. These hormones are primarily secreted by enteroendocrine L cells in response to nutrient signaling in the gut. Emerging evidence suggests that polyphenolic compounds and their metabolites may influence gut hormone secretion. Enterolactone (ENL), a microbial metabolite of the dietary lignan, matairesinol, is of particular interest due to its reported anti-diabetic properties. In this study, we propose to test whether ENL can modulate the secretion of GLP-1 and PYY in L cells in vitro, thereby identifying a potential mechanism by …

Bacterial Purification Of Hat Enzymes From Cryptococcus Neoformans: Esa1 And Gcn5 Purification, Manasi Joshi, Andrew Wisley

Liberty University Research Week

Gene expression in eukaryotes is tightly regulated by post-translational modifications. Histone acetylation is an epigenetic modification associated with increased transcription. The putative histone acetyltransferase (HAT) in the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, Something About Silencing 3 (SAS3), has been a novel research target due to its potential role in virulence that causes nearly 112,000 to 625,000 annual deaths worldwide through cryptococcal meningitis. Although SAS3 homologs acetylate core histone 3 in mammalian organisms, recombinant SAS3 has not yet demonstrated HAT activity. Previously, an established human HAT p300 was used as a positive control to validate enzymatic conditions for HAT assays. However, using known …

Offspring Cognitive And Neurobiological Outcomes Influenced By Maternal Dietary Patterns, Emma Whatley, Abigail Frommack, Karina Long, Sarah Nelson

Liberty University Research Week

The impact of maternal diet on offspring neurodevelopment is a relatively new field, and its areas of focus are vast. The field is predominantly studied and understood through the impacts of an unhealthy diet, the maternal Western diet (WD), but there is very little research on healthy diets like the maternal Mediterranean diet (MD). The general healthiness of the diet and some limited research support that this diet could have beneficial impacts on offspring. This research aims to explore the impacts of a maternal MD on adult offspring. We hypothesize that the maternal MD will enhancing cognitive performance in learning, …

Effects Of Environmental Xenoestrogens On Immune System Development In Mus Musculus, Broderick Adams, Annaliese Defelice

Liberty University Research Week

Prenatal exposure to environmental xenoestrogens may influence immune system development and contribute to autoimmune disease risk. This study investigates whether Bisphenol-C (BPC), a common substitute for Bisphenol-A (BPA), exhibits similar estrogenic and immunomodulatory effects, and whether it can cross the placental barrier. Using a controlled murine model, dams are assigned to multiple treatment groups receiving estradiol, BPA, or BPC via defined administration methods. Offspring are analyzed at gestational day 17, with collection of amniotic fluid, fetal tissues, and serum. Immune markers, including IL-6 and anti-dsDNA antibodies, are quantified ELISA and flow cytometry, while mass spectrometry is used to confirm BPC …

Impacts Of Maternal Diet On Offspring Affective Behavior And Brain Morphology, Abigail Frommack, Emma Whatley, Karina Long, Sarah Nelson

Liberty University Research Week

The field of maternal dietary impacts on offspring neurodevelopment has been established over the past 30 years, and since its establishment it has grown rapidly. The research shows that maternal diet significantly impacts offspring neurodevelopment, with those effects lasting until adulthood. Most research in this field focuses on the detrimental impacts of a Western Diet (WD), but little research exists on the beneficial impacts of a healthy diet. This research aims to close that gap by assessing a healthy diet and its impact on adult offspring. We hypothesize that a maternal Mediterranean diet (MD) will have positive impacts on the …

Analysis Of The Effects Of Phytocannabinoids Cannabichromene (Cbc), Cannabidiol (Cbd), And Cannabigerol (Cbg) On The Enzyme Faah, Rachel Duncan

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Forensic Differentiation Of Feline Hair, Gabriel Dunn

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Histological Quality Of Fresh And Pre-Fixed Tissue, Rebekah Satalino, Andrew Hodges, Bright Danso, Gretchka Mair, Kingsley Ampong

Liberty University Research Week

The quality of a tissue sample used for histological analysis robustly influences the accuracy of scientific results and diagnostic interpretation. For fresh tissue samples, the duration between termination and fixation is a major determinant for tissue quality going forward as fixation halts tissue degradation. The condition of the fixed tissue before subsequent processing can have a pronounced effect on staining characteristics and cellular component integrity as examined under the microscope. However, while fresh tissue is frequently considered best, many institutions may only have access to pre-fixed tissue for training or research purposes. The aim of this research is to compare …

Impacts Of Interspecific Competition On Stress And Body Condition In A Montane Salamander (Plethodon Hubrichti), Jason Porter, Allison Carmen

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Quantifying Biogenic Amines In Anaerobic Porcine Liver Decomposition For Improved Pmi Estimation Using Gc/Ms, Shanice Rerrie, Faith Ekoh

Liberty University Research Week

Postmortem interval (PMI) estimation remains a central challenge in forensic science, particularly during the early stages of decomposition. Quantifying biochemical changes during tissue breakdown has emerged as a promising approach to improve accuracy in PMI determination. This study expands on earlier research that quantified the biogenic amines cadaverine (CAD), putrescine (PUT), and methylamine (MEA), which result from bacterial amino acid decarboxylation during decomposition. It specifically examines how these compounds form under anaerobic conditions over a prolonged 30-day period. Porcine liver, serving as a human tissue analog, was decomposed in sealed anaerobic chambers. Tissue samples were collected at regular intervals, homogenized, …