undergraduate research and arts colloquium

Transcription

2016
UNDERGRADUATE
RESEARCH AND ARTS
COLLOQUIUM
WEDNESDAY APRIL 6, 2016
9:00 A.M. - 8:30 P.M.
MARSHALL STUDENT CENTER
2016 Undergraduate Research and Arts Colloquium
Table of Contents
Welcome Message from the Office for Undergraduate Research .......................................2
Message from Judy Genshaft, President ................................................................................3
Message from Ralph Wilcox, Provost .....................................................................................4
Message from Roger Brindley, Vice Provost & USF System Assoc. VP, USF World ............6
Message from Paul Sanberg, Senior VP for Research & Innovation ...................................7
Student Voices: The Impact of Undergraduate Research ....................................................8
Abstracts....................................................................................................................................9
Behavioral Sciences .....................................................................................................9
Business ......................................................................................................................29
Community Sciences..................................................................................................34
Education/ Music Education .....................................................................................37
Engineering ................................................................................................................45
Humanities ..................................................................................................................57
Marine Science ...........................................................................................................82
Medicine ....................................................................................................................83
Natural Sciences .......................................................................................................102
Physical Sciences ......................................................................................................120
Public Health.............................................................................................................131
Social Sciences .........................................................................................................141
The Arts ....................................................................................................................178
Index of Presenters ..............................................................................................................182
Index of Mentors...................................................................................................................187
2015/2016 CREATTE Scholars Program ..............................................................................190
OUR Scholarships and Awards 2015/2016 ..........................................................................192
Undergraduate Research at USF .........................................................................................197
Special Thanks from the OUR ..............................................................................................199
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Today’s event highlights the breadth of transformational research being conducted at USF
across all disciplines by extremely committed undergraduate students. Each project you
see represents at least one full semester of effort and is the product of the undergraduate
student and his or her highly supportive research mentor. As you move through the poster
and arts displays, listen to the oral presentations and see the performances, please be sure
to engage with the students to learn about the process they used to develop their projects
and their projects’ impact not just to the discipline, but also to them. They are eager to
share their results and receive feedback about their work.
This year you will note that more than 100 students are presenting CREATTE projects.
CREATTE stands for: Creating Research Experiences and Activities Through Teaching
Enhancement. The CREATTE initiative was sponsored by the OUR to provide faculty with
resources to offer undergraduates an authentic research opportunity as a component of an
undergraduate course. This allowed many students to engage in research who otherwise
would not have had the opportunity. You may also view posters on the design and
implementation of the CREATTE courses that have been prepared by the CREATTE Faculty
Scholars and their graduate student assistants.
The OUR would like to acknowledge the Office for Research and Innovation for
sponsorship of this ResearchOne event. We also wish to express sincere gratitude to
the 152 facilitators, 63 of whom are USF Alumni, who so enthusiastically volunteered to
make this event a success. We thank the many staff members who worked tirelessly to
make this event possible. Most importantly, thank you for joining us on this day of inquiry
and discovery and for your continued support of undergraduate research at USF. Finally,
congratulations to all the exceptional students and research mentors who are participating
in the 2016 Undergraduate Research and Arts Colloquium!
Please take a few minutes to complete the event survey form so we can improve this event
in the future.
Sincerely,
Office for Undergraduate Research Staff
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WELCOME
Welcome to the 2016 USF Undergraduate Research and Arts Colloquium. Today’s event
is the largest undergraduate research event ever held at USF and provides a venue for
nearly 500 undergraduate students to present their current research and receive feedback
from research mentors, colloquium facilitators, faculty, peers, and the USF community. As
one of the nation’s top public global research universities, USF is the ideal environment to
conduct research and the scope and rigor of the research activities continues to grow. In
addition, nearly one quarter of the student presenters are in their first or second year of
study at USF illustrating the high level of engagement of the undergraduate study body!
President Genshaft
Undergraduate Research Colloquium
April 6, 2016
Dear Students:
Welcome to the 2016 Undergraduate Research and Arts Colloquium! The Colloquium has
become one of the University of South Florida’s great traditions in showcasing the talent,
intellect and abilities of our students. Each year, hundreds of participants in this event impress
and amaze the USF community with their discoveries, insights and dedication to learning.
USF’s faculty and staff are very proud of all the students participating in undergraduate
research programs, which reflects USF’s mission as a Top 25 public research university and
underscores our commitment to student success. A USF education is one rooted in profound
learning experiences, and I believe one of the great advantages for undergraduates attending a
research university is the opportunity to participate in hands-on research that creates
unparalleled learning opportunities.
As you have worked to develop your research projects and collaborated with your faculty
mentors, I hope you have gained valuable experience in conducting a complex project; working
as a team; creating a professional presentation; and engaging Colloquium visitors in
conversations about complex topics. I hope you have discovered new confidence in your skills
and are excited to take on additional challenges. The extra effort you put into your research
and presentation has helped develop abilities that will serve you well wherever an academic or
career journey takes you.
Thank you to the Office for Undergraduate Research and the USF faculty and staff who have
guided student researchers through their projects. This is a vibrant and exciting community of
scholars, scientists, innovators and artists whose talents are helping build one of the nation’s
great research universities. We greatly appreciate all you do!
Congratulations to all on your research accomplishments!
Judy Genshaft
President, University of South Florida System
April 6, 2016
Dear Participants:
Welcome to the University of South Florida’s annual Undergraduate Research and
Arts Colloquium that is being held this year as part of the USF Week celebration.
At USF, we take pride in the research activities and creative expressions of our
undergraduates. These efforts are not only encouraged, but supported as high
priorities —as evidenced by the growing prominence of this colloquium. Each and
every USF college with undergraduate programs is represented today.
The interdisciplinary nature of this event is indicative of our focus on the important
relationship between the natural sciences and the arts. As Leonardo da Vinci
implored, “Study the science of art and the art of science.” Said Albert Einstein: they
“are branches of the same tree.”
As one of the nation’s leading and fastest-growing research universities, USF values
scientific and scholarly inquiry for its power to develop a fuller understanding of
ideas, issues, trends and technologies. The results of this research help transform
processes and/or products that change the way we live, create substantial economic
or social benefit, or provide organizations and individuals with a distinct competitive
advantage.
We are encouraged by studies showing that involvement in the arts is associated with
gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking and verbal skills. Arts
learning and practice also improves motivation, concentration, confidence and
teamwork. The intrinsic pleasures and stimulation of the art experience do more than
sweeten an individual's life; they can connect people more deeply to the world and
open them to new ways of seeing— creating the foundation to forge social bonds
and community cohesion.
It is the purpose of higher education not only to disseminate knowledge, but also to
nurture the creative problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and global
literacy skills essential to our students, their future employers, and 21st century
society. Because we cannot predict which research, scholarly or artistic activity will
contribute most to, or indeed be essential for, any one individual’s attainment of
these skills, USF continues to make available an array of opportunities —such as the
Undergraduate Research and Arts Colloquium— for students to find inspiration in
many different fields.
It is noteworthy that participation in this colloquium grows each year. Today we
are honored to promote over 370 projects and 460 distinct student presentations —
making our event the largest Undergraduate Research event in the State of Florida.
I offer my thanks for this growth in participation to the faculty mentors on campus
who regularly spark our students’ passion for research and inquiry-based learning,
as well as stimulate them to imaginative works that dazzle our eyes and ears.
In addition, I extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Robert Sullins, Dean of
Undergraduate Studies, and Dr. Richard Pollenz, Associate Dean for Undergraduate
Studies and Director of Undergraduate Research, for their continuing leadership and
commitment to shaping this celebration of undergraduate scholarship at USF.
Of course, it is to our student researchers and artists that we extend our greatest
thanks and admiration. Your learning is measured by far more than the hours spent
preparing your work for this colloquium. Committing to a path of scholarly inquiry
demands both personal risk and sacrifice. By accepting these challenges, and with a
new spirit of collaboration and innovation, you help to ensure the nation’s future
success in the global marketplace of ideas.
May your endeavors enrich the world just as you have enriched the broader USF
community today.
Ralph C. Wilcox, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President
“The RIAS Scholarship was one of the best opportunities that I have been given at
my time at USF. Taking part in an undergraduate research project with my art
allowed me the opportunity to push my work to cross interdisciplinary boundaries.”
(2013 RIAS Scholar)
“Conducting research at USF has offered me incredible opportunities to pursue
my creative and scientific ambitions and to become a more well-rounded and
experienced scientist.” (Undergraduate researcher in biology)
“The connections I have made with the OUR staff and other faculty will improve
my ability to get hired after finishing my academic career. Undergraduate research
has given me a better perception of research, enabled me to write and speak
professionally, and increased my confidence in pursuing my goals.”
(OUR research fellow)
“Becoming involved in undergraduate research is the best experience I’ve had as
USF student. This experience has allowed me to learn more about the research
process as well as reaffirm to me that the career path I’ve chosen to pursue is what
I want to do.”
(English major)
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STUDENT VOICES: The Impact of UndergraduateResearch
What our students have to say about the OUR
Abstracts
Behavioral Sciences
STEM Self-Efficacy and Belonging: Associations with Intention to Leave STEM Majors
Olivia Amorose
Mentor(s): Richard Pollenz, Danielle Findley-Van Nostrand
Program: Psychology
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic (STEM) fields are growing
exponentially and in accordance, the need for graduates with STEM majors is also rising. Thus,
with this need for graduates with STEM degrees, a key goal of universities nation-wide is
retaining those students in STEM. In this study, we 1) examine psycho-social mechanisms
related to STEM retention in college students, and 2) examine differences in these variables by
gender and ethnicity. Specifically, we focus on sense of belonging and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy
refers to how a person views himself or herself in terms of ability; these self-views motivate their
behavior and shape their confidence in themselves in order to be able to succeed and reach
their goals. Belonging, in turn, reflects how connected a person feels to their community. We
examined these measures in the context of STEM. Participants were recruited from a large
entry-level STEM course (N = 868) and received a survey looking at STEM identity and
education. This survey was distributed during the first semester in college and included
measures of self-efficacy, belonging, and intention to leave STEM. Findings suggest that
students with low self-efficacy and a low sense of belonging are more likely to intend to leave
their STEM major. These findings also suggested that there is an impact of gender and ethnicity
on the measures of self-efficacy and sense of belonging in STEM. Implications from this study
could help universities find more successful ways to promote a sense of belonging within their
STEM communities, as well as ways to bolster students’ self-efficacy with regards to their STEM
courses
The Concept of Gender Identity as Presented in Ancient Texts *CREATTE Project
Katarina Bojkovic
Mentor(s): Faruk Rahmanovic
Program: English
Modern western culture has adopted the notion that gender is binary, as in a human is either
100% male or 100% female, and this classification is completely based on the physical genitalia
the human is born with. However, there is much historical evidence in ancient texts that
supports the notion that people have been conscious of the existence of persons who are not
classified as completely male or female. Therefore, this research proposal seeks to answer this
question: How do ancient historical texts confront issues of gender identity such as gender
roles, transgenderism, hermaphroditism, and gender dysphoria? This will be answered by
evaluating ancient historical texts and legislation from varying geographical and cultural
regions, such as texts taken from Greek mythology, The Bible (the King James version), and
Medieval Islamic Law. Furthermore, I hope to compare and contrast these ancient cultural ideas
and pieces of legislation regarding gender dysphoria with those of more modern times.
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Parenting and Relational Aggression: Mediation via Hostile Attribution Bias *CREATTE
Project
Ariel Bradley
Mentor(s): Tiina Ojanen, Patrick Boyd
Program: Psychology
The project described in this presentation was researched and developed during the Child and
Adolescent Social Development CREATTE course and takes the form of a rigorous research
proposal. This presentation will highlight the research that was required to develop the
proposal and the components of the planned research project and its impact. Relational
aggression is characterized by behaviors that damage or threaten to damage relationships,
acceptance, and inclusion through manipulation of peer relationships (Voulgaridou & Kokkinos,
2015). Aggression is thought to be the result of defective social information processing
mechanisms, and this is where attribution biases are formed (Crick & Dodge, 1994). Children
can learn both aggressive behaviors and to interpret ambiguous situations as hostile from their
parents through parenting styles. There are positive associations between youth hostile
attribution bias and youths’ relational aggression; and parenting styles and youths’ hostile
attribution bias; parenting styles and youths’ relational aggression. However, considering the
evidence in the literature there is a gap that lacks a mediational model assessing for indirect
and direct relationships amongst these three variables. This presently proposed cross-sectional
and correlational study aims to examine whether parenting styles predict children’s levels of
relational aggression indirectly through their effect on children’s hostile attribution biases. This
study will collect self-reports and peer-reports from a group of 300 diverse seventh grade
students at public middle schools within Hillsborough County. Implications of this study would
provide future insight into prevention and intervention measures, as well as a greater
understanding as to what influences relationally aggressive behaviors in youth. The
development of this proposal has enhanced my appreciation for researchers in general. The
complicated time consuming process took me by surprise; however, the end result is extremely
rewarding
Human Trafficking Aftercare Services and Relevant Legislation
Brittany Burr
Mentor(s): Melissa Johnson
Program: Behavioral Healthcare
Human trafficking is an issue that has just now gained attention in the field of research and
service provision and because of its relative newness there is little research on the topic. My
project aims to examine the relationship between current legislation in Florida relating to
human trafficking, service provision for all ages and types of victims, and the relationship
between the two. Research questions include perceptions of victim’s needs, goals of treatment
services, length of treatment services and the rate of successful treatment, what happens to
people who are not successful, and perception of relevant legislation. One part of gathering
data will include attending at least 3 community events that are focused on human trafficking.
The other part interviews. An internet search was completed to find potential participants. The
inclusion criteria was provision of services for trafficked persons or law enforcement. The
exclusion criteria was that they were current victims, minors, not a service provider to trafficked
persons, or mental impairment and cannot give consent. A pre-drafted e-mail was sent out to
potential participants and when they responded an interview was scheduled. Interview
questions are pre-drafted and interviews are semi-structured and based off of the research
questions. This is an ongoing project and currently I have completed 5 interviews and attended
2 events. Results to inform the way victim’s needs are assessed, treated, and the different
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services available. It is possible that service gaps will be identified and the possibility that
organizations could be created to fill these gaps.
Is Laughter is the best medicine?
Katie Colin
Mentor(s): Michelle Bourgeois
Program: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Dementia is a degenerative disease for which we have no cure. The progression and severity of
this disease can be found in errors of language, and possibly in the occurrence and frequency of
laughter. The purpose of this research is to correlate humor, the cognition required for comedy
and the categorization of various kinds of laughter with the declining cerebral resilience of
adults with dementia. I analyzed language sample audio files from the DemantiaBank. These
samples were gathered from 80 participants with varying levels of impairment, as recorded by
their Mini-Mental State Evaluation (MMSE). The audio was then transcribed, or written down
and classified. The transcription was then coded into an empirical matrix, quantifying sentence
classification, errors, and categorizing of the kinds of the laughter produced. The study shows
that participants with a higher frequency of laughter had lower MMSE scores and fewer
sentence errors. The impact of this research will establish laughter as an indicator of cerebral
agility for adults with dementia.
Faculty Perceptions of Academic Integrity at USF *CREATTE Project
Madison Cooper, Denise Bagarra, Alma Castillo, Kaylee Trick, Crystal Johnson
Mentor(s): Catherine Batsche, Roger Boothroyd
Program: Communication Sciences and Disorders; Psychology; Behavioral Healthcare
In 2006, the University of South Florida (USF) surveyed students and faculty to assess the
institution’s academic integrity culture. Ten years later, a new form of the survey is being
developed to assess the faculty perceptions of academic integrity at USF. Key informants were
interviewed to suggest changes from the 2006 survey and to gather the overall faculty
perceptions of academic dishonesty, and generally, the academic integrity culture that the
institution has perpetuated over the years. Additionally, the research has identified some
problems with communication of policies between faculty and students, and depicted trouble
within the reporting process. The literature has also shown some inconsistency between
attitudes and behaviors that lead to the conclusion that new prevention strategies need to be
developed. Using Qualtrics, an online survey platform, a new survey was developed using
suggestions from the key informant interviews and the literature review on faculty perceptions
and academic dishonesty. This poster presentation will compare the results of the 2016 faculty
survey to the 2006 faculty survey to gain a better understanding on the academic integrity
culture of USF, and make suggestions regarding prevention and education to better implement
academic integrity policies.
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Older Blacks Levels of Satisfaction and Testing Anxiety Completing Computer Based
Versus Paper-and Pencil Cognitive Tests
Richard Corona
Mentor(s): Alyssa Gamaldo
Program: Gerontology
Blacks, particularly those with low socioeconomic status (SES), report negative experiences (e.g.,
testing anxiety and stereotype threats) taking traditional cognitive measures. Alternative
measures, such as computerized cognitive tests, may improve Blacks’ experience completing
cognitive tests and encourage them to monitor their cognitive functioning. Thus, the current
study explores two aims: (1) Examine Black adults’ levels of satisfaction completing
computerized cognitive tests in comparison to completing traditional cognitive tests; (2)
Examine older Black adults’ levels of testing anxiety between computerized cognitive tests and
traditional cognitive tests. Analyses was conduction using a sample of 47 black adults, residing
in the Tampa Bay area (age range = 56- 83). Participants were administered two computerized
cognitive batteries (CogState Brief battery and Joggle Research battery), a traditional battery
(paper-and –pencil Neuropsychological battery), Cognitive Interference Questionnaire, and
Cognitive Battery Satisfaction Survey. Participants reported greater satisfaction with the
computerized battery (CogState: 83%; Joggle: 75%) compared to the traditional battery (47%).
Older Blacks tended to have greater distracting thoughts and anxiety while completing the
traditional battery compared to the computerized batteries. In conclusion, older Blacks prefer
and showed reduced anxiety taking the computer-based cognitive batteries over the traditional
battery. Given older Black adults high levels of comfort taking the computer-based batteries
without the assistance of a trained research member, the computer-based battery can be a cost
effective tool for cognitive monitoring.
Art in Prisons Saves Money and Improves Lives
Rhonda Donovan
Mentor(s): Pamela Brekka
Program: BFA Studio
Finding ways to rehabilitate prisoners, and to integrate them back into society is the best
solution for the current overpopulation caused by repeat offenders and increased violence
within correction facilities. In order to do this, inmates need a change of perspective, which can
be achieved through the exposure to and creation of art. The purpose of this research is to
show the connection between art and improved self-esteem, a more positive attitude, and
making better choices so inmates can become productive citizens upon their release. This is a
rehabilitation solution, which was studied and proven effective by The Arts-In-Corrections
program when partnered with the California Department of Corrections between 1977-2003.
They studied the affects of art on inmates at four facilities which showed a reduction in
behavioral problems and improved relationships between inmates but also in their interaction
with guards and prison staff in up to 80.6% of participants, including those with no previous
exposure to art. These improvements resulted in positivism, a calmer environment, improved
self-esteem, reduced racial conflicts, and the ability to create bonds in personal relationships,
causing a direct savings in facility, societal, and tax expenses of up to $228,522. This research
proved continued exposure to art created dramatic effects, and should be a standard
component of all jails and prisons. Florida currently supports a diversion program for juvenile
first-time offenders, and prior to 1994 inmates were eligible for federal education grants to
pursue a college degree. That exposure to arts and literature can be part of the proven success
of art, and to turn around a system that is currently not working. The financial savings and
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societal impacts will be part of ongoing research to create an awareness for the need of
implementing visual art programs in juvenile and adult correction facilities alike.
Mental Illness at the Movies: Investigating Gendered Portrayals of Depression in Popular
American Film *CREATTE project
Emma Doukmak, Lindsay Garcia, Rachel Panico
Mentor(s): Samantha Gomes Compton
Program: Honors College
Mental illnesses such as depression are prevalent topics in American film, although portrayals
of people with these illnesses can have varying degrees of accuracy. Depression has been
widespread for centuries, yet stigma surrounding depression is abundant in the United States
(add citation). Therefore, there is a major concern that cultural and gender stereotypes about
people with depression may have a strong impact on American film. This study aimed to
discover how men and women with depression are portrayed differently in popular American
film. Using the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manual V (DSM-V), the
study defined “depression” as Major Depressive Disorder. The study analyzed films, randomly
selected from two lists of popular American films, one for men and one for women. The specific
symptoms presented by men and women were coded indicating which symptoms were present
and the frequency with which they occur in each gender. This study may indicate that gendered
symptoms of depression are in line with societal gender norms. In this case, women with
depression may remain stereotypically docile in their display of symptoms and in turn develop
issues such as eating disorders due to their depressive state, while men may turn to anger and
violent behavior. Viewing these films may then lead audiences to internalize harmful, inaccurate
gender stereotypes of depression.
Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations among Breast Cancer Survivors:
Preliminary Results
Cecelia Ferguson
Mentor(s): Stacey Scott, Sarah Eisel
Program: Nursing
In the U.S., increases in early detection and survival have resulted in more than 14 million cancer
survivors. Research on physical activity among survivors is important for preventing recurrence
and maintaining health. Few studies evaluate whether cancer survivors meet the American
Cancer Society (ACS) activity guidelines, which include limiting sedentary behavior and
engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. In this on-going study, we
determined the frequency of physical activity and sedentary behavior among 15 breast cancer
survivors (mean age = 53.36, range = 41-65) and whether their health behaviors met ACS
guidelines. The assessments included: (1) global surveys of physical activities and sedentary
behavior in a typical week and (2) 14 daily diary surveys of duration of physical activities and
sedentary behavior. We determined adherence based on ACS guidelines. Based on global
surveys, only 1 survivor (6.7%) met the ACS guidelines for physical activity, whereas 8 survivors
(53.3%) met guidelines based on daily surveys. In the global surveys, survivors reported an
average of 3,878 minutes of sedentary behavior per week; in the diaries, they reported an
average of 3,053 minutes of sedentary behavior per week. In conclusion, it appears that
survivors report lower levels of physical activity when asked in global surveys of typical behavior.
Daily sampling may provide a more accurate assessment of everyday activity from which to
determine how many survivors meet ACS guidelines and to help direct interventions to improve
health. To better understand these results, future studies should consider both daily selfreported and objective assessments of physical activity.
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Functional Size of the Amygdala versus the Anterior Cingulate Cortex as it relates to
Substance Use Disorder
Derek Free
Mentor(s): Cynthia Cimino
Program: Psychology
Many people have wondered if there are any psychological or physiological indicators that
would implicate if one has a predisposition to substance use. The brain is a good place to look
when there are any questions when it comes to human behavior. With the use of fMRI
machinery and other brain imaging technology neuropsychologists can capture functional
imagery of the brain to infer behavior. The Anterior Cingulate Cortex is normally developed
during adolescence and is fully matured when the individual reaches their mid-twenties. The
ACC is the part of the brain that is said to be responsible for an individual’s rational cognitive
functioning, such as reward anticipation, decision-making, empathy, impulse control, and
emotion. These are good qualities to have if one is more likely to not develop a substance use
disorder. Since substance use and the development of substance use disorder usually take
place during and after adolescence this researcher postulates that the development of the ACC
and substance use disorder in young adults are directly correlated. I intend to conduct a
research experiment that involves; independent variable, individuals afflicted with substance
use disorder of varying ages; a control group, individuals who have never taken drugs before;
and a dependent variable, size of ACC compared to each group and age difference. This
researcher prepares to screen patients for age, drug use history and education history. These
two groups of subjects will have an fMRI taken of their brain and the size of the ACC will be
compared to individuals of opposite groups with respects to age group for developmental
similarities of the ACC. I hypothesize that the independent variable’s functional ACC size will be
significantly smaller than that of the control groups. This will suggest that individuals who do
not allow their ACC to reach full maturity or have some kind of deficiency that does not allow
the ACC to grow to normal size will be more likely to develop a substance use disorder.
Reducing Recidivism and Supporting Substance Abuse Recovery: Expanding Best
Practices in the Marchman Act Drug Court Treatment Program of Hillsborough County,
Florida
Robyn Gerry
Mentor(s): Kathleen Moore
Florida’s Substance Abuse and Impairment Act, or the Marchman Act, permits (voluntary or
involuntary) admission of individuals for assessment and treatment of substance abuse through
Marchman Courts. Legislature (2001)1 stated drug courts be implemented “in each judicial
circuit in an effort to reduce crime and recidivism” recognizing “integration of judicial
supervision, treatment, accountability and sanctions greatly increases the effectiveness of
treatment”. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded
this “Grant to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity in Adult Treatment Drug Courts”.
Administrative Offices of the Court (AOC) in partnership with Drug Abuse Comprehensive
Coordinating Office (DACCO) and Phoenix House will provide services for this three year
research project. The University of South Florida’s Louis De La Parte Florida Mental Health
Institute (FMHI) will provide program evaluations and consultation regarding drug court best
practices. Impetus for our research question is “Does expanding treatment capacity reduce
recidivism while increasing positive outcomes for Marchman respondents?” We hypothesize,
based on existing research, Marchman Act Drug Court Treatment (MADCT) will demonstrate
positive recovery outcomes while reflecting decreases in relapse and recidivism. In January,
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2016, our study began accepting MADCT adult respondents. Thirty participants per year will be
assessed and interviewed at baseline (prior to treatment) with follow-up at six and twelve
months. MADCT utilizes National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
to actualize comprehensive, continuous, integrated care. Measures include substance use,
mental health symptomology, criminal justice and therapeutic alliance. To date, eight
participants have completed baseline assessments. We anticipate increasing numbers of
participants by five per month.
The Importance of Thinking Outside the Box and Collaboration
Michael Grabau
Mentor(s): Richard Pollenz
Program: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Time and time again, as students and as humans in the modern world, we are presented with
issues that do not readily present an answer. Collectively, in part having to do with the need to
cling to our high tech lifestyle and in part due to our ever growing ego’s and need for
narcissistic reinforcement, we overlook the simplest tools at our disposal. Humankind has the
unique ability to view every situation from an alternative perspective and the ability to seek
collaboration to further understand and define these new perspectives. My research entailed an
examination of treatment of a rare genetic disorder that predisposes the patient to develop
infections in the brain that can become fatal. This rare genetic disorder is usually scrutinized
through the perspective of genetics, palliative care, and radiologic tools. The doctors at Moffitt
Cancer Center treated a patient afflicted with this disease and were forced to collaborate and
to think outside of the box so as to efficiently treat and try to save their patient. I will guide you
through their thought process using their case report and display the unique issues that arose
that necessitated the need for collaboration and novel perspectives. My research supports the
notion that collaboration and altering one’s perspectives are truly a priceless set of tools.
Parenting Styles and Adolescent Social Adjustment *CREATTE Project
Laverne Handfield
Program: Psychology
proposal and the components of the planned research project and its impact. Past research has
identified an association between academic achievement and authoritative parenting style
during adolescence (Steinberg, Elmen, & Mounts, 1989). Also, parenting styles influence how
children interact with their peers (Park & Waters, 1989). However, there is a limited research that
focuses on the relationship between parenting styles and peer relations during adolescence.
Given the significance of social skills in adolescent development, the proposed study seeks to
examine the prospective associations among parenting styles, number of friendships, and
quality of friends in transition to high school. In a short-term longitudinal design, this study will
examine associations among these variables. Participants (target N = 300, ages 14-16) will be
recruited from local public high schools and will be assessed twice over the course of one year
to measure perceived parenting styles, number of friendships, and quality of friends. Using
established measures, self- and peer-reported data will be collected. I expect that the
authoritative parenting style will predict higher quality friends than the authoritarian parenting
style, and that a high number of friends will predict lower qualities of friendships. The
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development go this proposal has allowed me to gain the background experience in research
that I would need to pursue studying child and adolescent development in graduate school
Non-idiopathic Synesthesia: Brain-Damage Induced Changes in the Senses
Noreen Haq, Ferishta Rashedi
Mentor(s): Emanuel Donchin
Program: Biomedical Sciences and Psychology
Synesthesia is a blending of sensations, in which stimulating one sense involuntarily triggers
sensation in a different modality. People are either born with Synesthesia or may become
synesthetic as a consequence of brain damage, lesions, drugs, seizure and stroke. In this study
we focus on these non-idiopathic causes to see how Synesthesia develops or is experienced.
Drug-induced Synesthesia can arise from using psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, LSD and
mescaline. Because of the similarity of the drug-induced cases of Synesthesia, it is commonly
thought that a change in a neurotransmitter may play a major role in the perceptual changes.
Thus, for example, excessive intake of serotonin may cause many of the characteristics of
psychedelic intoxication. Neural connectivity for perception is impaired when there is sudden
cell death following a flood of serotonin and glutamate (Brogaard, 2013). In this presentation we
will review several cases in which brain damage resulted in Synesthesia. We examine the case
of a subject who reported seeing landscapes when listening to music. Another subject smoked
cannabis, when listening to a tune/sound saw ornaments or lines whereas when presented with
a melody saw a landscape that was familiar to the subject (Sinke et al., 2012). The case study on
this patient is important because it reflects how the right lateral ventricle plays a role in sensory
processing. Changes in this area of the brain can lead to changes in perception, possibly
leading to neurological conditions like Synesthesia. After experiencing an infarction in the right
lateral ventricle of her brain, one female patient started to report new symptoms which are
reflective of Synesthesia (Ro et al., 2007). After receiving a hit in the back of the head and being
diagnosed with unspecified head injury, a male patient developed a remarkable drawing ability
through induced Synesthesia (Brogaard, Vanni, & Silvanto, 2013). It is possible to determine
where his unspecified brain damage occurred observing the areas activated during certain
sensory tasks. For example, during a task involving his new skill to draw geometric synesthetic
images from a mathematical formula, the brain activation was restricted to the left hemisphere
of his brain
The Correlation Between EMTs Personality Type and the Verbal Aggression They
Experience
Yasja Hemmings
Mentor(s): Stephanie Andel
Program: Psychology
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) may encounter a great deal of verbal aggression during
their shifts due to the nature of the job. However, an EMT’s personality may play a salient role in
how often they experience these instances of verbal aggressions. In the current study, we
examined the correlation between personality (i.e. excitement seeking, cautiousness) and verbal
aggression. Additionally, we investigated the potential moderating role of safety climate in
these relationships. To examine these issues we collected data from 309 Florida EMTs who
completed questionnaires measuring excitement seeking, cautiousness, safety climate
perceptions, and instances of workplace verbal aggression. Results demonstrated significant
direct relationships between the tested personality variables and verbal aggression (excitement
seeking: r =.15 , p < .01; cautiousness: r = -.12, p < .05). Further, safety climate significantly
moderated these relationships, such that in instances of low safety climate, the relationships
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between verbal aggression and personality were weaker, and in instances of high safety climate,
these relationships were stronger (ΔR2 = .009 - .011). Overall, the results suggest that in general,
those who are higher in excitement seeking are more likely to experience verbal aggression,
whereas those high in cautiousness are less likely to experience verbal aggression. Further,
safety climate has a significant impact on the strength of these personality-verbal aggression
relationships. This study provides foundational evidence to suggest that in order to decrease
instances of verbal aggression throughout EMT organizations, it would be beneficial to consider
personality in the selection process, along with promoting strong safety climates.
Student Perceptions of Academic Misconduct at USF: A Ten-Year Comparison * CREATTE
Project
Karie John, Victoria Marino, Jasmine Ortiz, Ali Sigimundi, Freeman Gerhardt
Mentor(s): Catherine Batsche, Roger Boothroyd
Academic integrity violations have become an increasing concern in institutions of higher
education across the United States. Though the reported prevalence of academic dishonesty
varies across studies, research shows that between 80% and 92% of students report that they or
someone they know have engaged in cheating behaviors during college (Davis, Grover, Becker,
& McGregor, 1992; Genereux & McLeod, 1995; Jones, 2011). The purpose of this study is to
evaluate the perceptions students’ have regarding academic dishonesty at USF as well as to
determine whether students understand the current policies in place pertaining to academic
integrity. For example, USF’s honor code, the levels of violations, and the “FF” grade.
Qualitative data collection was conducted through interviews with various faculty members as
well as USF students. These interviews aided in the reconstruction of a survey that was
previously administered in 2006. The newly designed survey will be administered campus wide,
and the data will be compared to the previous survey. Results from this study will assist in
improving a culture of academic integrity by providing the administration with a greater
knowledge base of what students at USF perceive and understand regarding academic
dishonesty.
The Effectiveness of the Family Dependency Treatment Court Program
Crystal Johnson
Mentor(s): Kathleen Moore
There is a great amount of research that shows a correlation between ineffective parenting
styles and substance abuse, which affects the well being of families. One approach to this
complicated issue is the implementation of Family Dependency Treatment Courts (FDTCs) that
focus on substance abusing parents in child welfare (Green, Furrer, Burrus, & Finigan, 2007). In
2012, Hillsborough County 13th Judicial Court received federal funding to establish an FDTC
program. The eligibility criteria included parents who had no history of serious mental illness, no
convictions for violent or sexual offenses, and desired family reunification (Moore, Barongi,
Young, and Kemph, 2016). Parents are required to attend intensive counseling, submit to
random drug screens, and are monitored regularly by the court in order to evaluate program
compliance. The current study enrolled 34 participants with baseline and six month follow up
information including substance use, mental health symptomatology, criminal justice, and
therapeutic alliance. Results demonstrated that most were White, non-Hispanic females with
almost 50% not graduating from high school. Additionally, almost 80% of participants had a
criminal justice history prior to starting treatment. Outcome results indicated a significant
reduction in the use of illegal drugs, as well as, mental health and trauma symptomatology.
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Participants also reported a strong relationship with their court-appointed counselor at followup. According to Moore and colleagues (2016), “FDTC collaborative has excelled in its goals of
enrolling and providing the necessary treatment for substance abusing parents.” Finally,
despite significant criminal justice involvement, 56% of participants reunified with their children.
Anthropomorphism and the Power of Effectance Motivation: Effects of Providing
Information on Dolphin Behavior to People High in Effectance Motivation
Amanda Kerstman
Mentor(s): Judith Bryant
Program: Psychology
To the extent that people use their own self-concept in order to understand a non-human agent
(i.e., they anthropomorphize), they do so to fulfill certain needs. Epley, Waytz, Akalis, and
Caccioppo (2008) suggest that transforming a nonhuman agent into a human through
anthropomorphic thinking can fulfill a basic desire for understanding, control and predictability.
The present study tested whether there is a difference in anthropomorphic responses in people
high in effectance motivation (basic desire to understand, control, and predict) after watching
either a narrated or non-narrated video of dolphins interacting under human care. If people
anthropomorphize to fulfill the needs of effectance motivation, then narration that provides
factual information should reduce the need to anthropomorphize, particularly for people high in
effectance motivation. One hundred and thirty one college students watched either a narrated
or non-narrated video of five male dolphins interacting under human care and completed
surveys that measured their level of effectance motivation and anthropomorphic responses
before and after watching the video. Effectance motivation did not predict
anthropomorphizing. However, participants in the narration condition anthropomorphized less
than participants in the non-narrated condition. These findings can be used in zoo or aquarium
settings when designing animal interaction programs or narrations for animal presentations.
Gender Wage Equality - A study of physicians in the United States and the United
Kingdom *CREATTE Project
Christopher Khalil, Himeshkumar Patel, Francisco Pascual
Program: Computer Engineering; Biomedical Sciences
The field of medicine in the 21st century has seen vast improvements in the equality of male and
female physicians. The number of female physicians, in the United States (US), has seen an
increase of 22.7 percent from the years 1970 to 2010. Despite this increase, the extent of
equality throughout the profession can still be deceiving (Strasser, 2012). By studying
differences in wage gap percentages across specialties and between the US and United
Kingdom (UK), a better view of this equality can be observed. The male and female physician
wage gap is hypothesized to be smaller than that of the overall population in each nation. The
question as to whether region and specialty affects the wages of physicians, is being pursued as
well. Data will mainly focus on percentage differences in wages depending on gender and
specialties across the US and UK. The expected results are that the medical profession will
exhibit a gap in pay between the two genders. The expected gap should remain fairly
consistent throughout the countries and specialties being studied. The gap is expected to be
related to variations in the culture between the US and the UK, specifically, their healthcare
systems and medical schooling structures. This research gives the implication that with the
shrinking of the wage gap and an increase of female physicians, prospects for female physicians
entering the workforce are much higher when compared to male physicians.
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BRCA-Positive Patients and Their Information Needs.
Jennifer Martinez
Mentor(s): Marleah Dean Kruzel
Program: Health Sciences
Women who test positive for a harmful mutation in the BRCA gene are at significantly increased
risk of developing cancer during their lifetime, compared to those without a harmful BRCA
mutation. Because of their high risk, such individuals experience uncertainty in anticipation of
the likelihood they will develop cancer—wondering not if they will get cancer but when (Dean,
2014). Uncertainty produces psychosocial effects on patients’ health such as emotional distress
and poor decision-making (Politi & Street, 2011). One way to reduce uncertainty is to seek
information (McCormack et al., 2011; Politi & Street, 2007). Thus, as part of Dr. Dean Kruzel’s
empowering Prevention Options for Women Experiencing Risk (ePOWER) research project, this
study investigated female BRCA-positive patients’ information needs and information seeking
behaviors. Twenty-five, qualitative phone interviews were conducted with women who tested
BRCA1 and BRCA2. The interview conversations ranged between thirty and ninety minutes and
were recorded and transcribed for data analysis purposes. Alongside Dr. Dean Kruzel, one
graduate and two undergraduate research assistants analyzed the data by employing the
constant comparison approach, which consist of creating and developing themes from the data
(Lindlof & Taylor, 2011). The results indicate BRCA-positive patients’ information needs are
associated with the stage of their health journey. Specifically, a four-stage model is proposed: 1)
pre-testing information needs, 2) post-testing information needs, 3) pre-decision information
needs, and 4) post-decision information needs. This study will inform the development of an
educational program to satisfy information needs, assist decision-making, and promote uptake
of preventative behaviors.
You’ve Got Mail: Examination of a Brief Online Email Training
Jake Mathwich
Mentor(s): Wendy Bedwell, Keaton Fletcher
Program: Psychology
Many companies train employees on writing emails in seminar-style training sessions. However,
in-person, seminar-style trainings are costly. This study aims to create a training program,
rooted in the science of training to address these needs. We examine the mechanisms of action
by which the training influences performance and intent to transfer. To do this, we call upon
several models of training effectiveness (see Alliger, Tannenbaum, Bennett, & Traver, 1997;
Baldwin & Ford, 1988; and Kirkpatrick, 1959). Taken together, these models suggest that
individual differences will predict affective reactions, which will lead to utility reactions,
ultimately leading to learning. We aim to test this synthesized model. Participants were 164
undergraduate students, informed they were working for a hypothetical customer service
department. Email training was provided online through Qualtrics survey software, and
provided information, demonstration, and an opportunity for practice. Participants then wrote a
final email according to the training. Path analysis, using maximum likelihood estimation, found
acceptable model fit (c2(3) = 9.87, p = 0.02; CFI = 0.95, SRMR = 0.045), suggesting that
conscientiousness predicts comfort with training (an affective reaction; β = 0.25, p < .001), which
influences motivation to transfer (a utility reaction; β = 1.17, p < .001). Motivation to transfer did
not predict task performance. Although the model did not significantly account for task
performance, it did highlight that individual characteristics can predict affective reactions which
then predict utility reactions. Practitioners and researchers should account for individual and
both affective and utility reactions when evaluating training programs.
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The Link between Autism and Testosterone
Elizabeth Moore
Mentor(s): Darrell Sawmiller, Jun Tan
Program: Biomedical Sciences
Autism is defined as a neurological disorder that affects social skills and induces developmental
delays in individuals. Behavioral patterns associated with Autism include social inhibited social
interaction, repetitive behaviors, and delays in environmental awareness. There is no definitive
answer behind the cause of Autism, but multiple tests have been done on possibilities that have
proven to be consistent. The possibility that will be looked at in this research is seeing if high
amounts of testosterone results in Autism-like behavior in adolescent mice (Mayo Clinic Staff,
2014). The article that will be used as a reference for this research, “Autism-like sociocommunicative deficits and stereotypies in mice lacking heparan sulfate” by Irie et al., details
tests done to determine if mice exhibited Autism like behaviors. They performed tests such as
separation-reunion tests, maze tests, and exploring tests. The results of these tests showed that
the experimental mice exhibited Autism like behaviors compared to the control mice. These
behaviors included the experimental mice being indifferent toward mice they knew and were
reunited with, having reduced anxiety in anxiety inducing situations, and performing repetitive
behaviors. These behaviors are characteristic of those with Autism, indicating that the
experimental mice might have influenced their behavior. Although the experiment by Irie et al.
does not test testosterone as a possibility, the purpose of this research will be to determine if
testosterone is linked to Autism by further researching other experiments that involved
testosterone and corresponding with lab professionals who work with mice (Irie et al., 2012)
Creativity & The Art of Writing
Frank Nunez
Mentor(s): Dianne Donnelly
Program: Creative Writing
In recent years, psychologists have studied the field of creativity and its applications. New
studies have shown how anyone is capable of being creative through certain habits and a
mental framework that encourage creative thought (Kaufman, Gregiore, 2015) This especially
holds true for writers who have entered a new artistic renaissance thanks to selfpublishing and
social media, giving writers the ability to publish and share their work to the masses without the
use of publishers or agents. But with all these opportunities, how can writers harness their
creative talents to overcome the doubt, fear, and other negative emotions they face when
working on a manuscript? My research will focus on how to overcome many of the hurdles
writers experience by utilizing psychology through the most powerful tool they have in their
arsenal, the human mind. The human mind is separated by what’s called the conscious and
subconscious mind. The conscious mind is where many of our thoughts and short term
memories come from. Our subconscious mind is a paradigm where our beliefs, habits, and
more importantly, our creativity inhabit. The purpose of my research is to show how to recruit
and change our subconscious mind to enhance our creative drive to generate ideas and
execute them through a new paradigm of habits and beliefs (Murphy, 2008). I began my
research after spending considerable time analyzing the creative process of other artists and
how they manage to generate ideas and complete their work as well as analyzing my own
creative process. This research will benefit not only writers but anyone looking to improve how
they think when it comes to pursuing a particular goal. The foundation of my research is based
on new findings in the field of positive psychology, the study through psychology and scientific
understanding one can experience joy and pleasure in life while achieving their goals through
focus and positive thought. My findings build upon research conducted by artists,
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psychologists, and entrepreneurs who understand and utilize creativity to thrive in their given
field.
PRIDE and Prejudice: Discrimination From Within the LGBT+ Community *Project
Withdrawn*
Tyler Paffenroth
Mentor(s): Larry Thompson
Program: Psychology
Examination of discrimination against sexual and gender identity minorities is largely concerned
with discrimination emanating from outside of the LGBT+ community, rather than the
discrimination that occurs within the community. Furthermore, the larger community is often
treated as a homogenous group, when each letter represents a unique group with different
struggles. This discrimination undermines the protective influence of shared community in
mediating minority-stress. The aim of this project is to encourage individual consideration of
each unique community and raise awareness regarding inequality within the larger LGBT+
community. Peer-reviewed articles from the PsycINFO database will be used to discuss bisexual,
transgender, gay and lesbian, and asexual individuals, the struggles they face, and treatment
guidelines for mental health professionals and interventions to ameliorate distress and
discrimination in these populations. Psychoeducational interventions, contact with minority
individuals, and other interventions have shown efficacious at improving attitudes towards LGBT
individuals in sampled populations. Further research is necessary to investigate the
generalizability of these studies and the efficacy of other social interventions.
Self-Esteem, Prosocial Behaviors, and Aggression: Links to Parental Enforcement of Strict
Normative Gender Roles *CREATTE Project
Sarika Patel
Program: Psychology
proposal. The presentation will highlight the research that was required to develop the
proposal and the components of the planned research project and its impact. Current research
has shown the risk of gender atypical adolescents (versus normative gender role adolescents)
for developing depressive symptoms, anxiety, and self-esteem issues due to gender-based
teasing from peers (Jewell & Brown, 2014). Additionally, a significant association has been found
between parental reinforcement of gender-normative interests and the competencies of their
children among academic and interest-related constructs. (Eccles et al., 1990). Different
parenting styles have also shown to influence varying levels of prosocial and aggressive
behaviors in youth (Meteyer & Jenkins, 2009). However, there is a lack of empirical work on the
relations of parenting styles with self-esteem, prosocial behaviors, and aggressive behaviors via
promotion of gender typical behaviors. In a cross-sectional correlational design, the study will
assess direct and mediated associations among variables, while also exploring mean-level
gender differences in the study variables. Participants (target N = 300, ages 11-14) will be
recruited from local diverse middle schools. Using established measures, self- and parentreported data will be collected. I expect various significant mediated associations between the
study variables. For example, authoritarian parenting styles will predict lower self-esteem, lower
pro-social behaviors, and higher levels of aggression in adolescents via stronger normative
gender role reinforcement. These findings are expected to contribute to the developmental
issues mentioned and suggest the optimal parenting style for adolescents. The creation of this
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proposal has lead me to further my research in gender-related studies within developmental
psychology in regards to behavioral and biological paradigms for graduate school
Juvenile Homocide Offenders: An Examination of Prior Record Offending and PostRelease Recidivism
Reshma Pinnamaneni
Mentor(s): Kathleen Heide
Murders committed by juveniles have been a matter of great concern in the United States
during the last 30 years. In the 2012 decision in Miller v. Alabama, the United States Supreme
Court held that mandatory sentencing of juvenile homicide offenders (JHOs) to life without the
possibility of parole was unconstitutional. Accordingly, the likelihood that juveniles convicted of
murder in adult court will be released from prison is higher than in the past. This study is a
retrospective look at 59 JHOs who were convicted of murder or attempted murder in the 1980s
and sentenced to adult prison. A recent 30-year follow-up study revealed that approximately
81% of the original sample subjects were released from prison. Of those released, 88% were
rearrested. This project uses record and interview data to examine the prior
criminal/delinquent records of these juveniles. The aim of this ongoing study is to assess to
what extent these youths had a documented history of antisocial behavior prior to their
homicide arrests. Two assessment tools are used for diagnostic purposes: Conduct Disorder as
delineated in DSM IV and items 18, 19, and20 of the Psychopathy Checklist Youth Version.
Items 18 to 20 measure serious criminal behavior, serious violation of conditional release, and
criminal versatility, respectively. Analysis and discussion will focus on the extent to which prehomicide offending was related to the extent and type of post-release recidivism.
Exploring the importance of incorporating occupational therapy in mental health facilities.
Sue Ram
Mentor(s): Lindy Davidson
Program: Health Communication
Mental illness is a growing cause of disability worldwide; therefore, it is important to recognize
the impact that rehabilitation can have on a successful path to recovery to those who visit
mental health clinics, hospitals, public health centers, schools, human service agencies, and
emergency clinics. My research intends to investigate the benefits of having occupational
therapy available in mental health settings in order to aid rehabilitation and the independence
of those using any of the mentioned facilities. Research supports that most people can only
receive treatment and counseling for a short period of time due to employee wellness and
school programs and it has also been proven beneficial to patients to have an occupational
therapist available (Muñoz, Sciulli, Thomas, & Wissner 2000). It can be beneficial to have
occupational therapy available on-site in order to aid in the treatment of patients by focusing on
areas such as social competence, daily living activities, pre-vocational training, and task
performance (Urlic 2012). Patients with mental illnesses such as borderline personality disorder,
bipolar, depression, anorexia nervosa, learning disabilities, etc. can benefit from occupational
therapy, even if it is during a one-time visit at an emergency clinic (Arbesman & Logsdon 2011).
The goal of this research is to identify ways to implement the use of occupational therapy in
mental health settings by conducting interviews with mental health counselors, behavioral
therapists, and occupational therapists, along with scholarly journal review. This project will also
explore the benefits of preparing patients for independent daily life beyond
counseling/treatment sessions.
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The effect of duration cues on perception of English vowels
Stephanie Raymond, Madeleine Berg
Mentor(s): Jenna Luque, Catherine Rogers, Nathan Maxfield
Program: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Identifying and discriminating English vowels in conversation requires the use of multiple
acoustic cues, including static spectral cues, like formant frequency at vowel center, dynamic
spectral cues, like formant transitions, and duration cues. Formant frequency cues, reflecting the
acoustic resonances of the vocal tract, are arguably the most important cues to vowel
identification, but identification rates improve when vowels’ intrinsic durational differences are
preserved. The present research investigates the effects of duration cues on the identification
of English vowels in interrupted syllables. Twenty young monolingual English-speaking adults
were recruited to listen to and identify 72 tokens of six English syllables: “bid, bead, bad, bayed,
bod,” and “bed.” For all tokens, a portion of the vowel was silenced to remove acoustic
information from the vowel center (duration-preserved stimuli). Next, a portion of the silent
center was either removed or added to make all syllable durations equal, removing duration
cues (duration-neutral stimuli). Based on previous research, duration-preserved stimuli should
be easier to identify than duration-neutral stimuli. Vowels with extremely long or short intrinsic
durations may be most difficult to recognize in the duration-neutral condition because their
durations were modified more from the original than vowels with durations closer to the
average. Understanding how duration cues are used by native English-speaking listeners could
help in understanding how speech is processed in noisy environments and may serve as a
foundation for developing new teaching methods to help non-native speakers learn to use
these cues more effectively.
An Exploration of Clinical Judgment and Differential Diagnosis: An Example with
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Ricardo Romeu-Kelly
Mentor(s): Paul Stiles, Roger Boothroyd
Program: Psychology/Mathematics
Standard clinical judgment has been found to be unreliable, especially with regards to
integrating large amounts of information. However, there have been criticisms of this literature,
especially that many of these studies lack external validity. We addressed that criticism by
recording and coding the lived experiences of 8 (5 female, 3 male) practicing mental health
clinicians through a semi-structured interview. Specifically, we focused on the framework of
differential diagnosis between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia: how do clinicians
differentially diagnosis in practice? We found that the cohort we interviewed used Bayesian
hypothesis testing procedures in their diagnostic processes; however, insurance requirements
seem to affect this process negatively. Further research should investigate the potential conflict
between clinical judgment and insurance reimbursement policies more closely.
Treatment of Cognitive Dysfunction induced by Chronic Alcoholism using Aripiprazole
Zachary Sannasardo
Mentor(s): Kimberly Badanich, Cheryl Kirstein
Program: Chemistry
The orbital frontal cortex (OFC) is a brain region that is associated with cognitive flexibility
processing. Research shows that chronic ethanol exposure impairs cognitive flexibility in
rodents, a process which requires a functioning OFC (Badanich et. al., 2011; Bissonette et. al.,
2008). Dysfunction of working memory is a symptom exhibited by schizophrenic patients and
has been associated with low dopamine concentrations in the frontal cortex (Slifstein, 2015).
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Aripiprazole is a dopamine partial agonist used to treat schizophrenia and has shown to have
cognitive enhancing properties (Mucci, 2008). It was hypothesized that depressed dopamine
concentrations in the frontal cortex may be responsible for cognitive deficits observed with
chronic ethanol exposure. This study introduced aripiprazole to rats chronically exposed to
ethanol in attempt to reverse cognitive deficits observed following excessive alcohol exposure.
To test this hypothesis, rats were injected with aripiprazole (10mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (22.5%
Hydroxy-Beta-Cyclodextrin, ip) in combination with either ethanol (4g/kg, i.p.) or saline.
Treatments were administered every other day for 4 weeks. Rats were ethanol abstinent for 4
days and then trained in an odor discrimination task. Simple discrimination and reversal learning
were measured by recording trials to criterion and number of errors committed. Results indicate
ethanol treated rats were better in reversal learning tasks than control rats and aripiprazole had
no significant effect on cognitive functioning. This study concluded that aripiprazole did not
restore cognitive function and that ethanol may exhibit cognitive enhancing properties.
Placing a Value on a Woman *CREATTE Project
Amy Santana
Mentor(s): Heike Scharm
Program: Advertising
As the oldest profession, prostitution brings in $186 Billion in revenues worldwide. Prostitution
is common all over the world, but is it prominent in a country built on religion? This project
focuses on prostitution and human trafficking in Spain and Israel, two countries that are
historically religious and conservative. For the purpose of this project Catholicism and Judaism
will be referenced to demonstrate the cultural similarities between the predominant religions of
Spain and Israel. Although both countries are recognized as religious, prostitution is legal in
their country but “pimping,” or the exploitation of women, is illegal in both. With almost 10,000
men visiting Israel each month for prostitution and revenue of 500 million dollars, Israel is a
hotspot for prostitution. Similarly, Spain is a known hotspot for prostitution generating close to
26.5 billion dollars every year from prostitution alone. Secondary research will be done on
prostitution and human trafficking for statistics and facts. As both Judaism and Catholicism see
masturbation as immoral, prostitution is one approach to prevent the immoral act. As that is the
case, religious research will be completed to see the connections between religion and
prostitution. The research will help people understand that prostitution and human trafficking is
prevalent everywhere, whether the country is religious or liberal. Human trafficking and
prostitution affects everyone, and without proper legislation it can be detrimental to the women
and families involved
Effects of Perceived Stress and Discrimination on Cognition in Older Blacks
Daniel Schadrac
Mentor(s): Alyssa Gamaldo, Ross Andel
Program: Africana Studies
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a commonly utilized clinical and research
cognitive screening measure. Given that the MoCA is designed to detect mild to severe
cognitive impairment, it is imperative that we identify potential factors (i.e., perceived stress and
perceived discrimination) that may negatively influence an individual’s performance and
outcome on this measure. Thus, this study explored two aims: (1) Examine the relationship
between perceived stress, perceived discrimination, and cognition as measured by the MoCA;
(2) Examine whether relationships among perceived stress, perceived discrimination, and
cognition vary by gender. The study included 57 Black adults, residing in the Tampa Bay area
(Age range = 55 – 83). Participants were administered the Perceived Stress Scale, Everyday
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Discrimination Scale, MoCA, and demographics questionnaire (e.g., age and gender).
Multivariate regressions analyses revealed that lower scores on the MoCA’s
visuospatial/executive function component were associated with high stress (b = -0.05, p < 0.05)
even after controlling for age, sex, and discrimination. Analyses also revealed a significant
three-way interaction (stress*sex*discrimination) for the MoCA’s visuospatial/executive function
component. Specifically, high levels of stress in women were associated with worse
visuospatial/executive functioning performance, regardless of reported levels of discrimination.
For males, high levels of stress and discrimination were associated with worse
visuospatial/executive functioning performance. However, low levels of discrimination and high
stress in males were related to better MoCA performance. In conclusion, high levels of stress
and discrimination among older Blacks can negatively affect their performance on the MoCA
Variance in Gender Roles in Fitness Videos *CREATTE Project
Ariana Schwark, Beatrice Brodsky, Yasmin Alawi Martins
Fitness videos have been constantly changing the way people workout since Jane Fonda
introduced “Workout” in 1982 (History.com, 2009). In order to observe how standards for men
and women continue to change, the study will analyze fitness videos from the 1980’s until
present day. Although many fitness magazines have been analyzed, there is not any structured
research on workout videos. Previous research studies have examined fitness magazines to
observe the effects of societal body ideals such as body shape and diet on individual body
image and self-esteem (Cusumano & Thompson, 1997). By analyzing videos, another layer will
be added to research on male and female body image ideals throughout generations. Research
on fitness videos is imperative to extend the realm of understanding of differences between
men and women in fitness. The study will analyze popular fitness videos from each decade
(1980’s-2010’s) led by male and female instructors. Coders will evaluate the videos based on
criteria such as advertised results, targeted muscle groups, the diction used to address the
participants, etc. After completing the data collection, we expect a greater variance in fitness
goals that are targeted for women than men in fitness videos. How has physical appearance of
the setting and participation differed for men and women in popular workout videos
throughout time? These results may imply that the fitness community’s standards for women’s
body image are more fluctuating than for men. Societal fitness norms create an imbalance in
expectations for women that can lead to greater pressures for body image ideals
Physical and Verbal Abuse: Can Either Abuse Cause quantity of Friends to be Low and
Psychological Characteristics to be Negative? *CREATTE Project
Lani Skolnick
Program: Criminology
proposal and the components of the planned research projects and its impact. Current
research has identified negative characteristics in children that are suffering from abuse (Mullen,
Anderson, Romans, Herbison,1995). Furthermore, a significant association between friendship
and abuse has been shown in children who have already been through abuse (Salzinger,
Feldman, Hammer, and Rosiario 2008). However, there is a lack of research focusing on the
relationship between number of friends, and physical or verbal abuse. Additionally, the primary
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focus of this research has been on children who have been in a victim advocacy center who have
suffered physical or verbal abuse. Given the significance of abuse on well-being, studying
affects on friendships is beneficial to the children’s well-being. In a cross-sectional study, this
study will examine different characteristics and number of friends of the child through surveys as
well as observation. The researcher will collect the data from observing the child in the school
setting as well as the intervention center. Participants ( N=300) will be recruited from local
children advocacy centers with measures from abuse scales and friendship scales. I expect that
children who are physically abused will have a lower number of friends due to more negative
characteristics such as aggression. With more understanding of the association between abuse
and number of friends will imply better knowledge of abuse and the after affects of it. The
development of this proposal has inspired me to continue pursing research regarding abuse
and numbers of friends identify effective interventions in graduate school.
Parental Acceptance: Effects On Depression, Anxiety, And Self-Esteem In Autistic
Adolescents *CREATTE Project
Joanne Stein
Program: Psychology
proposal and the components of the planned research project and its impact. Existing research
shows that autistic children display higher rates of depression and anxiety than their nonautistic
peers. Risk factors such as heredity affect them at similar rates. However, very few studies have
focused exclusively on the wellbeing of autistic individuals, especially during adolescence and
adulthood. The currently proposed study aims to examine the relationship between depression,
anxiety, and selfesteem in autistic adolescents (target n = 30, ages 1418) and parental
acceptance of autism, as parental acceptance has been demonstrated to be associated with
depression. Findings would provide a basis for future longitudinal research in this area and are
expected to have implications for how autism diagnoses and therapy are presented in the
media, to parents of autistic children, and in clinical settings. The development of this proposal
has helped sparked my determination to work respectfully with autistic adults and adolescents
in a clinical setting. That work would focus on helping them with depression, anxiety, or other
mental illnesses without trying to “treat” or “fix” autism itself.
Gay Dating Apps & the Dissemination of HIV *Project Withdrawn*
John Stockham
Mentor(s): Dillon Mahoney
Program: Anthropology
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been prominent in the United States gay male
population since it came to light in the early 80s. It is a disease that has effected social
perception of gay men amongst each other and within the context of the greater U.S.
population. Multifaceted efforts to shore up the spread of HIV with the goal to bring its
transmission rate to 0. From the 90’s up until recently 2010s, transition of the virus has been on
the decline overall. Now there is mounting evidence of an Increase of infection from HIV
amongst the gay male population Specifically Millennials (Those born after 1977-1992). The
population’s current age range is between early 20s to late 30s. This research is necessary
discover correlating factors and uncover why HIV is on the rise within in this specific population.
Condom use is a major potential factor, but with more access to education, free testing, free
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condoms, and the internet, what can explain the misuse or absence of protection during sex?
Based off of communication with other gay men, “dating apps” potentially play a huge role in
the increased rate of HIV amongst young gay men. This article discusses the techniques used to
uncover the logic behind Gay app use and unprotected sex. This research attempts to seek the
relevance of this subject amongst other Gay men, and what other factors may have been
overlooked that maintain the upward trend in HIV transmission rates
Achievement Goals and Science Identity: Associations with Student Intention to Leave
STEM
Patricia Claire Tate
Program: Psychology
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) career fields grow increasingly in
demand each day, as reflected in a nation-wide push to produce more STEM college graduates.
However, the retention in the STEM majors remains problematic. In this study, based on
achievement goal theory, this study seeks to identify potential cognitive factors partially
responsible for STEM retention. Specially, we examine associations among student
achievement goals, science identity, and intention to leave STEM. Achievement goal theory
consists of three main categories; task mastery, performance-approach, and performanceavoidance. Task mastery goals indicate a student’s desire to learn and improve their knowledge.
Performance-approach goals show a student’s desire to outperform other students while
performance avoidance goals show a student’s desire to not perform poorly in front of their
peers. Finally, science identity reflects the extent to which one incorporates science into their
personal identity. STEM-degree seeking students (N = 1137) enrolled in an introductory
chemistry class received and filled out a survey about STEM identity and education during their
first semester. Findings suggest that students high in task mastery goals and science identity are
the least likely to leave STEM, whereas those with high especially in performance-avoidance
goals, and low in science identity are most likely to leave STEM. Implications of this study
include insight into how these constructs could be targeted to prevent students from leaving
STEM, such as changes in teaching practices or university-wide encouragement of science
identity or task mastery
Brain Training to Prevent Cognitive Decline
Wendy Timirau, Hafsa Quraishi, Maegan Mendoza
Mentor(s): Jerri Edwards
Program: Public Health; Biomedical Sciences; Health Sciences
Parkinson’s disease leads to cognitive and functional impairment. Older adults who have been
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to develop dementia than healthy adults.
Cognitive training exercises improve cognition in healthy older adults. However, the effects of
cognitive training in older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease remain uncertain. The
purpose of this study was to examine and compare the effectiveness of computerized cognitive
training and cognitive stimulation among older adults with and without Parkinson’s disease.
Thirty older adults (19 healthy adults and 21 diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease) have been
screened and enrolled. Data are being collected on objective measures of cognitive ability,
self-reported quality of life, and performance-based everyday function. Cognitive training or
stimulation will last four months, and participants will complete follow up assessments
immediately-, 6- and 12-months later. Data will be analyzed to determine if the cognitive
training or stimulation groups significantly differ post training. We expect the cognitive training
group to improve more on everyday cognition, function, and quality of life. Results from this
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study will provide evidence for protection against cognitive decline in older adults with and
without Parkinson’s disease.
Dopaminergic Gene Variation as a Predictor of Self-Reported Cognitive Control
Shin Zaw, Naser Shareef, Sharon Punwasi
Mentor(s): Daniel Evans
Program: Biomedical Science; Cell and Molecular Biology; Biomedical Sciences
Introduction: Cognitive control refers to a wide range of attention- and memory-related
processes relevant to the performance of daily activities. Self-reported cognitive control has
been shown to be predictive of daily functioning, and dopamine activity has been associated
with a number of cognitive control processes. Cognitive control functioning is highly heritable.
We therefore sought to examine two polymorphisms related to dopamine activity and cognitive
control functioning (e.g., attentional deficits) in relation to self-report measures of cognitive
control. We hypothesized that genotypes associated with higher dopamine activity/function
would be predictive of higher self-reported cognitive control. Methods: The catecholamine Omethyl-transferase (an enzyme that metabolizes dopamine) gene (COMT) MET158VAL (N = 78
smokers) and the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) 48-base repeat VNTR (N = 95 smokers)
polymorphisms were genotyped because these sites have been previously associated with
cognitive control processes in other studies. Participants completed the Adult Temperament
Questionnaire and Cognitive Failure Questionnaire and these scores were used to quantify
cognitive control. Results: No significant associations between dopamine-related genotypes
and self-reported cognitive control were observed (p’s > .30). Discussion: We did not find
support for dopamine-related genotypes predicting self-reported cognitive control. However,
this study was not statistically high powered to detect smaller effect sizes. For this reason, null
results are not highly informative, either. Additionally, self-report is dependent on the subjective
judgement of the reporter. Future studies should use a larger sample in order to further
examine dopamine genotypes in relation to self-reported cognitive control.
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Business
Optimizing Potential: A Marketing Plan for the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
Ifechi Akaniru
Mentor(s): Jill Solomon
Program: Business Honors Program/Marketing
An estimated 290,000 individuals in Florida have some form of autism. The average lifetime cost
for an individual with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ranges from $1.4 to $2.4 million. This
shows the need for free services for those on the spectrum. The Center for Autism and Related
Disabilities (CARD) seeks to assist more of the roughly 81,000 people with ASD within their 14
county Florida region, currently serving 22% of this population. The purpose of this project is to
study the current market of services for people with autism. Through this research, this project
seeks to determine the most effective approach to market CARD, and to formulate initiatives via
a marketing plan for the organization to undertake. The data for this plan was collected through
a literature review of articles, press releases, and past research which was followed-up by an indepth interview with CARD’s Executive Director, Dr. Karen Berkman, meant to determine
CARD’s issues and objectives. The research uncovered the following as the most important
goals for CARD: increasing awareness, measuring the effectiveness of current initiatives, and
reaching those directly affected by autism who are not utilizing services currently. Results
conclude that action plans such as partnerships with local babysitting companies, utilizing
custom URLs to track campaigns, and strengthening CARD’s visibility on campus, would be
beneficial for achieving CARD’s central goals. While it will take time to determine the full impact
of these campaigns, this marketing plan’s success could lead to increased utilization of services,
benefiting people with ASD.
The Impact of Social Media on the Work Roles of the Fashion Retail Buyer
Rachel Broadwater
Mentor(s): Richard Plank
Program: Marketing
It can hardly be contested that social media is changing the face of modern business, especially
for fashion retailers. Although the use of social media by fashion firms was once met with
skepticism in regards to potentially jeopardizing relationships with customers, it is now an
indispensable touchpoint between consumers and businesses. With this technology, firms can
now target specific audiences with advertising as well as collect consumer data and insights.
According to The Journal of Business Economics, it has become apparent that “fashion
influencers” and brands are now becoming influenced by users on social networking sites, but
very little research has been done in regards to what has been influenced or how this new form
of consumer insight is being used. This research is evaluating how the role of the fashion buyer
is being affected on all levels by social media and social networking sites; including consumer
feedback, internal networking with other buyers and suppliers, and the evaluation of upcoming
trends. Primary research is conducted via surveys and interviews with buyers contacted through
Linkedin currently within the industry and will be supported by secondary research acquired
through scholarly databases. This research is exploratory in nature and is intended to be used
by fashion retailers to further understand how social media can affect their businesses, as well as
how it can be implemented to make a brand more strategic with its product selections.
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The Effects that RMS V11 had on the Property Insurance Industry, in terms of Premiums,
Ratings and Capacity
James Cooper
Mentor(s): Robert Hooker
Program: Finance
It is well known that Property Insurance is a billion dollar industry, not only in the United States
but worldwide as well. In the last two decades, Catastrophe Models have increasingly been the
pinnacle tool in measuring and analyzing data, which allows insurers to understand the risk they
are encountering when they place millions of dollar limits to insure certain locations. So
ultimately, when a tool (RMS V11) comes out worldwide, and changes the Property Insurance
Industry in more ways than one, significant effects can be expected to occur. Premium, Rating
and Capacity, which are notably 3 of the most studied and analyzed variables throughout the
Industry, have been extremely affected over the last 5 years. This paper studies how these three
variables have been incredibly affected, and how RMS V11 seemed great at first for insurers, but
is now to blame for a terribly soft market. I have conducted interviews with experts in the
Catastrophe Modeling field, specifically with RMS. In addition, I have data over the past 5 years
for an account that has been greatly affected by RMS V11, especially in terms of Premium,
Rating and Capacity. In a simplified explanation, RMS V11 doubled loss estimates on locations
which at the time meant huge paydays in premiums for insurers. However, over the past 5 years
there hasn’t been a natural disaster that has lived up to what RMS V11 had predicted, which in
turn has resulted in a 10-15 percent rate reduction every year, drastically lowering insurers
premiums on accounts that they were making double on before the implementation of RMS
V11.
Knowledge of Finance Topics Among Students Pursuing Various Majors
Bethany Dawson
Mentor(s): Jennifer Cainas
Program: Accounting
Financial literacy is an essential topic in regards to younger generations who will be the future
leaders of this world. Initiatives within some post-secondary educational entities teach students
areas of financial topics, but these personal-finance programs are not required by schools to be
implemented into student instruction. Previous work on the subject of financial literacy, have
determined that the key to combatting student financial woes is to improve the level personal
financial literacy among college students. The goal of this study is to delve further than prior
studies to determine if there is a significant difference in the level of financial literacy between
college students majoring in accounting and finance versus other business majors. By using the
standards for quantifying levels of financial literacy by previously conducted research standards,
this phenomenological study utilizes a survey distributed to students currently enrolled in the
Principles of Financial and Managerial Accounting courses to measure the extent of personalfinance topics among undergraduate business students. The results quantitatively differentiate
the levels of financial literacy between students who identify as Pre-Accounting and Pre-Finance
versus those that identify as other majors within the Muma College of Business. The findings of
this study can be valuable to the Muma College of Business and USF as a whole, to determine if
taking action such as implementing financial literacy lessons into curriculum or to create new
classes, would be beneficial for the financial well-being of students. College students of any age
would be interested in examining the results of this study, along with parents of young adults
getting ready to venture out on their own to make individual financial decisions.
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Uber and the Sharing Economy: An Analysis of Costs, Benefits, and Regulatory Structure
Michael Friedman
Mentor(s): Janna Merrick
Program: Business Economics
Transportation network platforms connect consumers and unused resources in an efficient
manner. At the same time, the sharing economy has put new pressures on local government
regulators. This debate falls under the overarching question of how state and local governments
should respond to rapid advances in technology. The goal of my research is to address both
economic and social concerns to create a policy framework that would best meet the needs of
all relevant parties in Florida. Specific focus will be placed on safety and insurance
requirements. The first question that must be answered is “What makes a good ridesharing
city?” - High percentage of the population does not rely on cars. - High percentage of young
people with disposable incomes. - The most costly expenses for drivers are manageable. Residents face long and often rainy or snowy commutes. - Located near early adopters.
Ridesourcing wait times are dramatically shorter and more consistent than typical taxi dispatch
and hail times. Ridesourcing enriches mobility options for city dwellers where parking is
constrained and public transit incomplete. Thus, outright bans on ridesourcing would negate
these mobility gains. Uber will be opposed to regulation that severely hinders their ability to
reach a “critical mass” of drivers. While taxis face significant restrictions on how they operate, to
ban Uber on that ground alone is just supporting a flawed regulatory structure. Uber is not
meant to be an end-all solution to transportation problems. Improved public transportation
should be part of the solution as well.
Value relevance and information content of earnings in the healthcare industry following
the Affordable Care Act
David Funk
Mentor(s): Thomas Smith
Program: Accounting
The Affordable Care Act was signed into law on June 28th, 2012. While it has raised many
important political and socioeconomic questions, the focus of this paper is on the impact of the
act on the value relevance of earnings within the industries effected by the Act. In a capital
markets context, value relevance is the extent to which a financial item explains price. I base my
analysis on the Ohlson (1995) model which uses book value per share and earnings per share to
explain price. My study is closely related to an article by Global Journal (Stunda, 2014) which
examines the correlation of the Act on value relevance from the third quarter of 2012 to the first
quarter of 2014. This study extends Global Journal’s research (Stunda, 2014) by extending the
analysis through the first quarter of 2015 to look closer at the effect post affordable care act. I
use the Ohlson (1995) model in contrast to the Ordinary least squared (OLS) regression used to
test Global Journal’s model (Stunda, 2014) to further differentiate my study. I predict that value
relevance of earnings will increase under the Act because government financing likely improves
the predictability of future earnings, which is an important input in business valuation. I collect
book value per share, earnings per share, and price per share from COMPUSTAT, and rely on
prior research to identify firms in the healthcare industry. This sampling approach provides me
with 15,892 firm quarter observations to conduct my analysis. I use SAS software to regress
price on book value per share and earnings per share, and find that I am able to explain over
57% of the variation in price using this base model. I further report a significantly positive
coefficient for earnings per share, consistent with the expectations that earnings per share
represent a value relevant financial item in explaining price. My main analysis then examines
and finds evidence that an additional dollar of earnings per share provides a larger boost to
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price following the passage of the Act for firms in the healthcare industry. This finding is
consistent with the Act increasing the value relevance of earnings for firms in the health care
industry. This finding is also consistent with the notion that the Affordable Care Act provided
healthcare investors with more reliability in the extent and timing of future cash flows, which led
to an increase in demand for their stock and thereby increasing the share price. Therefore, I
suggest that an ancillary benefit of the Affordable Care Act was to reduce the uncertainty of the
future earnings in the healthcare industry and increase the valuation of an economically
meaningful sector of our economy.
Local Economic Impacts of Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) on Semi-Urban and Emerging
Florida Counties
Gabriela Garcia Ortega
Mentor(s): Robert Christopher Jones
Program: Business Honors Program
The following research examines the association between foreign trade zones and economic
development in semi-urban and emerging Florida counties–measured in terms of employment,
wages, and types of industries present. Studies done in developing countries have shown how
foreign trade zones become more relevant as globalization defines economic progress, how
they stimulate local economies and provide a stepping-stone for development to countries in
need of development. This research looks to identify if there are, in fact similarities between
effects seen in smaller developing countries and semi-urban and emerging Florida counties.
This research compares and analysis data of employment, wages, and firms by industry sectors
provided by the United States Census Bureau. The analysis and final results are expected to
show that there is in fact a positive correlation between the presence of foreign trade zones and
economic growth and development, as demonstrated through higher wages and more
employment. Identifying positive effects can assist in the development and urbanization of
undeveloped lands. The results of this research could lead urban developers and governmental
entities to decide in favor of the development of new foreign trade zones.
The Economic Impacts of the World Cup
Jordan Ghaemmaghami
Mentor(s): Christine Andrews
Program: Accounting
The World Cup is an international sporting event that bridges the gap between nations. The
World Cup also has significant positive and negative financial impacts on the host countries.
The extravagance and investment of World Cup stadiums increases for each tournament. Using
economic models, prior research on the World Cup analyzed the economic impact on GDP of
the host nation finding that hosting the World Cup does not result in promised economic gains.
This study focuses on identifying the components that drive the investment, finding that
countries with existing well-developed stadiums and city infrastructure invest on average 4.56
times less, reducing the burden for the host nation. This study also compares GDP and Tourism
attributed to the Cup and compares them to the actual costs of hosting a Cup. Results indicate
that there is an upswing in GDP and Tourism during the year of the World Cup in a host nation
but that the financial impact after the Cup is not sustained, therefore it does not justify the high
costs of investment in infrastructure. Thus, a best practice for selecting host needs to be
implemented that reduces the financial burden of a host nation and best utilizes the domestic
stadiums at hand. Countries with insufficient infrastructure and low levels of national wealth
should not qualify as cup host nations.
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The True Cost of Government Regulation: An In Depth Analysis of the Cost and Benefits of
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
Erica Gloyd
Mentor(s): Robert Christopher Jones
Program: Economics
Background: The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires lenders, mortgage
brokers, or servicers of home loans to provide borrowers with pertinent and timely disclosures
regarding the nature and costs of the real estate settlement process. In 2010, with the
enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB) was given the rule making authority for RESPA. In 2013, the CFPB issued a final
rule to amend RESPA to include changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act, as well as other
fundamental changes. Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the cost and
benefits of RESPA, after the final rule was issued by the CFPB. This will help to better
understand the economic burden of the RESPA on the real estate industry as a whole. Methods:
I will be looking at different regulatory analyses that have been conducted since the
implementation of the rule, and looking for the different costs the rule has put on the real estate
industry as well as comparing those costs to the benefits of the new rule. Results: I hypothesize
that based on previous research on the regulatory compliance costs required by the federal
government, the cost of complying with the final rule will be extensive. However, with the
issuance of the final rule I also hypothesize that the benefits and consumer savings that result
from the final rule will also be very extensive and possibly greater than the compliance costs.
Conclusions: I expect that although the regulatory compliance costs may seem relatively high
the benefits to the consumers will outweigh any costs to the industry. The results of this
research will show whether or not the true economic impact of the final rule issued by the CFPB
amending the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act is positive and beneficial to the industry
as a whole
Bullfighting in Madrid: Communications Strategies for a Piece of Controversial Culture
*CREATTE Project
Laura Kneski
Program: Mass Communications
Bullfighting has been a vital part of Spanish culture for many centuries. However, in recent
years, the subject of animal cruelty has become a more prominent issue among the public, and
has been banned in areas such as Barcelona. The purpose of this research is to examine how
the bullfighting industry in Madrid has had to evolve its communications over the past thirty
years in order to combat this change in public opinion. Methodology will include the collection
and analysis of secondary sources, such as journalistic articles and campaign messages issued
by offices of Spanish tourism and bullfighting businesses. It is expected that the research will
indicate a need for alternative communications practices in Madrid, as lower attendance
numbers during the bullfights negatively affect an economic sector of the country and,
therefore, must redirect the public back to the fights. Madrid’s practices will be compared to
Barcelona’s in order to see how each are affected by the evolving industry and whether media
and communications can prevent the end of bullfighting in Madrid.
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Community Sciences
The implementation of digital media in community development
Sthephany Delgado
Mentor(s): Brittany Self, Barbara Lewis
The implementation of digital media within community development is occurring at a high rate.
Local communities such as libraries, interest groups, and museums are integrating digital media
technology to educate individuals and further their organizational goals. Through quantitative
and qualitative data from the MacArthur Foundation Reports on Digital Media and Learning,
interpreting results from The Journal of Technology Transfer, survey results from the Price
School of Public Policy and the Library Technology Reports, and finally, analyzing various case
studies where communities and public sectors have been introduced to digital media labs and
technology. This research paper explores how these communities are implementing digital
media methods and equipment to better educate the community, why they have embraced the
overall use of digital media, and the rise of digital media based labs throughout the United
States. What I hope to find from this research paper is evidence that digital media community
implementation is positively enhancing the community and its members. The results from this
research paper can potentially assist grant writers, non-profits, and other community oriented
organizations to showcase why digital media implementation is an investment to the future of
the community
ADAPT
Chardai Francis, Julian Watkins, Chertricka Davis, Adora Faluade
Mentor(s): Erica Coates
Program: Psychology
This study is examined the role of noncustodial, Black fathers in the psychosocial adjustment of
Black adolescents from single-mother households (SMHs). Maternal warmth and monitoring,
lower levels of maternal depressive symptoms and co-parent relationship quality (Armistead et
al., 2002; Chester et al., 2007; Sterrett et al., 2009). However, the protective qualities of these
attributes in noncustodial fathers have not been fully evaluated. Participants included 91 noncohabitating Black parental dyads with children from ages 12 to 18. Participants completed a
telephone survey that measured parenting styles (acceptance and psychological control),
parents’ health (measure of depression), and parenting alliance (co-parenting quality).
Preliminary analyses found adolescents’ internalizing problems are influenced by fathers’
depressive symptoms (r=0.40, p=0.000), co-parenting quality (r=-0.23, p=0.028), and mothers’
depressive symptoms (r=0. 50, p=0.000), co-parenting quality (r=-0.29, p=0.006). Adolescents’
externalizing problems are influenced by mothers’ acceptance (r = -0.43, p=0.000) and
psychological control (r=0.29, p=0.005). Adolescents’ total problems are correlated significantly
with fathers’ depressive symptoms (r=0.39, p=0.000) and co-parenting quality (r=-0.32, p=0.002);
and with mothers’ acceptance (r=-0.38, p=0.000), depressive symptoms (r=0.54, p=0.000) and
co-parenting quality (r=-0.28, p=0.008). Results suggest that although characteristics of single
mothers and noncustodial fathers have similar influence on their adolescents’ mental health
outcomes single mothers’ parenting styles are uniquely related to children’s psychological
adjustments.
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Catch Me at CAM: Evaluation of a VTS-Based Community Engagement Program
Elizabeth Lee
Mentor(s): Shawn Bingham
Program: Biomedical Sciences/ Psychology
College students experience unique stressors as a result of the demands of their environment1.
These students fulfill many roles adjusting to various new social environments and academic
pressures all while attempting to develop their individual identity. Currently, first year students
have the lowest self-reported sense of emotional well-being since 19852. Visual Thinking
Strategies (VTS) is a type of facilitated art discussion that promotes dialogue between observers
through the discussion of art pieces. Community engagement programs have utilized this
strategy to promote connectedness, and personal growth in participants. One such program at
the Museum of Modern Art in New York was targeted towards Dementia patients and their
caregivers. Upon evaluation, it was seen that these outings at the museum increased the quality
of life for the participants by increasing mood and connectedness through social engagement3.
This program was recreated at the USF Contemporary Art Museum targeting college students.
This was done with the hypothesis that the previously documented positive effects in older
adults would transfer across cohorts. The program ran for 5 weeks during which college-age
individuals participated in an hour-long session where two art pieces were discussed. The
program was then evaluated through the administration of surveys before and after the session.
Participants were asked about changes in disposition, relaxation, and connectedness. The
expectation is that positive results will be observed as predicted by previous VTS art-based
community engagement projects. These results will help in the development of future art-based
community programs targeted to college students.
Evaluation of the YouCan! Pinellas Drug Court Treatment Program for Young Adults
Jacqueline Rivera
Mentor(s): Kathleen Moore, Matthew Young
Drug courts have effectively reduced substance use, criminal justice involvement, and mental
health issues (Mitchell, Wilson, Eggers, & MacKenzie, 2012; Rempel, Green, & Kralstein, 2012).
An estimated one-third of offenders believe they may have a drug problem, and 55% report
that their principle offense was related to their substance use with money for drugs acting as
their primary motivation (Liriano & Ramsey, 2003). Recently, offenders with substance abuse
issues have become a growing concern within the criminal justice system. In particular, young
adult offenders (18-26 year olds) represent a unique population, and little research has been
conducted on this cohort. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess YouCan!, a program
that provides young adult offenders with substance abuse treatment and judicial oversight.
Baseline, six-month, and twelve-month follow data were gathered from 154 young adult
offenders. Measures included treatment and drug court information, criminal justice
involvement, mental health and substance abuse measures, and therapeutic alliance. Results
indicated a significantly smaller proportion of participants experienced an arrest and number of
charges in the six-months following program entry than six-months prior to treatment. In
addition, significant reductions were reported for alcohol, illicit drugs, and opiates as well as
significantly fewer symptoms of somatization, anxiety, and psychoticism after treatment.
Participants also reported a good therapeutic bond with their counselor. These finding suggest
that drug courts can be effective at reducing recidivism for young adult offenders. Future
research should be directed to better understand the young adult population and their unique
challenges
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Insect Abundance and Community Composition in Pacific Salt Marshes Along a Latitudinal
Gradient
Eden Santiago Gomez
Mentor(s): Jonathan Shurin, Ryan Hechinger, Akana Noto
Program: Marine Biology/ Environmental Science and Policy
Wetlands are each year acknowledged, increasingly, as important as we learn more about their
diversity and veritable functions. They are natural buffers from storm surges, filters, and habitats
for many staple fisheries. Their health is imperative therefore to many aspects of human life. On
the east coast of the United States, research shows that bottom up tropic cascades can regulate
primary production in wetlands. In times when population size of grasshoppers and snails
explodes, they can leave mud wastelands within wetlands. Our project seeks to investigate this
topic on west coast salt marshes and analyze the relationship between plant biomass and insect
abundance. Beginning at South California, chose six pacific salt marsh sites along the coast all
the way to Oregon. The two most dominant plants within salt marshes in the pacific coast are S.
Pacific and J. Carnosa, and we have consequently chosen to focus on these two plants. From
each site we collect a 10 inch radius area of each plant species. In the lab we then remove all
animal species found on samples using a dissecting microscope. We ID the animals and count
the number of individuals found. After all animals have been collected we then weight the
samples, both wet and dry, to calculate their biomass. Our project is not yet concluded but we
expect to see a similar conclusion as those found on the East coast; as insect abundance
increases, plant biomass should decrease.
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Education & Music Education
The Making of Medea: The Graphic Novel
Paulette Hancock
Mentor(s): David Garrison
Program: General Business Administration
Graphic Novels have been popular in the United States since their introduction in the 1920s, but
due to the stigma of ‘low culture’ surrounding the medium, it was considered inappropriate as a
learning tool until research began to prove that using visual mediums may aid learning. Many
students enjoy graphic novels, and they should be utilized as a learning tool if doing so would
increase engagement. Through determining whether graphic novels can be effectively used to
aid learning, it should be possible to create lesson plans and projects using the graphic novel
medium. It was found that not only are graphic novels a useful tool to engage learners, but also
that there is solid evidence for using the media in classrooms as the unity of graphics and
images aids students develop competence with visual literacies and comprehension, as the
graphics help students interpret the text. Therefore, the graphic novel medium should be
welcome in the classroom environment as well as for pleasure reading. The project takes an
integrative approach whereby the knowledge gained through the research was applied to a
personal project in the preproduction stage: a graphic novel adaptation of Euripides’ classic
tragedy, Medea.
Vocal Improvisation, Verbal Fluency, and Auditory Processing in Older Adults
Chloe Kantoris
Mentor(s): Jennifer Bugos
Background: Vocal improvisation requires the ability to generate musical phrases. Similarly, the
ability to process auditory information is necessary for verbal fluency or word generation, an
area affected by aging. Music training can contribute to melodic expectations and cognitive
performance. Research suggests that vocal improvisations by young adult musicians close on
tonic, and those by young adult non-musicians do not. Little is known regarding the effects of
training on vocal improvisations in novice older adults. Aims: The purpose of this study was to
evaluate vocal music training on vocal improvisations and cognitive performance in novice older
adults. Methods: Thirteen healthy, older adults were recruited from independent living facilities,
and screened for cognitive impairment. Participants completed measures of vocal achievement,
verbal fluency, and auditory processing pre- and post-training. Participants attended eight
weeks of group vocal instruction. Each two-hour class included exercises in vocal technique,
music reading, and vocal independence. Results: Vocal improvisation exercises were performed
with better intonation post-training; however, most participants repeated the same material
multiple times prior to ending the phrase. Consistent melodic contour for improvised endings
was found pre- and post-training. Familiar melodies were represented in repeated material.
Results of a pair-samples t-test showed significant increases in letter fluency and auditory
processing, post-training. Conclusions: Music training can instill confidence in novice vocalists
allowing them to improvise more freely. Improvisation exercises within a vocal training course
may contribute to enhanced auditory processing and verbal fluency, an area that can impact the
quality of life in older adults.
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Developing Game-Like Tasks to Assess Children’s Executive Functions
Jeremy Lane
Mentor(s): Darlene DeMarie
Program: Cell and Molecular Biology
Previous research shows that executive functions (EF) may predict children’s future academic
success in a more culture-fair way than IQ testing. EF can be defined as the ability to regulate
actions or behaviors such as inhibition, working memory, and shifting (Schneider et al. 2005).
Currently there is limited research with preschoolers on EF. Within this research, many tasks’
results are discarded due to young children’s difficulty performing them. The present study
used game-like tasks that were appropriate for preschool-aged children. The 51 four- to sixyear-old children from two preschools participated in a larger study, which had the following
tasks: Day/Night Stroop, Block Span task, Digit Span task, Matching Familiar Figures Test, Card
Sorting Task, Tower of London, and Simon Says. Parents and Teachers completed the Behavior
Rating Inventory of Executive Function®-Preschool Version (BRIEF®-P) questionnaire, which is a
standardized assessment. This study focuses on the Simon Says task and the BRIEF-P
questionnaire. Although children typically are assessed individually in other tasks and research,
in this study, we added a social component of EF. Children played Simon Says in small groups,
and their position within the group was changed from trial to trial. Although the results have not
yet been finalized, it has been noted with the data that has been collected and analyzed, that
there is inconsistency in performance across trials for the Simon Says task. We will see whether
parents’ and teachers’ assessments agree with results of Simon Says. Recommendations will be
provided for assessing preschool children for future studies
Comparative analysis of education reform in Spain and the United States *CREATTE
Project
Elizabeth Loisel, Sarah Lucker, Marshall Hess
Program: Statistics; Social Science Education
Education reform is a major national topic in many countries, particularly the U.S. and Spain.
Many of these reforms are brought about in an effort to compete with international educational
practices. Both Spain and the U.S. have passed recent reforms which have moved regulation of
the education system to a more federal rather than regional level. These reforms have also
faced large amounts of backlash from the public as well as the academic community. No Child
Left Behind (NCLB) was created to fix performance disparities and generally improve the
achievements of American students. Ley Organica para la Mejora de la Calidad de la Ensenanza
(LOMCE) focused on improving teaching quality across Spain in order to reach global
standards. The aim of this literature review is to assess the similarities and differences between
NCLB and LOMCE as well as their respective effectiveness. As NCLB has been in place for many
years preceding the implementation of LOMCE, these comparative measures can be used to
determine the future trajectory of similar aspects of LOMCE. We will approach this through in
depth analysis of existing academic studies focused on these educational strategies. The impact
of this review will be to help determine if the U.S.’s and Spain’s respective reforms need further
improvement. Further research will focus on comparing these educational systems to other
countries that have undergone similar reformations.
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Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: A closer look at the effects of parent involvement
Grace Madden, Beth Landy, Darryan Fitzpatrick
Mentor(s): Wendy Baker
Program: Elementary Education
Our inquiry discovers how Academic Parent Teacher Teams (APTT) affects the parent
involvement at our school. We based this inquiry around the question, “In what ways does the
implementation of the APTT model impact parent involvement?” During each of the three
nights of APTT, parents received their student’s scores on certain skills, and offered resources to
help their child excel. Data collection took place in the form of field notes, exit slips, and
artifacts of student performance (student scores on the tested skills). An analysis of both
qualitative and quantitative took place to assist us in developing our major claims. It is evident
that APTT proved beneficial in increasing parent involvement and student achievement. In
addition, the feedback received from parents in the form of exit slips, questions, and comments
demonstrates that parents are eager to actively participate in their student’s education given
the materials and support provided at APTT. Quantitative data on student achievement shows
that students increased on the skills that were practiced and assessed. General attitudes on
APTT are positive, however, data had not been collected on parents who did not attend.
Implications of the findings include being more concise when determining what information to
elicit from parents during APTT. After conducting this inquiry, future wonderings that
developed include how to implement APTT in larger schools and how to promote consistent
parent attendance.
Musical Experience on Auditory Processing and Executive Function in Middle Age
Christopher Marsalisi, Patricia Rodriguez *Project Withdrawn*
Program: Integrative Animal Biology; Cell and Molecular Biology
Musical training can impact cognitive performance. Musical training involves various brain
functions such as motor movement, memory, and increased cognitive functions. Most research
on musical training is conducted with children and young adults. We seek to examine the
effects of music training on middle-aged adults with extensive training in orchestral instruments.
We hypothesize that professional musicians and collegiate musicians will show similar
performance in measures testing for cognitive function; however, the enhanced musical
experience associated with professional musicians could lead to increases in their reaction time
on a standardized Stroop task. We evaluated cognitive performance in 25 individuals with the
goal of evaluating 20 professional musicians from a local professional music company, 20 nonprofessional musicians who are graduate music students, and 20 non-musicians to serve as a
control. Testing is currently underway and will be complete by the time of presentation. The
results will also provide insight regarding the effects of music training on executive functions
and auditory processing in middle age. Data from this study will contribute to our knowledge of
how expertise in music training shapes cognitive performance throughout the lifespan.
Examining Culture-Fair Measures of Executive Functions and Inhibition in Preschool
Students
Laura Mockensturm
Program: Statistics, Psychology
Executive functioning is a group of cognitive abilities including working memory, inhibition, and
attentional flexibility. Though researchers claim working memory is a more culture-fair predictor
of academic achievement than IQ, inhibition may be a more important predictor for
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preschoolers (Senn, Espy, & Kaufman, 2004). The goal of the present study was to assess
inhibition and other executive functions (EF) in preschool students. This study is part of a larger
study by Dr. Jennifer Bugos and Dr. Darlene DeMarie. They investigated the effects of musical
training on preschool students’ executive functions. The measures in that study included
forward/backward digit span/block span, the Tower of London, Day-Night Stroop, the Matching
Familiar Figures Task (MFFT), and the game “Simon Says.” For my analysis and presentation, I
look only at the MFFT and the Day-Night Stroop. I wrote the directions for the latter task, pilottested both tasks, and then administered both tasks to 67 4 and 5-year-old children who
attended preschools in Tampa, Florida. For the Day-Night Stroop, children first say the label for
10 pictures of the sun or moon (e.g., "Day" for sun and "Night" for moon). Then they say the
opposite (i.e., the "Silly way"). Although Day-Night Stroop is a gold-standard in inhibition
measurement for young children, I realized during testing that it was not as culture-fair as other
measures of EF. The MFFT was a visual task. Children found identical pictures to model
pictures. For Day-Night, if students did not speak English fluently then the relatively complex
directions acted as a barrier for their performance
“I Want Candy”: A Deeper Look at the Value of Intrinsically Motivating Students in
Reading
Jessica Palfi
Mentor(s): Margaret Krause
In the real world, one rarely receives extrinsic rewards for their learning. Instead, one has to find
the intrinsic rewards in their activities and education. Similarly, intrinsically motivated students
often perform better academically, however there is a disconnect in classrooms as there is often
focus on extrinsic motivators. As an educator it is seemingly easier to use extrinsic motivators
with students. As an intern in a title one school in a rural community, my students were
unmotivated in reading, and the extrinsic motivational system was not showing positive effects
on the students’ motivation to read. This brought me to my research-inquiry: determining how
to use intrinsic motivation to improve student attitude and achievement in reading. My study
works to implement an intrinsic motivation within the students, so they can take satisfaction in
reading without an extrinsic reward. This study looks at a group of eight students, who were
chosen based their data from the previous semester. Strategies such as student autonomy, peer
interactions, and student created goals were implemented in an attempt to increase the
students reading motivation. It is expected that there will be a positive correlation between the
implemented strategies and the students’ motivation to read.
Homework Effectiveness: A Look at the ELL and non ELL Experience
Heather Palmer
Mentor(s): Wendy Baker
My second grade classroom has 32 students; 10 ELL (English Language Learners) and 22 nonELL students. As homework has been requested by the parents I search to make it as effective
as possible within the classroom. I focused specifically on ELA homework (English Language
Arts), as it poses the greatest threat to my ELL students. In order to do this, I will adjust my
practice in five unique ways in hopes to increase exposure (measured by turn in rates of
homework) and mastery (measured by scores on homework). Mastery and exposure is how I will
define effectiveness. The following are the five ways in which I will adjust my practice:
communication with parents through notes and conversation, homework attitude survey to
facilitate controlled choice, differentiation of homework based on reading level, highly specific
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feedback on completed homework, and models of exemplary homework. Through my inquiry, I
have found the two most effective practices were highly specific feedback and modeling of
homework expectations. Highly specific feedback increased the non – ELL homework scores by
37 percentage points. After the first homework assignment was modeled, ELL scores and turn
in rates sky rocketed. The data supports explicit instruction, model of skills and strategies, and
explicit application of skills and strategies
Tour of Madrid's Music *CREATTE Project
Margie Ramirez
Program: International Studies
This research paper centers on the vibrant musical life in Madrid, and describes its history
through various musical landmarks. Music is a very important aspect of Spanish culture, and this
paper will explore its relevance in the culture of Spanish people. Jazz is one of the most
popular types of music in Madrid, and some popular venues include Calle 54, Café Central,
Berlin Jazz café, Bogui Jazz, and Segundo Jazz club. Music festivals are another part of the
musical world in Spain, including Klubbers Day, Festival de Jazz, La Escalera de Jacob, and the
St. Patrick’s Day Festival. This paper explores the significance of these festivals and musical
destinations, and their impact on Spanish culture. It does so by conducting a historical analysis
through use of a video presentation, which will take the viewer on a musical tour of the city,
showing a wide variety of the musical hot spots. This paper will allow the reader to view and
understand the way another culture incorporates music into their society, and perhaps to even
compare it to their own culture.
Piano Training Enhances Category Switching in Older Adults
Patricia Rodriguez, Maverick Mangosing
Background: Deficits in verbal fluency among the older adult population are associated with
cognitive impairment, communication issues, and lower self-efficacy (Herbert et al., 2014). A
deficit in verbal fluency, the ability to produce words under specific time constraints, is among
one of the first symptoms of cognitive decline and may serve as an indicator of neurological
disorders such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (Nutter-Upham
et al., 2008). Multimodal interventions demonstrate the potential to mitigate cognitive
impairment and transfer to diverse cognitive domains such as verbal fluency. Aims: The purpose
of this research was to examine the effects of a multimodal cognitive intervention, piano
training, on verbal fluency in healthy older adults. Methods: Twenty-five older adults with little
to no previous formal music training were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups:
piano training, computer brain training, and a no treatment control group. All participants
completed a sequence of standardized neuropsychological measures at three visits: pretraining, immediate post-training, and a three-month follow-up visit. The piano training
program consisted of basic piano technique, dexterity exercises, piano literature, and music
theory. The computer brain-training program included practice of six progressively difficult
cognitive exercises. Results: Results of a Repeated Measures ANOVA (Group X Time) on
preliminary pre/post-testing visits show enhanced performance by the piano group on Category
Switching trials. Conclusions: These results suggest that multimodal interventions such as piano
training could potentially improve executive functions such as verbal fluency.
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Differentiate and SOAR with the Math Daily 4!
Akshita Sathe
Mentor(s): Wendy Baker, Marc Summa
Program: Psychology/ Elementary Education
“I still don’t get it!” “This is way too easy, I’m bored!” In Math class, I noticed that the students
could be divided into three groups- because there were students for whom the task was too
hard, too easy, or just right. The problem was, I was focusing too much on having a balance and
not considering the students that were on the opposite ends of the spectrum. In order to
differentiate my instruction, I implemented a Math Daily 4: Guided Groups, Math by Myself,
Math with Someone, and Math Writing. Each component works with the others in order to give
students the opportunity to progress based on their needs in Math. But how does
differentiating instruction in Math Daily 4 address student needs? Three Rounds of Daily 4 (20
minutes each) were conducted in the hour long Math Block - but only after the main content
was learned in each Unit. The Collaborating Teacher assisted in making sure that all four facets
correlated to the standards/unit that was (currently) being taught. As the data collected was
being analyzed, I was looking for student engagement and student understanding. Through
further analysis, it was also discovered that some components of the Daily 4 could use further
revision. In the future, Math Writing needs to allow for students to receive immediate feedback,
and it is the facet that takes students the longest to complete! The students could also be more
involved with the inquiry by helping to plan and choose the facets.
The Impact of Piano Training on Psychosocial Well-being in Older Adults
Heather Stewart, Advaitaa Ravipati, Ashley Gonsalves, Albert Klimczak
Program: Integrative Animal Biology; College of Arts and Sciences
Background: Psychosocial wellbeing in older adults has been shown to improve through choral
experiences resulting in improved perceived holistic health as well as reduced falls and doctor
visits (Cohen et al., 2006; Clift, 2010). Previous research supports sustained involvement in
musical activities by older adults with many years of training. Few randomized controlled trials
evaluate the effects of music training in novice older adults. Aim: The purpose of this study is to
evaluate the effects of piano and computer brain training programs on self-efficacy, cortisol
levels, and immune function in novice musicians. We hypothesized that participants would
demonstrate an increase in SIgA, musical self-efficacy, and general self-efficacy, as well as
decreased cortisol levels. Methods: Twenty-seven participants (60-80 years) were randomly
assigned to one of three groups, piano training, computer brain training, or a no treatment
control group. Participants completed psychosocial measures pre and post- 16 weeks of
training. Each testing session consisted of various cognitive and psychosocial measures. A saliva
sample was collected at each time point to evaluate stress and immune function. Piano training
consisted of basic technique, finger dexterity exercises, performance pieces, and music theory.
Computer brain training consisted of progressively difficult speed of processing exercises.
Results: Results of a Repeated Measures (Group X Time) ANOVA for the GSE, MPSE, SIgA, and
cortisol show piano training participants demonstrated significantly higher musical self-efficacy
compared to the computer training or control groups. Conclusions: Piano training can increase
musical self-efficacy contributing to the likelihood of enrollment in future music programs.
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Effects of Music Training on Executive Functioning in Preschool Children
Heather Stewart
Program: Integrative Animal Biology
Background: Executive functions are a set of skills critical for everyday life that begin developing
in early childhood (Diamond, 2016). In past research, it has been shown that computer based
music training and music training focused upon a single instrument (i.e. piano training) improves
children’s executive functioning (Moreno et al., 2011; Qui, Jeanneret, & Brown, 2013). We
hypothesized that providing a comprehensive music training program would increase executive
functions given higher demands upon sustained attention (Posner & Patoine, 2009). Aim: The
purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive music training program on
children’s executive functioning. Methods: Thirty-six children 4-6 years old were randomly
assigned to one of two groups, music or Lego training. Participants completed pretesting, six
weeks of training, and post-testing. The six weeks training programs consisted of two 45 minute
classes each week. Music training focused on vocal development, bimanual coordination, and
creative vocal improvisation. Lego training focused on building certain shapes, forming
patterns, and sorting by color. Results: Results of a Repeated Measures (Group X Time) ANOVA
show a significant decrease in the average response time on the MFFT between groups after
training. There was a main effect of time on processing speed, but no difference between
groups. Conclusions: Music training may assist in some areas of executive functioning in
preschool children. Educators should include more broad-based music activities that utilize
bimanual motor skills.
Ameliorating Writing Center!
Angelica Thomas
Mentor(s): Sophia Han
Program: Early Childhood Education
This study takes place in a first grade classroom of 18 students at an elementary school in the
New Tampa area. While watching students during daily 5 centers, I noticed that none of them
really liked or enjoyed going to this center. When the students got to the writing center they
would look for their assigned topic to write about, take out a sheet of paper, and begin drawing
pictures and coloring. This study examines instructional techniques and strategies to create a
more student centered environment in the writing center to help students stay actively engaged
and on task. The research question asked in this study is How can creating a more student
centered environment in the writing center help students stay actively engaged and on task?
Throughout my research I monitored students’ engagement, while gathering work samples,
anecdotal & observational notes, checklists, photographs, and keeping a reflective journal.
Expectations for this study include students staying engaged and on task during writing center
and students gaining a sense of responsibility for their writing. Future research regarding this
study include giving students a sense of writer identity to help them understand what it means
to be a writer and to become better writers.
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Understanding Executive Function in Preschool-Aged Children
Camille Titus
Program:
According to a paper by Thibodeau, Gilpin, Brown, and Meyer (2016), Executive Functions (EF)
is defined as, “…higher order thinking processes that allow individuals to override more
automatic thoughts and behaviors for more adaptive and goal-directed responses.” Although
EF is an important predictor of children’s later academic achievement, prior studies of EF in
early childhood used tasks previously developed for older individuals. Because the tasks given
to test children are not designed to accommodate their age group, researchers may make
incomplete conclusions. In a study by Bull, Espy, and Wiebe (2008), data were discarded for
preschool-aged children who could not complete tasks. In our design of the Tower of London
test, we made accommodations for preschool-aged individuals and gathered more conclusive
results via a computer application. The Tower of London task involves showing children three
pegs of different sizes and having them match a given image by moving colored balls to
different pegs that required a different number of moves to achieve the desired result. We
ensured that children were successful when only one move was required before moving on to
more difficult problems. The task was designed to appear more like a game than a test, making
children want to be more engaged. The tasks were simplified, requiring fewer moves and more
engaging directions, making individual children more successful. The results, to date, show that
children were able to complete the task, and there were individual differences. The design of
this task provides a more efficient way to test children’s executive function abilities.
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Engineering
A Comparison of ZnO/AlN and ZnO/GaN Solid Solution Photo-Catalysts for Application in
the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Daniela Allbright
Mentor(s): JohnKuhn
Program: Chemical Engineering
As time progresses so does an age-old issue that has been threatening our world for decades
now: the global energy crisis. Current methods of energy production from fossil fuels not only
pose a serious environmental threat, emitting copious amounts of CO2 and contributing to
climate change, but are also highly unsustainable as fossil fuel reserves run dangerously low.
This crisis has incited vast efforts in the research of renewable, low-emission methods for energy
production. Hydrogen is a promising fuel for the job as it only emits H2O when used in fuel cells.
H2 can be recovered as a product in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) by utilizing visible
light and candidate photo-catalysts to split water. Some success has been shown in the past
using a ZnO/GaN solid solution catalyst. In this work, both ZnO/GaN and ZnO/AlN solid
solutions are investigated in an attempt to understand what catalytic properties are ideal for the
HER. The solid solutions were synthesized from Layered Double Hydroxides, which allowed for
better control over catalyst composition. It is likely that these catalysts possess large enough
band gaps (>1.23 eV) and the necessary band edge positions to incite the HER. Through various
methods of characterization, the band gap, surface area, crystalline structure and more are
considered in the analysis of the solid solutions. In the future, photocatalytic experiments will be
conducted to observe the effectiveness of these two catalysts and to analyze the importance of
each property as it relates to catalytic activity.
The Effects of Hydraulic Retention Time on Septic Tank Effluent Water Quality
Lensey Casimir
Mentor(s): Sarina Ergas, Laura Rodriguez-Gonzalez
Program: Civil Engineering
In Florida, there are 2.6 million septic tank systems in operation treating about one third of
household sewage produced in the state. These systems consist of a septic tank for solids
separation and biodegradation of organics and a drainfield, to further remove solids, organics
and pathogens. These conventional systems are not very effective for nutrients removal and as a
result new technologies have been developed to address this issue. If effective, these innovative
alternatives will allow increased flowrates which would affect the hydraulic retention time (HRT)
in septic tanks. The goal of this research is to investigate the effects of varying HRT in a bench
scale septic tank by comparing treatment performance at 7.5 days and 12.3 days HRT. Sewage
and septic tank effluent (STE) samples were collected 3 times a week and analyzed for various
water quality parameters. Over a period of 30 days for a HRT of 7.5 days the pH levels remained
neutral. The dissolved oxygen (DO) in STE was higher which means that there was some air
entering the tank. Conductivity and ammonia concentrations in STE were lower which means
that some ions and ammonia were removed. Whereas total suspended solids (TSS), volatile
suspended solids (VSS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements were similar in
both the sewage and STE due to improper settling of the solids and possibly low HRT. The
study for HRT of 12.3 days is ongoing. This higher HRT is expected to improve the performance
and reduce solids in the STE.
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Measuring and Modeling Plasmonic Heating by Gold Nanoelectrodes for Stimulation of
Neurons
Daniel Corral, Parveen Bazard
Mentor(s): Venkat Bhethanabotla, Robert Frisina
Introduction: In recent years, there has been considerable interest in use of metal nanoparticles
(NPs) for biomedical applications. This is because at the nanoscale, these metals possess useful
optical properties that can alter biological function. More specifically, with light interactions,
metal NPs, like gold, generate heat surrounding the particle, a phenomena known as plasmonic
heating. We are investigating the possibility of using plasmonic heating for stimulation of
neurons and cardiomyocytes which has the potential to give better spatial resolution than the
existing electrical stimulation approaches. Hence there is a potential significant impact on the
field of neural prosthesis and cardiac stimulation. For this, we have fabricated nanoelectrodes
(glass micropipettes coated with gold NPs), and developed an alternative method to measure
temperature change at the nanoelectrode surface. We are also modeling arrays of NPs as
occurs with nanoelectrodes. The aim of the present study is to understand and quantify
mechanisms of plasmonic stimulation. Materials and Methods: The experimental design
involves several steps. The first is the synthesis of gold NPs using a standard citrate method;
reduction of chloroauric acid solution using a sodium citrate solution. Next, these gold NPs
were coated onto glass micropipettes to fabricate the gold nanoelectrodes, and the
nanoelectrodes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. We then used a
pipette resistance method to indirectly measure local temperature changes using a patch clamp
system. Changing resistances in the presence of light allowed us to calculate temperatures
using our resistance vs. temperature calibration curve. We are also modeling temperature
distributions of NPs by solving the standard heat transfer equation. In which, we assume no
particle-particle interactions and stationary fluid. Results and Discussion: We have generated a
temperature vs. resistance calibration curve by measuring pipette resistance as a function of
induced temperature. This allowed us to measure the plasmonic temperature rise at various
laser powers as shown in Figure 1. We have also modeled the temperature distribution for a
single gold nanoparticle in water (Figure 2) and are currently modeling arrays of nanoparticles
as is the case with our nanoelectrode. Model predictions will be compared with our
experimental data. Conclusions: In summary, we have been able to measure plasmonic
temperatures at the surface of the goldcoated nanoelectrode. With that, we are modeling
arrays of gold NPs to represent that of the nanoelectrode. Future experiments include
measurement of temperature at different distances, changing time duration of laser pulses, and
potentially investigating other metals, such as silver NPs.
Tamoxifen’s effects on the Acoustic Startle Reflex and Prepulse Inhibition of the Acoustic
Startle Reflex for Aging CBA Ovariectomized Mice
Carlos J. Cruz
Mentor(s): Robert Frisina, Xiaoxia Zhu, Tanika Williamson
Program: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Drug-induced ototoxicity is a condition that occurs when a drug’s interaction with the body
produces damage to the auditory system resulting in adverse effects such as hearing loss. In this
study, Tamoxifen’s possible ototoxic capabilities are investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) CBA
mice, as Tamoxifen blocks estrogen from binding to estrogen receptors (Thompson et al.,
2006). In the present study, OVX (n=4), control female (non-OVX, n=6), and male (n=5) CBA
mice at 11 months of age were treated with 20 mg/kg of Tamoxifen for 14 consecutive days.
Testing consisted of measuring the Acoustic Startle Reflex (ASR) of mice in response to 55-115
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dB SPL sound intensities and Pre-Pulse Inhibition (PPI) of the ASR, which measured the auditory
sensory gating capabilities when 20, 40, 55, and 75 dB SPL pre-pulses were presented before
the startle generating stimuli (110 dB SPL). ASR and PPI data were collected at a baseline age of
11 months, one week after treatment at 13 month, and one month post-treatment at 14 months.
Findings indicate that PPI initially increased one-week post-treatment of Tamoxifen, at the 40,
55, and 75 dB SPL pre-pulse sound levels, and then decreased one-month post treatment.
Startle data did not significantly change post-treatment. These results suggest that repeated
14-day Tamoxifen administration, versus a single 14-day administration, could possibly improve
auditory processing and sensory gating capabilities. The potential mechanism is that Tamoxifen
acts as a cell-receptor agonist in already estrogen-deprived OVX mice.
Impact of model siloxanes on poisoning of reforming catalysts for waste-to-fuel processes
Anthony Elwell
Mentor(s): John Kuhn, Babu Joseph
Fossil fuels are rapidly depleting while the world’s energy demands are increasing. It is essential
to find alternative energy sources to meet energy needs. Organic matter that decomposes in
landfills produces landfill gas (LFG), a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide that can be
converted to syngas (H2 and CO) through reforming. Syngas can then be converted to liquid
fuels by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. However, LFG contains other compounds which may poison
the catalyst. It is expensive to continually replace the catalyst and/or to completely remove the
contaminants before reforming. Determining the effects of these compounds on the catalyst is
necessary to determine the degree of LFG purification needed. The contaminants of interest
are organic silicone containing compounds called siloxanes. Siloxanes have been shown to
decompose to silica (SiO2) and deposit onto engines and turbines causing them to breakdown
and/or fail; however their effect on the reforming catalyst is unknown. A silica solution was used
to model the decomposed siloxanes for accelerated deactivation testing on various catalysts.
Three different amounts of silica were loaded on the catalyst: one low extreme (1 week), one
high extreme (6 months), and one amount in the middle (1 month). The amounts were
calculated based on an average value of siloxane concentration in LFG (obtained from
literature) that was converted to a corresponding silica amount if all of it decomposed. Once
the poisoned catalysts were synthesized, characterization tests such as temperature
programmed reduction and temperature programmed reaction were done to observe the
effects the silica has on the catalyst.
Effects of supports on CO2 conversion to CO by La0.75Sr0.25FeO3 in the reverse water
gas shift chemical looping process
Bryan Hare
Mentor(s): John Kuhn
The field of alternative energy has made extraordinary progress. However, even when
alternatives are widely adapted, energy dense hydrocarbon fuel will still be necessary to satisfy
modern energy demands. As industrial emissions continue to increase on a global perspective,
carbon dioxide becomes a more popular chemical reagent for renewable fuel production.
When carbon dioxide is successfully reduced, the resulting carbon monoxide can be further
utilized in the Fischer-Tropsch process or methanol syntheses. Perovskite oxides (ABO3) express
many unique characteristics that are suitable for CO2 conversions including vacancy formation
and thermodynamic stability of the oxygen-deficient crystalline structure. Of the few perovskites
known to successfully reduce carbon dioxide, La0.75Sr0.25FeO3 (LSF) provided notable results
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for CO production. However, metal oxides are extremely vulnerable to sintering and require
supports to maintain surface area and structure stability. In this study, LSF was supported on
various metal oxides that are deemed cheap and abundant including alumina, silica, titania, and
ceria and was tested in the RWGS-CL process. Reducibility of the composite materials was
studied by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), structure stability by XRD, and CO
production by temperature-programmed oxidation with CO2 (TPO-CO2) following isothermal
reduction under H2. While each sample displayed increased reduction potential, LSF/SiO2
surpassed the other materials in overall CO production with a 242% increase compared with
unsupported LSF. Post-reaction XRDs suggest formation of extraneous phases in LSF/SiO2 due
to solid-state reactions. Silicon Carbide was added to the study due to its inert behavior in
heterogeneous reactions. The CO production of LSF/SiC in the RWGS was slightly lower than
that of LSF/SiO2, but exhibited no extraneous phases in the post-experimental XRD.
Kinematics of an Asymmetric Omni-drive Chassis
Nicole Hudson, Carlton Drew
Mentor(s): Alfredo Weitzenfeld
Program: Physics/Mathematics; Physics/Psychology
The RoboBulls team at the University of South Florida will be participating in the international
robotics competition in Leipzig, Germany. To be competitive in a tournament against such
domestic teams as Georgia Tech, Carnegie Mellon, and Cambridge, our team has had to tackle
a variety of research endeavors. This presentation will cover our research into the correction of
the robot’s trajectory given a generic asymmetric omni-drive chassis. This research will inform
future generations of robotics scientists and engineers as they build upon our work to develop
efficient path algorithms corresponding to the physical geometry of their robot. Building upon
previous research, a literature review yielded equations applicable to a symmetric omni-drive
chassis. Using physical knowledge and the V-Rep robotic simulator, we have expanded the
equations found in the prior literature to account for an asymmetric configuration of the drive
system. The modifications to the equations proved to have greater efficiency than the
empirically determined constants of correction that were used prior to this research. Visibility of
this research in the future will save other roboticists time and effort in rederiving the solutions to
this problem, and will provide them with more freedom in omni-drive chassis design.
A kinetic model of nitrate adsorption onto a tire chip sorbent
Capodice Joseph
Mentor(s): Payne Karl, Maya Trotz
On-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTs) discharge nutrients such as nitrogen, and are
one of the largest contributers to the degradation of water quality in surface water systems.
Performance of conventional OWTs is affected by transient loading conditions. A tire-sulfur
hybrid adsorption denitrification (T-SHAD) process has been proven as an effective
decentralized wastewater technology to overcome these transient conditions. Tire chips,
elemental sulfur pellets, and crushed oyster shells are all low cost materials used in the T-SHAD
bioreactors. Tires chips will adsorb the desorb nitrate during trasient loading conditions.
Elemental sulfur pellets serve as an electron donor, while both crushed oyster shells and scrap
tire chips leach organic carbon, allowing for mixotrophic denitrification. The goal of this study is
to develop a kinetic model of adsorptin and desorption onto tire chips. Matlab software was
used to simulate physical processes within a tire packed column. Finite difference
approximations served as the numerical method for analysis. A first-order kinetic model
predicting the rate of uptake of NO3- onto the adsorbent shows good agreement with
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experimental data. Further studies will be performed to better characterize the
adsorption/desorption kinetics of nitrate onto tire chips. The model is an intergal component
of enhanced design of bioreactors in onsite wastewater treatment (OWT).
Perovskites as Photocatalysts: A Study of Band Edge and Band Gap
Matthew Kastelic
Mentor(s): Babu Joseph, Huong Ngo
Many studies have been done into photocatalysis due to the potential for providing us with
cheap, green energy by CO2 reduction. Much of the research in this field has focused on metal
oxides, however they are inefficient due to their large band gaps (i.e TiO2’s band gap is 3.1eV).
Perovskites, ABO3 metal oxides which can be modified by incorporating two different B cations,
could be the answer. This research aims to determine the potential for perovskites to act as a
better alternative to metal oxide photocatalysts due to the ability to adjust band edges and
band gaps by changing the metals and their ratios. For this study, six perovskites (LaFexCr1-xO3,
LaMnxFe1-xO3, x = {0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1}) were synthesized using the Pechini process. Then, the
optical band gaps were measured by DRS (diffused reflectance spectroscopy) UV-vis
spectroscopy. Four synthesized perovskites have a band gap in the range of 1.5eV to 2.1eV
(826nm-590nm), which is suitable to absorb visible light. The band edge was obtained through
Mott-Schottky analysis. These values were plotted against the CO2 reduction redox potential
and the H2O splitting potential to determine if they were suitable as photocatalysts. We find
that LaFe0.25Cr0.75O3 is a candidate for both CO2 and H2O splitting photoreaction in visible light
range. Thus, we can demonstrate an adjustable band edge and band gap with the potential to
be used as photocatalysts. This research shows that perovskites are a suitable material to start
conducting more research as we aim to find more efficient photocataysts.
Enhanced Simulation System for Distracted Driver Studies
Kaitlin Lostroscio
Mentor(s): Stephanie Carey
Program: Mechanical Engineering
Roadway safety efforts could benefit from further studies focusing on texting, calling, and
reading while driving. Simulation provides a safe testing environment. The purpose of this study
was to provide this type of testing environment for a study involving distracted driving. A
previously created driving training simulator was modified to meet the needs of a distracted
driver study. Modifications included user control improvements, data output selection, and
adjustments to the visual display. This driving simulator was integrated with the Computer
Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) (Motek Medical, Amsterdam, Netherlands) which
includes a 6 degree of freedom platform used to simulate dynamic feedback such as
acceleration, a 180-degree projection screen for visual display, and system integration through
CAREN D-Flow software. In initial trials, a table which contains the driving controls, Logitech
Driving Force GT steering wheel and gas/ brake pedals, was secured to the motion base
platform. Users of the simulator drove in a virtual highway scene while experiencing the
dynamic feedback to increase realism. During testing, users answered phone calls, responded
to text messages, and read from a cellular phone. Parameters such as velocity, acceleration, and
number of collisions were included in the recorded data along with the trial time. The system
was improved by the addition of controls that allowed the type of driving situation to be
specified in the recorded data as well. This eliminated the need for qualitative hand-recording
so that research facilitators could focus on other immediate needs of the study.
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Human Mammary Epithelial Cell Baseline Cell Growth Curve
Lauren Mannix
Mentor(s): Robert Frisina, Xiaoxia Zhu
Hearing loss is common in the general population, especially among senior citizens.
Fortunately, biomedical research offers potential solutions for this growing disorder. The
invention of a micropump that would offer therapy via direct drug delivery to the inner ear is
currently being investigated. Before the development of this subcutaneous device is fully
realizable, the biocompatibility of the materials used must be analyzed. The first step in this
process involves performing an initial cell growth curve to set a basis of normal cellular growth.
The present study involved the analysis of 10 random samples of human mammary epithelial
cells and their growth over a time period of 11 days. The cells were assessed with the cell
counter program ImageJ at a cross-sectional area of 0.5 mm by 0.5 mm, or 700 pixels by 700
pixels, by choosing 5 different cross-sectional areas for each sample. The results were recorded
in Excel by averaging the 5 cross-sectional areas for each sample, and then averaging the
samples daily. The days and averaged cells numbers were graphed to display a cell growth
curve, which showed successful growth of the cells over time. The information from this
experiment will provide the foundation for developing a biomedical micropump that may
prevent or treat hearing loss. Biocompatibility of the material can be evaluated by comparing
the cell growth curves with the micropump materials to the baseline cell growth curve. Further
testing, such as the analysis of the cytotoxicity of tubing materials will be assessed in the near
future.
What is the healthiest way to commute? Using a route generator to compare commuter
exposures to air pollution
Asgard Marroquin
Mentor(s): Amy Stuart, Ryan Michael
Program: Electrical Engineering
The World Health Organization recently estimated that one in eight global deaths were
attributable to air pollution. Air pollution exposures during commuting can be particularly high.
We have designed a model that can predict likely differences in commuter exposures to trafficrelated air pollutants based on route, mode of travel, and time of day. To do this, we
incorporated a route generator, the Open Source Routing Machine (OSRM), into an exposure
modeling system. We applied OSRM to generate spatiotemporally-resolved activity records
along shortest-time routes of travel for a randomly-generated sample of home and work
locations in the study area of Fort Collins, Colorado. Specifically, we generated travel paths for
bicycling and driving during the morning commute for three route scenarios: 1) routes without
road type restrictions, 2) routes preferentially restricted to tertiary (and less busy) roads, and 3)
routes restricted to residential roads. We estimated commute exposures by combining the
resulting stochastic commute data with hourly-resolved spatially varying concentrations of
carbon monoxide in the study area. Results predict that both car and bike commuters
experience the lowest exposures when traveling along residential roadways. The decrease is
more pronounced for car commuters than it is for cyclists. Findings from the work will contribute
to the development of a probabilistic description of commute exposures to traffic-related air
pollutants, informing better urban design and healthy personal decisions.
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The role of levelized cost of electricity for wind energy.
Jamie Mohammed
Mentor(s): Tapas Das
Program: Industrial Engineering
The need for renewable energy would seem to no longer require a defense since factors such
as social issues, depleting oil reserves, and concerns related to nuclear generation have paved
the road for a sustainable future. Solar energy has been well established and advancements in
photovoltaic technology has facilitated cheaper methods for producing P.V cells. As the
international energy market became increasingly competitive, other renewable energy
technologies were also developed. As a result, wind energy is expected to experience
significant growth and specifically, substantial reduction in installation and maintenance cost
over the next 30 years. Many wind farms have been installed and although there have been
many ongoing issues, the main problem is that the existing electricity grids do not have the
capacity to manage the copious amount of power now being produced. Smart grids have been
slowly incorporated to target this main problem but lends itself to additional problems like grid
vulnerability and high costs to consumers. This research is two-fold and will first focus on
developing a model in GAMS software to calculate the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for
wind power, after which a sensitivity analysis would then be performed. The second objective is
to then examine ways in which this validation can benefit investors and researchers to improve
the efficiency of implementing smart-grids. Since the LCOE is a comparative measure, a case
study from Germany will be used and the current estimated LCOE for onshore wind energy is
currently ~$73.6/MWh.
Controlled Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles
Sanim Rahman
Mentor(s): Venkat Bhethanabltla
Currently, we have demonstrated that electrical excitable biological cells can be stimulated
using nanoelectrodes (glass micropipette coated with gold nanoparticles) and a 532 nm green
laser. This phenomenon is the result of light-excited collective oscillations of conduction band
electrons of metal nanoparticles like gold. Because of the localized nature of the plasmonic
phenomena, this stimulation has the potential to revolutionize the existing field of biomedical
implants which are presently based on electrical stimulation. For the development of robust
plasmonic stimulation, the controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles plays a crucial role. In this
project, we will investigate the parameters that are affecting gold nanoparticle size and
polydispersity in liquid phase synthesis (Turkevich Method). Liquid phase synthesis has been
one of the most established procedures. In addition to our current application, gold
nanoparticles have numerous applications in fields such as nanomedicine, drug delivery
catalysis, electronics etc. The demand for synthesizing and researching the properties of gold
nanoparticles has increased over the last decade. We synthesize gold nanoparticles by the
reduction of chloroauric acid using trisodium citrate dihydrate in solution. Preliminary
experiments indicate that reactant mole ratio, temperature, and stirring rate affect nanoparticle
size. Further experiments are being conducted to optimize other parameters such as heating
time, synthesis temperature, and pH control for the synthesis of monodispersed nanoparticles.
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DFT calculated oxygen vacancy formation energy of LaCoxFeyMn1-x-yO3 for carbon
dioxide conversion *Project Withdrawn*
Adela Ramos
Mentor(s): John Kuhn
The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to valuable liquid fuels has been and continues to be of
global interest due to its potential to meet fuel demands and reduce climate concerns caused
by CO2 emissions. CO2 conversion to carbon monoxide (CO) can be achieved with reverse
water gas shift reaction (RWGS) or with thermochemical cycle looping (TCL). Subsequently
carbon monoxide can be converted to hydrocarbon fuels via Fischer-Tropsch. This study
focuses on the conversion of CO2 to CO using perovskite oxides. Perovskite oxides of the
ABO3 structure have been proven to convert CO2 to CO due to its stability in both,
stoichiometric and oxygen deficient form. It has been found in literature that perovskites
containing transition metals Co, Fe, or Mn in the B-site led to favorable CO2 conversion. This
project aims to combine the three metals in the Bsite, LaCoxFeyMn1-x-yO3, and study its
oxygen vacancy formation energy behavior. Oxygen vacancy formation is a key parameter used
to describe a perovskite’s ability to convert CO2 to CO. Oxygen vacancy formation energies
were calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) utilizing the Vienna ab-initio
Simulation Package (VASP-5.3.3).
Green Infrastructure & Engineering with K-12 for Nitrogen Management
Maria Reed
Mentor(s): Maya Trotz, Wainella Isaac
Program: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Green Infrastructure for stormwater management refers to low-impact development
technologies that facilitate the reversion of overland water flow, and infiltration patterns to predevelopment rates. Management of the nitrogen cycle has been identified as one of the 14
Grand Challenges for Engineering for the 21st Century, and rain gardens engineered for
nitrogen removal through selection of appropriate packing media layers are an innovative type
of green infrastructure being developed at the USF EPA Center for Reinventing Aging
Infrastructure for Nutrient Management Center. Rain gardens have been installed on
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) campuses and provide benefits such as flood
alleviation, nitrogen removal, science, technology, engineering and mathematics project based
learning activities for students, professional development opportunities for teachers, and
improved utilization of green spaces in urban schools serving student populations from lower
socioeconomic backgrounds. This work seeks to catalog the monitoring and maintenance
requirements for these systems installed at middle and high HCPS which represents a current
gap in literature, as well as document the role of teacher engagement with the technology in
streamlining their adoption in K-12 Education. Environmental Resource Permits have been
obtained for the construction of the rain gardens. Lesson plans and online e-learning modules
created by the teachers and USF researchers on green infrastructure are presented to introduce
students to the topic. Teachers and students quantify packing media and select Florida native
plants needed for the rain garden. Informal interviews are administered to teachers to recount
the challenges and opportunities observed with engagement with the technology.
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Incorporating Exposure Factors into a Commuter Exposure Modeling System
Monica Resto
Mentor(s): Amy Stewart, Ryan Michael
The negative health effects of urban air pollution will impact more people as the percentage of
urban dwellers increases. Commuting, in particular, puts people in contact with high pollutant
concentrations. Improved understanding of exposures to air pollutants while commuting is
needed, especially as alternative commute modes increase in popularity. In order to understand
exposures in the study area of Fort Collins, Colorado, we have created a modeling system that
takes gridded air pollution concentration data, and spatially- and temporally-resolved daily
activity data, and calculates average exposure concentrations during commuting. The objective
of this subproject is to incorporate appropriate exposure factors into the system for each type
of activity undertaken, route chosen, and season. Exposure factors quantify the fraction of air
pollution available for intake and uptake in a certain microenvironment; they include breathing
rates for different levels of exertion, vehicle ingression rates, and factors characterizing
differences in seasonal exposures. A literature review was conducted to find these important
factors and their ranges for bicycling and auto commuting. The summary statistics and
parametric distribution of these factors are being incorporated into the modeling system in the
form of a separate compute module. The results of this research will be applied to understand
differences in exposures and intakes between different commute modes, routes, and season.
This will allow for urban planners, governments, and individuals to make informed decisions
regarding their community design and commute choices.
The Armillary Sphere
Joshua Rowell
Mentor(s): Philip Bishop
The armillary sphere is an ancient device that represents the motion and location of heavenly
bodies. It is adjustable in many ways, and commonly has anywhere from four to nine circles to
add different functionality to the sphere. The main function present in most spheres is the
ability to measure the current position along the calendar year. This project is an investigation
of the historical development of the armillary sphere through Chinese history in. It includes a
description of various components of the sphere, from the exterior (a representation of the
Meridian Circle) to the core (a representation of the Earth and later the Sun). Many different
sources will be used in order to highlight the differences in the sphere’s form and function
through its development. Additionally, a model of the armillary will be crafted in order to better
understand the purpose of the sphere. Metals of varying length and thickness will be carefully
bent and shaped around the central core into rings, and will be set at angles and widths
according to classical instructions on fabrication of this item. Through this research it was found
that the sphere was developed almost simultaneously in Ancient Greece and Ancient China
during the 1st Century BCE, showing a unique relationship between these separated cultures.
Through this research is was concluded, though there is some argument, that Greece was the
first society in the world to develop this instrument
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Analysis of a Droplet Squeezed Between Two Parallel Surfaces
Millicent Schlafly
Mentor(s): Nathan Crane
The purpose is this project is to analyze the vertical force of a droplet based fluidic bearing. Due
to scaling relations, surface tension can be used to provide mechanical support to small
components below the millimeter scale. Individual droplets can be used to separate two
contacting surfaces and serve as load bearing flexible joints. Using droplet based bearing can
greatly reduce mechanical wear and cost. However, limited studies have been done to
investigate the force exerted by droplets in a compressive load. In this study, numerical
simulations (Surface Evolver) were used to simulate a droplet squeezed between two parallel
surfaces. By varying input parameters such as the fluid/ambient surface tension, the droplet
volume, the height between plates, and the contact angle, the vertical force was extracted. The
force per unit contact area was compared to theoretical values. A model of the force per
maximum area data as a function of height was found based on theoretical calculations. This
model indicates that the change of stiffness of the droplet is dependent on primarily the
contact angle and surface tension of the droplet. A droplet with a smaller contact angle will be
less affected by small changes in applied force. A smaller surface tension may minimize these
affects, but it also reduces the force per area of the droplet. These conclusions can provide a
better understanding as to how a droplet will react under given conditions.
A Monocular Visual SLAM Solution for the Robotis OP2
Muhaimen Shamsi
Mentor(s): Alfredo Weitzenfeld
Program: Computer Engineering
Humanoid robots and visual SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) are two of the key
areas of interest in modern robotics. Recently, many strides have been made to integrate them.
Integration is the natural step forward since the ability to create and update a 3D world map in
real-time on a humanoid platform is key to improving the platform’s robustness and versatility.
Visual SLAM has been successfully implemented on various esoteric and expensive robotic
platforms such as the HRP-2, but there remains a need for a more ubiquitous, affordable, and
accessible humanoid platform that can be used widely for research and development. The
Robotis OP2 provides such a platform with full Linux support and ROS integration. However,
many of the problems inherent in integration such as unpredictable motion blur, non-constant
camera velocity, poor image continuity, and high CPU usage still remain. In this presentation,
we show the results of our integration of this platform with recent advances in SLAM technology
utilizing ORB descriptors. We present our areas of investigation including the effects of reduced
camera exposure time, increased throughput to the SLAM package, and the addition of a
robot-mounted off-board processor. We evaluate their effects on various metrics like the
accuracy of localization, the accuracy of the world map, tracking initialization times, as well as
actual and perceived paths through an unknown environment with loop-closing.
The Effects of Tamoxifen on Auditory Brainstem Response in Aging Female Mice
McKenzie Watson
Mentor(s): Robert Frisina, XiaoXia Zhu
The sex hormone, estrogen plays a vital role in nervous system functionality, including the
auditory system; therefore, an estrogen receptor antagonist, such as Tamoxifen, could prove to
interfere with auditory processing. Tamoxifen has been shown to competitively bind to estrogen
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receptors, therefore blocking the actions of estrogen in the auditory system (Thompson et al.
2006). In the present study, ovariectomized (OVX) female (n=4), female (non-OVX, n=5), and
male (n=5) CBA mice were treated (IP injection daily) with 20 mg/kg of Tamoxifen at 11months
of age for 14 consecutive days. Hearing testing consisted of recording auditory brainstem
response (ABR) thresholds in response to 3-48 kHz tone bursts at 10-90 dB SPL while mice were
under a ketamine/xylene anesthesia. ABRs were recorded via 3 subcutaneous electrodes, and
inserting a coupler inside of the ear canal to present the tone bursts. All mice had body
temperature regulation with a heating pad. Data obtained after two months since the start of
the tamoxifen treatment revealed shorter ABR peak 1 latencies for the males versus the two
female subject groups. This result suggests that normal and OVX female mice are more
susceptible to changes in temporal processing due to the Tamoxifen treatments, as they may
naturally rely more heavily on the beneficial effects of estrogen. Future steps in this project
would be to analyze distortion-product otoacoustic emissions and the processing of sound
gaps, to draw conclusions about additional effects of estrogen deprivation on auditory
processing.
Analysis of Posture Improvement in Pianists Using Fit to Play Course
Tyler Wieczorek, Ambermarie Dawdy, George Jourdenais
Mentor(s): Stephanie Carey
Program: Mechanical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Microbiology
Concert pianists seek to obtain a back posture that is as close to perpendicular to the bench
upon which they are seated. This study was carried out in an attempt to quantify and analyze
how much a pianist’s posture can potentially improve through taking a semester of a college
level music course called Fit to Play taught be professor Sang-Hie Lee. The hypothesis of this
study was that the posture of a concert style pianist would significantly improve through the
attendance of the Fit to Play course. The data set for the subject of this study was collected in
two sets, the first set was taken at the beginning of the semester prior to the subject’s
participation in the Fit to Play music course and the second set was done after completion of
the course. During the semester the students saw a physical therapist and performed yoga
techniques to improve their posture and body control. Both sets of data were obtained and
processed using a combination of the VICON motion capture system and the MATLAB data
processing suite. The subject was outfitted with 33 motion tracking markers and asked to play
the musical score known as Liszt-Widmung, 1st theme. Once the sets of data had been
processed, the data set for the torso markers were examined and compared. This examination
revealed that the posture of the subject of the study significantly reduced the amount of tilting
of their torso relative to the bench during the course of the song.
Autonomous robot soccer team - ic soccer team
Fallon Williams
Mentor(s): AlfredoWeitzenfeld
Program: Electrical Engineering
In this work we present the design and implementation of the USF autonomous robotic soccer
team - RoboBulls. We present the progress made from July of 2014 to the internationally
competitive current state March 2016, with a focus in in electrical components, hardware design
and implementation of AI software. A team of five omni-directional robots was equipped with
linear solenoid-based actuators to kick a golf ball. A second actuator, called de dribbler, allows
the robot to keep the ball in its proximity by rolling it backwards. A set of cameras over a field
made of delimited green rug informs a vision system of the location of the robots and the ball.
Then, the information is fed to an expert system implemented by undergraduate USF students,
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to decide the best action to perform at every instant in time. During the hardware and software
development many research level challenges had to be faced, such as high-power and highvoltage system design, mechanical optimization, obstacle avoidance, robotic control and
decision-making. These updates unconditionally qalifThe team continues to update software
and hardware to ensure the progression in the area of robotics and a competitive edge over
other universities worldwide. Future work includes improving our omni-directional wheel
system,, the implementation of a lighter and smaller custom-made reduction, the development
of a main board and the implementation of probability-aware decision-making processes.
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Humanities
Chinese Foot-binding
Nicole Aiosa
Foot-binding is an ancient Chinese practice that began in the Song Dynasty and lasted even
past when it was outlawed in 1912. In this practice, young girl’s feet are purposely deformed by
the installation of tight bindings around the feet that work to reduce the size of the feet. This
practice would not only limit the women’s physical mobility, but also their independence in
society. This research is aimed to examine the popular practice of foot-binding in China and its
different explanations in order to determine why this mutilating practice was passed down from
generation to generation. A literature review will be performed in order to answer the research
question. Preliminary findings indicate that the most common explanations for foot-binding was
that it had a sex appeal to it which therefore increased a woman’s marriageability, it
strengthened the bond between mother and daughter, and it had become a symbol of
nationhood for the Han Chinese. Based off of these findings, it is clear that there were several
factors throughout history that kept the practice of foot-binding in place, although it is hard to
narrow down why the practice had begun initially. This research is important because it brings
about a deeper understanding of a practice that Westerners deem “barbaric.” Also, the
practice can be likened to similar Western practices like corsets and breast augmentation
showing that our two worlds are not so different.
Emily Dickinson Spirituality Poetry
Sana Azam
Mentor(s): Elaine Smith
Program: Biomedical Sciences/English Literature
This thesis will argue that although Emily Dickinson rejects the institutions of her Calvinist
Church, she maintains her spirituality in the form of Transcendentalism. The thesis’s introduction
will define the specific tenants of Calvinism and Transcendentalism Dickinson opposed and
approved of. Her views upon these tenants will be explained through reference to her nature,
religion, consciousness, and self-identity poems. The paper will also comment on specifics of
the Ten Commandments that Dickinson either conforms to or rejects.
Heidegger on Authenticity for a Muslim in Daily Islamic Prayer
Sarah Azim
Mentor(s): Mark Castricone
Over 1.2 billion Muslims engage in at least one daily prayer, reciting parts of the Quran in
ancient Arabic prose. However, less than 20% of Muslims speak Arabic as a first language, let
alone understand the ancient text they are reciting. As a result, it may be difficult for many
Muslims to pray in a meaningful way. Martin Heidegger, a 20th century German philosopher,
spoke of this disconnect between our daily concerns and an authentic mode of Being in his
magnum opus, Being and Time. By outlining Heidegger’s concept of authenticity and analyzing
the opening chapter of the Quran, we will attempt to derive a more holistic answer to the
purpose of Islamic prayers and how, for a Muslim engaged in daily prayer, authenticity can be
achieved. We will expand Heidegger’s definition of authenticity, providing examples of his
phenomenology as it pertains to the Muslim experience of prayer. Then, a literary analysis of
the opening chapter of the Quran will be conducted to delve into Islam’s own reasoning behind
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prayer practices, followed by Heideggerian interpretation on the subject. Our research found
that authenticity involves an awareness of one’s own death and an acceptance of the choices
one pursues based on the limited possibilities of their world. While creating dialogue between
Western existential thought and Islamic doctrine, this study will hopefully aid those who engage
in prayers, regardless of religion, to derive authentic religious experiences. This research may
also inspire further studies into approaching religions from an existential point of view.
Social Implications of Prostitution, Drugs, and Weapons in Germany
Morgan Blauth, Mercedes Merryman, Stephanie Boettcher
Mentor(s): Peter Funke
Program: Mass Communications; Health Sciences; Psychology
Germany is usually viewed as a liberal country. As a whole, they have more forward thinking
laws and policies regarding subjects that are usually considered taboo in the United States.
Prostitution, drugs and weapons are hotly debated topics not only in America, but across the
globe. We propose to study the societal and legal implications of decriminalizing prostitution
and criminalizing certain drugs and weapons in Germany. We will examine trends within crime
rates regarding weaponry and drug use, violence against prostitutes and the occurrence of
trafficking, and public opinion on the laws regarding such topics. Through our research, we will
analyze and attempt to understand whether Germany successfully achieved their goal of
lowering violence and raising public morale by implementing the various statutes related to
prostitution, drugs and weapons. We hypothesize that criminalizing certain weapons and drugs
will show positive trends in lowering crime rates and violence. We propose that public opinion
will be in agreement with the laws. In regards to prostitution, we hypothesize that legalization
does not necessarily lower crime rates or reflect a lower use of violence towards sex workers.
Los suenos perdidos se hacen realidad *CREATTE Project
Carlos Carrillo, Jenny Caro
Program: Spanish Literature
This investigation involves discovering how the “historical memory law” of Spain has affected
the emigration of Cuba and its many inhabitants that possess Spanish ancestry. This research
draws upon mostly resources from articles, interviews, a look into the Spain’s “Historical
Memory Law” located on their official government website and a thesis written by Dr.
Montserrat Golias Perez to draw our conclusion. The goal of our research is to show the effects
of the “Historical Memory” law has had on these particular citizens of Cuba, providing them
with the opportunity to become Spanish citizens and return to their roots or receive help that
Cuba cannot otherwise provide. Most of these foreign residents that apply for citizenship are
not Spanish emigrants, but the result of requests processed years ago under the so-called Law
of Grandchildren, part of the Law of Historical Memory. This recognizes the right to Spanish
nationality to people whose father or mother were originally Spanish and grandchildren of those
who lost or had to renounce their Spanish nationality as a result of exile. Throughout this
project, we will see what are the main reasons for applying for Spanish nationality in Cuba;
Spanish identity, recognition of their ancestors, to claim a right, a mobility tool, enlargement of
their migration space, and to obtain benefits as Spaniards abroad. We are interested in this
topic because we want to analyze how this new law affects Cuba’s citizens in a positive manner
and helps solve the injustice of the Spanish people who gave up their nationalities many years
ago escaping Spain’s dictatorship.
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Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony
Daniela Cerna
The tea culture in China reached its peak during the Tang dynasty. It spread over 13 Chinese
provinces, reaching more than 130 million people. All of this happened because Luwuh, the
apostle of tea, changed the view of Chinese tea ceremonies to one where the experience
became more extracorporeal and transcendental. As the tea culture spread, it reached wedding
ceremonies. For the research question, this project was focused on determining the origin, the
steps needed to perform a Chinese wedding tea ceremony, and the significance of each
portion of the ceremony. To compile the research, the following sources were consulted: The
Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura, articles about Chinese weddings from the National Library
Board of Singapore, the book Chinese Tea Culture by Li Xiusong, and the book Tea and
Chinese Culture by Ling Wang. When conducting the research, the findings show that the
objective of the ceremony is to demonstrate piety towards the parents, and obtain their
approval for the marriage. Also, the ceremony must be performed in a series of specific steps,
using the appropriate tea set components. The tea utilized during the ceremony must be a
sweet tea, that signifies good luck and happiness for the future couple. If there is no tea
ceremony, the marriage is not real. In conclusion, the tea ceremony is an event that carries
extreme significance and elements of ancestral cultural belief that regardless of time are still
present in the Chinese culture of the present time.
A Deal with the Devil: A Study of the Intermediaries in the Theophilius of Adana legend
and the Faust legend *CREATTE Project
Nicole Constant
Mentor(s): Michael Heyes
Program: Religious Studies
Many people are familiar with the general legend of the character Faust or Faustus. His deal
with the Devil entails a certain amount of knowledge on Earth as his reward for signing his soul
to the Devil. The Theophilus of Adana legend, a deal-with-the-Devil precursor to Faust,
illustrates the use of a Jew as a human intermediary that allows Theophilus to interact directly
with the Devil. However, in some influential retellings of the Faust legend, specifically the
chapbook Historia von D. Johann Fausten and Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor
Faustus, Faust never interacts with this Jewish intermediary. Instead, Faust completes the
bargain with the help of the demonic intermediary, Mephistopheles (though spelling here
differs from source to source). This paper compares the intermediaries in these three works
tracing the Jewish traits from the Theophilus legend through Marlowe’s play to suggest that
Mephistopheles can be understood as a “Jewish” devil. This reading of Marlowe’s play also has
larger implications for the study of Anti-Semitism which will be discussed in my paper
Suan Shu Shu
Jennifer Cuartas
Program: Mathematics
The Suan Shu Shu, the Book of Numbers and Computations, is the earliest mathematical work
found in China to date. It is a series of independent sections written across 190 bamboo strips
and containing approximately 7,000 Chinese characters. This research will show the importance
of this finding and its impact, as well as the contents of the Suan Shu Shu. The research studies
the different sections within the work of the Suan Shu Shu and how the ancient Chinese
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established mathematics in order to use it to the nation’s benefit with economics, barter, and
trade. The research also shows the difference between ancient Chinese mathematics and the
techniques and methods used in mathematics today, in the western world. The Suan Shu Shu
was found during a tomb excavation in 1983; the Zhangjiashan tomb in the Hubei province was
believed to have been closed in 186 BC, which would have been during the Western Han
Dynasty. The research shows how over 2,000 years ago mathematics was already well
established for economical use. The methods have been simplified drastically, yet many
qualities and ideas remain. This research establishes the importance of the Suan Shu Shu along
with other ancient mathematical findings, the contents of the material, and how early the
material was discovered as well as how simplified it has become.
Doing Normative Phenomenology of Regenerative Medicine
Matthew Cuffaro
Mentor(s): Alex Levine
Program: Philosophy/Mathematics
As medical techno-science becomes more adept at restoring a quality of health to patients, it
has consequently distinguished “replacing” and “regeneration” as branches of the scientific
understanding of healing. Naturally, bioethics requires a thorough system to not only
differentiate replacing and regeneration from healing as medical solutions, but also a means for
understanding the significance of these technological solutions. My poster will address the
following questions by way of normative phenomenology: How do these solutions affect the
understanding of our own bodies, and what attitudes can we reasonably anticipate to have
towards our bodies as these practices move from science-fiction to everyday practice? How
does a norm of regenerative medicine affect our relationship with the miracle of (albeit, limited)
self-healing? And even further into the future, how can a philosophy of prosthesis change as
prosthetics themselves shift into tissue/organ regeneration? I drew from contemporary
developments and challenges in regenerative medicine, science-fiction, from the writings of
philosopher of technology and science Don Idhe (and others) to 1. distinguish replacing and
regeneration, and study their similar relationship as economic notions, 2. meditate on sciencefictional sources how technological changes in medicine would affect our understanding and
experience of healing and health, robotic prosthetics, and 3. examine the philosophical
consequences of the idea that our bodies proper can be replaced or (partially) regenerated.
Notably, this offers a topical connection between the phenomenologies of Merleau-Ponty (“the
philosopher of the body”) and Idhe (“philosopher of technology”) worth future study.
Himmler's Henchwomen: Female SS Camp Guards and the Holocaust
Alyssa Culp
Mentor(s): Jennifer Rodgers
Program: History
Between 1939-1945, approximately 3,500 women served as guards in the Nazi concentration
and extermination camps. Heinrich Himmler created this corps of SS-Aufseherinnen
(terminology in the SS for female guards) in 1938, despite its antithetical nature to the Nazi
Party’s proscribed roles for women. The women that joined the Aufseherinnen were not actual
members of the SS, but rather considered civilians granted civil service positions in the Reich.
The utilization of females in “the world of the man” resulted not only in a severe conflict with
the Nazi philosophy of the female role within society, but also a gender identity crisis for those
participating as Aufseherinnen. Yet, the role of German women as instruments in the
implementation of the Final Solution and the Holocaust is often overlooked. Recent scholarship
is slowly beginning to shine a light on the ways in which German woman participated in the
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crimes of the Nazi regime. Indeed, this tension between official policy and practice in Nazi
Germany raises several important questions: why did the Nazi regime use women to implement
the Final Solution, despite official proclamations on women’s roles in the Reich? How did
everyday German women’s views on violence transform once they began their service in the
camps? What informed and shaped their behavior while on duty? In what ways did women react
differently to camp violence than men, and how did that relate to their gender? This research
examines the motivations behind the rejection of prescribed Nazi gender norms by SSAufseherinnen showing, like Christopher Browning, that their motivations were myriad and
included opportunism, adventure, financial security, and power. Drawing upon the recent
scholarship of historians Elissa Mailänder, Wendy Lower, and others, this project analyzes the
ways in which gender identities became diluted through power and violence. I hereby argue
that the observance and influence of male behaviors within the camps resulted in the female
guards abandoning their proscribed gender norms to demonstrate their capability and power
amongst their male cohorts
Demonology in Early Judaism *CREATTE Project
Steven Dolan
Mentor(s): Michael Hayes
Within the canonical Hebrew Bible and “Old Testament” section of the Protestant canon there
is a lack of mention of evil spirits that we would classify today as demons. However, in Jesus’
life, as depicted by the Gospels, we are introduced to the belief of evil spirits and possession.
There are several accounts of Jesus exorcising a demon or demons out of an individual and the
reactions from the crowd would suggest that what was occurring was not an anomaly.
Therefore, there must have existed texts or neighboring religions that would have influenced
common Jewish thought during the period of the Second Temple before the Common Era,
creating the belief of evil spirits. I have found these popular texts and neighboring religions to
be the Book of Enoch, the Book of Jubilees, and Zoroastrianism. During the period of the
Babylonian Exile, Judaism came into direct contact with the dualistic culture of Zoroastrianism.
By accepting the concept of Satan as diametrically opposed to God, demonology was given an
open passage to flourish. The origin of evil spirits in Judaic thought is outlined in 1 Enoch within
the Book of Watchers, and these spirits later became known as the demons that Jesus would
exorcise.
How the Umayyad Dynasty influenced Architecture in Southern Spain from 750 to 1031
*CREATTE Project
William Ebanks
Program: Mathematics and Spanish
My research delves into the invasion by and cultural development of Muslims in southern Spain,
and how this cultural evolution affected the style of architecture in the region, as I answer the
question “how did the Umayyad dynasty influence the architecture in southern Spain from 756
to 1031”? In mid-711, Muslims under the Umayyad caliphate landed on the Iberian Peninsula,
then known as Al-Andalus, and proceeded to bring almost the entire peninsula under Muslim
control within the following 7 years. It was not until the year 756, however, when Abd al-Rahman
I of the Umayyad caliphate established himself as the Emir of the Caliphate of Córdoba, that the
true ‘Golden Age of Al-Andalus’ began. The rule of Abd al-Rahman I and his successors lasted
from 756 until 1031, during which time the culture of the Caliphate of Córdoba evolved
tremendously. The religious and ethnic diversity of the population, the perception of Córdoba
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as the rapidly developing capital of the region, and the Persian roots of the ruling Muslim
population all greatly influenced the development of architecture in Al-Andalus—specifically,
the architecture that developed in Córdoba, Andalucía. My literature review will work to further
analyze how this cultural melting pot of indigenous Spanish traditions, Mediterranean tastes,
the Jewish population, and the Syrian roots of the architects and designers influenced
architecture in the region, and how great of an influence this architectural evolution still has in
southern Spanish society today
The Power of Desire: Bronte’s Feminist Idea in Wuthering Heights
Alexandra Erraei
Mentor(s): Susan Mooney
Program: English Literature
Emily Bronte discusses women’s emotional power within their desirable role in society and how
that power portrays itself through narrative structure in her novel, Wuthering Heights. Bronte
suggests that women who desire to be in control have an emotional power, but will only
express it in a traditional perspective that they have grown to understand from society.
Catherine, Bronte’s main character, learns how to be a woman, but begins to feel like a person
and exert an emotional power she never knew she had. Jamie Crouse, author of ““This
Shattered Prison” Confinement, Control and Gender in Wuthering Heights”, suggests that
Catherine gains her emotional power by confining others to make her voice heard in her own
self control. In Wuthering Heights narrative structure, Bronte separates herself from the novel by
allowing the story to be told in the eyes of Nelly Dean, maid at Thrush Crossed Grange and
Wuthering Heights. She narrates Catherine Earnshaw’s story as someone just watching it
herself. Nelly Dean’s narration mediates Bronte’s idea of women and society’s idea of women
because she discusses ideas in a narrative structure that readers will accept. Susan Sniader
Lanser, author of her introduction “Toward a Feminist Poetics of Narrative Structure”, discusses
the importance of voice in a narration and the power that comes from separating the narrator
from the novel. Through Nelly Dean’s voice, Catherine expresses her emotional power to
determine a desirable role as a woman within society.
Arab-Islamic scholars' contribution to Modern Pharmacy *CREATTE Project
Izabel Georgieva
Program: International Business
Currently the United States is the number one country with the biggest pharmaceutical market.
Innovations are made every day in pharmacology as well as in many branches of medicine.
However, it is a fact that researches drew on earlier traditions and discoveries in the past in
order to make new advancements in medicine, pharmacology and almost every field of
knowledge. Therefore, it is important to know the history and origin of these foundations which
gave the basis for the modern inventions. With that being said, the contemporary world owes
much of its progress in all fields of human intellectual endeavors, including pharmacy, mainly to
the advancements made during the Golden Age of Arabic-Islamic science (8th to 13th century
C.E.). The goal of this project is to investigate the contribution of medieval Arab-Islamic
scholars to modern Pharmacy. The method used to answer this question is a comparison
between Arab-Islamic scholar’s invention from the classical period of Islamic science and the
way they aided modern pharmacy. Research shows that Arab-Islamic scientists made many
original additions to the pharmacopoeia and to the knowledge of the action of drugs. Also, with
their capabilities in chemistry they improved the preparation of medicines as well as increased
the available range of such medicines. The impact of this research will be to increase the
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awareness of the Muslim intellectual legacy in the field of pharmacy without which many
modern inventions would not be possible.
People Aid Exilic Children, Even When Governments Don’t *CREATTE Project
Dawn Harding
Program: Spanish
This research will involve a comparison of the exiled children of the Spanish Civil War in the
1930s with the exiled children from Cuba in the early 1960s to determine the attitudes of the
people and the governments of the countries which received those same children. I will also
take a look at the political and economic situations in the receiving countries which might have
influenced the attitudes of the people and of the governments. Based on newspaper articles
written during the time of exile and after the exile, and on interviews with individuals from the
countries mentioned, I will show that the attitudes of the people were more sympathetic to the
plights of the children than were the governments involved. Because of censorship during the
Franco period in Spain, no conclusive and balanced studies are available from that time. In
contrast, there are studies and publications from the 1960s regarding Cuba on this topic.
Therefore, in my comparative analysis of the attitude toward the exiled children from both
countries, I will explore studies completed from different time periods than the actual exilic
periods. From this comparison, I will demonstrate how the people of a nation can aid in efforts
when their governments are not supportive as well as in efforts which their governments do
support.
The Arab Cold War: U.S.-Middle Eastern Foreign Policy, 1946-1957
Charles Harris
Mentor(s): Julia Irwin
Program: History
Many historians have written about U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East during the Cold War.
Much of this scholarship argues that U.S. foreign policy was concentrated on the Truman
Doctrine and that the Middle East was just another proxy theater in the fight against
Communism. As early as 1946, however, events such as the establishment of Israel, the rise of
Nasser in Egypt, and the Suez Canal Crisis forced American policymakers to refocus Cold War
strategies towards regional solutions. Through an analysis of Truman and Eisenhower
presidential memoires and declassified State Department documents, my research shows how
modern U.S.-Middle Eastern foreign policy first developed and demonstrates that it was
separate from the ideological battle against the Soviets. More specifically, this project analyzes
the role of American foreign policy in the Middle East from 1946-57, examining how the United
States used its economic and military leverage to protect the emerging globalization of trade
and to dictate terms of international diplomacy. I argue that while an American presence in the
Mediterranean was always intended as a deterrent to the Soviets, U.S. leaders’ top priority was
maintaining regional stability. By keeping local wars local, expanding diplomacy to the Arab
world, and providing a somewhat stable environment for economic growth, they believed,
communism would find no vacuums to fill. The lessons of Eisenhower’s push to avoid military
intervention in the Middle East, however, were not learned by modern American presidents, as
the peoples of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria can unfortunately attes
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Leprosy in the Ming Dynasty
Jenna Hindsley
Program: Instances of leprosy have been recorded in China, long before any scientific
explanation was possible. Thus many different views were proposed over time to attempt to
reconcile this lack of understanding. The Ming dynasty (1368-1644 C.E.) saw the emergence of
many distinct changes in the perception of the disease. This study will attempt to answer the
question of how the medical beliefs about a disease, using leprosy as a model, influence
behaviors and societal reactions, as well as how it can provide a deeper insight into the culture
of the time. Various records that were often based off the translation of primary Chinese
sources, including books, journals, and government websites, were evaluated to form an overall
picture from specific categories of information. These categories include beliefs about the
causes, symptoms, modes of transmission, treatment, and stigmatization associated with
leprosy. Considering that onset of leprosy symptoms can occur many years after the initial
infection, the true cause of the disease and transmission were likely difficult for earlier doctors
to predict before the discovery of bacteria. Nevertheless, similarities can be drawn between the
Ming dynasty and modern day. Understanding the history of the interaction between medicine
and society is important for avoiding the mistakes of the past when similar situations arise again.
How a society copes with the threat of an unexplained, crippling disease is just as important as
how it is scientifically treated, though this aspect has often been overlooked
Islam in Germany
Marsiat Jahan, Mahnoor Khan, Jessica Beck
Program: Biomedical Science; Management Information Systems
Germany’s increase in Muslim citizens in the last 50 years and the recent increase of asylum
seekers from the Middle East has many wondering how Islamic values and culture will affect the
culture of Germany. With the potential for a large number of Muslim inhabitants, it is important
to understand the patterns of integration and the success or lack thereof of integration of
current Muslims in Germany and how that has shaped cultural attitudes and perceptions
towards them. The aim of this research project is to understand consequences of bias toward
the integration of Muslim immigrants and citizens into German society in their social, political,
and economic endeavors and to understand the root of these prejudices and how that may
affect the incoming Muslim immigrants. The research question is: In what ways does bias affect
the integration of Muslim immigrants and citizens into German culture on social, political, and
economic levels? To conduct this research, we are gathering information from demographic
studies and surveys through the use of books, journals, and articles. To examine the research
question, we are gathering perspectives from different dynamics of life and will use statistics,
testimonies, and social analysis to evaluate the effects of prejudice. Research done in the
socioeconomic sectors of Germany has shown that Muslim citizens are at a disadvantage when
compared to the general public of Germany. The debilitating factors which are affecting the
Muslim demographic stem from an increasing sense of xenophobia and prejudice faced by the
Muslims due to social, political, and economic reasons. Some of the reasons for this bias can be
explained through the current violence and fear that has spread as a result of recent terrorist
attacks, as well as the concerns brought about by the influx of refugees. Research is also
showing that Immigrant Muslims also face hindrances due to the lack of privileges they
encounter without German citizenship. With a strong understanding of the present situation of
Muslims in Germany, greater efforts can be made to understand the causes of the tension
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between German citizens and Muslim immigrants, and to provide insights to make integration a
smoother process, both in the current refugee crisis and in the future in general.
Cyberwarfare and China
Greeshma James
Cyberwarfare is characterized as computer network attacks with a military and/or political
agenda and must have a coercive intent. China and the United States have a history of
cyberwarfare that began in 1999. Most of the attacks perpetrated by China have been
espionage-like in nature, rather than brute force. Highly classified information from U.S. defense
contractors, technological companies, and federal departments has been stolen recurrently.
The massive amount of U.S. information that is in the Chinese intelligence collection poses a
massive threat to American national security. The aim of this research was to compose a
thorough understanding of the nature of cyber attacks by China against the U.S. and its threats
to U.S. national security. A review of the literature surrounding cyberwarfare and cyber attacks
between China and the U.S. was conducted to gather information. Moreover, because there is a
lack of journal articles on the subject, credible news articles were also utilized. The findings of
the research indicated that the cyberwarfare has progressively escalated in complexity and the
level of information infiltrated. An analysis by the National Security Agency (NSA) showed that
there have been almost 700 intrusions in the past five years. China has also been attacking
highly classified offices such as the Pentagon and the Office of Personal Management.
Additionally, these changes have led to conflicts over intellectual property and major trade
areas. This research has contributed a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese cyber
attacks against the U.S. as well as how they interconnect with geopolitical conflicts
Demonic Sexual Relations: The Alice Kyteler Trial and the Malleus Maleficarum *CREATTE
Project
Amanda Kelly
This paper explores the connection between the trial of Alice Kyteler and the definition of
“witch” provided in the Malleus Maleficarum. Specifically, the Malleus Maleficarum presents
the idea that women are most often the ones practicing witchcraft and that when a woman is
practicing maleficia, she has willingly entered into a relationship with the Devil, a relationship
that was thought by the authors, Kramer and Sprenger, to be sexual in nature. Through my
analysis I argue that these beliefs were present not only in Germany in 1486 when the Malleus
was written, but also during Alice Kyteler’s trial in Ireland in 1324, a full century and a half prior
to the Malleus’ writing. I then use this portion of my analysis as a refutation of Walter Stephens’
book Demon Lovers. Stephens claims that Kramer’s Malleus Maleficarum is an attempt to
legitimize the doctrine of transubstantiation based on the fact that demons have the ability to
transport their physical forms and interact with human bodies. I argue that the presence of
demonic sexual activity in Alice Kyteler’s trial casts doubt on Stephens’ findings, suggesting
instead that accusations of demonic sexual activity function for purposes other than validating
transubstantiation.
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Comprehensive analysis of how violence is problematic for veterans and how this is related
to the rise of revolutionary terrorism in Germany with implications for re-socialization
programs
Sabrina Khalil, Nicholas Awad, Michael Dunn
Program: 7 year BS/MD; Biomedical Sciences; Chemical Engineering
The first world war was initiated by an act of terrorism: the assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand of Austria. By the war’s end, blood-soaked trenches and artillery pieces of the
battlefield were surrendered by Germany and her troops were sent home. However, the end of
the war did not result in the end of the violence that characterized it. In fact, the traumas of
combat resulted in a manifestation of violence in the veterans. This was the violence that
evolved into revolutionary terrorism and affected Germany forever. Revolutionary terrorism is
defined as a politically and socially unacceptable form of violence used as a means of
overtaking a governmental power by targeting a specific group and affecting the psyche of the
region’s people, typically in the context of war, in order to cause fundamental political and
social changes. The goal of this research project is to demonstrate that veterans who return
from wars characterized by intense violence were psychologically affected in a problematic way.
Particularly in Germany, veterans were responsible for genocides and waging war on perceived
enemies. This project will suggest that it is important to establish post-war programs aimed at
minimizing any obstacles to resocialization of veterans. This will be accomplished by defining
revolutionary terrorism and presenting its themes, by providing historical synopses of relevant
terrorist events, and analyze how veterans are affected by violence in war.
PEN HUO QI - The Ancient Chinese Flamethrower
Hunter Kneller
Program: Engineering
The topic I will explore is ancient Chinese flamethrowers. The Pen Huo Qi, meaning “spray fire
device” in Chinese, was an overwhelming force to fight against during a battle. The time frame
for pivotal use of the flamethrower began during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period
and declined gradually as gunpowder became more understood by the Chinese. The region
that will be explored for this device is the Jiangsu Province primarily due to the Yangtze River.
This project I am undertaking is important to me since flamethrowers were an amazing
advancement in naval strategy as well as in offensives and defensives for ground troops. The
purpose of this research is to provide information on both the makeup of the flamethrower and
its effect on early Chinese warfare. The research material is centered on literature, which
includes both primary and secondary sources detailing the flamethrower. By reading about the
history and design of the flamethrower, I hope to be able to better present and inform others
about the device. The primary source for discovering this information will be coming from the
text “Science and Civilisation in China.” The texts were found mainly at the local library.
Overall, the study strives to discover how the flamethrower was constructed and how it was
used in war
Ching Shih the Overlooked Pirate
Temilouwa Kowobari
When it comes to pirates, most imagine a scary rugged man committing heinous acts. Arguably
the greatest pirate of all time was actually a woman named Ching Shih who dominated the
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Southern China Sea in the early 1800s. This research aimed to discover how a Chinese woman in
the 1800s rose to such great power. To investigate this research question, the controversy of her
lifetime was examined from various sources ranging from books on Chinese pirates to a journal
owned by a captive on her ship. The results from the research suggest that Ching Shih
commanded the Red Flag Fleet which consisted of upwards 1,200 ships and 70,000 men1;
Blackbeard in comparison commanded 300 men2. She was later granted amnesty by the
Emperor of the Qing dynasty in exchange for a retirement from piracy after failed efforts by the
Portugal, Great Britain, and the Qing navies to take her down1. This piqued my interest because
I’ve never heard of her before which resulted in an exploration of her acquisition of power and
infamous acts. I expected to find that she was just the wife of a man with a large pirate fleet but
from the controversy I discovered that she was a cunning woman that helped him run and
expand the fleet and even later succeed her husband after his death. The significance of this
research is to address more light to a possibly unparalleled pirate who happens to be a woman
in a male dominated history of piracy
Voices in the Cloth: Speculative Poetry of Trauma and Identity Dislocation
Hannah Lay
Mentor(s): Ira Sukrungruang, Ryan Cheng
Program: English/Creative Writing
For most of the 20th century, many literary critics regarded speculative creative works (often
categorized into the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror) as unintellectual “pulp” for
the masses, but recent scholarship has reconsidered the place of the imaginative in respected
literature. Renowned American poets such as Traci Brimhall in her collection Our Lady of the
Ruins and Cornelius Eady in his book Brutal Imagination have incorporated speculation to
address the important themes of gender and race. This research project answers the question
of how speculative elements can illustrate aspects of trauma. This collection of original poetry
explores the ways poets can employ speculative elements to illustrate trauma-induced memory
loss and identity displacement that would otherwise be impossible to convey through
traditional poetic approaches. Many of the poetic speakers create and construct new memories
and personas to fill in their lost ones. By using imaginative elements in this way, the poems
stand as evidence for the power of speculative art to give form to traumatic experience. In
particular, these poems engage with traumas of miscarriages, cultural assimilation, and religious
and domestic abuse. This project argues for the need to break the stigma surrounding
speculative genres, and thus encourage poets and writers to use speculation as a technique for
addressing difficult, pressing themes.
Terrorism in Spain *CREATTE Project
Shawn Leavor, Selena Rashid, Samara Miller
In the early 21st century, it was apparent that terrorism was on the rise and that something
needed to be done to stop it. For example, after 9/11 in the USA, security was increased all
over, but especially at airports with the creation of the TSA. Events like this were not just
exclusive to the US, but also in other countries, such as Spain. On March 11, 2004, Atocha train
station in Madrid was bombed. This had countless repercussions both socially and politically as
these attacks changed politics within the country. With the bombing coming 3 days before
elections, facts and evidence were distorted to favor each political party and the government
hid the truth behind the attacks. This outraged the general public and demonstrations occurred
all over the country of Spain. Every major city in the country had a demonstration to protest the
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Partido Popular. These attacks lead to other political changes that eventually shaped the
country. The 2004 train bombings in Madrid are directly responsible for some social, economic,
and political changes within the country around that time. This investigation will be done
through exploring various primary and secondary sources from the bombings, as well as looking
at sources from around the time about other changes in the country. This ongoing investigation
plans to explore how the bombings affected the Spanish elections that occurred directly after
the bombings and the social reactions to the bombings through research from various sources
on the event. This research hopes to find out how the bombings affected the results of the
election and swayed the voting during that time
Cura Animarum: Blurred Boundaries between Medieval Magic and Pastoral Care
*CREATTE Project
Jeanie LeGendre
The goal of pastoral care has always been cura animarum, the cure of souls. From the early
Middle Ages through the Renaissance, the official stance of the Roman Catholic Church was
wholesale condemnation of all occult practices as stated in the early Canon Episcopi and later
Summis desiderantes affectibus of Pope Innocent VIII. But across the medieval landscape of
western and central Europe, there appears to have been substantial negotiation between magic
and medicine as revealed by the Ars Notoria and the Sworn Book of Honorius. Through an
analysis of these works, medieval penitential and pastoral care handbooks, and collections of
exempla, this project explores how clergy, from the highest rungs of ecclesiastical authority to
the lowest, conducted pastoral practice. General perceptions of the need for divine intervention
resulted in clerical practitioners navigating both supernatural and natural to shepherd their
flocks and “cure souls.” Typical practices included: divination, invoking spirits, medicinal
amulets and charms, and healing rituals with incantations and talismans. Many of these may
have clashed with the Church’s official stance against the occult for several reasons. First,
clerical attempts to integrate pagan practices within a parish. Second, the education level of the
practitioner himself. Third, a continually-growing understanding of natural science. By
understanding how the occult functioned within and alongside of the sacraments and the
liturgy, we discover how medieval perceptions of supernatural and natural influenced the cure
of souls and blurred boundaries between religion and magic to further modern understanding
of religion and magic in this period.
The Existence of Zhang Heng’s Seismograph
Ilya Makushin
Earthquakes are violent and destructive forces of nature that have devastated ancient Chinese
populations and cities for millenniums. This project investigates the first ancient Seismograph
created by Zhang Heng(78-139AD) during the Han Dynasty(221-207AD) and the effect this
device had on earthquake detection, but also if the seismograph was effective in its detections
and therefore if the seismograph existed or was usable. This investigation will use research
articles and books in order to dissect the seismograph, understand how the seismograph
detected earthquakes, and how the Han government was able to send aid through the
knowledge gained from the seismograph. Along with this, the investigation will determine the
existence of the seismograph itself, and the reason for its lack of existence or evidence of
existence. Through the research conducted, only one recorded example of the use of the
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seismograph was found, which was recorded centuries after the event occurred. The physics
and engineering principles written for the seismograph are also not supported by recreations of
Zhang Heng’s seismograph. Conclusions can be made that the seismograph may have existed
and was functional, but ultimately due to lack of evidence and records the seismograph can be
said to not have existed. This research can aid future Zhang Heng’s studies in investigating his
life, or in studies on Ancient Chinese earthquake knowledge.
Female American Muslims *CREATTE Project
Alexis Marquess
Program: Cell/ Molecular Biology
Female American Muslims have been integrating themselves into society in ways that have
gone unnoticed for many years. Consider the concept of maintaining ones religion while being
immersed in a society that attempts to widen the boundaries of religion by way of image,
ideology, and aesthetics. The research question being examined here is the average experience
for present day female American-born Muslims as they balance the temptations of American
culture with their faith. This research will be conducted via literature reviews as well as
examining blogs and online sites dedicated to understanding Islam and its place in American
culture. This topic will encompass the experiences of all female American-born Muslims into an
average experience that will include females of Middle-Eastern, Asian, and European ancestry
as well as female White American converts. Components to consider include Hollywood,
fashion, meal options, the biased news, lifestyle, the holidays, and Islamophobia. Many Muslim
women have spoken out about their roles in American society, “Being American is about
inclusiveness. It’s a multilayered and varied experience. Everyone’s an immigrant in America
except for the Native Americans. I never questioned my Americanness and I’m unapologetically
Muslim.” Being a female Muslim in America is an experience that is quite unique due to the
temptations presented within American culture. Muslim women around the country are tackling
Islamophobia through their actions and letting their voices be heard because they have the
freedom to do so. Female American Muslims are creating their niche in American culture while
staying true to their religion and enjoying all of the freedom that America has to offer them. The
goal of this research will be to form an understanding of what it means to be Muslim in America
while also showcasing the culture of Islam in an evolutionary time and location. The implications
include impacting the American viewpoint of Islam as well as forming a coherent understanding
as to how American Muslims are breaking stereotypes each and every day
Innovation through gunpowder: The advancement of incendiary weapons during the Song
dynasty
Andrew Micciche
Program: Microbiology
The Song dynasty of China was known for great technical marvels but none more devastating
than gunpowder. Investigation was aimed at understanding innovations in incendiary
technology through gunpowder. This study will attempt to answer if early gunpowder weapons
significantly impacted the battlefields of the warring states and Song dynasty periods. A
literature review was performed through comparative analysis of 18 primary and secondary
source documents, including journals, translated sources, and Chinese artwork. Access to these
sources was provided through the USF library e-book and journal database. Preliminary findings
indicate the tremendous psychological and physical impact of these flame-based weapons.
Flamethrowers, based on the Byzantine single siphon “Greek fire” throwers, and improved
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through double piston bellows, brought decisive victories in naval combat in place of pyrrhic
ones. The fire lance effectively brought terror at close range and when complemented with the
fire arrow confusion, disorientation, and psychological impacts were created. Use of fire arrows
on the battlefield brought about rocketry in the late Song dynasty, which was brought to the
rest of the world through the Silk Road. With this study, how these weapons affected battles,
their role in the warring period, and the Chinese resistance towards the Mongols, is hoped to
be better understood. The implications of this research may give evidence that these
inventions were pivotal and necessary to form a unified China during the Song dynasty. Further
research could detail the impact of these improvements compared to other variables such as
philosophy, governmental strength, and economic power
Fall of Constantinople and its affect on the religion, and the changes in renaissance over
the period of time *CREATTE Project
Rishuv Mittal
The Ottomans led by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, invaded the capital city of Eastern Roman
Empire – Constantinople, the capture of Constantinople marked the end of Roman Empire, and
made the Ottomans the greatest power. The invasion of the Ottomans in the region gave a
massive blow to the Christendom, the city which once was one known for its Christianity, and
produced great Christian traditions, now ceased to be a Christian city, and Islam eventually took
over and till date Islam is the most practiced religion in the area. What impact did the conquest
had on religion and its believers in Constantinople and the neighboring regions? And what
happened to the scholars and artists who had fled the city? The transition was marked by
converting Hagia Sophia into a mosque. After the Fourth Crusade, many of the talented
scholars and artists fled from the city and went to Europe taking with them their knowledge, and
thus giving a boom to the renaissance era. This project includes a literature review in which the
difference in the amount of people following different people before and after the crusade will
be examined, along with how the art changed over time when Greek scholars and Artists went
to Europe. And before, during and after the siege by the Ottomans, again many Greek and
other scholars and intellects flew from the city and most of them migrated to Italy and other
parts of Europe, thus giving bringing about a great change to the era of Renaissance and thus
affecting the style of art produced in Europe and brought a new fusion to the culture. The
research will show how a crusade can be of such huge importance in the time line of history and
how it can change the entire structure of the city. Till now it has been found that the number of
art and music after the crusade drastically increased and it was a mix of both European and
Greek styles. And after finding out about the religion and art changes, I will research more on
the changes in weapons and architecture of that area
The Effects of Geographic Isolation on the Preservation of Quechua and Gipuzkoan
Languages *CREATTE Project
Kailey Morera, Lauren Slavens
Program: World Languages
Hispanic countries are incredibly diverse, especially when one takes a closer look at the many
subcultures of the different countries, each with its own history and factors which allow for the
preservation of these subcultures. This project explores the aspect of languages in these smaller
cultures, specifically the dialect of Quechua in Peru and Gipuzkoan in the Basque country of
Spain. Despite the differences in location, culture, and histo1y, we hypothesize that geographic
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isolation, provided by the Andes mountains in Peru and the Basque mountains in Spain, allows
for the preservation of both of these languages. This research is being done through historical
investigation of Quechua and Gipuzkoan, including a basic study of the linguistics in
comparison to castilian Spanish, the integration of Spanish influences into the languages and
cultures, and the cmTent status of the languages as compared to the past. Results so far have
revealed that Quechua has been studied as well as integrated into modern culture, for example,
in mainstream music. Gipuzkoan is seen more so in literature, and is not spoken outside of the
region. Both languages have been influenced by Spanish language, but the geographic
isolation of each population has allowed for their preservation.
Muslims in Ming Dynasty China *Project Withdrawn*
Christopher Morris
The Ming Dynasty is often referred to as the Golden Age of Islam in China. What policies were
in place in regards to tolerance of immigrant religions, such as Islam, and who were among the
most influential Muslims in China during the Ming Dynasty? In order to address this question, I
will utilize secondary sources about Golden Age of Islam in China with a concentration on
Zheng He and his explorations during the 15th century Ming Dynasty, as well as Hu Dahai’s role
in establishing the Ming dynasty itself. Furthermore, policies in regards to religious and ethnic
minorities will be analyzed. The information gathered suggests that the Ming Dynasty was
relatively welcoming to Islam, but not to the ethnic minority that it brought. As the Hui were
assimilated into Chinese culture, Muslims had opportunities to greatly influence China. Hu
Dahai, as well as many other Hui generals of the time, was ranked among princes after the Ming
Dynasty was established. Zheng He was captured as a child, and was castrated by sword in
order for him to become a eunuch of the first Ming emperor’s son. Zheng He led 7 voyages
throughout the Indian Ocean to showcase China’s soft power and instill awe. In conclusion, the
Hui were very influential and even critical to the Ming Dynasty’s success and power. Future
research in this area might explore how the Yuan Empire truly influenced the immigration
patterns before the Ming was established. The topics that this project intends to tackle could
help dissect today’s attitudes towards immigration, especially in the United States of America
Egalitarian Views in Islam
Eesha Nashikkar, Bezawit Hiruy, Stephanie Loprete, Kimberline Janvier
Mentor(s): Renee Hangartner
Program: Psychology
Egalitarianism is an ideology that all humans are created equal and should be treated with the
respect they deserve despites their gender and social status. Previous research has shown how
biased views and prejudice against certain cultures and religions has led to inequality regimes
towards them. The aim of this research was to challenge mainstream media representations of
“Muslims” or “the Arab World”, and encourage dialogues about religion, culture and
egalitarianism. With exposure to various creative projects, we hoped to shift attitudes and
understanding of egalitarianism in the Arab-Muslim world. We used a pre-post design, wherein
participants completed surveys prior to and after interactions with the artists and/or exposure to
programming. Each item was scored on a 7-point Likert scale. The two groups compared
students enrolled in Gender Studies course (cohort) or a sample of the general student body
population (climate). We found higher levels of perceived egalitarianism in the cohort, since it
was interest based. Exposure to art by Muslim women appears to be instrumental in changing
people’s perspectives on egalitarianism within Muslim cultures. Positive attitudes of the
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participatory cohort towards the Muslim culture were noted. The most interesting finding was
that the participatory cohort had an increased affinity towards the Muslim culture after being
involved in the artistic process.
Contemporary perceptions of exorcism and "The Conjuring" *CREATTE Project
Justin Odle
This paper will explore contemporary perceptions of the phenomenon of exorcism through the
film The Conjuring (2013). In particular, I am interested in what the discrepancies between the
firsthand accounts that the movie was based on and what the movie itself can illuminate about
modern conceptions of the Church. Specifically, I am interested in where trust is placed when a
person claims (or is claimed) to be possessed. The film The Conjuring depicts the Catholic
Church as hesitant to extend aid to the Perrons, which eventually leads them to seek aid from a
duo who identify as a Demonologist (Ed Warren) and a Trance Medium (Loraine Warren). The
depictions from the movie are compared to depictions of demonic possession in the late
medieval period to further support suggested changes. I argue that this shift from religious aid
to “scientific” aid reflects a preoccupation in the contemporary United States with the empirical
analysis of natural phenomena.
Linguistic Influence of Arabic on the Spanish language *CREATTE Project
Christine O’Toole
Program: Spanish
At the start of the Islamic conquest following the death of Muhammad, missionaries and Arab
armies began travelling out of Arabia and into the Iberian Peninsula and brought with them the
Arabic architecture, art, and of course, the language. Known as hispanomusulmanes in Spanish,
their influence effected the development of Castilian Spanish, which was a new and evolving
language at the time. During the time period where Arabic was first brought to Spain in 711 AD
until about 1000 AD, a distinct language was spoken that served as a progression from Arabic to
phonological sounds which Spanish people could more easily pronounce. Mozarbic, a Spanish
influenced Arabic dialect, was spoken in Southern Andalusia during this time period and served
as a cross between these two languages. Mozarbic never developed its own orthography
(conventional spelling system) but primary examples of Mozarbic exist in the form of Jarchas
which are religious poems. Eventually, the reconquest of Spain by Ferdinand of Aragon and
Isabella of Castile led to the formation of a united Spanish empire and therefore creation of the
true Spanish language (and extinction of Mozarbic). The topic of research is to trace various
linguistic components of Spanish- such as morphology, semantics, syntax, and semantics- and
trace them back to Arabic roots from the Arabic conquest of Spain. For example, the greatest
linguistic influence of Arabic on Spanish is lexical being that eight percent of Spanish words are
of Arabic origin. Many of these are locations or geographic locations that have never changed
since the Arabs first named them. Other words relating to military and ruling power in Spanish
are of Arab origin. This research will be conducted using scholarly online sources and books
along with USF Spanish and linguistic professors
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India and the Middle East(1530-1627) *CREATTE Project
Mathilee Pagay
Program: Finance
Mughals have had an immortal impact on India. It is true that India had experienced an Islamic
influence before the Mughals came in. However, it was the Mughal influence that has now
become an integral part of India’s identity.The Mughal influence is reflected even today,
through its Architecture, its language,and art among many others. These fields are a part of the
country’s identity. They have contributed immensely in the field of Art, Poetry, Literature and
Architecture over the years. It is important to know why and how this occurred and which ruler
contributed the most in doing so. The Mughal dynasty had a series of rulers starting from Babur
and ending with Aurangzeb. The entire rule existed from 1526-1857. Each ruler during this time
altered the fine arts and architecture according to his own belief and ideologies. It also makes
me curious about what made them stand out amongst the other Muslim rulers who ruled over
the Indian subcontinent. With initial research I found out that the middle period of the Mughal
dynasty(1530-167) was a time when the mughal influence on the fields stated earlier was
immense and extraordinary. What was the influence of Mughals on Indian Art, Literature and
Poetry, and Architecture between 1530-1627? This is going to a literature review where I will be
conducting secondary research of academic journals by historians who have had significant
contribution in this field and bring together the required information to examine the research
question. What made the Mughal rulers in the middle period of the dynasty stand out was their
interest in Indianization of the Persian culture. ( This The Arabs and Turks that ruled before them
focussed more on propagating their own religion instead.)They wanted an interaction between
the diversity of religions and cultures that existed in India. This made these different faiths,
ideologies and beliefs co exist over time. Moreover, the amalgamation of the cultures through
fine arts and architecture among many others created something uniquely Indian thus making it
a part of its identity even today. Emperor Akbar stood out of all the rulers of the dynasty when it
came to facilitating this process. Through research of academic journals I found out that it was
during Akbar’s rule that a lot of development occurred in the field of fine arts and architecture.
He not only propagated the Persian culture in India but also integrated the existent Indian
culture with Islam. A major reason for this development was Akbar’s interest in the field and his
goal of creating a country void of any cultural or religious differences. By conducting the
required research I hope to find two things- First, the alterations that occurred in Art, Poetry,
Literature and Architecture during the period(1530-1627). I hope to realize how this impacted
the Indian society as a whole and whether it still affects the society today. This research will
highlight Muslim contribution to the country and bring to limelight the importance of this
contribution.
American History Through Execution
Alex Perez, Vincent Palermo
Mentor(s): David Thomas
Program: History
The United States of America has a vast history many individuals have studied throughout time.
From the American Revolution, to the present day, the United States has drastically impacted
the rest of the world and historians have taken notice. While searching the web for a list of
pirate executions a PDF was discovered of documented executions in the U.S from 1608 to
2002. These records can be viewed on www.deathpeneltyinfo.org/documents/ESPYyear.pdf.
The goal of this research project is to use this information to observe the trends of executions
as it compares to the bigger narrative of American history. How have the crimes and execution
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methods changed over time and how does that affect race and gender? To better understand
this data, it must first be converted from a PDF file to a Word file and finally to an Excel file.
After converting the information into an Excel file it must then be cleaned up using OpenRefine.
Once the information is cleaned, software, like Excel and Tableau, will make it possible to graph
and chart the data, making it possible, to observe different trends in executions over time. This
information can be used as a reference for future historical research, of the United States, as it
pertains to gender, race and how the culture has changed. Though studying executions is
morbid the information, which can be learned from them, is fascinating and tells a story of
American history that many are ignorant to
What military technology did the Muslims and Arabs invent or acquire from surrounding
lands during the 13th century that inspired modern technology or is still used to this day?
*CREATTE Project - *Project Withdrawn*
Ian Phillips
Program: Pre-Nursing
The purpose of this project is to discuss 13th century military technology that the Muslims and
Arabs invented or acquired from surrounding lands, and how this technology inspired modern
weaponry. Original weapons such as Greek fire, hand cannons, artillery, torpedoes, the bow,
and the scimitar will all be analyzed and compared to their modern counterparts. The
importance of each weapon, both then and now, was determined using a wide variety of
educational websites and books that cover 13th century military technology, and these sources
served as the best method of examining the research question because they discussed the
cultural esteem of certain weapons, how much each weapon was used, and necessity of certain
weapons for military technological advancement. Originally the bow and scimitar were the most
valued weapons in Muslim and Arab culture until the invention of Greek fire proved its
usefulness. Greek fire soon became a necessity in combat due to its versatility, and incendiary
weapons eventually advanced enough to become the modern weapon of choice. Based on this
research, this project seeks to discover why incendiary weapons became so popular and what
advantages they carried over the bow and scimitar that encouraged their eventual military
prioritization. In addition to the topic of armaments, future research may be done to study
different defenses of the 13th century and whether or not any of those ideas also carried over to
the modern day. The purpose of this research would be to discover if defensive tactics stayed as
static as offensive tactics, or did the increasing power of weapons require defensive alterations?
Arab rhyme influence on Europe *CREATTE Project
Tea Piro
Rhymed verse, in Arab origin, made its way to Europe during the height of the Middle Ages.
Rhyme was evident within the Quran, using syllables and rhymed prose to aid in the necessary
memorization of the text. The research question is how did Arab rhymed verse influence
Europe, most specifically within the music, poetry and cultural world. The evidence of influence
on Europe from Arab rhymed verse dates back to the 10th century of Córdoba, Spain, which
under Moorish rule, flourished as a major intellectual center. From the rise of various types of
poetry set to music, Muslim Spain used Arabic rhyme in song and thus introduced a new form of
entertainment to Europe. Through connections between Muslim poet Jalal al-Din Rumi and
German poet Goethe, as well as theories provided by anthropologist Robert Briffault, the
evidence of connection between Arab rhyme and Europe becomes prominent. Research will be
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conducted by comparing music and poetry in Europe before and after the impact of Arab verse.
By listening to European music throughout history and analyzing poetry from Arab and
European poets, the research question will be examined. It has been found that without the
impact of Arab rhyme, poetry, music and song in Europe wouldn’t have evolved into including
rhyme and more intricate melodies. Through research I hope to discover how poetry and rhyme
directly influence music between cultures. Music is a significant part of any culture, and it is
important to understand the origins and connections between rhyme and music.
Middle Eastern Technology Used in Modern Times *CREATTE Project
Jonah Powers
I am researching how the development of innovations and mechanisms developed in the
Middle East and how such developments in the field of engineering have not only affected the
region but the rest of the world. The purpose of this research is to examine how Middle Eastern
advancements came about and what the implications of these advancements were. My
methodology involves researching some of the people responsible for these ideas by
examining texts and through analyzing the works of top scholars. I also look at why they came
up with these ideas. Some of the inventions developed in the Middle East have been refined
and adapted but are still used extensively in modern applications. I also researched how wide
spread the use of these creations are and how they have been modified if they have been at all
for use today. My findings show that Middle Eastern inventors utilized many mechanical
systems still used in modern machines and the significance of this is that some of these systems
can have their history traced back to the Middle East
Religion and Politics: The Effects on Abortion in Spain and Argentina *CREATTE Project
Naomi Prioleau
Program: Spanish
Spain and Argentina are Spanish-speaking countries with patriarchal societies and ties to the
Catholic Church. In the respective history of each country, they have debated, denied,
approved and changed issues regarding abortion. Religion and politics played a strong role in
the decision to make it legal or illegal. This project examines the similarities, differences and
effects religion and politics have on women’s rights regarding abortion in Spain and Argentina.
It answers “why” their laws are different when their countries are similar. I have researched the
history of abortion in Argentina in 1922 when the law was first created. I have examined the
peak of abortion legislature during the 1990s, the role Carlos Menem and the Church played in
keeping abortion illegal for both political and religious reasons, and what was gained from
working together. I found how Argentine women have obtained clandestine abortions and its
mental affect. Regarding Spain’s abortion laws, I have thoroughly researched the lack of the
Church’s role in political and social issues, especially abortion, after the Second Republic. I look
at how the feminist movement in Spain changed abortion laws throughout history. Finally, I
observe the recent changes to abortion laws from 2010 to 2014. My research has shown that
religion dictates the abortion in Argentina and politics dictates the abortion in Spain. Though
they share similarities in having patriarchal societies, having ties to the Church and being
Spanish-speaking countries, I found that when it comes to abortion, the two countries couldn’t
be more different.
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Mary as mother goddess in the conversion of others *CREATTE Project
Carla Ramirez
Program: Psychology
While one of the most recognizable figures in Catholic Christianity is the Virgin Mary, the role of
women within the religion has long been overlooked. Beyond the Virgin Mary, there are other
female saints and martyrs symbolic to the religion. Within “Mary as Mother Goddess in the
Conversion of Others”, I focus on women including Saint Guadalupe, and of course, the Virgin
Mary, and how they aided in the conversion of others. After finding these examples within
historical documents such as apparition accounts, and biblical texts, I intend to enlighten others
to the real impact females made in this religion through a slight feminist lens. Looking at the
specific example of the St. Guadalupe’s assistance, her appearance during the conquering of
México from the Aztecs in 1531 and guidance she gave to an already converted Aztecan
changed the pace at which the other natives decided to leave their indigenous tradition and
conform to the Spanish culture. This example of counseling power is only one of many that
include important female images within the Catholic religion. These women brought more
possible converts to this religion and brought depth and form to Catholicism that the male
images or figures alone could not capture.
Visibility of Verse
Sam Risak
Mentor(s): Milton Wendland, Ira Sukrungruang
Program: English/Womens Studies
Drawing on my dual backgrounds in English and Women’s & Gender Studies, the aim of my
creative project is to address how the separation of behavior and identity in the context of
sexuality might promote homophobia. My approach in demonstrating this thesis is to write a
poem on the visibility of gay men because, depending on their, race, class, and nationality,
some gay men have the opportunity to remain at the top of the social pyramid if they control
the social cues that would reveal their sexuo-affectionate identification. My poem argues that
choosing to pass in a heteronormative society contributes to the production and maintenance
of a gay hierarchy based on gender (e.g., the supposed opposition of and valuation of
masculinity and femininity). The background information and raw material for my poem include
Richard Blanco’s memoir Prince of Los Cocuyos, which describes the impact of
heteromasculinity on Blanco’s life as a gay Cuban-American; the documentary Do I Sound Gay?,
which addresses the effect of the stereotyped gay effeminate voice; as well as archival items
from the USF library’s LGBT Initiative Special Collection (e.g., general ephemera and the Daddy
Wayne Collection). After my presentation, I hope readers will be pushed to reevaluate the
implications in correlating heterosexuality with masculinity, and how it preserves homophobia in
a patriarchal society.
The One Child Policy and US-China Adoptions
Emily Robinson
The One-child Policy was first implemented in China in 1979 to control an exponentially growing
population; it utilized financial penalties and household registrations to discourage citizens from
violating. With the new stricter measures, many families who had a second or third child were
forced to abort or abandon the child. This caused an increase in infants and children in
orphanages and thus transnational adoptions between the United States and China increased
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because of the availability. This research addresses the important issue of the long term effect
of China’s One-child policy and analyzes a missing female generation due to polarized sex
ratios and a strongly rooted Confucian ideology. It also investigates the future effects of the
policy shift that was enacted in Fall 2015 from one child to two children. The research was found
using meta-analysis to develop a more correct estimate of effects and provide a more complex
analysis using qualitative and quantitative research from previous research that pertains to
female sex ratios and US and China adoption statistics. The results indicate that long term there
will be a shortage of women and a higher ratio of old age dependency. There was significant
evidence from multiple research of higher female percentages when the policy was more
enforced and an increase in adoption rates. The policy change in 2015 will not cause the
population to suddenly increase and the gender ratio will still remain drastically unbalanced.
However, these new effects are only based on conjecture
Trauma and Mental Illness in Contemporary Incarnations of the Most Peculiar Citizens of
Gotham City
Jorge Rojas
Mentor(s): Maria Cizmic
Program: Creative Writing/Film Studies
Bruce Wayne is a character that has been depicted in different ways since his inception in 1940,
portrayed by different actors in television, film, animation, and video games. Since the
beginning, he's been portrayed as a complex and broken man, scarred by the murder of his
parents right in front of his eyes. Along with most of his villains, Batman is a character that
suffers from mental instabilities that were only recently depicted with these conditions in mind.
With their gritty realism and raw approach to dark subjects, recent incarnations of Batman focus
on the character's passions, obsessions and inner motives, which had not previously been
exposed to the mainstream. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy and the Arkham videogame series portray more accurate and respectful incarnations of real mental illnesses and
disorders thanks to the broader scope of more violent and less "comic-bookish" productions. I
am basing some of my arguments on psychologist Judith Herman's writings on trauma, as well
as other books and articles written by journalists and psychiatrists and combining them with
interviews with creator Bob Kane. With this research I conclude that, based on these two
portrayals, Bruce Wayne suffers from PTSD and Hero Syndrome. I'm currently studying his
relationship with the Joker, which I argue is not only necessary for both of them but also
purposefully maintained by Batman to satisfy his Hero needs. All of this serves to better
understand the evolution of these characters with modern aesthetics and interpretations.
The Evolution of Satan *CREATTE Project
Raquel Rosales
This paper analyzes the historical development of Satan in the Judaic tradition and its influence
on the Christian concept of Satan. When analyzing pre-exilic Hebrew religion there is no
concept of “evil” apart from God: e.g. Isaiah 45:7 says the Lord created both the “light” and
“darkness.” The concept of God creating both alludes to pre-exilic Judaic thought that God
willed all things before the development of the Devil in Judaic theology—suffering and
punishment included. This perspective of Yahweh and his role in evil is further developed with
the exile of the Jews, which generated the new idea that evil was caused by a separate entity.
To explain the woes of post-Exilic Jews, a new theodicy that included an adversary of the good
God Yahweh, Satan, was formed. In the Christian tradition, Satan transforms into the enemy
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standing between mortals and one’s salvation from damnation. The central argument of this
paper is that while Satan was not evil in Judaism, he gradually developed and transformed
throughout the tradition thereby influencing the Christian view of Satan. My paper analyzes the
Hellenistic Judaic and apocalyptic Judaic influence on the concept of the Devil in Christian
thought (through texts such as 1 Enoch and 1 Job), and examines the importance of this change
in Satan’s character in Christianity. The study of the evolution of Satan from Judaic tradition to
Christian tradition is important because it gives insight into how Christians from the antique to
contemporary periods “Othered” groups of people by invoking Satan.
Cochlear Implants: The Tangible Divider Between d/Deaf and Hearing
Brittany Schoen
Mentor(s): Mariaelena Bartesaghi
Program: Communication
A Huffington Post article that accompanies the video of a child using a cochlear implant for the
first time reads :“What a great example of how science is working to make the world a better
place!” Yet individuals who self-identify as Deaf would recoil in horror at the suggestion of a
better world being hearing world. Taking a social construction approach, I examine how
deafness is manifest in a matrix of discourses that are at once connected and in tension with
each other. I interrogate various stakeholders' claims to "owning" deafness as an experiential
condition, and contextualize my analysis through a narrative of my own lived experiences as a
d/Deaf woman. By means of a close analysis of written text and ASL videos, I show how
deafness materializes at an often-hostile border, and how the boundaries of deafness are
especially fraught when cochlear implants become the topic of discussion. In unpacking my
data set, I examine the disconnect between hearing and deaf, and how the rhetoric of science
draws the thick line. It's my goal that in highlighting the social construction of tensional realities
emerging from a single origin, that more attention will shift to the validity of the lived reality
experienced by d/Deaf and HoH individuals.
The Influence of al-Jahiz on Darwin's Theory of Evolution *CREATTE Project
Brenden Scott
Charles Darwin, the famous biologist who traveled on the USS Beagle to the Galapagos Island,
was not the first to describe the process of Evolution, al¬-Jahiz (776¬-868), from Basra, Iraq, was
the first to. The purpose of this research is to examine how much of al-Jahiz’s view of biological
evolution was an influence for Darwin’s theory of evolution between the 18th and 19th
centuries. Al-Jahiz original thoughts on how this process might work is all found in his book,
“Kitab al-¬Hayawan”. This led to generations of Muslim philosophers after al-Jahiz to support
and expand his theory. Darwin’s theory in “The Origin of Species” was reviewed and is similar
to al-¬Jahiz’s theory, but Darwin places the emphasis on genetic variation (through mutation)
that leads to changes within the species. A species does experience small, incremental changes
from one generation to the next, but it is mutation in the between phase that develops the
variation and the beneficial ones are more likely to be passed on. However, there is no direct
evidence indicating Darwin read al¬-Jahiz. There is secondary evidence, through literature
review and biographical research of Darwin, that he was influenced by al-¬Jahiz and other
Muslim philosophers. His grandfather, Eramus Darwin, did read these Muslim thinkers and
Charles did study under him. Additionally, one of Charles’ contemporary, Sir William Draper,
described his theory as the “Mohammedan Theory of Evolution”. Finally, Charles Darwin
learned Arabic because he was interested in the culture in the Middle East so there is a
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possibility that he read al-Jahiz, and his contemporaries, primary sources. After reviewing both
theories and the biographical information of Darwin, there is a connection between both
concepts that share commonality in ideas, such as the inheritance of beneficial traits and
competition leading to the fittest to survive through generations, however Darwin was not
plagiarize al-Jahiz theory, but was influenced by it and transformed the concepts he preferred
to fit the context of his secular, scientific society.
Santiago Ramon y Cajal: A Pioneer of Modern Day Neurology *CREATTE Project
Sarah Shakespeare, Stephanie Blount, Ryan King
Santiago Ramon y Cajal is famous worldwide as the father of modern neurology, making
groundbreaking discoveries in the anatomical side of the field throughout his intellectual career
in Spain, resulting in a Nobel Prize. Though he was awarded this great honor, others were
unable to understand how Ramon y Cajal’s contributions to the world of science and the
country of Spain were truly impactful until future scientists were able to prove this themselves.
The purpose of this study is to prove the significance of Ramon y Cajal’s groundbreaking
findings that were unappreciated in his lifetime, as well as demonstrate how abundant the uses
are today. Santiago improved upon the widely used Golgi technique, in order to develop the
gold stain. This allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of them compared to other
scientists at this time. One of his most meaningful findings was the neuron doctrine. Used
today, the neuron doctrine establishes that the neuron is the simplest unit of the nervous
system. It brought about the knowledge of neuron cell communication being contiguous, or
transmission based rather than tissue based. Though Santiago made some important
discoveries, they were not able to be appreciated until later in history. With the development of
technology, the neuron doctrine was confirmed by other scientists. Today, his techniques are
used in diagnosing common diseases such as dementia, brain tumors and neurosyphilis.
German Climate Change and Sustainability
Andrew Stevens, Allison Fan, Trevor Case
Program: Physics; Industrial Engineering; Mechanical Engineering
Climate change and sustainability are among the few issues that affect every living species,
regardless of the factors that divide groups on a typical basis. While many countries argue that
they cannot have economic prosperity while addressing climate change, Germany is a country
that is known for their economic growth and environmental sustainability. It will be examined
how the German climate change model can be applied to improve other countries sustainability
practices while still promoting economic activity. To address our research question we looked at
the National Sustainable Development Strategy of Germany and specific goals that they had
set. We found all the information through online sources and academic literature. We analyzed
the data and compared it to data that we found from other countries such as France, the United
States and Russia. By looking at the evolution of the German climate change model and
economic changes that Germany had experienced since introducing carbon imprint reduction
policy, we expect to conclude that investing in sustainable practices have positive impacts on
both the immediate economy and the reduction of a country’s carbon imprint. If these results
are confirmed, it would mean that many large countries should invest in “going green” sooner
rather than later if they want to see the best longterm results
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The Patriarchal Influence on Women’s Rights in the Middle East *CREATTE Project
Joseph Tarriela
This research project aims to address how traditional interpretation of the Quran has influenced
the present day patrilineal family unit of conservative Islamic nations such as Saudi Arabia and
Iran and how such a family unit has affected the rights of women. This will be done by analyzing
the family structure, Quranic interpretations of the household and societal expectations of men
and women in an Islamic household. Women in Saudi Arabia and Iran are generally seen as
having fewer rights as men from a western point of view as a result of the patriarchal society
present in both Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as much of the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia, the
veiling to prevent fitna has reinforced a woman’s dependence on her male relatives. In Iran,
prior to the revolution, the Iranian government took steps to force modernization and social
change, however, the revolution reverted many of the social changes made by the Shah and
once Ayatollah Khomeini took power, patriarchy was promoted and its practices were strongly
enforced. This research attempts to find how the Quran and its teachings have influenced the
patriarchal culture prevalent across the middle east and how culture and other historical events
have affected the progression of women’s rights and where women’s rights could go from its
current state based on historical and current trends.
Abbasid Development of Algebra *CREATTE Project
Adam Woughter
The purpose of this project is to research the development of Algebra in the Middle East,
specifically during the Abbasid caliphate (750-1258 AD). Much of the early development of
Algebra was done during this period, as the Middle East is often credited for creating
formalized algebra. Despite this popular credit, it seems open to investigation if Middle Eastern
scholars really did create Algebra on their own. The main question that this project will attempt
to answer is how much of the development of Algebra during the Abbasid period was
influenced by foreign mathematicians versus the Abbasid scholars’ own independent thought.
To answer this question, materials from the USF library system are being used to analyze the
relationship between the Abbasid development of Algebra and the works of foreign
mathematicians. The history of Middle Eastern Algebra will be further dug into to find possible
foreign influence. It will then be determined how important these foreign influences were in
developing new Algebraic ideas. Preliminary research implies that Greek and Hindu mathematic
works were used as a base that the Middle Eastern scholars built upon to further develop
Algebra. One could conclude then that Greek and Hindu mathematicians had a role in framing
the study of Algebra that the Abbasid scholars later expanded upon. This research will
illuminate a more nuanced and globally collective story of the development of Algebra, instead
of the widely-held idea that Middle Eastern scholars developed Algebra on their own.
Exploring the Medieval Mediterranean Economy
Raquib Zaman, Luiz Setti, Ryan Cox
Mentor(s): Michael Decker
Program: Cell and Molecular Biology; Finance; Political Science
This research project involves cataloging coins found in the Island of Cypress and the Eastern
Mediterranean found from 500-1500 CE. The location of Cypress caused it to be a very busy
stop on trade routes throughout history. This information was gathered from many different
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coin catalogs and organized into one database. This database organized mint location, the find
spot, the size and weight, as well as the Emperor it was minted under, and references to the
catalog this information was pulled from. By gathering this information and information under a
few additional criteria into one database, we are able to compare them in ways that they had
not previously been. By analyzing the type of coin found in each location and the amounts of
each coin, we hope to be able to better understand how currency had evolved
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Marine Science
A comparative analysis of the epidermis of four elasmobranch speices
Mackenzie Horton
Mentor(s): Philip Motta
Program: Marine Biology
The skin of elasmobranchs is composed of two layers: the dermis and epidermis, which play a
crucial role as a barrier to pathogens. Superficial to the dermis, the epidermis is covered in
placoid scales potentially aiding in drag reduction. Pelagic, fast swimming sharks evolved a
scale morphology with longitudinal riblets with narrow spacing to aid in water flow, compared
to slow swimming or benthic species that have thick, rounded scales for protection against
abrasion. The lateral flank of the Shortfin Mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) has flexible scales
hypothesized to passively erect during burst swimming, thereby reducing drag. This purported
scale erection would be inhibited by the deposition of proteinaceous mucus found on bony
fishes and elasmobranchs. This study investigated the epidermal and dermal layers of four
elasmobranchs: Shortfin Mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna
mokarran), Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), and Clearnose Skate (Raja eglanteria).
Fastest swimming sharks are hypothesized to have the fewest goblet cells, facilitating passive
scale erection and drag reduction. Using samples from dorsal, lateral and ventral portions of the
body, the epidermis and dermis cell layer thickness and goblet cell abundance and distribution
was quantified. The skate showed the greatest epidermal cell layer thickness and highest goblet
cell concentration (three to six visible goblets cells/ 2 micron), the Shortfin Mako and Nurse
shark had thinner epidermis (one goblet cell/ 2 microns), while the hammerhead had
intermediate epidermis thickness (one to two goblet cells/ 2 microns). These differences are
believed to be due to swimming speed and drag reduction.
A comparison between age, growth, and maturity of the United States' Graysby grouper
(Cephalopholis cruentata) and Coney grouper (Cephalopholis fulva)
Kathrene Lo
Mentor(s): Tracey Smart, Walter Bubley, Marcel Reichert
Program: Marine Biology
Groupers indicate the health of their tropical and sub-tropical hard-bottom habit, however, they are
understudied and their populations are slow to recover. Two species, the Coney (Cephalopholis
fulva) and Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) are small-bodied, 9-spined groupers belonging to the
same genus. This research investigated and compared the life history aspects of Coney and Graysby
groupers to help create the accurate stock and population management of these species. They were
sampled from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Cape Canaveral, Florida. From 1993 to 2013, 46
Coneys and 71 Graysbies were obtained mostly from fishery-independent sampling methods and
fishery-dependent sampling. Length and weight were recorded for each fish and otoliths and
gonads were extracted, embedded, and sectioned to examine. The age of each specimen was
estimated by counting the otoliths’ opaque increments while the reproductive tissue was examined
to determine the sex, maturity, and reproductive phase. Growth was assessed by fitting von
Bertalanffy growth parameters to the length at age data for each species. Reproductive status was
assessed by fitting a binomial regression to proportion mature at both size and age data. It was
found that for both species the increments were laid in July and the males and females were each
present during their selected months of the year. Compared to the Graysby, the Coney had a faster
growing rate and reached a longer asymptotic length. Also, transitional periods and the lengths of
spawning periods differed. Due to the small sample size, further studies would be needed to
confirm the findings.
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Medicine
Repairing the Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier in ALS by Transplantation of Endothelial Cells
Sophia Abraham
Mentor(s): Svitlana Garbuzova-Davis
Program: Mechanical Engineering/ Pre Med
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized
by motor neuron degeneration in the brain and spinal cord. Development of an effective
treatment is complicated by the diffuse nature of motor neuron death and by the complexity of
intrinsic and extrinsic factors underlying this disease. Recent studies on vascular pathology have
indicated alterations in the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) in ALS, mainly by degeneration of
microvessel endothelial cells and other barrier components. Restoration of BSCB integrity
through administration of healthy endothelial cells may prevent entry of harmful factors from
systemic circulation to CNS, delaying further motor neuron degeneration. The objective of this
study was to determine the effect of non-CNS (human umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVECs)
or CNS-derived (human brain microvascular endothelial cells, HBECs) endothelial cell
transplantation into early symptomatic G93A SOD1 mice on repair of vascular barrier damage.
The efficacy of the intravenous cell administrations was determined through monitoring of body
weight, motor function and examination of motor neuron condition and engraftment of
administered cells into capillary lumen of spinal cord. Although HBEC administration showed
some benefits, HUVEC-treated mice displayed more delayed disease progression through body
weight maintenance, superior extension reflex and retention of motor function. Also, HUVECs
exhibited more surviving motor neurons in the lumbar spinal cord versus HBECs and Media
mice. Results showed that intravenous endothelial cell administration may repair vascular
damage. However, further studies to identify the most beneficial cell source are needed for
development of a novel cell therapy for ALS
The Neurochemical Effects of Choline in Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Deficits
Thiago Arzua
Mentor(s): Rex Philpot
Program: Chemistry
Many adverse effects caused by chemotherapy are commonly known; hair loss, gastrointestinal
distress, and fatigue, for example. Chemotherapy-related cognitive deficits (CRCDs) have been
a rising concern in the past decades. The mechanisms by which this impairment takes place is
still unclear and there are no approved treatments for it. With that in mind, this thesis will
investigate the effects of chemotherapy in the cholinergic system, and the therapeutic use of
choline supplementation in the treatment of CRCDs. One of the main innovations of this project
is the usage of a mouse model of breast cancer (MMTV-PyVT). MMTV-PyVT mice will be
subjected to a chemotherapy combination treatment of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin
(CYP+DOX), agents commonly used for the treatment of breast cancer. They will be assessed in
different tasks to determine if they have normal cognitive function and if tumor development
interferes with their physical capacities. In addition, whether supplementing diet with 2%
choline can prevent CRCDs and whether choline affects the growth of tumors will be
determined. We anticipate that MMTV-PyVT mice will exhibit normal cognitive function and
perform effectively in the tasks during tumor development. We expect that 2% choline will
prevent the manifestation of cognitive deficits on these tasks and that tumor growth rate will
not be affected by it. This project will set grounds for a further development of therapies for
CRCDs patients, as well as establish a novel theory that can encompass the effects of
chemotherapy in the brain regions specifically involved in cognition
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Targeting the SSH1 Protein Aimed at Reversal of β-amyloid Peptides Related to
Alzheimer’s Disease
Melissa Chin
Mentor(s): James Leahy
Program: Chemistry
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease for which there is no
known cure. Currently, in the United States alone, there are more than 3000 cases of AD per
year. AD is characterized by a buildup of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ’s), leading to plaque formation
in the brain and subsequent cognitive impairment. David Kang of the Byrd Institute has
identified a protein known as slingshot, SSH1, and has related it to the formation of Aβ’s. Due to
recent molecular modeling and docking studies, a molecule of the chemotype 2-pyridone-3carboxylic acid has been shown to be significantly active against SSH1. Modeling suggests that
the thiazole nitrogen forms Hydrogen bonds with the Arg399 residues on SSH1. Therefore,
analogs that increase or decrease that interaction will significantly impact biological activity.
After the synthesis of this molecule is complete, biological activity in several assays are tested to
determine how well SSH1 is targeted. Several chemical derivatives of the original chemotype
are also synthesized to test the activity of various portions of the molecule, such as the thiazole
nitrogen for example. If these molecules are sufficiently active against SSH1, a drug can further
be developed to test the reduction of Aβs and their relationship to AD. It would be a major
contribution to public health if a cure or more viable treatment for AD could be determined,
and would greatly impact millions of people worldwide.
Global Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Changes in Aging-Related Genes in Atp8b1 Mutant
Lungs
Alexander Czachor
Mentor(s): Ramani Soundararajan
The current focus of this study is to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the
development of age-dependent changes in Atp8b1 mutant (Aminophospholipid Transporter,
Class I, Type 8B, Member 1) lung transcriptome. This study aims to show that mutation and
environmental stimuli trigger distinct age-related changes in gene expression in Atp8b1 mutant
lungs. Atp8b1 mutant and C57BL/6 mice were euthanized and lung samples were collected at
7-9 weeks and 14 months of age. Total RNA was extracted from samples and sent in for
microarray processing. A Mouse Genome 430 v2.0 array (Affymetrix) containing over 45,000
probe sets was used for microarray analysis. Differentially expressed genes in Atp8b1 mutant
and C57BL/6 were further analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to identify potential networks
involved in aging. Quantitative realtime PCR was used to validate and quantitate some of these
differentially expressed genes in Atp8b1 mutant and C57BL/6 lungs. Microarray analysis
revealed 157 genes that were differentially expressed in an agedependent manner. Of these, 85
genes were up-regulated and 71 genes were downregulated. Similarly, transcriptome analysis of
Atp8b1 mouse lungs at 7-9 weeks and 14 months identified 532 differentially expressed genes,
of which 304 were upregulated and 228 were down-regulated in an age-dependent manner. 37
overlapping genes were identified to be unique between the two datasets. This study indicates
distinct gene pathways that are altered in Atp8b1 mutant mice relative to C57BL/6 mice in an
age-dependent manner, suggesting a functional role for gene mutation and environmental
trigger for determining age-related phenotype in Atp8b1 mutant lungs.
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Conditional Deletion of Arginase 1 in Myeloid Cells Impacts Amyloid Beta
Rana Daas
Mentor(s): Daniel Lee
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid beta deposits, memory loss and cognitive
impairment. Alteration in arginine metabolism and the polyamine pathway has been implicated
in (AD) and animal models of AD-like pathology. Arginase-1 (Arg1) is one of several enzymes
capable of metabolizing L-arginine and can be activated through stimulation of IL-4/IL-13
receptor, Janus kinase (JAK) signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 6 (STAT6)
pathway. To determine the role of arginase 1 during amyloid beta pathology, we conditionally
deleted arginase 1 in myeloid cells (LysMCre promoter) of Tg2576 APP transgenic mice using
the Cre Lox system. Tg2576 APP mice develop cognitive impairment, inflammation, and
amyloid beta plaques in the CNS, compared to non-transgenic littermates. Four groups of mice
were used to determine the impact of this deletion including Group1: APP+/-/ Arg Wt/ Wt/
LysMCre+/-; Group2: APP+/-/Arg Flox/ Wt/ LysMCre+/-; Group3: NonTg/ Arg Wt/ Wt/ LysMCre+/-;
Group4: NonTg/ Arg Flox/ Wt/ LysMCre+/-. Behavioral analysis revealed cognitive impairment and
behavioral deficits in the Tg2576 APP mice with slightly more impairment in APP mice with the
arginase 1 deficiency. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry reveals more amyloid beta
accumulation in mice with arginase 1 deficiency compared to arginase 1 sufficient mice.
Additionally, we measured inflammation and specific abeta species, which showed differential
effects. These data suggest that arginase 1 deficiency may exacerbate cognition and amyloid
beta pathology. These results may offer new therapeutic approaches for treating Alzheimer’s
disease through arginine metabolism and the polyamine pathway.
Threshold of Vision in a Murine Model
Miral Gomaa
Mentor(s): Christopher Passaglia
Program: Biomedical Engineering/ Cell and Molecular Biology
Glaucoma is defined as a group of eye diseases characterized by progressive damage to the
optic nerve due to an increase in the eye’s intraocular pressure. Previous studies have referred
to rats as having invariant object recognition (having the same visual threshold across different
spatial frequencies) and is the hypothesis of this study. It is the aim of this project to measure
the contrast threshold of murine eyes across different spatial frequencies and light conditions in
order to aid in the study of progressive vision deterioration in glaucomatous eyes. Rats were
trained to move to the side of the platform associated with a given stimulus and rewarded,
different spatial frequencies are presented to rats at decreasing contrast levels and thresholds
are measured by reaching the point where the rat can no longer identify the stimulus. This is
repeated for six reversals per spatial frequency and the mean of these values was calculated to
be threshold. Currently, data from three rats has been collected and analyzed by conducting
analysis of variance. Statistical analysis rejects the hypothesis and states that light level tested
has no significant difference on the threshold measured and that threshold does indeed
depend on the presented spatial frequency. Light level and spatial frequency interaction do
effect threshold. The importance of this study is that it will provide a baseline comparison of
what is seen by non-glaucomatous eyes to future research that aims to provide threshold values
in glaucomatous eyes in order to note the rate of vision deterioration.
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Outcomes of Hernia and Cholecystectomy Operations in Patients with End Stage Liver
Disease at a Liver Transplant Center
Iain Hillenberg
Mentor(s): Alexia Athienitis
Previously, elective abdominal procedures in patients with decompensated cirrhosis has
demonstrated an elevated risk of morbidity and mortality. Patients with both ascites and
cirrhosis have a higher (up to 20%) risk of developing umbilical hernia. The goal of this study is
to evaluate the safety, efficacy and outcomes of elective hernia repairs and laparoscopic
cholecystectomies in cirrhotic patients with end stage liver disease. A retrospective chart review
of 182 patients (n=91 cirrhotic, n=91 non-cirrhotic) was performed. Patients were categorized
according to Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) classification, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)
score, presence of comorbidities, as well as operation-related complications and duration of
stay at Tampa General Hospital (TGH). Variable and control groups were evenly divided
between umbilical herniorraphies (n=34), inguinal herniorraphies (n=19), ventral herniorraphies
(n=21), and laparoscopic cholecystectomies (n=17). Cirrhotic patients were categorized as CPT
grade A (31.9%), CPT grade B (37.3%), CPT grade C (30.8%) with the control group of noncirrhotic patients being categorized as CPT grade A (84.6%) and CPT grade B (15.6%). In 63
(85.1%) of the 74 hernia patients, repair was performed with either biological or prosthetic mesh
with a median length of stay of 1 day. In 17 (18.7%) of the 91 cirrhotic patients acquired
postoperative complications which included ascites leakage, wound-site infection and GI
bleeding. 6 cirrhotic patients died within 6 months of their operation. This study demonstrates
that patients with decompensated cirrhosis can undergo abdominal procedures safely with
minimal mortality when their surgeries are performed by transplant physicians at a specialized
transplant center.
Inflammatory Pathway in Alzheimer's cells
Jeffrey Horton
Mentor(s): Marcia Gordon
Inflammation in the brain commonly occurs in Alzheimer’s disease, so understanding the
pathway of inflammation is key to developing drugs to help stop inflammation in the brain. The
report tests the consequences of inflammation by using cell cultures. HeLa cells were stably
transfected with full-length tau, and inflammation inducing agents were applied to the culture
medium. Cells were treated with low and high dosages of inflammatory reagents, including a
control group. The cells were subjected to treatment times of 2hr, 24hr and 48hr. The western
blot technique was used to quantify specific proteins from the treated cell cultures, namely tau
and phosphorylated tau. These proteins are increased in Alzheimer’s disease. The values
obtained from this study show increasing amounts of phosphorylated tau after inflammation
was induced. The amount of increase depended on concentration of inducing agent and time
of treatment. These results suggest that inflammation would make Alzheimer’s disease worse.
Further analysis of the samples will examine the correlation between tau and Creb after
treatment. Western blots will be performed to find the amounts of Creb and phosphorylated
Creb in the samples.. If there is an increase in both Tau and Creb, this will indicate a possible
pathway for the inflammatory agent to produce the Tau. Taken together, these results will help
to explain how inflammation contributes to Alzheimer’s disease.
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Prenatal exposure to low doses of ethanol induces obesity in adult worms, C. elegans.
Annette Hu
Mentor(s): Caralina Marin De Evsikova
Program: Cellular and Molecular Biology
The public health issue of obesity highlights the need to understand factors that regulate lipid
metabolism, which plays a significant role in major diseases today including type 2 diabetes,
heart disease, and hypertension. Environmental exposure to teratogens during development
can act as an “obesogen”, which shifts embryonic development, predisposing to obesity. C.
elegans is an established model to detect metabolic disruption in response to environmental
obesogens because it stores fat in the form of triglyceride droplets, allowing efficient screening
of lipid accumulation. To test the hypothesis that prenatal ethanol acts as an obesogen, we
exposed larval C. elegans a range of ethanol concentrations (ethanol vol/vol %: 0%, 0.05%,
0.1%, 0.5%, 1%) for 57 hrs, corresponding to germ cell through early embryonic development
and measured the area of triglyceride droplet staining with Oil Red O as an index of obesity.
Specifically, the offspring had a 1.31 fold increase in the area staining across their entire body
compared to their control counterparts (0.1% ethanol 61.6 + 2.7% vs. control 47.0 + 2.5%).
Additionally, ethanol exposure to germ cells causes aneuploidy, which induces a male
phenotype in C. elegans. To determine if the prenatal exposure to ethanol induced aneuploidy,
we performed a ‘High Indicance of Males (HIM) assay. Developomental exposure to ethanol
appears aneugenic at the highest concentration (control 1.8% males, & 1% ethanol 3.24% males)
although the frequency of males in our population of C. elegans is higher than reported for
hermaphroditic maintenance (0.1-0.2% Ward & Cardwell 1979, Hodgkin et al 1997).
Impact of peptide activity on cancer cells *Project Withdrawn*
Kristyn Kerr
Mentor(s): Mark McLaughlin
This project examines the reactivity of various peptides and their ability to be used as agents to
combat oncological activity in cancer cells. The peptides used in this study consist of helical
amphipathic peptides and constrained dipeptides. Helical amphipathic peptides contain both
polar and nonpolar groups, and are known for having anticancer and antimicrobial activities
(McLaughlin, 2014). Constrained dipeptides are used to promote the synthesis of b-sheet
formation to produce stable peptide structures based on their extended conformation.
Depending on the functional group attached to the peptide structure, it can then be used to act
as a possible ligand to bind to receptor sites on cancer cells. The goal of this project is to
determine which functional group(s) will complete the peptide structure and have significant
binding activity to target cancer cells. A mixture with a 1:1 ratio of Z-Glycine (Z-Gly-OH) and
Glycine tert-butyl ester chloride (Gly-o-t-butyl ester + HCl) was prepared; two coupling reagents
along with dichloromethane were added to the mixture to form the peptide product. The
research carried out in this study consists of the synthesis of biological and organic molecules,
and examines how they react with each other to produce a desired effect. Methods of
extraction and purification were used to obtain the necessary peptide structure. If the right
stable structure can be made, it could be used to treat cancer and cancer-related diseases. The
use of peptides has been shown in several studies to have beneficial effects in drug design.
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The Effects of the Overexpression of the CCL2 Gene on APP/PS1 Mice
Anisha Kesarwai
Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition is the main feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and reducing Aβ
accumulation is essential to prevent or slow progression of AD. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand
2 (CCL2) is a monocyte chemoattractant protein which is involved in the recruitment of
macrophages from the periphery to the brain. Since past literature has suggested that CCL2
deficiency increases Aβ deposition in mouse models, we hypothesize that the overexpression of
CCL2 should decrease Aβ deposition. In this study, we investigated the effects of the
overexpression of CCL2 on Aβ in a mouse model of amyloid deposition. Twenty-month-old old
APP/PS1 mice received intracranial injection in hippocampus and cortex of adeno-associated
virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vector allowing the protein expression of either CCL2 or GFP. Behavior
testing was performed 3 months after surgery and tissue was collected the next month. Mice
treated with CCL2 spent significantly less time in the center during the open field test
compared to GFP treated mice, indicating higher anxiety- like behavior. Immunohistochemistry
revealed that there was a significant reduction in Aβ positive area stained in the hippocampus
of the mice overexpressing CCL2 compared to the control mice. Paradoxically, CCL2 injected
mice displayed a significant increase in amyloid plaques compared to GFP control mice when
assessed by Congo red. These results suggest that peripheral immune cells that are recruited
by CCL2 into the brain induce changes in anxiety behavior and may actively reduce Aβ
deposition, but lead to increased amyloid plaques burden.
What are BRCA previvors perceptions about information regarding HBOC?
Rachel Koruo
Mentor(s): Marleah Dean Kruzel
Program: Biomed/Health Communication
What if I told you that there is an 87% chance you will develop cancer in your lifetime, and half
of your kids would inherit this risk? These are statistics previvors face. Yet who is a previvor? A
previvor is an individual who is highly predisposed to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
(HBOC) due to genetic mutations of the BRCA1/2 gene (Port & Offit, 2010). A patient
undergoes genetic testing to determine if she has a BRCA genetic mutation. While genetic test
results provide information regarding a patient’s lifetime risk for developing HBOC, such results
are not always appropriate and/or sufficient to make personal health decisions. Therefore, this
thesis investigated the perceptions of BRCA positive previvors regarding HBOC information in
order to better understand, and ultimately improve, the health experiences of BRCA previvors.
As a part of one of Dr. Marleah Dean Kruzel’s ePOWER research project, 25 qualitative
interviews were conducted with BRCA1/2-positive previvors regarding their information seeking
needs, behaviors, and overall health experiences. For this thesis, ten interviews were selected
and analyzed using the constant comparison approach, which includes creating and developing
themes from transcribed interview data (Lindlof & Taylor, 2011). Overall, the data reveals that
previvors view information as a source of power. Although they feel responsible for seeking and
sharing information, they also relay on medical professionals to provide reliable sources of
information. Moreover, previvors emphasize a desire for medical professionals to be more
informed about BRCA in order to make personal health decisions.
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Using receptor adaptor proteins to study crucial oncogenic processes
Thomas Licata
Mentor(s): Eric Haura, Matthew Smith
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are cell-surface receptors that are activated by specific ligands.
Once bound by the ligand, an intracellular signal transduction cascade occurs allowing cellular
control of survival and proliferation. Adaptor proteins that bind to activated MET, a prototypical
RTK, are vital in mediating these signaling cascades. In cancer, these signaling cascades
become dysregulated and aberrant activation of MET has been linked to various forms of
cancer. Here, the goals are to define adaptor protein(s) vital to MET activation effects in order
to develop a proximity ligation assay (PLA) to advance current biomarker techniques. To
determine the most crucial adaptor protein(s) involved with MET activation, siRNA-mediated
gene knockdown was used to systemically silence proteins and observe downstream proteins
correlated with proliferation, survival and motility. We found that GRB2 and GAB1 are involved
in the activation of the RAS pathway as assessed by a reduction of phosphorylated ERK
measured via western blot. In contrast, SHC1, ERBB3 and P85 were not involved in inducing
downstream signals. Thus, MET:GRB2 PLA likely reflects signaling associated with proliferation
and has provided insight into the prevalence of this interaction found in lung cancer tumors.
Methods to quantify PLA signal were explored using CellProfiler, an open-source digital
software suite. These results indicate that MET:GRB2 interaction is critical to MET-mediated
oncogenic signaling and MET:GRB2 PLA could be used to identify patients likely to respond to
MET-directed therapies.
Time on Waiting List Is a Poor Predictor of Recurrence for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Following Liver Transplantation: A Region 3 Single Center Study
Alejandra Mallorga
Background: We were intrigued by a recent UNOS registry study suggesting a change in policy
in liver transplantation (LTx) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on time on waiting list
(WL). We hypothesize that time on WL does not impact recurrence rates or survival based on
our historic short time on WL and low recurrence rates. Methods: Data on all HCC LTx patients
(n= 155) from Feb 2002 to May 2012 were collected with at least 2 years of follow-up. Chi-square
was used to determine associations with recurrence, and Cox Proportional Hazards (CoxPH) to
model the effect of waiting time on survival. Results: Only 19 (12.26%) recurred, median WL for
HCC LTx was 29 days and 88% of LTx for HCC were within 120 days. Significant difference in
recurrence by path stage [Stage A (by BCLC) (5.5%) vs. those beyond Milan (28%) (p<0.0001)]
was established. WL cutoff points failed to reach statistical significance, indicating that waiting
time does not impact recurrence or post-LTx survival [WL 30 days (p=0.3099), 60 (p=0.8456), 90
(p=0.7178), and 120 (p=0.8059)]. Results for the effect of WL on survival after adjusting for
pathologic stage were similar [30 days (p=0.9447), 60 (p=0.7505), 90 (p=0.3544), and 120
(p=09362)]. Neither recurrence of HCC nor survival were influenced by time on WL in our center.
This study has implications in evolving liver distribution policies. Short waiting times should not
be discouraged. Our study suggests that time on WL is not an accurate metric to use in HCC
LTx.
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Role of Adjuvant Sorafenib in Preventing Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in High Risk
Liver Transplantation
Alejandra Mallorga, Reinaldo Claudio
Aim: To determine the applicability, tolerability, and efficacy of sorafenib in preventing
recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high risk post liver transplant (LTx) patients.
Methods: Twelve high risk LTx patients from 2011 to 2014 were reviewed. Sorafenib was started
within 2 months if there was a presence of microvascular invasion (MVI), beyond Milan Criteria,
or AFP>100. Doses were escalated from initial to 400 mg/dl. A control group of 14 patients with
similar tumor characteristics that did not receive adjuvant sorafenib post LTx were utilized.
Results: In the case group, 75% were male, average BMI was 31, and 66% had bilobar tumors.
Pathologic staging revealed an average of 2 tumors, total tumor burden 5.1 cm, 75% either
stage B or C (BCLC staging), and MVI in 42%. AFP was > 100 in 17%. Average dose was 265 mg
in all patients but 300 mg in those that tolerated treatment. Five patients (42%) received therapy
for less than 50 days. Adverse events included hand foot syndrome, flushing, anxiety, nausea,
diarrhea, hypertension, neutropenia, arthralgia and abdominal pain. No recurrences were
observed in the treatment. Eleven (92%) patients are alive, all without recurrence. Conclusion:
This preliminary study of adjuvant sorafenib use in post LTx revealed that 68% of targeted
patients received adequate treatment at tolerable doses of 300 mg daily. Recurrences were not
observed in this high risk group, however the duration of follow up was short. The study gives
insight to the current multicenter sorafenib adjuvant post LTx trial.
Infusion in the Brain Improves Motor Performance but neither Cognition nor Pathology in
a Mouse Model of Alzheimer`s Disease.
Sean McBride
Mentor(s): Marcia Gordon, Aurelie Joly-Amado
Alzheimer`s disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive deficits and the accumulation of amyloid
beta plaques in the brain. AD patients also present inefficient glucose uptake in the brain,
resulting in hypometabolism. Ketone bodies have been shown to act as an alternative energy
source for the brain. We hypothesized that the brain administration of beta- hydroxybutyrate
(BHB) in a mouse model of amyloid deposition (APP mice) would improve cognitive outcomes
and reduce pathology. 19 months old mice bearing K670N and M671L mutations in the amyloid
precursor protein (APP) also known as Tg2576 mice, and their non-transgenic littermates were
used. Osmotic minipumps were surgically implanted in the brain ventricles to deliver either
13mM BHB or saline for 28 days in both APP mice and non-transgenic littermates (N=10 per
group). Two weeks after the surgery behavioral testing was performed (open field, Y maze, and
rotarod) and tissue was collected at the end of the 28 days of infusion. As previously shown,
behavioral analysis revealed a genotype effect, but no treatment effect in open field and Ymaze with APP mice showing increased locomotor activity. BHB infusion induced a slight
improvement in motor performance as evidenced in Rotarod testing; however, memory and
learning improvements were not observed. No differences were observed in APP mice treated
with saline or BHB in the amount of Aβ or amyloid plaque accumulation in the brain. As
expected, no amyloid plaque or Aβ immunoreactivity was observed in non-transgenic control
mice.
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Investigation of the Filarial Ecdysone Receptor as a Chemotherapeutic Target
Priyanka Mehrotra
Mentor(s): Lee Woodcock, Fiona Kearns
This work employs computational chemistry methods to identify potential treatments for
lymphatic filariasis (LF), a debilitating disease common in Africa, Asia, and other tropical
regions. Current treatment options are nonspecific, painful and often ineffective for the patient.
LF affects nearly 140 million people, and involves the accumulation of lymph, causing abnormal
enlargement of limbs or genitalia. LF is caused by the filarial nematode that matures via ecdysis
(molting). Molting is incited when 20-hydroxyecdysone binds to the ligand binding domain
(LBD) of the nuclear ecdysone receptor (EcR), the main molting transcription factor. Thus, it is
the aim of this work to identify compounds that can bind in the EcR-LBD thereby displacing 20hydroxyecdysone and preventing molting, i.e. via competitive inhibition. Obstructing the
growth of the nematode will prevent the parasite from enlarging thereby inhibiting the
nematode from blocking lymph circulation. ProBiS binding site similarity search and PubChem
were used to generate a library of > 700 compounds. The Glide Extended Precision (XP)
docking program was then used to predict the binding modes and affinities of all 700
compounds in the EcR-LBD. Those compounds with binding affinities more favorable than 20hydroxyecdysone (< - 7.253 kcal/mol) were further analyzed with Induced Fit docking studies to
attain more accurate binding modes and binding affinities. Over 35 compounds have been
found to have a lower docking score, the most favorable being that of [3,5-dibromo-4-(4hydroxy-3-phenethylcarbamoyl-phenoxy)-phenyl]-acetic acid (PubChem ID: 5287509) with a
predicted binding affinity of -14.707. The list of > 35 compounds will soon be passed to a
collaborator (Dr. Thomas Unnasch at USF Department of Global Health) for experimental
verification of computational results
Coffee and Cancer: Friends or Enemies?
Zuha Mheir Al Saadi, Noor Albashir, Reema Basssoumi
Mentor(s): Venkateswara Mudunuru
Program: Biomedical Sciences; Health Sciences
Little over 500 epidemiologic studies conducted in the USA, Europe, and Japan tried to
evaluate the potential connection between coffee drinking and the risk of developing cancer or
otherwise. Studies have revealed that approximately 489,706 individuals who consume coffee
have shown significant evidence in reducing the risk of developing colorectal cancer (15%). New
researches have shown that consuming coffee can shrink and inhibit the growth of cancerous
tumors. Our research goal is to provide substantial evidence, and hence educate our
community about how the frequency and the amount of coffee consumed by individuals affects
the efficiency of the cancer treatment. In addition, our research aims to prove that cancer
patients who consume black coffee on a regular basis decreases their chances of tumor growth
and development. We will have all details published from major research articles explaining
these facts in a tabular form. Furthermore, we conducted a survey to see how many patients
drink coffee on a daily basis and how many are aware about the reduction of the risk of cancer
by drinking coffee. Our survey concluded that 66% of the sample believed that coffee can help
in reducing the risk of cancer; these group on average consume 2.3 cups of coffee daily. The
remaining 34% said they do not believe in this study, however they do consume coffee on a
daily average of 1.3 cups. The data from the survey is analyzed, and a statistical correlation
between coffee and cancer is studied. In conclusion, we believe that consuming 2 cups of
coffee per day can aid in fighting and preventing several metabolic diseases, specific to cancer.
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Instrumentation of Goal Setting Among Patients with Cancer
Bianca Nguyen
Mentor(s): Benjamin Craig
Background: Goal setting is a priority approach whereby patients identify and prioritize their
symptoms to better inform treatment decision-making. By reporting their current health and
clarifying their values, patients are more likely to receive treatments that reflect their goals.
Goal-oriented instruments serve to improve patient care and to facilitate conversation between
patients and physicians. In complement to face-to-face interactions, such instruments allow
health providers to systematically consider patients’ perspectives to better inform health-related
decisions. Methods: As a component of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Valuation (PCOV)
study, the experience-based valuation (XV) instrument was designed and fielded to assess
patients’ health and preferences on symptom relief. Between July and November 2015, 508
infusion patients at Moffitt Cancer Center completed the XV tablet-based survey instrument.
The aim of this sub-study is to review prior literature pertaining to patients’ prioritization
instruments in cancer research and to examine the results of the PCOV-XV study in order to
improve upon current approaches of goal setting measurement among cancer patients.
Results: The literature review has thus far found 3 similar goal setting instruments, which may
aid in future revisions of the XV instrument. According to preliminary analysis of the XV
responses, 377 (74%) respondents rated the XV survey “very easy” or “easy,” 107 (21%) rated
the survey “Neither easy nor hard,” and 24 (5%) rated the survey “hard” or “very hard.” Forty
two respondents (8%) provided a written comment. Conclusions: Although further investigation
is required to identify areas of improvement in the XV instrument (via literature review and data
analysis), the majority of patients considered this goal setting task to be easy.
Synthesis of Pegylated Linkers
Thao Nguyen
Mentor(s): Sridhar Kaulagari
Many peptide drugs hold great promise as therapeutic agents but their effectiveness is limited
by their short half-life. This makes them vulnerable to the attacks of proteolytic enzymes,
antibodies, and kidney clearance. However, pegylation can resolve this problem by attaching
polyethylene glycol polymer chains to the peptides. Polyethylene glycol polymer is
characterized by H-(O-CH2-CH2)n-OH motif. Repeating units of this motif form a linear polymer.
Pegylation increases the molecular weight of the molecules, which makes it harder for the
kidney to filter out (Larger molecules clear out more slowly). As a result, the peptide drugs
would have enough time to stay in the body to have their desired effect. Pegylated linkers such
as Linker 9 can be added to peptides to increase the circulating half-life of the conjugate
(peptide + linker) and Linker 9 can oligomerized with itself to give substantially higher molecular
weight fragments that can further increase the circulating half-life of the conjugate. Moreover,
the discrete characteristics of linker 9 give us an easily characterized peptide – Linker conjugate.
Therefore, in this research project, we synthesized Linker 9 and attached it to peptides to
increase their circulating half-life. Linker 9 has been synthesized in good yields. We have
synthesized 12 additional linkers to attach to peptides to increase the circulating half-life of the
conjugates. Successfully synthesizing these linkers will increase peptides' effectiveness as drug
candidates.
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Elucidation of alphaa-synuclein’s role in Parkinson’s disease associated cell cycle
deregulation
Paayal Parikh
Mentor(s): Jaya Padmanabhan
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and accounts
for more than 400,000 deaths per year worldwide. PD is characterized by aggregation and
accumulation of a-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, which leads to
neuronal loss and motor dysfunction and movement disorder. An elucidation of the underlying
mechanisms that initiates this pathogenic process would allow us to target specific molecules to
prevent the disease progression. We are analyzing human M17 neuroblastoma cells transfected
with various forms of a-synuclein (WT, A30P, A53T, and E46K) to characterize the differential
mechanisms by which these mutants bring about pathogenic transformation in cells. Calcium
dysregulation have been associated with PD pathogenesis and recent studies have suggested
that the calcium channel blocker (CCB) isradipine, approved for treatment of high blood
pressure, lowers the risk of Parkinson’s. Our preliminary analysis shows that the M17 cells
expressing the various a-synuclein constructs show differential expression of p53, Id1, and
mdm2, indicative of dysregulation of cell cycle. Treatment with two different CCBs (fendiline
and isradipine) showed an inhibition in this increase implying a role for calcium dysregulation in
the observed increase. Cell cycle deregulation has been associated with PD and our data
suggests a potential mechanism by which the CCBs interfere with synuclein-dependent
downstream signaling in PD. Additional studies are being carried out to determine if this
inhibition protects the against a-synculein aggregation and neurodegeneration. The
experimental procedures include polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), Western blotting
as well immunocytochemical analysis of cells using specific antibodies.
Elucidating the Role of Low Barrier Hydrogen Bonds in CTX-M-14 Through the Use of
Crystallography and RMSF Calculations
Ashley Parisi-Goldblatt
Mentor(s): Lee Woodcock, Michael Kemp
Program: Chemistry and Mathematics
Beta-Lactams are a large class of antibiotics that treat a variety of bacterial infections. Antibiotic
resistance is a huge problem that has occurred because of a mutation in bacteria that has
developed over time. The enzyme beta-lactamase affords resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics
through the hydrolysis of the beta-lactam’s four membered ring. The mechanism for which this
occurs is not well understood, however it is hypothesized that a low barrier hydrogen bond may
exist between aspartate 219 and aspartate 233 within the system and could stabilize the active
site and facilitate the reaction. Through the use of crystallography and computational chemistry,
we were able to obtain 0.8A resolution crystals of CTX-M-14 and determine that a low barrier
hydrogen bond does exist between these residues. Also, we were able to calculate the Root
Mean Squared Fluctuations of the atoms near the active site. Based on this information, we
were able to determine that the Low Barrier Hydrogen Bond does have an effect in stabilizing
the active site of the system. In addition, we have been able to co-crystalize CTX-M-14 with a
ligand which inhibits the hydrolysis of the beta lactam ring and will be further studied in future
work.
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Atp8b1 deficiency induces abnormal behavior of Club-Clara cells in hyperoxic conditions
Priyanshi Patel
Mentor(s): Narasiah Kolliputi
Objectives: To investigate the effects of Atp8b1 deficiency on behavior of Club-Clara cells in
hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury. Methods: WT and Atp8b1 G308V homozygous mutant
mice at 7-9 weeks of age were exposed to 100% O2. Immediately after hyperoxia,
bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissues were collected. Microscopic evaluation was
performed on BAL cells. Histopathological evaluation was performed on H&E-stained lung
tissues sections. To determine cell apoptosis, TUNEL staining was performed on lung sections.
Immunohistochemical labeling for Club-Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) (a Club-Clara cell
marker), Cluaudin-10 (a second Club-Clara cell marker) and Ki-67 (a proliferation marker) was
performed on lung sections. Results: TUNEL staining on lung tissue sections revealed that
Atp8b1 mutant lungs under hyperoxia exhibit enhanced cell death in alveoli. Meanwhile, the
number of TUNEL-positive cell death was not changed in Atp8b1 mutant lungs. H&E-stained
lung sections revealed a patchy thickening of bronchiolar epithelium. Immunohistochemical
labeling revealed that a large portion of the cells in the thickened bronchiolar epithelium in
Atp8b1 mutant lungs under hyperoxia are CCSP-positive, Claudin-10-positive and Ki-67positive. Microscopic evaluation of BAL fluid cells from hyperoxic mice revealed that Atb8b1
mutant mice under hyperoxic conditions showed a robust increase in the number of cells in
airspace compared to WT mice. In BAL fluid from hyperoxic Atp8b1 mutant mice, a particular
cell type reminiscent of Club-Clara cells was occasionally encountered. Conclusions: Atp8b1
deficient Club-Clara cells are resistant to oxidative stress and proliferate under hyperoxic
conditions.
Novel Synthesis of (+)-Catechin Metabolites
Kevin Petersen
Catechin is a secondary metabolite that is present in most plants. This molecule belongs to the
flavonoid class of antioxidant molecules and may be useful when researching diabetes and
heart disease. When catechin is digested by animals, it is broken down into smaller molecules
by the liver and intestines. These metabolites have been characterized, but their effects on
animals are not fully well known. Researchers have demonstrated that some metabolites of
catechin have properties against tissue inflammation. It is unknown whether these metabolites
are targeting a specific enzyme. The goal of our research is to synthesize catechin metabolites
so they can be externally evaluated to determine how they may be useful for diabetes
pathways. The first target compounds are phenyl-gamma valerolactones that have never been
synthesized without the use of microbes, therefore it is of great interest to find an alternative
route of production for these compounds. To date, two metabolites have been synthesized and
characterized. Preliminary testing of these compounds indicates that they have mild antiinflammatory properties.
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Molecular therapeutics approach to inhibit neuroinflammation pathways in efforts of
halting Alzheimer’s disease progression in transgenic mouse models
Stephanie Radu
In Alzheimer’s research, neuroinflammation is now considered part of the pathologic triad along
with amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. To analyze inflammatory markers found
throughout Alzheimer’s disease progression, real time polymerase chain reactions (RT PCRs)
were done to quantify inflammation in transgenic mouse models. Results showed that
inflammation was elevated in transgenic mice in an age-dependent manner. To observe the
immune cells, triple immunoflourescent staining was used to identify a greater increase in
microglia and immune cells in the aging brain. Next, in efforts of halting disease progression,
we focused drug discovery on mitigating CNS inflammation by blocking these inflammatory
markers. Cytokine immunobiology was utilized to develop gene therapies for IL-1Ra and sCrry.
In a pilot study with transgenic mice and in a larger study involving another mouse model, IL-1
receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene therapy was injected into the cortex and hippocampus
regions. These mice were then tested neurobehaviorally one month later. Total distance
traveled in the open field revealed deficits in mouse models overexpressing tau which
appeared to be restored toward normal values after treatment with IL1-Ra or sCrry. Finally, cell
culture experiments were performed by transfecting cell cultures that overexpressed tau
proteins under the hypothesis that sCrry would block induction of inflammatory cascades and
reduce levels of the inflammatory markers. In conclusion, it is believed that by using gene
therapy, such as IL-1Ra and sCrry, focused on inhibiting certain mechanisms of
neuroinflammation, cognitive deficits can be rescued and pathology progression can be halted
B10 treatment reduces cytoplasmic TDP-43 levels and rescues behavioral abnormalities in
a C. elegans model
Prachi Shukla, Jeana Ortiz
Mentor(s): Umesh Jinwal
Program: International Studies; Biomedical Sciences
Background: Cytoplasmic TDP-43 cleavage mutant, known as C25, is found in intracellular
aggregates in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal lobar dementia (FTLD).
Our lab is focused on finding new drug molecules that can clear mutant C25-TDP-43. In this
study, a C. elegans worm model overexpressing YFP-tagged C25-TDP-43 (C25 worms) was used
to study the effect of different concentrations of the drug B10 (hexachlorophene) on the
aggregation of C25-TDP-43, its protein levels, and worm behavior. Hypothesis: Based on our
recent data, which suggests B10 treatment reduces C25-TDP-43 levels in a cell culture model,
we hypothesized that treatment with B10 would result in decreased C25 aggregation and
improved behavior in a C. elegans model. Methods: The effect of B10 treatment on the
aggregation of YFP-tagged C25 in worms was analyzed using fluorescence microscopy. For
Western blot analysis, worms were treated with B10 and DMSO vehicle control, lysed using
RIPA buffer and C25 protein levels were determined using the YFP antibody. The liquid thrash
assay was used to analyze motility behavior of C25 and wild type (N2) C. elegans. Results:
Treatment with B10 decreases accumulation of C25-TDP-43 by 27% as determined by
quantifying area of fluorescence. Western blot analysis showed that protein levels of C25-TDP43 were decreased by ~60% upon treatment with 30 µM B10, while worm motility was improved
by ~23% in the liquid thrash assay. Conclusions: B10 treatment decreases the aggregation of
C25 and its protein levels, and leads to an improvement in worm motility.
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Cell-Specific Disabled-1 Knockdown is a Novel Model to Examine the Role of the Reelin
Signaling Pathway on Neurogenesis
Hana Soueidan
Mentor(s): April Lussier
Symptoms of various neurological disorders include cognitive dysfunction, synaptic plasticity
deficits, and altered neurogenesis. One potential signaling pathway crucial to adult cognition is
the Reelin-lipoprotein-Disabled-1 signaling pathway. This pathway has shown to be critical in
proper cellular migration, lamination during embryonic development, adult synaptic plasticity,
and neurogenesis. The hippocampus is theorized to be one of the first structures affected by
these pathologies, is vital to learning and memory, and is one of two locations possessing adult
neurogenesis. To explore Disabled-1’s role in this signaling pathway and its repercussions, two
transgenic knockouts of Disabled-1 (Dab1) were created. We used Dab1 knockout mice under
the control of the Camk2-cre promoter (eKO) which is specific to forebrain excitatory neurons
and GAD2-cre promoter (iKO) which is specific to GABAergic interneurons. The number and
morphology of immature neurons was assessed in the adult hippocampus of these transgenic
mice to examine the role of excitatory or inhibitory Dab1 expression on adult neurogenesis. I
hypothesized that Dab1 knockdown in excitatory and inhibitory neurons would decrease the
number and maturation rates of immature neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Only iKO
transgenic mice exhibited increased number and dendritic complexity of immature neurons.
The implications of these findings could be vital to epilepsy research, a neurological disorder
that presents with increased neurogenesis and ectopic migration of newborn neurons. Other
research has shown that Reelin levels are decreased in epilepsy models. Our novel transgenic
model offers new insights into a cell-specific role of this pathway on neurogenesis and
potentially epileptogenesis
Rapid Increases in Fluid Shear Stress Elicit Local Lamellipodia and Elevate Microvascular
Endothelial Barrier Function
Sara Spampinato
Mentor(s): Jerome Breslin
Program: Chemical/ Biomedical Engineering
The microvascular endothelium serves as a semipermeable barrier that reacts to changes in
frictional shear stress (SS) from plasma. We tested the hypothesis that step increases in SS
strengthen the endothelial barrier and the role of the SSsensing calcium channel Piezo1 in
mediating shear-dependent changes. Electrical cell substrate impedance sensor (ECIS) was
used to determine barrier function of cultured human cardiac microvascular endothelial cell
(HCMEC) monolayers, with transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) as an index of barrier
integrity. SS was stepped from either 0 or 1 dynes/cm2 to 10 dynes/cm2 and time-lapse
microscopic images of HCMEC monolayers were obtained. The local lamellipodia/100 micron
of junctional distance over time, before and after step increases in SS, was quantified. The
Piezo1 inhibitor, GSMTx4 (1.24mM) was applied for 30 min under no-flow conditions prior to
testing step increases in SS. GSMTx4 caused a decrease in TER within the first few minutes.
Results show that step increases in SS increase TER and correlates with an increase in local
lamellipodia. Step increases in SS applied after GSMTx4 increased TER but not to the extent
observed prior to GSMTx4 treatment. The data suggest that Piezo1 has a role in maintaining
basal barrier function of ECs and shows that rapid changes in fluid SS elicit a quick rise in local
lamellipodia protrusion from ECs, that appear to tighten junctions between cultured ECs.
However, ECs can still enhance their barrier function when Piezo1 is blocked. Future studies will
identify mechanisms that promote local lamellipodia as a potential therapeutic target.
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The Progression of Surgical Tools *CREATTE Project
Alana Stillion
European sciences flourished during the Renaissance in part due to the medical advancements
made during the Islamic Golden Age. One of the most famous medical texts published during
that period was written by Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi, also known in the West as Abulcasis. This
text was called Al-Tasrif, or “The Method of Medicine.” This 30 volume text contains many
surgical methods as well as tools invented by al-Zahrawi himself. He invented over 200 different
surgical instruments and some are still used today! This includes anything from a simple tongue
compressor to forceps used during child birth. This presentation examines multiple ways the
surgical findings recorded in Al-Tasrif affected the medical practices of Medieval Europe. AlTasrif, along with multiple other texts published during Islamic Golden Age, played a huge role
in the shift of the way the medieval world viewed medicine. Medicine, a field that had been
dominated by religious figures, shifted toward Islamic scholars, which led to the advances in
medicine. Notable scholars, such as al-Zahrawi, were capable of gathering information from
across the Muslim world and beyond, and incorporating it with their own observations and
techniques. Such texts helped to provide Europe the intellectual boost into the Renaissance,
while also building the basis of modern medicine.
Using a proliferation saturation Index to predict the response to radiation in cancer
patients and provide personalized radiotherapy
Enakshi Sunassee
Mentor(s): Heiko Enderling
Background: The response to radiation differs in cancer patients. However, in current practice
radiation dose is prescribed solely based on the primary site of the tumor, tumor volume and
tumor stage. In previous studies it has been shown that tumor response to radiation may be
dependent on a patient specific proliferation saturation index, PSI, which can be calculated
from a simple mathematical model and two routinely taken radiological scans. Goal: The aim of
this research is to identify the distribution of PSI in Head and Neck cancer patients, with the
ultimate aim to analyze feasibility of personalized radiotherapy. It is postulated that tumor
growth follows Gompertz growth dynamics and that the rate of growth of a tumor depends on
its initial volume and the host-imposed tumor carrying capacity. Methods: The PSI value—the
ratio of tumor volume to carrying capacity—is calculated based on changes in tumor volumes
after specific time intervals. The Gompertz growth rate is a pre- determined constant across the
patient cohort, and tumor carrying capacity is assumed to be patient specific. Findings: We
found that PSI varies significantly between Head and Neck cancer patients. Patients with lower
and higher PSI might benefit from different radiation protocols than standard of care.
Conclusions: Our study suggests that administering determined radiation doses to patients
based on their specific PSI value might be beneficial. Research on personalized radiotherapy
fractionation is likely to improve outcomes for Head and Neck cancer patients
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Synthesis of Pentamidine Analogs as Potential Treatments of Leishmaniasis
Ronald Swonger
Mentor(s): James Leahy, Andrea Lemus
Program: Chemistry
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and is
transmitted by the bite of an infected sandfly. There are about twelve million people infected
with roughly two million new cases each year. Most of these occur in less developed countries
around the world. Nearly 350 million people live in areas where the disease is prevalent.
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease and better treatments are needed because current
treatments are toxic and expensive. There are three types of leishmaniasis: cutaneous, visceral,
and mucocutaneous. Visceral leishmaniasis is the deadliest type. Possible symptoms of visceral
leishmaniasis include: skin ulcers, fever, anemia, weight loss, and organ enlargement. Risk
factors include poverty, malnutrition, and lack of sanitation. One treatment of leishmaniasis is
Amphotericin B, however this treatment requires hospitalization and is expensive. Another
treatment is the use of pentavalent antimony compounds, but these are also toxic and there are
resistant strains. Pentamidine is another drug used in certain cases of leishmaniasis. The
mechanism of action of pentamidine is currently unknown, although it has toxic effects of its
own. In this lab, we have worked on synthesizing compounds using pentamidine as the
framework for new analogs. Pentamidine contains a simple structure and we hope to make
analogs quickly and efficiently. It is our hope that these compounds can show improved activity
and better pharmacokinetic properties compared to pentamidine.
The role of Atp8b1 in Hyperoxia Induced Lung Epithelial Cell Injury
Lee Tan
Mentor(s): Jutaro Fukumoto
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease of unknown
etiology. It is known that oxidative stress and continually damaged lung epithelial cells play a
critical role in IPF pathophysiology. ATP8b1 is a transporter protein localized to the apical
membrane of lung epithelial cells and known to play a vital role in protecting against bacterial
pneumonia-induced lung injury. Our in vivo studies show that ATP8b1 deficiency not only
causes acceleration of hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (ALI), but also resutls in aberrant
fibrotic reactions in the lung during the recovery phase after hyperoxia. These data suggest that
loss-of-function in ATP8b1 gene compromises protection against and/or recovery from
oxidative stress-induced lung epithelial injury, thereby leading to enhanced fibrotic reactions.
The main purpose of this study is to focus on the acute-phase reaction of lung epithelial cells to
hyperoxic insult in order to evaluate the role of Atp8b1 in oxidative stress-induced lung
epithelial damage with a special attention to apoptosis, epithelial property, and lipid
peroxidation.
Effects of novel histone deactylase 6 inhibitor drugs on levels of acetylated tubulin
Joaquin Torello
Introduction Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mostly affects the elderly population and is commonly
associated with the mental symptoms of dementia. A hallmark of AD is hyperphosphorylation of
the tau protein. The tau protein normally, aids in stabilizing microtubules, but this
hyperphosphorylation, causes microtubule destabilization, formation of abnormal structures
called neurofibrillary tangles to form in the brain and ultimately leads to the pathology of the
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disease. Histone deacetylase enzymes (HDACs) are a group of enzymes that deacetylate
histones. Specifically, HDAC6 has binding sites other than histones, one of which is the protein
tubulin. The use of HDAC6 inhibitor drugs will inhibit the enzyme and increase acetylation of
tubulin, which is found to stabilize microtubules. Inhibition of HDAC6 is a possible therapeutic
approach to decrease the tau pathology in the brain by decreasing the amount of
hyperphosphorylation that occurs. Methods We treated non-transgenic mice with various
HDAC6 inhibitor drugs synthesized from Dr. Kosikowski’s lab in Chicago to determine if any of
them effectively enhance acetylation of tubulin in vivo. Western blot analysis was done to
identify the levels of acetylated tubulin and total tubulin in the brain tissue compared to control
samples. Results Some, but not all, compounds successfully increased levels of acetylated
tubulin. Conclusions Some HDAC6 inhibitors may be useful treatments to restore microtubule
stability. The chemical structure(s) of effective compounds may inform synthesis of more potent
compounds in the future.
Developmental Exposure to Bisphenol A Induces Adult-Onset Obesity in C. elegans
Cedric Torres
Mentor(s): Caralina Marin de Evsikova
Obesogens are environmental agents to which pregnant mothers are exposed and can cause
their offspring to develop obesity in adulthood by altering lipid metabolism and promoting fat
storage. Researchers have identified Bisphenol A (BPA), found in many commercial and
household products, including food and drink containers and can liners, as an obesogen, but
have yet to study a long-term low dose-response during the prenatal period. C. elegans is a
nematode worm that stores fat as triglycerides and is used as a model organism to study various
physiological processes that also occur in humans. To study the effects of varying
concentrations of BPA (0µM, 0.01µM, 0.1µM, 1.0µM, 10µM, 100µM) on fat storage after prenatal
exposure to BPA for 57 hours, worms were stained with Oil Red-O dye and the mean area of
triglyceride staining was measured. The highest BPA concentration increased the mean area of
triglyceride staining by approximately 10% (from 57.4% ±1.6, control to 63.4% ±1.5, 100 µM).
Results of a pharyngeal pumping assay, measuring energy intake, and a body thrashing assay,
measuring energy expenditure, were collected blind and are being analyzed to determine if the
increase in the mean area of triglyceride staining by the highest concentration of BPA is due to
changes in energy balance. This study examines the dose-response effect of subtle prenatal
BPA exposure and provides data to help implement a tolerable exposure range. It will stimulate
the discussion of how BPA use may be limited or replaced in products to which pregnant
mothers are exposed.
Understanding the Role of Arginase on Tau Expression in TetO MAPT P301L Mice
Shannon Varughese
Mentor(s): Daniel Lee, Leslie Sandusky
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neurofibrillary
tangles and plaques in the brain. One of the leading causes of plaques and tangles is the
hyperphosphorylation of tau, which is associated with cognitive impairment. Our lab has
recently shown that arginase1 overexpression has the ability to reduce phosphorylated tau and
neurofibrillary tangles in rTg4510 and PS19 tau transgenic mice. Based on these data, we
utilized the transgenic P301L mouse model to examine a potential therapeutic gene of interest,
arginase1, in an animal model of tauopathy. The model used in this study is unique, in that the
administration of the viral-mediated gene therapy (adeno-associated virus serotype 9; AAV9)
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not only activates the mouse model (under a tetracycline activator protein (tTa) promoter), but
also the treatments associated with it. In doing so, we were able to effectively deliver treatments
to regions that are concurrently expressing tau neuropathology. The design of this study
involves six different groups: (1) non-transgenic given AAV9-tTA-Empty Capsid, (2) nontransgenic given AAV9-tTA-GFP, (3) non-transgenic given AAV9-tTA-ARG, (4) Tau P301L mice
given AAV9-tTA-Empty Capsid, (5) Tau P301L given AAV9-tTA-GFP, and (6) Tau P301L given
AAV9-tTA-ARG. All mice were injected bilaterally in the hippocampus and allowed to incubate
for a period of 14-weeks before tissue collection. This study examined whether arginase1
overexpression was able to prevent the accumulation of neuropathology in an animal model of
tauopathy using western blot. These data identify arginase1 as a potential therapeutic for the
treatment of tauopathy.
Ephedra in Traditional Chinese Medicine *Project Withdrawn*
William Barrineau
“Ma huang”, or ephedra, is a medicine prepared from the ephedra sinica plant and has been
commonly used in both tradition Chinese medicine and as a modern performance-enhancing
drug. It contains the drug ephedrine, which is known to increase blood pressure, brain activity,
heart rate, and expanded breathing. The aim of this comparative analysis is to outline the
effects of the plant, while comparing its uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and
modern medicine. This was accomplished by reviewing sources within the TCM community,
historical sources, and research studies on the effects of the plant. It was found that in
Traditional Chinese Medicine, ephedra is used as a remedy for common ailments, and in the
West, it is used a weight loss supplement and stimulant. Very few studies have been performed
to analyze the effects of ephedra, and none were conclusive, so it is yet to be discovered
whether it is an effective remedy or weight loss supplement. The purpose of this analysis was to
reveal the lack of studies that have been performed to verify the plant’s effectiveness. Ephedra
could be an effective medication or fitness supplement, but without proper research, neither
can be confirmed
Characterization of Circadian Rhythm Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Tauopathy
Amara Yunus
Mentor(s): Joshua Gamsby, Danielle Gulick
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), are often associated with a
circadian rhythm disruption. The circadian rhythm is characterized by its endogenous free
running period which is maintained in the absence of external cues, as well as its ability to be
reset by these cues. One putative mechanism for AD is tauopathy, which is the formation of
neurofibrillary tangles due to the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein as time
progresses. In this circadian study, TG4510 mice, a mouse model of tauopathy, were individually
housed in circadian chambers with activity wheels that measure the sleep and wake cycles of
the mice. Tissue was collected from these mice to analyze protein levels of clock-specific
proteins through immunoblotting. Preliminary results indicate that transgenic mice exhibit a
longer free running period than non-transgenic mice, which indicates a broken circadian clock.
Additionally, the disruption of the circadian clock is observed at the molecular level through
differences in the clock-specific period protein seen through immunoblotting. Therefore, we
propose that there is a disruption in the circadian clock at both the molecular and physiological
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levels associated with the tau hypothesis of Alzheimer’s Disease. We intend to further this study
in vitro through cell culture studies.
Tau depletion prevents progressive blood-brain barrier damage in a mouse model of
tauopathy
Frank Zamudio
Mentor(s): Chad Dickey, Laura Blair
Normal aging leads to blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown that begins in the hippocampus, a
region critical for learning and memory, and this process is accelerated in individuals with mild
cognitive impairments and Alzheimer’s disease. Most evidence suggests that BBB damage is
driven primarily by accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) around the vasculature, but BBB damage
has also been observed in tauopathies that lack Aβ. Therefore, we sought to determine the role
of tau in BBB damage. This was accomplished through histological examination of rTg4510
mouse brains which overexpress human tau with the P301L mutation. Prior to sacrifice, mice
were intracardially injected with Evans blue (EB), a dye that is excluded by the intact BBB. We
observed marked progressive BBB dysfunction in the brains of rTg4510 mice as evidenced by
EB extravasation, which was accompanied by increased glial activation and blood component
infiltration. This extravasation was found to be significant by 9-months of age and worsened by
12-months. These pathologies were significantly less in younger rTg4510 and age-matched
wild-type mice. Perivascular tau was also found along longitudinal hippocampal blood vessels in
aging rTg4510, but not in wild-type littermates, further supporting the role of tau in BBB
damage. Nevertheless, the integrity of the BBB can be recovered once tau levels are reduced,
as demonstrated through the exploitation of the tet-regulatability of the rTg4510 model. When
we suppressed tau through doxycycline administration for 1 month, we found that BBB integrity
was maintained. This is the first work to show that tau alone can initiate BBB breakdown and
also suggests that late-stage interventions at targeting tau could help maintain BBB integrity
and reduce the vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia.
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Natural Sciences
Investigation of the Function and Regulation of BMI1-UBAP2L Proteins in cellular DNA
Damage Response and Cell Growth
Maha Ahmad, Walid Mougharbel
Mentor(s): Younghoon Kee
Background: Genome integrity is constantly threatened by various forms of genotoxic stress,
including radiation or endogenous metabolic products. Cells must respond rapidly and
specifically to DNA damage lesions by activating DNA damage response (DDR) pathways.
Polycomb-group (PcG) proteins are chromatin-associated transcriptional repressors. BMI1, one
of the key components of the Polycomb complex, is a critical regulator of gene silencing during
organism development and stem cell maintenance. Importantly, BMI1 overexpression is
frequently associated with cancer formation, suggesting that BMI1 has oncogenic properties.
BMI1 is also known to participate in DDR, but the exact mechanistic role and regulation of BMI1
in the process is unclear. Understanding the BMI1 function and regulation will provide insight
on how cancer formation is driven by BMI1 and/or Polycomb proteins. Aim/Goal: Based on our
preliminary identification of a protein called Ubiquitin Associated Protein 2-Like (UBAP2L) as a
binding factor of BMI1, we aim to better understand the function of BMI1 by characterizing its
interaction with UBAP2L. We hypothesize that UBAP2L is a novel effector of DDR, and that
UBAP2L regulates the oncogenic capacity of BMI1. Results: Through the use of
immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis, we found that BMI1 interacts with
UBAP2L. We have cloned UBAP2L into a mammalian expressing vector, and further confirmed
that BMI1 co-precipitates with FLAG-tagged UBAP2L. We show that depleting UBAP2L
expression using RNA interference approach significantly diminished the growth potential of
BMI1 expressing pancreatic cancer cells. We further show that depleting BMI1 or UBAP2L
similarly diminished the DNA repair capacity in a cell based reporter assay. Conclusions: Our
results suggest that UBAP2L is a binding protein of BMI1, and that it may have a role in BMI1
mediated oncogenesis. Our observation of UBAP2L depletion diminishes the drug resistance of
BMI1 expressing cells is consistent with the results showing that UBAP2L depletion reduces
DNA repair activity. Further understanding of the mechanistic action of UBAP2L in regulation of
BMI1 will give us insight on how BMI1 is regulated in cells. Interestingly, UBAP2L is shown to be
amplified in a subset of cancer cells, suggesting that it also has an oncogenic property.
Currently, the function of UBAP2L is not understood, however, UBAP2L is predicted to be
phosphorylated by ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a master kinase in DDR. In conclusion,
we propose that UBAP2L is a novel regulator of BMI1 in DNA damage response.
The Effects of Arginase 1 Overexpression in the Hippocampus of Wild-type Mice
Abdulah Barakat
Mentor(s): Daniel Lee
Arginase 1 (Arg1) is one of several enzymes capable of metabolizing the amino acid L-arginine
and subsequently promotes the polyamine pathway. Arginase 1 converts L-arginine into Lornithine and urea. Ornithine then can be further metabolized to polyamines including
putrescine, spermidine and spermine. Polyamines are critical molecular molecules necessary for
proper cell function. They can influence neurotransmission and also contribute to axonal
microtubule assembly. Our lab and many other labs have shown that dysregulation of arginine
metabolism and altered levels of polyamines are observed in Alzheimer’s disease brains and
animal models that harbor Alzheimer’s-like pathology. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a
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neurodegenerative disease, hallmarked by severe cognitive impairment, which affects millions
of people across the globe. Although this disease was first diagnosed about 100 years ago,
there is currently no cure for it. To determine how overexpression of arginase 1 impacts the
brain milieu, wild-type mice were injected with an adeno-associated viral construct of either
green fluorescent protein (GFP) (AAV9-GFP), arginase 1 (AAV9-Arg1), or arginase 1 mutant, that
lacks enzyme activity, (H141A) (AAV9-ArgM) and all were allowed to express for four months.
After 4 months, brains were harvested and the hippocampus was dissected out. The
hippocampal tissue from the AAV9-GFP group and the AAV9-Arg1 was subjected to Qiagen’s
PCR Array kit for the amino acid metabolism. Real time PCR was performed for all three groups
to confirm specific gene transcripts. Several analyses were also performed including heat map,
scatter plots, and cluster analysis for the GFP group compared to mice treated with Arg1.
Petrological and Geochemical Analysis of the Challis Formation Volcanic Suite (Idaho)
Nicholas Bordieri
Mentor(s): Aurelie Germa
Program: Geology
The Challis Formation is a suite of volcanic deposits in the Copper Basin near Mackay, Idaho.
This geologic feature is mapped by USGS as a single deposit; however, during a field
examination in August 2015 variation within the formation was seen, with at least four different
units. The volcanic deposits found in the Challis Formation are of varying chemical and physical
composition, then they may have the same magma source but with different times of
emplacement. A petrological and chemical analysis of four samples was conducted. The
samples were mapped and classified first in the field based on appearance and stratigraphic
sequence. In the laboratory a closer analysis was made using petrographic microscopy and
geochemistry at the USF School of Geosciences. This investigation corroborates the hypothesis
that the samples derive from a single magma source which chemical differentiation over time.
One sample; however, it is not in stratigraphic order with the rest of the samples and is believed
to be from a secondary source. This region of Idaho has a recent history of volcanic activity
within the Snake River Plain and Yellowstone hot spot to the east. This recent activity makes my
study important for volcanic hazard assessment because of its close proximity to the Idaho
National Laboratory, a nuclear testing and waste storage facility. Advanced understanding of
the area will result in better assessment and higher safety for people living there. Future
research should use geochronology techniques to date the samples for a better timeline.
Fukushima's Effect on Global Energy Security
Abigail Bridges
Mentor(s): Nicole Hutton
Program: Environmental Science and Policy
After the March 11th, 2011 nuclear disaster at Fukushima, Japan, uncertainty about the safety
and reliability of nuclear power increased worldwide. As a result, Japan has abandoned plans
for nuclear power expansion and is now relying more heavily on Liquefied Natural Gas to fill the
gap in energy production. As other countries with high energy demands reduce nuclear power
reliance to address public safety concerns, fossil fuel emissions will increase and there will be
global implications for climate change outcomes. The objective of this research is to
demonstrate how shifts in public perception of nuclear power have altered energy futures.
Through policy analysis, trends in the public perception of nuclear power and national
investments in energy production projects are compared from before and after the Fukushima
nuclear meltdown. Results indicate that developed countries have not uniformly responded to
the concerns with nuclear power that emerged since 2011. These findings contribute to
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technical hazard literature by identifying the impact of risk perception on energy planning in
multi-hazard environments. Future research is needed to connect shifts in energy reliance to
long-term global green-house gas emissions.
A Combinatorial Approach for the Development of Novel Lipoprotein Agents to Treat
Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections
Bridget Budny
Mentor(s): Lindsey Shaw, Jessie Adams
Program: Integrative Biology
Antimicrobial drug resistance has been a significant concern in modern healthcare for decades.
A major cause of this problem is the ESKAPE pathogens, which cause the majority of antibioticresistant infections in this country. Bacterial insensitivity to existing therapeutics means we have
limited agents left to combat infections caused by these dangerous organisms, prompting the
need to find new treatment options. In this work we take a combinatorial approach to drug
discovery, focusing on synthetic derivatives of natural lipoproteins belonging to the
fusaricidin/LI-F family of antimicrobials. Initially, we examined the most active backbone
structure different Staphylococcal species. In so doing we determined that analogs with a
simpler, lipidic tail and with amide substitutions were significantly more potent than parent
depsipeptides. A positional-scanning approach was then used to identify amino acid-residues
that drove antimicrobial activity, followed by solid-phase peptide synthesis and standard Fmocchemistry, building combinatorial libraries of manipulated peptides. These libraries were
assessed for activity not only against MRSA, but also against the other ESKAPE pathogens, to
identify which residues have the greatest impact on bacterial viability. Through these works we
discovered cyclic lipopeptides that have broad-spectrum activity, driven largely by five key
amino acids with either basic or nonpolar properties. Collectively, we have made significant
progress in deriving effective antimicrobial agents within the fusaricidin lipoproteins by
narrowing in on structures that most efficiently eradicate resistant bacteria Through further
analyses we will connect specific amino acid location to activity, enhancing the utility of these
molecules as future therapeutics
Synthesis and antibacterial activities of sulfenylated benzylpenicillin against Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Holly Chery
Mentor(s): Edward Turos, Daniel Utic
Program: Biochemistry
Increasing the bioactivity of benzylpenicillin against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) would have tremendous impact on treatment for patient that was infected by
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A potential approach is the modification of
the secondary amide in benzylpenicillin that would amplify the bioactivity of benzylpenicillin
.The acetylated benzylpenicillin as predicted was found to have no bioactivity in comparison to
the non-modified Benzylpenicillin against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
The research goal is to sulfenylate Benzylpenicillin in order to increase its bioactivity against
MRSA .Sulfenylation is a chemical reaction that involves the introduction of a sulfur group to a
molecule. The method to achieve this precedent was the acidification of the salt of Benzyl
penicillin followed by an extraction with dichloromethane. The organic layer was concentrated
using a rotary evaporator. Once the acid-free Benzylpenicillin was obtained a protection group
was added to the carboxylic acid in Benzylpenicillin. The next step involve the deprotonation of
the secondary amide using a base. The last reaction is the sulfenylation of Benzylpenicillin
followed by a wash and an extraction to obtain the final product. The crude product was
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obtained and the purification process is still in progress. The sulfenylated benzylpenicillin will be
investigated further in order to determine its bioactivity against MRSA. Since modifying the
secondary amide in benzylpenicillin have such drastic effect on its bioactivity, we suggest that
further research on this site may lead to the discovery of potent antibacterial against Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Optimizing Methods for Extracting Proteins from Molluscan Shells
Victor Cimino
Mentor(s): Kaydee West
Program: Geology
Mollusk shells contain proteins that can remain preserved for millions of years and record
information about an organism's diet and nutrient sources. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes
in proteins record information regarding relative position within the food web, making it
possible to study past ecosystems. However, shell proteins make up only a small percentage of
the shell by weight, and as the shells age, the abundances of proteins are even further
depleted. To optimize methods for extracting proteins, we demineralized a total of sixty
crushed-shell powder samples using six different techniques, each with a unique acid
concentration and speed of reaction. Next, we compared organic yield across treatment groups
to determine which technique may be most useful in fossil applications. Investigating how food
webs have changed through time could allow for a better understanding of the extent of human
influence on ecosystems. The purpose of this experiment is to refine a method that can be
applied in the future to study changes in food webs and ecosystems over the last few million
years.
The effect of water quality on the growth of the microalgae Picochlorum and Chlorella
Jeffrey Cox
Mentor(s): Ioannis Dogaris
Program: Environmental Science and Policy
As global society comes to grips with the environmental consequences from the use of fossil
fuels it is imperative for cleaner and renewable energy sources to be developed. Biofuels from
algae have the potential to replace fossil transportation fuels. To make the algae technology
sustainable and cost effective, the amount and cost of water and nutrients employed need to be
reduced by using appropriate wastewater sources. In the present study, the effect of water
quality on the growth of the microalgae Picochlorum oculatum and Chlorella vulgaris was
assessed, in an effort to utilize low-quality water sources such as landfill leachate and
aquaculture effluent water for sustainable production of algal biofuels. Both species were grown
indoors in flask cultures in controlled conditions using sterile and unsterile media prepared from
the selected wastewater sources, and their growth (optical density-OD, and cell concentration)
was regularly monitored. Both species were able to grow adequately in all water sources tested.
P. oculatum grew up to an OD of 7 and 5.5x107 cells/mL in sterile aquaculture wastewater, with
sterility affecting its growth by 1.0x107 cells/mL. C. vulgaris cultures reached an OD of 3.5 and
cell concentration of 4.6x107 cells/mL when grown in landfill leachate and were more susceptible
to unsterile media. Demonstrating the ability to grow microalgae in landfill leachate and
aquaculture wastewater sources is important for the sustainability and cost-efficiency of large
scale algae cultivations, and can lead to new synergies between aquaculture and algae cultures
for recycling water and nutrients.
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Hospital Hole Ecosystem Analysis
Madison Davis
Mentor(s): James Garey
Florida is rich in underground karst systems. Karst systems are created by the dissolution of
soluble rocks, often by water from underground springs. Hospital Hole resulted from a karst
cavern collapsing in upon itself and causing a natural sinkhole in about 3 feet of water. Hospital
hole is about 47.5 m in diameter and 42.5 m deep. A cloud-like layer forms at a depth of 21.3 m
down where an interface is caused by the mixing of the upper freshwater layer and salt water
derived from the lower portion of the upper Floridian Aquifer. This interface is a chemocline
which results in two separate environments: a light, oxygen rich top layer and a dark, oxygen
deprived lower layer. Nutrients cycle as the oxic and anoxic layers mix in the chemocline. A
year-long study has been started with samples taken at 3 month intervals. Samples are taken
from the oxic layer above the chemocline, in the mixed chemocline layer, and below the
chemocline from the anoxic layer. Water chemistry is performed to provide information about
the geochemical cycling and to determine the limiting nutrient within this sinkhole system. DNA
is extracted from the water samples and qPCR is run in order to quantify the archaeal, bacterial,
and eukaryotic communities based on known genes. This is a preliminary study of the Hospital
Hole sinkhole ecosystem. Results from the first sampling suggest that phosphate is the limiting
nutrient in this system and that there are significant differences above and below the
chemocline.
Effect of Gd doping on high-frequency GMI properties of melt-extracted Co-rich
mircowires
Anthony Galati
Mentor(s): Phan Manh-Huong
Program: Physics
The giant-magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect has been a popular research topic in recent years for
applications in magnetic field sensing. We report an overall increase in the high-frequency
magneto-impedance response of melt-extracted Co-rich amorphous microwires by doping with
Gd. We explored the GMI effects of 1, 2, and 3% doped microwires with the following
compositions: (Co65.25Fe4.25Si13B13.5)100-xGdx (x = 0, 1, 2, and 3). The magnetic field dependence of
the impedance of the microwires was measured using an impedance analyzer over a frequency
range of 20-500 MHz. We have found that the largest increase in the GMI ratio is evident in the
1% doped sample with a value of 600% at a working frequency of 80 MHz showing an increase
of about 100% compared to the undoped sample. Furthermore, a magnetic field sensitivity of
400 %/Oe at 60 MHz was achieved in the 2% doped sample showing an overall increase of
about 150 %/Oe compared to the undoped sample in the lower frequency range (20-100 MHz).
Additionally, an increase of about 100 %/Oe was found in the 1% doped sample in the higher
frequency range (100-400 MHz) as compared to the undoped sample. These results are
promising for low-field sensing applications, and along with further treatments such as dc joule
annealing, Gd doping could prove an effective method for significantly increasing the field
sensitivity of magnetic microsensors based on our findings.
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Drug Repurposing for Alzheimer’s Disease using Virtual Target Screening
Christine Gambino
Mentor(s): Wayne Guida
Program: Chemistry
Currently drug discovery is at the forefront of scientific research. Computer software can be
utilized to mimic molecular interactions with specific targets. Virtual Target Screening (VTS), a
novel approach, is being employed to investigate the interactions of a drug candidate with a
pool of proteins to ascertain interactions other than its original target protein. The drug
candidate is docked, scored and evaluated against each protein in the collection and then
compared to the scores of similar molecules that were previously docked and scored against
each protein. A score better than the top 5% of drug-like molecules is considered an important
interaction and worthy of further consideration. VTS can reduce the cost and effort of
experimental testing, while demonstrating to investigators why a specific drug candidate might
have adverse side effects that could reduce or prevent use of the drug candidate as intended.
The main focus of this project will be to ascertain protein targets and recognized drugs
important in Alzheimer’s disease so that the VTS system can be applicable for Alzheimer’s
disease research. Proteins such as butyrylcholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase and the NMDA
receptors will be added to the VTS collection and evaluated with known drugs used to treat
Alzheimer’s. Our future plans include developing VTS for web-based access by the worldwide
research community.
Systemized Screening of Marine Macroorganisms for Widespread Drug Discovery
Cynthia Grim, Patrick Walther
Mentor(s): Andrew Shilling
Program: Chemical Engineering; Biomedical Sciences
The marine environment supports a wide variety of ecosystems with tremendous biodiversity.
Many marine organisms are known to produce metabolites possessing pharmacologically
relevant properties, referred to as natural products. Nearly 50% of all new drug entities between
2000 and 2010 are from Biological sources or are derivatives of natural products. During the
course of this investigation over 320 marine invertebrate organisms were extracted in the lab by
both polar and nonpolar solvent mixtures to generate crude extracts. Aliquots of both polar and
non-polar crude extracts were prepared in DMSO and sent off to a multitude of bioassays to
determine activity against various disease targets. Currently, the samples extracted have been
submitted to ESKAPE pathogen, Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoebae, lymphatic philariasis, and
cancer cell targeted bioassays. The bulk weight of all extracts are kept in a library for future
fractionation and further testing, opening the doors for long term drug discovery.
Identification of DNA mutations responsible for wing development and eye pigmentation
defects in D. melanogaster
Amber Hodge, Luis Tanon
Mentor(s): Beth Jones-Mason
Program: Cell and Molecular Biology; Biomedical Sciences
Drosophila melanogaster offers a model system to study developmental and biochemical
pathways. Analysis of mutant fly phenotypes has led to the identification of many genes
involved in these pathways. Here we are sequencing genes known to function in wing
development and eye pigmentation to determine the mutant alleles present in the population.
Genomic DNA was harvested from fly populations that carry homozygous recessive mutations
for the following genes: apterous, vestigial, sepia, and white, as well as wildtype control (all
obtained from Carolina Biological). Primers were designed to amplify and sequence regions of
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interest within these gene loci. These regions include both regulatory regions important for
proper expression of the gene and coding regions encoding for the translated protein
products. We anticipate to find previously characterized mutations as well as novel ones. The
location and type of mutations identified will suggest if the mutant phenotypes observed are a
result of a defect in gene expression or a defect in protein formation and function. Not only will
this work to serve to better understand regulation and function of these genes at a molecular
level but the project is also being developed to integrate research into laboratory curriculum.
Enhancement of Organic II laboratories by the introduction of hands-on NMR
spectroscopy (CHM 2211L)
Giselle Irio
Mentor(s): Edwin Rivera
Program: Biomedical Sciences/Public Health
Undergraduate students have only been able to theoretically assess Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance (NMR) spectra in the classroom until Fall 2015. With a matching-funds grant from
College of Arts an Sciences and the Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry II laboratories
were equipped with three 60 MHz NMR spectrometers for student use. Because of the
upgrades provided by the grant, students are now able to practice hands-on NMR with data
collection in order to analyze and confirm their own synthetic reaction products. Student will be
able to appropriately assess their lab work, and develop valuable skills, such as NMR software
and NMR technology, that they can use in the scientific field. NMR is one of the most widely
used characterization tools in Science. Extending these resources to the undergraduate
curriculum will better prepare them for the job market, and enhance their success in future
STEM endeavors. In addition, the NMR spectra from the students have helped us enhance the
curriculum by evaluating reoccurring discrepancies among lab groups.
Did an interaction between temperature and disease cause widespread extinctions in
Atelopus spp.?
Tara James
Mentor(s): Jeremy Cohen
Program: Integrative Biology
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a fungal pathogen associated with hundreds of
amphibian extinctions in the last 50 years. During that time, no group of amphibians has been
hit harder than Atelopus spp., a genus of tropical, high-elevation Latin American frogs that has
lost at least 66 species. Several high-profile papers have demonstrated correlative links between
climate and Bd outbreaks linked to Atelopus spp. extinctions. However, they have disagreed
over which climate factors are associated with the extinctions, with various authors suggesting
links between extinctions and high temperatures, variable temperatures, cloud cover, or no
climatic link at all. Yet, experiments that can disentangle the relationship between climate and
extinctions are lacking. Here, we exposed A. zeteki, or Panamanian golden frogs, to Bd across a
range of temperatures (14, 18, 22, 26 and 28°C), maintaining them in replicated temperaturecontrolled Styrofoam incubators over four weeks. Simultaneously, we grew Bd in culture at each
temperature and in the same incubators. We found a positive linear relationship between
temperature and frog mortality, even though Bd growth in culture peaked at room temperature
and crashed at high temperatures. Although Bd grows best in culture at cool to moderate
temperatures, Atelopus spp. are cold-tolerant, high-elevation host species that may be more
vulnerable to infection at higher temperatures. Our results suggest that an interaction between
high temperatures and Bd exposure may have caused a widespread extinction event in
Atelopus spp.
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AAV-driven model of tauopathy promotes neurodegeneration with age in non-transgenic
mice
Anjanet Loon
Mentor(s): Maj Linda Selenica
Neurofibrillary structures in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are composed of a mixture of pathological
tau including; hyperphosphorylated, acetylated and caspase cleaved tau species. C-terminal
caspase cleavage of tau has been shown to be closely associated with the conformational
changes of tau observed in AD. We have successfully developed a mouse model utilizing the
transduction of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 tau (AAV9-tau) vector, which allows for the
enhanced expression and propagation of isoforms of tau protein over time. In this model, 8 and
16 month old mice were injected with empty capsid, full length tau (FL-tau) and C-terminal
truncated tau (C-tau). We have previously demonstrated exacerbated FL- and C-tau
accumulation and phosphorylation with age in mice independent of tau species. In this study,
we sought to investigate in depth the effects of the FL- and C-tau on neurodegeneration in
aged wild type mice. As a result we observed regionally specific degeneration following FL- and
C-tau expression, which was enhanced with age. The results highlight significant reductions in
neuronal cell body density in the cortical layers, entorhinal cortex, subiculum and and
hippocampus. Such information is supportive of a causal relationship between C-tau and
behavior decline followed by neurodegeneration in these mice, though such mechanisms are
still unknown.
Can variation in floral morphology predict Andean hummingbird community composition?
Bryan MacNeill
Mentor(s): Marc Lajeunesse
Previous comparative analyses on the congruence between flower and hummingbird-beak
morphology implicate strong plant-pollinator coevolution. In this study, multivariate measures
of flower morphology from 14 plant species endemic to the Peruvian Andes were compared
with existing beak morphology data of 16 species of sympatric hummingbirds. The goals were
to first predict hummingbird pollinator communities using within- and between-species
variation in flower morphology, and then compare these predictions to published records of
nectar-retrieval among hummingbird species. We found considerable variation in the matching
of floral and bill morphology, that some hummingbirds were capable of in-nectar retrieval of
many plant species (generalists) and that others were only capable of pollinating few
(specialists), but also that the predicted composition of these matches were similar to published
records. These findings suggest that variation in flower morphology within and among
hummingbird-pollinated species may be useful to understand the phylogeography of
hummingbirds and provide insight on of how the Andean uplift lead to their rapid
diversification.
Unlocking Cryptic Metabolic Pathways in Actinobacteria via Epigenetic Modification
Haider Manzer
Mentor(s): Lindsey Shaw
The drastic rise of bacterial resistance is threatening modern medicine and human health,
presenting the prospect of a post-antibiotic era in which mankind will be left defenseless
against microbes that have been moderated for more than half a century. In order to combat
increasing resistance, it is essential to create new drugs that can inhibit the growth of multi-drug
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resistant pathogens. Since many current antibiotics have originated from soil dwelling microbes,
there is a firm belief that a plethora of secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways may still
remain undiscovered. Amongst these soil bacteria, the phylum of Actinobacteria has served as
the major producer of antibacterial compounds. As such, our group has explored soil samples
from all over the United States, using methods specific for the cultivation of these important
microorganisms. In order to access putatively undiscovered chemistry within these species, we
have established epigenetic modification methods, which allows for the uninhibited production
of secondary metabolites. In this work we have tested a wealth of crude epigenetically
manipulated extracts, identifying a number that are effective against the ESKAPE pathogens, a
group of highly resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Using a combination of
characterized and uncharacterized Actinobacteria species we have identified samples that are
active against a broad spectrum of pathogens, with some at very low concentrations. Our work
represents a unique approach to an important problem, and demonstrates the utility of this
approach in developing potential drugs that may open the door to new and unexplored classes
of antibiotics.
Lateral and vertical components of leaf litter inputs to mesic flatwood and floodplain
swamp ecosystems on a subtropical topo-sequence
Kirsti Martinez
Mentor(s): David Lewis, Mark Hafen
Program: Environmental Biology/ Environmental Science and Policy
Leaf litter is an important input factor to soils in forest ecosystems, but lateral flux of this input is
still not well understood. Few studies have been completed to measure terrestrial lateral flux of
leaf litter across subtropical ecosystem types and how lateral inputs affect leaf litter
composition. This six month observational experiment measured total biomass of litter lateral
input and vertical input, along with species abundance composition, in two central Florida
ecosystems: cypress floodplain swamp and pine mesic flatwood. I set up two litter traps for each
of ten plots, with five plots in each ecosystem type. Pan traps (P) measured vertical and
windblown leaf fall, while adjacent drift fences (F) measured vertical input in addition to lateral
input. Samples were collected every two to four weeks. I hypothesized that (1) lateral inputs
significantly increase total biomass of leaf litter, and (2), that lateral inputs change litter
composition. Results supported the first hypothesis, as lateral input rates were 44% higher than
vertical input rate when all collections were combined; average lateral input rates were not
different from vertical input rates over time when considering standard error. The second
hypothesis was partially supported, as mesic flatwood plots showed patterns of decreased
coupling of leaf litter to the dominating Pinus species, but floodplain swamp plots had
insufficient data. This experiment will continue to complete an annual set of data.
Effects of CHCHd10 Mutations on Mitochondrial Length
Drew Maslar
Mentor(s): David Kang
Mutations of CHCHd10 have recently been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To
further understand what the effects of CHCHd10, and CHCHd10 mutations (CHCHd10 R15l,
S59L, G54E, and T50I), have on mitochondrial length in eukaryotic cells, CHCHd10 and its
mutations were inserted into a plasmid containing a flag-tag, then transfected into NIH3T3 cells,
along with Mito-ds red, using lipofectamine p3000 reagent. The cells were then visualized using
a fluorescent confocal laser-scanning microscope. The images of the cells were then analyzed,
and the mitochondrial length of each condition in the experiment was measured using ImageJ
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software. The results, compared to a control treatment containing an empty vector, show that
CHCHd10 WT had increased mitochondrial length, while all of the CHCHd10 mutations showed
a decrease in mitochondrial length. This finding reveals preliminary information about how
CHCHd10 mutations can negatively affect the mitochondria; mitochondrial fusion and fission
may be affected, as well as mytophagy.
Prey Capture Kinematics in Gulf Pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli) Between Elusive and NonElusive Prey
Caryn McQueen
Mentor(s): Philip Motta
Being able to modulate feeding kinematics in response to different size, shape and behaviors is
vital for prey capture success and ultimately fitness. Gulf Pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli) utilize
their distinctive head morphology, combined with suction feeding in order to capture small
elusive copepods. Being preyed upon by a wide variety of organisms, copepods have evolved a
unique set of adaptations to avoid predation. Previous studies have shown that copepods
respond to hydrodynamic disturbances within 2-4 ms, and can escape at speeds over 500 body
lengths/second. Despite their impressive evasive maneuvers, the elongated suspensorium of
the pipefish results in decreased fluid deformation in the strike region, allowing less time for the
copepod to escape. Recent findings have shown that syngnathids are capable of actively
controlling the distance at which they rotate their head in respect to prey distance, however,
none have investigated the modulation of feeding kinematics between elusive and non-elusive
prey types, the goal of this study. It is hypothesized that pipefish will strike at elusive prey at a
higher velocity in a shorter period of time from a greater distance than for non-elusive prey.
Syngnathus scovelli was shown to capture elusive copepods, Tigriopus californicus, at a mean
velocity of approximately 13 mm/s, almost double the velocity of the non-elusive prey at 7
mm/s. In addition, the mean time to elevate the head was 1.93 ms faster than for non-elusive
strikes. However, the strike distance for elusive prey was found to be 0.25 mm greater than for
non-elusive prey.
The Effects of Stress Hormones on Vector Feeding, Survival and Productivity
Jeanette Miller
Mentor(s): Stephanie Gervasi
Organisms from all biomes are consistently exposed to aversive environmental stressors. The
physiological response to these stressors is generally mediated by glucocorticoids, such as
corticosterone. More specifically, corticosterone signals an organism to either endure or recover
from specific stressors, as well as eliciting a physiological, biological and behavioral responses.
For example, corticosterone can cause immunosuppression and increase disease susceptibility.
For this reason, stress hormones might be important mediators of disease spread among
individuals in a population. In addition, although previously unstudied, corticosterone may
affect how hosts and vectors interact, as well as the outcome of those interactions. In this
experiment we investigated how varying levels of stress hormones in a species of songbird, the
Zebra finch, affected vector feeding preferences and subsequent vector survival and
reproductive success. This project specifically focused on quantifying clutch size, rate of egg
laying and some aspects of larval development in Southern house mosquitoes that had
previously fed on finches who were experimentally manipulated with surgical implants to
simulate high, low and control (baseline) levels of stress hormone levels. We monitored female
vectors 2 times daily for signs of mortality and egg-laying and quantified the number of eggs in
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each egg raft using microscopy. We found that mosquitoes feeding on birds with high levels of
corticosterone laid more eggs faster than mosquitoes that fed on birds in the other treatments.
We predict that corticosterone could amplify the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as
West Nile virus by altering the contact rates between birds and mosquitoes and also by
accelerating the production and possibly the abundance of mosquito vectors, especially in
locations where stressors are frequent. Humans are increasingly modifying the natural
environment and therefore it is critical to understand the interaction between stress and disease
risk for wildlife and humans.
Isolation of Bioactive Metabolites and its Application to Drug Discovery
Victoria Mischley
Mentor(s): Santana Thomas
Fungal endophytes are microorganisms that exist in symbiosis with plants. This relationship
allows the endophyte to gain nutrients and shelter, while the plant gains increased ability to
deal with stress, biomass, and sometimes resistance to herbivores and pathogens. This
symbiotic relationship presents interesting chemistry that would produce small molecules
essential for drug discovery. In this project, mangrove leaves are collected and plated on
various media types to allow growth and isolation of the endophytes. These metabolites are
then screened through bioassays against antibacterial resistant pathogens most commonly
found within hospitals. These pathogens consist of: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus
aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and
Enterobacter species (ESKAPE pathogens). The need for new drugs to fight these pathogens is
very high. However, scientists have made very few advancements in discovering new drugs to
fight these evolving pathogens. The goal of this project is to purify secondary metabolites from
epigenetically modified fungal endophytes and using bioassayguided fractionation to test
against the ESKAPE pathogens.
Coffee activates the heat shock response in Caenorhabditis elegans
Stephanie Morris, Alana Snyder
Mentor(s): Jessica Brunquell
Program: Biology; Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
The heat shock response (HSR) is a highly conserved cellular response that functions to maintain
protein homeostasis during stress. The mammalian HSR is mediated by the transcription factor
heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). During stress, HSF1 transcribes heatinducible chaperone genes that
encode heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as HSP70, which can function as molecular chaperones
that maintain proteostasis. The HSR is conserved in the soildwelling nematode Caenorhabditis
elegans, and is mediated by the HSF1 homolog HSF1. In the worm, HSF1 not only promotes
protection against heat, but is also essential for both development and longevity. Therapeutic
induction of the HSR can benefit proteindysfunction diseases and is therefore of great interest
in neurodegenerative disorders. Moderate consumption of coffee has been suggested to elicit
neuroprotective effects, and to slow the cognitive decline associated with aging, thus we were
interested in determining the effects of coffee on the HSR. Here, we show that coffee is able to
induce hsp70 mRNA expression alone and collectively with heat shock. To determine the
contribution of caffeine in hsp70 mRNA induction, we compared the effects of caffeinated and
decaffeinated coffee. Caffeinated coffee resulted in greater induction of hsp70 mRNA levels
compared to decaffeinated coffee. Additionally, worms treated with pure caffeine exhibited an
even greater induction of hsp70 mRNAs. Also, treatment with both coffee and caffeine
suppressed polyglutamine aggregation in a C. elegans Huntington’s disease model. In
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conclusion, these results suggest that coffee and caffeine may elicit neuroprotective effects
through modulation of the HSR.
Patterns in House Sparrow Range Expansion Across Kenya
Samantha Murphy
Mentor(s): Lynn Martin, Holly Kilvitis
The introduction of foreign species is a global phenomenon affecting most ecosystems of the
world. The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) has historically been a particularly successful
introduced species, and has been established in locations on every continent except Antarctica.
One of the newer introductions of the house sparrow has been in Kenya, where house sparrows
were brought by ship around 1950. This recent introduction allows for more comprehensive
study of the house sparrow’s presence in Kenya, as it allows researchers to track range
expansion as it is happening, rather than studying it after the range has been established by the
species. I studied the range expansion of the house sparrow in Kenya by looking at the
historical presence of sparrows in locations across the country using the online database eBird.
The results from the study were analyzed and two patterns were discovered. First, I found that
locations closer to Mombasa were more likely to have had the presence of house sparrows
earlier than locations farther away from Mombasa. Second, I found a tendency for more
frequent sightings in cities located along major transportation routes (i.e. roads and railways).
More bird count data would give us a better understanding of the house sparrow’s range
expansion, and a possibility for future research would be to find more records from sources
such as government archives or independent birding societies.
Recurring Patterns in a Highly Scrambled Ciliate Genome
Lukas Nabergall
Mentor(s): Natasa Jonoska, Masahiko Saito
Program: Mathematics
Genome rearrangement processes are observed in many species, on both evolutionary and
developmental scale. We study recurring rearrangement patterns to gain a better
understanding of these processes. Certain species of ciliates undergo massive genome
rearrangements during the development of a somatic macronucleus from a germline
micronucleus, and are used as model organisms to study DNA rearrangement. Recent
sequencing of the 0. trifallax genome allows for the detailed study of recurrent scrambled
patterns genome wide. We represent the order and orientation of scrambled segments by
double occurrence words (DOW), words where every symbol appears exactly twice. We have
observed that frequent occurrences of repeated and palindromic words can explain around 96%
of these rearrangements. To study the complexity of the remaining highly scrambled
sequences, we define patterns in DOWs and associate indices that count the nested
appearances of repeated words, palindromic words, and other specified patterns. We provide a
notion of word distance based on the pattern replacements needed to transform one word into
another. We present results on these general pattern indices and word distances, including a
theorem that allows for computation of word distances. We applied these notions to analyze 22
highly scrambled genetic sequences and show that they can be explained by a newly defined
pattern. The detection of patterns in the highly scrambled genome suggests that these genetic
rearrangements may not be random processes and that there may be preferred
rearrangements. It remains to be investigated whether similar patterns are observed in
rearrangement processes in other organisms.
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The Effect of Temperature on Tongue Projection in Ambystoma maculatum
Kaleigh Nelson, Irina Gonzalez-Sigler
Mentor(s): Stephan Deban, Jeffrey Scales
Program: Integrative Animal Biology; Biomedical Sciences
Changes in temperature can have a profound influence on organismal performance in
ectotherms due to the effect temperature has on muscle contraction rates. Here we compare
the kinematics and dynamics of tongue projection in the salamander Ambystoma maculatum
across a range of temperatures to better understand how temperature affects ecologically
important aspects of performance. To accomplish this goal, the tongue projections of five A.
maculatum were recorded at five temperatures ranging from 5°C to 25°C. These videos were
digitized in Image J and analyzed in R to calculate kinematics, dynamics, and temperature
coefficients (Q10) of tongue projection and retraction. The Q10 values were compared over the
entire range of temperatures to assess the extent of the effect temperature had on feeding
performance. The results show that an increase in temperature increases tongue projection and
retraction velocity, acceleration, and power. Also, the duration of tongue projection and
retraction decreased with increased temperature. The Q10 temperature coefficients over 5°
intervals imply muscle function is thermally dependent. This project provides new data from the
species Ambystoma maculatum to further understand how temperatures affect their feeding
performance. This information, in conjunction with data from other salamander species,
provides new insights into how the interaction between form, function, and temperature
influence feeding performance across salamanders.
Effect of Dissolved Oxygen on the Acidification of Czapek Dox Broth by Penicillium
chrysogenum *Project Withdrawn
Jonathon Nino Charari
Mentor(s): Valerie Harwood, Jeffrey Cunningham
An investigation of the organic acid production by Penicillium chrysogenum was performed in
Czapek Dox Broth (CDB). The central hypothesis of this study is that the addition of dissolved
oxygen (DO) during growth will allow P. chrysogenum to produce more organic acids, and
reduce the pH of the growth medium. One mL of a standard spore suspension (1*107 spore/mL)
of P. chrysogenum was added to 125 mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 50 mL CDB and was
incubated at 30˚C with shaking at 120 rpm. The study consisted of triplicate fungal cultures in
two treatments: (1) oxygen diffuses freely into system and (2) oxygen cannot enter system. DO
and pH readings were taken over a 5 day period. When oxygen was allowed to diffuse into
cultures the DO concentration decreased from its initial value of 6.3 ppm but remained above
4.3 ppm for all 5 days, and pH decreased from 5.6 to 3.1. In the absence of oxygen, DO
decreased from its initial value of 5.5 ppm to 2.4 ppm, while pH dropped from 5.6 to 4.1.
Preliminary results support the central hypothesis that, diffusion of oxygen into the culture
allowed P. chrysogenum to produce more organic acids. The data collected in this experiment
and subsequent experiments will assist in determining optimal conditions for organic acid
production. Future experimentation will be extended to a 10 day study in both CDB and
sabouraud dextrose broth, and will also include the fungal species Penicillium simplicissimum
and Aspergillus niger. High performance liquid chromatography will be utilized to quantify
organic acid production.
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Chromatin remodeling proteins influence the Heat Shcok Response in Caenorhabditis
elegans
Mark Noble
Mentor(s): Sandy Westerheide
The heat shock response (HSR) is an essential, highly conserved stress pathway that maintains
protein homeostasis (proteostasis) by resolving misfolded proteins and clearing detrimental
protein aggregates. Dysfunction of this pathway has been implicated in several age-related
conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. In Caenorhabditis elegans,
proteostasis collapses upon the onset of adulthood as the inducibility of the HSR rapidly
declines, though the molecular mechanism by which this occurs is poorly understood. We
utilized GFP imaging and real-time PCR of the HSR master transcription factor Heat Shock
Factor 1 (HSF-1) and its target genes to demonstrate that HSF-1 can still be activated, though its
ability to induce the HSR rapidly diminished, indicating that the HSR decline is not caused by
reduction of HSF-1 transactivation ability. Next-generation sequencing of mRNA transcripts
revealed HSR-dependent repression in expression of the Nucleosome Remodeling Deacetylase
(NuRD) and Nucleosome Remodeling Factor (NuRF) complexes, and RNAi
screens demonstrated that key substituents of these complexes, including PYP-1, are negative
regulators of HSF-1 inducible genes only in older life stages. Thus, we hypothesize that the agedependent decrease in HSR inducibility may be due in part to repressive chromatin changes
conferred by chromatin remodeling complexes. These findings suggest a previously unreported
mechanism for HSF-1 target gene regulation by which proteostatic collapse through age may
be mediated by repressive chromatin remodeling complexes, implicating novel therapeutic
targets for rescue of the HSR in diseases of aging.
Novel Synthesis of SNX-2112 Analog for Anti-Leishmaniasis
Sri Harsha Palakurty, David Herrera-Perez
Program: Biomedical Sciences; Chemistry
Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by species of the protozoan parasite Leishmania
donovani. It is transmitted through the bite of the phlebotimine sandflies. SNX-2112 is a heat
shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor that has been shown to be active in human cancer cells. It has
shown promise in inhibiting the growth of multiple myeloma. In a high throughput screening
campaign, we found that SNX-2112 is also active against Leishmania donovani. Chaperone
proteins are believed to be critical to protozoans, so selective inhibition should inhibit the
further replication of the parasite. Our target compound 1 is similar to SNX-2112 with the
exception of a cyclopropyl group in the position of dimethyl. It is hypothesized that the change
to a more rigid analog will lead to an improved activity/selectivity profile. We are currently in the
process of completing the synthesis of the compound from cyclopropane-1,1’-dimethanol.
Upon completion of the synthesis, we will assay 1 to evaluate its antiinfective and Hsp90 activity.
Analysis of PKC-zeta protein and mRNA levels in Normal and Malignant Breast Tissue
Tracess Smalley
Mentor(s): Mildred Acevedo-Duncan
It is estimated that in 2016 breast cancer will be the second leading cause of cancer death in
women. To better predict the occurrence of breast cancer, biochemical markers for breast
cancer were investigated to assist in early detection and more accurate diagnoses. In this study,
the atypical protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-ζ) isozyme was investigated in breast cancer tissue. We
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show that overexpression of PKC-ζ protein may be indicative of developing carcinogenesis. In
this investigation, the expression of PKC-ζ was analyzed in normal and malignant female human
breast tissue samples by Western blot and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Westerns showed
that malignant breast tissue samples had a significant overexpression of PKC-ζ when compared
to the expression of PKC-ζ in normal breast tissue samples. The same tissues were also
processed for total RNA isolation which was followed by cDNA synthesis and Real Time PCR.
The level of PKC-ζ mRNA was tested and no overexpression was observed in either normal or
malginant breast tissue samples. While protein studies suggest that PKC-ζ could be considered
a biomarker for breast cancer, the same cannot be said about mRNA levels. The overexpression
of PKC-ζ protein levels and the normal PKC-ζ mRNA levels suggest regulating differences in
translation activity (i.e., microRNA) in malignant tissues but not the normal breast tissue.
Natural Products from Carijoa riisei
Brittany Thiessen
Mentor(s): Elizabeth Yancey
Program: Chemistry
Punaglandins have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity. Originally collected
in Hawaii, Carijoa (Telesto) riisei was recently collected in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Despite
extensive variation between ecosystems, the octocoral possess similar chemistry, specifically
between eicosanoid metabolites punaglandins and pregnane steroids. The purpose of this
study was to identify secondary metabolites that existed within a sample of Telesto riisei
collected at Clearwater Reef, Florida. Punaglandins had not been found in Caribbean Telesto
until recently. The sample of coral was extracted, partitioned and was separated in a series of
1H-NMR guided fractionation and liquid chromatography. Using 13C, 2D NMR experiments and
LC/MS analysis these potential bioactive compounds were identified and isolated from several
fractions
An eco-nutritional interaction with MTHFR C677T frequency
Krizia Marie Trasmonte
Mentor(s): Lorena Madrigal
Program: Biomedical Sciences/Anthropology
High frequencies of the genetic mutation, MTHFR C677T, have sparked the interest of the
scientific community. The presence of the T-allele can instigate hyperhomocysteinemia in its
homozygous state or increase the risk for neural tube defects, spontaneous abortions, cancer,
and cardiovascular disease, in the heterozygote form. Both Folate and UV radiation have been
proposed as factors for the prevalence of the T-allele mutation (Lucock and Yates 2005). This
paper examines the association between the T-allele frequency and the ecological interaction
between Folate and UV radiation. A methodical review of several studies was executed,
acquiring 78 samples for statistical testing. The T-allele frequencies were projected onto a world
map and a Spearman correlation was computed between frequency and geographic location.
Significant results were found for 2 different geographical regions. Asia posed a mean T-allele
frequency of 0.27 and a correlation of rs=0.64 (p<0.0001, n=32), where frequency increases as
latitude increases. Europe presented opposite results with a mean frequency of 0.37 and a
correlation of rs=-0.74 (p<0.001, n=24) where frequency decreases as latitude increases. Africa
showed an insignificant correlation. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test compared the T-allele
frequency between samples organized by biome (a factor dependent upon UV radiation) and
region separately. Both tests rejected the null hypothesis of equal distribution (by region: X2=
23.6428, d.f. =6, p< 0.0006 and by biome: X2= 35.9, d.f. = 3, p< 0.0001). Such findings set a basis
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for the discovery of other ecological factors that could have influenced the geographic
representation of the T-allele frequency.
Studies aimed at the Synthesis of Anti-malarial Agents
Nicholas Wallace
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Plasmodium genus. It
is the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and is prevalent in lesser-developed countries.
During its life cycle, there are two hosts including the mosquito and the mammal. Infected
mammalian hosts contain the mature sexual stage, also known as gametocytes, of this parasite.
In the gut lumen of the infected mosquitos, gametogenesis and the formation of diploid
zygotes occurs. Xanthurenic acid (XA) is a tryptophan metabolite also present in the gut of the
mosquito, and it has been shown to be the chemical trigger to induce gametogenesis. XA, as
well as a series of analogs, have been synthesized with the goal of preventing the transmission
of malaria and determining the biological mechanism responsible for this chemical signaling
pathway.
How Does Florida Protect Endangered and Regulated Plants?
Kelly Wintjen
Mentor(s): Joseph England
Program: Environmental Biology
Florida is home to a large percentage of plants listed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and
federally listed threatened species; an additional 572 plant species are listed on the Florida
Regulated Plant Index as endangered, threatened, and commercially exploited. The purpose of
the research is to identify specific Florida laws and policies that facilitate/hinder the protection
of endangered plant species as mandated by the 1973 ESA. This research project uses several
data collection methods to better understand the State of Florida’s position, including; semistructured informant interviews with EPA, FWC, local Law Enforcement, and Florida Native Plant
Society, systematic reviews of academic and grey literature, and analytical and descriptive policy
analysis of the Florida Constitution. This research revealed several important findings, Florida
Constitutional Statute 581.185 creates a contradictory enforcement arrangement regarding
endangered plant species; regulatory barriers embedded within the statute make civil
prosecution of violators nearly impossible to execute. The State Committees (EPACS) and
(PNFFS) charged with creating the Florida Regulated Plant Index prevent enforcement agencies
from using the list for regulatory purposes. Lastly is the need to specifically identify and
eliminate policy/regulatory barriers to ESA implementation in Florida. The State of Florida is
balancing ESA compliance with development and tourism, and the lack of resources and
appropriate terminology in (FS)581,185 is hindering EPA and FWC’s efforts to protect Florida’s
Endangered Plants.
Organic Synthesis and Modification of Supramolecular Cavitands *Project Withdrawn
Jasmine Wood, Wei Yao
Mentor(s): Bruce Gibb
Assemblage of deep cavity cavitands—bowl shaped molecular structures (or hosts) designed to
hold smaller molecules (or “guest”) via intermolecular bonding—serves as the initial state for
the creation of self-assembling polymers. Consisting of cavitand monomers whose ends are
alkyne bonded, these so called “smart molecules” are capable of bonding to guests, smaller
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molecules which can be as eclectic as nanomedicine or carbon dioxide. These smart molecules
are intentionally designed and created to effectively transport guests until further conditions
allow for the releasing of the guests. However, smart molecules, being designed by man, may
be built a multitude of ways, allowing for creativity and innovation in the molecular design.
Testing and optimizing the yields of the starting monomers is a crucial preliminary step in the
success of a polymerization process. Our investigation focused on the synthesis and
modification of the octa halide cavitand (bromide). The primary characteristics of interest in this
investigation was the mass percent yield of each intermediate in the five-step synthesis of octa
halide: dodecol (69%), 3,5- dibromobenzal bromide (82%), octa bromide (37%), crude octol
(45%), octa halide (Br) (38%). In addition to percent yield calculations, hydrogen nuclear
magnetic resonance (HNMR) material characterization tests were completed on each
intermediate species as means to test for purity of the sample. With three out of the five yields
not even reaching half of what the theoretical value should be, there is still additional research
to be conducted on optimizing these yields to near 100 percent.
A Meta-Analysis of Parasite Density in Malaria Vectors
Justin Zloty
Mentor(s): Marc Lajeunesse
Malaria is a widespread disease with over 300-500 million infections and over 1 million deaths
per year, according to the NIH. Diagnosing and providing comprehensive treatment for malaria
relies heavily on parasite density measurements. In addition, these values can shed light on how
malaria affects people differently, such as those in varying climates, of different ages, and with
past medical histories. A meta-analysis of the literature was used to show the effect of parasite
densities in malaria vectors. 28 effect sizes were obtained from 20 studies reporting correlations
with parasite density. The overall correlation for the fixed model was -0.260, meaning that our
meta-analysis produced meaningful results. These findings suggest that parasite density has a
significant effect on malaria vectors. Future studies could expand this meta-analysis to
additional vectors.
The Review of Population Genetics of Coastal Systems
Jamie Zolik
Mentor(s): Christina Richards, Mariano Alvarez
A number of investigations have used molecular markers to determine genetic structure and
variation within and among coastal populations of a variety of plants and animals. To
understand the impact of population genetic studies in coastal systems, we reviewed papers
that have been published. Using Web of Science, we found 292 papers between the years 1980
to 2016 using the main search term “population genetics and refined the search to look for the
specific topics: coast*, estuar*, and marine*. Using this information, we showed that research
examining population genetics as well as the structure of estuarine and coastal organisms have
dramatically increased over the years between 1980 and the present adopting novel techniques
along the way. We found that 187 out of the 292 papers examined the population genetics of
marine type animals and 7 on costal macrophytes. We also found that these papers focus
largely on sequencing to analyze coastal populations. Using this information, costal
conservationists can find which organisms are being studied and which types of organisms need
more study on. This information can allow managers and conservationists to see the different
research that has already been performed and gives them an idea as to what needs to be
researched further. This review can also help future research in genetic structure and variation
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within and among coastal populations by utilizing the most adopted methods thus saving them
time and money. This information underscores the importance of genetic studies, which can aid
future coastal conservation and restoration efforts.
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Physical Sciences
Velar Coarticulation and Virtual Targets in Spanish-English Bilinguals
Marsha-Gaye Allen
Mentor(s): Kyna Betancourt, Stefan Frisch
Coarticulation, the influence of one speech sound on another in running speech (Whalen, 1990),
has been suggested as an index of speech motor control (Barbier et al., 2013; Frisch, Maxfield &
Belmont, 2014). Therefore, coarticulation stability could be a diagnostic tool in speech-language
pathology. However, little is known about coarticulation in bilingual speakers, a growing
population needing speech-language pathology services (ASHA, 2014). The proposed study
addresses this gap by investigating coarticulation in Spanish-English bilingual adults to
determine: how velar + vowel coarticulation in English compares to Spanish; if bilingual
coarticulation stability mirrors that of monolinguals. Velar + vowel coarticulation was measured
in 8 Spanish-English bilingual university students. Participants recited sentences in English,
Spanish, and a mix of both. Each sentence included a target word starting with /k/ + vowel.
Tongue movement was measured using an ultrasound probe positioned at the base of the
neck. Ultrasound images and recordings were analyzed to identify the position of the tongue
during velar production using EdgeTrak procedures (Frisch et al., 2014). Comparisons were
made between tongue positions during Spanish, English, and bilingual tasks. Intraspeaker
stability of coarticulation was compared between bilingual speakers and monolingual speakers
from a previous study (Reddick & Frisch, in preparation). Differences in tongue position were
found between languages suggesting that bilingual speakers may change their coarticulation
patterns for each of their languages. However, data from only six speakers was analyzed, so
caution is needed when drawing broad conclusions. These data provide a strong argument for
further research in this area.
Methods for the Extraction of Epigenetically Modified Fungi Active Against Infectious
Diseases
Dakota Becker-Greene, Christian Stanley
Mentor(s): Anne-Claire Limon
Secondary metabolites of marine fungi have been found to be beneficial in inhibiting bacterial
infectious diseases. Production of secondary metabolites is directly related to gene expression,
which is why epigenetic regulation can be used to amplify the expression of down-regulated
gene sequences present within fungi. This can potentially generate new, effective and unique
metabolites. In order to isolate pure compounds that are bioactive against the E.S.K.A.P.E.
pathogens, a standard method of extraction, isolation, purification, and identification was
designed. The fungal samples were grown on rice media and injected with epigenetic
modifiers, then extracted by filtration, and purified using Medium Pressure Liquid
Chromatography (MPLC) and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In addition, tests
used to determine efficacy of the compounds against biological pathogens and proton nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy guided the research process towards isolating pure
active compounds. So far, a DNMT treated fungal sample has yielded a bioactive fraction with
1ug/mL activity against MRSA. This shows promising results as it verifies that the current fraction
is both potent and effective in small quantities against harmful E.S.K.A.P.E. pathogens.
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Shield1 synthesis
Travis Bland
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Found
worldwide, T. gondii is capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals and is one of the most
common parasites in humans. Symptoms are almost non-existent in healthy individuals but pose
significant risk for the immunocompromised. Infection occurs most commonly from
consumption of undercooked meat from an infected animal or from handling cat feces. The
Destabilizing Domain (DD) is a 12-kDa tag that, when expressed on a protein of interest,
undergoes rapid degradation in the cell by proteasomes. When Shield1 is introduced to the
culture, it reversibly binds to the Destabilizing Domain tag and prevents degradation, allowing
the tachyzoite form of T. gondii to persist. In order to best study the motile and quickly
multiplying tachyzoite, a cell permeable small molecule ligand with an affinity for the
Destabilizing Domain, Shield1, is used to regulate the transformation from active (tachyzoite) to
inactive (bradyzoite) forms. This method has been used to study a significant transcription
factor, AP2IX-9, in the development of the bradyzoite form. AP2IX-9 has a unique transient
expression profile restricted to the bradyzoite, activation of which results in significantly
decreased tissue cyst formation.
Relationships Between Statistical Metrics for Quantifying Differences in the
Conformational Ensemble of Biomolecules
Matthew Cuffaro
Mentor(s): Sameer Varma
Program: Philosophy/Mathematics
Protein activities are regulated tightly in biological environments. An understanding of their
regulatory mechanisms entails assessment of their various states, including active and inactive
states. For many proteins, such as GPCRs, PDZ domains, Heat shock factors and T-cell
receptors, their states can only be distinguished categorically from each other when their finitetemperature conformational ensembles are considered alongside their minimum-energy
structures. Two approaches have been proposed in recent years to quantity differences
between conformational ensembles — one that is based on divergence measures from
information theory, and the other, which we proposed, quantifies differences in terms of the
physical overlap between multidimensional distributions. In our approach, the overlap between
two distributions is estimated by solving an inverse machine learning problem, and requires no
prior assumption or fitting of underlying distributions. While our metric is, by definition, a true
metric in that it satisfies the conditions set forth by the zeroth law of thermodynamics, we
demonstrate here that, within the central limit approximation, our metric is related formally to
symmetrized Kullback-Leibler and Jensen-Shannon information divergences through functional
transformations. We also show that these metrics are, in fact, related to differences in Shannon
entropy (not thermodynamic entropy), conditional to equivalence of mean positions in the two
distributions.
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Highly Tunable Piezocaloric Effect in Antiferroelectric Lead Zirconate
Joseph Cuozzo
Mentor(s): Inna Ponomareva
Program: Physics/Mathematics
Caloric effects in functional materials are presently under intense investigation owing to both
the discoveries of giant caloric effects in several ferroics [1] and their technological promise for
solid state refrigeration. They are defined by either an adiabatic temperature change or by an
isothermal entropy change upon application of an external field such as an electric or stress
field. In this study we examine the piezocaloric effect (PCE) in antiferroelectric PbZrO3. The aims
of this work are as follows: (i) to predict the (co)existence of large positive and negative PCE in
antiferroelectric PbZrO3; (ii) to reveal the intrinsic features and atomistic origin of the effect; (iii)
to report a high tunability of the PCE by an applied stress, and how it may improve the
refrigeration cycle; (iv) to propose an experimental setup to demonstrate the PCE. In this study,
bulk PbZrO3 is simulated using a 16x16x16 supercell periodic along the three Cartesian
directions. The total energy of the supercell is given by the first-principles-based effective
Hamiltonian of Ref. [2]. The Hamiltonian correctly reproduces many of the electrical and
thermodynamical properties of PbZrO3 [2]. In particular, it accurately predicts the
antiferroelectric phase transition and the dipole pattern associated with it, electric hysteresis
loops, and the PbZrO3 behavior under pressure. Before PCE computations were carried out, the
simulated sample was annealed from 1200 K to 5 K in steps of 5 K using the Metropolis Monte
Carlo (MC) simulations. PCE simulations were carried out on equilibrated samples using the
adiabatic MC approach proposed in Ref. [3]; that is, the caloric change in temperature is
computed during the application or removal of the stress field under adiabatic conditions.
Technically, the normal uniaxial stress field, σ, in the range of -2 GPa to 2 GPa was simulated.
The stress field was chosen to act either on [100], or [010], or [001] crystallographic planes. In
each of our simulations, the stress field was slowly applied and then removed at a rate of 2 kPa
per MC sweep. We computed the temperature and structural properties at each MC sweep and
averaged them over 10,000 MC sweeps. Our computations predict that the stress has a
pronounced effect on the magnitude of all order parameters as well as the Curie point. In
particular, we find that in the antiferroelectric phase, both the antiferroelectric and
antiferrodistortive order parameters are weakened under tensile stress and strengthened under
compressive stress. The same observation is true for the strain along the orthorhombic c-axis.
Consequently, the Curie point is lowered under tensile stress and raised under compressive
stress. Such sensitivity of the structure to the external stress is suggestive of a strong
piezocaloric response which relies on the possibility to influence the structural order by the
applied stress.
Lanthanum based Metal-organic Frameworks
Anneasha Duberceau
Mentor(s): Shengqian Ma, Chavis Stackhouse
Program: Chemistry
Research with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has intensified in recent decades due to their
structural and functional tunability and structural diversity. Composed of metal containing
nodes and organic linkers, have a variety of structural concepts, ligands, and secondary building
units (SBUs) that can be incorporated lead to the realization of the countless potential of MOFs
and applications in numerous areas of interest, such as catalysis, gas separation and adsorption.
Particularly remarkable is the ability of MOFs for the selective adsorption for specific analytes or
classes of analytes through systems such as molecular sieving (size exclusion), interactions
between framework and absorbent that are chemically specific, and the directed design of pore
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and channel size through the selection of suitable organic linkers or struts. Tetracarboxylate
ligand, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N’,N’’,N’’’-tetra-p-methylbenzoic acid (tactmb), was
used to build metal macrocyclic frameworks (MMCFs). The flexible tactmb molecule
incorporates an azamacrocycle moiety imbibing potential for the activation of small molecules,
ion recognition, and capture. The first of these structures, MMCF-1, a two-fold interpenetrating
a microporous Cd-based MOF, displays selective uptake of CO2 over N2. MMCF-2 a Cu-based
MOF demonstrates high catalytic activity for the chemical fixation of carbon-dioxide into cyclic
carbonates. MMCF-3 La-based MOFs, produces framework with unoccupied macrocycle site
encouraging the framework as a cation receptor. Future research endeavors center upon the
pursuit of new macrocycle-based ligands utilizing 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane and various
pendant arms, e.g. isophthalate and nicotinate derivatives, and the exploration of synthetic
conditions for novel metal-organic materials.
Simulation of Hydrogen Gas Storage Using Explicit Polarization Monte Carlo Methods
Zachary Dyott, Matthew Mostrom
Mentor(s): Brian Space
Program: Chemistry
Molecular hydrogen is widely recognized as an alternative energy carrier since it produces a
large amount of energy upon combustion and the burning of hydrogen releases only water as a
byproduct. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are
nanoporous materials that have been shown to be promising for applications in hydrogen
storage. Molecular simulations of hydrogen sorption in MOFs and COFs can provide valuable
insights into the sorption mechanism in such materials as well as the rational design of new
materials targeted for specific applications. Here, simulations of hydrogen sorption were
performed in a MOF and COF known as rht-MOF-9 and COF-1, respectively. Highly accurate
and transferable potential energy functions that were developed by the Space Group were used
for the simulations. The Space Group models differ from typical computational models through
the use of explicit polarization to model many-bodied interactions, which have been found to
give superior accuracy of simulation compared to traditional methods that exclude induction.
To accurately assess the validity of our models, we compared the simulation results obtained
using this polarizable model to experimental data for the respective materials. This is necessary
as more effective gas-sorbing materials might be otherwise too costly to derive by trial and
error. Overall, we found that the Space Group model, which includes explicit many-body
polarization effects, closely reproduces experimental data compared to models that do not
include this interaction. This suggests experimental design paradigms distinct from those that
would be suggested via traditional modeling efforts.
Interactive Ion-Neutral Dynamics in the Low Latitude Evening Ionosphere
William Evonosky
Mentor(s): Arthur Richmond, Astrid Maute, Tzu-Wei Fang
Program: Physics
We examine the forces that determine zonal wind structure in the low-latitude evening
thermosphere and its relation with ion-neutral coupling. Forces are calculated using the
Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General-Circulation Model coupled with the Global
Ionosphere-Plasmasphere model. At 19 LT, the horizontal pressure gradient dominates the net
acceleration of neutral winds below ~ 220 km while it tends to be offset by ion drag and
viscosity higher up. The eastward pressure-gradient acceleration above 200 km increases
approximately linearly with height, and tends to be similar for different latitudes and different
levels of solar activity. We surmise that the latitude uniformity of the eastward pressure gradient
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is maintained by the tendency for divergent/convergent north-south winds to rapidly equalize
pressure differences. The pressure-gradient and ion-drag forces in the central F region
approximately balance for field lines that pass through the equatorial ionization anomaly, but
viscosity is an important additional force elsewhere. For different night-time ionization levels,
ion-drag acceleration tends to remain constant while ion and neutral velocities change to
conserve the difference between them. The presence of a low-latitude evening-time vertical
shear in the zonal wind is associated primarily with a strong eastward pressure-gradient
acceleration at high altitude that reverses the day-time westward wind, and a weak low-altitude
pressure-gradient acceleration of either eastward or westward direction that fails to reverse the
low-altitude westward wind present in the afternoon.
Phosphide minerals in Josephinite from Oregon ophiolites
Ariel Garong
Mentor(s): Matthew Pasek, Carolyn Lang
Program: Geology
Ophiolites are generated by water-rock alteration of ultramafic rocks. These conditions
produce a highly reducing environment rich in H2. The chemistry of phosphorus in this
environment is unclear but highly relevant to the development of life on the earth, given the
hydrothermal vent hypothesis for the origin of life. We will investigate the chemistry of
phosphorus, paying particular attention to the formation of phosphide minerals in josephinite
from Oregon ophiolites. This work is the first to investigate whether highly reducing,
serpentinizing environments are capable of changing the redox state of phosphorus. Recently,
there is evidence that phosphorus is also present on the surface of the earth in oxidation states
less than +5 (phosphates), including phosphide minerals, and other phosphites. Josephinite,
consisting of nickel and iron metal, may be formed in an environment reducing enough to trap
some phosphorus in metal. We will be using various analytical techniques such as nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) and Electron Microprobe (EPMA) to analyze Josephinite for
associated phosphorus minerals and to determine the speciation of phosphorus, specifically
seeking reduced oxidation state P compounds. After finishing the analyses we will assemble the
data to clarify whether the highly reducing, serpentinizing conditions are capable of reducing
the oxidation state of phosphorus.
Encapsulation of Photoactive Ru(II)(2,2’-bipyridine)2(Y- Aminobutyric acid)2 into a ZnBased Polyhedral Metal Organic Framework
Anthony Giacalone
Mentor(s): Randy Larsen
Program: Biochemistry
Metal organic materials (MOMs) are a class of porous materials composed of organic ligand
molecules linked through metal clusters (molecular building blocks or MBBs) that have
exceptional potential to serve as platforms for a wide array of applications including novel drug
delivery, gas separation and storage, catalysis, biomimetic chemistry, chemical, and biological
sensing and environmental remediation to name only a few. Drug delivery applications for
MOMs are of increasing interest as these materials can contain a high weight percent of
biologically active compound within the large interior cavities while the relatively small pore
sizes enables effective time release. Here we describe the development of a novel
photodynamic therapy application of MOMs in which a Ru(II)(2,2’-bipyridine)2(BAM)2 (BAM =
Bio-Active Molecule) cluster is encapsulated within the cavities of the Zn-based polyhedral
MOM, USF2. Exposure of the new materials to white light results in the photoejection of the
BAM, and subsequent egress to the bulk solvent through the exterior pores. The initial target
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BAM is Y- Aminobutyric acid with a control photorelease system involving Ru(II)(2,2’bipyridine)2(acetonitrile)2. The synthesis and structural characterization of these new materials
will be reported here.
Electrochemical Exfoliation of Tungsten Di-Sulfide Quantum Dots *Project Withdrawn*
Matthew Glasheen
Mentor(s): Humberto Gutierrez, Prasana Sahoo
Program: Physics
In this work, WS2 Quantum dots have been synthesized by using Tungsten Di-Sulfide, a layered
transition metal dichalcogenide, through an electrochemical process. These nanometer sized
fragments quantum-mechanically confine electrons and phonons in three dimensions, changing
the material physical behavior (e.g. optical absorption, photoluminescence and Raman
response). Quantum dots are an exciting area of research with many potential applications
including, but not limited to: improvement of LED technology in televisions, quantum
computing, and many biomedical applications. For the synthesis process, bulk Tungsten DiSulfide pellets are prepared to be used as electrodes in the electrochemical etching process.
These electrodes are then submerged into an aqueous solution of [BMIm]Cl-based electrolyte
and a constant DC voltage is applied between the electrodes. The applied voltage as well as
the electrolyte concentration are the parameters used to tune the quantum dot size.
Centrifugation is used to separate the large fragments and depending on the number of
centrifuge cycles different QDs size distribution can be obtained. The WS2 quantum dots are
then characterized by Raman spectroscopy and mapping, UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM and AFM
analysis.
Structural Characterization of the Heme Protein Cytochrome c Mineralized within the ZIF-8
Metal Organic Framework
Dylan Grassie
Mentor(s): Randy Larsen
Program: Chemistry
The ability to encapsulate bioactive molecules and enzymes within porous solid state materials
has long been of interest in the development of hybrid materials for industrial applications.
Metal organic materials (MOMs) are of particular interest for encapsulation of biomolecules as
they contain regularly porous cavities of tunable dimensions, ease of synthesis and
functionalizable interiors. Cytochrome c (Cyt. C) is also an important target protein for
encapsulation due to the stability of the protein, the relatively small size (~12 KDa) and the fact
that the heme active site is covalently attached to the protein through thioether linkages.
Recently, the ability to mineralize various proteins including Cyt. C into several zeolitic imidazole
frameworks (ZIFs) has been reported in which the MOM grows around the protein creating large
protein encapsulated cavities. The most widely investigated material is ZIF-8 formed from Zn(II)
ions and 2-methyl imidazole. Here we report protein structural studies to determine the impact
of mineralization on the proteins three dimensional structure. Specifically, UV/Vis and steady
state fluorescence measurements were obtained for the Cyt. C ZIF-8 composite suspensions in
aqueous solution. The results demonstrate significant unfolding of the encapsulated protein
leading to perturbations of the heme active site.
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Isotopic Analysis of a Speleothem from Northwestern Romania
Evan Moore
Mentor(s): Bogdan Onac
Program: Geology
Oxygen and carbon stable isotope records of an 8-cm long stalagmite from northwest Romania
provide a climatic record for the past 125,000 years. This chronology is established by 8 alphaspectrometry and TIMS U-series ages. Samples for dating were drilled out from areas of the
stalagmite that showed fabric changes or where hiatuses in growth were anticipated. Carbonate
powders for stable isotope analyses were obtained along the speleothem growth axis at a 0.5
mm interval. All powder samples were weighed on a microbalance to a mass between 95 and
110 micrograms, then transferred to 4 mL vials and dissolved in phosphoric acid at 25 °C. The δ
18
O and δ 13C values of the carbonates were measured using a Thermo Delta V isotope ratio
mass spectrometer. The Uranium/Thorium ages reveal that stalagmite grew discontinuously
from 125,000 years ago to present, with two distinct periods of carbonate deposition. All
corrected ages are in stratigraphic order. Six of the Uranium/Thorium dates constrain
approximately 90% of the stalagmite growth interval from 125,000 to 55,000 years before
present, a period that coincides with the last interglacial period and the early part of the last
glacial interval. The next growth interval occurred between 10,000 and 5,000 years before
present, coincident with the first half of the Holocene. The δ 18O values measured range
between -7 and -5‰, suggesting a mixture of Atlantic and Mediterranean-sourced
precipitations, whereas δ 13C values fluctuate from -9.5 to - 6‰ and are indicative of changes in
soil CO2 production.
The role of free energy in effectively computing carbohydrate NMR chemical shifts
Benjamin Pollard
Mentor(s): Phillip Hudson
Program: Chemistry
β-D-Glucose is of particular importance in the class of carbohydrate monomers as it makes up
the polymer cellulose, the most abundant polymer in nature. Computing accurate NMR
chemical shifts for carbohydrates has been particularly challenging since it requires satisfying
three major criteria; computing the NMR shifts with an adequate level of theory, accounting for
the relevant regions of conformational space, and incorporating environmental effects.
QM/MM methods were used to account for environmental effects and Boltzmann weighting to
reduce the rigorous sampling needed to account for relevant conformations. Using β-DGlucose, QM/MM NMR shifts at various functional and basis set pairings were computed. The
main conformations of β-D-Glucose in explicit solvent were produced through minimizations via
CHARMM36 carbohydrate force field (C36Carb) and Self-Consistent Charge Density-Functional
Tight-Binding (SCC-DFTB) with 3ob parameters. Chemical shifts produced using ωB97x-D/ccpVDZ//C36Carb gave the best overall results (1H RMSD = 0.169 ppm, 13C RMSD = 2.31 ppm).
The result, although somewhat unexpected in light of recent work pointing to failures in
classical carbohydrate force fields, can be explained by comparing the free energy profiles
across the pertinent degrees of freedom. Free energy surfaces of umbrella sampled β-DGlucose were generated with vFEP at C36Carb, SCC-DFTB/3ob, SCC-DFTB/mio, Austin Model
1 (AM1), Parameterized Model #3 (PM3), Modified Neglect of Diatomic Orbitals (MNDO), and
MNDO with d-orbital parameters (MNDD), and then compared to experimental with attention
to agreement of conformational distributions between levels of theory. These results will prove
invaluable to research into other carbohydrates, in particular, cellulose.
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Boron-Nitrogen Dative Bonding Benchmark Analysis using Computational Simulations
Carrie Robart
Mentor(s): Fiona Kearns
Program: Chemistry
Sensors are devices with a biological or synthetically prepared element that gives a measurable
response when interacting with matter or energy.1 Some sensors such as glucose chemosensors
have become popular in research because they represent a less invasive method of measuring
blood glucose levels, which is important for the management of diabetes mellitus.2 Recent
studies with such chemosenors utilize a boron-nitrogen interaction as the active sensing
component. Computational simulations were used to analyze the structures of certain sensors
to determine which sensor structure was lowest in energy. Gas phase calculations were run
using QM/MM with different basis-set and functional pairs. Out of twenty isomeric forms of
dimethylamine boronic acid fructose compounds, one structure, (5R,8R,9R,10S)2(2((dimethylammonio)methyl)phenyl)-2,8,9,10-tetrahydroxy-1,3,6-trioxa-2-boraspiro[4.5]decan2-uide, designated as structure b, was found to be most favorable in the system. The best basis
set and functional pair for dative bonding from the gas phase at this point in the research is
shown to be omegaB97x-D and 6-311++G**. Solvent phase calculations will also be conducted
using QM/MM and CHARMM in an explicit water environment. Due to solvent-phase geometry
optimizations being computationally expensive, the five lowest energy structures will be treated
with solvent-effects and re-optimized with the same basis set and functional pairs. All
calculations will be conducted to experimental results to determine what structure is most likely
and what basis-set/functional pair is best at treating the boron-nitrogen interaction.
Seeing Stars: Polynomials and Gravitational Lenses
Andres Saez
Mentor(s): Seung-Yeop Lee
Program: Mathematics/Chemistry
Gravitational lenses are created when a large mass, like a galaxy or black hole, sits in the
straight-line path between the observer and a star. This will cause multiple images of the same
star to form in the night sky. In this talk, we will discuss how these may be modelled using
rational functions – quotients of two polynomial functions – as well as extensions of this same
idea to polynomials and an investigation into a generalized fundamental theorem of algebra
which would give a maximum number of solutions general harmonic polynomials (polynomials
in two complex conjugate variables, 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 and 𝑧𝑧̅ = 𝑥𝑥 − 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖). This extension, stemming from
the work of A.S. Wilmshurst, would give us an upper bound on the number of zeroes of
harmonic polynomials. The following bounds for harmonic polynomials ℎ(𝑧𝑧) = 𝑝𝑝𝑛𝑛 (𝑧𝑧) + ��
𝑞𝑞𝑚𝑚 (𝑧𝑧)
have been proven (where 𝑛𝑛0 is the maximal number of roots):
Real coefficients: 𝑛𝑛0 ≤ 𝑛𝑛2 − 𝑛𝑛 off the coordinate axes
𝑛𝑛0 ≥ 3𝑛𝑛 − 2
General:
𝑛𝑛0 ≥ 𝑚𝑚2 + 𝑚𝑚 + 𝑛𝑛
2
𝑚𝑚 = 𝑛𝑛 − 2: 𝑛𝑛 − 2𝑛𝑛 + 2 + 4𝑘𝑘𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 (𝑛𝑛), where
𝑛𝑛→∞
max
2𝑘𝑘−1
𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
𝑘𝑘𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 (𝑛𝑛) = 1 ≤ 𝑘𝑘 ≤ 𝑛𝑛/2 �𝑘𝑘: (𝑛𝑛 − 2) cot �2𝑛𝑛−4 𝜋𝜋� − 𝑛𝑛 cot � 𝑛𝑛 � > 0� �⎯⎯�approx 0.13237𝑛𝑛 + 𝑂𝑂(1)
We outline the proof of the final result. The methods presented may be used to find a sharp
upper bound to the number of zeros for a general harmonic polynomial, particularly when
𝑚𝑚 = 𝑛𝑛 − ℓ for constant ℓ. The presentation is accessible to anyone with an understanding of
complex numbers. The results presented are part of a series of papers to be published
(preprints available on arXiv).
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Where the streets have no name: Finding the intersection among brain circuits controlling
food, reward, and addiction
Jordan Schueler
Mentor(s): Ellen Walker, Arshad Khan
Program: Psychology/Music Studies
The ventral tegmental area (VTA), located in the midbrain, contains dopaminergic neurons and
is associated with reward, addiction, and motivation. The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA)
controls feeding, wakefulness, and other bodily functions. The hindbrain (HB) shares
connections with the VTA and LHA. We are employing immunohistofluorescence techniques to
stain for tyrosine-hydroxylase (a proxy for dopamine; TH) melanin concentrating-hormone
(MCH), and hypocretin 1/orexin A (H/O) in the VTA, LHA, and HB of three adult male albino rats.
We are staining the HB with TH, dopamine beta hydroxylase (enzyme that manufactures
norepinephrine and epinephrine), and phenolethanolamine-N methyltransferase (enzyme that
synthesizes epinephrine) to establish that the TH-immunopositive (ip) cells are indeed
dopaminergic. MCH and H/O cells largely inhabit areas in the hypothalamus, as the A10
dopaminergic population resides in the VTA. MCH and H/O-ip fibers extend to and innervate
the A10 cells in the VTA, while TH- ip fibers course through medial sections of the LHA. There
are more MCH-ip fibers found in the VTA and LHA than in the HB. Nevertheless, MCH-ip fibers
are expressed more robustly in caudal (nucleus of the solitary tract) rather than rostral (locus
coeruleus) sections of the HB. Dopamine cell bodies are abundant in the area postrema (AP),
also in the HB. H/O fibers mark the boundaries of the AP by the absence of staining.
Understanding the chemical background of the VTA, LHA, and HB will lead to future in vivo
studies involving the stimulation of TH, MCH, and H/O in drug and food intake.
Polymeric Micelle Encapsulation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Remote Drug Delivery
Sarah Shakespeare
Mentor(s): Daniel Denmark
Remote drug delivery would eliminate delivering toxins to the entire body by targeting a tissue
of interest, thereby reducing unwanted side effects. One solution is to create a composite
device capable of delivery and release of drugs only to damaged tissue. Here, poly(NIsopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) serves as the polymer shell since it will either expand
(hydrophilic) or shrink (hydrophobic) as it encounters its transition temperature, 32°C.
Encapsulated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (IOMNPs) work to remotely guide then heat
the polymer as a result of their magnetic properties. Micelles were created via emulsion
polymerization, using PNIPAM to form a shell housing the IOMNPs. SEM and TEM were utilized
to analyze the morphology of the composite particles, and confirm IOMNPs were successfully
encapsulated. Additionally, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) micelles were imaged with
electron microscopy, revealing a more spherical morphology than the PNIPAM variety. Finally,
FTIR spectroscopy analyzed the structure and functional groups of the micelle. The results
confirmed that an amide group was present, indicative of PNIPAM. This work will be of
particular interest to researchers in the field of drug delivery hoping to develop techniques to
reduce and eliminate side effects for patients.
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Tunable Bistable Nonlinear Metamaterials as a Switching Device
Alexander Shields
Mentor(s): Sinhara Silva
Program: Physics
We demonstrate a nonlinear metamaterial in microwave frequency regime with hysteresis effect
and bistable states, which can be utilized as a remotely controllable micro second switching
device. A varactor loaded split-ring resonator (SRR) design which exhibits power and frequency
dependent broadband tunability of the resonance frequency for an external control signal is
used. More importantly, the SRR shows bistability with distinct transmission levels. The transition
between bi-states is controlled by impulses of an external pump signal. Furthermore, we
experimentally demonstrate that the transition rate is on the order of microseconds by using a
varactor loaded double split-ring resonator (DSRR) design composed of two concentric rings
Efficient Free Energy Calculations Through Non-Boltzmann Bennett Reweighting
Adam Taouil
Mentor(s): Phillip Hudson
Program: Chemistry
Free energy calculations are a hot topic in the chemical society with applications ranging from
simple solvation to complex reactions such as protein unfolding. in computational chemistry,
the challenge in computing these free energies lie in two main concerns: (1) Accurate
energetics; and (2) adequate sampling. Descriptions of energetics are improved by
implementing higher levels of theory (i.e. using a Quantum Mechanical (QM) Hamiltonian).
However, the computational expense of performing QM simulations is extremely, and
sometimes prohibitively, expensive. By implementing the Non-Boltzmann Bennett re-weighting
scheme, we have conducted QM level free energy calculations, while sampling from a lower
level of theory (e.g. Molecular Mechanics (MM) or Semi-empirical Quantum Mechanical (SQM)).
In this study, free energy differences of blocked serine monopeptide have been calculated
using a MM trajectory, and a SCCDFTB3 re-weighted drude model trajectory (where the drude
model serves as a "middle" level of theory). Upon inspection of the dihedral distribution of the
drude model and SCCDFTB3, we see that the drude model describes polarization effects which
are otherwise not present in the MM representation. Analysis of the MM dihedral distribution
suggest that an electrostatic intramolecular interactions, described in SCCDFTB3 and drude,
hinders a largely favored conformation in the MM simulation. The Non-Boltzmann reweighting
scheme can be applied to a broad spectrum of systems. Accurate description of the
thermodynamics in these systems is crucial to understanding how they function in application
Controlled Synthesis of Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Monolayers
Corey Valdez
Mentor(s): Humberto Gutierrez
Program: Physics
Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers are atomically thin and chemically stable
films that present new properties compared to their bulk counterpart. There has been much
research in recent years on TMD monolayers [ particularly MX2 (where M = Mo, W and X = S,
Se)] due to their direct band gap in the visible range and the useful applications which arise
from its physical properties. To take advantage of these properties, it is necessary to be able to
produce high quality, large area TMD films. Our research focuses on optimizing a method of
producing such films. In this work, we use a modified process of chemical vapor deposition to
produce films of MoSe2 on SiO2/Si substrates. Parameters such as temperature of the substrate
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and precursors as well as growth time are use to optimize the process. The samples are
characterized using a combination of Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and atomic
force microscopy in order to determine the number of layers; and the homogeneity and
crystalline quality of the sample. We successfully synthesized and reproduced samples of high
quality film as shown by the samples' Raman spectra and photoluminescence. We found that a
grow time of30 minutes at 600°C produces films which exhibit a Raman shift corresponding to
monolayer MoSe2 and a relatively large photoluminescence which further demonstrates the
presence of high quality, homogeneous monolayer MoSe2. These samples can now be used in
conjunction with other such films in order to produce heterostructures which will allow us to
further tune the band gap, increasing the number of potential applications
Eliminating mode hopping in injection-locked lasers
Savannah Vasquez
Mentor(s): Dallin Durfee
Program: Physics and Mathematics
All particles (like atoms) can behave like waves. The wave part of atoms can be split apart by
hitting it with a laser, then travel two distinct paths to the same point and be put back together
by hitting it with another laser. Using a technique called interferometry, the phase difference of
the waves can be measured. This tells us more information about the electric field and different
characteristics of the atom. However, no two lasers are exactly the same and they must be
identical for this experiment to work. Using injection-locking one may force two “slave” lasers to
be identical to the same “master” laser. It was observed that before a slave goes out of lock, or
mode hops (basically changing to frequency that’s not the master’s), the noise it creates grows
and one can use this noise as warning signal. Using a feedback circuit that turns the noise it
generates into a signal, we send corrections to the current of the laser diode via an integral
controller. Currently, our system has kept the laser locked for upwards of one hour, verses the 25 minutes it was previously. Future work will include varying elements on the circuit, so that we
can hone the signal we receive and make corrections to the laser’s current modulator faster.
Keeping the laser lock longer will make it useful for many different experiments
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Public Health
Examining the Progress toward Guinea Worm Disease Eradication: A Review of the
Literature
Mary Alao
Mentor(s): Alison Oberne
Program: Public Health
Presently, smallpox is the only disease to have been globally eradicated from the human
population. However, Guinea worm disease (GWD) is expected to be next. GWD is a parasitic
infection contracted by consuming water contaminated with Dracunculus larvae. The disease
debilitates the working population of individuals aged 15 to 45 years old in affected countries.
The current eradication campaign has facilitated a decline from 3.5 million cases in 20 endemic
countries in 1986 to just 22 cases remaining in 4 endemic countries (Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and
South Sudan) as of 2015. The purpose of this research is to examine GWD eradication strategies
in the remaining 4 endemic countries. Methods used in this research project included: 1)
assessing health education in affected countries, 2) analyzing the efficacy of preventive and
control measures, and 3) reviewing epidemiologic surveillance for case reporting and
containment. The results of this research project showed both prevention and control methods
to be successful eradication strategies. Among the 4 endemic countries, prevention methods
included the use of water filters (N=4) and water treatment with a larvicide (N=4). Results for
control methods depicted increase in case reporting through monetary incentives (N=4), timely
visits to health facilities among those affected (N=3), and implementation of extraction or
controlled bucket treatment (N=3). The implications of achieving GWD eradication include both
restoration of agricultural productivity among the working population in affected countries, and
renewed confidence in the eradication efforts of other debilitating diseases.
The Disparity of Reproductive Healthcare Access Between Latin American Immigrants and
Native Spaniards
Sarah Azim, Jubel Puthusseril
Background: Spain is often touted as containing one of the best healthcare systems in the
world. They currently boast a compulsory national healthcare system, with money being
primarily obtained from taxation. However, in light of the recent economic crisis, healthcare that
was once accessible to everyone became limited to providing only emergency care for all
people. The national healthcare system became limited to citizens. Since the beginning of the
21st century, Spain has seen a massive influx of Latin American immigrants crossing into its
borders. Many of these immigrants desire access to the national healthcare system but
encounter barriers in accessing services. Aim: The purpose of this research project is to
ascertain the scope of reproductive healthcare disparity between Latin American immigrants
and natives of Spain. Methods: We will be delving into qualitative analysis of various published
articles that address the status of reproductive healthcare access between Latin American
immigrants and natives of Spain. Upon divulging information on this topic from various articles,
there will be a comparative study between these two social groups to determine the scope of
disparity present. Results: The research has shown not only severely limited access to
reproductive healthcare for Latin American immigrants, but even limited access for those native
to Spain as well, specifically in cases of abortion rights. As lacking as access is for both social
groups, it is evident that Latin American immigrants suffer the repercussions of limited access at
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a much higher degree. Conclusions: Further studies may delve into the legislative aspects of
this concern.
Vulnerability of LGBT Populations in Natural Disasters: A Review of the Literature
Kendall Cappadoro
Mentor(s): Elizabeth Dunn, Patrick Gardner
Natural Disasters affect millions of people each year, and in response to these disasters, data is
constantly being collected and analyzed to strengthen communities and their response.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey, a reported 783,100
samesex couples reside in the United States. Marginalization from social, political and economic
resources and the disregard of needs within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
(LGBT) community reinforces vulnerability while hindering recovery efforts in disaster affected
communities. A study of the lack of unified response to LGBT communities in natural disasters
and poor data collection, reveal public health implications that offer insight on limitations to
recovery. Meeting with community advocates, identified stakeholders interested in the LGBT
experience regarding disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The process included an
examination of existing literature on challenges this population has faced prior to the U.S.
Supreme Court’s decision (2015) to legalize marriage by samesex couples. Identification of five
peerreviewed journal articles exposed the gap in research and provided insight to the shortfalls
in disaster management while highlighting major public health factors that need attention. This
illustrations the need for qualitative and quantitative data collection for policy change and
program planning in disaster recovery efforts. This literature review has identified research
needs within the LGBT community. The significance and complexity of data collection in
disaster affected communities, demonstrations a need for integrating local, national and
international stakeholders in program development that is LGBT inclusive and prevents further
discrimination while improving public health outcomes.
Journey of Photos and Behaviors: a photovoice analysis of multilevel behavioral
determinants of physical activity
Aileen De Leon, Michael Roxin, Julaina Webber, Krupa Desai, Christina Giron
Mentor(s): Humberto Lopez Castillo
Background: Healthy Campus 2020 (HC2020) is a national framework to improve the overall
health status of students, faculty, and staff on college campuses. One of such objectives is to
rise in the proportion of students who report meeting current federal guidelines for aerobic
physical activity. Aims: To use Bromfenbrenner’s Socio-ecological Model (SEM) to identify
facilitators and barriers to students who report meeting current federal guidelines for aerobic
physical activity. Methods: Photovoice was used to identify facilitators and barriers for students
to be physically active around USF Tampa campus. We debriefed these images to identify
themes in each of the SEM levels. Results: At the individual level, self-efficacy and comfort with
walking to class competed with hoverboards. At the interpersonal level, we found opportunities
to engage in group physical activities that has to overcome a lazy day of rest. At the community
level, bike racks around campus allow students to ride to/from class, but this faces the challenge
of the Bull Runner. At the institutional/policy level, a facilitator sports teams that can stimulate
behavioral modeling, but campus prohibition of bikes, skateboards, and rollerblades in
designated areas can counter this. Conclusions: The Tampa campus of USF provides its
community with various ways to partake physical activity, which also compete with several
barriers in achieving HC2020 objective on physical activity. By using SEM-framed Photovoice
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research methods, we described within- and between-level interactions of facilitators and
barriers that must be taken into account to implement effective public health programs on
campus.
The Making of Sourced: A Consumer Guide to Interpreting Health Food Buzzwords
Rachel Fanti
Mentor(s): Heike Scharm, Cecilia Nunes
Buzzwords including the terms “organic”, “all-natural”, and “non-GMO” have gained a wide
presence on food packaging. With their extensive use comes a perception that the terms
directly correlate with a product’s nutritional value. It has been measured that consumers rate
products advertised with buzzwords as significantly healthier than the very same products
marketed without the terms (Northup, 2014). Because these beliefs stem from perception and
not education, it is of importance to inform the public of the meaning behind said buzzwords.
This report describes the making of Sourced: A Consumer Guide to Interpreting Health Food
Buzzwords. Given that these three methods of preparation all have positive and negative
attributes, the guide is written in a neutral voice. Its purpose guide is to investigate the
requirements that must be met for foods to be classified under the terms “organic”, “allnatural”, and “non-GMO” and to deliver this information through the form of a consumer
guide. The research performed was accomplished through analysis of the existing literature.
Book-length studies, periodicals, and relevant debates were consulted for the construction of
this guide. Through this research, it was determined that alongside the positive qualities often
associated with these terms, they each pose negative consequences that may be overlooked by
the consumer.
Catch Me at CAM: The Effect of Art Engagement Programs on Student Communication
Skills at Undergraduate Institutions
Brittney Gaudet
Mentor(s): Shawn Bingham
Across the country, art museums have been implementing intimate engagement programs to
serve the Alzheimer’s and Dementia population. Most are based on the novel Meet Me at
MoMA program. Conceived at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, it worked to provide
dementia patients and their care partners with the opportunity to take something other than
strict facts from museum visits. The goal was to positively impact participants’ moods,
communication, and relationships through a method of art engagement known as Visual
Thinking Strategies (VTS). VTS asks general questions of viewers to stimulate the sharing of their
own thoughts in a group setting. After astounding results at MoMA, museums everywhere
began to explore this type of program. No museums had developed the program to suit
college-aged students, but Catch Me at CAM does. Instituted in January of this year, the Catch
Me at CAM program has been an ongoing effort at the USF Contemporary Art Museum.
Students are invited to participate in hour-long sessions using the VTS method of engagement.
This study evaluates the Catch Me at CAM program to determine whether students report
better communication skills. Conducted via the administration of pre and post program surveys,
the evaluation works to assess how well the program affects student communication skills and
how best to improve these types of programs in the future. With a little bit of art, and even
more conversation, Catch Me at CAM will positively impact the student body at the USF for
semesters to come.
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Stage-specific RNAseq gene expression profiling of a malaria parasite CAF1 mutant: CAF1
is an important post-transcriptional regulator
Raaven Goffe
Mentor(s): John Adams, Jenna Oberstaller
Plasmodium falciparum malaria is one of the most devastating parasitic diseases worldwide,
responsible for an estimated 174 million clinical cases and 525,000 deaths in 2013 alone. P.
falciparum has a complex life cycle in the human host spanning stages in the liver and blood,
the latter of which is responsible for the clinical manifestation of malaria. The parasite
development during the blood stage necessitates very tight control of gene expression—but
what parasite factors regulate expression? We know transcriptional regulatory mechanisms are
important, but they are not the whole story. Post-transcriptional mechanisms, delays between
transcription and translation, are largely unstudied. Studies on P. falciparum gene regulation
throughout the blood stage identify a lag between mRNA production and protein production
as the parasites develop, suggesting significant levels of post-transcriptional regulation. CAF1 is
a post-transcriptional regulatory protein that controls gene expression by degrading mRNA as a
deadenylase that is a part of the CCR4-NOT complex (Figure 1). PfCAF1 knockout mutants
(ΔCAF1 parasites) exhibited aberrant expression of 1000+ genes (~20% of the genome) in
previously reported microarray experiments, indicative of its crucial role as a regulator of gene
expression. Identification of these currently uncharacterized regulatory mechanisms is the initial
stage in determining drug targets and developing novel antimalarial drugs
The relationship between electronic cigarette use and age
Danis Hasan, Alexander Moradian
Mentor(s): Lauren Meltzer
E-cigarette use has increased in adults and children in the past two years (Tobacco-Free Kids,
2015). We analyzed e-cigarette survey data based on the age of respondents to understand the
“vaping” phenomenon. We hypothesized: 1) Younger individuals who consume higher nicotine
content are more frequent users of e-cigarettes compared to older individuals who consume a
comparable amount. 2) Younger individuals with higher positive expectancies for e-cigarettes
will have increased frequency of use; 3) Younger individuals with higher negative expectancies
for e-cigarettes will have lower frequency of use. Lastly, we wanted to determine if specific
flavors were used more frequently amongst a certain age group. Participants (N=1883)
completed an online survey regarding e-cigarette use. A median split at the age of 36 divided
the sample into “Younger” and “Older” age groups. Factorial ANOVAs were conducted to test
the effect of age and other variables on frequency of use. Significant main effects of age group
and nicotine content were found on frequency of use (ps<.01). Significant main effects of age
group and frequency of use were found on positive expectancies (ps<.001). A significant main
effect of age group was found on negative expectancies (p<.05), but no other significant main
effects were found. No significant main effects or interactions of age group and flavor were
found on frequency of use. Our results showed no significant interactions among age and usage
for the different variables tested. Future e-cigarette research should develop similar
intervention materials for individuals regardless of age.
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The Fall and Rise of Measles
Rishi Kalia, Ravi Kalia, Raquib Zaman
Measles is an acute contagious disease that is caused by morbillivirus and marked especially by
an eruption of distinct red circular spots. In the past twenty years, there have been an increase
in confirmed cases of Measles, spreading amongst different areas across the globe. Most
recently, it has been prominent in the Asian countries, such as China, The Philippines, and
Vietnam. The disease has endured a few outbreaks in the United States due to negligence and
the lack of vaccination reports from immigrants. While each country has acknowledged the
spread, research in comparing the outbreaks against different continental regions has been
lacking. In an attempt to better understand the patterns behind the disease's rampant
emergence and gradual decline, this research serves to bridge the gaps between these two
fields. By analyzing vaccination data in conjunction with isolating the specific genotype markers
that are present in each country's population, a trend for each country was determined, which
allowed for the proper understanding of just how prevalent the disease was to a certain
demographic. This evidence was paired with newfound theories that could potentially link
certain risk factors with the findings published. Vietnam showed a decline in the spread since
2010, this trend was also shared by China, but the Philippines demonstrated a 5-fold increase in
the disease. In the United States, the number of unvaccinated individuals has risen due to
hysteria surrounding the potential link of vaccines to Autism, especially among the population
in the western coast of the country.
Colon Cancer Modeling: A beginning
Rishi Kalia, Ravi Kalia, Raquib Zaman
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease in which normal cells in the lining of the colon or rectum
begin to change, grow without control, and can no longer undergo apoptosis. As per The
American Cancer Society (ACS), it is the third most common form of cancer in the United States
and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The cancer usually begins as an
accumulation of noncancerous polyps that can, over time, become a cancerous tumor. Colon
cancer mortality has declined over the past 3 decades largely due to increased screening. The
object of our present study is to perform statistical analysis of malignant colon tumors with the
tumor size being the response variable. The average tumor size is not significantly different
between men and women. However, we determined that the tumor sizes of Caucasians and
African Americans are statistically different. The data does not follow Gaussian distribution, so a
best fit was implemented which characterizes the distribution of the tumors for men and women
along with their confidence intervals. Finally, using malignant tumor as a function of age, we
identified a mathematical function that characterizes the size and the behavior of the tumors.
Using these obtained functions, we identified the equations to estimate the growth rate of
tumors.
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Literature and Survey Analysis of Soy Intake Recommendations for Hormone-Receptor
Positive Breast Cancer Survivors
Felicia Kavalec
Mentor(s): Lauri Wright
According to the Centers for Disease Control, breast cancer is the most common cancer in
women, no matter their ethnicity or race, with over 200,000 women being diagnosed annually.
Although great strides have been made in research, diagnoses, and treatment of breast cancer,
incidence rates are still considered to be stable or rising in many demographics. This means
that now more than ever, women must adapt to life after breast cancer. While going through
treatment, patients might become familiar with the controversy of soy’s impact on breast cancer
development, ranging from information on soy’s possible damaging effects (including the
inducement of tumor growth) to its possible healing properties. Since the general consensus is
still up in the air, many doctors suggest avoiding it as a precaution. This is simple advice to take
while in treatment; however, survivors may not have this kind of guidance while they are going
through remission and could become confused about how soy can affect breast cancer
recurrence. This information needs to be made available to the 2.8 million breast cancer
survivors in America who may not currently be under the advisement of a doctor or nutritionist.
This study aims to complete a literature review of the effects of soy on the recurrence of breast
cancer, followed by a survey and analysis of the opinion of current healthcare professionals on
the issue, as well as a comparison between the opinions of healthcare professionals and advice
given online through major institutions that many people rely on.
Ideal Sporozoite Collection Conditions in Plasmodium Falciparum and P. vivax
Eliana Lozano Perez
Mentor(s): Steven Maher, Dennis Kyle
The World Health Organization reported that 500,000 people died of malaria in 2011, most of
them children and women in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria infection is initiated
when sporozoites are injected into the dermis with the saliva of a feeding female mosquito.
Sporozoites are then carried to the liver to invade and replicate with a hepatocyte. To assist with
ongoing antimalarial drug screening efforts, this study is designed to provide a more detailed
analysis of sporozoite collection methods in order to replicate in vivo conditions throughout in
vitro experiments. Following review of insect and mammalian physiological conditions, we
chose to test collection buffers with different pH, glucose content, temperature, and additives
such as BSA. Sporozoites needed for optimization assays were either produced from in vitro
Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes cultures over a 16 day protocol or obtained from P. vivax
infected mosquitoes shipped from Thailand. After development with mosquitoes, sporozoites
were dissected from salivary glands, isolated under different experimental conditions, and then
allowed to infect hepatocyte cultures to test which conditions are optimal for liver parasite
formation. Our preliminary findings show room temperature insect medias at neutral or basic
pH are superior to mammalian cell media and that concentrations of BSA below 3% (w/v) help
preserve parasite activity. Future experiments aim to further test the role of BSA on Sporozoite
activity to confirm these findings for P. falciparum sporozoites.
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Chronic blockage of the complement component 5a receptor (C5aR) *Project Withdrawn*
Maegan Mendoza
Mentor(s): Marcia Gordon, Aurelie Amado
The pathological lesions induce an inflammatory response, which involves the recruitment of
peripheral immune cells. Complement component 5a (C5a) is an extremely potent
proinflammatory peptide known for its chemotactic properties. We hypothesized that inhibition
of C5a signaling by the administration of antibodies targeting its receptor, C5aR, would
blockade monocyte trafficking to the brain resulting in slowing down the progression of
neurodegeneration in a mouse model of tau deposition. 2 months-old Tg4510r mice, carrying
the human four repeat tau with the P301L mutation and the CamKII tetracycline controlled
transactivator protein (Tet) and Tet only littermates (controls) were injected twice a week
intraperitoneally with antibodies directed against C5aR or IgG2a control antibody for 4 months.
Immunohistochemistry analysis showed no differences in the levels of total tau (H150), phospho
tau (pser396, pser199/202) and neurofibrillary tangles (gallyas) in the tau mice injected with
C5aR when compared to the control IgG injected mice. Consistent with previous results, there
was a genotype effect in several inflammatory markers such as activated microglia (Iba-1),
astrocytes (GFAP), and cd11c, with tau mice exhibiting higher levels of inflammation compared
to tet littermates. However, no treatment effect was observed. All together these results show
that blockade of C5a signaling was not efficient in reducing pathology in a mouse model of tau
deposition.
High throughput screen differentiates activity in FDA approved drugs and experimental
compounds against pathogenic and non-pathogenic Naegleria species
Kaitlin Mettel
Mentor(s): Dennis Kyle, Chris Rice
Naegleria fowleri is a pathogenic free-living amoeba found in soil and warm bodies of fresh
water, and causes a rare and deadly disease known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis
(PAM). Infection occurs when amoebae enter the nasal passage, pass through the cribriform
plate along the olfactory nerve, to the frontal lobes of the brain. PAM currently has no effective
treatment regimen and with a 97% fatality rate, it is important to discover new potent, rapidly
acting compounds that cross the blood brain barrier. Due to the biosafety level requirements to
study N. fowleri, an alternative approach for drug discovery could be the use of N. lovaniensis, a
closely related and non-pathogenic species, to screen for bioactive compounds. Though they
are closely related species, they could have different susceptibilities to potential drugs;
therefore, we tested the hypothesis that N. lovaniensis can be used as a substitute for drug
screening. We validated a high throughput screening method for N. lovaniensis to compare
directly the activity of more than 1000 FDA approved drugs and experimental compounds that
were previously assessed against N. fowleri in similar assay conditions. Our results demonstrate
significant differences between the active compound scaffolds (hits) and potency for N.
lovaniensis as compared to N. fowleri. Consequently, drug discovery to treat PAM requires the
use of the pathogenic species to screen compound libraries, otherwise the results may lead to
false negatives in the search for drugs to cure this fatal infection.
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Examining primary hepatocyte phenotype longevity and functionality in continuous
microwell device culture for study of Plasmodium vivax
Raahil Patel
Mentor(s): Steven Maher, Dennis Kyle
Plasmodium is a parasitic protozoan responsible for malaria, a disease causing 500,000 deaths
of mostly young children, pregnant women, and immunodeficient individuals. This intracellular
parasite has an obligatory, asymptomatic round of replication in a liver hepatocyte prior to
causing disease by rapidly replicating in the blood. The liver stage is, therefore, an ideal drug
and vaccine target as the small number of parasites found in the liver are numerically
vulnerable. Because human hepatocytes are unstable ex vivo, we are developing a drugdiscovery culture system, which provides microphysical culture space that has been shown to
encourage hepatocyte health and parasite development. The goals of this study were to
investigate how different geometries and plastic coatings of microphysical space affect both
hepatocyte health and parasite development, to test if the geometry rendering the best
parasite development is also superior for other phenotypes, and to characterize several hepatic
phenotype responses to microphysical space culture. We tested hepatocytes in six geometry
conditions in hydroxyl, carboxyl, and active coatings for factor IX and albumin production
quantified by ELISA, and for parasite development rate. We found fewer complications to
maintain hepatic phenotypes than to maintain parasite infection rates. This is noted when the
albumin and factor IX production of hepatocytes was well maintained for all geometries, while
only the Active coating on an array of 4x4 squares was optimal for parasite development.
Further studies aim to assess more hepatic phenotypes, like Cytochrome P450 induction, to
better characterize the effect of the culture system on hepatocyte health.
A Review of Sexual Assault Prevention Strategies in College Students
Maiya Phillips
Mentor(s): Alison Oberne
Sexual assault in college students is a pressing issue. Policies, including the Violence against
Women Act and Title IX, emphasize efforts to decrease the high incidence of sexual assault.
One in five women is sexually assaulted in her lifetime; a rate that has remained the same for
the past 50 years. This alarming statistic begs the question: what are effective methods for
reducing sexual assault? I conducted a literature review related to sexual assault prevention on
college campuses. Inclusion criteria included: peer-reviewed articles, included college students,
United States-based research, and assessed current or forthcoming prevention methods.
Exclusion criteria included: addressed general issues related to sexual assault. Nine articles met
inclusion criteria. Prevention programs emphasized many strategies including: changing social
norms (n=5), bystander-focused programs (n=5), web-based programs (n=3), risk reduction
programs (n=2), assertiveness training for women (n=1), acquaintance rape education programs
(n=1), and combining traditional sexual assault risk reduction programs with alcohol education
(n=1). Five of the nine studies examined prevention programs with two or more program types.
The study limitations included: selective or small sample sizes and short-term evaluations. Most
participants were psychology students (n=4), attended a small liberal arts college (n=3), were
exclusively female (n=3) or were exclusively male (n=2). Small, specific sample populations limit
ecological validity. Short-term evaluations reduce the ability to identify long-lasting program
effects. In conclusion, bystander-focused, web-based programs could ease dissemination,
reduce cost, and promote positive results. Future research should focus on comparing different
programs strategies to identify the most effective components.
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A Preliminary Investigation of an Organophosphate and Carbamate Mixture Acute Toxicity
with Daphnia Magna
Brittany Piver
Mentor(s): Marie Bourgeois, Kristina Harand
The use of pesticides and insecticides helps farmers combat a variety of problems such as
insects, fungi, and invasive plants. When precipitation causes runoff, the pesticides flow into
different bodies of water and can potentially serve as a problem for all aquatic life. The National
Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA), managed by the U.S Geological Survey,
provides data relating to the occurrence of pesticides in steams and groundwater. The NAWQA
has identified that the occurrence of pesticides usually occurs in mixtures of multiple
compounds. In 2007, the NAWQA also documented that 83% of urban streams and 57% of
agriculture streams has exceeded the aquatic life benchmarks as set by the Office of Pesticide
Programs in the EPA. This leaves the question: do multiple compounds have synergistic effects
leading to an underestimation of the toxicity assessments of single pesticide compounds in the
environment? This investigation intends to test the inhibition of the mobility of Daphnia magna
Straus when exposed to a binary mixture of organophosphates (Chlorpyrifos) and carbamates
(Carbaryl). The stock concentrations are 5 µg L-1 for Chlorpyrifos and 85 µg L-1 for Carbaryl. After
48 hours, the percentage of the immobile Daphnia magna was recorded and the results of this
preliminary test determines that the range of the stock concentration tested in the definitive
toxicity test should be between 2.50% and 1.25%.
Investigating Rising HIV Rates within MSM Communities in China
Vincent Roth
In contemporary times, China has become one of the most globalized countries in the world. As
such, it has been no stranger to the global HIV epidemic. The men having sex with men (MSM)
population in China has been disproportionately affected by this epidemic, accounting for one
third of new HIV infections in 2015 (Song, Li, Zhang, Fang, Lin, Liu, & Stanton, 2015). This study
sought to explore factors contributing to the rise of HIV within Chinese MSM communities.
Literature concerning barriers to HIV testing in the Chinese MSM community and the
psychosocial perspectives of homosexuality and HIV in China was considered in evaluating
transmission risks. Findings indicated that a lack of HIV testing is the most significant contributor
to rising rates of HIV in the Chinese MSM community. Barriers to testing included
misconceptions around HIV and stigma (social, familial, and internalized), which is largely a
result of the government’s silence on LGBT issues. Given the subjective psychological
experience of MSM in China, many direct quotations were taken from MSM to assess the
diverse perspectives around HIV within their community. Based on the findings in this study, a
list of recommendations concerning how China could combat the rise of HIV within the MSM
community was developed.
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Type Two Diabetes Educational Initiative in Cedro Galan, Nicaragua
Daniel Ruiz
Mentor(s): Brian Knox
Background: In 2012, Manna Project International and USF health establish a relationship in
providing primary care and health education in the underserved community of Cedro Galan
Nicaragua.The Cedro Galan clinic sees many hypertension and diabetic patients. Both of these
diseases can benefit from health education. Research Goal: This is an observational study
seeking to define baseline diabetes related knowledge and self-management efficacy in a
population of prediabetic patients and those with type 2 diabetes attending diabetes education
classes through the Manna Project International Cedro Galan clinic. The target population
scheduled for these classes is adults with prediabetes and/or type 2 diabetes. Survey
information was collected prior to starting the education classes. Survey information was then
gathered assessing their knowledge after the class. The sample sized collected was 31
participants. Results: Results demonstrate a low confidence and knowledge variable prior to
the educational class. After the education class the confidence and knowledge variable
significantly improved. Other aspects of the data demonstrate that there is a lack of knowledge
in the type of foods the diabetics should be eating. The data demonstrates a correlation with
the lack of confidence and abstaining from daily cultural activities. Conclusion: The
intervention was successful in measuring the diabetic living knowledge of the diabetic
population in Cedro Galan and improving the baseline. Future research includes broadening
this educational approach with those that have hypertension in Cedro Galan. The researcher
also aims to improve future educational courses in diabetes by understanding the diet and
culture of this specific region in Nicaragua.
A Journey of Photos and Behaviors: Determining obesity barriers and facilitators at USF
campus.
Andrea Tristan, Jen Black, Alisha Espinosa, James Martin
Mentor(s): Humberto Lopez Castillo
Program: Public Health; Health Sciences
Background. Reducing the prevalence of obesity within campuses is one of the target objectives of
Healthy Campus 2020, a nationwide effort focused on improving and creating healthier campus
environments. Our university is part of this initiative and an in-depth analysis of facilitators and
barriers could drive more effective preventive programs. Aim. To depict and analyze facilitators and
barriers to obesity prevalence present on campus framed within the socio-ecological model.
Methods. Photovoice, a research method for health promotion where investigators can also be
participants, was used to collect data in the form of photos of different behavioral facilitators or
barriers for students identified over two weeks. Photovoice data was debriefed and analyzed. We
report the most salient facilitator and barrier per each of the five levels of Bronfenbrenner’s Socioecological Model: intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community and policy. Results. The
presence of a Recreation Center and inadequate personal clothing seem to conflict at the
intrapersonal level. The bikes program competes with frequent bake sales at the interpersonal level.
At the institutional level, few healthy and a lot of unhealthy vending machines compete for students’
attention. At the community and policy levels, respectively, the Wellness Center and the increasing
presence of traffic signs deter obesogenic behaviors, while Bulls Country shops and abusing the Bull
Runner service facilitate obesogenic behaviors. Conclusions. Behavioral barriers and facilitators
compete within and between socio-ecological levels. These interactions must be taken into account
to design efficacious obesity prevention programs that will ultimately achieve Healthy Campus 2020
goal of reducing the prevalence of obesity.
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Social Sciences
"There's Your R Rating Right There": A Conceptualization of Vulgar Teen Sex Comedies
*CREATTE Project
Victoria Adesso, Joanna Jacob
Program: Sociology/Criminology; Pre Nursing
Vulgar teen comedies are prevalent in our society and may have influenced or formed the
paradigms and sexual expectations of young people. These comedies present themes of
gender roles in sexual relationships, sexualization of teen characters, and white masculinity. This
research seeks results to the following questions: how do these films portray gender roles in
terms of sexual relationships, how do these films sexualize women and desexualize men, and
how is white masculinity shown and encouraged in these comedies. This research will also
include an artistic component which serves as a reversal of the common themes in the movies
and attempt to examine how switching these roles would affect society’s view of these
comedies. We intend to analyze this content and use it to inform the public of these themes.
The basis of the film sample came from American Pie as it is the most popular and top grossing
movie that follows underneath our definition and criterion of vulgar teen sex comedies (Internet
Movie Database, 2016). The sample was then created through the use of Netflix and iTunes’
related search function. This study will be conducted qualitatively and will use semiotic analysis
to describe the instances of these common themes throughout the films. The conclusions will
address some of the gendered and racial biases that are presented in our media and their
implications, and will contribute to the relatively small amount of research on this film genre.
The societal impact of this study will come through the artistic component, which is intended to
create a paradigm shift in our culture by combating prevalent sexualized gender roles, white
masculinity, and over-sexualization
Influences of task type and dialect on the fluency of native English speakers *CREATTE
Project
Aneesa Ali, Tyler Black, Elizabeth Maderas, Fedia Deshommes, Hope Stapor, Julia Knoll
Mentor(s): Amanda Huensch
Program: Communication Sciences and Disorders; World Languages; English; International
Studies; Behavioral and Community Sciences; Philosophy
Research has indicated that different tasks elicit varying levels of second language fluency (Gan,
2013), while different English dialects elicit different perceived fluencies (Mackey, Finn, &
Ingham, 1997). However, research on the effects of task type and English dialects on first
language fluency is scarce. The purpose of this study is to examine whether task type or dialect
(American vs. British) affects speed, breakdown, and/or repair fluency. College-aged British
(n=49) and American (n=13) native-English speakers completed a picture-based oral narrative.
American English speakers also completed a free speech task. After recording, linguistic
analysis software were used to transcribe and code data to identify fluency features such as the
number of filled pauses per second, a measure of breakdown fluency. The results for task type
indicated a significant difference in only two elements of breakdown and repair fluency: the free
speech task resulted in more filled pauses and repetitions than did the prompted story. Thus,
the free speech task may disrupt the speech production process in formulating utterance from
concept (Segalowitz, 2010). The results also indicated no significant differences between most
fluency measures between dialects. One aspect of breakdown fluency was significantly different;
however, a single outlier may have influenced results. Thus, a larger sample size is warranted in
future research. While the current results indicated few differences between American and
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British English speakers, task type was shown to affect fluency. Future research should continue
to investigate fluency across multiple dialects, but take into consideration that differences are
expected between tasks.
Eating Disorders: Spain versus The United States *CREATTE Project
Jill Almond
Program: Health Science
The four categories of eating disorders are binge eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia, and eating
disorders not otherwise specified. All are dangerous and deadly, with Anorexia Nervosa having
the highest mortality rate amongst all mental illnesses. Studies estimate that 3.43% of
individuals suffer from eating disorders in Spain and 30 million individuals suffer from eating
disorders in the United States (roughly 9.4% of the U.S. population). The large difference in the
prevalence of these disorders between the two countries calls for attention. This project will
look at prior research and statistics regarding the diseases in both countries and what this
significant difference in prevalence could be attributed to. In addition, the similarities and
differences in the treatment and medical coverage of eating disorders in Spain and the United
States will be examined. The goal upon the conclusion of this study is to determine why Spain’s
statistics of the disorders are significantly lower. This knowledge would ideally be taken into
consideration of professionals and health care providers in the United States to remodel
approaches in its attitude, treatment, and coverage of eating disorders to lower the occurrences
of such deadly diseases.
Sacrificial Moments: Couples Bonding Through Food
Chelsea Ashe
Mentor(s): Jennifer Friedman, Laurel Graham
Program: Sociology
Literature on the family structure and relationships shows that the rapid progression of change
in domestic life can cause stress on relationships and family members (Brazelton, 1988). Studies
indicate that the ability to perform and appreciate positive sacrifices in relationships can
determine the success or failure of the relationship (Stanley et al., 2006). In my analysis, I
examined the different ways that food management and preparation was used in the household
to demonstrate sacrifice and care, sometimes without conscious knowledge that this was
occurring. From this perspective, food can be seen as the glue that holds relationships and
family together, rather than simply a necessity for sustenance. My research question focused on
how food was used to display love and the symbolic meanings attached to the provision of
meals. Using grounded theory, I examined 37 interviews of parents from the Temple Terrace
Recreation Center, drawing upon emergent patterns brought up by participants in
relationships. These included sacrificial aspects of time and consideration for their partner’s
preferences, instead of just that of the children’s. This research highlights how food serves
multiple purposes within a family structure. A focus on the romanticism of food demonstrates
the multitude of ways in which food provisioning might create an atmosphere of respect and
appreciation between partners.
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Conquest through Ethnicity
Jonathan Assis
Mentor(s): Julie Langford
Program: History
The region called Germany today is not far off in bounds from the region called Germania in
Late Republican and Early Imperial Rome. A clear setting of boundaries of Germania can be
traced back to two authors, Caesar and Tacitus. Caesar wrote De Bello Gallico, about the war
and conquest of Gaul and its inhabitants. He defined the separation of Gallia from Germania by
the Rhine River. Tacitus wrote his work the Germania, which described the land Germany, its
peoples, and their customs. He too put the border between Gaul and Germany as the Rhine.
He goes on further to encircle Germany with the Ocean, Danube, and mountains as other
geographical borders (Tac. 1). Both authors wrote ethnographies on the Germans, but Caesar
also wrote on the Gauls. The descriptions of Caesar’s and Tacitus’ Germans do not resemble
each other much at all, but the descriptions of Gauls by Caesar and the Germans by Tacitus do
resemble each other. The similarities seem to indicate that Caesar and Tacitus employed
parallel ideologies, and thus the reason for writing about these two groups shared a parallel
purpose. Caesar used the idea of defensive imperialism to justify his Gallic war and Tacitus used
the justifications of defensive imperialism to demonstrate the need for Germany’s conquest.
Through creating a more civilized Germany, by his ethnography of the Germans, than Caesar
had depicted, he validated the conquest of Germany and essentially urged Trajan to conquer it
through an appeal to defensive imperialism in his Germania.
Parental Roles in Animated Disney Movies: Comparison of single parent and nuclear family
households *CREATTE Project
Aleah Ataman, Kassidy Hof-Mahoney
Program: Marine Biology; Integrative Animal Biology
Disney animated films have a major impact on society, especially in children. Even as children
grow up into young adults, they continue to view the characters as role models (Robinson,
Callister, Magoffin, and Moore 2007). In 1980 to 1999 single parent households jumped from
20% to 28% of all family households and have continued to increase (Paulin & Lee 2002). Disney
movies often portray broken families, usually with the death of one or both of the parents. There
is not currently a wide variety of research on this specific topic in regards to Disney movies.
However, research has been done on couples and families in Disney animated films, which
discussed the reoccurring theme of single-parents in Disney movies. How are single caretakers
in Disney movies portrayed as compared to caretakers in more traditional two parent
families? It is expected that the caretakers in two parent families will follow the stereotypical
gendered parental roles while the single caretakers will more likely deviate from these roles.
Also, children from single caretaker families are expected to rebel more often than children
from two parent homes. Ten animated Disney films will be analyzed on their representation of
single caretakers and nuclear families, five with single caretakers and five with two biological
parents. Two coders coded for stereotypical gendered parental roles of the caretakers and for
whether the children rebelled. If our hypotheses are correct, children that are watching Disney
movies may have an unrealistic expectation for parenting styles in different family households.
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Work-Family-School Conflict and Cardiovascular Health
Christina Barnett
Mentor(s): Kimberly French
Program: Psychology
Recently there has been a rise in non-traditional students at universities in the United States.
Many of these students are trying to accomplish tasks not only in their school role, but they may
also be participating in a work role and a family role. The purpose of this study is to examine
role conflict between work, school, and family and observe the corresponding cardiovascular
responses to this conflict. Our study also examines the moderators of social support and role
salience on this relationship. Participants were asked to take their blood pressure and heart rate
at certain times throughout the day using blood pressure cuffs and then answer surveys
regarding instances of conflict. This took place over a period of four days. When using multilevel modeling, the data show no significant relationships for any of the predicted moderation
effects, however there was a significant interaction between coworker support and diastolic and
systolic blood pressure. There was also a significant interaction between work/family to school
conflict and school role saliency. The discussion highlights that social support within the work
domain can help reduce stress in the lives of individuals with multiple roles, while also indicating
that the salience of the school role to the individual is related to more stress when that role is
threatened with an instance of conflict.
Branded Food, Branded Families: Performance and Authenticity in Everyday Food
Decisions Matthew Bresnahan
Mentor(s): Laurel Graham, Jennifer Friedman
Program: Sociology
Research in contemporary food studies underscores the ways some branded food items act as
“high status cultural signals” (Johnston et al, 2011, pg. 296). Popular and academic discourses
often assume a distinction between buying for status and buying out of “authentic” connection
or affinity with a brand. In these discourses consumers are portrayed as either entirely genuine
in their desire for a brand or completely calculating, driven solely by a need to communicate
status or prestige. Data suggest that these distinctions are often far muddier, and consumer
behavior much more nuanced. This research deals with family food provisioning, and unpacks
some of the meanings parents give to food brands and the vocabulary they use to frame food
decisions. Using a grounded theory approach I analyze interviews compiled during a multi year
collaborative research project on family food consumption. By analyzing 37 interviews with
parents I highlight the fluid, multi-layered connections consumers form with brands. I ask how
parents select, consume, and relate to food brands. I conclude that parents do not purchase
specific food brands solely to denote status, but to communicate love, care, and values to
children. This research emphasizes the ways brand choices are at once performances and
expressions of authenticity.
An Oral History Analysis of Sexism and Racism toward One Hispanic Woman in the Military
during Operation: Desert Storm
Cydney Busler
Mentor(s): Jessie Turner
Program: Women’s and Gender Studies
Many examples exist about the discrimination women and people of color experience in the
military. For instance, until 1970, women were not allowed aboard military ships. However,
hearing soldiers’ experiences in their own words is much more powerful than examples. As a
research method, oral history gives a voice to the voiceless. This oral history aims to elucidate
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the effects of racism and sexism on Enid Marcos’ military experience before, during, and after
Desert Storm. I interviewed her for a single, 1.5 hour session. I then transcribed and open-coded
the oral history to determine how and to what degree racism and sexism impacted her
experience and whether she explicitly discussed, understood as implicit, or was unconscious of
these systems. Rather than write a traditional research paper, I combined key interview
components into a screenplay to offer Marcos’ story in an accessible manner to a wide range of
audiences; the screenplay allows readers to determine the effects of sexism and racism
themselves, based on her direct quotes. The findings of the oral history indicate that Marcos’
experience in Operation Desert Storm was largely affected by sexism; she either overcame or
submitted to the many obstacles she faced. However, the effect of racism was surprisingly not
as large a factor as expected; future research requires another interview session in order to
determine why.
Is life in plastic really fantastic? An examination of modern Barbies *CREATTE Project
Natalie Cowell, Justin Banjay
Program: Psychology; Cell and Molecular Biology
It has been proposed that children observe gender roles through socialization, specifically
utilizing different agents within their environment (Henslin, 2004.) Parents and mass media
objects, like dolls, are just two of the agents available to children. In the past, Barbie dolls have
been proven to be disproportionate to the average young woman, therefore creating a
dysynchrony between a child’s expectations of women and reality (Norton, K. I., Olds, T. S.,
Olive, S., & Dank, S. 1996). This study will examine the body proportions, ethnic diversity, and
gender roles of various Barbie dolls. Quantitative analysis will be used to measure the three new
body sizes released in January 2016 in comparison to the average 26 year-old woman’s body.
The current line of Barbies will also be assessed for ethnic diversity by comparing different U.S.
ethnic populations to the number of corresponding dolls currently available. Qualitative analysis
will be used to examine the gender roles of the dolls over time by examining the title,
accessories and clothing that are included. All three characteristics will examined to see if
Barbies are representative of the population of women. It is expected that Barbie will not be
representative of body sizes or ethnic diversity, but that the dolls will defy traditional gender
roles. If the hypotheses are supported, the newer Barbies will continue to create unrealistic
expectations of average women for children. However, Barbie dolls also have the potential to
break gender norms and provide positive role models for children.
Scholastic Demonology *CREATTE Project
Jacob Cramer
Demonology and the conception of demons is formed from the argumentative reaction of
Thomas Aquinas and his writing of De Malo in 1272 against the Franciscans Joachim of Fiore’s
Expositio in Apocalypsim, both of which are supported by Peter Lombard’s Libri Quattuor
Sententiarum. This dialogue is important because it leads to the rise of scholastic conceptions
of demons in the late thirteenth century and Thomas Aquinas’ work has an enduring impact
upon Catholic Christianity to this day. Despite the importance of this dialogue it has been
largely overlooked, except in the work of Alain Boureau’s Satan the Heretic (2006). This research
expands on Boureau’s work by analyzing how all three texts depict demons, arguing that the
conceptions of demons in De Malo are produced through Thomas’s reaction to the Expositio
and built from Lombard’s (relatively sparse) discussion of demons in the Sententiarum.
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Specifically, this conversation suggests a developing sense of demonic corporality, a corporality
which ultimately affected the capacity of demons to interact with human beings and their ability
to tempt, possess, and influence humankind. This research into demonic corporality can further
inform future studies in scholastic conceptions of evil and exorcism in the medieval world.
Are My Hands Clean? Analyzing the Factors that Influence Purchasing Decisions
Olivia Demotts
Mentor(s): Dillon Mahoney
Unethical manufacturing practices disproportionally affect the impoverished and
underprivileged in many countries, including the United States. Systems of economic
enslavement often perpetuate the consequences of unsafe working conditions and paying slave
wages through the auspice of progress and job creation by multinational corporations. The lack
of literature concerning economic agency and purchasing power as implicit in supporting
unethical manufacturing helped shape the direction of this research. The purpose of this study
was to investigate the influences on retail purchasing decisions along with public awareness.
Does the prevalence of unethical manufacturing throughout the globe come as a result of our
continued ambivalence or from a lack of transparency? Does the responsibility to ensure that
there are no unethical manufacturing practices used in the creation of products, specifically
clothing fall on the merchandisers? The impetus for this research was inspired by an increasing
awareness of unethical manufacturing practices. The methods used to conduct research include
participant observations, interviews (both structured and unstructured in formal and informal
settings) and survey a convenience sample of people already known. The research shows that
there are multiple factors that influence individual’s purchasing decisions for clothing with both
price and style/look of product cited as the most important. There were limitations of time and
sampling frame that makes generalizing theory very difficult. This is why there is need for
continued investigation of consumer lifestyle (i.e. purchasing decisions) perpetuating systems of
economic enslavement (i.e. unethical manufacturing practices) and public awareness of such.
The Spread of Humor Therapy Throughout Spain *CREATTE Project
Louis Duchin
Program: Theatre Arts
Humor therapy is the use of clowns, jokes, props, and other forms of humor to improve the
quality of life and emotional health of patients. From the establishment of the Gesundheit
Institute by Doctor Patch Adams in 1971, the study and practice of humor therapy has grown in
popularity globally in the form of clown doctors and hospital clowns. Spain has become a
country on the frontier of humor therapy with a multitude of organizations that bring laughter
and smiles to hospitals across the country. In recent years, however, the large growth in the
number of hospital clowns and practice of humor therapy has stagnated. In order to understand
the reason behind this phenomenon, the finances, training practices, and growth of three of the
most popular humor therapy organizations in Spain: Fundación Theodora, PayaSOSpital, and
Saniclown were analyzed. It was seen that the income of these organizations rely mostly on
private donations and crowd funding rather than governmental support. Even though most
healthcare is provided to Spanish citizens, humor therapy is not seen by the government as a
formal form of healthcare. The organizations are also restrained by their training methods. They
rely on training clown performers to go into hospitals as humor therapists. This limits the
number of people that are able to provide humor therapy to patients that need it. Further
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limitations on the growth of humor therapy are discussed. These findings aid in determining
how humor therapy may continue to grow in Spain and other countries.
Soccer in Germany
Girgis Fahmy, Andrew Sephien, Kelsey Current
Soccer, or football, as it’s called in Germany, has been around since the 19th century, and has
served the purpose of providing pride in Germany in a country which has had a hardship in
regards to nationalism due to their presence and actions in World War I and World War II.
Soccer first began in 1874 when a round ball was brought to Germany from England, the year
later, Konrad Koch published the first Germany version of the rules of football. Germany has
had several periods of turmoil and struggle over the years among all classes. After World War I
and World War II, hyperinflation, sanctions on production, and demilitarization destroyed the
economy as well as German nationalism at the time among all classes. Similar to all things in
Germany, depending on someone’s wealth, their perspective of soccer changes. This could be
through their monetary ability to attend games or purchase memorabilia. Nonetheless, across
all dimensions, soccer has effected German nationalism. The German National Team has won
the FIFA world cup in their first year eligible to enter in 1954 after being banned from FIFA the
World cup prior. They also won the FIFA World Cup in 1990, the year after the Berlin Wall came
down. These historic milestones, the long term presence of soccer in Germany since the 19th
century, as well as the way soccer personally effects different people in different classes,
collectively contribute to German Nationalism in several ways. These ways varied from hanging
of flags, face painting in German colors, as well as genuine pride in their country, something
which was nonexistent after the horrors of World War II in Germany.
This Bridge
Ayesha Farheen
Mentor(s): Andrea Assaf, Renee Hangartner
This Bridge is the name of the program that was evaluated for a potential impact. This poster
will present preliminary data on only a few of the variables examined. The project was an
interdisciplinary collaboration between Art2Action, Inc. and the University of South Florida,
including the USF Department of Psychology and the School of Theatre. It aims to increase
knowledge and understanding of Arab, Middle Eastern and Muslim cultures, and shift attitudes
through the arts, specifically relating to Muslim women, U.S. policies, and Islamophobia.
According to Hadad (2007), Muslim women are often characterized as oppressed or danger to
society which has created activism for uplifting their position. According to Ryan (2011), Muslim
women have organized campaigns with an attempt to change the world’s perception about
them. This Bridge used the strategy of showcasing women artists who exposed the wide variety
of what a “Muslim women” looks and acts like to dispel the myths. This study is focused
specifically on participant attitudes towards women in Arab, Middle Eastern, and Muslim
cultures. A hypothesis was tested that exposure to female artists who identify as Arab, Middle
Eastern, and-/or Muslim would lead to a decrease in negative stereotypes. This was done by
analyzing data from pre and post surveys using t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The
results supported the hypothesis that exposure to such events likely accounted for the change
in people’s attitudes towards Muslim women. This type of study can be further applied to the
notion that cultural exposure can lead to a change in attitude towards that culture.
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Early History of Chopsticks in China
Ryan Fay
Program: Computer Science
Though chopsticks are commonly known to be eating utensils of Asian origin, it is not
commonly known why they became more prominent in those regions as opposed to the fork or
spoon for eating. The purpose of this project is to delve into the history of chopsticks’ origin in
China, and to discover the historical and cultural reasons why these eating utensils came into
being. I went about my research by first using scholarly searches in the USF Library database
and Google Scholar to determine when chopsticks first appeared in Chinese history, and then
continue to research how and why their use came into practice. My results showed that most
sources agree that the origin of the chopstick first appeared around the time of the Shang
Dynasty, though some sources will conflict as to their specific origin. Some say that it was from
the will of one of the emperors of China, while others claim that it came from the need to
handle food in broth in common Chinese homes. There were also distinctions between
chopsticks used for eating and for cooking, as well as the materials they were made from. It can
be concluded that the chopstick originated in the Shang Dynasty, though further research will
be needed to determine where and what sect of people first brought them into use.
Effects of Social Relations on the Link Between ADHD and Substance Abuse *CREATTE
Project
Ari Feinstein
Program: Psychology
has established an increased risk for substance abuse in adolescents diagnosed with AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) compared to the normative population (Sibley, 2014).
However, there is an absence of research concentrating on the association between social
relationships and the risk for substance abuse among adolescents with ADHD. A cross-sectional
design will be used testing social relationships as the mediating variable between ADHD and
substance abuse. Participants (target N=60), aged between 15 and 18, will be recruited from
local high schools. Two self-report surveys will be administered, using established
measurements. I believe that positive social relationships will mediate the relationship between
ADHD characteristics and substance abuse such that adolescents who experience positive
social relationships with family and peers will report less substance abuse and those children
reporting poor social relationships will report more substance abuse. Clarification of the
associations between ADHD characteristics (inattention, impulsivity/hyperactivity, learning
problems), social relations (peer and family), and substance abuse is expected to contribute to
research for prevention and treatment. Researching ADHD, substance abuse, and social
relationships in adolescents has motivated me to persist in learning about the complex
relationships psychopathology has within adolescents
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Determining the Sustainability of the German Welfare State in the Face of Modern
Challenges
Jessica Finney, Veronica Coraci, Meagan Hoedt, Justin Coley
Program: Health Sciences; Integrative Animal Biology; Biomedical Sciences
Almost a century and a half old, the German welfare state has withstood many challenging
times, including two world wars, civil strife, and the immense challenge of rebuilding a fractured
state. Throughout all these troubling times, the welfare system has worked to varying degrees
to provide a sense of security to the German people. However, current events, such as the
refugee and the European debt crises in addition to an aging population, pose new threats to
the system and raise the question if the German welfare state can withstand another major
upheaval. This project aims to explore the history of the German welfare state, its modern
scope of welfare including healthcare and education, and how it is funded to determine the
efficiency and sustainability of the system. This will be determined by studying literature
regarding the history of the welfare state within Germany as well the many factors that
determine how it is funded and who can take advantage of it. In addition, the public opinion will
be analyzed to provide a first-hand account of its effectiveness within the modern state. We
hypothesize that the welfare state is sustainable, but will need to adapt to the rapid influx of
refugees, the massive debt incurred by its participation in the European Union, as well as the
stresses associated with caring for an aging population. We intend to analyze the current
mechanisms in place that make the system resilient and propose improvements such as
downsizing various government programs and developing new systems to provide for an everchanging population.
Murderous Medieval Conception of the Jew *CREATTE Project
Katharine Fintak
Program: History
The Life of William of Norwich presents us with the first accusation of Jews ritually killing a
Christian boy, the first of many similar stories that Christians would tell to ease their Eucharistic
anxieties. This paper will examine medieval narratives of the Blood Libel myth, examining the
motifs of bleeding hosts and other elements that medieval Christians used to project their own
insecurities and doubt of the doctrine of transubstantiation onto the Jews. Viewing the
Eucharist as the body and blood of Christ, medieval Christians felt guilt for their ritual
cannibalism. Through the telling of legends, Christians labeled Jews as murderers who needed
the blood of Christian children for a variety of purposes, including making their matzah and to
replenish blood they had lost during male menstruation. Several narratives speak of Jews
making agreements with others to steal the Sacred Host, as in The Passau Host Desecration of
1478 and the accusation at La Guardia, Spain in the 1490s. Both tales chronicle the Jews using
the Host for evil, and incorporate blood, either from the Host itself or from a Christian boy.
These tales were a platform to draw attention to the Jewish communities’ rejection of Christ as
the Eucharist, served to demonize them as the ‘Other,’ and to propagate the hatred of Jews as
necessary and justifiable. Blood Libel myths remain relevant in modern times as accusations still
occur and anti-Semitism remains prevalent. A thorough study of this medieval perception will
aid us in understanding today’s contemporary hatred.
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Being Multicultural: An Ethnographic study on the practices of the Multicultural Greek
Council at the University of South Florida
Alisha Galdames
Mentor(s): Angela Stuesse
Few have studied how members of Greek lettered organizations choose the fraternity or
sorority they call home, and we know surprisingly little about the role of race in this process. My
ethnographic research focuses on the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) at the University of
South Florida in order to provide a better understanding of how social constructions of race and
racial inequality impact an individual’s identity and factor into their selection of Greek
organizations. Carried out between September 2015 and March 2016 using literature reviews,
participant observation, interviews, focus groups and surveys with members of a diversity of
Greek organizations affiliated with the MGC, this research shows that racial identities, cultural
understanding, community, and cultural equality have a tremendous impact on the choosing of
a Greek Council. The study also demonstrates the member’s opinion versus other research on
the benefits for joining MGC, and offers insight into how multiculturalism is being understood
and practiced by students participating in the Multicultural Greek system, thus deepening our
understanding of race and identity on college campuses today. Based on the ethnographic
research, it is argued that MGC could improve on being the voice for Multiculturalism outside
of their members who have mastered this new generational phenomenon.
Estonia's national defence following Russian aggression in Ukraine
Leslie Gibson
Mentor(s): Walter Andrusyszyn
This thesis examines Estonia’s NATO involvement and defence policies following the 2014 crisis
in Ukraine. It argues that the Ukraine crisis was a pivotal shift in the Estonian security climate and
has led to significant military and diplomatic changes. Estonia is one of the few NATO members
to contribute 2% of its GDP to defence spending and its relationship with the United States
drove President Obama’s European Reassurance Initiative, a multi-billion dollar plan to reassure
U.S. allies. The thesis analyzes Estonia’s relationship with the West and Russia, its national
identity, and how these factors affect current foreign policy-making. This context provides
explanations for the increased defence spending and emphasis on improving interoperability
with NATO allies, especially the United States. This interoperability is evident in Estonia’s role in
joint military exercises, cyber defence initiatives, and hosting NATO allied troops. The thesis
concludes that the developments in Estonian national security policy have continuously
developed to deter Russian aggression since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991,
ascension to NATO membership in 2004, and the 2008 war in Georgia, but that the Ukraine
conflict considerably changed Estonia’s security climate. Russian aggression will continue to
affect Estonia’s defence policies and will result in a closer alignment with NATO and the United
States. Research consists of official Estonian, Russian, and American government publications
and budgets as well as reports from NATO, think tanks focusing on Baltic security, and media. I
hope to educate American audiences about Estonia’s role as one of the United States’ most
steadfast NATO allies and its importance in the Euro-Atlantic geopolitical landscape
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And the Final Rose Goes to… A Comprehensive Analysis of the Phenomenon of “The
Bachelor” *CREATTE Project
Danielle Goldberg, Aaron Richmond-Gernant
Mentor(s): Samantha Compton Gomes
The show The Bachelor is in its twentieth season and it has been viewed by millions of people
all of the world since its debut in 2002. The show has drastically changed since its beginning. In
more recent seasons, some of the public watches the show with a sense of humor or hate; some
even having a “fantasy league”(Loftus, 2016). We will be studying the entire phenomenon of
The Bachelor, ranging from the show itself to public reaction through two separate questions
1)How has The Bachelor, as a whole, changed over time? And 2)What are the reflecting media,
legal and contestant reactions to various happenings on the Bachelor? This study will utilize
grounded analysis which is a general research method that results in a theorygroundedindata(Scott, 2009). Open coding is an important part of the grounded analysis, where the
samples are holistically examined, broken apart, and reorganized into different categories. The
samples that will be openly coded are twentyfour episodes of The Bachelor from six different
seasons and over a dozen sources of media. Through grounded analysis the Phenomenon of
The Bachelor will be dissected into its key aspects and meanings. Coders will gain a greater
understanding of this phenomenon by focusing on the contestants, media and legal reactions
to happenings on the show. This understanding could be applied as a tool for future critical
analysis of similar shows or a way for readers to understand their relationship with The Bachelor.
An Analysis of the Abstinence only education *CREATTE Project
Ellen Groves
Much of the research done on sexual education today is statistical information to see if the
education ‘works’. For example, the Guttmacher Institute has published thousands of surveys
rather than in depth analyses of the curricula used. Many of these curriculums are conservative,
abstinence only curriculums that do not include accurate information on contraception and
STDs. (Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Problems, SIECUS). In this study, I hypothesize that
these types of conservative sexual education curricula treat boys and girls differently, creating
specific standards for the two, and implying the importance of virginity in girls more than boys.
In order to research this, I intend to use sexual education curricula that have been previously
reviewed as teaching abstinence only information. In this study, I expect to see the abstinence
only curricula will present inaccurate information, use specific stereotypes, and use harmful
undertones that will affect boys and girls differently. However, this study expects the harmful
stereotypes to be aimed more at girls than boys. These results would indicate that the curricula
reinforces gender stereotypes and may correlate to the higher birthrates or STD rates. This not
only shows how the conservative education may not be as effective as other curricula, but can
also correlate to areas of the population with sexual, or social problems.
The Correlation Between Demographics and Islamophobia
Skylar Guilder
Mentor(s): Renee Hangartner
Program: Psychology/English
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between age, gender, and race/ethnicity
in regards to how one responds on a self-report Islamophobia scale. Participants answered
items on an online survey about the opinions and attitudes. Participants consisted of students
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and staff on a large college campus. In addition to questions about Islamophobia, participants
were asked about several demographic variables. It was hypothesized that older generations
would be more likely to show signs of being Islamophobic, and males would be more likely
than women to rank high on this newly developed scale. After surveying more than three
hundred people of various ages, races, ethnicities, and genders, it was concluded that there are
associations among these three variables. Further analyses suggest that Islamophobia was more
prevalent among women and younger generations. These results were surprising, as such
additional explanations will be discussed including including the effects of the media,
knowledge on current events, etc.
The Effects of Climate Change on Spain *CREATTE Project
Elizabeth Guillen
Climate change is an issue that everyone in the world will be affected by and it will be felt in
some areas more than others. The purpose of this project was to examine how Spain will be
impacted by climate change. I also focused part of my research on what the Spanish
government is doing to help fight climate change. In order to do this I analyzed articles, videos,
scientific data, and policies related to Spain. I also analyzed the role the state plays in the
international arena, specifically in the United Nations. According to my research, Spain’s
southernmost region will be one of the areas most affected by climate change. The country will
experience extreme droughts and heatwaves. The biodiversity, agriculture, water, coastal
regions, and economy will also be impacted negatively. In order to combat climate change,
Spain is planning to tackle the Paris Summit with commitment. They have set ambitious targets
to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and financially help the developing countries lower
their emissions. After analyzing the predictions for climate change and its consequences for
Spain, and the measures the Spanish government has been taking, I have came to the
conclusion that it is not enough. It is not the sole responsibility of Spain or any single nation to
limit the negative effects to its territory. Therefore, the responsibility lies in the hands of the
international community and a multilateral approach must be taken in order to make an actual
change.
Students’ Perception of Competence is correlated with Productivity *CREATTE Project
Nancy Habib
Mentor(s): Tiina Ojanen
Program: Psychology
proposal and the components of the planned research project and its impact. Existing research
has identified that people who are intrinsically motivated tend to perform well and enjoy what
they do. Nevertheless, individuals respond to incentives. However, rewards and punishments
are often counterproductive, because they undermine ‘intrinsic motivation’ (Black & Deci, 2000;
Grolnick & Ryan, 1987). While evidence for the overjustification effect can be found in the
literature (Deci & Ryan, 1985; Greene & Lepper, 1974; Lepper et al., 1973; Morgan, 1984) others
have found that the overjustification effect does not occur when students are told they have
achieved a preset standard and the task is at a challenging level for them (Pittman, Boggiano, &
Ruble, 1983). Still, there is a lack of literature focusing on the relationship between the students’
perception of competence and their levels of productivity. Furthermore, the analytical role that
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school plays in the child’s social development and self-concept must be recognized. It is the
engine of social mobility and the avenue to a better and more meaningful world. The primary
focus of this research is to strengthen intrinsic motivation to broaden the students’ horizons. In a
short-term longitudinal design, this study will explore the concurrent correlations among the
variables, while assessing for gender differences. Participants (target N=100) will be recruited
from a local elementary school and will be evaluated four times over the course of two months
to measure levels of productivity, competence, and motivation. There is much that the teacher
can do to foster and promote each child's development in significant ways by providing
continuing opportunities for adolescents to learn; otherwise children can withdraw mentally and
suffer in school. Using established measures; self- and teacher-reported data will be collected. I
expect that high levels of competence will predict an increase in productivity across time, while
fortifying intrinsic motivation. With expanded understanding of the association between
perceptions of competence in intrinsically motivated adolescents, productivity can be
improved, enriched and valued. The development of this proposal has inspired me to continue
upholding the significance of education because it is the enabler that allows individuals to reach
their potential, to dream bigger dreams and to be more fully engaged with a much bigger
world
The Evolution in Understanding and Treatment of Clinical Depression in China
Zenoba Harris
Program: Psychology
Throughout the modern world, clinical depression is a common mental health problem. The
World Health Organization estimates that over 350 million individuals suffer from depression
worldwide. This research project focuses on how China has used Traditional Chinese Medicine
to treat depression. In addition, this project will also focus on how depression is understood and
treated in modern day China. In order to understand this topic, an exploration of older medical
texts, including the Neijing Suwen, and more recent medical texts and articles was done.
Depression in Traditional Chinese Medicine was seen as a symptom of stagnated qi rather than
a mental illness. Those who practice Traditional Chinese Medicine would then use a
combination of herbal formulas and acupuncture to treat their patient. However, with the
publishing of the Chinese Classification of Mental Illness in the 1980s, China began to
understand clinical depression as a mental illness instead of just a symptom of a physical illness.
While China has similar methods of treatment to the United States and the United Kingdom,
such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, these treatments are adapted to fit the more collectivist
society of China. Unfortunately, China's culture is also similar to the US and the UK by having a
strong stigma against depression and other mental illnesses. This change from the use of
Traditional Chinese Medicine to a diagnostic and treatment model similar to the UK and the US
is likely due to globalization and interactions with western treatment methods. While there are a
fair number of individuals who still seek treatment though Traditional Chinese Medicine, the
practice is now seen as a form of alternative medicine compared to modern treatment. By
exploring how the understanding of clinical depression has changed through China's history,
we learn what diagnostic manuals and treatment methods are used to treat depression in
modern China. We also learn how Traditional Chinese Medicine understands and diagnoses
depression. Finally, we learn what acupuncture points and herbal formulas are used to treat
depression in Traditional Chinese Medicine. By gaining a through understanding of these three
topics, those currently in the medical field along with future medical professionals can
understand the differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern treatments. This
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broader perspective will allow medical professionals greater insight into previous treatments
their patients may have received. These medical professionals will also have the knowledge
needed to create a more integrative treatment using both modern methods and those of
Traditional Chinese Medicine in order to benefit their patients
The Analysis of Gender Portrayals in American Medical TV Shows *CREATTE Project
Lindsey Hawkins, Sarah Grave de Perala, Adrianna Gianino
The medical field is rife with professional dynamics. Besides work dynamics, there are residing
gender dynamics as well. As more women strive to hold careers as physicians and other male
dominated medical professions, various levels of the medical field are beginning to become
evenly dispersed with both men and women (Grant, Robinson, Muir, 2004). However, in the
media these statistics are not necessarily represented accurately. This study aims to analyze the
promotional posters of various American medical TV shows in order to determine if the media
based advertising reflects the real life statistics. This will be completed through an analysis of
both the portrayal of male and female medical professional characters and the progression in
the characters development throughout the show from the first season to the last season. The
qualitative characteristics encompass: stance, facial expressions, and clothing of the characters
on the posters. The quantitative data includes the ratio of men and women in the posters in
comparison to the literature statistics. The results of this study include the expectations that
there will be more males and they will have more rigid posture and will be towards the front of
the posters; whereas, women will be relaxed and not the center of the poster. It is expected that
there will be a change in the way the characters are portrayed in the promotional posters from
the first season to the last season. The possible implications of this research could imply a
resemblance between the social and media representation of gender dynamics in the medical
field.
Obese or Not
Michelle Herrera
Mentor(s): Lorena Madrigal
Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, an epidemic directly related to diabetes,
cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension amongst other things. While BMI continues to be the
widely used when discussing fat, it is not an effective tool when accounting for obesity-related
diseases. This is the case for many different ethnic groups like East Indians and other South
Asian communities who do not have high rates of obesity but nonetheless suffer from
consequences associated with high fat levels. Thus, obesity measures must be reevaluated to
be able to better help different groups of people.This research investigates the most accurate
form of analyzing obesity in order to understand why East Indians and other South Asian
communities suffer from high rates of obesity-related diseases. This was done through an
extensive literature review of the health issues of South Asians groups who have migrated away
from their country of origin along with statistical analysis of a rural East Indian group in Costa
Rica. These results were then compared to the health pattern of a different ethnic group living
in the city. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the East Indian community studied
exhibited similar health outcomes as other East Indians living in the Diaspora. It also revealed
that anthropometrics (skinfold measurements) was more successful in predicting health
outcomes like high blood pressure than traditional BMI measurements. If this community
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continues to marry outside of their group, future research could be done on the next generation
to see how health outcomes change.
Associations between Parental Depression and Bullying Victimization *CREATTE Project *Project Withdrawn*
Zechariah Hoffman
Program: Psychology
proposal and the components of the planned research project and its impact. This study seeks
to compare the frequency and severity of verbally and physically victimized children with
parents who exhibit symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder. These findings will be compared
to equivalently obtained data from children of parents who do not exhibit these symptoms. It is
currently unclear whether having a parent diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has
a significant association with bullying outcomes for their children. Thus, given the established
relevance of various factors concerning parental disposition on bullying(Atik, 2013), this study
will examine if there is an association between a parental diagnosis of MDD and the frequency
and intensity of school bullying experienced by children. In a cross-sectional design, this study
will examine concurrent correlations among the variables, while assessing for gender
differences. Participants (target N=300-400; age 12-13) will be recruited from local middle
schools. Using established measures, students will be provided with self-report measures of
bully victimization, and parents will be provided with self-report measures of depressive
symptoms. It is hypothesized that there will be mean level differences between the frequency
and severity of physical and verbal school bullying for children with parents who suffer from
MDD and those who do not. Furthermore, the severity of MDD in a parent will be positively
correlated with the intensity and frequency of physical and verbal school bullying experienced
by the child. The development of this proposal further inspired me to continue seeking
education in the treatment of mood disorders
Memory and Reconciliation in Spain and South Africa *Project Withdrawn*
Royce Howard
Program: Political Science
Spain, following its cataclysmic civil war and subsequent military dictatorship, decided upon a
pact to forget the past and move on. Conversely, South Africa elected to deal with the
aftermath of Apartheid with a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” which sought to
investigate and prosecute those involved in crimes. The key question at hand is whether or not
these two divergent courses of action were effective at helping the society of each nation move
on from their respective tragedies. By examining polling data, recent political crises, and other
measures of public sentiment, a picture becomes clear of the effectiveness of each nation’s
policy. By establishing a well-researched, publically available, official narrative of the events in
question and prosecuting those involved, South Africa has achieved a greater degree of success
in helping its people understand and move on from the effects of Apartheid. Spain, however,
has maintained its policy of silence on the issue. My comparative study indicates that Spain’s
failure to confront and overcome the legacy of Francoism four decades ago has contributed to
the ongoing political crisis and inability to establish a functional government.
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Madrid’s socioeconomic structure, as reflected by the city’s two major football teams: Real
Madrid and Atlético Madrid *CREATTE Project
Albin Joseph, Priyanshi Patel
Program: Health Science; Biomedical Science
Historically, Madrid has had two major football teams: Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. While
Real Madrid has been one of the top teams in European football history, Atlético Madrid has
not achieved similar success. The differing success of the two teams has caused them to have
opposing fan bases within the city of Madrid. The aim of this study is to analyze how the two
major football teams in Madrid, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, reflect the city’s
socioeconomic structure. We researched the history of the two teams, along with their fan
bases, by consulting various online and print sources. We then integrated this information with
the current socioeconomic status of the districts that the stadiums of each team are in order to
investigate the correlation between the fan bases of each team and Madrid’s social structure.
Real Madrid’s stadium, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, is located in the wealthy Chamartín district,
whereas Atlético Madrid’s stadium, Vincente Calderón stadium, is located in the working district
of Arganzuela. During a recent economic crisis, Real Madrid fans, who are mostly rooted in the
upper class, were more likely to see their income grow. On the other hand, many Atlético
Madrid fans, largely of the working class, lost their jobs. Madrid’s two major football teams
directly reflect the bipolar nature of the city’s social structure, highlighting major socioeconomic
disparities.
Artistic Development: A Comparative Analysis of Chueca and Wynwood *CREATTE Project
Quenten Kadlec
Program: Spanish
The introduction of the arts (dance, music, murals, etc.) plays a major role in the transformation
of many different neighborhoods around the world. The arts can be used as a vessel for social
and economic change by raising awareness of the issues within the community and can also
create urban revitalization such as the Compala cemetery wall in Guatemala. The effects of the
arts can vary greatly depending on the neighborhood and how the transformation was
executed. There are two basic ways that an urban revitalization can happen. The first way is from
a topdown approach where a higher power, such as the city council, implements urban
development tactics. The second way is from a bottomup approach where the lower half, and
usually an oppressed population, cause social change as a community. Through a comparative
analysis between Chueca, Madrid and Wynwood, Miami, I will show how the emergence of the
arts can lead to urban revitalization. This analysis includes information from 1980 to 2010. I will
discuss the changes in demographics, economics, and social constructs. I will analyze the effect
in both the physical neighborhood and the people who live there and the different ways that
these movements started. I will show that the emergence of the arts has created a complete
turnaround of both neighborhoods.
The Refugee Crisis of Germany and the European Union
Nadia Khalil, Di Li, Sarah Harder
Program: 7-Year BS/MD; Industiral Engineering; English
Due to the conflicts and war in the Middle East and North Africa, the European Union has
experienced a large and rapid influx of refugees. Among the European countries, Germany has
taken in the highest number of refugees. This has significantly impacted the social, cultural,
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economic, and political environment in Germany. Because of its impending nature within
Germany and within the European Union as a whole, this issue has reached the level of a crisis
requiring immediate action. It is important to understand all the aspects of the refugee crisis,
and come up with practical solutions, because it has implications for the entire world if left
unresolved. This research focuses on how the refugee crisis can be resolved in Germany and the
European Union at large. This research project will utilize current news articles, literature on
historical parallel events, and interviews of Germans to comprehensively assess the refugee
crisis and provide viable solutions. The researchers expect solutions that require all parts of the
European Union to work together. The solutions will result from both individual and
government activities. The solutions will address social, economic, and political aspects of the
crisis, with plans for both Germany and the European Union as a whole. This research will serve
to educate others about the refugee crisis in Europe. Through understanding, open
communication and collaborative effort will be fostered. The solutions will result from
considering the complexity of the issue, which will be most effective in tackling the issue.
Commerce and Culture in the Music Industry: An Economic Analysis
Nikolina Kosanovic
Mentor(s): Gregory Bowers
Program: Economics
The music industry has experienced a series of periodic evolutions which are defined by their
main medium of distribution. This study has two primary focuses. The first is to analyze the
economic effects of culture and distribution, primarily focusing on the piracy culture that first
evolved in late 1990’s, and the economic effect that the shift to digital distribution had on other
components of the music industry. The second focus is to analyze the digitization of the music
industry caused by the piracy scene. Overall, this will be used to support the idea that the music
industry is shifting from being a “copyright” industry into becoming an “experience” industry in
order to still remain a profitable entity to the new “experience” generation. This conclusion will
be determined by researching the history of the music industry and piracy through two
monographs focusing on the subject, and gathering data and statistics on music sales by year
through the IFPI annual Digital Music Report, as well as looking through any historical
online/newspaper articles for more perspective on important dates in the music history
“Cour des Miracles” Romani Stigmatization within the French Public Health Care System
Alison Koskos
Mentor(s): Janna Merrick
The Romani are a diasporic group of individuals living in mostly Central and Eastern Europe
with a largely concentrated population of Romani immigrants currently residing in France. Also
referred to as “Gypsies”, the Romani people are believed to have originated in Northern India,
but decades of expulsion have left the Romani with a nomadic lifestyle, often leaving many
families homeless and without access to jobs and services such as schools and health care. AntiRoma sentiment and discriminatory practices by French public officials have been widespread
and have intensified since 2010. In July of 2010, French President Nicolas Sarkozy referred to
‘irregular’ Romani camps as “sources of illegal trafficking, profoundly degrading living
conditions, [and] exploitation of children for the purposes of begging, prostitution and
criminality”. At a ministerial meeting, he ordered the dismantling of such sites “to proceed
within… three months” and called for legislative reforms to speed the process of removing the
Romani from France. This study investigated and analyzed the social, political, and economic
consequences of Romani stigmatization within the French public health care system in order to
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emphasize the importance of global health research and to help improve the quality of life of
the Romani population in France. Global health research could potentially help to implement
better public health care policies and program development in the future. This study was
conducted over a course of one year and consisted of extensive research and data
collection/analysis. The information was then analyzed in a cross-cultural context.
Understanding the consequences of the Romani stigmatization in France may help to promote
a better quality of life for the families still being affected by the discrimination and in a broader
perspective, help to implement better international public health care policies and program
development.
The Impact of Immigration in Human Trafficking *CREATTE Project
Liandra Larsen
Program: Spanish
Every day women from countries such as Brazil, China, Nigeria, Paraguay and Romania find
themselves moving to Spain or the United States hoping for a better life. Some leave because
they are promised jobs that will earn them enough money to support the families they are
leaving behind, but that is not the case. According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to
800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year (11 Facts About Human
Trafficking). In Spain, there are an estimated 12,000 victims living in the country. Human
trafficking has become a business that makes upwards of 6 million dollars a day Al Jazeera
2013). There are four main types of trafficking: sex trafficking, labor trafficking, trafficking that is
not specified and sex and labor trafficking (National Human Trafficking Resource Center).
Women account for 55 to 60 percent of all human trafficking victims (United Nations Report
2013). Spain has the second highest number of victims of human trafficking in the European
Union after Italy and the United States is becoming another popular country for this thriving
business. The difficulty in collecting data for human trafficking lies in the fact that each country
is responsible to providing its own figures and without improved monitoring, there cannot be a
more accurate reflection. This paper uses current data to discuss the correlation between
human trafficking in Spain and the United States while also analyzing the reasons why both
countries are experiencing such a high volume of human trafficking. The study of trends
throughout the years will determine if there was a year that clearly depicts an influx of
immigration to these countries with the end result being working in the business of human
trafficking. My comparative analysis of Spain and the United States shows that there is a direct
correlation between immigration and human trafficking.
Water from Rock: Columba as Literary Parallel to Christ and Moses *CREATTE Project
Hannah Lay
Many scholars consider The Life of St. Columba, one of the most researched hagiographies of
an early Irish saint, to be Adomnán’s illustration of how religious communities should conduct
themselves. Katja Ritari notes that in order to paint a portrait of ideal piety, Adomnán draws
many parallels between Columba and Biblical figures. By comparing Columba to Christ and
Moses, Adomnán presents a moral imperative of sanctity for monks in the Columban tradition.
One of the most fascinating parallels concerns the nature of Columba’s miracles and their
physical resemblance to the works of Christ and Moses, such as when Columba can cause water
to flow from rock. Similar to the Bible, there is little interest in creating something without a
prior source, but rather, like Christ’s multiplication of bread and fish, Columba’s power affects
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rather than invents the natural world. Although scholars have elucidated Columba’s miracles
and the symbolic quality of Columba as an ideal saint, there has been little research into how
these components intersect. Investigating how Columba’s acts mirror those of Biblical figures
allows for a study of concrete ways early hagiographers validated saints and encouraged piety
by example. Rather than simply declaring Columba’s perfection, Adomnán offers a nuanced,
intertextual portrait for practitioners to follow by constructing parallels between Columba’s
miracles and Moses’ and Christ’s power to manipulate physical elements for favorable
outcomes.
Lifting the Veil on Supermom: How mothers reconcile family food ideals with reality
Alexis Lewis
Program: Sociology
Modern media depictions of motherhood have replaced the “June Cleaver” type with the doitall “Supermom,” but social media and recent healthy food discourse now push idealized
motherhood beyond this image. Given the constant influx of information on how to be a “good
mother,” the question guiding my research is: How do mothers present themselves in a positive
light in relation to food work? Using the theoretical framework of Susan Maushart’s (2000) “The
Mask of Motherhood,” I look at the performative aspect of motherhood when it comes to food
and the family, and how mothers present themselves in order to create their identity and gain
esteem in the eyes of others. As part of a multiyear collaborative research project “Managing
Family Food Consumption,” I participated in collecting interviews at a Tampa recreation center
with predominantly middle class families, totaling 37 interviews with parents, and 25 with youth
ages 815. Using an inductive approach, I analyze interviews with special attention to nonverbal
cues. In the interviews, mothers “calibrate,” (Cairns and Johnston 2015) by discussing real meals
vs. fast food; organic vs. processed food; fruits/vegetables vs. meat, carbs, and sugar; and
forbidden snacks. The results suggest that 1) mothers are often insecure about their mothering
style, 2) there are different idealized images of motherhood that women position themselves
between, 3) meeting these ideals involve great selfsacrifice, 4) resources and cultural capital
play a large role in what constitutes a “good mother” today.
Influences of Religion on Employee Performance *CREATTE Project
Stephanie Loprete
Program: Psychology
The concept of religious freedom in individualist countries allows room for individuals to
wonder if religious or spiritual dispositions influences employee performance (Osman-Gani,
Hashim & Ismail 2013)., which will be exemplified through studies on ethics and commitment
(Bouarif, 2015), openness and acceptance to diversity (Schaeffer & Mattis, 2012), and . I will
explore how religious and spiritual workers compare to non-religious and non-spiritual workers,
as well as their overall impact on workplace culture and morale through the positive influences
of religiosity and spirituality on the workplace through qualitative analysis (Gotsis & Kortezi,
2008; and Lowery & Beadles, 2009). This will provide an in-depth look at how religiosity affects
work ethics, job satisfaction, and perspectives on diversity to shape organizational life in a
positive light. I will incorporate several sampling methods from various, such as the Spirituality
Involvement and Beliefs Scale (SIBS) and the religious personality index (Lowery et al., 2014) that
will measure the religiosity and spirituality levels of the workers in the sample. The results of
these studies portray that workers with religious or spiritual dispositions generally have a more
defined moral code when faced with ethical challenges in the workplace, are significantly more
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committed to their work tasks, have a greater tolerance to diverse management and teams, and
greater job satisfaction than non-religious and non-spiritual workers overall. The study will offer
a greater knowledge of the way in which productivity and personal belief interact, allowing
future research to better engage the interactions between faith and labor
Paternal and Maternal Abuse: Links to Disordered Eating in Adolescent Girls *CREATTE
Project
Raquel Manalixh
Program: Psychology
proposal. The presentation will highlight the research that was required to develop the
has identified a link between child abuse and the development of eating disorders (e.g. Mills et
al., 2015). These links are especially prevalent in teenage girls (e.g. Groleau et al., 2012).
However, it remains unclear whether paternal or maternal abuse has a stronger association with
the likelihood adolescents will develop an eating disorder. Given the elevated rates of child
abuse and eating disorders, the proposed study seeks to examine the differences between the
strength of the association between maternal/paternal emotional/physical abuse with eating
disorders. In a cross-sectional correlational design, this study will examine how Mother Physical
Abuse (MPA), Mother Emotional Abuse (MEA), Father Physical Abuse (FPA), and Father
Emotional Abuse (FEA) are related to eating disorders in their daughters. Participants (target
N= 750-850) will be recruited from local high schools. Those in grades 9 and 10 will be recruited.
Participants will be assessed and measured on abuse and eating disorder history once. Using
established measures, self-reported data will be collected. I expect that Mother Physical Abuse
will be the strongest predictor of bulimia in adolescent girls, while controlling for other
predictors. I also expect that Mother Emotional Abuse will be the strongest predictor of
anorexia in adolescent girls, while controlling for other predictors. With expanded
understanding of the association between parent gender, abuse, and eating disorders, better
treatment options for adolescent eating disorders can be identified. The development of this
proposal has inspired me to really consider continuing research regarding developing eating
disorders in adolescents in graduate school.
Examination of the Short-Term Study Abroad Program: An in-depth Comparison of
Undergraduate Student Experiences in Differing Geographical Locations
Paola Mancera
Mentor(s): Amber Gregory
Program: Microbiology/Art History
Currently, students enrolled at the University of South Florida can choose from approximately
500 programs in 25 different countries through the Education Abroad Office. This variety of
programs can be traced back to a trend in international education that stressed the importance
of studying abroad in a globalized society. At USF, this emphasis can be seen in the
establishment of the Global Citizens Project by the university’s new Quality Enhancement Plan.
This program aims to prepare students for working in a globalized society through education
abroad programs that provide an immersion in foreign culture so students can learn to adapt to
unfamiliar environments. While research on education abroad has focused on program
duration, the effects of the location of the program on the participant’s experience have not
been thoroughly explored. In this research, I explore how location affects the cultural immersion
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experienced by participants and how location influences an individual’s choices in socializing,
shopping, eating, and leisure time while abroad. This research will consist of qualitative
interviews from at least four participants from the USF in Florence program and the Imagining
Argentina program. Preliminary results from this study show that the individuals in the USF in
Florence program had greater difficulty in accessing authentic experiences representative of
the host country than the individuals participating in the Imagining Argentina program due to
tourism in Florence. The outcome of this research could provide the Education Abroad office
new guidelines to improve programs so they reflect the goals of the Global Citizens Program
Technology Use and Social Competence in Children
Katelyn Marine
Mentor(s): Tiina Ojanen
Social competence is one construct of many indicating positive social development and is
comprised of social adjustment, social functioning, and social skills, all of which interact to
produce a certain level of social competence in individuals (Cavell, 1990). Despite the concerns
of researchers and parents, investigations have not found that technology use alone negatively
affects social outcomes, but that using individual types of technology can (Boyce, Schanding,
Jr., Burridge, & Keller-Margulis, 2013; Colwell, Grady, & Rhaiti, 1995; Granic, Lobel, & M.E.
Engels, 2014; Hsin, Li, & Tsai, 2014; Anderson, et al., 2010; Gentile, et al., 2009; Heft &
Swaminathan, 2002). In other instances, using a given technology has been associated with
positive outcomes (Colwell, Grady, & Rhaiti, 1995; Lee & Chae, 2007). This project examines the
existing research on both social competence and technology use in children by searching
across article databases and concludes that: the social outcomes of technology use may
depend on the reason(s), particularly social motivators, why a technology is used rather than just
what type of technology is used (see Willoughby, 2008; Lee & Chae, 2007; Karahanna, Xu, &
Zhang, 2015; Papazian, 2010) and that because technology use as a whole has not been shown
affect users’ social outcomes, more research is needed to specifically examine if and how the
reasons for using technology, especially social motivators, are related to social competence
Humans of the Honors College: Using Photovoice as a Process for Developing an
Ethnographic Assessment of Culture within the USF Honors College
Alauna Martinez
Mentor(s): Antoinette Jackson
The University of South Florida’s Honors College is a dynamic program designed to create a
community that emphasizes scholarship, global experiences, and community engagement for
its students. But what does this community look like? And, how do people within this
community identify themselves and describe their experiences? The current means of assessing
the success of this program lie primarily in quantitative data metrics. Limited data exists on
student expression of experiences, cultural identity, and sense of community within the College.
In the summer of 2010 the Humans of New York photographic project was developed. It was a
catalog of the city’s inhabitants showing a wide range of individuals in a variety of places and
settings with associated quotes and short stories. Employing a similar approach, the aim of this
study is to better understand the sense of community and range of cultural associations
expressed within the USF Honors College. A process called Photovoice, or the use of
photography as a means to represent and identify a community, was the primary tool used for
collecting data. In addition, casual conversation and semi-formal interviews were used and an
ethnographic record of the USF Honors College was compiled. In total, 20 students responded
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to posted flyers soliciting participants plus 5 staff and faculty members. The output of this
project—an USF Honors College Photobook—helps expand communication between
administrative representatives, faculty, and students. It provides a means of better
understanding the USF Honors College community—including student needs, expectations,
and experiences.
Managing Family Food Consumption
Robert McDonald
Program: Sociology
This research analyzed the role of men as the primary food preparers for their families. While
traditional gender scripts have long placed pressure on women to demonstrate femininity in the
kitchen, and positioned men predominately outside of the realm of domesticity, this study
highlights the ways in which these scripts are being challenged and roles within the household
renegotiated. In the 25 years since the publication of Majorie Devault’s (1991) Feeding the
Family, the family dynamic has drastically evolved. It is not uncommon to find dual-earning
families, with women taking part in the workforce and men engaging in domestic duties as a
means of helping to balance the family’s full plate of tasks and responsibilities, yet little research
has been conducted on this trending phenomenon. As an affiliate of the “Managing Family
Food Consumption” research group, I assisted in conducting open-ended interviews of 37
parents and 25 children (aged 8-15) at the Temple Terrace Recreation Center. Upon analyzing
the data, I ask, “What are the challenges or benefits experienced by fathers managing family
food consumption? From my inquiry, two distinct groups of men emerged, fathers who enjoyed
cooking and those who were more reluctant in the kitchen. My findings illustrate a wide range
of variation among men, and the diverse and elaborate ways in which they navigate the newly
transformative space of the kitchen, where tasks demarcated by gender are becoming
dismantled.
The Impact of Economic Crises on Mental Health in Spain and the U.S. *CREATTE Project
Halle McHan *Project Withdrawn*
Program: Psychology
Financial crises, to no surprise, affect almost all aspects of life; they affect the housing and stock
markets, the people’s ability to trust their government, availability of jobs and even mental
health. Mental disorders, although the validity and realness of which continues to be
questioned, have a substantial impact on an individual’s ability to be an active part of a society
(i.e. family and friends, jobs, and school). The aim of this study is to determine if any relationship
exists between both the allocation of resources to mental health services and the prevalence
rates of mental disorders in Spain as a consequence of the recent economic crisis. In my study, I
will utilize a thorough literature review in order to compare and contrast these results with the
financial disaster that occurred in the late 2000’s in the United States. Although research on this
topic is scarce, significant findings have been found. The research illustrates that an economic
crisis can have a negative impact on the mental well being of an individual. According to Ruiz et
al. (2012), several contributing factors to this issue in Spain include the ignorance of the issue
(for many individuals, the knowledge they do have of disorders is very little or is incorrect), the
consistent stigmatization and prejudice against individuals with severe mental disorders, and
the discrimination against these individuals (in their personal and work life). Future studies
should be conducted on this subject in order to validate previous findings and provide a more
extensive breakdown of the relationship.
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Gender Depictions Found in the Japanese Manga Genres Shoujo and Shounen, Through
the Analysis of Character Design and Development *CREATTE Project
Radhe Mehta, Joey Chen, Brandon Tan
Manga are Japanese graphic novels that have spread all over the world as popular media due
the unique style and art of storytelling (Chambers, 2012). This study will focus on character
design and development in Shounen and Shoujo, which are two genres present in manga
geared towards adolescent males and females, respectively. This study is important because it
shows how manga depicts gender to impressionable adolescent audiences. The hypotheses of
this study are that the Shounen manga will display physically built character designs and
successful character developments for males while the female characters will display more skin
and curves for character design and weakness/dependence on males for character
development. In Shoujo, the character design for males will involve tall and attractive body
structure while the female character is youthful and slim. Both males and females will exhibit a
romance oriented character development. The three most popular manga between 2010present from each genre were chosen for sampling. For character design the characters on the
covers were analyzed and for character development the entire mangas were read focusing on
the main protagonist. We expect to find gender stereotypes to be directed toward their specific
audiences. The implications of the findings of this study show that the way society views gender
is very boxed in and implies that males and females should act and live a certain way.
The Increasing Prevalence of Neo-Nazism in Modern Day Germany
Micaela Newman, Tyler Wieczorek, Shannon McAmis
Program: Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Cell and Molecular Biology
Nazism has been a political force that has remained ingrained in German history and society.
This paper was done to analyze the increasing prevalence of Neo-Nazism in the political and
social environment of modern Germany. In present Germany, the discontent of the public
caused by unemployment, social inequality and lack of action by the government has been
accelerated by the unrest of the immigration crisis. This has led to a political climate that has
enabled the Neo-Nazi movement to gain political strength and support. Census, income,
polling and unemployment data were used to analyze the relationship between these factors
and Neo-Nazi support. It was found that a positive correlation between unemployment and
Neo-Nazi support existed. While income and government approval rating both showed a
negative correlation with the strength of Neo-Nazi support. It is important to understand the
recent rise and popularity of the Neo-Nazi movement as it pertains to the lives of not only
German citizens, but also may influence the lives and treatment of the millions of non-German
citizens living in Germany today and in the future.
The Role of Service Learning and Community Gardens in Refugee Resettlement
Bianca Nguyen
Mentor(s): Elizabeth Dunn
Background: Refugees face language barriers and cultural hurdles and often encounter
difficulties in finding jobs after arrival in the U.S. To support refugees during resettlement,
community gardens for refugees are beneficial for this population’s self-sufficiency, community
engagement, and positive health outcomes. One approach to better understand the needs of
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refugees is to conduct a service-learning project, which involves volunteering one’s time and
skills to address the needs of a specific population. The goal of this community garden project
is to conduct community garden-based service learning and a systematic literature search to
better understand and promote the integration of refugees into local communities. Through a
service-learning project, students examined gardens as a function of advancing refugee
populations and preparing communities for future influx of displaced populations by
volunteering at the Tampa Bay Gardens. The locations and demographic information of
community gardens nationwide were identified through an online-based literature search. The
literature review resulted in 16 identified gardens and relative demographics thus far. Through
service-learning, benefits of the gardens have been identified including: mental health
assistance, overall health, source of income and education. This service-learning project has
shed light on the successes and challenges of gardens and has demonstrated the rapid
expansion of gardens in the U.S. To improve upon current operations, increased advocacy for
community gardens are required, as well as the development of education outreach programs.
One Community: Greek Unity
Vanisaben Patel
Mentor(s): Danielle McDonald
Program: Biomedical Sciences/ Public Health
The research proposed is to diagnose, understand and develop Greek unity with the Greek
community at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, FL by comparing it to that of the
Greek community at the University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNCC). Greek life is defined as
the “collective social dimensions and activities” that surround fraternities and sororities on
university and college campuses throughout the entire United States (García, 2013). Even
though our letters each represent a different meaning to each of us and we all live by different
values, missions and pillars we all strive for the same thing when we join Greek life, a sisterhood
or brotherhood. As one of the largest organization umbrellas in the United States higher
education system, Greek life has begun to diminish in the aspect of the unity it once held. After
researching many higher education articles and theories in regards to community development
and surveying over 100 Greek member from both campuses, my goal to solve the issue of
Greek Unity is still incomplete. Through my research between both USF and UNCC it is clear
that Greek Unity is a step by step problem to resolve and begins internally within the individual
organization and then increases to the outside populations. My results did allow me to
formulate 10 recommendations to ultimately move Greek Unity in the right direction at USF but
it is something that will take time to develop and fully transpire into the community.
Rebels with a Cause: Opposition Catholic Clergy during the Spanish Civil War and the
American Civil Rights Movement *CREATTE Project
Tara Pearson
Program: World Languages
The role of the Catholic Church as a strong supporter of the Nationalists during the Second
Republic and the Spanish Civil War is one that has been well documented in literature. Equally
documented in literature is the ambivalence of the Catholic Church in supporting integration
and the early Civil Rights Movement (The Catholic University of America). However, what about
Catholic clergy who opposed the majority Church positions of these times (e.g., Fr. Jose Manuel
Gallegos Rocafull in Spain and Fr. Theodore Hesberg in the U.S.)? Are the reasons for clerical
rebellion fully-explained by the cultural differences in countries and the space of thirty years, or
are there commonalities due to the institution of the Church itself? If institutional issues are
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involved what are the implications of these issues today, when the Church is being confronted
with serious global problems such as the rise of terrorism? This research will investigate why
some clergy rose in opposition to the Church's position in these historical periods, the Church's
reaction towards the opposition clergy, and implications for possible Church activity in the
future. In conducting this research both first person research (oral and written), third person
research (use of books and journal articles), and visual media (posters and photographs) will be
used. The research is expected to show that while Church hierarchy historically has been
conservative and has supported the status quo, this attitude is changing in response to
declining attendance and the Church's desire not to become an anachronism.
Assessing Causes of Chinese Cultural Attitude Shift on the Topic of Homosexuality
Maria Pena
Program: Cell and Molecular Biology/Psychology
The purpose of this research project is to investigate the potential causes, primarily
Confucianism and western ideology, that led to Chinese cultutal acceptance towards
homosexuality to shift. From being a tolerant nation towards homosexuality during Ancient
China, the nation then began treating homosexuality as a disease, and imprisoned and
opressed men due to their sexual orrientation during the 20th centruy. The study will investigate
Confucianism and the introduction of western ideology, and how these factors led to the
gradual but extreme change of views and tolerance. To examine the research question I
immersed myseld and analyzed literature about Chinese sexual history, ancient Chinese
literature, government policies and foreign testimonials. Then, I examined research on how
different factors affect attitudes towards homosexuality, with an emphasis on Chinese attitudes.
Ultimately the research showed that the wide spread of Confucianism, a philosophy that
emphasizes hierarchial authority and family, set the stage for outside factors, primarily the
introduction of western ideology, to change Chinese acceptance of homosexuality. This
demonstrated how Chinese hate towards homosexuals was due to a cultural shift in defining
sexual deviance, and what is viewed as normality is learned, rather than inheritably known. The
implications of this research is to show that homophobia, hatred and discrimination is a learned
behavior in society
Students Social Interactions and Technology Use in Schools *CREATTE Project
Sarah Pierce
Program: Psychology
Adolescent Social Development CREATTE course and takes form of a rigorous research
proposal and the components of the planned research project and its impact. The rise in the
use of technology over the past few decades has elicited much debate on whether or not it is
detrimental to student’s abilities to socialize. Contrary to popular belief, studies have shown
that technology use can actually benefit students socially and help them to better relate to their
peers (Simpson, 1986). They use their access to technology not only to text, but also to use the
internet, make phone calls, and play games. Studies have been conducted using technology to
examine social interactions (i.e. prosocial behaviors) in a classroom setting (Johnson et. al,
1985). Prosocial behaviors are voluntary behaviors made with the intention of benefiting others
(Eisenberg & Fabes, 1998). They are behaviors that children learn in a social setting such as
school. However, engaging in excessive technology use may prohibit students from acquiring
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proper prosocial behaviors. In this study, prosocial behaviors will be examined in relation to
technology use during the school day. Participants (target N=400; age 14-16) will be recruited
from local high schools. Using established measures, self- and peer-report data will be
collected. I expect to observe a positive association between educational and prosocial
technology content and prosocial behavior. The development of this proposal has helped me
to better understand the importance of research as well as inspire me to continue with research
in a school psychology graduate program
Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism...Islam? *Project Withdrawn
Shahid Qaudeer
Islam was first introduced in China in mid 600 AD, and has always been a minor, but significant
part of Chinese history. This research project seeks to investigate the effect Islam had on the
Chinese culture during the Qing Dynasty. The research question scrutinized is: Who were the
Hui people and how do their values overlap between Islam and Confucianism. This will be done
through an in-depth study of the Hui people in Northwestern China (Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai,
Xinjiang) and their interactions with and impacts on the lives of other Chinese people. This
study will be a comparative analysis, with the main sources being peer-revied journals and other
literature available regarding this topic. Additionally, the Han Kitab, a collection of Chinese
texts that synthesized Islam and Confucianism written by the Hui scholar Liu Zhi will be studied
to analyze the mixture of Islamic and Confucian ideals. The primary goal of this research project
is to shed light on a minority group and religion in China that is relatively unknown and analyze
its impact in Chinese history. The implications of this research include realizing how a minority
group can flourish in a population, even when holding many different values by mixing their
own values with the ones presented by the majority
Relationship Between Female Voter Registration and Candidate Rhetoric *CREATTE
Project
Vilas Ramachandran, Arsal Ashraf
The political atmosphere in this nation has been dictated by events analyzed primarily through a
male lens. Issues pertaining to war, the economy, and domestic problems have been disputed
through the views of men, while women have been shut out from the discussion. However,
recently studies of registered voters have illustrated that women consist of the majority of
registered voters (CAWP, 2015). In fact, since the 2000 Presidential Election, the amount of
women registered to vote has increased by almost 12 million women (Omero, 2012). To
investigate the relationship between increased voter registration of women and the rhetoric of
presidential nominees, a sample of twenty-five speeches was taken from the nominees of both
the Democratic and Republican parties for the past four elections. It is hypothesized that female
voter registration will show a positive correlation with the rhetoric of presidential candidates
regarding women’s issues. The change in the candidate’s rhetoric will be measured using a
content analysis by searching for keywords that pertain to women’s issues. Additionally, the
amount of times each party’s nominee discuss women’s issues will be correlated with the
percentage change in women voter turnout in those elections. The possible benefits of
discovering a correlation between rhetoric and women voter turnout are two-fold. On one side,
a correlation illustrates the power that women have on the outcome of the election. On the
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other side, it allows for the very real issues that women face to be brought to the forefront of
the national discussion.
The Monster of Gender in Western Television *CREATTE Project
Nabila Rehman, Emily Johnson, Zoe Greco
Program: Biomedical Sciences; Psychology; Dance
Western society relies heavily on the gender binary. Identities and interactions are influenced by
the collective concept of gender which is so prevalent that it is often applied to nonhuman
entities but, little research has been conducted on this topic. This investigation aimed to
determine if gendering affects the portrayal of monsters in television, specifically when targeted
towards young or mature adults. The study aimed to explore whether male or female nonhuman characters are subject to more stereotypical gendering, if feminine or masculine
characteristics are more prevalent in the overall portrayal of nonhuman characters, and if there
is a difference in the gender stereotyping of nonhuman male or female characters in shows
targeted at different age groups. The sample consisted of six, North American, drama TV shows
featuring werewolf/vampire/hybrid characters; episodes were randomly selected from three
seasons of each show. The degree of masculinity/femininity was analyzed via five selected
characteristics on a scale of 15. It is expected that female monsters will exhibit more feminine
characteristics than their male counterparts, and that a larger abundance of male monsters will
be present in the television programs. Furthermore, characters in TV14 shows will adhere to
gender roles more strictly than in TVMA. Conclusions achieved through this research
experiment will demonstrate Western society’s ceaseless preoccupation with enforcing gender
roles in all aspects of life, including nonhuman entities in television.
Examining Relationships in which One Partner has a Mental Illness using Photovoice
Amanda Rio *Project Withdrawn
Mentor(s): Emelda Curry
Program: Interdisciplinary Social Science
This research documents and presents examples of relationships where one partner has a
diagnosed mental illness and the efforts made by partners without a diagnosed illness. Using
photovoice methodology, this research aimed to gather photographs that depicted situations,
such as dates and living spaces of the couple. Over the course of a week, partners without a
diagnosed mental illness were told to take 8-10 photos that would represent their relationship.
After one week, the photos were returned and an interview was set up only with the partner
without the diagnosed mental illness. Through interviews, it was found that the partner without
a diagnosed mental illness had a lot of knowledge about their partner’s struggles and were very
accommodating to their habits and issues. Partners were also aware of their role in the
relationship and understand the difficulties and sacrifices of being in this non-traditional
relationship. These conclusions tell us that while these relationships are supportive and
understanding, they can be difficult and need patience and reassurance often. As diagnosed
mental illnesses are on the rise in the U.S., the information from this study can be very beneficial
for not only couples, but therapists treating these partners. The results from this study can help
make therapy for couples more effective and can help create stronger relationships between
people and their social support.
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Madrid and the Mafia *CREATTE Project
Evan Rush
Program: Business
Spain has dealt with a relatively long period of drugs, arms, and money trafficking in the
country, becoming the most pronounced after the end of the Spanish Civil War and World War
Two. However, there has been little violence in Spain as a result of trafficking, mainly due to the
necessity to criminal organizations for the ability to launder money through the country. The
purpose of this research is to view and analyze the effects of how many criminal organizations,
from the Russian Mafia to the Colombian Cartel, run money, guns, and drugs through the
country, and ways to combat it. Looking at Spain’s efforts to combat the control of the mafia is
important in formulating a method to stop it. The government is not strong enough to actively
break down on these issues within their borders. By reviewing news articles, eyewitness
accounts, trial testimonies, and scholarly articles, one can examine how the mafia operates
within the country, as well as the potential remedies that the government can use to combat the
trafficking. After research, it can be seen that the different mafias and cartels have such global
reach that it is an international issue more than an issue within an individual country. If Spain
wishes to combat trafficking within its borders, it must work with the UN and other international
peacekeeping forces. This means that the governments of each country would have to come
together, which proves to be difficult
Filling in the Silences: Political Prisoners in 1970-80s Cuba
Neylis Sanchez
Mentor(s): Jessie Turner
Program: Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies
Fidel Castro became dictator of Cuba in 1959 and subsequently transformed the government
into a communist state. Since then, Cuban citizens can be arrested for having dissenting
political opinions, and there have been many allegations of human rights abuses in prisons in
Cuba (Medicine Betrayed 1992). Oral history’s goal is to obtain information and knowledge from
different, and often marginalized, perspectives. Yet even within oral histories, there is very little
literature on Cuban political prisoners and their experiences; their stories have been left widely
untold—silenced. This project aims to use oral histories to begin filling in those silences. I
interviewed Pedro and Juan, two political prisoners in Cuba in the 1970s who later immigrated
to the United States. I then transcribed and coded the interviews to see what themes would
emerge. In this project, I explore some of the common themes between Pedro and Juan’s
stories: a lack of basic needs, violence, state distrust, a lack of liberty, and support from families
and friends. Their stories reveal the abhorrent conditions that political prisoners faced in Cuba
in the 1970s and 80s. I am curious as to how the situation may have changed in the last thirty
years and I think future research is needed to shed light on the experiences of Cuban political
prisoners both in the past and in the present.
¿Podemos? Social Media and the Demise of the Two-Party Political System in Spain
*CREATTE Project
Mariana Sanchez Ramirez
Program: Political Science
The Falange's fascist political ideology during the Spanish Civil War exemplifies the polarity
between the two-party traditional political system: Partido Popular de España (PP) and Partido
Socialista Obrero de España (PPSOE). The Spaniard's rejection of both traditional political
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ideologies and parties stems from the inaction of governmental public policy to create a welfare
state for all citizens. The impact of social media on Spanish public policy us only recently
becoming apparent, and is becoming more relevant in Spain's political realm. The role of social
media in public policy will become more apparent and relevant in local, state, national, and
international communities. In addition, it is likely that social media will continue to have a
greater role in challenging the bureaucracy associated various political structures around the
world. I propose to study the origins of the Podemos political party, an alternative political
ideology gaining momentum in Spain, in relationship to the Indignados social movement. I will
be analyzing the differences in political discourse (demands, critiques, and proposals) by the
Podemos political party and Indignados movement. I hypothesize that there will be slight, yet
substantial differences in rhetoric and methodology regarding the accomplishment of societal
reforms and political change in Spain. The results of this research could provide further insight
on how to challenge traditional, two-party political structures within societies. Furthermore, this
will serve as a strong foundation for my content analysis of social media propaganda within the
Indignados movement and the Podemos political party in Spain.
Jazz in the City of Lights: African American Migration to France in the 1920s
Ashante Sanders
Mentor(s): Alexis Mootoo
Jazz in the City of Lights takes an in depth look at the migration of African Americans to France
in the 1920s. Why did African Americans migrate to France in the 1920s? What impact, if any,
did that migration have on those African Americans who crossed the Atlantic to settle in
France? Jazz in the City of Lights examines the attitude of 1920 America and France to explain
why France was the first European country to have a noticeable influx African American
migrants. My research was conducted by way of literature review which examined primary
literature sources and other published works showcasing the time period. My research shows
that this migration of African Americans to France created a space for the development of an
African American culture especially music like jazz and written works. Prime examples of artists
who benefited from this migration were Josephine Baker and Langston Hughes. This migration
would affect and complement American culture during the same era by giving African American
artists of all kinds the ability to redefine what it meant to be black and creative, and give them a
stronger voice that would reflect in the cultural movements such as the Harlem Renaissance
back in America
Undocumented Brazilian Gender Identities & Negotiations of American Manhood
Meischa Sineno
Mentor(s): Elizabeth Aranda
Program: Sociology
Masculinity is a homosocial enactment where men have to constantly prove their masculinity in
order to reify their status as man to themselves and others (Kimmel 1994). For immigrant men,
being able to provide for their family is directly tied to their conception of what it means to be a
man, which leads to feelings of inadequacy when they cannot live up to these standards of
hegemonic masculinity as defined by their culture. Abandonment of the Brazilian breadwinner
role in the U.S. is viewed as an abandonment of one’s children, who often live in poverty, and
also as a disregard of Brazilian culture and identity held there. I examine the men’s singular
identity as a provider and how adaptations to a new American identity are influenced by the
perceived absence of hyper masculine attitudes in the United States that is so often present in
Brazil, varying gender roles, and changing conceptions of relationships. I use the interviews to
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highlight the contexts of departure by which these men leave and how various economic,
occupational, and physical insecurities, along with the Brazilian cultural constructions of what it
means to be a man, drive these men to search for fulfillment of their monetary dreams in
America (Aranda et al. 2014). Although the lack of street violence in the United States is
described as a satisfying perk of residency, it is in direct contrast with the hyper masculine
cultural constructions that have manifested due to repeated, violent acts observed throughout
many Brazilian male childhoods.
Superheoines: Empowered Women or Simply Eye Candy? *CREATTE Project
Sinead Stephens
The portrayal of female comic characters has resulted in many research projects and studies in
recent years. Lavin (2013) focused on trend changes of female characters, while Davis (2013)
discussed the sexism and sexualization of female characters within the comics. There have also
been many studies on how the media can affect adolescent men and women (Clay et. al, 2005;
Cusumano et al, 2001; Polce-Lynch et al, 2001). This study will be an analysis of superhero comic
covers see the effects that sexualization and sexism may have on adolescent females.
Superhero comics have been chosen because they are arguably the most popular comic subject
and often show polarized differences between male and female characters. Covers will be
looked at because even people who do not buy comics or are not avid comic readers can come
into contact with the images. The research questions that will be addressed are as follows; how
do DC and Marvel compare in their representations of female characters, what is the ratio of
male to female characters within each brand, what is the ratio of sexualized females to nonsexualized, and to what extent are the sexualized characters also portrayed in a sexist manner?
The values of these questions will be measured using scales and a tally system, as well as the
inclusion of some qualitative reasoning where appropriate. All DC and Marvel comics from one
month will be analyzed to keep the study relevant to modern day. The results of this study will
have important implications as these characters act as role models and comparison points for
young women.
Utilizing Institutional Data to Understand STEM Retention: Analysis of Academic
Characteristics of Undergraduates who Leave STEM Majors
Patricia Claire Tate, Olivia Amorose
Program: Psychology
With the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) growing
exponentially, the need for students graduating in STEM is extremely high. Retention of
students in STEM would enable further advancements in the science field as well as in
technology. Therefore, student retention in STEM majors is an issue nation-wide. In order to
better understand student progression in STEM majors and to identify those who were highachieving prior to leaving STEM, we examined students’ transcripts who entered USF from the
years of 2006-2008 as first-year STEM majors and subsequently graduated with non-STEM
degrees (N = 1074). Using a coding system developed by the Office for Undergraduate
Research, we classified students based on their relative potential to succeed in STEM (i.e., high-,
average, or low-achieving), and compared these groups on a number of factors (e.g., QSAT,
GPA, time to degree, and number of STEM courses taken before leaving STEM). Approximately
30% of students (N = 320) were classified as high-achieving in STEM prior to switching. Thus,
contrary to popular beliefs, a large proportion of students showed promise of succeeding in
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STEM. For example, the average GPA of students in the high-achieving group at graduation
and at time of leaving STEM was significantly higher than students in the combined average
and low-achieving group. Implications of this research include the ability to identify and target
intervention towards students with the capacity to succeed and earn their STEM degrees
The Dark Side of Practice: Outcomes of Practice Performance
Kaeley Timmel, Lyndsea Smith, Kelly Cave
Mentor(s): Wendy Bedwell
Program: Psychology
Effective training provides learners with information, demonstration, varied practice, and
feedback. Little work has examined the strain risks associated with this method. Specifically,
what effect does practice performance and feedback have on strain outcomes? We addresses
this question by examining the effects of dispositional mindfulness and training performance on
(1) psychological distress post training performance and (2) training utility reactions. Participants
were trained on a card-sorting task. After watching a training video, the participants were then
given ten minutes to practice the task. Upon completion, the experimenter walked the
participant through the scoring of their performance, explaining ways to improve. Immediately
following feedback, participants rated their satisfaction with the overall training as well as their
psychological strain. Multiple hierarchical regressions suggest that trait mindfulness is a
negative predictor of psychological strain (DR2 = .20, p < .001) and a positive predictor of
training reactions (DR2 = .08, p = .001). Above and beyond the effects of mindfulness, the
number of errors made during the training performance session positively predicts
psychological strain (DR2 = .02, p = .04) and negatively predicts utility reactions (DR2 = .08, p <
.001). This suggests individuals who perform poorly during practice experienced distress and
saw less utility of the training program. After accounting for the psychological resources
trainees begin with, their negative performance during training explains strain outcomes.
Training programs should consider better preparing trainees for practice performance
episodes, or equip them with resources to help mitigate the effects of poor training
performance.
Analysis of Androgyny in the Image of Rock Music *CREATTE Project
Hernando Torrealba, Jenesi Henning
Program: Computer Science
As stated by Luis Lemos (2011), music is an undeniably powerful platform of social change.
Gender stereotypes may be enforced by social structure, ebbing closer toward gender
normativity. In order to change this stigma, popular social figures must promote the change to
show people that individuality holds a greater importance over social norms. Within the rock
community, many musicians challenge this view using the naturally rebellious tendencies seen in
rock music to push the boundaries of gender norms. Basing the study entirely on image, the
image of rock musicians will show this rebellion toward gender norms. If photos of rock
musicians from different decades are analyzed for gender stereotypes, then androgyny may be
observed more prominently over time. As a result of this, how will the gender norm breaking
behavior change over time? These ideas will be tested through the analysis of professional
photos of musicians from the 1980’s to the 2010’s. These images will include photos published
in magazines and web-based images, either promotional photos or live-performance photos.
Photos will be selected if they fall under one of the categories: popularity, controversy, or
highest view count. Once the photos are chosen, they will be coded for masculinity and
femininity based on a qualitative scale. This will be quantified then made into a percentage to
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find where each musician falls into the androgyny category. Due to the nature of the group of
people within the rock community, it is expected that gender stereotypes will be more flexible
in comparison to other music genres.
Examination of historical coins to determine the economic viability of the Byzantine
Empire
Mahesh Tummala, James Vo, Raquib Zaman
Mentor(s): Michael Decker
Historians have different methods of analyzing and interpreting data, and their conclusions can
be supported or contradicted based on the metadata from different sources of literature.
Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, an educational institution affiliated with
Harvard University, has done an immense amount of research on the history of the Byzantine
Empire. Through the chemical-archeological examination of tangible artifacts, specifically coins
and precious metals, and the application of historical references, the institution has developed
a time-frame for the mass-circulation of money and the economic viability of the Byzantine
Empire. The institutions presented their ideas in their Dumbarton Oaks studies. Data for twelve
thousand coins have been collected from various literature, and the coins have been
compartmented through different aspects. The objective of the analysis is to adopt the
methods employed in Dumbarton Oaks The Economic History of Byzantium: From the Seventh
through the Fifteenth Century (Bouras, C., Morrisson, C., Oikonomides, N., & Pitsakis, C. (2002))
and replicate the methods using the data collected. The issue to address is whether a
conclusion can be reached utilizing their method of analysis and the data collected, and when a
conclusion is reached, to compare it to their interpretations. It is to see if the collected data
supports their conclusion or contradicts their conclusion. Once the process is done, it is
intended to conduct a statistical and geographical breakdown of the data to propose novel
ideas relating to the economics of the Byzantine Empire.
GRΣΣKS IN THΣ MΣDIΔ *CREATTE Project
Darrynn Vannasse, Samantha Hofman
Program: Biomedical Sciences; Nursing
The collegiate Greek community is often portrayed in a negative light, misrepresenting a
majority of students involved in Greek life. Research has been conducted in the past, analyzing
the representation of sororities and fraternities in real life and in the media. Results have shown
the benefits of membership, which include participation in philanthropic events, campus
involvement, and networking opportunities (Asel, Seifert, & Pascarella, 2009). Our research is
concerned with finding the differences between the media and real life. Although studies have
been done on each individually, there are few that compare the two. This study aims to answer
the following question: What are the differences between sororities and fraternities in the real
world and how they are portrayed in the media? The methodology will include analyzing movies
that portray Greek life in chronological order and individual coding of each based on their
qualities. Results will be compared to ensure intercoder reliability with scholarly articles related
to our research question. We expect to find the majority of the media illustrates misconceptions
regarding the intentions and motives of students that are involved in sororities and fraternities.
Potential implications include presentation of false information and misjudgment of character,
which ultimately affects past, current, and future members of Greek organizations.
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Practice of Sugar Management within the Family
Xamil Vega
The most recent medical research on sugar makes it quite clear that people are ingesting too
much of this substance and that it may have addictive qualities comparable to those of narcotics
and alcohol (Ahmed et al., 2013; Lustig et al., 2012). Sugar addiction may increase susceptibility
to diseases associated with metabolic syndrome (Lustig et al., 2012). While the public has heard
the alarms about sugar, many find it difficult to reduce sugar consumption. Sociology provides
insight into family practices of sugar management in a high-paced, modern day society. As part
of the “Managing Family Food Consumption” collaborative research project, I helped conduct
open-ended interviews: 37 interviews with parents and 25 with youths (aged 8-15). Based upon
my analysis, I was particularly struck by the question, “How do families incorporate and
circumvent sugar intake goals in daily life?” Some parents establish strict rules, such as “no
high fructose corn syrup,” or “no sugar except during celebrations.” Yet, the contextual
features of family life inevitably lead to relaxation of those rules through cheat days, hiding of
food, and binging on special occasions. Existing literature suggests that strict sugar abstinence
policies within the household tend to augment the desire for sugar and the circumvention of
rules, but this literature has yet to explore fully the family context where guidelines are often
disregarded. This paper explores that the practical context of family life with the hope of
contributing to improved medical strategies of intervention into family sugar consumption
practices.
Nurturing the Happily Ever After: The Effect of Parenting Styles on Children in Disney
*CREATTE Project
Rylee Wagner, Kristen Lee
Program: Biomedical Sciences; Microbiology
Disney films have long been associated with family and child-like innocence (Holcomb, Latham,
& Fernandez-Baca, 2014). The influence of Disney on the social and moral development of its
young viewers is undeniable and extensive research has been conducted with an emphasis on
the depiction of gender roles. However, this research focused on the relationships between the
protagonist of the films and their primary caregiver in comparison to the parenting style that the
caregiver practices: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive or uninvolved (Baumrind, 1991). It is
expected that the protagonist will have a healthy and honest relationship with a caregiver who
practices authoritarian parenting, be fearful or spiteful towards an authoritative caregiver and
have no significant relationship with either type of passive caregiver. This knowledge was then
expanded in order to establish correlation between this relationship and the protagonist’s
motives and decisions made during the rising action of the film. The sample used for this study
included sixteen Walt Disney Animation Studio Films that depicted non-nuclear families. The
methodology consisted of a content analysis of the films, including both quantitative and
qualitative components. This research seeks to identify what these films teach children about
the consequences of their actions and the future of their family dynamics based on the behavior
and relationships of the characters that they observe. The influence of Disney’s portrayals of
non-nuclear families on its young audiences continues to increase with the rising prevalence of
single-caregiver households in America.
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The Migration of the Birds and the Bees: A Content Analysis of the Evolution of Sexual
Education Videos *CREATTE Project
Kimberly Weikel, Rachel Llewellyn
Program: Health Sciences; Engineering
In the 1970’s, rising unintended teen pregnancy rates and an increase in sexually transmitted
infection rates amongst teenagers ages 15-19 led to widespread support of sexual education in
public schools (Guttmacher Institute, 2016). However, currently in the United States there are
only 23 states that mandate sexual education as part of school curriculum (Guttmacher Institute,
2016). Since the1950s, there has been a major shift in how sex education is presented to teens.
As a result of the growing need for a more all encompassing education, sex education
transitioned from an abstinence-only-until-marriage based approach to a more comprehensive
education program. For the current analysis, sexual education videos from 1950-2016 targeted
towards teenagers were assessed for the presence of the following variables: contraceptives,
teen pregnancy prevention, STIs, sexual consent, and the way in which sexual intercourse is
presented. After determining the target audience of the videos, each variable was assessed to
see if the presentation varied between the targeted genders. Based off the findings, each video
was evaluated for its extent of comprehensiveness. This will facilitate the determination of
whether or not sexual education videos have become more comprehensive over the evaluated
time period. In addition, the U.S. has seen a significant decline in teen birth rates since 2007
(CDC, 2015). It is important to analyze the transition of sex education over time to see if the shift
corresponds with a greater understanding of sexual behavior, therefore, possibly paralleling the
decrease in teen pregnancy and STI rates.
The Effects of Oil on Political Stability in the Middle East: The Eminent Arab Spring in
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
Miles White
Mentor(s): Nadia Jones-Gailani
Program: Chemistry and History
This essay explores the survival of monarchs in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia following the Arab
uprisings which have swept across the Middle East and North Africa region. The Arab Spring in
2011 swept across the Arab world bringing with it governmental change in Egypt, Tunisia,
Yemen, Syria, and Libya. Across the region we watched massive demonstrations where the
people overthrew the government or launched campaigns to resist corruption, oppression, and
a lack of human rights, the primary examples being Syria and. In Middle Eastern oil monarchies,
The Arab Spring’s moderate ways did nothing to change the government. A small uprising in
Bahrain was immediately crushed by Saudi Arabian forces. Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain,
Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates are all ruled by a monarch that is highly dependent on oil
revenues to run the state, but also to provide subsidies to its citizens. Compliance with strict
regulations in these depend on these handouts to maintain their obedience. As the Arab Spring
wanes, we are now witnessing the rising price of oil, with prices reaching $112 per barrel in
2014, and they have hovered around $30 a barrel in 2016. These oil monarchs have already
expressed concerns about the declining price of oil, but have yet to cut all of the subsidies. This
paper focuses on the survival of the monarchs in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as the price of oil
decreases. The paper examines the extent of oil dependence, the likelihood of instability, and
models used to investigate how these situations were dealt with in the past. The history of these
regimes offers many insights into how oil monarchs have reacted to oil surpluses and shortages
in order to prosper in the 21st century. Their reactions to the emergence of sustainable energy
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sources and the desire for many nation states to become energy independent will determine
the future stability for their dynasties.
U.S. Strategic Challenges in the Horn of Africa after 9/11 THE CONFLICTS OF ALSHABAAB, PIRACY, AND SELF-INTEREST
Miles White
Mentor(s): Edward Kissi
Program: Chemistry and History
The United States has had a long and complex relationship with countries in the Horn of Africa
that began to accelerate during the Cold War. Terrorist attacks in September 2001 pulled the
United States into a global conflict to combat extremism and terrorism. The terrorist group, AlShabaab, had been growing in Somalia since the mid-90s and began accumulating territory in
2006. Ethiopia invaded Somalia in 2006, but due to anti-Ethiopian sentiments, Al-Shabaab
gained much support and began to occupy the remainder of southern Somalia. In 2010, AlShabaab launched a large scale attack on Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, which was repelled by
African Union troops in Somalia. This paper examines the rise of Al-Shabaab and how the
United States and its international partners failed to act appropriately and deal with this
regional threat. It focuses on the many mistakes made by the United States and how these
mistakes could have been avoided. The United States has spent billions of dollars indirectly
combatting Al-Shabaab, an organization that was deemed defeated in 2014. But, today it is
gaining ground again as an organization, launching many attacks per month in Somalia, Kenya,
and Uganda. Piracy also ravaged the Horn of Africa, especially in 2010 and 2011. The root
causes of this issue are examined and connections are made to the rise of extremism and the
existence of piracy. Since September 2011, The United States has failed to address key issues in
Somalia that have enabled Al-Shabaab to gain more power.
Gendered Political Media: Female Politicians in Mainstream and Social News Sources
Kathryn Wilkin
In recent years, it has been noted that women are portrayed differently than men in the media.
These differences have been highlighted by social media campaigns such as #AskHerMore,
which began as a way to draw attention to the media inequalities faced by women at the
Oscars. However, studies have shown that these inequalities extend to women in politics. The
purpose of this study was to determine the differences in how female politicians are covered by
social media news websites such as Buzzfeed and traditional news sources such as CNN. It was
hypothesized that female politicians would receive more news coverage by social media
websites than by traditional news websites. In addition, it was hypothesized that articles from
social media news sites would cover fewer traditionally feminine political topics, such as
education and family, than articles from traditional news sources. This was done by analyzing
the articles in the top search results from four of the most visited news websites of 2015 as
defined by Pew Research Center. As the study is ongoing, there are no definitive results at this
time. However, it has been noted that even traditional news sites have begun to gravitate
toward the use of blogs, editorials, and opinion pieces as news. This increased reliance on
social media and public opinion for news, particularly in the realm of politics, is an interesting
phenomenon of the social media generation and will have important societal implications in the
future.
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Class Distinction in British India during the nineteenth to early twentieth-century
Krista Williams
Mentor(s): Darcie Fontaine
Program: History
During the Victorian era (1837-1901), class distinction (social ranking) among Britons dictated
almost all aspects of British society. While historians like Pamela Horn state that domestic
servants were used to determine class, Deborah Cohen argues that material objects also greatly
determined ones social status. While Cohen focuses on material objects in Britain, her research
fails to take into account the fact that Britain and the British Empire were closely linked
together. This project works to show how material objects in British India during the nineteenth
to early twentieth-century helped Britons enact their superior class over the Indian people. Can
artwork help support the idea that like in Britain, material objects helped determine class
distinction in British India? After reading secondary sources on the British Empire in India, and
on domestic servants and material objects in Britain during the nineteenth to early twentiethcentury, I also explored primary resource documents which included illustrations by Sir Charles
D’oyly and illustrations by William Taylor, personal letters in The Englishwoman in India (1909),
and Edwardian rhymes and odes focused on British homes. I also conducted additional research
to explore what exotic material objects could be found inside British homes in India and why
such objects were so important. While this study focuses mainly on material objects, it also
suggests avenues for further research on the importance of the decorative structure of British
homes in India during the nineteenth to early twentieth-century.
Natural Hair
Leanne Williams
Mentor(s): Dillion Mahoney
Program: Anthropology/Geography
Something about natural hair sparks debates and ideas, the point of this research paper was to
find out what it was like to be natural women while also being a person from the African
Diaspora. The phenomenon of “going natural” was researched through the lens of the African
Diaspora studies and cultural anthropology. The goal was to question the definition and cultural
cache of “natural” with regards to women’s hair and the important issues of racial and gender
identity, self-representation, and discrimination. Methods for the project included over 20
structured questionnaires, many hours of online and offline participant observation, as well as
many in-depth interviews with women in the greater USF, Tampa area, and the African
Diaspora. While researching the topic of natural hair online, the workplace always came up.
Women in the African Diaspora said they did not feel comfortable wearing there “hair out” in
the workplace because they were always questioned about it, or people would ask to touch it.
While other women simply wanted to know what style they should wear to an interview, so they
could get hired. Therefore, in the future, I would like to research corporate women and men
about the following questions: How does hair style affect one’s sense of professionalism and
employability? What types of stereotypes exist in the world of corporate hiring regarding black
women’s hair? How as the image of slavery shaped imaginations about hair? And lastly, I would
research intersectionality and how it differently affects women and men.
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Does I-Sharing Mitigate the Effects of a Gender Threat on Heterosexual Men’s Antigay
and Defensive Reactions?
Juan Zapata
Mentor(s): Jennifer Bosson
Program: Psychology
Manhood is widely viewed as a precarious status that must be earned and can easily be lost.
Thus, men often feel compelled to prove their manhood to others, and they show defensive
reactions when their manhood status is questioned. Existential psychology work indicates that
sharing a subjective experience (I-sharing) with another person can meet important needs for
connectedness and belief validation. The current study integrates these literatures to test
whether an experience of I-sharing can mitigate the negative effects of a gender threat on
heterosexual men’s defensive reactions (i.e., sexual prejudice and rejection of gender
feedback). To test a 2 (feedback: threatening, non-threatening) x 2 (target: gay, straight) x 2
(sharing: I-share, no I-share) a between-subject factorial design was employed. Specifically, one
group of men were told they were below average in masculinity and another group of men were
told they were average on masculinity. Participants were also told that they were either paired
with a gay or straight online partner, and that they would share many or none of their subjective
reactions to inkblots with him. Dependent measures included liking for the partner, willingness
to publicize their gender feedback, and perceived validity of the gender test. The results
demonstrated that participants who I-shared with their online partner liked him better than
participants who did not I-share. Participants who were not threatened also rated the gender
feedback as more valid when the online partner was gay than when he was straight. The results
of the current study demonstrate a pathway for improving intergroup relationships between
dissimilar people
Western Influences and Women’s Activism in Turkey and Iran *CREATTE Project
Hiwot Zewdie
This essay engages developing ideas of ‘Islamic feminism’ in Iran and Turkey, with consideration
to how third-wave theories of feminist activism impact women’s activism outside of the west.
Taking Turkey and Iran as my case studies, I will examine the convergence of the post-1990s
spread of third-wave feminism and the organic developments of an Islamic response to this
feminism. This will be done by examining three facets of women’s activism: women’s
organizations, women in political life, and women’s literacy. Feminist theorists in the west tend
to agree that feminism as a self-initiated construct has developed as a natural response to
changing society. However, the term ‘feminism’ itself is a western construct. This paper
complicates the assumption that Islamic feminism developed without any sort of western
influence and instead looks to the reforms over the last century to see what impact these ideas
have had in Turkey and Iran. Turkey, a secular state that rose after the demise of the Ottoman
Empire has in recent decades experienced an increased shift towards a conservative
understanding of women’s rights and behaviors in addition to their public participation in
political life. Whereas women in Iran have been fighting for their freedoms since the 1979
Iranian Revolution. This essay will analyze how western ideas have been adopted into these two
regions and how they have impacted the development of women’s activism and what that
means not only for the future of women in Islamic states, but also what form women’s activism
may take as the winds of change usher in a era of protest in the Arab world.
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The Arts
Satrapi
Natalie Bohin
Mentor(s): Andee Scott
Program: Literature
My choreographic research, Satrapi, is based primarily on the life story of Marjane Satrapi
chronicled in her novel The Complete Persepolis. The work explores the emotional journey of
her experience living during the Iranian Revolution. Through a multi-disciplinary approach, my
methodology utilizes literary analysis, anthropology, feminist theory, psychology, musical
composition, choreography and performance to investigate how dance can be used as a lens to
explore the contextualization of culture, gender roles, and social class stratification of women
during the Iranian Revolution. My choreography demonstrates the theory of kinesthetic
empathy. The theory refers to the relationship between the movement and viewer’s emotional
response, which allows the audience to identify on an emotional level with the dancers. Rather
than having an aesthetic focus for the movement and having my first priority as creating
beautiful lines, the movement from Satrapi initiates from an emotional level. First, I determine
key points in the novel. I pinpoint the emotions expressed and develop movement material
from those emotions to devise a physical representation of Satrapi’s emotional journey. The
goal is to show that movement fueled by emotion can allow individuals of multiple cultures and
backgrounds realize their commonalities. This piece also features music composed by Chace
Williams, a student in USF’s School of Music, with excerpts from Hoja En Verde, Nicolás Yáñez’s
music project, which is based in Chile. The resulting effect is a musical piece with Iranian and
western musical influences, which illustrates through sound, Marjane Satrapi’s heritage while
expressing her interest in western culture.
A reflective journey: Self-exploration through art journaling
Ashley Derisme
Mentor(s): Mariaelena Bartesaghi
Program: Psychology
The self is a collage of traits, social roles, and relational connections of past, present, and as yet
unfolding future. An art journal has the potential for capturing the self's multiplicities, putting
them in conversation with each other. The art journal is an artifact that combines text, texture,
and images for self-expression. I investigate the role of art journaling in creating self and its
therapeutic impact as an alternative form of constructing identity. I ask, is the journal’s potential
to create both synchronic and diachronic conversations between multiple aspects of the self,
therapeutic? The art journal is made using a Canson 7 x 10 mixed media notebook. The
materials include paints, stamps, paper, books, stickers, and more. By means of a three part
process which begins with the creation of the art journal, followed by an account of the process,
and ending with an additional analytical reflection of the entire process, I examine the self as
multifaceted, captured in art, and situated in the contexts that are constantly changing. The use
of art journaling as a tool for constructing the self allows an examination of the self as a
communicative and relational process of emotions, experiences, and situated identities over the
course of a lifetime. The three-part process of art journaling, reflection and analysis, is
a powerful form of self-in-the-making.
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Is Art Failing You?
Dawn Grayford
Mentor(s): Tuong Millspaugh
Program: Studio Art
The purpose of this project is to visually communicate the complexity of an artwork and critically
analyze the artistic process of an artist. The piece explores how the visual arts, specifically in
America, are trivialized by society and underappreciated due to a lack of interest or conceded
importance of the arts. By establishing a diptych, the overall artwork comments on the
juxtaposition of the finished outcome, and the unseen procedure of the artist's experience
when creating the piece. One panel, constructed as if it were a collaged sketchbook, illustrates
the artist's thought process and research; the other panel is the final result, as it has no
explanation for the viewer nor states the specifics about its chosen visual method. This
approach allows the viewer to become more knowledgeable of the artist's technique and the
reason for her visual organization. While for some spectators it may not be aesthetically
pleasing or interesting, it provides a documentation and understanding the complexity and
process that the artist has taken to produce a conceptual theme. In conclusion, this does not
provide a solution for the dismissed issue, rather acts as a visual statement in conversing the
artistic process and aims to dissolve the invisible wall of critical comprehension between the
artist and audience. It opens a discussion of advocating the importance of the arts within society
and establishing an understanding of the process that goes into creating art.
Plaster as Memory
Jennifer Kilburn
Mentor(s): Sean Erwin
Program: Studio Art
Every time a human brain recalls a specific memory, it creates a neural pathway to the last time
that the memory was recalled. These neural connections make recollections speedy, but can
diminish, and even distort a memory over time. Similarly, artists create plaster molds of objects,
or a memory of that object. But these molds become dirty, chipped, and less accurate over time
– much like a neural pathway to a fading memory. The project will consist of three plaster mold
setups to demonstrate in different ways how inaccurate and unreliable memories can be. In the
first, I will make a plaster mold of a brain, and produce one cast. I will then create a mold from
that cast, and so on to highlight the changes over time. This will demonstrate how copies of
copies differ from the original object, and how memories change over time. In the second
setup, I will create two large jigsaw pieces that fit perfectly together. I will create plaster molds
of these two objects, repeating the first experiment to see how long it takes until they no longer
fit. The set up will show how two people might recall the same event differently over time. In the
third setup, I will strike the inside of a mold with a hammer one time between each cast to
demonstrate how substance abuse, physical injury, or even mental illness can significantly altar
memory. The intention of this project is to spark a dialogue about differing points of view
regarding a shared memory. It will engage visual and tactile learners through the use of sight
and touch to better understand the nature of memories, and to introduce them to the artist's
mold making process.
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The Ladder Performance
Adam Mathieu
Mentor(s): Lisa Piazza
Program: Studio Art
How can performance art and the psychology behind movement inform my work as I expand
my artistic practice into the field of performance art? For this project I will do a live performance
of my “Ladder Performance,” in which I crawl on my hands and knees on the rungs of a
horizontal ladder. In my research I have found compelling psychological correlations between
repetition and the act of crawling in relation to issues such as abandonment, the male psyche,
and depression. By beginning to understand concepts such as Freud’s “fort-da” or the concept
of how repetitive motion can be read as male or female, that I will be able to refine themes
conveyed in my artwork. My performative works have included acts such as repeatedly stepping
into a pool as I attempt to walk on the water’s surface. A more exhausting performance
consisted of me punching a tree with my bare fist until capitulation. All of these performances
have required a physical exertion on my body and “Ladder Performance” is no different, as I
test my balance and tolerance of pain as I crawl on the horizontal ladder until I fall off the rungs.
My goal is to better understand my artistic practice and how to engage viewers as I delve into
the psychology of this and other performances as I engage in my first live performance. Once I
have gained this knowledge and experience, it will inform my future performances
How does erasure play a role in reading a political image?
Elvin Salcedo
Mentor(s): Jason Lazarus
Program: Physics
The idea for this research project first occurred to me when I was listening to a lecture given by
my introduction to photography professor Jason Lazarus. The lecture was accompanied with a
slide show, which had images that John Baldesarri made in which the people in the images
were obscured. I began to think of the effect that removing the identity of a person might have
on how the images were read; however, at the time there was no charge. My thoughts were not
specific enough; thus, there was a lack in guidance. In early February, I attended a Black Lives
Matter protest that made me realize that this is something I can apply that obscurity to.
Henceforth, my research has been politically charged with the question in mind: How does
erasure play a role in reading a political image? The images are first captured using both screen
shots of news coverage on my laptop and a cell phone in order to elicit a sense of urgency.
Once the images are captured they are then digitally obscured using various tools in Adobe
Photoshop and then printed on to premium 16x24 Luster paper. I have found that the images of
obscured people do not bring to mind any method of identification: associations of race and
gender aren’t elicited. However, I would like to see what kind of discussions the images elicit
once displayed publically.
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Calligraphy and China *Project Withdrawn*
Olivia Thomas
Program: Psychology
Calligraphy is the art of writing. I will be examining academic journals about the history and
practice of calligraphy in China, as well as viewing oracle bones and ancient Chinese script. How
does calligraphy evolve as China ages, and how are are the principles present in calligraphy,
such as posture and emotion, representative of Chinese culture as a whole? I aim to understand
these principles, and interpret how they are present in Chinese culture. It is important to not
only understand calligraphy as an art form, but also to understand the evolution of calligraphy
through Chinese history. In this literature review, I will look at primary and secondary sources
using the USF library system in order to form my conclusions. I expect to learn the role
calligraphy plays in China, as well as better understand the practice of calligraphy itself. By
understanding how calligraphy impacts the people of China, such as teaching how to express
one’s self in a rigid social structure, I can better understand the culture of china as a whole.
There is currently a gap in the analysis of the cultural aspects of calligraphy in China, and this
literature review of how China’s culture and values is apparent in the practice of calligraphy will
address that gap.
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Index of Presenters
Abraham, Sophia ..................................... 83
Adesso, Victoria ..................................... 141
Ahmad, Maha ........................................ 102
Aiosa, Nicole ............................................ 57
Akaniru, Ifechi........................................... 29
Alao, Mary .............................................. 131
Alawi Martins, Yasmin .............................. 25
Albashir, Noor .......................................... 91
Ali, Aneesa ............................................ 141
Allbright, Daniela ..................................... 45
Allen, Marsha-Gaye ............................... 120
Almond, Jill ............................................ 142
Amorose, Olivia .................................. 9,170
Arzua, Thiago ........................................... 83
Ashe, Chelsea ........................................ 142
Ashraf, Arsal ........................................... 166
Assis, Jonathan ...................................... 143
Ataman, Aleah........................................ 143
Awad, Nicholas ....................................... 66
Azam, Sana ............................................... 57
Azim, Sarah........................................ 57,131
Bagarra, Denise........................................ 11
Banjay, Justin ......................................... 145
Barakat, Abdulah ................................... 102
Barnett, Christina ................................... 144
Barrineau, William ................................. 100
Basssoumi, Reema ................................... 91
Bazard, Parveen ....................................... 46
Beck, Jessica ............................................ 64
Becker-Greene, Dakota ......................... 120
Berg, Madeleine ...................................... 23
Black, Jen .............................................. 140
Black, Tyler ............................................. 141
Bland, Travis ........................................... 121
Blauth, Morgan ........................................ 58
Blount, Stephanie ................................... 79
Boettcher, Stephanie ............................... 58
Bohin, Natalie......................................... 178
Bojkovic, Katarina ...................................... 9
Bordieri, Nicholas .................................. 103
Bradley, Ariel ............................................ 10
Bresnahan, Matthew ............................. 144
Bridges, Abigail...................................... 103
Broadwater, Rachel .................................. 29
Brodsky, Beatrice ..................................... 25
Budny, Bridget ....................................... 104
Burr, Brittany ............................................ 10
Busler, Cydney ........................................ 144
Cappadoro, Kendall ............................... 132
Caro, Jenny ............................................... 58
Carrillo, Carlos .......................................... 58
Case, Trevor .............................................. 79
Casimir, Lensey ......................................... 45
Castillo, Alma ............................................ 11
Cave, Kelly .............................................. 171
Cerna, Daniela .......................................... 59
Chen, Joey ............................................. 163
Chery, Holly ........................................... 104
Chin, Melissa............................................. 84
Cimino, Victor ......................................... 105
Claudio, Reinaldo ..................................... 90
Coley, Justin ........................................... 149
Colin, Katie ............................................... 11
Constant, Nicole....................................... 59
Cooper, James ......................................... 30
Cooper, Madison ..................................... 11
Coraci, Veronica ..................................... 149
Corona, Richard........................................ 12
Corral, Daniel ............................................ 46
Cowell, Natalie ....................................... 145
Cox, Jeffrey ............................................. 105
Cox, Ryan .................................................. 80
Cramer, Jacob ........................................ 145
Cruz, Carlos J. ........................................... 46
Cuartas, Jennifer ...................................... 59
Cuffaro, Matthew............................... 60,121
Culp, Alyssa .............................................. 60
Cuozzo, Joseph ...................................... 122
Current, Kelsey ....................................... 147
Czachor, Alexander .................................. 84
Daas, Rana ................................................ 85
Davis, Chertricka....................................... 34
Davis, Madison ....................................... 106
Dawdy, Ambermarie ................................ 55
Dawson, Bethany ...................................... 30
De Leon, Aileen ...................................... 132
Delgado, Sthephany ................................ 34
Demotts, Olivia ....................................... 146
Derisme, Ashley ...................................... 178
Desai, Krupa............................................ 132
Deshommes, Fedia ................................ 141
Dolan, Steven ........................................... 61
Donovan, Rhonda..................................... 12
Doukmak, Emma ...................................... 13
Drew, Carlton............................................ 48
Duberceau, Anneasha............................ 122
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Duchin, Louis ......................................... 146
Dunn, Michael .......................................... 66
Dyott, Zachary ........................................ 123
Ebanks, William ........................................ 61
Elwell, Anthony ........................................ 47
Erraei, Alexandra..................................... 62
Espinosa, Alisha .................................... 140
Evonosky, William .................................. 123
Fahmy, Girgis ......................................... 147
Faluade, Adora ........................................ 34
Fan, Allison ............................................... 79
Fanti, Rachel ........................................... 133
Farheen, Ayesha .................................... 147
Fay, Ryan................................................. 148
Feinstein, Ari .......................................... 148
Ferguson, Cecelia ................................... 13
Finney, Jesssica ...................................... 149
Fintak, Katharine .................................... 149
Fitzpatrick, Darryan ................................. 39
Francis, Chardai ....................................... 34
Free, Derek ............................................... 14
Friedman, Michael ................................... 31
Funk, David .............................................. 31
Galati, Anthony ...................................... 106
Galdames, Alisha ................................... 150
Gambino, Christine................................ 107
Garcia Ortega, Gabriela .......................... 32
Garcia, Lindsay ........................................ 13
Garong, Ariel .......................................... 124
Gaudet, Brittney..................................... 133
Georgieva, Izabel ..................................... 62
Gerhardt, Freeman .................................. 17
Gerry, Robyn ............................................ 14
Ghaemmaghami, Jordan ........................ 32
Giacalone, Anthony ............................... 124
Gianino, Adrianna .................................. 154
Gibson, Leslie ......................................... 150
Giron, Christina ...................................... 132
Glasheen, Matthew ................................ 125
Gloyd, Erica .............................................. 33
Goffe, Raaven ........................................ 134
Goldberg, Danielle ................................ 151
Gomaa, Mira............................................. 85
Gonsalves, Ashley .................................... 42
Gonzalez-Sigler, Irina............................. 114
Grabau, Michael....................................... 15
Grassie, Dylan ........................................ 125
Grave de Peralta, Sarah ......................... 154
Grayford, Dawn ...................................... 179
Greco, Zoe .............................................. 167
Grim, Cynthia .......................................... 107
Groves, Ellen........................................... 151
Guilder, Skylar ........................................ 151
Guillen, Elizabeth ................................... 152
Habib, Nancy .......................................... 152
Hancock, Paulette .................................... 37
Handfield, Laverne ................................... 15
Haq, Noreen ............................................. 16
Harder, Sarah ......................................... 156
Harding, Dawn .......................................... 63
Hare, Bryan ............................................... 47
Harris, Charles .......................................... 63
Harris, Zenoba ........................................ 153
Hasan, Danis ........................................... 134
Hawkins, Lindsey .................................... 154
Hemmings, Yasja ...................................... 16
Henning, Jenesi ...................................... 171
Herrera, Michelle .................................... 154
Herrera-Perez, David .............................. 115
Hess, Marshall ........................................... 38
Hillenberg, Iain ......................................... 86
Hindsley, Jenna ........................................ 64
Hiruy, Bezawit ........................................... 71
Hodge, Amber........................................ 107
Hoedt, Megan ........................................ 149
Hoffman, Zechariah ................................ 155
Hof-Mahoney, Kassidy ........................... 143
Hofman, Samantha ................................. 172
Horton, Jeffrey .......................................... 86
Horton, Mackenzie ................................... 82
Howard, Royce ....................................... 155
Hu, Annette .............................................. 87
Hudson, Nicole ......................................... 48
Irio, Giselle .............................................. 108
Jacob, Joanna ........................................ 141
Jahan, Marsiat........................................... 64
James, Greeshma ..................................... 65
James, Tara ............................................. 108
Janvier, Kimberline ................................... 71
John, Karie ................................................ 17
Johnson, Crystal .................................. 11,17
Johnson, Emily........................................ 167
Joseph, Albin .......................................... 156
Joseph, Capodice .................................... 48
Jourdenais, George ................................. 55
Kadlec, Quenten .................................... 156
Kalia, Ravi ................................................ 135
Kalia, Rishi .............................................. 135
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Kantoris, Chloe......................................... 37
Kastelic, Matthew..................................... 49
Kavalec, Felicia ....................................... 136
Kelly, Amanda .......................................... 65
Kerr, Kristyn .............................................. 87
Kerstman, Amanda .................................. 18
Kesarwai, Anisha ...................................... 88
Khalil, Christopher ................................... 18
Khalil, Nadia ........................................... 156
Khalil, Sabrina........................................... 66
Khan, Mahnoor ........................................ 64
Kilburn, Jennifer ..................................... 179
King, Ryan................................................. 79
Klimczak, Albert ....................................... 42
Kneller, Hunter ......................................... 66
Kneski, Laura ............................................ 33
Knoll, Julia .............................................. 141
Koruo, Rachel ........................................... 88
Kosanovic, Nikolina ............................... 157
Koskos, Alison ........................................ 157
Kowobari, Temiloluwa ............................. 66
Landy, Beth .............................................. 39
Lane, Jeremy ............................................ 38
Larsen, Liandra ....................................... 158
Lay, Hannah ....................................... 67,158
Leavor, Shawn .......................................... 67
Lee, Elizabeth ........................................... 35
Lee, Kristen ............................................. 173
LeGendre, Jeanie .................................... 68
Lewis, Alexis ........................................... 159
Li, Di ....................................................... 156
Licata, Thomas ......................................... 89
Llewellyn, Rachel ................................... 174
Lo, Kathrene ............................................. 82
Loisel, Elizabeth ....................................... 38
Loon, Anjanet ......................................... 109
Loprete, Stephanie .......................... 71,159
Lostroscio, Kaitlin ..................................... 49
Lozano Perez, Eliana .............................. 136
Lucker, Sarah ............................................ 38
MacNeill, Bryan ..................................... 109
Madden, Grace ........................................ 39
Maderas, Elizabeth ................................ 141
Makushin, Ilya ........................................... 68
Mallorga, Alejandra ........................... 89, 90
Manalixh, Raquel.................................... 160
Mancera, Paola ...................................... 160
Mangosing, Maverick ............................. 41
Mannix, Lauren......................................... 50
Manzer, Haider ....................................... 109
Marine, Katelyn ....................................... 161
Marino, Victoria ....................................... 17
Marquess, Alexis....................................... 69
Marroquin, Asgard ................................... 50
Marsalisi, Christopher .............................. 39
Martin, James ......................................... 140
Martinez, Alauna..................................... 161
Martinez, Jennifer..................................... 19
Martinez, Kirsti ........................................ 110
Maslar, Drew ........................................... 110
Mathieu, Adam ....................................... 180
Mathwich, Jake ......................................... 19
McAmis, Shannon................................... 163
McBride, Sean .......................................... 90
McDonald, Robert .................................. 162
McHan, Halle ......................................... 162
McQueen, Caryn .................................... 111
Mehrotra, Priyanka ................................... 91
Mehta, Radhe ......................................... 163
Mendoza, Maegan ........................... 27, 137
Merryman, Mercedes ............................... 58
Mettel, Kaitlin ......................................... 137
Mheir Al Saadi, Zuha ................................ 91
Micciche, Andrew ..................................... 69
Miller, Jeanette....................................... 111
Miller, Samara ........................................... 67
Mischley, Victoria.................................... 112
Mittal, Rishuv ............................................ 70
Mockensturm, Laura................................. 39
Mohammed, Jamie .................................. 51
Moore, Elizabeth ...................................... 20
Moore, Evan............................................ 126
Moradian, Alexander ............................. 134
Morera, Kailey ........................................... 70
Morris, Christopher .................................. 71
Morris, Stephanie ................................... 112
Mostrom, Matthew ................................. 123
Mougharbel, Walid ................................ 102
Murphy, Samantha ................................. 113
Nabergall, Lukas ..................................... 113
Nashikkar, Eesha ...................................... 71
Nelson, Kaleigh ...................................... 114
Newman, Micaela ................................... 163
Nguyen, Bianca ................................ 92, 163
Nguyen, Thao ........................................... 92
Nino Charari, Jonathon.......................... 114
Noble, Mark ............................................ 115
Nunez, Frank ............................................. 20
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Odle, Justin .............................................. 72
Ortiz, Jasmine .......................................... 17
Ortiz, Jeana .............................................. 95
O'Toole, Christine.................................... 72
Paffenroth, Tyler....................................... 21
Pagay, Maithilee....................................... 73
Palakurty, Sri Harsha .............................. 115
Palermo, Vincent ...................................... 73
Palfi, Jessica ............................................. 40
Palmer, Heather ....................................... 40
Panico, Rachel .......................................... 13
Parikh, Paayal ........................................... 93
Parisi-Goldblatt, Ashley ........................... 93
Pascual, Francisco ................................... 18
Patel, Himeshkumar ................................. 18
Patel, Priyanshi ................................. 94, 156
Patel, Raahil ............................................ 138
Patel, Sarika .............................................. 21
Patel, Vanisaben..................................... 164
Pearson, Tara.......................................... 164
Pena, Maria............................................. 165
Perez, Alex ................................................ 73
Petersen, Kevin ........................................ 94
Phillips, Ian ............................................... 74
Phillips, Maiya......................................... 138
Pierce, Sarah........................................... 165
Pinnamaneni, Reshma ............................. 22
Piro, Tea.................................................... 74
Piver, Brittany ......................................... 139
Pollard, Benjamin ................................... 126
Powers, Jonah .......................................... 75
Prioleau, Naomi ....................................... 75
Punwasi, Sharon ....................................... 28
Puthusseril, Jubel ................................... 131
Qaudeer, Shahid ................................... 166
Quraishi, Hafsa ......................................... 27
Radu, Stephanie ....................................... 95
Rahman, Sanim ........................................ 51
Ram, Sue................................................... 22
Ramachandran, Vilas.............................. 166
Ramirez, Carla .......................................... 76
Ramirez, Margie ....................................... 41
Ramos, Adela ........................................... 52
Rashedi, Ferishta ...................................... 16
Rashid, Selena .......................................... 67
Ravipati, Advaitaa .................................... 42
Raymond, Stephanie .............................. 23
Reed, Maria .............................................. 52
Rehman, Nabila...................................... 167
Resto, Monica ........................................... 53
Richmond-Gernant, Aaron..................... 151
Rio, Amanda ........................................... 167
Risak, Sam ................................................. 76
Rivera, Jaqueline ...................................... 35
Robart, Carrie ......................................... 127
Robinson, Emily ........................................ 76
Rodriguez, Patricia ............................ 39, 41
Rojas, Jorge .............................................. 77
Romeu-Kelly, Ricardo ............................... 23
Rosales, Raquel ........................................ 77
Roth, Vincent .......................................... 139
Rowell, Joshua .......................................... 53
Roxin, Michael ....................................... 132
Ruiz, Daniel ............................................. 140
Rush, Evan ............................................... 168
Saez, Andres ........................................... 127
Salcedo, Elvin ......................................... 180
Sanchez Ramirez, Mariana .................... 168
Sanchez, Neylis ....................................... 168
Sanders, Ashante.................................... 169
Sannasardo, Zachary ................................ 23
Santana, Amy ............................................ 24
Santiago Gomez, Eden ............................ 36
Sathe, Akshita ........................................... 42
Schadrac, Daniel....................................... 24
Schlafly, Millicent ...................................... 54
Schoen, Brittany ....................................... 78
Schueler, Jordan..................................... 128
Schwark, Ariana ........................................ 25
Scott, Brenden .......................................... 78
Sephien, Andrew .................................... 147
Setti, Luiz ................................................... 80
Shakespeare, Sarah .......................... 79, 128
Shamsi, Muhaimen ................................... 54
Shareef, Naser .......................................... 28
Shields, Alexander................................. 129
Shukla, Prachi............................................ 95
Sigimundi, Ali............................................ 17
Sineno, Meischa ..................................... 169
Skolnick, Lani ............................................ 25
Slavens, Lauren ......................................... 70
Smalley, Tracess ..................................... 115
Smith, Lyndsea ....................................... 171
Snyder, Alana .......................................... 112
Soueidan, Hana ........................................ 96
Spampinato, Sara ..................................... 96
Stanley, Christian .................................... 120
Stapor, Hope .......................................... 141
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Stein, Joanne............................................ 26
Stephens, Sinead ................................... 170
Stevens, Andrew ...................................... 79
Stewart, Heather ................................ 42, 43
Stillion, Alana ........................................... 97
Stockham, John ...................................... 26
Sunassee, Enakshi .................................... 97
Swonger, Ronald ...................................... 98
Tan, Lee .................................................... 98
Tanon, Luis ............................................. 107
Taouil, Adam .......................................... 129
Tarriela, Joseph ....................................... 80
Tate, Patricia Claire.......................... 27, 170
Thiessen, Brittany................................... 116
Thomas, Angelica .................................... 43
Thomas, Olivia ...................................... 181
Timirau, Wendy ........................................ 27
Timmel, Kaeley....................................... 171
Titus, Camille............................................ 44
Torello, Joaquin ....................................... 98
Torrealba, Hernando ............................. 171
Torres, Cedric........................................... 99
Tran, Brandon ........................................ 163
Trasmonte, Krizia Marie......................... 116
Trick, Kaylee ............................................. 11
Tristan, Andrea ....................................... 140
Tummala, Mahesh ................................. 172
Valdez, Corey ......................................... 129
Vannasse, Darrynn ................................ 172
Varughese, Shannon ................................ 99
Vasquez, Savannah ................................ 130
Vega, Xamil ............................................ 173
Vo, James ............................................... 172
Wagner, Rylee ........................................ 173
Wallace, Nicholas................................... 117
Walther, Patrick ...................................... 107
Watkins, Julian ......................................... 34
Watson, McKenzie ................................... 54
Webber, Julaina ..................................... 132
Weikel, Kimberly ................................... 174
White, Miles.................................... 174, 175
Wieczorek, Tyler............................... 55, 163
Wilkin, Kathryn ....................................... 175
Williams, Fallon ........................................ 55
Williams, Krista ....................................... 176
Williams, Leanne .................................... 176
Wintjen, Kelly ......................................... 117
Wood, Jasmine ...................................... 117
Woughter, Adam ..................................... 80
Yao, Wei .................................................. 117
Yunus, Amara .......................................... 100
Zaman, Raquib.......................... 80, 135, 172
Zamudio, Frank....................................... 101
Zapata, Juan ........................................... 177
Zaw, Shin ................................................... 28
Zewdie, Hiwot ......................................... 177
Zloty, Justin ............................................. 118
Zolik, Jaime ............................................ 118
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Index of Mentors
Acevedo-Duncan, Mildred .................... 115
Adams, Jessie ........................................ 104
Adams, John .......................................... 134
Alvarez, Mariano ................................... 118
Amado, Aurelie ...................................... 137
Andel, Stephanie ..................................... 16
Andel, Ross .............................................. 24
Andrews, Christine ................................... 32
Andrusyszyn, Walter .............................. 150
Aranda, Elizabeth................................... 169
Assaf, Andrea ......................................... 147
Athienitis, Alexia .......................... 86, 89, 90
Badanich, Kimberly .................................. 23
Baker, Wendy ................................39, 40, 42
Bartesa, Mariaelena ............................... 178
Bartesaghi, Mariaelena ............................ 78
Batsche, Catherine............................. 11, 17
Bedwell, Wendy ............................... 19, 171
Betancourt, Kyna.................................... 120
Bhethanabotla, Venkat ...................... 46, 51
Bingham, Shawn .............................. 35, 133
Bishop, Philip ............. 53, 57, 59, 64-66, 68,
.......................................69, 71, 76, 100, 139,
..................................148, 153, 165, 166, 181
Blair, Laura .............................................. 101
Boothroyd, Roger .........................11, 17, 23
Bosson, Jennifer..................................... 177
Bourgeois, Marie.................................... 139
Bourgeois, Michelle ................................. 11
Bowers, Gregory .................................... 157
Boyd, Patrick .........................10, 15, 21, 25,
......................................... 148, 155, 160, 165
Brekka, Pamela......................................... 12
Breslin, Jerome ....................................... 96
Brunquell, Jessica .................................. 112
Bryant, Judith ........................................... 18
Bubley, Walter .......................................... 82
Bugos, Jennifer ...................... 37, 39, 41-43,
Cainas, Jennifer ....................................... 30
Carey, Stephanie................................ 49, 55
Castricone, Mark ...................................... 57
Cheng, Ryan ............................................. 67
Cimino, Cynthia ....................................... 14
Cizmic, Maria ............................................ 77
Coates, Erica ............................................ 34
Cohen, Jeremy ....................................... 108
Craig, Benjamin ....................................... 92
Crane, Nathan .......................................... 54
Cunningham, Jeffrey .............................. 114
Curry, Emelda ........................................ 167
Das, Tapas ................................................ 51
Davidson, Lindy ........................................ 22
Dean Kruzel, Marleah ........................ 19, 88
Deban, Stephen ..................................... 114
Decker, Michael ................................ 80, 172
DeMarie, Darlene ......................... 38, 39, 44
Denmark, Daniel ..................................... 128
Dickey, Chad........................................... 101
Dogaris, Ioannis ...................................... 105
Donchin, Emanuel .................................... 16
Donnelly, Dianne ..................................... 20
Dunn, Elizabeth .............................. 132, 163
Durfee, Dallin .......................................... 130
Edwards, Jerri ........................................... 27
Eisel, Sarah ................................................ 13
Enderling, Heiko ....................................... 97
England, Joseph..................................... 117
Ergas, Sarina ............................................. 45
Erwin, Sean ............................................. 179
Evans, David ............................................. 28
Evsikova, Caralina Marin De .................... 87
Fang, Tzu-Wei......................................... 123
Findley-Van Nostrand, Danielle .. 9, 27, 170
Fletcher, Keaton ....................................... 19
Fontaine, Darcie ..................................... 176
French, Kimberly..................................... 144
Friedman, Jennifer ................ 142, 144, 159,
........................................................ 162, 173
Frisina, Robert........................................... 54
Fukumoto, Jutaro ..................................... 98
Funke, Peter ........................... 58, 64, 66, 79,
........................................ 147, 149, 156, 163
Gamaldo, Alyssa ................................. 12, 24
Gamsby, Joshua ..................................... 100
Garbuzova-Davis, Svitlana ....................... 83
Gardner, Patrick...................................... 132
Garey, James .......................................... 106
Garrison, David ......................................... 37
Germa, Aurelie ....................................... 103
Gervasi, Stephanie ................................. 111
Gibb, Bruce ............................................. 117
Gomes, Samantha ............... 13, 18, 25, 141,
............... 143, 145, 151, 154, 163, 166, 167,
................ 171, 172, 174, 175, 151, 170, 173
Gordon, Marcia ....... 86, 88, 90, 95, 98, 137,
Graham, Laurel ....... 142, 144, 159, 162, 173
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Gregory, Amber ..................................... 160
Guida, Wayne ........................................ 107
Gulick, Danielle ...................................... 100
Gutierrez, Humberto ..................... 125, 129
Hafen, Mark ............................................ 110
Han, Sophia ............................................. 43
Hangartner, Renee....................71, 147, 151
Harand, Kristina ..................................... 139
Harwood, Valerie ................................... 114
Haura, Eric ................................................ 89
Hechinger, Ryan ...................................... 36
Heide, Kathleen ....................................... 22
Heyes, Michael .................59, 61, 65, 68, 72,
............................. 76, 77, 145, 149, 158, 159
Hooker, Robert ........................................ 30
Hudson, Phillip ............................... 126, 129
Huensch, Amanda.................................. 141
Hutton, Nicole........................................ 103
Irwin, Julia ................................................. 63
Isaac, Wainella.......................................... 52
Jackson, Antoinette ............................... 161
Jinwal, Umesh .......................................... 95
Johnson, Melissa...................................... 10
Joly-Amado, Aurelie ................................ 90
Jones, Robert Christopher ................ 32, 33
Jones-Gailani, Nadia ............................. 174
Jones-Mason, Beth ................................ 107
Jonoska, Natasa ..................................... 113
Joseph, Babu ..................................... 47, 49
Kang, David ............................................ 110
Karl, Payne ................................................ 48
Kaulagari , Sridhar ................................... 92
Kearns, Fiona ................................... 91, 127
Kee , Younghoon .................................. 102
Kemp, Michae ..........................................l93
Khan, Arshad .......................................... 128
Kilvitis, Holly ........................................... 113
Kirstein, Cheryl ......................................... 23
Kissi, Edward ......................................... 175
Knox, Brain ............................................. 140
Kolliputi, Narasaiah .................................. 94
Krause, Margaret ..................................... 40
Kuhn, John ....................................45, 47, 52
Kyle, Dennis..................................... 136-138
Lajeunesse, Marc ........................... 109, 118
Lang, Carolyn ......................................... 124
Langford, Julie ....................................... 143
Larsen, Randy ................................. 124, 125
Lazarus , Jason ....................................... 180
Leahy, James ........ 84, 94, 98, 115, 117, 121
Lee, Daniel .................................. 85, 99, 102
Lee, Seung-Yeop .................................... 127
Lemus, Andrea.......................................... 98
Levine, Alex............................................... 60
Lewis, Barbara........................................... 34
Lewis, David ............................................ 110
Limon, Anne-Claire ................................ 120
López Castillo, Humberto .............. 132, 140
Luque, Jenna ........................................... 23
Lussier, April ............................................. 96
Ma, Shengqian ....................................... 122
Madrigal, Lorena ............................ 116, 154
Maher, Steven................................. 136, 138
Mahoney, Dillon ....................... 26, 146, 176
Manh-Huong, Phan ................................ 106
Marin de Evsikova, Caralina..................... 99
Martin, Lynn ............................................ 113
Maute, Astrid .......................................... 123
Maxfield , Nathan .................................... 23
McDonald, Danielle ............................... 164
McLaughlin, Mark ..................................... 87
Meltzer, Lauren ....................................... 134
Merrick, Janna .................................. 31, 157
Michael, Ryan...................................... 50, 53
Millspaugh, Tuong ................................. 179
Mooney, Susan ......................................... 62
Moore, Kathleen ........................... 14, 17, 35
Mootoo, Alexis ...................................... 169
Motta, Philip ..................................... 82, 111
Mudunuru, Venkateswara ................ 91, 135
Ngo, Huong .............................................. 49
Noto, Akana .............................................. 36
Nunes, Cecilia ........................................ 133
Oberne, Alison ............................... 131, 138
Oberstaller, Jenna ................................. 134
Ojanen, Tiina ................... 10, 15, 21, 25, 26,
......................... 148, 152, 155, 160, 161, 165
Onac, Bogdan ........................................ 126
Padmanabhan, Jaya ................................. 93
Pasek, Matthew ...................................... 124
Passaglia, Christopher ............................. 85
Piazza, Lisa .............................................. 180
Plank, Richard ........................................... 29
Pollenz, Richard ...................... 9, 15, 27, 170
Ponomareva, Inna................................... 122
Rahmanovic, Faruk ............ 9, 61, 62, 69, 70,
................................... 72-75, 78, 80, 97, 177
Reichert, Marcel........................................ 82
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Rex Philpot, Rex Philpot .......................... 83
Rice, Chris ............................................... 137
Richards, Christina ................................ 118
Richmond, Arthur .................................. 123
Rivera, Edwin .......................................... 108
Rodgers, Jennifer..................................... 60
Rodriguez-Gonzalez, Laura ..................... 45
Rogers , Catherine ................................... 23
Sahoo, Prasana....................................... 125
Saito, Masahiko ...................................... 113
Sandusky, Leslie ....................................... 99
Sawmiller, Darrell ..................................... 20
Scales, Jeffrey......................................... 114
Scharm, Heike ..................24, 33, 38, 41, 58,
.................. 63, 67, 70, 75, 79, 131, 133, 142,
......... 146, 152, 155, 156, 158, 162, 164, 168
Scott, Stacey............................................. 13
Scott, Andee .......................................... 178
Selenica, Maj Linda ................................ 109
Self, Brittany ............................................. 34
Shaw, Lindsey ................................. 104, 109
Shilling, Andrew ..................................... 107
Shurin, Jonathan ...................................... 36
Silva, Sinhara .......................................... 129
Smart, Tracey ........................................... 82
Smith, Thomas ......................................... 31
Smith, Elaine............................................. 57
Smith, Matthew ........................................ 89
Solomon, Jill ............................................. 29
Soundararajan, Ramani............................ 84
Space, Brian ........................................... 123
Stackhouse, Chavis ................................ 122
Stiles, Paul ................................................ 23
Stuart, Amy ......................................... 50, 53
Stuesse, Angela ..................................... 150
Sukrungruang, Ira............................... 67, 76
Summa, Marc .......................................... 42
Tan, Jun .................................................... 20
Thomas, David ......................................... 73
Thomas, Santana ................................... 112
Thompson, Larry ...................................... 21
Trotz, Maya ......................................... 48, 52
Turner, Jessie ................................. 144, 168
Turos, Edward ........................................ 104
Utic, Daniel ............................................. 104
Varma, Sameer ....................................... 121
Walker, Ellen .......................................... 128
Weitzenfeld, Alfredo.....................48, 54, 55
Wendland, Milton .................................... 76
West, Kaydee ......................................... 105
Westerheide, Sandy ............................... 115
Williamson, Tanika T. .............................. 46
Woodcock, H. Lee .............................. 91, 93
Wright, Lauri ........................................... 136
Yancey, Elizabeth ................................... 116
Young, Matthew ....................................... 35
Zhu, Xiaoxia .................................. 46, 50, 54
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was established in Fall 2012 to build additional undergraduate research capacity by providing seed funding
to faculty for the development of sustainable opportunities for students to engage in research and creative
activities within lower or upper level undergraduate courses. During the 2015-2016 academic year 10 faculty
were recognized as CREATTE Scholars and provided UR opportunities to over 400 students. This year, more
than 100 CREATTE Student Researchers from 6 Faculty Scholars are presenting their research at the Colloquium.
Faculty Scholars
Department/Affiliation
Richard Lamborn
Philosophy
Amanda Huensch
World Language
Marie Bourgeois
Public Health
Tiina Ojanen
Psychology
Laura Runge
English
Faruk Rahmanovic
Honors College
Samantha Gomes
Honors College
Heike Scharm
World Language
Catherine Batsche
Behavioral & Community Science
Michael Heyes
Religious Studies
190 | P a g e
2015/2016 CREATTE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The CREATTE Scholars Program (Creating Research Experiences and Activities Through Teaching Enhancement)
STEM Academy Scholars arrive on campus one week early at no added cost to begin their college careers
surrounded by people who are just as excited about their areas of study as they are. In addition, STEM
Academy Scholars have the ability to continue to build community with their colleagues and the university
by applying to the STEM Academy Living Learning Community during the Fall and Spring semesters.
USF HHMI STEM Academy Scholars
Skylar Guilder
Radhe Mehta
Hafsa Quraishi
Camille Titus
Jaime Zolik
191 | P a g e
2015/2016 CREATTE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
STEM Academy Colloquium Scholars
Research in Arts Scholarship
The Research in Arts Scholarship (RIAS) represents a creative partnership between the
USF Office for Undergraduate Research (OUR) and the College of the Arts, which aims
to foster student passion for inquiry and discovery. Two essential elements comprise
the RIAS Scholarship: financial support, and comprehensive training in research skills
and professional development. Under the direction of faculty mentors and OUR
Program Directors, RIAS Scholars who participate in the USF School of Art and Art
History’s Summer Study Abroad Paris Program develop and produce research-based
art projects from idea to installation.
2015 Awardees
McKinna Anderson
Natalie Bohin
Dawn Grayford
Jennifer Kilburn
Adam Mathieu
Tatiana Munoz
192 | P a g e
OUR SCHOLARSHIPS and AWARDS 2015/2016
The OUR supports various funding initiatives to enhance student participation and productivity in mentored
research and creative activities projects.
The Interdisciplinary Research Scholarship was established by the OUR in 2012 to promote student
engagement in interdisciplinary research at USF. Undergraduate students in all disciplines are eligible to apply
for the $750 Interdisciplinary Research Scholarship. *2016 Colloquium Presenter
2015 Awardees
Daniela Albright
Matthew Cuffaro
Daniel Corral
Anthony Elwell
Haley Hanson
Bryan Hare
John Lindsey
Taylor Lubecki
Savanah Palen
Adela Ramos
Daniel Ruiz
Karissa Yob
Juan Zapata
Funding to Conduct Undergraduate Research Travel Grant
The Undergraduate Research Travel Grant provides up to $750 to support students who need to travel for the
purposes of conducting research related to an ongoing research or creative activities project. *2016
Colloquium Presenter
2015 Awardees
Bryan MacNeil
Community Scholars Fellowship Program
The OUR partners with the Office of Community Engagement to support the Community Scholars Fellowship
program. This fellowship supports undergraduate students conducting research that benefits, and is carried out
in partnership with community organizations, nonprofits, or local government agencies. The program provides
a stipend of $750 for a student who will carry out at least 150 hours of research over the course of a semester
or a summer. The program also provides up to $250 for research related expenses, and a $250 stipend for the
community partner, and if applicable, $250 for a faculty “mentor”. *2016 Colloquium Presenter
2015 Awardees
Alexandra Skoblicki
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Interdisciplinary Research Scholarship
This award recognized outstanding undergraduate research in English and History disciplines. Awards are
based on faculty nominations and departmental review of the research project. Students present the research
in oral or poster form at the Undergraduate Research and Arts Colloquium.
2016 History Awardees
Charles Harris
Krista Williams
2016 English Awardees
Awardees will be named at the conclusion of the Colloquium and will
be listed in the final event program posted to the OUR website.
USF Tampa Library Award for Best Use of Research Literature
This award recognizes undergraduate student role models who demonstrate sound practices in the use of USF
Tampa library resources that support research projects that will be presented at the Undergraduate Research
and Arts Colloquium.
2016 Awardees
Amanda Kerstman
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Undergraduate Research in English Award
Undergraduate Research in History Award
Students presenting research projects with a focus on physiology can submit for review and recognition.
2016 Awardees
Awardees will be named at the conclusion of the Colloquium and will
be listed in the final event program posted to the OUR website.
195 | P a g e
Undergraduate Research in Physiology Award
Awards are based on nominations by facilitators who engage with student researchers during the annual
Undergraduate Research and Arts Colloquium. Students receiving these awards exhibited a high level of
engagement and passion for their research project, high quality of presentation and ability to look beyond the
project.
2016 Awardees
Mary Alao
Raaven Goffe
Alauna Martinez
Ariana Schwark
Yasmin Alawi Martins
Dawn Grayford
Mark Noble
Luiz Setti
Olivia Amorose
Skylar Guilder
Jasmine Ortiz
Ali Sigimundi
Abigail Bridges
Nancy Habib
Heather Palmer
Enakshi Sunassee
Rachel Broadwater
Giselle Irio
Stephanie Radu
Corey Valdez
Beatrice Brodsky
Karie John
Sanim Rahman
McKenzie Watson
Ryan Cox
Matthew Kastelic
Carrie Robart
Raquib Zaman
Girgis Fahmy
Thomas Licata
Jorge Rojas
Juan Zapata
Ryan Fay
Paola Mancera
Raquel Rosales
Freeman Gerhardt
Victoria Marino
Daniel Schadrac
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OUR SCHOARSHIPS and AWARDS 2015/2016
2016 Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award
http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/
http://www.usf.edu/about-usf/mission-vision.aspx
Kuh, G. D. (2008). High-impact educational practices: What they are, who has access to them, and why they
matter. Washington, D.C.: Association of American Colleges and Universities.
OUR Mission Statement and Strategic Goals
The Office For Undergraduate Research (OUR) promotes mentored research across all disciplines by partnering
with faculty and staff in all academic programs, administrative units and within the community. The office
assists students, faculty, staff, administrators and community leaders in establishing research experiences that
are designed to enhance a student’s academic progression and foster deeper immersion in the field. The
office elevates the research experience by providing all participants professional development and mentoring
workshops, research training, publication and funding opportunities.
The OUR operates through commitment to the following strategic goals:
1. Promote undergraduate research at USF and nationally through publication, presentation, professional
development and mentoring.
2. Vest all programs in the value of undergraduate research and provide mechanisms and resources to assure
success for students and faculty.
3. Obtain extramural funding that will support access to undergraduate research especially for students from
under-represented groups.
4. Collaborate with university partners to develop creative initiatives that promote undergraduate research.
197 | P a g e
UNDERGRADUATE RESEACH at USF
Designated as a very high research activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation, the University of South
Florida is one of the largest universities in the nation with a total system enrollment of more than 48,000
(USF Pocket Facts 2014-15). Student success, research and preparing students for a globally competitive
environment are at the center of the university’s mission and vision. In alignment with the university’s strategic
goals and mission, which strongly emphasize high-impact practices (Kuh 2008) such as undergraduate research,
the USF Office of Undergraduate Research was relocated to the USF Tampa Library in 2011. With funding from
the Office of the Provost, the unit was relocated to a more visible location, the Tampa Library. The name of
the office was also changed at this time to reflect a more active and inclusive entity and became known as the
Office for Undergraduate Research (OUR). By 2012, the OUR became part of the library’s Learning Commons,
which includes several academic support services such as the SMART Lab, Academic Success Center, and
Writing Studio. The central location of the OUR within the USF Library has facilitated numerous collaborations
between the OUR, library units, and faculty librarians. The Office for Undergraduate Research (OUR) is a small
unit that serves a population of more than 30,000 undergraduate students. A major challenge in an institution
of this size is the ratio between students seeking research and available faculty and graduate student mentors.
Thus, a primary feature of the OUR’s mission involves the development of collaborative initiatives to increase
UR capacity on campus across all disciplines.
Undergraduate Research by the Numbers
Average
number of
“Getting Started”
workshops offered
each semester
462
Average number of students
who present their projects at
the annual Undergraduate
Research and Arts
Colloquium each April.
$750
Average amount provided to
a student who receives an
OUR Research Scholarship
2,500
Average number of undergraduates engaged in
research activities at USF each academic year
Average number of students
who attend OUR professional
development workshops
each academic year
1,250
$25,000
Average amount the OUR provides to students each year through the different research scholarship opportunities
198 | P a g e
UNDERGRADUATE RESEACH at USF
12
24
Colleges at USF
that provide
undergraduate
research
opportunities
Timothy Adams
Arthur Fambro II
John Kuhn
Danielle Quichocho
Jazmine Aira
Zoe Fine
Mark Laplante
Lennox Ramkissoon
Dennis Allen
Marie Fontana
Andrea Lemus
Toure Rider
Peggy Allen
Karen Frank
Barbara Lewis
Beverly Suzanne Robb
Massiel Avila
Glen Freeman
Richard Liebespach
Cristabel Rodriguez Torres
Michael Ayres
Kaitlyn French
Kathy Lockwood
Judith Rosenkranz
Chighaf Bakour
Jennifer Friedman
Humberto López Castillo
Raymond Ruiz Jr.
Kyna Betancourt
Shani Garza
Andrea Lowe
Steven Ryder
Michelle Bombaugh
Tenezee Gehendyu
Olivia Macdonald
Ivana Sehovic Neff
Elizabeth Brackman
James Gibson
Emily Mahoney
Anne Marie Shaughnessy
Elliott Brecht
Claire Gorey
Victor Mancini
Daniel Shelnutt
Byron Burrows
Lawrence Gottschamer
Suzette Marteny
Camara Silver
Lauren Campbell
Robert Greco
Janae Mason
Tina Sink
Betty Carlin
Brittany Grossfield
Christina Meals
Linxia Song
Ashley Caron
Michelle Henderson
Harri Miller
Sherman Steadman
Kelli Carter
Rene Herrera
Cynthia Mohler
Zheni Stefanova
Harish Chittam
Michael Hiatt
Janet Moore
Yvonne Stewart
Sandra Conway
Amy Hilbelink
Sarah Murphy
Brenda Stewart
Catherine Costa
Fadwa Hilili
Marie Murray
Alexis Strokoff
Michael Cross
Parmar Hiten
Cristina Naso
Victoria Stuart
Barrett Cuttino
Owen Hooper
Alison Oberne
Sarah Taylor
Kristina Deak
Salman Husain
Caitlin O'Connor
Tomaro Taylor
Kristine Del Vecchio
Wainella Isaacs
Jorn Odegaard
Andrea Thompson
Viviana Delgado Méndez
Sina Izadi
Abidemi Ologunde
Diana Valdes
Jim DesRosiers
Victoria Johnson
Jeff Orloff
Margarita Vanegas
Ioannis Dogaris
Beth Jones-Mason
Amanda Palmer
James Vermillion
Claudia Dold
Doug Jordan
Chelsey Parkinson
Carissa Vetromile
Mary Domanski
Sandy Justice
Sarah Pennington
Jeanne Viviani
Sasha dos Santos
Ippokratis Kantzios
Grace Peters
Ada Ward-Timmons
Leonidas Emmenegger
Prethiraj Khargu
Aaron Petuch
Timothy Ware
Joseph England
Elicia Kimble
Adrienne Pollard
Troi Williams
Prebynski Ethan
Melanie King
Audrey Powers
Jill Wolf
Marcella Marie Falquez
Christopher Koslin
Rebeca Pupo
Mehdi Zeyghami
199 | P a g e
SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE OUR
The OUR would like to thank today’s facilitators for graciously volunteering
their time and expertice to help make this event a success.
Bardia Adibmoradi
Chloe Horsfall
Taylor Richmond
Mary Alao
Meagan Horton
Christal Rosado
Geldine Ambroise
Chloe Jackson
Kayla Rykiel
David Andres Becerranino
Jessica Jimenez
Nikita Shah
Anne Baptiste
Rachel Koruo
Aadhyaa Shenoy
De’Angel Branch
Rachel Llewellyn
Christian Stanley
Ansley Chou
Kari Lohr
Deborah Stolte Bezerra Lisboa Oliveira
Melissa Cook
Tamara Mangal
Luiza Stolte Bezerra Lisboa Oliveira
Kristina Donaldson
Radhe Mehta
Eliseo Torres
Taylor Emmons
Ashita Mukalel
Juan Velandia
Kathleen Forero
Shafa Nathani
Sarah Violante
Michael Grabau
Ava Niazi
Audriana Webber
Walter Hernandez
Bijal Patel
Sara-Kay West
Stephanie Hogue
Shrushti Patel
Marissa Yanez
200 | P a g e
The OUR would like to thank the following undergraduate
students for serving as Colloquium Volunteers. We appreciate
your commitment and dedication.
An exceptional member of the OUR staff, Emilia Kalogiannis, helped with
event logistics and managed the Colloquium social media campaign.
OUR Graphic Designer DeMarra Lee designed all printed materials for this year’s
Colloquium. We are inspired by your creativity and passion.
OUR Media Interns Allison Leslie and Lauren Bodle.
This amazing team created several promotional videos for the Colloquium.
Thank you for your professionalism and creative vision.
OUR volunteer interns Ava Niazi and Chloe Jackson, who helped with event
logistics and preparation.
OUR Directors would like to thank OUR staff
Trista Moenning and Victoria Sanchez
for their assistance with every aspect of this year’s Colloquium.
We are grateful for all of your hard work and dedication.
Our phenomenal OUR student assistant
Angela Ferguson helped with event preparation and management.
201 | P a g e
The OUR would like to thank the following undergraduate
students for their significant contributions to this event:
Mission Statement
Inspiring Inquiry and Discovery Across
All Disciplines
The Office for Undergraduate Research (OUR) promotes mentored research
across all disciplines by partnering with faculty and staff in all academic programs,
administrative units and within the community. The office assists students, faculty,
staff, administrators and community leaders in establishing research experiences
that are designed to enhance a student’s academic progression and foster deeper
immersion in the field. The office elevates the research experience by providing
all participants professional development and mentoring workshops, research
training, publication and funding opportunities.
To learn more about the Office for Undergraduate Research:
lib.usf.edu/undergraduate-research/
Office Location - LIB 210
Phone - (813) 974-6824
Connect with the OUR on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/urusf

undergraduate research and arts colloquium

Transcription

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