Poster Session I- 5:00-6:30PM
Posters 1-42
Abstract Volume and Quick Reference Guide
____________________________________________________________________________
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Compounded Gabapentin for Felines: A Review of Associated Metabolic Processes and an Analysis of Potency
Advisor(s): Dr. Elaine Schwartz
Pharmaceutical compounding provides pharmacists and clinicians the opportunity to create unique drug formulations that are better suited to a specific patient’s needs. This is especially prevalent in veterinary medicine where clinicians treat a variety of maladies in a large number of species, thereby requiring unique formulations to more easily deliver drugs to animals. Several examples of compounded veterinary formulations with sub-therapeutic potencies have been published, but none examine compounded gabapentin. Gabapentin is frequently compounded into an oral suspension for veterinary use from tablets or capsules for the purpose of pain management in felines and other small animals. The project’s goals are two-fold. Utilizing HPLC, the primary aim is to quantify the concentration of gabapentin in compounded formulations of the drug from various pharmacy sources. The data generated will be cross-referenced with US Pharmacopeia guidelines to determine if the concentration of gabapentin is within appropriate ranges for the oral suspensions, providing insight into the efficacy of the protocols employed to complete the compounding process. The second goal is to provide a brief review of the literature on veterinary compounding, its need and limitations, and specifically administration of gabapentin and its associated metabolic processes. We predict that the specific formulations acquired for testing have been compounded efficaciously, and will not be in violation of US Pharmacopeia guidelines. However, larger-scale testing of compounded formulations of gabapentin would be necessary to confirm the efficacy of the process taken to compound gabapentin for animal use.
- Solving the Protein Folding Problem by Machine Learning
Advisor(s): Dr. Michael Ibba
Determining protein folding accurately is a fundamental step to understanding a protein’s structure, functions, and roles in a biological system. The current methods of determining a protein’s three-dimensional structure are labor-intensive and often limited by the requirement for direct comparisons with experimentally-determined known structures. Current computational methods also present their own set of challenges, where the interfaces are difficult to use and the data can be inherently biased. Machine learning creates new possibilities for modeling and prediction. Machine learning models are trained using the large quantities of data available and are able to accurately and rapidly predict and classify unknown proteins. With more data available than biologists and biochemists know what to do with, the future directions of the field are not limited to structure prediction, drug design, and precision medicine. Here, we will discuss the strengths and limitations of the current methods used to solve protein folding. The introduction of machine learning into the field addresses these limitations and opens the door to new research endeavors. The goal of this review is to address the current strengths and ongoing challenges of machine learning and how that affects the feat of determining protein folding patterns from the amino acid sequence alone.
- Investigating the Interactions Between Nitrogenase and CowN
Advisor(s): Dr. Cedric Owens, Max Strul
Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient, but the most abundant form of nitrogen, dinitrogen gas (N2), is unreactive. Plants get nitrogen from a more reactive form of nitrogen, ammonia (NH3). The Haber-Bosch process is used at an industrial level to produce ammonia-rich fertilizer, however, this process is environmentally problematic. A bacterium called Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus can sustainably produce ammonia under ambient conditions without polluting the environment. Nitrogen fixation in G. diazotrophicus is catalyzed by an enzyme called nitrogenase. Nitrogenase is inhibited by carbon monoxide (CO). The presence of a small protein called CowN will mitigate the inhibition by CO. CowN is hypothesized to protect nitrogenase from CO through protein-protein interactions. The mechanism of interaction between nitrogenase and CowN that allows for nitrogen fixation to occur in the presence of CO is unknown. This project aims to investigate the interaction between nitrogenase and CowN using crosslinking assays. We attempted crosslinking with several crosslinkers, including an EDC crosslinker to permanently link together nitrogenase and CowN via glutamic acid and lysine, and a Sulfo-NHS-LC-Diazirine crosslinker that nonspecifically binds the two proteins together under UV light. Products from the crosslinking assays were run on SDS-PAGE gels to determine the possibility of an interaction between CowN and nitrogenase. We expect to see a band indicative of the combined molecular weights of MoFeP (60 kDa), a component of nitrogenase, and CowN (13 kDa). Results show no bands using the EDC cross-linker, however, a reproducible band at roughly 70 kDa appears when using the diazirine crosslinker. The band’s intensity is dependent on CowN concentration and not present in a series of negative controls. Together, this data allows us to conclude CowN and nitrogenase, in fact, do interact.
- Delivery and Genome Editing of CRISPR/Cas9 RNP Systems
Advisor(s): Dr. Hamidreza Aliabadi
CRISPR/Cas9 is an emerging gene therapy tool that has shown great potential in gene-editing in a variety of diseases. CRISPR/Cas9 is a promising gene therapy tool, but the delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids is a challenging task. In this study, we initially focused on delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids and used lipid nanoparticles as our gene delivery system. The fatty acyl conjugated cell-penetrating peptides, also called peptide lipid-associated nucleic acids (PLANAs), allowed for targeting and transfection of the RPS6KA5 gene in MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cell lines. Although delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids have been successful, our study shifted our focus from delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids to delivery of CRISPR ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. The IDT Alt-R CRISPR/Cas9 RNP gene editing system is composed of a crRNA:tracrRNA duplex and Cas9 enzyme. Each component of the RNP complex plays a distinct role. The crRNA is designed to target and edit specific genes, while the tracrRNA operates as a binding scaffold for the Cas9 nuclease. The crRNA:tracrRNA duplex works to guide and trigger cleaving of double-stranded DNA by the Cas9 enzyme. Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 in the form of an RNP complex instead of a plasmid is beneficial in terms of efficiency of genome editing and time saving advantages. Our study has shown uptake of the RNP complex by our breast cancer cells, but we are currently working on confirming gene editing of our cells via the Alt-R Genome Editing Detection Kit.
- Testing Potential Binding of Curcumin Analogs to the Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors
Advisor(s): Dr. Marco Bisoffi
The curcumin analog, ca27, is a diarylpentanoid known to downregulate the expression of the androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells potentially by binding to the androgen receptor and inducing its degradation. Similar to the androgen receptor in prostate cancer, the estrogen and progesterone receptors are generally upregulated in breast cancer cells. The objective of this study is to examine whether ca27 and its analogs, which differ with respect to the position and presence of the hydroxyl groups and the Michael acceptors, feature binding affinity for the estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. The affinity of ca27 and its analogs were evaluated using the software, MolSoft. This was accomplished by docking the ligands into the ligand-binding domain of each receptor and determining the scoring function. It was found that ca27 and its analogs show a strong affinity for estrogen receptor ɑ, estrogen receptor β, and the progesterone receptor. Analog ca58 (meta-positioned hydroxyl groups on the aryl rings) had the highest affinity for estrogen receptor β and the progesterone receptor while ca27 (ortho-positioned hydroxyl groups on the aryl rings, but missing the Michael acceptors) had the highest affinity for estrogen receptor ɑ. Most current endocrine therapies for breast cancer block the hormone receptors, temporarily inhibiting their function. However, ca27 and its analogs could bind the receptors and induce their degradation, which represents a novel potential molecular therapeutic modality against breast cancer.
- Exosomes as Inducers of Field Cancerization in Prostate Cancer
Advisor(s): Dr. Marco Bisoffi, Dr. Molla Islam
Field cancerization is the phenomenon where areas of tissue surrounding well-defined malignancies contain genetic and biochemical alterations. This incident is present in many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. While the concept of field cancerization is clear, its molecular etiology remains unknown. Potential inducers of field cancerization are microvesicles, in particular exosomes. Exosomes are microvesicle bodies that range in size from 40nm to 130nm. They are excreted by cells, mediating intercellular communication through carrying biomolecules like RNA, lipids, and proteins. Many studies show that exosomes are generated and expelled at higher amounts by cancerous cells. We investigated exosomes and their connection to field cancerization using prostate cancer epithelial cell lines. We used RWPE1, PC3, and C42B. The RWPE1 cells are normal prostate cells, and the C42B and PC3 are cancer cells. The two prostate cancer cell lines are bone metastatic cancer cells, distinguishable by the presence and absence of the androgen receptor. This key feature was the study variable as the androgen receptor is known to play a pivotal part in the development of prostate cancer. Isolation of the exosomes was performed by multiple rounds of centrifugation. Dynamic light scattering and electron microscopic analysis confirmed their presence. Normal RWPE-1 cells incubated with exosomes from cancerous cells, especially C4-2B, displayed a higher metabolic activity (growth), indicating a potential role in the induction of field cancerization.
- Curing Mental Health Disorders One Microbial at a Time
Advisor(s): Dr. Michael Ibba
The connection between one’s mental health and gut microbiome has been a topic of recent research and has led to the emergence of a new field of study, “psychobiotics”. The gut contains approximately 1013-1014 microbial cells and viruses that have an important role in the healthy metabolic function of their host. When this symbiotic relationship between bacteria and host is off balance it can lead to several medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. Studies of the modern microbiome have suggested there is a link between some mental health disorders like anxiety and depression and an unhealthy gut. One indication of this connection is the prevalence of major depressive disorder among individuals with gastrointestinal illnesses, which are often caused by bacteria that are part of our normal microflora. Additionally, some studies have found increased levels of immune response, such as inflammation, in individuals with depression and other mental health related issues. This increase in immune response is believed to be caused by gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in the microbiome. Therefore, an imbalance in the gut microbiome could result in an increase in mental health related issues for an individual by inducing an immune response. While further research is required, this new field of study could eventually provide successful treatments for mental health disorders with few side effects.
Biological Sciences
- Seeing Light From a Different Angle: The Effects of Diffuse Light on the Function and Growth of Tomato Plants
Advisor(s): Dr. Gregory Goldsmith, Carter Berry, Dr. Anuradha Prakash
Maximizing plant growth and water use is a critical challenge in the face of a changing climate. Global change models suggest that an increase in water vapor, cloud cover, and aerosols in the atmosphere will increase the amount of diffuse light in the coming years. This increase in diffuse fraction causes sunlight to scatter and distribute across the plant canopy and leaf surface more evenly and has the potential to impact plant photosynthesis, water use, plant growth and yield. To explore how changes in light quality will affect function and growth of tomato plants, we designed an open-air greenhouse experiment with direct and diffuse light treatments. We measured leaf-level physiology, leaf structure, as well as whole plant physiology and morphology to quantify these effects. Diffuse light slightly decreased leaf photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance, but these plants had a significantly greater biomass production overall. Reductions in photosynthesis, but an increase in biomass could be due to the fact that these variables were measured on different time scales. We also found that diffuse light led to lower leaf and greenhouse temperatures, which demonstrates the implications of diffuse light for reducing the energy requirements needed to control atmospheric greenhouse conditions. As atmospheric conditions shift, analyzing leaf carbon uptake, water use and ultimately plant productivity is one of the most critical issues we face if we plan to continue to feed the population and protect our resources.
- Superior Clogging by Hagfish Slime: The Functions of Mucus And Slime Threads
Advisor(s): Dr. Douglas Fudge
Hagfishes are bottom-dwelling, eel-like fishes that release thick slime when attacked. The slime acts as a defense mechanism by clogging the gills of gill-breathing predators and hindering the flow of water. The slime is extremely dilute yet displays an exceptional ability to clog and capture large quantities of water. The mechanisms by which hagfish slime clogs are uncertain, but clues may lie in the functions of its components. Hagfish slime is composed of mucus and bundles of microscopic threads called skeins, which rapidly unravel during slime deployment. The mucus and slime threads together form a functional network, but the specific role each component plays in the overall function of the slime remains unclear. Furthermore, it is unknown just how effective hagfish slime is at clogging relative to other substances. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how the components of hagfish slime function to facilitate its clogging capabilities. Using a custom clogging assay, we quantified and compared the clogging ability of hagfish slime, hagfish mucus, and other clogging materials at varying concentrations and under varying conditions. Our results show that the mucus and thread components play distinct yet crucial roles in the function of hagfish slime. The mucus alone is extremely effective at clogging, while the structural threads are critical for retaining clogging function over time. The slime can effectively clog at extremely dilute concentrations similar to those found naturally in hagfish slime, and displays superior clogging performance over other materials like xanthan gum, hydrated psyllium husk, and the high molecular weight polymer, polyethylene oxide (PEO). The slime was able to clog at concentrations two to three orders of magnitude lower than those of the other materials. Additionally, our experiments on porosity indicate that the slime reduces flow by virtue of resistance posed by the slime itself. Our findings provide further insight into the unique qualities of hagfish slime and may inspire the design of novel biomaterials.
- Handedness in Hagfish Thread Skein Coiling
Advisor(s): Dr. Douglas Fudge
Hagfishes are a group of eel-like animals that are known for their secretion of slime when they are disturbed or attacked by predators. Slime glands contain intermediate filament protein threads that are manufactured within specialized gland thread cells. The glands produce two main cell types, gland thread cells and gland mucous cells. The thread cells are then diluted by the sea water where they uncoil and extend as fibers. The mucus absorbs the water, making the mucous component of the slime. Gland thread cells make the fibrous part of the slime, which deploys as coiled threads known as skeins. The slime threads within skeins exhibit a coiled morphology. While it is known how slime threads are coiled within these cells, the origin of the coiling is unknown. The coiling of the thread can be left-handed or right-handed. I wondered whether there are patterns of skein coiling within individuals and species. One possibility is that the coiling direction is the same in all individuals, but varies among species. It is also possible that left- and right-handed coiling is randomly distributed individually, within a species, and among species. In my project, I will measure the handedness of coiling in skeins from numerous individuals from several species of hagfishes. I will do this by observing skeins under a light microscope and establishing a protocol for determining the handedness. The results will provide clues on how there are mechanisms on how skeins are made.
- Identification of Genes Involved in Chia PAMP-Triggered Immunity
Advisor(s): Dr. Hagop Atamian
Salvia hispanica L., commonly known as chia, is becoming a rising agricultural crop because of its favorable nutritional qualities. Chia seeds have a high concentration of α-linolenic acid, which provide several different health benefits, in addition in being a rich source of protein and fiber. With the anticipated increase in chia cultivation worldwide, it will face challenges such as diseases and insects that will increase the levels of economic losses. Plants have two major immune responses to combat against pathogens: Pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity and resistance (R) gene-mediated immunity. Plants initiate PAMP-triggered immunity upon detection of conserved signature domains within the invading pathogen such as the bacterial flagellin. A conserved 22 amino acid region of the flagellin (flg22) is perceived by plant receptors and initiates downstream immune responses. Bacterial infection of chia was simulated by the treatment of two chia accession, pinta (currently used for commercial production) and wild-type with flg22. Transcriptome responses of the chia accessions were assessed using high throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. Differentially expressed genes were identified by application of the quantile-adjusted conditional maximum likelihood (qCML) method from the EdgeR package in R. The expression of a subset of the differentially expressed genes was further validated through quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Both accessions experienced significant upregulation of genes belonging to the biological pathways known to be mediators of immune system functioning such salicylic acid regulation, stress response, and cell death regulation. While major overlap was observed in the response to flg22 treatment between both accessions, a more robust and unique response was evident in wild-type in comparison to pinta. Here we provide the first comprehensive profiling of chia immune responses against bacterial infection, helping us predict chia's ability to combat bacterial infection and identify the main genes in the immune pathway.
- Hagfish Egg Biomechanics: A Study of the Structure and Function of Hagfish Egg Hooks
Advisor(s): Dr. Douglas Fudge
Hagfish are deep-sea creatures known for their slime secreted in self-defense. The eggs of hagfish contain a peculiar morphology on their tips, clusters of hooked filaments covered in thick mucous. The structure and function of the hooks on hagfish eggs are the focus of this study. Experiments using the Instron universal testing machine enabled the identification of tensile forces. The tests were done applying a cyclic tensile test where one egg was held in place, and the connected egg was pulled away until the attachment separated. Images and videos of hooks and attachments were taken to analyze the hooked filaments' structural design to determine potential intents of function. Mucous covers the hooked filaments of fresh eggs and prevents hooks from attaching to other eggs. The tensile force of a hooked attachment between two hagfish eggs was experimentally determined to be around 0.7 Newtons on average. The forces of subsequent hook attachments with the same eggs after the initial attachment is broken average around 0.1 Newton of force, a much smaller force than the initial tensile force. The tensile force involved in hooked attachments of hagfish eggs exceeded expectations in its original attachment. The discovery of the mucous preventing hagfish egg attachment has led to the designing of more studies to understand the hooked filaments' function.
Chemistry
- Mechanism and Chemoselectivity for HOBr-Mediated Oxidation of Zinc-Bound Thiolates
Advisor(s): Dr. Maduka Ogba
Zinc-thiolate complexes play a central role in bacterial defense against persistent “oxidative bursts” of reactive oxygen species by animal hosts, of which hypohalous (HOX) acids are one of the most potent. A multidisciplinary effort is underway to understand these bacterial redox sensing mechanisms and consequently, develop novel therapeutics for diseases of chronic inflammation. Recent quantum mechanical calculations by us reveal that the preferred mechanism and chemoselectivity for HOCl-mediated oxidation of zinc-bound thiolates is governed by minimizing geometric strain at the zinc-thiolate active site. However, the robustness of the reported reactivity and selectivity models against other biological oxidants is not known. In this project, we investigate the redox-sensing mechanism with two other biologically-relevant hypohalous acids – HOBr and HOSCN – using the identical zinc-thiolate complex and compare with that of HOCl. Our current findings on the reaction pathway for the HOBr-mediated process will be disclosed, and emerging trends with respect to general HOX-sensing by zinc-bound thiolates will be discussed.
- Ketone Hydroboration with a New Carbodiphosphorane Catalyst
Advisor(s): Dr. Allegra Liberman-Martin
Around 90% of all commercial chemicals require a catalyst for their production. However, many catalysts used in the refining, chemical, environmental, and polymer industries lead to harmful byproducts and deplete limited resources. An arising interest in carbodiphosphoranes (CDPs) supports the field of green chemistry by providing a more sustainable catalyst alternative while maintaining catalytic efficiency. Environmental concerns are mitigated when using carbodiphosphorane catalysts, which contain the main group element phosphorus as an earth abundant and inexpensive alternative to other industrial catalysts containing precious metals. This research investigates the use of a cyclic six-membered ring carbodiphosphorane with pinacolborane in catalyzing ketone hydroboration, a widely used reduction reaction in the pharmaceutical industry and production of consumer products. Carbodiphosphoranes contain a highly nucleophilic carbon center making them reactive Lewis bases and thus sensitive to air and moisture. Our research group utilizes a glovebox to maintain a nitrogen gas environment while working with these reactive compounds. This research seeks to uncover catalyst design principles to improve carbodiphosphorane reactivity. This presentation will discuss the carbodiphosphorane reactivity trends observed due to varying steric and electronic effects in the ketone substrates.
- Why Do Counterions Play a Non-innocent Role in Calcium Catalysis?
Advisor(s): Dr. Maduka Ogba
Calcium ions, bound to weakly coordinating anions (i.e., bistriflimide or triflate ions), have gained significant utility within the last two decades as catalysts for facilitating challenging chemical reactions. This is particularly exciting because calcium, unlike the transition metals typically used as catalysts, is an exquisitely cheap, abundant, and non-toxic resource. Despite this obvious advantage, calcium catalysis in its current state is in its infancy - we still know very little molecular detail as to the mode in which calcium ions activate substrates in chemical reactions and how the calcium salt facilitates chemical transformations. This lack of mechanistic detail inhibits our ability to design more optimal calcium catalysts that rival the efficiency of transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. Our lab has been investigating calcium ion activation mechanisms in a Sulfur(VI)-Fluorine Exchange (SuFEx) reaction mediated by calcium bistriflimide salts, converting sulfur(VI) fluorides toward nitrogen-containing sulfur(VI) compounds of medicinal relevance. Interestingly, a closer look at the experimental data shows that switching the anion from bistriflimide to triflate results in dramatic loss in reaction yields, indicating that the counterion plays a crucial role in facilitating the chemical process, beyond just being weakly coordinating. In my project, I will use theoretical chemistry techniques to compute the SuFEx mechanism mediated by calcium triflate and compare the geometries, energies, and electronic properties at the resting and activated transition states of the calcium triflate-mediated process to that of calcium bistriflimide to uncover the origins of the counterion-induced reactivity differences between calcium bistriflimide and calcium triflate. In this poster, I will present on my literature review, specific aims, research methodology, preliminary data, and two hypotheses for the role the counterion plays in affecting calcium ion reactivity.
- Fe-oxyhydroxide Aggregation and Sulfate Effects on Cu(II) Adsorption and Retention
Advisor(s): Dr. Christopher Kim
Iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly found in aquatic systems, where they act as effective sorbents for dissolved metals because of their small size, high surface area, and natural surface reactivity. Geochemical changes such as pH, ionic strength, and temperature can cause NPs to aggregate, affecting their sorption and retention capacities. In this project, we studied the effects of changes in temperature, pH, and ionic strength on NP aggregation, and the subsequent sorption to, and retention of, Cu of those aggregates when exposed to increasing concentrations of sulfate (ranging from 0-0.15 M). The goals of this project are to observe and characterize the changes occurring between the NP aggregates, sulfate, and Cu using dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis to measure the average size of the aggregates, and inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry instrument (ICP-OES) to measure the adsorption and retention of Cu to the aggregates. The DLS analysis of the NPs aggregated at 25°C, 50°C, and 75°C showed no major average size difference. NPs aggregated at pH 10 increased in size compared to particles aggregated at pH 8. NPs aggregated at 1.0 M ionic molarity increased in size compared to those aggregated at 0.1 M ionic molarity. The ICP-OES analysis showed an overall increase in adsorption of Cu from 50°C to 75°C when sulfate was added as well as an overall increase in retention, but no major change in adsorption or retention relating to increasing concentration of sulfate. Changes in pH from 8 to 10 showed an increase in adsorption when sulfate was added but no major change in retention and no correlation to concentration of sulfate. Based on these results, aggregation size may have less bearing over adsorption and retention properties of the NPs than aggregation state. Additionally, the general presence of sulfate may enhance the adsorption and retention of the NPs, but the increasing concentration of sulfate has yet to show significant trends.
Communication Studies
- Social Media Mental Health
Advisor(s): Dr. Austin Lee
The lack of routine social interaction has increased the presence of depression and anxiety throughout the duration of the pandemic. The overwhelming majority of people have been negatively impacted by Covid-19 through the increased use of social media/news concerning the pandemic. Our group will use a questionnaire to confirm the extent to which people have felt the effects of social isolation. Through administering an anonymous survey, people will feel more comfortable discussing mental health issues, and the overall effect that Covid-19 had on their lives. We plan on using a sample size of between 50-100 people, depending on how many participants we are able to obtain in time.Research on social media and adolescent mental health has proliferated in recent years, with many studies exploring whether more frequent use of social media is associated with various mental health concerns, including depression, body image concerns and disordered eating, and externalizing problems. In general, findings from these studies have been mixed, with many revealing a small but significant negative effect of social media use on mental health. A growing body of work now seeks to build on these studies with more nuanced investigations of how, why, and for whom social media use may have positive or negative effects on youth development.This topic is particularly interesting because our generation has never navigated such a drastic health and social crisis, especially in the age of rising technology and social media use. This is a public health crisis that will magnify existing issues with mental health and create long term effects of the pandemic.
Computational Science
- Odor Capture by Hair Arrays in Multiple Configurations
Advisor(s): Dr. Lindsay Waldrop
Olfaction, the sensing of chemical cues, is a key task for most animals. A variety of crustaceans, including marine crustaceans and insects, gather chemical cues by moving external chemosensory hair arrays through environmental fluids. These arrays come in a vast diversity of morphologies and interact with a large number of odorants. Many of these hair arrays are dense, providing a large odor-capture surface area to detect rare odorants. However, the outer hairs of a dense array shields inner hairs from fluid containing odorants. Does the density of the array help to detect rare/dilute odorant signals? And does the fluid or speed of movement matter in detection? We constructed a variety of different hair arrays using a computational fluid dynamics model, varying in hair number and arrangement and simulated odor capture in a range of fluid properties and odorant diffusion coefficients. We found differences between hair array configurations in terms of shear flow around hairs and the overall leakiness on the array, and these depend heavily on the Reynolds number of the array. Odor capture varied with each array, and more sensory surface area did not result in higher levels of odorant captured, but varied with odorant diffusion coefficient and specific configuration. These results could help to describe the performance of hair arrays with common versus rare target odorants.
- Norepinephrine and Global Brain Dynamics: a TMS-EEG-Pupillometry Study
Advisor(s): Dr. Aaron Schurger
The brain is a dynamic system: many different global activity patterns can emerge from similar underlying network structures (Deco et al., 2015). How shifts between global activity patterns are achieved is not currently known. One candidate is norepinephrine (NE), a neuromodulator that is widely present in the brain. NE affects gain, a network parameter that describes how much regions influence each other’s activity, and has been proposed to be involved in shifts between integration and segregation (e.g. Shine et al., 2019), a central dichotomy in global brain dynamics (Deco et al., 2015). Crucially, the human pupil can reliably index NE release, because the brain’s source of NE (the Locus Coeruleus) projects to pupil dilator muscles (Joshi et al., 2016). In the present project, we investigate global activity patterns are related to NE levels in the brain, indexed by pupil size. We use a perturbation paradigm by administering transcranial magnetic stimulation and recording the brain’s response to stimulation with electroencephalography, a technique that has previously been applied to analyze global brain dynamics (Sarasso et al., 2013). We investigate whether aspects of the brain’s response to stimulation is modulated by pupil size, which would support arguments that norepinephrine is involved in controlling global brain dynamics.
Computer Science
- Low Power, Low Energy Integrated Circuits
Advisor(s): Dr. Peiyi Zhao
As computers become more powerful, considerations in regards to their energy and power usage must be taken into account, with there being many different techniques for designing low-energy flip-flops. Thus, the aim of this project is to design ultra low-voltage flip-flops for clocking systems. We used transmissions gates, as well as other techniques about low-power design from published IEEE papers. Different integrated circuits were designed using the Cadence/Calibre layout/schematic tools and Hspice was used for simulations in an attempt to compare the power and delay of different designs.
Data Analytics
- Analyzing Speech Recognition for Individuals with Down Syndrome
Advisor(s): Dr. Franceli Cibrian
With the increment of voice assistants, speech recognition technologies have been used to support natural language processing. However, there are limitations on how well the technologies perform depending on who the users are. They have been predominantly trained on “typical speech” patterns, leaving aside people with disabilities with unique speech patterns. More specifically, people with Down Syndrome are having trouble using speech recognition technology due to their differences in speech. To develop a more accessible voice assistant, this project aims to characterize the speech recognition from individuals with Down Syndrome. To accomplish this aim, we analyze the quality of transcripts generated by two popular algorithms used for speech recognition (IBM and Google) to see the differences of speech from neurotypicals and people with Down Syndrome. We analyzed 7 videos of interviews between a neurotypical interviewer and Down Syndrome participants. We computed the symmetric differences between auto generated subtitles(IBM and youtube) and subtitles that were provided by humans(ground true) as well as the word error rate in all sentences. We found that current speech recognition algorithms don’t recognize Down Syndrome speeches as well as speeches from neurotypicals. We are currently analyzing the specific type of error. By finding the speech patterns for people with disabilities, speech recognition technologies will be more inclusive, and truly help those who need voice assistants the most.
Environmental Science and Policy
- The Effects of Livestock Agriculture, CAFOs, on Local Atmospheric Concentrations and Vegetation Health
Advisor(s): Dr. Hesham El-Askary
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are large agricultural feedlots that mass-produce livestock– typically for dairy and meat production. These sites are notorious for their negative impact on surrounding environments because of the emissions that large populations cattle produce. In this study, we will be taking a comparative approach to studying these impacts, specifically through atmospheric emissions. There is much existing research on this topic, but none that take a closer look at the exact number of how concentrations fluctuate between areas of high-low dairy cow density. The six US states with the largest animal agriculture industries were chosen (Texas, Kansas, California, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Missouri). In these states, the county with highest dairy cow density and lowest dairy cow density were compared. Two remote sensors were used to gather this data: MODIS Terra and Aqua, and Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (Tropomi). MODIS was used to measure Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and NDVI levels. Tropomi was used to measure methane (CH4) levels and NO2 concentrations. The nominal spatial resolution for these studies is between 0.01 degrees and 7 kilometers, depending on the observed variable. The data was collected from these sensors with seasonal averages. Our original hypothesis was that the counties with cow population densities will display higher amounts of NO2, CH4, and AOD, this might lead to lower vegetation health. Our data is still being processed and modeled, but will be complete by the end of the week. The 2020 Global Risk Report notes that failure to act on climate change is the most likely and most impactful problem facing the human race today. This risk report places great significance on studies like this one, especially considering that many people are unaware of the effect these CAFOs can have on the environment.
FFC
- Death in Seasons: How the Tale of Persephone Reflects Life in Death in the Seasons
Advisor(s): Dr. Julye Bidmead
The Greek myth I researched was the myth of Persephone and her connection to the underworld and the underlying message and modern implications of the story. While sad, the story reflects the concept of death being an inescapable ending, shown through Persephone’s constant return to the underworld. While she can live on Earth for half of the year, Persephone is still bound to the underworld and must return for the other half of the year. In connection with this, I will explore the seasons and how winter is made out to be a time of gloom and sorrow while spring represents life and prosperity. This story was created as a way to explain these seasonal changes, why most nature fades during winter and returns during spring, and to also highlight the idea of life being a finite, delicate thing that can fade and also return. While only spring and winter take front and center in the story, I will also connect summer and fall into my analysis, displaying how this slow change in seasons reflects stages of Persephone’s time on Earth, with spring being a season of new life, summer being peaceful bliss, and fall showing warning signs of death. This story was created as a way to explain these changes and how they all make up the cycle of life, and eventually, death, and how this death is unavoidable. However, life will continue on, even though death’s constant grasp on the world.
Mathematics
- The Mathematical Basis of General Relativity
Advisor(s): Dr. Mihaela Vajiac
In 1915, Albert Einstein introduced his theory of gravitation known as general relativity. The development of Riemannian geometry enabled the precise formulation of Einstein's general theory of relativity. In this project, we investigate the mathematical underpinnings of the theory to better understand the meaning and implications of these formulae. The central results of general relativity are the Einstein field equations, which relate the geometry of spacetime to the distribution and motion of matter within it. While frequently introduced purely through tensor manipulation, these equations have a rich mathematical basis that we explore in this poster. In general relativity, equations are defined over spacetime, a union of three spatial coordinates with a single time coordinate. From a Riemannian geometry perspective, spacetime is formally defined as a pseudo-Riemannian manifold, which is a differentiable manifold equipped with a nondegenerate metric tensor. To better understand this concept, we introduce the notion of manifolds, metrics, and a variety of operations on manifolds related to tensors. Additionally, spacetime is referred to as “curved,” and to explain the implications of this statement we define notions of curvature on manifolds, such as the scalar curvature and the Ricci Curvature. We conclude by examining solutions to the Einstein equations and their implications for cosmology.
Political Science
- Mass Shootings: Conspiracies, Fear, and the Media
Advisor(s): Dr. Ann Gordon
Media, whether it be traditional news sources or social media platforms, has a powerful impact on people’s interpretation of mass shootings. It can create excess fear or feed the fire of conspiracies that make people disregard the severity of situations and their victims. In this paper, I analyze the impact of different media formats and their overall influence on how seriously Americans fear and believe in these events. I predict to find two distinct groups, one of which is extremely fearful of shootings and another that believes conspiracy theories on shootings and other mass murder events. Utilizing the Chapman Survey of American Fears, a representative national sample of US adults, I hypothesize that those with higher fear of shootings are younger groups since shootings are popular in school and crowded settings like concerts which younger people are more willing to attend and therefore be more at risk of becoming a victim. Also, that the groups with higher fear ratings choose to get their news from either online networks or politically left-leaning traditional broadcast networks. Contrastingly, those who believe conspiracy theories are to be older and choose to get their news from television networks like Fox News. These findings will help clarify why groups tend to lean to the extremes of fear and disregard, and how media can be changed into reporting events like mass shootings more responsibly to avoid wrongful interpretations.
- Beliefs and their Byproducts: The Impact of Religiosity and Political Ideology on Attitudes Toward COVID-19, Vaccines, and Climate Change
Advisor(s): Dr. Ann Gordon
Several studies have indicated that an individual’s level of religiosity impacts their views toward science and scientific phenomena. Moreover, research shows that these views can also be impacted by an individual's political affiliation and ideology. In this research paper, I examine the relationship between one’s religiosity and political ideology and their attitude toward the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), vaccines, and climate change. Using data from the 2021 Chapman University Survey of American Fears, I find that while religiosity plays a role in one’s attitudes toward these three scientific phenomena, the greatest correlation stems from one’s political ideology. In other words, this study shows that when evaluating one’s outlook on COVID-19, vaccines, and climate change, an individual’s political views serve as a more substantial indicator of one’s perspective than religiosity. Tackling COVID-19, combating climate change, and convincing the public of vaccine safety and efficacy is of the utmost importance. These issues cannot be properly addressed if leaders, governments, and organizations do not understand the viewpoints of the general public. The conclusions of this research will allow these stakeholders, along with society as a whole, to gain a better grasp of the audiences in which they are dealing with as well as an enhanced awareness of why different individuals adopt certain attitudes toward scientific issues.
Psychology
- Types of Bias-Based Bullying and School Climate Perceptions, Attendance, and Grades
Advisor(s): Dr. Meghan Cosier, Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-Macphail
Bias-based bullying relating to disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity has extremely detrimental effects on the victim’s school climate perceptions, attendance records, and academic achievement. This study used a cross-sectional research design to compare the self-reported school climate perceptions, attendance habits, and grades of student-victims of disability-based bias-related bullying and sexual orientation- and gender identity-based bias-related bullying using secondary data from the California Healthy Kids Survey. Participants (n = 322,369) filled out the California Healthy Kids Survey self-report surveys in the years 2017, 2018, and 2019. Regression analyses and a two-sample t-test were used to analyze and compare the relationships between gender identity- and sexual orientation-based bullying versus disability-based bullying and self-reported student grades, attendance rates, reasons for absences, and school climate perceptions. When compared to students who experience gender-identity- or sexual orientation-based bullying, students who experienced disability-based bullying had significantly more negative perceptions of their schools’ climates. Victims of disability-based bullying also reported more absences and lower grades than victims of gender-identity- and sexual orientation-based bullying. Also, when compared to students who reported experiencing sexual orientation- and gender-identity-based bullying, students who reported experiencing disability-based bullying more frequently reported missing school due to mental or physical illness, bullying or mistreatment in school, feeling unsafe traveling to and from school, and feeling negative emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, stress, or anger. The findings were used to determine where certain interventions for victims of sexual orientation- and gender identity-based versus disability-based bias-related bullying are needed.
- Sex as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Post-Operative Pain and Analgesics Administered in Children Undergoing Elective Surgery
Advisor(s): Dr. Brooke Jenkins
About 85% of children who undergo elective surgery experience pain post-operatively and many do not receive proper pain management care after discharge. Most parents lack an understanding of proper pain care management using analgesics upon discharge. Research reveals that adults rate girls as more sensitive to pain and that they display a greater amount of pain in a pediatric post-operative environment. In adulthood, women report more sensations of pain and have a higher pain tolerance, which can be attributed to physiological characteristics. Nonetheless, the social differences by which boys and girls experience pain and express their pain cannot be denied. The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between a child’s post-operative pain and the amount of analgesics given to the child, and how sex moderates this association. Parents of children ages 2-13 (59% male, 41% female) (N=112) were asked to evaluate the pain of their child and report the amount and type of analgesic use days 1, 3, and 7 post-operatively. The Parents Perceived Pain Management (PPPM) Scale was used to evaluate the child’s pain and analgesic use was self-reported. Using this scale in regression-based analysis, there was a significant association between pain and the amount of analgesic use given to the children on post-operative days 1 (ibuprofen: b = 0.24, t = 3.55, p < 0.05, acetaminophen: b = 0.22, t = 5.38, p < 0.05) and 3 (ibuprofen: b = 0.72, t = 4.81, p < 0.05, acetaminophen: b = 0.34, t = 4.44, p < 0.05); however; sex did not significantly moderate this association (ps > .05). Evidence in this study does not suggest that boys receive different postoperative analgesic care from girls as a function of pain. Future analysis should analyze factors that interact with this association like the sex of the parent that is administering analgesics and the parent’s education of analgesic usage.
- How Would You Feel If Your Child Was LGBT? Effects of Target Gender and Sexual Orientation on Expressed Prejudice.
Advisor(s): Dr. David Frederick
INTRODUCTION: Stigma against the LGBT community is fostered by both mainstream and minority cultures. Over the past several decades, however, a more positive framing of LGBT identity has become more widespread. In Southern California, Asian American youth are often exposed to anti-LGBTQ messages from parents due to traditionally negative views of homosexuality and valuations of gender conformity in some Asian cultures. These views compete with the LGBT-affirming perspectives that have become common in Southern California. GOALS: The goal of our study was to examine the extent of prejudice faced by people with different genders and sexual orientations, and also test how religiosity, ethnic identity, and ethnicity relate to these attitudes (Whites and Asians). METHODS: We surveyed 1229 university students in Southern California. In a 2X4 within-subjects design experiment, we examined how target gender (man, woman) and identity (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transgender) interacted with participant ethnicity, ethnic identity, and religiosity in shaping anti-LGBT prejudice. Prejudice was assessed using social distance measures. FINDINGS: We found that trans targets received the greatest prejudice. However, the average participant had positive views of all identity groups. Asian participants reported more discomfort towards LGBT identities than White participants, but there were few correlations between ethnic identity and prejudice found for Asian participants. Religious identity was found to be significantly associated with negative attitudes towards LGBT identities. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings highlight the sexual minority groups who face elevated prejudice, and how this relates to one’s own ethnicity and identity. The present study emphasizes the importance of examining attitudes towards transgender individuals, as anti-trans prejudice was particularly elevated, even within the context of Southern California.
- Resilience Factors in LGB Veterans: A Scoping Review
Advisor(s): Dr. Jessica Walker
The resilience construct can be defined in many ways, and is often considered a trait, a dynamic process, or an outcome. Resilience factors, which are the main contributors of resilience in the face of adversity, can consist of personality traits, engagement in the community, or lived experiences. Recently, research involving specific groups and marginalized populations has pointed towards the existence of population-specific resilience factors. The goal of the current project is to better understand the LGB Veteran population and gain insight into their resilience. More specifically, this review seeks to explore the following questions: Are there population-specific resilience factors in the LGB Veteran population? If so, what are they? Are there gaps or discrepancies in the literature regarding resilience factors in LGB Veterans? Scoping review methodology was utilized using broad search strategies to fully evaluate the extent of the current literature on LGB Veteran resilience factors. Abstract screening and full text screening was completed by two independent reviewers fo inclusion in the review. Included articles were then extracted of all relevant information using an Excel form. We identified several resilience factors specifically related to the LGB Veteran population in multiple domains, such as community-based, interpersonal, and intrapersonal factors that contributed to an LGB Veteran’s resilience. We were also able to evaluate differences in resilience factors between the LGB population, Veteran population, and the LGB Veteran population, further supporting the notion of population-specific resilience factors. Our findings, however, suggest the need for a uniform, specific definition of resilience. Future research should consider conducting interviews and more research with the LGB Veteran population to further determine additional resilience factors.
- The Effects of Workplace Stressors, Discrimination, and Racism on Younger Black Women
Advisor(s): Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-Macphail
The intent of my thesis project is to examine the impact workplace stressors (e.g., racism, discrimination, and harassment) have on black women. The minority stress theory (Meyer, 2003) suggest that minorities often experience greater levels of stress due to their identities. Prior studies have looked at black women as a whole or have looked into specific careers to see how the impacts of workplace stressors may affect black women. This thesis makes a contribution by looking into a specific age group -younger black women. The research methodology involves surveying those who identify as women and are between the ages of 18 and 45. This thesis uses several inventories to ask various questions relating to the hypotheses. It is expected that younger black women will deal with racism by relying on more social support than older black women. The absence of interpersonal relations at workplace will encourage black women to leave a job sooner than if they had interpersonal relationships. Black women who deal with workplace racism experience higher levels of anxiety than those who don’t. And, finally, that Black women who experience more sexual harassment than other women in the workplace. The results of this study will be useful in providing insight on to how black women cope with workplace stressors and discrimination.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences and their Role in Shaping Behavior and Well-being
Advisor(s): Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-Macphail
Adverse childhood experiences were examined for their significance in influencing individual’s mental health. There have been great strides in the mental health world that show the impact early experiences can have later on in life. That along with the shocking statistics that 1 in 4 children experiencing some form of trauma before the age of 18 are what drive this study to look into such a topic. Students from Chapman University were asked to answer questions from the ACE Questionnaire (Brown & Ryan, 1998), the MAAS (De Haan et al., 2011), the PANAS (Watson et al., 1988), RT-18 (De Haan et al., 2011), and the WHO-5 Well-being Index (Topp et al., 2015). Total scores from the ACE Questionnaire were compared against scores from the other surveys to assess the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and mindfulness, risk-taking behavior, overall well-being, and emotional intelligence. It was predicted that when participants recorded more adverse childhood experiences, they would have scores for the MAAS reflecting a lower level of mindfulness, a lower emotional intelligence quotient demonstrated by the PANAS, and would be less likely to report greater overall well-being via results from the WHO-5. For assessing risk-taking behavior this study looked more so at the frequency and severity in which men partake in the behavior compared to women when both report high ACE scores.
- Resilience of Sexual Assault Survivors: Promotive Factors
Advisor(s): Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-Macphail
The present study examines how promotive factors influence the resiliency of sexual assault survivors. Resilience is defined as conceptual framework that encompasses different variables and explains how these variables can interfere with or completely change a negative outcome that was caused by stressors and/or adversity. This study examined personality traits, types of coping skills, socioeconomic class and self-compassion as possible variables that might influence the resiliency of sexual assault survivors. All these variables have been shown to be important promotive factors when overcoming life struggles, but they have not been studied when it comes to overcoming the trauma that resulted from being sexually assaulted. 128 undergraduate students were recruited from Chapman University and California State University Dominguez Hills. From the 128 students, 37 reported being sexually assaulted or harassed. Participants were asked to complete a survey packet that included the Self-Compassion Scale, the Brief_ COPE scale, the 10-item Personality Inventory, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Participants were also asked to self-report their socioeconomic status. Results should show a positive relationship between self-compassion score and resiliency scores, a negative relationship between high neuroticism personality trait score and resiliency score, a positive relationship between socioeconomic status and resiliency score, and a positive relationship between problem-based coping skill score and resiliency score.
- A Data-Driven Approach to Mood Classification and Neurofeedback
Advisor(s): Dr. Uri Maoz, Elnaz Lashgari, Jake Gavenas
The current standard of care for depression consists of antidepressant medication coupled with psychotherapy. However, critical shortcomings with this route (e.g., variable efficacy, adverse side effects, and treatment-resistant depression) indicate a need for alternative treatment methods. Neurofeedback is a type of therapy in which patients learn to regulate their brain activity by way of real-time external feedback, and has previously been used for depression treatment (e.g. Choi et al., 2011). Unlike previous studies, however, we adopt a data-driven approach, using machine-learning to identify ideal neural regulation targets for each individual based on their own brain activity. We first record electroencephalography (EEG) from a mood-induction paradigm, then train machine-learning algorithms to decode each participant’s mood. Then, we will bring subjects back and give real-time external feedback based on personalized algorithms, allowing subjects to regulate brain activity underlying their mood. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of classifying mood from EEG, a critical first step for this project.
- Traditional Sexual Script and Double Standard Adherence: Predictors of Heterosexually Identified Women’s and Men’s Previous Engagement in Consensual Non-Monogamy
Advisor(s): Dr. Amy Moors, Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-Macphail
Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is an umbrella term for all relationships in which an agreement has been made regarding having multiple romantic and/or sexual partners (Haupert, Moors, Gesselman, & Garcia, 2017). Interestingly, a consistent gender difference has been found regarding CNM: heterosexual men systematically report greater engagement in CNM than heterosexual women (Haupert et al., 2017). This gender difference raises the question: Why do women and men differ in their engagement in CNM? This gender discrepancy may be due to women’s stronger adherence to the traditional sexual script, which is rooted in gendered dating norms, punishes women who engage in non-committed sexual behaviors, and glorifies monogamy (Fritz & Kitzinger, 2001). Using the theoretical framework of sexual script theory, this secondary data analysis uses a nationally representative sample of US adults (n = 3,438) to examine how heterosexual men’s and women’s adherence to the sexual script affects their engagement in CNM. Relevant to this study, participants completed three measures that will be analyzed: 1) endorsement of the sexual script (attitudes towards sex and love; (S. S. Hendrick & Hendrick, 2002), 2) endorsement of the sexual double standard (level of permissiveness towards casual sex; (C. Hendrick, Hendrick, & Reich, 2006), and 3) previous engagement in open-relationships and polyamorous relationships. Due to the mono-normative nature of the current sexual script, greater endorsement of both the traditional sexual script (IV1) and the double standard (IV2) is hypothesized to be related to less reported engagement in CNM. Gender is expected to moderate the effect of these independent variables such that women’s greater endorsement of the traditional sexual script and sexual double standard will drive their resulting lower reports of engagement in CNM. This is the first study to attempt to understand gender differences in CNM engagement, and it will thus allow for expansion on the current understanding of CNM relationships, which continue to be understudied (Moors et al., 2013).
- Exposure to Generative Messages May Boost Cognitive Performance in Older Adults
Advisor(s): Dr. Tara Gruenewald
Generativity is meaningful care and contributions to others, especially younger generations. Greater engagement in generative activity and greater perceptions of oneself as a generative force in the lives of others have been found to predict better cognitive and physical functioning, mental well-being, and greater longevity in older adults. In a previous investigation (Hagood & Gruenewald, 2018), we found that exposing older adults to messages of older individuals being a generative force in society elicited improvements in cognitive performance on a verbal memory task as compared to exposure to messages of older adults being a social burden. However, this former study did not include a neutral condition raising concerns that generativity priming might not drive enhancements in cognitive function but instead that social burden priming may depress cognitive performance. The present investigation aimed to replicate our prior findings in a modified experimental protocol that included a neutral non-social prime condition and which deployed the experimental protocol in an online testing environment. A total of 304 adults age 55 or older completed our online experiment in the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform. Participants completed demographic and psychosocial assessments and then completed a series of cognitive tasks. The priming manipulation (generativity, burden, or neutral prime) was embedded in the set of tasks and presented as a measure of reading comprehension and recall. Verbal memory performance was tested following the priming exposure task. An ANOVA analysis indicated that verbal memory performance varied by experimental condition (F(2,4)=3.41, p = .034, with higher levels of performance in the generativity priming group (M=17.3) as compared to the social burden (M=15.9) or neutral (M=15.6) prime conditions. Memory performance did not differ between the burden or neutral conditions, suggesting that exposure to messages that one’s social group makes meaningful contributions to others and society may boost older adults’ cognitive performance.
- Analysis of the Levels of Embodiment and its Relationship with Depression and Anxiety
Advisor(s): Dr. David Pincus
Embodiment is a relatively abstract psychological concept that refers to the connectedness between the mind and the body and how one is able to perceive themselves and their situations. In previous research, it was shown that embodiment is correlated to anxiety and depression. This finding prompts analysis between the variables in order to look at the relationship between embodiment and depression as well as the relationship between embodiment and anxiety. This study aims to take a deeper look at this correlation by investigating the differentiating levels of embodiment (low, medium, high) and finding which levels correlate to higher or lower depression or anxiety. Previously collected data by Pincus et al. (2019) is utilized and the measures investigating depression, anxiety, and embodiment are isolated and used within the analysis. The analysis will result in descriptive statistics on embodiment, anxiety, and depression, scatterplots displaying the relationships, and quartiles to show the levels of embodiment. These results will be able to give a further explanation as to how embodiment relates to anxiety and depression. The significance of this study is to find which level of embodiment is ideal in terms of having low depression and anxiety and thus a healthier mental status.
- Psilocybin Microdosing in Healthy Volunteers: Comparative Effects on Sleep, Brain Activity, Psychosocial, and Cognitive Functioning
Advisor(s): Dr. Amir Raz, Dr. Uri Maoz
Microdosing psychedelic drugs refer to the frequent use of low doses of psychedelics for an extended period of time, during which people go about their daily routines. Recently, microdosing has become popularized as a way to enhance mood, cognition, empathy, and cordiality in working with others. Psychedelics have been seen to induce altered states of consciousness, dreaming, and perception. Psilocybin is also chemically and structurally similar to serotonin, allowing it to stimulate serotonin-sensitive neurons in the brain. Serotonin is also closely linked to sleep and dreams, therefore this study is also interested in investigating the connection between microdosing psilocybin and dreams, and if psilocybin has any effect on lucid dreaming. Lucid dreamers have the ability to control their dreams by becoming conscious that they are dreaming while asleep. This phenomenon along with the effects of microdosing psilocybin may pose an interesting change in sleep systems. To investigate dreams, participants report dream content and sleep quality after taking a psilocybin microdose the night before. Thus, this study’s objective is to investigate the effects of psilocybin microdosing on various human functioning measures, including empathy, sleep architecture, psychosocial and cognitive functioning, and dream states.
- Prevention of School Shootings: Understanding Generational Perceptions of School Shooters
Advisor(s): Dr. Edson Cruz, Dr. Jessica Walker, Dr. Ed Dana
School shootings are a global phenomenon that have attracted public and academic interest since the Columbine shooting in 1999. Social scientific research focuses on underlying causes of school shootings and identifies factors that may lead to these acts of violence. My interdisciplinary study fills a gap in this literature by using psychological and sociological theories to examine the public’s perceptions of school shooters. Specifically, I identify and analyze the perceptions of school shooters held by different generational groups, including Gen-Z and Baby-Boomers. Between January and March 2021, I used various social media platforms to distribute an online survey with scaled questions about school shooters and their characteristics. I hypothesize that younger age groups perceive school shooters as victims of society and personal life circumstances, including mental conditions, bullying, and parenting. Additionally, they may have more explanations for why school shooters commit these acts of violence. By contrast, I expect that older age groups will most likely perceive school shooters as sole perpetrators of the shootings and have fewer explanations for why school shootings occur. My research has the potential to decrease school shootings in the future. As institutions better understand the widespread perceptions of school shooters, they can design preventative programs and effectively communicate about school shootings with teachers, policymakers, and therapists.
- Conditions of Achieving Flow State
Advisor(s): Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-Macphail
The purpose of this research is to understand what the optimal conditions are of entering a flow state. Understanding the precursors to flow can help people master the ability to enter into a state of high performance in everyday situations. Csikszentmihalyi found that the conditions for entering flow include: opportunities that stretch but do not overmatch a person’s existing skill set, and clear goals and immediate feedback about progress. Guided by these findings, it is under these conditions that a seamless and rewarding experience can unfold (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975, 2000). One hypothesis of this study is that individuals will report less flow state elements if there is not a balance in challenge to skill ratio compared to individuals who do report a balance in challenge to skill ratio. Prior research has found the interaction of body movement and the activity contributes to the experience of flow (Chirico et al., 2015). The current study hypothesizes that individuals who report a significant sense of embodiment will be more likely to report flow state elements compared to individuals who do not report a significant sense of embodiment. The literature on flow also points out the importance of mental preparation as a precursor to experiencing flow qualities (Norsworthy et al., 2017). The current study intends to expand on the research involving the role of meditation and mindful intention setting in the flow experience. It is hypothesized that athletes and musicians who practice meditation three times per week will report experiencing more elements of flow and higher performance results compared to athletes and musicians who do not practice meditation. Participants in this study will take a pre-survey before a performance and a post-survey immediately after, measuring flow, embodiment, and challenge to skill ratio. The treatment group will meditate 3 times a week before performance.
Religious Studies
- Women in Leadership: Quakerism and Voodou
Advisor(s): Dr. Julye Bidmead
Religion, like many cultural practices, is a gendered experience. Historically in the United States, both Quakerism and Voodou have defied standards for women’s representation amongst religious practices. Quakerism, The Society of Friends, was founded on the belief that all men and women were equal in the eyes of God. Upon their emergence in the United States in the seventeenth century, Quakers provided the most equitable roles for women within the Christian tradition. Voodou, developed from a combination of African and Catholic traditions, materialized in the states soon after and offered similar opportunities for female participation. Though these religions are vastly different in ideologies, historical development, and ritual practices, the emphasis in both traditions on gender equality allows women to serve as religious leaders. Female practitioners, Mambos, played a dominant role in Voodou in the United States- specifically, Louisiana. Both the early Quaker women and early Voodou priestesses were chastised for their leadership because they threatened the pre-established patriarchal religious ideologies of other religions, particularly Protestant Christianity. My research explores the religious roles of women in Quakerism and Voodou in the context of their socio-historical background.
Sociology
- How do undergraduate students practice off-grid culture and what does it mean to them?
Advisor(s): Dr. Edson Cruz
The off-the-grid living movement has arisen in the last few decades and has been the topic of conversation in numerous sociological circles. These “off-gridders” are moving back to locations where they can be self-reliant, and work to benefit themselves and the others in their society. Previous research in this field has come to different conclusions based on the sample of people that have been studied so far. Technology, life stages, and life meaning have become common topics in the off-grid conversations and offer more opportunities for further research on these topics. My study addresses the younger generation, undergraduates, a generation not heavily studied in previous research, and how they use technology. I interviewed undergraduate students who participate in a non-technological activity and I am focusing on their use of technology, experience with technology, and attitude toward "off-gridness". I expect that undergraduates will have similar relationships to these variables and that their relationship will be different than that of the previously studied older generations. This topic impacts how younger generations will function in society and interact with each other. Furthermore, this study is relevant in the current era, because society has become increasingly concerned with the advancements in technology, and there appears to be no limit on the amount and advancements of it. Therefore, most individuals in American society use technology every day, thus this study may shed light on how individuals are navigating the increasingly complex technological landscape.
