Undergraduate Arts & Research Showcase

STUDENT ABSTRACT BOOK April 23rd, 2024

Special thanks to the Cardinal Edge!

Table of Contents 1 A-G 11 H-L 18 M-Q 24 R-V 27 W-Z

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Arts and Sciences Showcase Submissions The Cardinal Edge: Spring 2024 Using rangewide distribution maps to understand tick species occurrence in Louisville, KY ● Author(s): Ilham H. Al amayreh, Mallory Harmel, Rachel Pigg ● Disciplines: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology ● Abstract: Ticks, though intriguing, come with inherent risks due to the diseases they carry, such as Lyme disease, or the allergies they cause, such as Alpha Gal syndrome.

Understanding the distribution of ticks and the diseases they harbor is vital for effective prevention strategies. Among the most prevalent tick species in Louisville, KY are the Lonestar tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis); however, the Lonestar tick is much more prevalent than any other tick species. We expanded our study to the continental scale to investigate why Lonestar ticks were so abundant in Louisville. We downloaded research-grade citizen science data from iNaturalist for both Lonestar ticks and deer ticks throughout their known range. The findings revealed distinct distribution patterns for these two different tick species. Lonestar ticks were predominantly found in the Midwest and Northeast regions, while Ixodes ticks were more concentrated in the Upper Northeast and Northwestern regions. Notably, certain areas showed overlap, indicating diverse ecological dynamics. In summary, ticks are widespread across various regions, including urban areas like Louisville, emphasizing the need for tailored prevention measures. By understanding their distribution patterns, wildlife and park managers can implement targeted interventions to minimize the risks associated with tick-borne diseases and ensure safer outdoor experiences for all.

Dendrochronological Dating of the Duncan Tavern, Paris, Kentucky, USA ● Author(s): Delaney Ballard, Maegen Rochner ● Disciplines: Geography ● Abstract: Duncan Tavern is a historical structure located at 323 High Street in Paris, Kentucky in Bourbon County. The structure currently serves as the headquarters for the Kentucky Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (KSDAR). KSDAR maintains that Duncan Tavern was originally built in the mid-1790s; the land was purchased in 1792 by Joseph Duncan, a civilian armorer in the Revolutionary War. Although Duncan Tavern has been listed on the National Register of Historical Places since 1973, a dendrochronological study of this structure was requested to quantitatively examine the legitimacy of archival and anecdotal claims about the construction history.

Seventeen core samples were collected from whole-timber floor joists (identified as from white ash) in the cellar of the Duncan Tavern utilizing specialized drill bits and variable speed drills. The core samples were then cross-dated to produce a floating 200-year tree-

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ring chronology. Utilizing a White Ash reference chronology from the nearby Clay Cabin (1628–1811), also in Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, the floating Duncan Tavern chronology was anchored to the years 1595–1794 (r=0.51, p < 0.001). Complete outer rings with intact bark indicate tree felling during the dormant period in 1795–1796. These findings align with claims made by KSDAR that the tavern was built in the mid-1790s. In addition, this dating suggests that this site is an eighteenth-century early settlement structure, making it one of the oldest buildings in the state of Kentucky.

Analysis and Application of the Offense-Defense Theory: Russia, Ukraine, and History ● ● ●

Author(s): Kirby Ballard Disciplines: International Relations | Political Theory Abstract: Political scientists and government advisors have long sought to understand what influences conflicts and how to predict them. Despite constant war, a commonly used empirical theory that can answer this question has not emerged. The majority of theories created are either conflict-specific or not empirically testable. Considering these factors, I sought out a theory that would help me better understand Russia's choice to invade Ukraine in the spring of 2022. I selected the offense-defense theory due to its many attempts to explain territorial conquest, the likeliness of conflict, and overall losses.

The main focus of the theory is to explain how technology favoring attackers or defenders can influence the likelihood of war. Considering the lack of application of the offense-defense balance theory to conflicts where both sides used equivalent levels of modern technology, like what we currently see in the Russo-Ukrainian war, I identified this as a gap in the research that warranted further explanation.

My research focuses on the relationship between technology and multiple variables in conflicts, like the loss ratio of initiators, the overall loss ratio of armored fighting vehicles (AFVs), territory gained, and the ratio of AFVs lost per square mile captured. To test this relationship, I collected 41 historical military battles and utilized an OLS regression analysis to measure the relationship of technology in four different models containing different variables. Testing revealed that defensively-sided technology caused the AFV loss ratio to increase, with no statistical significance regarding other variables, demonstrating a lack of empirical support for the abilities of the offense-defense theory to predict aspects beyond losses, like territorial conquest.

Investigating Factors Influencing Science Student Retention ● Author(s): Hayley Benson, Morgan Balabanoff ● Disciplines: Other Chemistry ● Abstract: Retention in and across STEM degrees has been a significant problem across institutions. By the time students have reached their third year, the University of Louisville has lost over 50% of the students who entered as first-year students.

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The main objective of this study is to investigate variables such as sense of belonging, student’s mindset, and science identity and their relationship with retention in STEM degrees. While many studies have identified gaps among student groups across these variables, few studies have generated solutions to address these gaps. Further, the proposed solutions are often from the viewpoint of researchers and upper administration who indeed persisted through the current state of higher education potentially limiting the applicability to students in jeopardy of leaving. Therefore, this study involves eliciting ideas directly from current students related to their belonging, mindset, and identity and how to address issues of retention from their perspective.

Students enrolled in science courses at the University of Louisville are the target population of the study, specifically recruited in introductory biology and chemistry courses. These students were organized into groups to participate in interviews led by undergraduate researchers. Because the undergraduate researchers are STEM students enrolled at the university, they both shared their perspectives and prompted participants to share theirs. The unstructured format of the focus group relies on the peer interviewer to direct the discussion. Using a phenomenological approach, interview data was analyzed to identify trends from the focus group interviews. Patterns across the broad themes will be presented with a particular focus on external and internal motivation factors and accompanied by potential solutions generated from students’ perspectives.

This study involves eliciting ideas directly from current students related to their belonging, mindset, and identity and how to address issues of retention from their perspective. Common themes that came up across all four focus groups after coding: Were feeling Supported, Belonging, and Peers. This further proved the point on how a student’s sense of belonging and identity plays a role in retention with STEM degrees and academic success. With a stronger sense of belonging and identity, a student feels more inclined to persist and finish their STEM degree.

A Scaly Science: Using citizen science to predict where snakes are found in Louisville ● Author(s): Sarah E. Bridges, Mallory Harmel, Rachel Pigg ● Disciplines: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology ● Abstract: Researching snakes in Jefferson County, Kentucky is important to help wildlife managers conserve snake species while also mitigating human-wildlife conflict. Using citizen science data, we can determine where snakes have been seen in the past, and then use that data to predict venomous and nonvenomous presence throughout the county and how their mode of transportation impacts snake presence. We compiled research-grade citizen science data from two websites: iDigBio and iNaturalist. Each species was then classified by their mode of transportation (terrestrial, aquatic, fossorial) and as either venomous or nonvenomous. We created a preliminary species distribution model using BioClim data to predict where snakes (regardless of species) are currently found in

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Louisville. Our findings can support snake conservation and local wildlife education in Jefferson County. Increasing awareness of snakes in the local area can help both human and snake populations by avoiding negative human interactions with snakes and helping wildlife managers conserve snakes where they perform important ecological roles.

Literature Review of Endophytic Presence in Liverwort Species ● Author(s): Chenoa Briggs ● Disciplines: Bryology | Plant Sciences ● Abstract: This literature review delves into the endophytic interactions within liverworts, shedding light on a relatively overlooked aspect of these ancient non-vascular plants.

Utilizing a blend of meta-analysis and systematic review methodologies, fourteen scientific journals were reviewed to compile a comprehensive overview of endophyte presence in liverworts. Each article was reviewed and synthesized into an annotated bibliography. Relevant findings and results were condensed into a combined table of endophyte species found in various liverwort samples.The synthesis of diverse studies spanning various genera and geographical locations aims to unravel the intricate relationships between liverworts and their associated endophytes, from simple thalloid types to leafy liverworts. While it is confirmed that fungi inhabit liverworts, their specific identities and roles remain largely elusive in this understudied domain. By expanding more on the mysteries surrounding endophytic interactions within liverworts, this study paves the way for a deeper understanding of the symbiotic relationships between these primitive plants and their microbial counterparts, offering promising avenues for future investigation.

Comparing Climate Growth of Oak and Tulip Poplar Species in Bernheim Forest, Kentucky, USA Using Dendrochronological Methods ● Author(s): Jacob G. Brown, Jordan Sharp, Meagen Rochner ● Disciplines: Other Environmental Sciences ● Abstract: With climate change, the state of Kentucky is expected to face increases in hydrological variability and extremes. To understand more about future projections, past climatic conditions can be analyzed with proxy-based data sources. Tree-rings provide annual to sub-annual resolution that can be used for proxy-based climate reconstructions.

Kentucky, however, lacks tree-ring data and this leaves the state understudied from a high temporal and spatial resolution paleo perspective. In order to use tree-rings for climate reconstructions in Kentucky, climate sensitive sites and species must be identified and evaluated. The objective of our research is to compare the climate-growth response of two populations of differing tree species: oak (QUSP) and tulip poplar (LITU) from Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest near Louisville, KY. To compare these species, we used dendrochronological methods to measure annual tree growth and

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compiled these data points into two working chronologies. The chronologies show the annual average response from all the trees in the study site over time and the importance of the previous year’s climate on the current year’s climate on the growth of trees. The result of our analysis shows that both species showed sensitivity to climate until the 1970’s and then had a shift in temporal stability, indicating a change in their relationship to climate variables. The temporal instability and lack of climate sensitivity in recent decades shown in the climate growth analysis for Bernheim forest will have implications for further analysis when building a climate reconstruction for the state of Kentucky as reconstructions require temporal stability.

Low Concentrations of Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water Induce Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropathology: Using a Toxic Aging Coin Approach to Assess Hexavalent Chromium Neurotoxicity ● Author(s): Liam Buchanan, Samuel Vielee, Spencer Roof, Haiyan Lu, Jamie L. Young, Idoia Meaza Isusi, Aggie Williams, Joseph Kouokam, Sandra Wise, Luping Guo, Jun Cai, John Wise, John P. Wise Jr, ● Disciplines: Inorganic Chemicals | Other Neuroscience and Neurobiology | Toxicology ● Abstract: Introduction: We are currently facing an aging crisis, as 20% of the U.S. population will be geriatric (65+) by 2030. This growing geriatric population will result in increasing prevalence of age-related diseases, coinciding with increasingly prevalent environmental pollution. Environmental pollution is a ubiquitous health threat that affects people at all ages and contributes to aging pathology. However, geriatric individuals are likely more susceptible to the negative health effects from environmental pollution. The distinct effects of environmental pollutants across age groups are currently understudied.

We use a Toxic Aging Coin approach to investigate: 1) how age impacts toxicity (heads), and 2) how chemicals accelerate aging (tails). Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent age-related neurodegenerative disease, projected to affect 153 million people by 2050. AD pathology is characterized by amyloid-β plaques and abnormally phosphorylated tau protein which leads to neurofibrillary tangles. Both amyloid-β plaques and tau protein tangles can induce oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in multiple brain regions. This AD pathology spreads through distinct brain regions in a pattern ­­­known as Braak staging, beginning with the entorhinal and transentorhinal regions before spreading to the hippocampus and eventually to neocortical areas.

Behaviorally, AD often presents as memory loss, confusion, disorientation, and loss of muscle coordination. Many environmental pollutants, such as metals (e.g., lead, cadmium, and arsenic) are linked to AD etiology, but hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] has received limited attention in the context of AD. Cr(VI) has been linked to other neurological disorders in humans, such as polyneuropathy, motor neuron disease, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. In rodents, Cr(VI) impairs social memory and muscle coordination, which is symptomatic of AD. Blood levels of Cr were found significantly

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elevated in blood of AD patients and is linked to acute schizophrenia. Here, we use the heads side of our Toxic Aging Coin to assess Cr(VI) neurotoxicity across different age groups.

Methods: We exposed Sprague-Dawley rats (both sexes) at three ages (3-, 7-, and 18months-old) to low concentrations of Cr(VI) in drinking water (0.05 and 0.1 mg/L) for 90 days. Importantly, 0.05 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L Cr(VI) correspond to the WHO and U.S. EPA permissible drinking water limits for Cr(VI), respectively. We assessed spatial memory by measuring spontaneous non-alternations in the Y-Maze assay after 4- and 10-weeks exposure. After 90 days, we harvested the brains and used silver stain to examine neurodegeneration in AD-associated brain regions (e.g., dorsal hippocampus, entorhinal cortex). Silver staining marks degenerating neurons jet black and provides a qualitative assessment of the degree of neurodegeneration.

Results: We observed middle-aged (7-month old) males exhibited a concentrationassociated increase in non-alternations, suggesting impaired spatial memory. Whereas middle-aged females exposed to Cr(VI) exhibited a concentration-associated decrease in non-alternations, suggesting an improvement in spatial memory; however, extensive hippocampal damage may lead to a side preference that resembles improved memory.

Upon examining rat brains for neurodegeneration using silver stain, the hippocampus was more affected than the entorhinal cortex, and 3-m.o. rats were the least affected. 7-monthold rats exhibited increased neurodegeneration in the CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus of the dorsal hippocampus, with females exhibiting more severe neurodegeneration. 7-monthold females showed the most severe neurodegeneration compared to age- and sexmatched controls, suggesting this pathology may have induced a side-preference behavior in the Y-Maze assay. 18-month-old rats exhibited increased neurodegeneration in hippocampus compared to age-matched controls.

Conclusions: The extensive level of damage to the hippocampus, especially in 7-monthold females and geriatric rats, suggests that Cr(VI) exposure induced damage in a similar manner to Braak stages III and IV of AD pathology. Pathology and the noted sex differences suggest Cr(VI) exposure may increase the risk of AD. The observed sex differences also indicate that females are more susceptible to Cr(VI)-induced neurodegeneration. Future directions will examine other pathologies associated with AD (e.g., protein aggregation, white matter damage) and cell specific targets of Cr(VI) neurotoxicity (e.g. astrocytes, microglia).

Music perception and speech perception have different sensitivities to acoustic variability ● Author(s): Kate Criner, Anya Shorey, Christian Stilp ● Disciplines: Cognition and Perception ● Abstract: Word recognition is faster and/or more accurate when listening to a single talker than to multiple talkers in random orders. Subsequent research revealed that

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perception is challenged more by different-sounding talkers (in terms of voice pitch) than similar-sounding talkers. This experiment tested the extension of these findings to musical instrument perception. Listeners completed six blocks: three blocks of word recognition (by one talker, four similar-sounding talkers [similar voice pitch], four different-sounding talkers [varying voice pitch]) and three blocks of pitch labeling (by one instrument, four similar-sounding musical instruments [wind instruments with similar attacks and spectra], four different-sounding musical instruments [differing classifications, highly varying attacks and brightnesses]). Response times systematically increased and accuracy decreased as musical instrument variability increased. Response times slowed only for highly variable talkers compared to a single talker; word recognition accuracy was at ceiling throughout. Additionally, pitch labeling accuracy was positively correlated with measures of musical sophistication. Perception was overall sensitive to acoustic variability, which varied more across timbral dimensions for musical instruments (attack, spectral brightness) than for talkers (similar speech productions, some spectral differences across voices).

Restoring History: Evaluating the rehydration potential of fish specimens from a forgotten ichthyology collection ● Author(s): Joseph Donohue, Matthew Kolmann, Emmy Delekta ● Disciplines: Biology ● Abstract: Natural history collections are invaluable resources that document the record of Earth’s biodiversity. Such collections house physical specimens that can often be used in research and education (e.g., teaching tools for classes and public outreach events). The William Clay Ichthyology Collection at the University of Louisville contains thousands of fish specimens collected over the past century from locations in and around Kentucky, North America, Central and South America, and even Lake Malawi in Africa. Despite the incredible assortment of specimens present, this collection fell into disarray as departmental interests shifted over the last twenty-five years. This led to the desiccation of 114 lots, barring these from any research or educational use. We evaluated the rehydration potential of 75 of these lots to both restore the university’s natural collection of fish and build upon past methods of museum specimen preservation. Step-up hydration methods utilizing either ethanol or glycerol as a preservative were used to revive specimen quality. Success was defined as having an overall fleshy appearance and fin pliability. Preliminary results suggest larger specimens correlate to an overall longer rehydration time, and that glycerol as a preservative may be preferable to ethanol. Our findings demonstrate that specimen rehydration is a worthwhile endeavor and can aid collection managers when planning large-scale rehydration efforts.

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A Novel Arsenic Methyltransferase Splice Variant Expressed in Human Keratinocytes ● Author(s): Caitlin H. Reynolds, Alexandra N. Nail, Miroslav Styblo, Peter Cable, J. Christopher States ● Disciplines: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health ● Abstract: Chronic inorganic arsenic (iAs) exposure from contaminated drinking water is a global issue that impacts over 220 million people worldwide. iAs is a Group 1 human carcinogen. Skin lesions, including skin cancer, are hallmarks of arsenic toxicity. Arsenic methyltransferase (AS3MT) is required for the biotransformation of iAs to monomethylAs (MMAV and MMAIII) and MMA to dimethyl-As (DMAV and DMAIII), and the iAs:MMA:DMA ratio determines arsenic clearance and toxicity. Both trivalent MMA (MMAIII) and DMA (DMAIII) are exceedingly more toxic compared to iAs and may promote toxic and carcinogenic effects associated with chronic iAs exposure. HaCaT cells exposed to 100 nM iAs for 28 weeks undergo malignant transformation and represent an important tool to study iAs-induced skin carcinogenesis. However, whether these cells can metabolize iAs remains unknown. Our hypothesis is that HaCaT cells methylate iAs to promote malignant transformation. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT, KerCT, and HEKn) cells and a liver cell line (HepG2) were exposed to sodium arsenite (0 or 100 nM) for 24 h. iAs speciation within cells and media from 100 nM exposed cultures was determined by hydride-generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry coupled with a cryotrap (HG-CT-ICP-MS). Total RNA and genomic DNA was isolated from 0 or 100 nM exposed cells. RNA was treated with DNAseI (-/+) and RNAseA (-/+) and AS3MT mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. Overall, human keratinocytes are poor iAs methylators compared to HepG2 cells. Among human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells contained the least amount of iAs metabolites compared to Ker-CT and HEKn cells. HaCaT cells also expressed the least amount of canonical AS3MT mRNA. In addition, we discovered a novel alternatively spliced AS3MT mRNA isoform that is expressed predominantly in human keratinocytes. Our conclusion is that arsenic-induced malignant transformation in HaCaT cells chronically exposed to iAs is likely driven by iAs rather than iAs metabolites. The novel AS3MT splice variant retains intron 2 of the AS3MT gene and this may promote nonsense-mediated mRNA decay of this transcript. Future work will determine whether chronic iAs exposure in human keratinocytes promotes upregulation of the canonical AS3MT mRNA and/or the novel AS3MT splice variant, and whether the new AS3MT splice variant is degraded by nonsense-mediated decay preventing translation of a truncated, non-functional AS3MT protein.

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The Anti-Diabetic Drug Metformin Disrupts Feeding and Sleeping Behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster ● Author(s): Lucas Fitzgerald ● Disciplines: Biology | Genetics | Physiology ● Abstract: Dimethylbiguanide, also known as metformin, is the single most prescribed oral treatment for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, or type 2 diabetes, in western countries. The primary mechanism of action that metformin acts through is the activation of AMP kinase, an important regulator of energy homeostasis. While the anti-diabetic effects of metformin are well documented, its effects on feeding and sleeping behaviors are not well characterized. Using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, the mean daily quantity of food consumed was measured and compared between groups treated with several dosages of metformin. Feeding interactions such as meal frequency and length were also measured using the Fly-to-Liquid-food Interaction Counter (FLIC).

Finally, activity and sleep patterns were measured using the Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM). It was found that metformin treatment significantly increased food intake and interaction in wild type flies, while also marginally disrupting normal sleep patterns. This result helps verify a direct connection between metformin treatment and the modification of cellular metabolism.

The Psychological Effects of Discriminations in Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals: A Qualitative Analysis ● Author(s): Kameryn S. Freeman, Konrad Bresin, Julia Nicholas ● Disciplines: Clinical Psychology | Psychology ● Abstract: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience minority stressors (e.g., rejection, discrimination, and victimization) that may negatively impact their mental health. This study used a mixed-methods approach to identify common themes across minority stress experiences and explore whether reflecting on these themes elicits changes in effect.

N = 25 undergraduate students with an SGM identity completed the study for course credit. Participants wrote about an instance of SGM discrimination that they experienced, witnessed, or heard about. Participants self-reported their positive and negative effects before and after writing. Participants’ stories were analyzed qualitatively to identify common themes. Correlations were calculated between story themes and changes in effect.

Themes included contextual factors (e.g., whether or not the person was “out” at the time of the experience), types of discrimination experiences (e.g., being called a slur, being rejected), and emotions felt at the time of the minority stress experiences (e.g., guilt, shock). Writing about an experience that occurred when the participant was in the closet

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(i.e., not out to others about their SGM identity) was associated with an increase in negative affect from baseline to after writing (r=.41, prs=.43-.55, ps<.05).

The findings shed light on the types of minority stressors that SGM individuals experience as memorable, salient, and emotionally impactful. Reflecting on minority stressors that occurred while one was in the closet may be highly likely to elicit negative affect, relative to other stressors.

Walnut flies have a higher survival rate when developed in host plants’ chemicals ● Author(s): Naomi Frese, Sophia Anner, Shayna Rosenbloom, Alycia Lackey ● Disciplines: Agriculture | Biochemistry | Biology | Entomology | Evolution ● Abstract: Rhagoletis suavis, a fruit infesting insect, have adapted to living in their walnut host as larvae, despite the allelopathic chemical composition of walnut fruit. To investigate whether the presence of this chemical component (juglone) contributed to increased survival, we divided larvae into 4 experimental categories containing either no walnut or varying combinations of walnut-soaked water and ground up walnut husk. We measured the survival from larvae to pupae was measured twice during incubation (prewinter and mid-winter). The results of this experiment show that the introduction of walnut husk into the developmental environments of larvae yields a higher rate of pupae survival at the pre-winter stage and during adult eclosion. A follow up substrate experiment confirmed that walnut husk treatment had both a higher moisture retention and a lower pH. Synthesis and Characterization of Water Soluble Thiosemicarbazone-Alkylthiocarbamate Ligands and Their Cu(II) Complexes • • •

Author(s): John J. Garvey IV, Sanjit Karki, Haixun Guo, Levi J. Beverly, Craig A. Grapperhaus, and Robert M. Buchanan Disciplines: Inorganic Chemistry, Medicinal-Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Abstract: Thiosemicarbazone-alkylthiocarbamate N2S2 hybrid ligands are emerging as an important class of potential bioactive molecules that possess important pharmacokinetic properties. Resulting metal complexes have electronic properties that are composites of their homolog forms, bisthiosemicarbazones and bisalkylthiocarbamates, allowing for tuning redox potentials over a nearly 450 mV range.

These versatile ligand frameworks possess remarkable antiproliferation activity against a broad range of solid tumors and low toxicity towards normal cells indicating great promise for future drug development. Herein, we describe recent synthetic efforts to improve water solubility of thiosemicarbazone-alkylthiocarbamate hybrid ligand Cu(II) complexes. The parent 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide half arm was modified by the addition of a pendant diamine to increase the hybrid ligand’s solubility in water. A charged ligand was also synthesized by addition of a pendant triamine to further increase the solubility in water.

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Preliminary Log P measurements show an enhanced hydrophilicity associated with the addition of the free-amine pendant. The data also suggest retention of complex lipophilicity, which is important to passive diffusion across cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier, a result that is relevant to the development of future neurological therapeutics.

Seeking Certainty: The Google Effect on Children’s Confidence ● Author(s): Emma G. Gilbert, Lauren N. Girouard-Hallam, Judith H. Danovitch ● Disciplines: Psychology ● Children and adults have become increasingly reliant upon the internet and search engines such as Google to access information. Studies have shown that searching for answers online reduces adults’ ability to remember that information later (Fisher et al., 2015). Google also limits adults’ motivation to answer questions on their own when they know they have access to the internet (Ferguson et al., 2015). However, little is known about how the internet affects children’s motivation to answer questions. The current study aims to determine how access to Google affects children’s motivation to answer questions on their own. Children ages 8-12 (N=16) were presented with a set of trivia questions and asked to tell the researcher if they knew the answer or not. Children completed each of two conditions: No Google and Google conditions. While in the Google condition, children had the option to Google the question if they did not know the answer. In the No Google condition, children were prompted to type “No Answer” when they did not know the answer. We found that children were significantly more likely to answer the question on their own in the Google condition versus the No Google condition. Although data collection is still ongoing, our current findings suggest that having access to Google may make children more confident and increase their motivation to answer questions on their own.

Too Old for Tech: Children’s and Adults’ Intuitions about Tablet Use ● Author(s): Faith E. Grumley, Khushboo S. Patel, Judith H Danovitch ● Disciplines: Psychology ● Abstract: Children use others’ age and gender to help them determine their learning preferences (Shutts et al., 2010). Adults apply gender stereotypes to younger and older adults when evaluating their personality characteristics (Sullivan et al., 2022). However, little is known about how children and adults assess other’s knowledge about technology based on the other person’s age and gender. The current study examined how children ages 5-10 (N = 50; 20 girls, 30 boys) and adults ages 17-25 (N = 30; 25 women, 5 men) perceive adults’ ability to use and fix technology. In the first task, participants heard 6 questions about using a tablet, each paired with two photos of adults, varying in age and

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gender (young man, young woman, old man, and old woman) and chose who they thought would be better at using a tablet. In the second task, participants heard 6 questions about fixing a tablet, again paired with two photos of adults and chose who they thought would be better at fixing a tablet. Preliminary analyses indicated that both children and adults selected young men and women as better at using and fixing a tablet compared to old men and women. Children and adults also believed that young men and women are similarly competent at using and fixing a tablet. The findings will have implications for understanding how children think about other people’s abilities and the importance of age and gender to those perceptions.

Investigating Drought Response and Paleoclimate Potential of a New Network of White Oak Chronologies in Western Kentucky, USA ● Author(s): Audrey J. Heichelbech, Megan Gibson, Maegen Rochner ● Disciplines: Other Earth Sciences ● Abstract: In Kentucky, historic and paleo-climate data are limited, and current understanding of long-term climate change in the state relies on instrumental data spanning only 1895-present. Proxy data are necessary to extend the temporal and spatial span of climate information. One potential proxy source for Kentucky is tree ring data, but currently, only four such datasets are publicly available on the International Tree Ring Data Bank (ITRDB). Archaeological and archival timber sources may help to fill in this gap. In the 1940s, Florence Hawley-Ellis, the first woman dendrochronologist, collected samples of white oak (Quercus alba L.) from four counties in western Kentucky. These samples were never fully processed to develop chronologies and are currently archived at the University of Arizona Tree-Ring Laboratory. The objectives of this project were to (1) process and develop the Hawley-Ellis samples to generate new chronologies for Kentucky and (2) investigate the utility of these samples for use in paleoclimate reconstruction. We analyzed the relationship between tree growth and regional climate variables using climate-growth analyses and superposed epoch analysis (SEA), and found that the tree-ring chronologies from all four county sites are strongly and significantly sensitive to both temperature and moisture variables and that these relationships are temporally stable. These samples represent a significant amount of potential data in an understudied region that lacks datasets spanning back in time. This will increase the spatial resolution of the current tree ring network and create a more comprehensive foundation for future research.

Human Population Density Effects on American Robins Telomeres. ● Author(s): Sarah G. Holland ● Disciplines: Not Listed

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● Abstract: Telomeres are repeated sequences of DNA that act as caps at the end of chromosomes. Telomeres aid in cell division and shorten each time a cell divides. Stress reactions in the body may lead to accelerated telomere shortening; therefore, examining telomere length may give insight into current and past stress trends within an organism.

In this research, we seek to investigate a possible correlation between human population density and stress reactions in birds. To do this, we obtained blood samples from American robins (Turdus migratorius) in areas of varying population density, and through DNA extractions and telomere assays, we have compared telomere length to observe trends linking population density and telomere length in birds RBC’s (red blood cells). We predict that as population density increases, telomere length will shorten. Birds are important species in many ecosystems, and discovering what their stressors are, and how they affect the development and lives of birds, are crucial for the conservation and protection of bird species populations.

Who Knows "Everything"?: Children's Understanding of Omniscience in the Smart Speaker Age ● Author(s): Lillian C. Holm, Lauren Girouard, Judith H Danovitch ● Disciplines: Child Psychology | Cognitive Psychology | Developmental Psychology ● Abstract: Young children use how much a person knows to decide who to trust. Children are more likely to believe an informant they know, such as their mother, than someone they don’t know (Corriveau & Harris, 2008). Children ages 7-10 also believe technological sources like Google can answer factual questions (Girouard-Hallam & Danovitch, 2022). However, it is unclear if children believe a smart speaker can know everything.

The current study examined how children ages 4-9 (N = 130) attribute knowledge to a familiar person (their preferred caregiver), and a person and smart speaker described as omniscient. Children indicated whether each informant knew about nonpersonal information and personal information.

A mixed-effects ANOVA showed that children attributed more knowledge to the omniscient person and the smart speaker than to their caregiver (ps < .001), but there was no difference between the omniscient device and person. Children were more likely to say the omniscient person and device could tell them about nonpersonal information than personal information, and older children were more likely to say this than younger children (p < .001).

Our results show that children do not believe omniscient figures know everything and use signals like information type to decide the limits of their knowledge. By age 4, children understand that smart speakers can’t know everything. In a time where there are many

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sources of information on the internet that even young children can access, this study has implications for parents who want to keep children safe online.

North American Sucker Fish Diets in the Face of Ecological Challenges (Catostomidae) ● Author(s): Anesa Hozdic, Matthew Kolmann ● Disciplines: Biology | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology ● Abstract: Basic biological information, like fecundity, age at maturity, habitat occupation and range size, are critically important for conserving species under threat. However, funding for this sort of research is limited, especially for aquatic vertebrates like fishes, which have restricted ranges and are under threat from changes in land-use and watershed alteration. The suckers (Family Catostomidae) are freshwater fishes native to North America (and one species from China). Most species are presumed to be detritivorous, that is, feed on decaying plant and animal matter; however, the diet diversity of this family has never been analyzed at an evolutionary scale. Suckers are under considerable threat from water diversion (e.g., dams and channelization), habitat degradation, and agricultural pollution. Currently, 2.5% of sucker species in the US are recently extinct, 22% are endangered or vulnerable. We performed a literature meta-analysis to examine the diversity of sucker diets as well as highlight any species which are priorities for conservation. Our specific questions were: (1) What do catostomids eat? (2) Do catostomid species overlap in their resource use? And finally, (3) do evolutionary relationships among species predict diet? We found that suckers consume a wide variety of prey, from insects and fish eggs, to detritus and even seeds. Diet data exists for only 42% of species; therefore, the vast majority of sucker diet diversity is unknown. The few species with unique diets (e.g., Deltistes luxatus, Erimyzon oblongus) tended towards carnivory and are classified as endangered or vulnerable (according to the IUCN and EPA).

Investigating pre-health students’ science identity and the factors that influence them to change programs or tracks ● Author(s): Taylor Humphreys ● Disciplines: Education | Medical Education ● Abstract: Retention rates for undergraduate students in pre-health programs or tracks have had a continual decline as students progress through their bachelor’s degrees. While numerous articles publish statistics regarding students on a pre-med track with intentions to apply to medical school, information is not available for pre-health students applying to other health professional schools. It is important to know what measures can be taken or resources offered to improve the retention rates across these programs or tracks.

Peer-led focus groups were used to elicit uncensored responses from students. Focus groups allowed for a small number of participants with similar interests or qualities to

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discuss a series of open-ended questions. The group environment allowed for students to express their opinions as well as build off the opinions and ideas other participants present. For more exploratory talk, the focus groups were peer-led with student moderators and contributors rather than led by a figure of authority (i.e., a professor).

Students used familiar vocabulary and lingo when conversing with their peers that may have shifted to use more professional terms in the presence of an authoritative figure. By being peer-led, the students felt more comfortable and open to discussing sensitive or “taboo” topics than they would if a teacher or parent had been in the room. Audio and video recording was used to capture the interviews and they were uploaded to an online transcription service (Otter.ai) and MAXQDA was used to code for common themes.

To analyze the variety of data that was collected, two frameworks were utilized: Social Learning Theory and Science Identity Model. Social Learning Theory emphasizes the influence of observational learning. Individuals obtain behavior, knowledge, and expectations through observing, imitating, and modeling others. This lens was used to look at which experiences shaped students’ perspectives of their programs or tracks and which factors led some participants to change programs or tracks. Science Identity Model uses the three interrelated dimensions of competence, performance, and recognition to capture science identity. Competence refers to knowledge and understanding of science content, performance refers to social performances of scientific practices, and recognition refers to self-recognition and recognition by others as being a “science person”. This lens was used to look at how students define their own science identity in addition to their sense of belonging within their programs or tracks.

Once the peer-led focus groups were conducted, the interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed using a phenomenological approach. This approach focuses on the researchers’ immersion into the participants’ experiences to derive their details and meanings without bias or any preconceived notions. Through doing this, factors related to decreasing retention rates among pre-health students were identified along with resources students would like to see increased or introduced to aid in their academic journeys.

Increased Neuroinflammation and Compromised Blood Brain Barrier in a Mouse Model of Autism ● Author(s): Amani Ikram, Rekha Jagadapillai, Idil Tuncali, Gregory N. Barnes, Evelyne Gozal ● Disciplines: Developmental Neuroscience | Medical Neurobiology | Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience | Neurology | Pediatrics ● Abstract: o Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with repetitive behaviors and social impairment. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation resulting in vascular injury have been shown in ASD. Compromised

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blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity has been identified in post-mortem human ASD brain tissue, but the pathophysiology of BBB disruption is still unknown. Key components of the BBB include vascular endothelial cells held together by tight-junctions, astrocytes, and pericytes. This study aims to identify altered BBB components, increased BBB permeability, and markers of neuroinflammation in the BTBR murine model of ASD. o Methods: 3-month-old BTBR and C57BL/6 control mice were sacrificed and perfused. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining and western blot (WB; n=4) of Claudin-5 and ZO1 (tight- junction proteins), GFAP and Iba1 (inflammatory glial cells), and Albumin leakage were performed to identify BBB injury and neuroinflammation. DHE (superoxide) staining identified oxidative stress. Quantifications using ImageJ software were analyzed using unpaired t-tests, with p-value <0.05 significance. o Results: Data demonstrated a significant decrease in ZO1 expression in the BTBR cortex and cerebellum and a marked decrease of Claudin-5 in the BTBR cortex shown by IF but not WB. Iba1, GFAP, DHE, and Albumin leakage were significantly increased in the BTBR cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. o Conclusion: Increased glial activation and superoxide were consistent with neuroinflammation. Decreased tight-junction proteins and Albumin leakage suggested increased BBB permeability in multiple brain areas of BTBR mice. Future studies of cytokines-mediated inflammatory pathways or decreased regulation of GABA-mediated inhibitory pathways may provide mechanistic insights for neurovascular inflammation and BBB disruption in ASD. Investigating Variation In Invertebrate Prey Communities ● Author(s): Rachel E. Klotz, Rowan G. Ward, Shayna Rosenbloom, Alycia Lackey ● Disciplines: Biology | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology ● Abstract: Invertebrate communities are essential components of most aquatic food webs and are strongly affected by biological factors serving as indicators of an ecosystem’s health. Previous research using experimental and observational studies has allowed researchers to assess how invertebrates are susceptible to environmental disturbances. To investigate the variation in invertebrate communities across time and space in aquatic ecosystems and to better understand how this applies more broadly to foraging, we used dip nets in 1-meter transects across the bottom of ponds to collect macroinvertebrates and zooplankton that were then identified and leveled to family. The results from the pond collections illustrated that the diversity and composition of macroinvertebrate and zooplankton communities varied across spatial gradients and temporal fluctuations in ponds driven by differences in habitat preferences, trophic interactions, and environmental conditions. This variation across time and space can help explain the

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variation in predator health and could potentially be a contributing metabolic factor when examining physiological metrics.

Investigating the role of the apolipoprotein Nlaz/ApoD in lipid transport and stem cell homeostasis in the Drosophila testis niche ● Author(s): Tanushree Senthil Kumar, Tia M. Alchureiqi, Rafael Demarco ● Disciplines: Cell and Developmental Biology ● Abstract: Adult stem cells are present in many tissues and organs and are responsible for the constant generation of specialized functional cells. Over the years, many mechanisms have been shown to control stem cell behavior (i.e., proliferation, maintenance, differentiation, etc). Recently, lipid metabolism was also shown to influence stem cell behavior. Recent studies from our lab showed that lipid imbalance negatively impacted germline stem cells (GSC) in the Drosophila testis. When fatty acids accumulated, stem cells exited their microenvironment (i.e., the niche) and differentiated. Interestingly, impairing lipid metabolism in GSCs also caused lipid accumulation in niche support cells. However, the precise mechanisms that mediate lipid balance between different cell times under homeostatic conditions remains unknown. We hypothesize that lipid transport across cells within the GSC niche is important for lipid homeostasis and stem cell maintenance. One aspect worth exploring is the role of apolipoproteins, which facilitate lipid transfer between different cell types. This project aims to investigate the role of Nlaz, the Drosophila homologue of human ApoD, in niche cell maintenance and homeostasis. Preliminary data with a loss-of-function allele of Nlaz suggest a role for Nlaz in maintaining niche cell number. Experiments using cell-specific RNAi-mediated depletion of Nlaz will investigate its role in niche cell maintenance and function.

Assessments will include analysis of niche cell number, function (i.e. support of stem cells), lipid accumulation and cell fate upon Nlaz depletion. Our goal is to understand if Nlaz participates in stem cell niche homeostasis in the Drosophila testis niche as a strategy to maintain lipid levels low and, as a consequence, prevent stem cell loss through differentiation. Given the high degree of conservation between Nlaz and hApoD, as well as other metabolic genes, understanding how lipids are controlled in stem cell niches could reveal novel targets for regenerative medicine in the future.

Investigating the mechanisms through which autophagy controls lipid levels in cyst stem cells ● Author(s): Jared B. Langdon, Mason Buck, Rafael Demarco ● Disciplines: Cell Biology | Developmental Biology ● Abstract: With an increase in the average age of the American population, incidents of age-related diseases and illnesses are rising across healthcare communities. Addressing these pathologies with a focus towards novel treatments warrants further research into

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their mechanistic origins. Lipid build up within cells has been correlated with increased risk for certain pathologies, namely Alzheimer’s disease and type-2 diabetes. In this study we aimed to investigate the origin of the increase in lipids, specifically we consider the effects of lipid build up on the maintenance of stem cell populations. The testes of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster provide the necessary backdrop for observing and quantifying stem cell behavior. The stem cell model present in the Drosophila testis gives a more direct look at the effects of genetic manipulation on stem cell population numbers.

Using RNA interference (RNAi) to downregulate (or ‘silence’) genes, specific genes related to autophagic functions are shut down in somatic cyst stem cells and the resulting effects are viewed under fluorescent microscopy. As a proxy for the number and function of CySCs, the number of germline stem cells (GSCs) that they support was assessed.

Initial quantitative results show that flies expressing Lip3RNAi and SpartinRNAi significantly reduce the number of germline stem cells (GSC) present in the testis.

Previous research has shown that lipid buildup within cells due to lack of autophagy causes CySCs to prematurely differentiate. The premature differentiation of CySCs could provide a plausible explanation for the observed decrease in GSC numbers. These results may suggest premature differentiation of CySCs and GSCs, reducing the population of stem cells within the testis. This model of premature stem cell loss can be applied to other stem cell models giving it significance in the field of regenerative medicine. Further research is needed to shed light on the mechanisms behind the decrease in stem cell numbers.

Differences in Wing Pigmentation in Male and Female Fruit Flies ● Author(s): Miles T. Lanham, Sophia Anner, Alycia Lackey ● Disciplines: Animal Sciences | Biology | Life Sciences ● Abstract: Pigmentation in animals can be used for many purposes such as camouflage, communication, or thermoregulation, or a combination of factors. Understanding how pigmentation differs within and between animal species can clarify what role it might play in their ecology. Flies in the genus Rhagoletis are known for conspicuous black and white wing patterning which may be used for communication. In this project, I investigated differences in the amount of pigmentation between males and females. I found that regardless of wing size, females had higher proportions of their wings pigmented than males. This result reveals that the sexes may differ in their thermoregulatory needs or communication. Curiously, larger females yet smaller males had higher proportions of pigment. This may indicate a trade off between pigment and body size in the male flies. Further research could clarify the extent to which the patterns differ as well.

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Characterizing leaf endophyte composition in the dune grass Ammophila breviligulata ● Author(s): Nabaa Q. Majeed, Connor Morozumi, Sarah Hobbs ● Abstract: Microorganisms living within plants play crucial roles in their health and function, yet these diverse communities that make up the plant microbiome remain poorly understood. The dune grass Ammophila breviligulata is an ecosystem engineer which helps to build and stabilize dune ecosystems effectively acting as a buffer against storms to coastal communities. It is currently unknown whether the Ammophila microbiome plays a role in this plant species’ ability to transform dune ecosystems. In this study, we assessed fungal diversity of endophytes— microbes living within plant tissues— in Ammophila leaves collected from Leelanau State Park, MI along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan. We censused endophytes from Ammophila plants growing in plant communities that differed in total number of other neighboring plant species to understand how plant richness affected colonization rates and fungal diversity. Fungal species were grouped based on morphotypes using a cultural-based approach. We found relatively low endophytic fungal colonization and low diversity within Ammophila leaves. Additionally, we found no trend between the richness of neighboring plant species and fungal diversity in Ammophila. Our findings raise intriguing questions about the nature and function of the endophyte community in Ammophila, considering the potential implications for dune ecosystem stability and plant health. Further research into the specific roles and interactions of these endophytes is warranted to clarify their contributions to the ecological role Ammophila plays and its resilience in coastal environments. Understanding these microbial partnerships can inform conservation and management strategies aimed at preserving critical dune systems and their protective role in coastal communities.

Studying Organic Chemistry Students’ Scientific Modeling Practices Through a SemiStructured Interview ● Author(s): Daniel Mays, Morgan Balabanoff ● Disciplines: Educational Methods | Organic Chemistry | Other Chemistry ● Abstract: Many areas of natural science deal with unobservable phenomena. Scientists develop and use models to make sense of these aspects of nature. Chemistry is certainly no exception – in fact, given the molecular nature of chemical interactions, the modern understanding of chemistry is largely based on well-established scientific models.

Because models are so important in chemistry, understanding how students develop and use models in the learning process stands to offer key insights into how to better teach chemistry. This project is focused on exploring how students of organic chemistry develop and use scientific models to predict the outcome of reactions. A semi-structured interview investigated how students reason through a series of acid-base equilibria reactions. These reactions were selected to highlight several key aspects of acid-base

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reactions. Throughout the series of reactions, participants were prompted to use each reaction to develop an overarching model of acid-base chemistry. Finally, students were given the opportunity to use their newly constructed model to predict the outcome of a more complex reaction. In addition, interviewees were questioned about their broader understanding of scientific models before and after the reaction sequence. Thus far, 10 interviews have been conducted with Organic Chemistry II students and analysis of the interview data is currently underway. The findings from this study will be used to characterize students’ model-making processes, ultimately informing more effective teaching practices.

Exploring the Relationship Between Digital Homework Adherence and Eating Disorder Symptoms. ● Author(s): Melanie D. Mcdonough ● Disciplines: Clinical Psychology ● Abstract: Given the high mortality and relapse rates associated with anorexia nervosa, and the limited efficacy of existing treatments, especially those utilized (Peterson, et al., 2016), recent research has highlighted the potential of digital programs to address these barriers and enhance treatment engagement (Stewart, et al., 2021). Purpose: To investigate whether higher engagement throughout treatment is related to less eating disorder behaviors though a digital treatment program. Hypothesis: Participants with higher levels of engagement in treatment will report fewer eating disorder behaviors posttreatment. Methods: Participants (N = 10; Mage = 32.3, SD = 2.78) were diagnosed with active anorexia nervosa (50%), partial remission anorexia nervosa (40%) or full remission anorexia nervosa (10%). Most identified as female (80%), White (80%), and non-Hispanic (100%). Engagement was measured via the number of total homework assignments completed (mostly independently conducted exposure exercises) throughout treatment. The primary outcome measure was the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 (EDE-Q 6), which assesses eating disorder behaviors across four subscales. A linear regression analysis was conducted to determine whether homework adherence predicted lower EDE-Q 6 scores post-treatment. Results: Results indicated that while homework adherence predicted 5.3% of the variance in EDE-Q 6 scores, (F(1,8) = 0.45, p = .523), these findings were not statistically significant. While not statistically significant, completion of one additional HW is expected to be associated with a decrease of 0.04 EDEQ-6 score (b = -0.36, t = -0.67, p = .523). Discussion: Despite the lack of statistical significance, these findings suggest a potential relationship between treatment homework adherence and lower eating disorder behaviors, and that digital eating disorder treatment may be efficacious. Further, findings emphasize the importance of digital treatment research within larger and more diverse samples.

Is Menstrual Equity Real in the U.S.?

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● Author(s): Mariana Meneses ● Abstract: The U.S. has evolved and created menstrual equality, but not equity. During the 1890s, the first sanitary belts were created. Although the belts raised awareness about women's menstrual health, they lacked functionality and flexibility. Even more awareness of women's menstrual health was raised after Roe v. Wade, which was passed but ultimately overturned several years later. These events have shown how the U.S. has menstrual equality but not equity.

The topic of menstrual equity isn't only about improving women's rights but also about providing affordable and accessible sanitary products. For women who are incarcerated, finding sanitary supplies is nearly impossible, leaving them vulnerable to leaks or stains on their clothing. In addition, the stigma around menstruation has created a wall for advocates who want to build equity in menstrual health.

Periods Gone Public, If Men Could Menstruate, Columbia Incarceration, Menstrual Injustice, and more journals have been used to conduct this research, aiming to prove that menstrual equity does not exist in the U.S. Many of these academic journals have provided statistics, quotes, and the experiences of many women who have been subjected to the stigma of menstruation.

The journals have also helped the research by finding that the biggest issue with menstrual inequity is the stigma around menstruation. It was found that a big part of the stigma relies on gender discrimination and the worsening accessibility and price of menstruation products in recent years.

After all, gender equality prevails in the United States, whereas gender equity does not.

But what can we do to create equity in the country? The most prominent tool would be education to eliminate the stigma the issue has and advocate for it as much as possible.

While society has come a long way, there is still more work to achieve menstrual equity.

Air Pollution Association With Telomere Length in Urban Songbirds ● Author(s): Elise M. Mittlestat, Mikus Abolins-Abols ● Disciplines: Not Listed ● Abstract: Air pollution has been linked to oxidative stress in both humans and avian species. Inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress accelerate telomere shortening.

Accelerated telomere attrition, in turn, is associated with premature aging and an increase in the risk of mortality for several diseases including cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal diseases. The length of telomeres has significant implications in the health of both humans and in wildlife. Here we ask how telomere length is affected by air pollution in American robins, Turdus migratorius. Based on the relationship between air

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pollution and oxidative stress, we predicted that air pollution would be negatively correlated with telomere length. Air pollution data was collected using passive air samplers in Louisville as part of the Green Heart Louisville study. We caught the birds using mist nets, we collected blood samples, extracted DNA, and used qPCR to assess telomere length. In this presentation, we will report on the relationship between telomeres and NO2 and UFP pollution.

Old vs. New: An Experiment on the Efficacy of Complexity-focused Reproductive Biology Lectures for Undergraduate Biology Students ● Author(s): Ive N. Muse, Shraddha Patel, Linda Fuselier ● Disciplines: Developmental Biology | Integrative Biology ● Abstract: Undergraduate reproductive biology courses are traditionally taught in a reductive manner, prioritizing a binary understanding of sex which oversimplifies reproductive behaviors and reproductive system development across diverse taxa.

Although this binary approach to lessons on reproduction is intended to benefit students in learning foundational human reproductive concepts, it does not teach the most recent research in reproductive biology, which identifies reproductive variation as the norm. We designed and implemented a lesson on reproductive biology informed by the most current and accurate research and compared it to a traditionally taught biology lecture for first year majors. Students who received the experimental lesson overall developed a more nuanced understanding of reproductive biology than students who received the control lecture. They were more likely to identify several factors as responsible for sex determination and recognize species-specific processes. Though we predicted participants from the experimental group would be less likely to conflate sex with gender, we identified no statistical significance.

An Analysis of Active Galactic Nuclei in Diverse Galactic Environments ● Author(s): Divya A. Patel, Clayton Robertston, Dr. Benne Holwerda ● Disciplines: Astrophysics and Astronomy ● Abstract: We examine the active galactic nuclei (AGNs), where the active supermassive black holes reside. Using the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey data, our main goal is to search three regions of space—filament, tendril, and void space—for AGNs. Active black holes are notorious for their violent activities through space, as they intensely spew out amounts of matter. Such behavior can be observed using the BaldwinPhilips-Terlevich (BPT) diagrams, which use ratios of emission lines to understand the astrophysical characteristics of various objects. To enhance the precision of our BPT diagrams, we focus on the red part of the spectrum, which minimizes the confounding effect caused by dust. Additionally, we employ a single-to-noise ratio (S/N) greater than 3, which discards unreliable data and improves accuracy. In this research, we aim to

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investigate the causes behind the higher concentration of black holes in one type of surroundings compared to the other. This requires a thorough examination of the galactic surroundings using various physical and statistical techniques. In particular, this helps us understand the morphology of neighboring galaxies and stars. The analysis of data suggests that the ratio of AGNs to galaxies remains approximately the same in all three environments. This opens a room for questions on why the void space, where there are fewer galactic interactions, maintains the same ratio of AGNs to galaxies.

An fMRI Analysis of the Subjective Experience of Recent and Remote Autobiographical Memories ● Author(s): Ava Peruski, Brendan E. Depue ● Disciplines: Cognitive Psychology ● Abstract: Autobiographical memory plays a crucial role in shaping one’s identity and maintaining one’s sense of continuity from past to present. This study strove to deepen the understanding of the neural correlates underlying individual subjective experience of autobiographical memory. We recruited twenty healthy adult participants, who were asked to generate memory cues for both objects and locations from their present and early life (recent/remote). Participants were subsequently shown these cues and asked to recall the associated memory while in an fMRI scanner. Participants were finally asked to rate the memories on various subjective categories (i.e. arousal, frequency, importance, vividness)(behavioral ratings). Our hypotheses considered: 1) behavioral ratings would be greater for recent, than remote memories. 2) that there would be greater overall activation in the lateral prefrontal cortex, (LPFC) with earlier memories, compared to recent memories, due to increased effort. 3) additionally, that there would be more sensory cortical activity (e.g., ventral/dorsal visual stream) in recent memories, due to more recent activation. In terms of behavioral ratings, we confirmed out hypothesis; that recent memories tended to be rated higher in subjective categories than early memories.

In terms of fMRI data, we found there was greater overall activation for location memory compared to object memory, as well as confirming our hypothesis for regarding: greater overall activation for recent memories compared to earlier memories. We additionally found that increased ratings for several factors, most significantly arousal, of recent memories may relate to increased functional connectivity between the LPFC, hippocampus and visual cortex. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found greater overall activation for LPFC during recent memory retrieval, as opposed to early memories; our findings suggesting that arousal may play a part in this increased activation for recent memories.

Assessing the Bioactivity of Salvia Phytochemicals Against Breast Cancers ● Author(s): Allison C. Portaro, Jared Scott, David Schultz

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● Disciplines: Biochemistry | Molecular Biology ● Abstract: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in adults, with 2.3 million new cases worldwide in 2020. Plants have been used in traditional medicine and are a potential source of pharmaceuticals. One example is the large Lamiaceae(mint) family. The Salvia genus, commonly known as the sages, is the largest genus in Lamiaceae with almost 900 known species. Different species of salvia are found in parts of the US, and some have a history in traditional medicine to treat cancers and other ailments. Preliminary research on three salvia species (S. lyrata, S. lyrata var. Purple Knockout, and Salvia officinalis) revealed potent anticancer activity in the leaves of S. officinalis (common sage) and moderate activity in S. lyrata.The triple-negative breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, was impacted most between three breast cancer cell lines assayed. To expand upon these findings, acid hydrolysis was also employed to remove glycosides and thus influence extract polarity, and the potential for acid hydrolysis to increase antiproliferation activity was assayed. Acid hydrolysis increased the anticancer activity of S. officinalis in the T-47D cell line. Compounds were identified with highperformance liquid-chromatography (HPLC) and gas-chromatography paired with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Salvia contains many different phenolic compounds, some of which have been found to have anticancer activity. Once active biomolecules were identified, the antiproliferation activity of specific isolated biomolecules was assayed, and luteolin and apigenin were found to have the greatest anticancer activity of the phenolic compounds tested against the MDA-MB-231 and T-47D cell lines.

The Effects of Autophagy Inhibition and Overexpression on the Drosophilia Testis Stem Cell Niche ● Author(s): Ayog Prasad, Rafael Demarco ● Disciplines: Biochemistry | Biology | Cell Biology | Molecular Biology | Structural Biology ● Abstract: Adult or tissue-resident stem cells are long-lasting progenitor cells that can maintain tissues and organs throughout life. Stem cells reside in specific microenvironments, called niches, which are important for the secretion of factors required to control stem cell maintenance and activity. Because they are long lived, stem cells must employ intracellular mechanisms to ensure their quality over time.

Autophagy is a cellular quality control mechanism through which components are targeted for recycling to maintain a pristine pool of molecules and organelles inside.

Using the stem cell model present in the Drosophila melanogaster testis niche, our lab has shown that autophagy is required in cyst stem cells for their maintenance and activity.

However, the role of autophagy in the testis niche cells has not been studied yet.

In our project, we are assessing the role of autophagy in niche cell maintenance and function. Using a cell-specific approach, we are depleting the autophagy initiator gene

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Atg1 to determine if autophagy is required in niche cells. In addition, we are overexpressing Atg1 specifically in niche cells throughout the lifetime of the fly to assess if autophagy is sufficient to prevent the age-related decrease in niche function and consequent decay in stem cell maintenance.

Our results will shed light in the understanding of how niche cells are controlled throughout life to support the maintenance and function of stem cells.

Greenspace variation and its effect on telomere length in the American Robin DNA • • •

Author(s): Rodriguez-Munoz, Valentina; Mittlestat, Elise ; Dr. Abolins-Abols Disciplines: Integrative Biology Abstract: Green spaces is a crucial component of our environment, and a contributor to relieving stress in human and wildlife health. Stress is one of the causing factors for a shorter lifespan in humans and other animals by directly accelerating the shortening length of the telomeres in our DNA. In this study we investigated to what extent urban vegetation explain telomere length in the American Robins Turdus migratorius living in the Louisville area. Specifically, we predicted that lower amount of vegetation will be associated with shorter telomeres. We caught the birds using mist nets, we collected blood samples, extracted DNA, and used qPCR to assess telomere length. Greenness was assessed using LIDAR and satellite imaging. We used the Green Heart Louisville LIDAR-derived leaf area index (LAI) as an estimate of total leaf area, and satellitederived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to assess overall greenness. In this presentation, we will report on the relationship between telomeres and urban greenness.

Age-related lipid accumulation promotes loss of homeostasis in the male germline stem cell niche through niche-to-stem cell conversion ● Author(s): Will Sanders, Mia Forsythe, Suleman Khan, Sophia Parker, Chloe Cuzzupe, Rafael Demarco ● Disciplines: Not Listed ● Abstract: The capacity of stem cells to self-renew or differentiate has been attributed to distinct metabolic states. In the Drosophila testis, we have shown that both germline stem cells (GSCs) and somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs) employ strategies to control lipid levels to promote stem cell maintenance. When lipid catabolism is impaired, neutral lipids accumulate in lipid droplets (LDs) and GSCs and CySCs exit the niche to differentiate, suggesting a role for lipid metabolism in the control of stem cell maintenance versus differentiation. However, the precise mechanisms involved in the loss of stem cell homeostasis triggered by lipid accumulation remains unknown.

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In the testis, both niche and stem cell number decreases with age. Recent data from our lab shows that LDs accumulated with age in “hub” cells, a main component of the stem cell niche in the testis. Downregulation of the lipogenesis factor sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) prevented LD accumulation in hub cells from older individuals, while ectopic activation of SREBP caused hub cell loss through their conversion into CySCs. Furthermore, SREBP activation downregulated the levels of Escargot, a member of the Snail family of transcription factors involved in hub maintenance. While some mechanisms have been described to contribute to the conversion of hub cells into stem cells, this is the first time that a lipid metabolism gene has been implicated in such phenomenon. Our findings highlight a critical role for lipid homeostasis in stem cell maintenance, providing a framework for investigating the impact of aging and metabolic diseases on stem cell function and tissue homeostasis.

How Medical Students Address Mental Health during Standardized Patient Interactions ● Author(s): Bhoomi Shah, Laura Weingartner, Emily J. Noonan ● Disciplines: Biology ● Abstract: BACKGROUND: As mental health needs are increasingly recognized around the world, it has become an increasingly important topic within medical education to ensure that medical professionals are well-prepared to address these concerns and provide adequate mental health care to patients. Our research examines the language that medical students used to assess and address mental health concerns during clinical skills training.

METHODS: We observed standardized patient interactions with 85 medical students from the University of Louisville School of Medicine completing a new patient history.

We coded verbal discussions of mental health, including topics discussed, empathetic language, questioning techniques, student recommendations, and connections to external factors influencing mental health.

RESULTS: Mental health was discussed in 57 encounters (67%). Our analysis of these discussions revealed that empathetic language was used in 33 encounters (58%), openended questions were asked in 37 encounters (65%), and close-ended questions were asked in 49 encounters (86%). However, student recommendations regarding mental health concerns were only offered in 10 encounters (18%), and the student made connections to external factors that influence mental health were made in only 2 encounters (4%).

DISCUSSION: Medical students demonstrated strengths and areas for improvement in their engagement with mental health topics during patient interactions. While they show sensitivity and willingness to discuss mental health, more students should provide comprehensive care, including giving recommendations and articulating external factors.

These findings reinforce the importance of integrating more robust mental health

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education into medical curricula. Next steps could involve targeted training interventions to enhance students' skills in addressing mental health concerns.

Developing Racial Centrality: Examining Impacts of Neighborhood-Level Racial Composition ● Author(s): Malyah A. Spencer, Shequanna Belizaire, Yara Mekawi ● Disciplines: Clinical Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences ● Abstract: Racial identity among Black Americans has been a topic of psychological study in the United States for decades (Sellers et al., 1997, Sellers & Shelton, 2003, Chin et al., 2023). However, there is not ample research on what factors are associated with racial identity. In the literature on racial identity, there is some evidence that the racial composition of a neighborhood may impact racial identity development (Banks, 1984, Franklin-Jackson et al., 2007, Hurd et al., 2013, Deangelis, 2022) however, few studies have attempted to examine this relationship across a broader national sample with a focus specifically on racial centrality. Racial centrality refers to the dominance of a person’s race to their self-concept and how close an individual holds their racial identity to the core part of their being. (Sellers et al., 1997, Cokley & Helm, 2001). Data from a larger study (n=226) were used to conduct correlational analyses between the percentage of Black Americans living in a participant's zip code and the participant's rating of their racial centrality. The measures used include the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity (Sellers et al., 1997), the participants’ zip-codes, and the demographic U.S. census data for corresponding neighborhoods. The results yielded a non-significant relationship between racial centrality and demographic composition of participant's zip code (r=.01, p=.90). These unexpected results indicate that there may be other, more significant, factors that contribute to racial identity. Further qualitative and quantitative research is required to identify such factors, particularly those which require various systems level interventions to support the identity development of Black Americans.

The impact of air pollution on the cardiovascular system in American Robins: NO2 levels' and Ultrafine Particulate levels' correlation to the ratio of immature to mature erythrocytes ● Author(s): Lauren A. Stine, Mikus Abolins-Abols ● Disciplines: Biology ● Abstract: Humans and animals, especially in an urban environment, are constantly ingesting air pollution. Since the industrial lifestyle is preferred or simply mandatory for many, the exact impacts of concentrated air pollution ingestion, especially on the cardiovascular system, needs to be unambiguous. It has already been seen that high levels of exposure to air pollution are correlated with increased rates of anemia in humans (Honda et al., 2017), (Morales-Ancajima et al., 2019), (Elbarbary et al., 2020), (Mehta et

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al., 2021). Further data indicates that air pollution ingestion may even directly cause some detrimental pro-inflammatory and oxidant-inducing effects on the cardiovascular system which may lead to anemia (Hwang & Kim, 2024). The long-term effects of vascular stress, like anemia, can be life-threatening. Anemia can increase the risk for lethal problems like arrhythmia, enlarged heart and heart failure (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). In this study, we analyzed how two specific key measures of air pollution, NO2 concentration and Ultrafine Particulates (UFP) concentration, correlated with vascular stress in a common bird species, American Robins. The UFP data and NO2 data was found using passive air samplers in the study area as part of the Green Heart Louisville study. Vascular stress was quantified using an observed ratio of immature:mature red blood cells. This ratio is indicative of the rate at which new blood cells were formed and is an indicator of anemia, a form of vascular stress (Malvat et al., 2020). These ratios were obtained from blood smears made from adult American Robins captured in mist nets, May-June 2022. Pictures of the blood smears were taken using the MosaicV2.3 software, and the FIJI (is just ImageJ) software was used to manually count the ratio of immature:mature red blood cells. We predicted that NO2 concentration and UFP’s concentration each would have a significant impact on the immature:mature red blood cells ratio. This would indicate that increased air pollution resulted in increased vascular stress.

The Impact of Telepractice on Voice Production in Normal Hearing Children ● Author(s): Rachael Walsh, Yesenia Rodriguez Cruz, Maria Kondaurova ● Disciplines: Applied Linguistics | Child Psychology | First and Second Language Acquisition | Psychology ● Abstract: Telepractice is a growing service model that delivers aural rehabilitation services to deaf and hard of hearing children at a distance via telecommunications technology. Research suggests that when there is a physical barrier in communication there is an increase in vocal effort in children with and without hearing loss. The aim of the current study is to examine the effect of telepractice on voice production in normalhearing (NH) children to enhance intervention effectiveness. Ten normal-hearing children (mean age = 10.4 years, age range 8-12 years) came to participate in four sessions, 2 inperson and 2 tele, order counterbalanced. Each session lasted 30 minutes. During inperson sessions, children and the experimenter sat opposite each other at the table.

During tele sessions, children sat at a table in a soundproof booth before a laptop while the experimenter sat at a table outside the booth before a desktop. At each session the experimenter asked the child to count from 1 to 25, read 10 words and 10 sentences and describe a picture. All sessions were audio and video recorded. F0 mean [Hz], F0 range [Hz] and intensity [dB SPL] were measured in each child utterance. The results demonstrated that children produced a significantly higher F0 mean, a less expanded F0 range, and a higher intensity in tele compared to in person sessions. F0 range was

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significantly more expanded in sentence and picture tasks compared to count and word tasks across sessions. Intensity was more expanded in picture, sentence, and word tasks compared to count task across sessions. The results suggest that vocal characteristics in school-aged normal hearing children were affected when using remote compared to in person communication. This may impact the telepractice delivery of aural rehabilitation services in pediatric populations with and without hearing loss.

Cumin Seed Extracts Can Affect the Expression of p53 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer ● Author(s): Krista A. Wheeler, Jared L. Scott, David Schultz ● Disciplines: Cancer Biology ● Abstract: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death amoung women after heart disease. One of the deadliest types of breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), is resistant to many chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapeutics that can inhibit TNBC growth are needed to combat this form of cancer. Historically, natural compounds found in plants have been studied for their effectiveness at limiting cancer cell growth while also reducing negative side effects due to lower toxicity to healthy cells. Many chemotherapeutics have serious side effects that can result in reduced treatment compliance, often leading to the recurrence of more aggressive and recalcitrant cancer.

Cumin, a culinary spice harvested from Cuminum cyminum, has exhibited anticancer bioactivities in TNBC. Our lab produced an acid-hydrolyzed (AH) extract with increased anticancer activity and employed a nanoparticle delivery system to try and enhance the delivery of cumin phytochemicals. MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) cells were exposed to inhibitory concentrations of AH-cumin extracts and AH-cumin extract nanoparticle formulations. Transcripts of p53 (a tumor suppressor involved in apoptosis) were measured using RT-qPCR and compared using the ΔΔCt method with GAPDH as a reference housekeeping gene. p53 transcripts were significantly reduced in the extract treatment, but nanoparticle formulations were not significantly different than controls.

Serving the Voiceless: Investigating Local Organizations for Immigrant Empowerment ● Author(s): Aliyah Whitfield, Kiya Demps, Chance Brown, Daniel Kabithe, Acia Diallo ● Disciplines: Civic and Community Engagement | Community-Based Research | Nonprofit Studies ● Abstract: This research project delves into the landscape of community organizations that serve the immigrant population in Louisville, Kentucky, focusing on 6 key entities: La Casita Center, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Catholic Charities of Louisville, English Conversation Club, Backside Learning Center, and American Community Center.

Through a combination of interviews, phone calls and research, we discovered the roles, missions, and offered services by each organization. Through these methods, we identified some of the critical needs within the immigrant community and examined how

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these organizations address them. Additionally, we discovered that not only did our research highlight the importance of the services provided, but illuminated areas that require broader attention. All in all, our findings signify the notable contributions each of these organizations employ for the immigrant population, thereby promoting a more connected and resilient Louisville collective.

Exploratory Learning Improves Conceptual Knowledge and Can Eliminate Underrepresented Student Achievement Gaps in Physics ● Author(s): Caroline Wilson ● Disciplines: Not Listed ● Abstract: Exploratory learning introduces students to a novel problem before they receive instruction about the procedures and concepts. Active learning has sometimes been found to support underrepresented (UR) students in STEM. As a form of active learning, exploratory learning may also have this benefit for UR students. In this study, we looked at how exploratory learning can improve conceptual understanding and reduce the achievement gap between UR students and non-UR students in an undergraduate physics course. We randomly assigned students (N=185) into two groups: instruct first (n=89) or explore-first (n=96). In instruct-first, students listened to a lecture before completing a learning activity. In explore-first, students completed the learning activity prior to listening to the lecture. After this, the rest of the format was the same across conditions, and students completed an activity review, survey, and posttest. Students in the explorefirst condition had higher conceptual knowledge scores than students in the instruct-first condition. Additionally, an achievement gap that was present in the instruct-first condition between underrepresented students and non-underrepresented students disappeared in the explore-first condition. This shows that all students, and especially UR students, learned the concepts better in the exploratory learning condition. By using exploratory learning as opposed to traditional formats, we were able to eliminate the achievement gap between UR and non-UR students. Future research can be conducted on the role professor’s biases and teaching styles play in this.

Effects of Sex, Cadmium, and High-Fat Diet on Absorption of Essential Metals in Mouse Kidneys. ● Author(s): Justin Y. Xu, Adam Gaweda, Michelle Barati, Micheal Merchant, Jun Cai, Lu Cai, Madhavi J. Rane ● Disciplines: Not Listed ● Abstract: Effects of cadmium and obesity on absorption of essential metals in mouse kidney were evaluated. Starting in utero and continuing until 24 weeks postweaning, male/female mice were exposed to cadmium (0, 0.5, or 5 ppm) and were fed on Normal Diet (ND)/High-Fat Diet (HFD) post weaning. ICP-MS analysis was performed to

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evaluate cadmium and essential metals absorbed in the kidneys of aforementioned mice.

Metals data obtained was analyzed using MANOVA with multiple comparisons (Bonferroni correction with p Investigating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-cover crop interactions to improve sustainable agricultural practices ● Author(s): Isabel M. Zanartu, Connor Morozumi, Natalie Christian ● Disciplines: Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology | Laboratory and Basic Science Research ● Abstract: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are fungal species that form beneficial relationships with plants. AMFs are known to help crops acquire important nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, and in return the plants provide carbon to the fungi.

At least 80% of all plants partner with AMFs including staple crops such as rice, corn, wheat and soybeans. With so many plants likely relying on AMFs, current farming practices such as planting in monocultures and fallow overwintering may limit these relationships. On top of this, climate change challenges the reliability of these practices in the future. One sustainable agricultural practice relies on the application of cover crops, which are plants grown in off seasons intended to protect fields from soil erosion and loss of nutrients, among other benefits. Previous research has yet to investigate how cover crops and AMF interact to improve field conditions for crops. Here we examined how multispecies mixes of cover crops interacted with multiple strains of AMF to effect cover crop growth in a greenhouse experiment. While efforts to identify AMF inoculation uptake within each cover crop species is still underway, we found large differences in total productivity of cover crop species in response to different suites of AMF strains.

Understanding AMFs’ impact on plant ecosystems can support ongoing efforts to create more sustainable methods for agriculture.