11 minute read
2024–25 Theses Defended
Summer 2024
Lauren Tyler
Art
“A Creative Exploration of Hyper Femininity as a Rejection of the Male Gaze”
Mark McLeod, thesis advisor
Fall 2024
Malak Abdelrahman
Biochemistry
“The Effects of Antibiotic-Oxytocin Interactions on Social and Motivational Behavior”
Tiffany Rogers, thesis advisor
Katrina Aguilar
Political Science
“The Rhetoric of Restriction: A Content Analysis of Voter Identification Laws in Local News and Political Discourse in Tennessee”
Kent Syler, thesis advisorAldana Lira
Carlos Aldana Lira
Computer Science
“Qualifying Novices’ Conceptual Resources in Computer Science I”
Tasha Frick, thesis advisor
Eden Anderson
Biochemistry
“Detecting Estrogen Pollution in the Stones River Waterways using the Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES)”
Rebecca Seipelt-Thiemann, thesis advisor
Hannah Antrican
Psychology/Sociology
“Eco-Anxiety and Pro-Environmental Behaviors in College Students”
Angela Mertig, thesis advisor
Samuel Apigian
Mechatronics Engineering
“Revolutionizing Cooking with Induction Heating Stovetops: Unveiling the Benefits, Design Considerations and Nationwide Integration Strategy”
Elisabeth Bean
Plant and Soil Science
“Providing for the Increasing Human Population: Soils’ Sustainability and Potential Must be Maintained and Replenished for Increased Food Production”
Samuel Haruna, thesis advisor
Teagan Blohm
Graphic Design
“Public Service Announcement Campaign on the Microplastic Pollution of the Tennessee River”
Erin Anfinson, thesis advisor
Hasset Bogale
Marketing
“The Effects of Country’s Socioeconomic Status on its Citizens’ Health”
Aaron Gamino, thesis advisor
Kenneth Boyd
Accounting
“A Room Full of Noise: A Children’s Book that Encourages Young Musicians to Persevere”
Joan McRae, thesis advisor
Madison Burrei
Management and Leadership
“Targeting Young Minds: The Role of Fast Food Ads in Childhood Obesity”
Sherry Roberts, thesis advisor
Emmalee Chance
Psychology
“Understanding the Societal, Disciplinary, and Phenotypic Factors Contributing to Hindered Diagnosis of Autism in Women”
Ann Galizio, thesis advisor
Rashieq Cockerham
Biology
“Characteristics of the Structure and Selected Biological Activities of Polysaccharides Isolated from Fedora 17 Hemp (Cannabis sativa)”
Paul Kline, thesis advisor
Elizabeth Counts
Nutrition and Food Science
“Examining Processed Foods in Food Banks and the Presence of Chronic Diseases in Food Bank Clientele”
Elizabeth Smith, thesis advisor
Andrew England
Biology (Microbiology)
“Assessment of Fetal Liver-Derived Alveolar-Like Macrophages (FLAMs) to Validate as a New Model for Studying C. neoformans Respiratory Infection”
David Nelson, thesis advisor
Alyssa Forbes
English/Applied Language – French
“The Current Failures of Title IX in Collegiate Athletics and the Modern, NIL Era Solutions”
Ron Kates, thesis advisor
Miriam Galindo
Economics
“Exploring the Connection Between Game-Based Learning, Social and Emotional Learning, and Critical Thinking through Tabletop Role-Playing Games”
Eric Detweiler, thesis advisor
Gresham Groves
Psychology
“Applying a Multi-Dimensional Memory Model to Experience to Observe How Components of Experience Might Mediate the Relationship Between Personality and Christian Beliefs”
William Langston, thesis advisor
Hannah Harris
Chemistry, thesis advisor
“Bioluminescence of Firefly Luciferase in the Presence of Biologically Relevant Cations”
James Robertson, thesis advisor
Hailey Harrison
Aerospace (Professional Pilot/ Flight Dispatch)
“Air Race Classic Ground Crew Manual”
Peter Neff, thesis advisor
Rand Hasan
Biochemistry
“Synthesis and Evaluation of Polyaspartate Peptoid Polymers against Pseudomonas aeruginosa”
Kevin Bicker, thesis advisor
Elauna Hicks
Anthropology
“Assessment of MorphoPASSE Software for Undergraduate Forensic Anthropology Education: Integrating Sex Estimation Technology into the Classroom”
Shannon Hodge, thesis advisor
Martha Huertas
Recording Industry (Commercial Songwriting)
“Nena: Creating Genre-Blending and Innovative Music”
Jamie Teachenor, thesis advisor
Hannah “Jo” Kadzban
Video and Film Production
“Identification with the Weapon: Sword Angel”
Leland Gregory, thesis advisor
Sevinch Kamaridinova
Biology
“Targeted RNA Interference Screen to Identify Novel Modifiers of Huntington’s Disease Impact on Adult Viability in Drosophila”
Kiel Ormerod, thesis advisor
Cedra Kamel
Biology
“Regulation of CITED1 Transcriptional Activity by Phosphorylation”
David Nelson, thesis advisor
David Kiely
Biology
“Capitalizing on Curiosity: Putting Chemistry on Display”
Amy Phelps, thesis advisor
Lillian Laman
History
“Too Little, Too Late? Japanese Americans’ Views on Redress and Reparations”
Ashley Valanzola, thesis advisor
Josalyn Mandujano Cervantes
Information Systems
“The Start of a Small Business: Providing an In-Depth Look at the Start of a Small Business that Specializes in Handmade Goods”
Amelia Bozeman, thesis advisor
Tyler Martin
Marketing
“How Sustainable Branding of Grocery Foods Affects the Shopping Habits of Gen-Z Undergraduate Students”
Diane Edmondson, thesis advisor
Caleb McCall
Audio Production
“Lo-Fi Recording: A Historical Exploration of the Sound and Genre”
Trevor de Clercq, thesis advisor
Gyllian Mullen
Music Business
“Road Warriors: DIY Artists and Touring as Independent Promotion”
Gloria Green, thesis advisor
Caleb Peluso-Harper
Business Administration
“Reimagining the ‘Femme Fatale’ Trope Through a Cinematic Subtext: Fatale”
Claudia Barnett, thesis advisor
Jake Phipps
Video and Film Production
“Re-Repetitive: A Short Film Script Based on Retail Workers’ Mental Health Struggles in the Recovery Stages of COVID-19”
Leland Gregory, thesis advisor
Matthew Pierce
Religious Studies/Philosophy
“Faithful Films: An Exploration of Habitus and Implicit Functionality in Recent Evangelical Cinema”
Rebekka King, thesis advisor
Averill Reed
Nutrition and Food Science (Dietetics)
“Campus Cravings: Recipes for the Homesick Student”
Cindy Ayers, thesis advisor
Thomas Samir
Biochemistry
“Probing the Structural Requirements for the Binding of Aurones to ATP”
Scott Handy, thesis advisor
Ethan Schmidt
Journalism
“Independent Political Podcasts: The Band-Aid for the U.S. News Media Industry’s Bullet Wound”
Christine Eschenfelder, thesis advisor
Laura Schroeder
Elementary Education
“The Positive Effects of Implementing a Variety of Teaching Approaches in the Classroom”
Katherine Mangione, thesis advisor
Meredith Taft
Audio Production
“A Guide to Rerecording One’s Music: A Taylor Swift Case Study”
Michael Hanson, thesis advisor
Ian Tatum
Computer Science
“Macro-Driven Virtualization of Rust Binaries”
Arpan Sainju, thesis advisor
Bereket Tegistesillassie
Mechatronics Engineering
“The Capabilities of Various Search Algorithms and Design of a Micromouse Robot”
Vishwas Bedekar, thesis advisor
Kendall Thirakul
International Relations
Twitter (X) Under Elon Musk and Political Polarization Among University Students”
Robb McDaniel, thesis advisor
Zachary Thomas
Audio Production
“The Voice of the Heart: Expressing the Eight Core Emotions Through Song—A Creative Thesis”
Bess Rogers, thesis advisor
Benjamin Tscheschlok
Political Science/German
“Tech Bro Messiahs: How Tech Billionaires Are Spearheading Late-Stage Reactionary Politics”
Robb McDaniel, thesis advisor
Samantha Viarengo
Sociology (Criminology)
“Intimate Partner Violence from the Viewpoint of the Abuser”
Meredith Dye, thesis advisor
Christina Vongsiharath
Music Industry
“Transmission of Traditional Lao Folk Music from Central Laos to the United States of America”
Mei Han, thesis advisor
Grey Warren
History
“The Danger of Blindly Following Madison: The Impending Downfall of the Nation if It Continues to Turn a Blind Eye to Factions”
John R. Vile, thesis advisor
Spring 2025
Arianna Alvarez
Psychology
“The Lack of Diversity and Minority Voices in the Psychology Workforce: An Investigation of Barriers and Stigmas for Minority Groups Pursuing Careers in Psychology”
Judith Van Hein, thesis advisor
Ananya Arcot
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
“Visual Language Input Improving Vocabulary Learning in College Students: A Comparison of the Effects of Audiovisual, Visual, and Orthographic Input”
Meghan Wendelken, thesis advisor
Emily Caudill
Forensic Science
“Taphonomic Processes Etch Bones: An Experimental Look at Plant Root Etchings on Bovine Bones”
Shannon Hodge, thesis advisor
Muny Chet
Chemistry
“Determining Trophic Movement of Cyanotoxins in an Aquatic System”
Frank Bailey, thesis advisor
Colman Connolly
Audio Production/Data Science
“Michael Coleman and Irish Music’s Early Cultural and Sonic Fidelity: A Creative Remix”
Daniel Rowland, thesis advisor
Casey Epting
Biochemistry
“Characterizing the Healthcare Experiences of Karen Migrants to Middle Tennessee”
Laura Clark, thesis advisor
Jaymes Garcia
Recording Industry (Music Business)
“The Iliad: An Orchestration”
Eunbyol Ko, thesis advisor
Jenene Grover
Journalism
“The Impeachment Process: Partisanship, Polarization, Partisan Press, and the Integrity of the Presidency”
Michael Federici, thesis advisor
Jael Guest
French
“Representation of the American South and Its Dialect in Popular Media”
Mohammed Albakry, thesis advisor
Stephanie Hall
Media Studies
“If You Will: An Exploration of Gender Expression through Comedy in a Modern Retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night”
Claudia Barnett, thesis advisor
Madelyn Hansen
Theatre
“Disability Inclusion in Professional Theatre and the Ethics of Casting Disabled Roles”
Lauren Shouse, thesis advisor
Nathaniel Harrison
Accounting
“A Comprehensive REALTOR® Business Plan: Blending Industry Insights and Academic Research”
Joshua Aaron, thesis advisor
Cadee Havard
Music Industry
“Throughline: Documenting the Third Space Created in Nashville’s Grassroots Music Scene through Oral History and Film Photography”
Michelle Conceison, thesis advisor
Delana Howard
Integrated Studies
“Female Rage on TikTok Builds Female Empowerment: The Evolution of Feminism in the Digital Age”
Amy Aldridge, thesis advisor
Aykut Iri
Finance
“Partnership 2020 and Foreign Direct Investment: The Growth of International Businesses in the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area”
Murat Arik, thesis advisor
Mera Ishak
Biochemistry
“Exploring How Undergraduate Science Majors Define a ‘Science Person’ and a ‘Scientist’ and How These Definitions Fit into Their Science Identities”
Katy Hosbein, thesis advisor
Isabel Jacober
Psychology
“Oxytocin’s Context-Dependent Effects on Maternal Motivation in Mice as Measured by the Ladder Task”
Tiffany Rogers, thesis advisor
Esmé Keszler
Animal Science/Science (General Science)
“Nutritional Value and Rumen Degradability of Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) in the Bovine”
Kevin Downs, thesis advisor
Deanna Lack
Religious Studies/Sociology
“Proclaiming Release: A Timeline of Religion and Abolition in Historical and Modern American Contexts”
Ashleigh McKinzie, thesis advisor
Ella Lancaster
Psychology/Public Writing and Rhetoric
“Father Figure Involvement on Identity Security in Young Adults” Megan Zeringue, thesis advisor
Jonathan Magdy
Biology
“Lead Optimization of MTL1-44 for Antibacterial Efficacy Against Staphylococcus aureus”
Kevin Bicker, thesis advisor
Jaelin McKethan
Computer Science
“What is My Purpose?: A Game Design Document for the Start of a Gaming Franchise”
Eric Detweiler, thesis advisor
Isaac Puckett
Biochemistry
“Comparison of Amino Acid-Catalyzed Reaction Options for the Knoevenagel Condensation”
Scott Handy, thesis advisor
Rada Ryan
Visual Art
“Spirituality: A Forgotten Art”
Paige Medlock, thesis advisor
Jacob Salter
Computer Science
“Lowering the Energy Consumption of Pose Estimation: Multi-Device Dynamic Offloading of Voxel-Based 3D Human Pose Estimation”
Letian Zhang, thesis advisor
Wyeth Shawl
Communication
“The Owl House: Representation, Resonance, and Reciprocation”
Roberta Chevrette, thesis advisor
Joshua Sheets
Accounting
“Implementation of AI to Prevent and Detect Government Fraud”
Andrea Kelton, thesis advisor
Kyra Siciliano
Theatre
“A Director’s Process: Macbeth Noir”
Lauren Shouse, thesis advisor
Gita Swaminathan
Mechatronics Engineering
“An Inquiry into Memristors: Applications, Prospects for High-Volume Production & Market Forecast”
Antonio Saavedra, thesis advisor
John Tate
Video and Film Production
“From Japan to Tennessee: Producing a Japanese-Style Game Show in America”
Robert Gordon, thesis advisor
Allison Throm
Biology
“Interplay Between Pain, Age, and Cognition: Exploring Attentional and Neurophysiological Outcomes from Visual Search and RestingState Electroencephalography”
James Houston, thesis advisor
Joshua Wheaton
Computer Science
“Using AI to Identify Depression on Social Media”
Jaishree Ranganathan, thesis advisor
Olivia Wynne-Dossat
Marketing
“Introduction of Authors of Self-Published Books into Reading Development: An Additional and Beneficial Source of Children’s Enrichment”
Sherry Roberts, thesis advisor
