2023 Showcase Abstract Book

2022-2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Gatton Student Center Ballroom

1:00 – 5:00 PM

3:00 - 3:30 PM Award Ceremony

Opening Remarks and Moderators

Dr. Chad Risko

, Faculty Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research

Welcome

Dr. Rodney Andrews, Senior Associate Vice President for Research and Director of the Center for Applied Energy Research

Presentation of the Excellent Research Ambassador Awards

Dr. Rodney Andrews

Presentation of the Faculty Mentor of the Year Awards

Student Representatives

Closing Remarks

Student Research Ambassadors

Reception to follow

Poster Presentations (Ballroom)

Oral Presentations

Table Presentations (Ballroom) (Third Floor - Room 330A, Room 330B)

Faculty Mentor of the Year Nominees

Christal Badour Psychology Dietetics & Human Nutrition

Makenzie Barr

Molly Blasing Modern & Classical Languages; Literatures & Cultures

Gosia Chwatko Chemical & Materials Engineering Health Management & Policy

Julia Costich

Health Behaviors & Society

Sarah Cprek Christopher Crawford Physics & Astronomy Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

John D'Orazio

Brian Delisle Physiology

Rachel Farr Psychology

Christopher Fry Athletic Training

Eva Goellner Toxicology & Cancer Biology

Yosra Helmy Veterinary Science

Martha Grady Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Gregory Graf Physiology

Brad Hubbard Physiology

Mattew Kim Psychology

Daniel Lee Neuroscience

Michael Paul Murphy Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Martin Nielsen Gluck Equine Research Center

Previous

MENTOROFTHEYEAR MENTOROFTHEYEAR

Pavel Ortinski Neuroscience

Jennifer Osterhage Biology

Kimberly Parker Integrated Strategic Communication

Kevin Pearson Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Christopher Pool Anthropology

Carlos Rodriguez Lopez Horticulture

Jeanmarie Rouhier-Willoughby Linguistics, Russian, Folklore & Mythology

Kathryn Saatman Physiology

Jessica Sontollo Biology

Shannon Sauer-Zavala Psychology

Maj-Linda Selenica Biochemistry Psychology

Pooja Sidney

David Van Sanford Plant and Soil Sciences

Richard Waterman Political Science

Kevin Yeager Earth & Environmental Sciences

Clare Rittschof Entomology

AWARDWINNERS AWARDWINNERS

DR.LUKEBRADLEY

DR.ROBINCOOPER

DR.SARAHD'ORAZIO

DR.JONATHANGOLDING

DR.DAVIDRODGERS

ORAL PRESENTATION SCHEDULE

SESSION 1 ORAL PRESENTATIONS

1-2:30PM|GATTONSTUDENTCENTER3RDFLOOR

**Notethattimesaretentative.Studentsmaynotusethefulltimeallottedsobepreparedtopresentearly. Room

SESSION 2 ORAL PRESENTATIONS

3:30-5:00PM|GATTONSTUDENTCENTER3RDFLOOR Room

**Notethattimesaretentative.Studentsmaynotusethefulltimeallotted sobepreparedtopresentearly.

SESSION 1: ORAL ABSTRACTS

THERACEOFHEALTHWORKERSASADETERMINANTOFBLACKWOMEN'SCHILDBEARING EXPERIENCES

Agbozo,PrincessMagor

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CorrineWilliams

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Background/Introduction:BlackwomenhavethehighestratesofmaternalmortalityintheUSandarethreetimesmorelikelyto dieofpregnancyrelatedissuesascomparedtowhitewomen.Ofthemanycausesofthesestatistics,structuralracism,implicit bias,andpoorqualityinhealthcarearecontributingfactorstothedisparitiesblackwomenfacewhenitcomestomaternalhealth (CDC,2022).Thisresearchseekstounderstandwhatthecurrentchildbearingexperiencesofblackwomenareandhowitdiffers accordingtotherace/ethnicityofthehealthworkertakingcareofthem.Methods:Weintendonusingaqualitativeresearch approachbyconductingin-depthinterviewstoexploretheuniquechildbearingexperienceofblackwomeninrelationtothe race/ethnicityofthehealthcareworkerswhocaredforthem.Overall,weplanonrecruitingandinterviewing10blackwomen whohavegivenbirthorareduetogivebirthforabout30to60minutes.Datawillbeanalyzedusingthematicanalyses.Results: Accordingtoliteraturesurroundingthistopic,weanticipatepreliminaryresultstoshowthatblackwomenexperiencedseveral racializedpregnancystigmaandstereotypesrequiringseveralcopingstrategies.Wealsoanticipateblackmotherstoalso comparativelyreportbetterexperiencesincludinghigherlevelsofsatisfaction,perceivedtrustandempathywithblackhealth careprovidersbecauseofracialandethniccommonalities.Conclusions:Thisstudywillcontributeuniqueinsightsaboutthe intersectionsofperceptionsofhealthcareproviders'race/ethnicitywithblackwomen's'livedexperienceofchildbearingcare. Findingsmayalsocontributetopublicdiscourseandinterventionstoaddressracializedpregnancystigmainhealthcareto improvematernalandinfantoutcomesforBlackwomen.

THEEFFECTSOFCOCAINEWITHDRAWALONCOGNITIVEFLEXIBILITYANDCLAUSTRUMACTIVITY

Asadipooya,Artin

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PavelOrtinski

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Cognitiveflexibilityistheabilitytoadaptone'sbehaviorinresponsetoenvironmentalchanges.Withdrawalfrompriorcocaine useimpairscognitiveflexibility,whichcanpromotecocainerelapse.Cocaineactivatesserotoninreceptorsinthebrain,whichmay contributetocognitiveflexibilitydeficits.Asubclassofserotoninreceptors,knownas5HT-2ARs,hypotheticallyimpactscognitive flexibilitybyalteringneuronalactivityintheclaustrum,anunder-studiedbrainregionwithanabundanceof5HT-2ARs.To determinewhethertheexcitabilityofneuronsintheclaustrumareresponsibleforcocaine-inducedcognitiveflexibilitydeficits, theeffectsofcocainewithdrawaloncognitiveflexibilityweretested,anditsimpactsontheactivityofclaustralneuronswere examined.Theeffectsofketanserin,adrugthatblocks5HT-2ARs,ontheclaustrumactivityofsaline-exposedand cocaine-exposedgroupswerealsoinvestigated.Acohortof12Sprague-Dawleyrats(6males,6females)wasinjectedwitha non-pathogenicvirusthatcausesneuronsintheclaustrumtofluoresceduringneuronalactivity.Onegroupof3malesand3 femalesreceived7dailyinjectionsofcocaine,andtheothergroupreceived7dailyinjectionsofsaline.Thestrategyset-shifting taskwasemployedtotestthecognitiveflexibilityofbothgroupsaftera7-daywithdrawalperiod,andwithin24hoursoftheir testing,wide-fieldcalciumimagingwasusedtorecordtheirclaustrumactivityintheabsenceandpresenceofketanserin.No significantcognitiveflexibilitydifferencesbetweenthecocaine-exposedandsaline-exposedgroupswereobserved,suggesting thatcognitive-flexibilitydeficitspotentiallyresolveafter7daysofwithdrawalfromexperimenter-administeredcocaine. Supportingtheroleof5HT-2ARs,calciumimagingdataindicatedastrongerregulationofneuronalexcitabilitybythesereceptors aftercocaineexposure.Futurestudieswillexaminecognitiveflexibilityandserotoninreceptorsatdifferenttimepointsof withdrawalfromexperimenter-administeredcocaineaswellaswithdrawalfromself-administeredcocaine.

SESSION 1: ORAL ABSTRACTS

BENZYLADENINEINCREASESSHOOTFORMATIONFROMRHIZOMESEGMENTSINEUCODONIA ‘ADELE'

Baloh,Anna

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobertGeneve

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

TheornamentalplantEucodonia‘Adele'producesscalyrhizomesasaseasonaloverwinteringstructure.Largerrhizomepieces producedshootsatagreaterpercentagethansmallerrhizomesegments(<2.5-cm).Largerrhizomesegmentswereableto producelongershootsinlesstimecomparedtoshortersegments.However,whenshootformationefficiencywascalculatedas thenumberofpotentialshootsperoriginalstockrhizome,smallerrhizomesegmentsweremoreefficientproducingthreetofour timesasmanyshoots.Rhizomesegments(2.5-cm)thatweresoakedinbenzlyadenine(BA)initiatedapproximately4.0shootsper rhizomein100%ofsegmentscomparedtolessthanoneshootperrhizomein82%ofrhizomesegmentsthatwerenottreated withBA(untreatedandwater-soaked).Thescalyrhizomecontainsamainstem-likecorethatissurroundedbymanyleaf-like scales.Thescalesappeartoactasstoragetissuebasedonthecompositionandpresenceofstarchamyloplasts.Thenewshoots, thatinitiateasaxillaryshoots,formonthecentralcoreatthesamelocationasscaleattachment.Individualscalescanalsoform adventitiousroots,butatamuchlowerfrequency(only25%shootformation).

OBJECTLESSONS:RECOVERINGRUSSIANLITERARYHISTORYINWRITINGANDARTIFACTS

Brazel,Rowan

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MollyBlasing

Discipline: Cultural&LanguageStudies

TheUliandSvetlanaZislinCollectiononMarinaandAnastasiaTsvetaeva,housedintheUniversityofKentuckySpecialCollections Archive,contains10personalitemsbelongingtotheauthorAnastasiaTsvetaeva(1894-1993).Examplesincludeamanuscript pagefromhernovelAmor,aprayerlist,andapairofglassesinacarvedwoodencase.Thispresentationexploresthesignificance oftheseitemsforunderstandingTsvetaeva'slifeandworks.Inparticular,thepresentationconnectstheitemstothreemajor themes:herreligiosityandspirituality,herlifeintheGulag,andherwritingprocessandorganizationsystem.StudyofTsvetaeva's timeintheGulagandexilecanhelpusfurtherunderstandthecomplexitiesandcontradictionsoflivingthroughthisperiodof Soviethistory.

EMPLOYINGMALDI-MSITOLASERINONGLYCOGENMETABOLISMINCANCERDISPARITIES

Buoncristiani,Michael

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RamonSun

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

CancerdisparitieshaveburdenedthemountainsoftheAppalachianregionyearafteryear.Thisregionwithholdsthehighest incidenceandmortalityratesofmultiplecancersintheUnitedStates.Previousinvestigationshaveencompassedthesocial factorsrevolvingaroundthesevastdisparities.Still,thephysiologicaldriversofthesediscrepancieshaveyettobethoroughly investigatedandremainultimatelyunknown.Identifyingbiomarkersandphysiologicalalterationsfosteringthesecancer disparitiescouldleadtobreakthroughsindevelopingpersonalizedmedicinefortheseindividuals.Currentlungcancerstudies haveshownglycogen-storingtumorshaveelevatedratesofgrowthandmetastasis.However,theextensiveconsequencesof abnormalglycogenmetabolismwithinthesetumorsarenotentirelyunderstood.WehaveemployedMatrix-AssistedLaser Desorption/IonizationMassSpectrometryImaging(MALDI-MSI)toexaminemorethan100humantissuespecimensobtained fromtheUniversityofKentuckyMarkeyCancerCentertissuebank.Thesetissuesamplesincludedlungtumorsofvarious subtypesfrombothAppalachianandNon-Appalachianindividuals.Throughanalysis,wehavefoundincreasedlevelsofglycogen accumulationinsamplesobtainedfromAppalachianmaleandfemalepatientscomparedtonon-Appalachianindividuals.We havetakenthesefindingsanddevelopedmurinediseasemodelstofurtherdissectalteredglycogenstorageandmetabolismin lungcancers.Thesedatawillprovideinsightintothealterationsoccurringwithincancersundervariousconditionswehavefound thatindividualsinAppalachiaface.Ourfindingsillustratethenecessityoffurtherinvestigationandthepotentialformore personalizedmedicineandtherapeuticstoimprovetheprognosis,rates,andoutcomesofcancerpatientsintheAppalachian region.Further,wehaveemphasizedthepotentialclinicalapplicationsofMALDI-MSIforenhancedcancerdiagnosis.

AMERICANPLAGUELITERATURE:FEARASCONTAGIONINCHARLESBROCKDENBROWN'SARTHUR MERVYN

Droppleman,Riley

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MichelleSizemore

Discipline: Humanities

Astheworldpushesintothefourthyearoflivinginapandemic,weallarelearninghowtohealfromandinterpretthe experienceofdeathonamassivescale.Throughouthistory,thedevastationofwar,genocide,andplagueshavelefttrauma spanninggenerations,andtheartwork,literature,andmovementsthatemergefromgriefcapturethesemomentsofdestruction andresilience.CharlesBrockdenBrown's1799novelArthurMervyn;or,MemoirsoftheYear1793providesafictionalized accountoftheYellowFeveroutbreakinPhiladelphiain1793,whichmakesitoneoftheearliestexamplesofAmericanplague fiction.Thisresearch,whichactsasasmallsectionofalargerseniorthesis,aimstorevealBrown'sassociationbetweenfearand thediseaseitself,whichbothspreadthroughspacesquicklyanddevastatingly.Withtheaidofarchivalresearchperformedatthe LibraryCompanyofPhiladelphiaandtheHistoricalSocietyofPennsylvania,thisresearchexaminestheeffectsoftheplagueon earlyAmericansocietybothhistoricallyandliterally.Thisstudyalsoemphasizesthedestabilizingpowerofinfectiousdiseaseson urbanspaces,andBrownchroniclestheblurringofrealworldboundariesthroughhisfictionalmedium.Separationbyrace,class, andcareerdisintegratesintimesofcrisis,andfear,rumor,andirrationalityrunrampant.Theupheavalofsocietyintheeyesof Brownrestsontheabilityofonetomaintainreason,andhisnovelexplorestheperpetuityoffearaswellastheimpermanenceof moderninstitutionsinthefaceofdisaster.

SESSION 1: ORAL ABSTRACTS

THEPEOPLEWECARRY:ASATIREABSURDISTNOVELLA

Eplin,Abigail

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BethConnors-Manke,Dr.DustinFaulstick,andDr.KyraHunting

Discipline: Humanities

ThePeopleWeCarryisasatireabsurdistnovellathatunfoldstheeffectsofentertainmentnewsandsocialmediainthe imaginativecityof"Metro-Opolis(popintheop)."Dellaseekstoremaincontentintheworkdayevenafterwitnessingahologram criminaleataninfantonthesubway.Brianisfinallyusinghisgiftingintechnologyworkingat"TotalNews,"thecity's conglomeratenewscompany,butstrugglestoremainfulfilledwhileperfectinghologramtechnologytobetterbroadcast genocide.Vashtiwantstobecomevirtuousby"screencasting"hologramsoutsideofherownculture,butfindsherselfunableto askherselfwhatempathyreallymeans.Jackyearnsforalifeoutsideofhiscashierjobat"Meaty's,"butcan'tthinkofonewhile he'soverexposedtoatrocitieshecan'tinterveneinthroughallthehologramsheseeseachday.Jubalonlywantstodohis janitorialjobattheWoodstockBuildingandcomehometohiswife,Esther,butendsupgoinginsearchofhisneighborafter "NeighborDay,"adayappointedbyTotalNewstoreceiveconfettiwithaneighboronit(alongwitha10%off"Dandy's"cheese coupon).Thoughlitteredwithblackhumor,thisthird-personpieceisneitheradoomsdayproclamationnoraprescriptionforhow toengagewithmedia,butaheartfeltinvitationtoconsiderhowmediacouldbeaffectingus.Presentedcompletelythrough fiction,drawings,andirony,thisnovellacreatesspacetothinkabouthowtobeaneighbortooneanotherinthenewage.

HOWTOIMPROVEAJOBTRAINING:INCASEOFCLINICALPHONESCREENING

Fitz,Addyson

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SungHeeKim

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Phonescreeningsarethefirstpartofclinicalappointmentsandplayasignificantroleinclients'mentalhealthservicestimeliness. Thus,screeners'properandefficienttrainingplaysacrucialroleinclients'well-being.Withthataspectofclinicalservicesinmind, ananimatedinstructionalvideo'srecentcreationhelpsscreenersintheirphonescreeningtraining.Throughthistrainingvideo, screenerswillreceiveacomprehensivelookatthescreeningprocess,enablingthemtobemoreequippedthanevertointeract withtheirfirstclient.Sincescreeningisexceptionallyinfluentialinaclient'scare,staffneedspropertrainingtoaidtheclient's overallclinicalhealth.Designerscreatedthisnewlyimplementedtrainingvideotodojustthat,aidstaffintheirknowledgeand resultingperformanceofscreenings.

SEXDIFFERENCESINALZHEIMER'SDISEASEPATHOLOGYANDTHEAMYLOIDPRECURSORPROTEIN Jessup,Tyler

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.M.PaulMurphy

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

IthasbeenknownforsometimethatwomenhavemoresevereAlzheimer’sdisease(AD)neuropathologycomparedtomen,but thereasonforthisisunknow.However,studiesinourlabandotherusingvariousgeneticallymodifiedmouselineshasshown thatfemalemicehaveworseADpathologythanmales,makingtheseausefulmodeltostudysexdifferencesinhumans.Last summer,Ididastudysuggestingthattherewasrelationshipbetweentheamyloid-ß(Aß)peptide,akeyelementofADpathology, andsexinwildtypemice,andthatthiswasrelatedtotheamountoftheamyloidprecursorprotein(APP).Thisstudytestedthe hypothesisthatthedifferencesinAPPexpressionmightexplainsexdifferencesinAßpathology,usingdifferentmouselines,an APPxPS1knock-in(KI)mutant,thatdoesnotoverexpressAPP,anda5xFADtransgenicline,thatdoesoverexpressAPP.TheAß levelsweredeterminedviaimmunoassays(relativetorecombinantpeptidestandards),proteinamountsusingBCAassays (relativetoalbuminstandards),andAPPexpression(relativetothehousekeepingproteinGAPDH)viawesternblot.Wealso examinedtherelationshipofAPPtotwoimportantenzymesnecessaryfortheproductionofAß,ß-and γ-secretase.Blotswere readonaLiCorOdyssey,andquantifiedusingImageJonline.FemaleshadsignificantlymoreAPPexpressioncomparedtomales acrossseveralexperiments,andalsoappearedtobelesssensitivetothe γ-secretaseinhibitor,Semagacestat,comparedtomales. Whenexaminingß-secretase,therewasnovariation,althoughthereweresomesmalldifferencesinthefragmentofAPP generatedbyß-secretase.However,whenAßmeasureswerestandardizedtotheamountofAPP,theoverallsexdifference disappeared.Thesedatasuggestthatthemajorityofthesexdifferencebetweenfemaleandmalemicemightbeexplainedbyan increaseAPPalone.

¿ELPAPELLOAGUANTATODO?LINGUISTICNATIONALISMINHISPANICCONSTITUTIONS

Kale,Mihir

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.YaniraPaz

Discipline: Humanities

LinguisticNationalismisaconceptdefinedbytheimpositionandsupremacyofonelanguageoverallothersinagivenstate. Linguistichierarchiesareoftenusedasatoolofnationalisminstates.Oftentimes,thislinguisticnationalismtakestheformofa declared"officiallanguage,"whereonecommunity'slanguageisgivenofficialstatusandprovidedprotectionsthatother communities'languagesarenot.ThisisparticularlythecaseinHispanicConstitutions,wheretheSpanishlanguagehasbeenused tosuppressindigenouscommunitiessocially,politically,andeconomically.Thisresearchseekstounderstandtheroleofthe SpanishlanguageinlinguisticnationalisminHispanicstates.Specifically,itemploysCriticalDiscourseAnalysistoanalyzethe preamblesandarticlesof17Hispanicconstitutionstounderstandtheideologicalmotivebehindthevariouslanguagepoliciesin thesestates.ThreerolesoftheSpanishlanguagewerediscovered:theSpanishlanguageastheofficiallanguageofthestate,the Spanishlanguageasaco-officiallanguage(plurilinguisticsocieties),andstatesthathadnodeclaredlanguageatall.Aseparate outlyingcaseforPuertoRicoexistswhereSpanishcompeteswithorisinferiortoEnglish.Throughoutthesefourcases,theroleof theSpanishlanguagedistinctlyinfluencessocial,political,andeconomicrelationswithindigenouscommunities.Furtherresearch mayanalyzeotherformsofnationalistpolicyinHispanicstates.

SESSION 1: ORAL ABSTRACTS

DICKINSONCOLLEGE:HOWADENOMINATIONALINSTITUTIONPROVIDEDCIVICEDUCATIONINTHE EARLYAMERICANREPUBLIC

Mortell,Abigail

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JaneCalvert

Discipline: Humanities

BythecloseoftheConstitutionalConventionin1787,theUnitedStates'Foundersunderstoodthattherepublicangovernment theycreatedwouldrelyonparticipationfromvirtuouscitizenstosurvive.Thesecitizenswouldnotappearspontaneously,sothe FoundersbelieveddeliberateinstructionwasneededtoprepareAmericansforcitizenship.Virtue,definedasone'swillingnessto sacrificeone'sprivateinterestsforthegoodofthecommunity,wouldbeacquiredthrougheducationthatinstructedcitizenson thenecessityofselflessnessandthewelfareofthenation.Howciviceducationwastobeundertaken,andbywhom,wasthe question.PriortoThomasJefferson'sattemptstosecularizeeducationinthenineteenth-century,BenjaminRushandJohn Dickinson,asfoundingadministratorsofDickinsonCollegeinCarlisle,Pennsylvania,believedreligionwasanessentialpillarof civiceducation.Rush,aPresbyterian,andDickinson,aQuaker"fellowtraveler,"wishedtoreplicatethetolerancetheyextended oneanotheronagreaterscalebetweenPennsylvania'sQuakersandScotch-IrishPresbyterians,whohadbeeninconflictfor years.DickinsonCollegewasfoundedtodelivereducationthatwouldfosteragreaterloveofreligiouslibertyamongthe Scotch-Irishfrontiersmen,alongwithothercharacteristicsnecessaryforbeingvirtuous,activecitizenswhocouldupholda republic.ExaminingBenjaminRush'sandJohnDickinson'spedagogicaltheoriesandDickinsonCollege'sfoundingprincipleswill revealhowciviceducationwouldpromotereligiousandcivilharmony.Byinstillingcommonrepublicanvalues,thegeographically, politically,andreligiouslydividedPennsylvanianswouldbeunifiedbytheirsharedidentityascitizensoftheAmericanrepublic.

TUXTLAINGENIOPROJECT:IMPLICATIONSOFINITIALANALYSIS

Record,Dorian

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristopherPool

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

SincethefoundingofNorthAmerica’sfirstsugarmillbyHernánCortésinVeracruz,Mexico,theproductionofsugarcanehasbeen integraltoVeracruz'sculturalidentity.TheprimarygoaloftheTuxtlaIngenioProject(TIP)istoinvestigatetheimpactofSpanish colonialismandthesugarproductionthatitincitedonthelives,landscapes,andcommunitiesofthepeopleofPasodelIngenio, surroundingIndigenouscommunities,andenslavedAfricans.AmainpointofinvestigationforTIPistounderstandhow communitiesstrategizedandadaptedtochangesintheirparticipationinthesugarcaneindustry,includingfactorswhichaffected theeconomicresilience(orvulnerability)ofhouseholds.Asathree-yeararchaeologicalprojectwhichhasonlyprogressed throughitsfirstyearoffieldandlabwork,thefinalresultsofTIPareyetunknown,butinitialanalysisofceramicartifactstodate haveprovidedfirstinsightintothebroaderresearchquestionwhichtheprojecthopestoexplore.

EXOGENOUSALTERATIONOFPLANTDNAMETHYLATIONAFFECTSTHEIRABILITYTOASSEMBLESOIL MICROBIOMES

Ruschman,Gretchen

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CarlosRodriguezLopez

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Soilsareacrucialcomponentforsustaininghealthyplantsandareessentialtoawiderangeofecosystems.Microbial communitiesprovidemultiplebenefitstotheirhosts,includingbetteraccesstonutrients,enhancedgrowth,andimproved tolerancetobioticandabioticinsult.Plantscanmodifythecompositionofsuchcommunitiesviatheexudationofmetabolites thatenhanceorpreventtheabundanceofcertainmicrobialspecies.Epigeneticmechanisms,suchasDNAmethylation,have beenproposedasoneoftheinterphasesthatregulatetheinteractionbetweenmicrobesandtheirhosts.Here,weused non-targetedsoilmetabolomeanalysis,metabarcodingsequencing,andlabelledimmunoassaystocharacterizeandepimutant populationofsoybeangeneratedusingthedemethylatingagent5-Azacytidine.Wehypothesizedthatdemethylatedplants (epimutants)willpresentauniquesetofmutantepialleleswhichwillaltertheplant'smetabolicmachinery,resultinginanaltered abilitytosynthesizerootexudates,andthereforeauniquesoilmicrobiome.Inadditiontotheexpectedmodificationofthe plant'smorphologicalanddevelopmentalcharacteristics,non-targetedmetabolomicanalysisshowedthemetaboliteprofilesof soilscontainingepimutantplantsaresignificantlydifferentfromthosecontainingawild-typeplant.Importantly,nextgeneration sequencingresultsindicatethatexogenousplantDNAdemethylationresultsin1.Partiallossoftheplant'sabilitytoalterthesoil microbialcommunities(P=0.45;T-stat=2.73;P-val=0.005);2.Increasedvariabilityintheepimutantscapacitytoalterthebulksoil microbiomescomparedtothewild-types;and3.Asignificantlylowerabilityofepimutantstopreventthegrowthofpathogenic bacterialspeciesandpromotethegrowthofbeneficialtaxa.Takencollectively,ourresultssupportthehypothesisthatDNA methylationisinvolvedintheabilityofplantstodirecttheassemblyofitsmicrobiota.Thesefindingssignifytheimportanceof epimutantplantpopulationsasaresourcefortheidentificationofplantgenesregulatingsoilmicrobiotaassembly.

EFFECTSOFAGINGONTAUPROTEINEXPRESSIONINTHEHONEYBEEBRAIN

Sher,Abdallah

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ClareRittschof

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Scientistshavelongattemptedtounderstandthemechanismsbywhichsenescenceoccurs.Leadingtheoriessuggestthatagingis anemergentpropertyofnaturalselection'sprioritizationofreproductiveability.Socialinsects,suchasthehoneybee(Apis mellifera)challengethisidea,separatingcoloniesintoreproductiveandnon-reproductivecastes.Workerhoneybeesdonot reproduce,suggestingthatselectionprioritizestasksotherthanreproduction.Foragerhoneybees,forexample,displayimproved cognitiveandimmunefunctioncomparedtootherbehavioralphenotypesofbees,likelytosupporttheirabilitytoperformtasks suchasnavigatingcomplexenvironmentsormakingcontext-dependentdecisionswhileforaging.Foragersarenormallyolder honeybees,demonstratingauniquelypositivecorrelationbetweenageandcognition.Tauprotein,aproteinfoundinthebrainof manyanimals,issuspectedtoberesponsibleforsomeaspectsofcognitiveability.Tauisalsohighlyimplicatedinthesenescence process,sometimesaggregatingtoform"neurofibrillarytangles".Inhumans,tanglesoccurinneurodegenerativediseasesand post-traumaticbraininjuryinadditiontosenescence,implyingthattheyareeithercausaloforaresultofsomecommon underlyingmechanism.Theexactcauseoftanglesisunknown,largelyduetouncertaintysurroundingthefunctionoftau.Given thepropertiesdescribedabove,honeybeesdemonstrateauniquemodelfortauresearch.Thisstudycomparesworker honeybeesofdifferentage-groupstodetermineifsenescenceplaysaroleintauexpressionasitdoesinothermodels.Sucha metriccouldleadtoanimprovedunderstandingoftauproteinevolutionandfunction,especiallyinthecontextofsenescence.

SESSION 1: ORAL ABSTRACTS

THEREALITYOFDYSTOPIANFICTION:AHIGHLIGHTINGOFPRESENT-DAYISSUES

Whitten,Chloe

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChelseaBrislin

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Howdoyoudefinedystopia?Sciencefiction?Fantasy?Impendingdoom?Theseaspectsareoftenincorporatedintodystopian fiction,buttheydonotdefinethegenreasawhole.Manybelievethatthedefinitionofadystopiaistheoppositeofautopia.Ifa utopiaisaperfectlyplannedsociety,thenadystopiamustbeafallensociety;however,thisisnotalwaysthecase.Inthis presentation,IwillbefocusingonseveralcasestudiesofdystopianmediaincludingthetelevisionseriesTheHandmaid’sTaleby Hulu,thenovelNeverLetMeGobyKazuoIshiguro,theshortstorycollectionTheTenthofDecemberbyGeorgeSaunders,and thefilmGetOutbyJordanPeeletodemonstratehowdystopiasareoftennotafar-offfuture,butratheracommentaryonthe worldweinhabitinthepresent.SpecificallyIwillbefocusingonthefollowingthemes:lossofbodilyautonomy,theabsenceof escape,andthepresenceofhierarchicalpowerdynamicsinsociety.

Elaf Ghoneim

Parker Sornberger

Sally Pauss

Hannah Bowling

Ariel Arthur

Haafsah Fariduddin

TABLE PRESENTATIONS

FAYETTECOUNTYJUVENILEJUSTICESYSTEM:AGUIDEFORFAMILIES

Blane,Emmy

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Table: 4

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SungHeeKim

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

TheJuvenileJusticeSystemcanbeintimidatingandconfusingforfamiliesandyouth.Whenguardianslacktheinformation necessarytoadvocatefortheirchild,thesefeelingscanbeexacerbated.Thisguidewillbeprovidedtofamiliesandyouthwho becomeinvolvedwithFayetteCounty'sJuvenileProbationtoequipthemwiththeinformationnecessarytounderstandthe FayetteCountyJuvenileJusticeSystem.Withexplanationsoffamily'sandyouth'slegalrights,astep-by-stepguidethroughthe phasesofcourt,anddefinitionsofjusticesystemterminology,thegoalofthisguideistoempowerfamiliesandyouthto confidentlynavigatetheJuvenileJusticeSystem.

UTILIZINGABOOKLETUPONADMISSIONTOARESIDENTIALREHABILITATIONFACILITYTO INCREASERETENTION

Blevins,Allison

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Table: 5

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SungHeeKim

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Manyrehabilitationfacilitiesfacehighturnoverrates,especiallyinthefirstmonth.TheChrysalisHouse,arehabilitationfacility inLexington,Kentucky,facesasimilarsituation.Thepopulationofthisrehabilitationfacilityisprimarilymothersorpregnant womenwhoareinactiveaddiction.Thesewomenfacemanyadditionalstressorstotheirrecovery,suchaslegalissues,family difficulties,anddomesticviolence.Usingthetheorythatprovidingaclearunderstandingofexpectationintherehabilitation facilitywillincreasefirstmonthretention,thisprojectincorporatesabookletofinformationonthefirstweekattheChrysalis Houseintotheadmissionsprocess.Thebookletbeginswithanexplanationofthefirstdayandcommendstheclientsformaking itthroughmuchoftheprocessalready.Itcontinuestoexplainwhatlifeislikeatthefacility.Itprovidesalistanddescriptionof theclassestheywilltakeintheirfirstweek.Thebookletcontinueswithadescriptionandpictureofthestafftheywill encounter.Itconcludeswithsomemindfulnesssuggestionsforwhentheyfeeloverwhelmed.Thegoalofthisbookistoprovide supportandunderstanding,instillingconfidenceintheclientstocontinuetostayattheChrysalisHouse.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ARTS, DESIGN, AND PERFORMING ARTS

HUNTERTOWNCOMMUNITYINTERPRETIVEPARKPHASE2DESIGN

ZoeSermersheim,AbigailPhelps,andKatherineDavis

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 145

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JayoungKoo

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

HuntertownisaformerAfricanAmericanhamletlocatedinVersailles,KentuckythatwasestablishedaftertheCivilWar.Foundedin 1871,thesitehousedresidents,aschoolhouse,theRINEY-Brailroad,acemetery,andaconveniencestore.PartsofHuntertownwere becominguninhabitablebecauseofwetlandconditionsnearhomes.Thecountytriedtoenhancethelivingconditionsbutultimately boughtthelandthroughafederalgrant.AlthoughtheresidentsthemselvesarenotlivinginHuntertownanymore,theirculturallegacy liveson.

Recenteffortsandstepshavebeentakentotransformpresent-dayHuntertownintotheHuntertownCommunityInterpretivePark (HCIP).ProfessorsandstudentsattheUniversityofKentuckyinmultipledisciplineshavebeenworkingwithcommunitystakeholdersto createaspacethathonorsthesite'shistoryandrevitalizesthelandforthecommunity.ThegoaloftheHCIPistocreateaspacethat educatesonhistoryandecology,unifiesthecommunity,establishesagatheringspace,andrestoresthehistoricalintegrityoftheland. Italsoconveysthestoriesoftheformerresidentsthroughdesign.Manyformerresidentsandtheirchildrenstillholdmeaningfultiesto thesiteandvisitoccasionallytoreconnectandreminisce.

ThislandscapearchitecturedesignstudyworkedonPhase2oftheHCIPwhichcontinuedcommunityengagementwithstakeholders, formercommunitymembers,andresidentsoftheVersaillesarea.Therehavealsobeencommunityfeedbacksessionswhereideasand designswereproposed,andcritiquesweregiven.Theseengagementeffortspresentedfeedbackthathelpedformanupdatedmaster planthatcanbeimplementedonsite.Studentshaveconductedmultiplesitevisitstocollectandconfirmdatathroughoutthedesign developmentprocess.ThisHCIPstudyexemplifiesawholedesignandresearchprocesswithoutreachworkanddifferentgroup perspectivesinterwoventhroughout.

BIOLOGICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES

**IDENTIFICATIONOFANTIBIOTICPRODUCINGBACTERIAINKENTUCKYSOILS

SaraAbraham,PatriciaAngelesGonzalezSaez,JustinHornaday,EemanKarim,GraysonKost,PaulKrebs, DanielMyers,TuanNgo,EmilyReid,HannahRiley,AddisonSchlote,BaileeWagenheim

Session1: 1:00-3:30pm

Poster: 1

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KarlaLightfield,Peermentors:TannerDurstandRossShumard

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Antimicrobialresistance(AMR)isanincreasingproblemworldwide.Overthepastfewdecades,bacteriaresistanttomultipleantibiotics havebecomeincreasinglycommonthroughthemisuseandoverprescriptionofantibiotics.ThisincreaseinAMRhascausedarisein morbidityandmortalityfrompreviouslytreatableinfections.Manyantibioticsareproducedbybacteriaastheyinhibittheir competitors.Ourresearch,inconnectionwithTheSmallWorldInitiative(SWI),isfocusedondiscoveringantibioticproducingmicrobes. Weutilizedsoilasourstartingpointassoilcontainsavastarrayofmicrobes.Inaddition,manyusefulantibioticshavebeendiscovered byexaminingsoilbacteria,includingpenicillinandcephalosporin.Asaclasswesampledsoilfromacrosscampus,Lexington,and Elizabethtown.Wetestedbacteriafromthesoilandfoundtwelveisolatesproducedcompoundsthatinhibitedthegrowthofbacterial pathogens,suchas Staphylococcusaureus and Enterococcusfaecalis.Thebacterialspecieswereidentifiedusing16srRNAPCRand includedbothGram-negativeandGram-positivespecies.Togetherthebacteriaisolatedinhibitedawiderangeofbacterialpathogens. Furtherresearchonthebacterialisolateswillextractandcharacterizetheantibioticsproducedusingchromatographyandmass spectrometry.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEEFFECTSOFGRAM-POSITIVEANDGRAM-NEGATIVEBACTERIALTOXINSONCARDIACFUNCTION INDROSOPHILAMELANOGASTERLARVAE

MayaAbul-Khoudoud,KaitlynBrock,andElizabethElliott

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 16

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooper

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

TheeffectsofGramnegativeandpositivebacterialsepsisdependonthetypeoftoxinsreleased,suchaslipopolysaccharides (LPS)orlipoteichoicacid(LTA).PreviousstudiesshowLPStorapidlyhyperpolarizelarvalDrosophilaskeletalmuscle,followedby desensitizationandreturntobaseline.Heartrateincreased,thendecreasedwithexposuretoLPS.However,responsestoLTA,as wellasthecombinationofLTAandLPS,onthelarvalDrosophilahearthavenotbeenexamined.Thisstudyexaminedtheeffects ofLTAandacocktailofLTAandLPSonheartrate.ThecombinedeffectswereexaminedbyfirsttreatingwitheitherLTAorLPS only,andthenwiththecocktail.TheresultsshowedarapidincreaseinheartrateuponLTAapplication,followedbyagradual declineovertime.WhenapplyingLTAfollowedbythecocktail,anincreaseintherateoccurred.However,ifLPSwasapplied beforethecocktail,theratecontinueddeclining.Theseresponsesindicatethereceptorsorcellularcascadesresponsiblefor controllingheartratewithinsecondsandtherapiddesensitizationareaffectedbyLTAorLPSandacombinationofthetwo.The mechanismsforrapidanddirectnon-genomicregulatoryeffectsofLTAorLPSorassociatedbacterialpeptidoglycanshaveyetto beidentifiedincardiactissuesofanyorganism.

TESTINGTHEDIFFERENTIALADHESIONHYPOTHESISDURINGAXOLOTLLIMBREGENERATIONUSING ACOLLAGENASEDISAGGREGATIONPROTOCOL

Adams,Lauren

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 17

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AshleySeifertandDr.BriandaLopezAvina

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Regenerationisapoorlyunderstoodprocessbywhichorganismsreplacedamagedtissueandorganstorestorefullfunction. Axolotls,Mexicanneotenicsalamanders,arewellknownfortheirabilitytoregeneratecompletecomplexstructuresasthe limbs.Anewlimbcanberegeneratedbytheformationofaspecializedtissue,calledablastema,atthesiteofamputation.

FollowingtheLawofdistaltransformation,blastemacellshaveaproximalidentityiftheyhavetheinformationtoformthe upperarmoradistalidentityiftheyformthehand.However,anexceptiontotheLawoccurswhenblastemacellsshifttheir identityfromdistaltoproximalderivedfromaretinoicacidtreatment(RA).Thecellularmechanismbywhichcellsretainidentity duringregenerationisunknown.Previousreportssuggestedcellidentitycanchangeviaalterationsincellularadhesion;the DifferentialAdhesionHypothesisproposedbyMalcolmSteinbergstatesthatcellsaggregatewithothercellsthatshareasimilar adhesionprofile.Thus,oneoftheaimsofthisstudyistodevelopandrefineacelldisaggregationprotocolthatwillallowforthe examinationofcelladhesivepropertiesinaxolotlblastemacells.Thisexperimentwilltestthedifferentialadhesionhypothesis onblastemacellsalongtheproximaldistalaxisduringaxolotllimbregeneration.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

**EFFECTSOFHUMANDISTURBANCEONBROWNLEMURGUTMICROBIOMES

BrandonAkers,JustinCoudeyras,andMickalaDavis

Session1: 1:00-3:30pm

Poster: 2

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MariahDonohue,Peermentor:HannahAllen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Lemursareahyper-diverseprimatecladeendemictoMadagascar,anislandnationexperiencingrapidenvironmentalchangeasthe humanpopulationgrows.Brownlemurs(genus: Eulemur)arewidespreadthroughoutMadagascarandoccupyarangeofhabitats,with manylivingincloseproximitytovillages. Eulemurrufifrons and E.cinereiceps aretwospeciesofbrownlemurfoundwithin Madagascar’ssoutheasternCOFAVcorridor,aneasternrainforestescarpmentconnectingnationalparkswithunprotectedlemur habitats.Aftersecondarycontactabout2,000-10,000yearsago,aputativehybridspeciesof E.rufifrons and E.cinereiceps formedin AndringitraNationalPark.Togainabetterunderstandingofhowdisturbanceaffectslemurbiology,wecomparedthegutmicrobiomes of Eulemur populationsindisturbedandundisturbedhabitats.Towardsthisgoal,fecalsampleswerecollectedalonga150-kmtransect encompassingrangeofallthreespecies.Togenerategutmicrobiomedata,weextractedDNAfrom96fecalsamples,amplifiedthe16S rRNAmetabarcodinggene,andsubmittedourpooledlibraryforsequencingonanIlluminaMiSeqplatform.Wehypothesizethat habitatdisturbancenegativelyaffectsgutmicrobiomediversity.Wepredictthatpopulationsinmoredisturbedhabitatsharborlower microbialalphadiversity.Aswell,wewillusebetadiversityandindicatorspeciesanalysestotestwhetherpopulationsinmore disturbedhabitatshavedifferentgutmicrobialspeciesthanpopulationsinpristinehabitats.Thecompositionandrelativeabundanceof microbesinthelemurgutmicrobiomecanshedlightonthehealthoflemurindividualsandpopulations.Understandingmicrobiome diversityisimportantforfutureconservationeffortsoftheNearThreatened Eulemurrufifrons andCriticallyEndangered E.cinereiceps.

PHENOTYPINGDAILYRHYTHMSOFEATINGBEHAVIORDURINGHIGH-FATFEEDINGFOR QUANTITATIVETRAITLOCIANALYSISINMALEMICE

AbrahamAlhamdaniandNicholasWestray

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 18

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliePendergast

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Aberranteatingbehaviorrhythms,suchasnighttimeeating,areassociatedwithobesityinhumans.Obesityisalsoaffectedby thetimingofeatinginmalemice.Whenmaleobesity-pronestrainsofmicewerefedhigh-fatdiet(HFD),theirdailyrhythmof eatingbehaviorbecamedisrupted.However,eatingbehaviorrhythmsinstrainsofmalemiceresistanttodiet-inducedobesity (DIO)werenotdisruptedbyHFDfeeding.Thelong-termgoalofthisstudyistousequantitativetraitloci(QTL)analysisto discovergenesthatregulatedisruptionofeatingbehaviorrhythmsinresponsetoHFDfeeding.QTLmappingidentifiesregions ofchromosomesthatcorrelatewithatrait.QTLmappingrequires~200micethathaveavarietyofgenotypesandare phenotypedforthetraitofinterest.Therefore,westudiedmaleF2malemicethatweregeneratedfromintercrossingF1crosses ofobesity-prone129X1/SvJandobesity-resistantSWR/Jmousestrains.At8weeksold,maleF2micewerefedHFDfor6weeks. Wemeasuredbodyweight,foodintake,adiposity,andfastingbloodglucose,aswellaseatingbehaviorrhythmswithinfrared videocameras.Thusfarwehavephenotypedeatingbehaviorrhythmsandmetabolismin29F2mice.HFDfeedinghadvariable effectsontheamplitude,orstrength,oftheeatingbehaviorrhythmsinF2malemice.Wefoundthatadipositywasnegatively correlatedwiththeamplitudesofeatingbehaviorrhythms,suchthatmicewithgreateradipositieshadweakereatingbehavior rhythms.Additionally,bodyweightwaspositivelycorrelatedwithfastingbloodglucose.OurdatashowthattheseF2generation malemiceareanappropriatemodelforQTLanalysisbasedonthevariationintheamplitudesoftheireatingbehaviorrhythms.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

**COMPARINGTHEGUTMICROBIOMESOFBROWNLEMURSDURINGMADAGASCAR’SDRYAND RAINYSEASONS

MalloryAllen,EthanFord,JenniferHotko,andMaddieOakley

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 3

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MariahDonohue,Peermentor:HannahAllen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Lemursbelongtothestrepsirrhineprimatesub-order,andarenativetoMadagascar.LemursarrivedonMadagascarmorethan seventymillionyearsagoandhavekeptdiversifyingeversince.Rapiddiversificationcanleadtohybridization,asisthecasein amongbrownlemur(genus: Eulemur).Here,weexplorehowthegutmicrobiomesofhybridandparentalspeciesof Eulemur (E. rufifrons, E.cinereiceps,andtheirhybrids)respondtoseasonalvariation.InMadagascar,thereareonlytwoseasons,thewet andthedryseason.FromNovembertoApril,itishotandrainyalmosteveryday,andfromMaytoOctober,itiscolderanddry. Seasonalityimpactsfruitavailability,themainsourceofnutritionforbrownlemurs,whichmaycauseshiftsingutmicrobiome composition,diversity,andfunction.Fecalsampleswerecollectedalonga150-kmtransectduringthedryandrainyseasons.We thenextractedDNA,conductedPCRamplificationofthe16SrRNAgene,andsubmittedpooledlibrariesforsequencingonan IlluminaMiSeq.Ourresultswillhelpilluminatehowtheseendangeredspeciescopewithenvironmentalfluctuations,with insightintohowclimatechangemightimpactthemasanthropogeniceffectsintensify.

**DAIRYCOWBREEDEFFECTONPRODUCTIVITYANDUSEOFANAUTOMATICMILKINGSYSTEMIN EARLYLACTATION

MadelineAnderson,CadenceCrouch,OliviaKitts,EmilyMcKenzie,NikailaMcKinney,AlexaMelton, KarolineMoss,SierraStuder,andBeaWhipp

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 4

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JoaoCosta,MeganWoodrumSetser,EllaAlbrecht

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Theutilizationofautomaticmilkingsystems(AMS)hasincreasedinuseinthedairyindustry.However,itisunknownifuseand productionwithanAMSvariesbydairybreed.Therefore,thisstudyaimedtodeterminetheimpactbreedhasonperformance anduseofAMSinafreestallbarnduringtheearlylactationperiod.Dairycows(n=42;21Holstein,21BrownSwiss)housedina freestallbarnweretrackedutilizingtwoprecisiontechnologiesinearlylactation(d0-100):anAMS(AstronautA4,Lely)and accelerometercollars(QwesHR-LDn,Lely).BehavioralvariablesmeasuredbytheAMSweresuccessful,refusedandfailed milkings,andconcentrateintake.Thecollarproducedanactivityindex,andthedaysthisindexwas>60werereported. PerformancevariablesmeasuredviaAMSincludedmilkproduction,milkcontent(fat,protein,lactose),andbodyweight.Mixed modelswereutilizedtoevaluatebreedeffectonbehavioralandperformancevariables.Additionally,toevaluatetherelationship betweenactivitywithbehavioralandperformancevariablesfromtheAMS,Spearman’sRankcorrelationwasutilized.Activityin thehomeenvironmentwascorrelatedwiththenumberofrefusedvisitstotheAMS(r=0.32,P=0.04).Additionally,wefound thatbreedimpactedbothuseandperformanceintheAMS.BrownSwisscowswereassociatedwithahighernumberofrefused visits(F=7.81,P=0.008)andtotalvisitstotheAMS(F=5.69,P=0.02).Despitethis,Holsteinswereassociatedwithhighermilk production(F=5.86,P=0.02),highermilkfatcontent(F=4.17,P=0.047),butlowermilkproteincontent(F=5.69,P<0.0001).

Overall,cowactivitylevelwithinthehomepenwaspositivelyrelatedtouseoftheAMS.Additionally,dairycowbreeddid impactbothuseoftheAMSandperformanceintheearlylactationperiod.Therefore,breedshouldbeaconsiderationwhen implementinganAMS.Futureresearchshouldcompareothercommondairybreeds.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EXAMININGTBI-INDUCEDHETEROGENEITYANDCLONALITYOFINFILTRATINGIMMUNECELLSIN YOUNGANDAGEDMICE

Ashley,Clair

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 19

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JoshMorgantiandDr.SangderkLee

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Theeffectsandrecoveryofindividualsfollowingatraumaticbraininjury(TBI)variesgreatlydependingontheirage,although thereasonforthisdifferenceisnotcompletelyunderstood.Usingsingle-cellRNAsequencing(scRNA-seq),cell-specificdatawas collectedfromyoungandagedmiceatdifferenttimeintervalsfollowingacontrolledcorticalimpact(CCI)injury.UsingR programmingpackagesincludingSeuratandCellChat,weexaminedtheproportion,heterogeneity,andinteractionsof infiltratingperipheralbloodmononuclearcells(PBMCs).Weidentifiedmanydifferencesbetweentheyoungandagedsamples, specificallyatthechronictimeperiod,whereagedsamplescontainedasignificantlyincreasedamountofdendritic-likecellsand T-likecells.Toexpandontheseresults,weisolatedapopulationofinterestandidentifiedadataanalysispipelinetoexamineT cellclonalitydataintandemwithgeneexpressiondata.ThepreliminaryresultsshowauniquepopulationofCD8+cellsderived fromacommonclonotypethatispresentinagedmicebutnotyoungmicefollowingTBI.Thismaypointtopotentialcell populationsormechanismswherebytheperipheralimmunesysteminagedmicedriveschronicinflammatoryresponses.

**PROTECTINGVERSUSPROVIDINGFOROFFSPRING:THEROLEOFSHIFTINGTRADEOFFSONSEX

DIFFERENCESINPARENTALCARE

MayeBourgeois,EmilyCox,ErinKeil,JessicaMattingly,PeytonMcCubbin,MariahMoore,Emalie,Mullane, RidgeRoshong,andAudieStonecypher

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 5

Facultymentor(s): Dr.DavidWestneat,Peermentor:KennedyPark

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Patternsofparentalcarerangewidelyamonganimals.Adominantexplanationisthatecologicalfactorsaffectboththebenefits ofcaretotheyoungandthecostsofcaretotheparent.Thisideabecomesmorecomplexwhen1)themaleandfemalehave differingcostsofcare,and2)differentformsofcaretradeoff,suchaswhenstayingnearoffspringtoprotectthemfrompotential dangerconflictswithleavingthemtocollectfoodsotheycangrowfast.Here,weconductedanobservationalstudyinwhichour classusedvideooffree-livingandindividuallymarkedparenthousesparrows(Passerdomesticus)bringingfoodtotheirnest andattendingtheiryoung.Wescoredvideosfortheseparentalbehaviorsandalsorecordedcasesofintrudingsparrowsorother species(Europeanstarling, Sturnusvulgaris)thatareknowntoharmnestlingsparrows.Weanalyzedthefrequencyofintruder visits,therateoffeedingsbyeachparent,andtheamountoftimeeachattendedthenestformultipledaysduringthegrowthof thenestlingsandovermultiplenests.Wehypothesizedthat:1)thesexeswoulddifferinboththeamountandtypeofcareover theperiodofoffspringgrowth,2)thatbothparentswouldincreasenestattendancewhenintruderswerecommon,and3)that thedangerofintrusionsmightbehigherwhenoffspringwereyoung,suchthatparentalbehaviormightdependonboth.We alsowonderedifthesexesmightresponddifferentlytohigherratesofintruders.WeusedgraphicsandstatisticalprogramsinR toinvestigatetheseideas.Ourresultsprovideaspecificexampleofthegeneralideathatparentswillflexiblyrespondto changingenvironmentsinwaysthatreflectthevalueoftheircaretotheiroffspring.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

**CHEMICALINHIBITIONOFEP300/CREBBPALTERSTAILREGENERATIONANDGENEEXPRESSIONIN THELABORATORYAXOLOTL(AMBYSTOMAMEXICANUM)

GracieBranstetter-Pike,EmmaClemons,CayleighEpler,LaurenHeupel,AndrewKatsikas,EllaLeicht,Jordon McKinney,AutumnOwen,AnnePerkins,JocelynPorchia,KristenShepard,NehaSony,JazdinWeatherbie, OliviaWoodcock

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 6

Facultymentor(s): Dr.Stephen(Randal)Voss,Peermentors:CarlieCryerandRalekPatel

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Axolotlshaveanamazingabilitytoregeneratetissueafterinjury.Theaxolotl’sinjuryresponseincludeschangesintranscription withinsurvivingcellsthatfacilitatewoundhealingandtheregenerationoftissue.Transcriptionisregulatedinpartbyproteins thatremodelchromatinandrecruittranscriptionfactorstocis-regulatoryelementsandpromoters.Forexample,E1Abinding proteinp300(EP300)andCreb-bindingprotein(CREBBP)arecloselyrelatedproteinsthatcouplehistoneacetyltransferase activitywithprotein-bindingtoregulatetranscription.Inthisstudy,weusedachemical(A-485)toinhibitEP300/CREBBPand testforeffectsonaxolotlembryotailregenerationandgeneexpression.TheeffectofA-485ontailregenerationwas dose-dependent.Lowconcentrations(10,12,14μM)ofA-485inhibitedregenerationinsomebutnotallindividuals.Formost individuals,lowA-485concentrationdidnotaffecttheoverallsizeoftailregeneratesbutdidaffecttailshapeandembryonic growth.Athighconcentrations(20,25,30μM),A-485potentlyinhibitedtailregenerationinallindividuals.Todeterminethe effectofA-485ongeneexpression,weamputatedembryotailsandtreatedthreereplicatesof12individualswith10μMA-485 andthreereplicatesof12individualswith0.1%DMSOfor24hours.RNAwasisolatedforallreplicatesandRNA-Seqwas performedtoidentifydifferentiallyexpressedgenes.Atotalof2299differentiallyexpressedtranscriptswereidentified,withthe majority(N=1679)showingsignificantlyhigherexpressionincontrol/DMSOtreatedembryos.Geneontologyenrichment analysesshowedthatA-485decreasedtheexpressionofgenesthatfunctionintissuedevelopmentandcellsignalingand increasedtheexpressionofgenesassociatedwithRNApolymeraseIIImediatedtranscriptionandregulationofmitosis.Our resultssuggestthatEP300andCREBBPregulatestheexpressionofgenesthatarerequiredforaxolotlembryotailregeneration.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

DOESNEONATAL17-β ESTRADIOLTREATMENTMASCULINIZEDAILYEATINGBEHAVIORRHYTHMSIN FEMALEC57BL/6JFEMALEMICE?

Brazel,Elijah

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 20

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliePendergast

Discipline: Biology&LifeSciences

Circadianrhythmsarebehaviorsandbodilyfunctionsthatfluctuateevery24hours.Disruptionofcircadianrhythmsincreasesobesity anddiabetes.Previousstudiesshowedthatestrogensprotectfemalemicefromweightgainandcircadiandisruption.Ovariectomized femalemicewithnocirculatingestrogensthatwerefedhigh-fatdiethaddampenedrhythmsofeatingbehavior.Treatingthesemice withestradiolrestoredtheserhythms.Incontrast,adultmalemicetreatedwithestradiolandfedhigh-fatdiethaddisruptedeating behaviorrhythms.Thesedatasuggestthathormonesarerequiredduringdevelopmenttomasculinizeorfeminizetherhythmofeating behavior.Testosteroneinmalescanbearomatizedtoestradioltomasculinizethebrainandbehaviors.Wehypothesizedthatneonatal estradioltreatmentoffemalemicemasculinizestheirdailyrhythmofeating.Weinjectedfemalemicewith17-β estradiol(E2)oroilfor 5daysafterbirth.At6weeksold,micewereovariectomizedandimplantedwithtubingcontainingE2oroil.Miceweresinglehousedin 12L:12Dinlight-tightboxesandactivityandeatingbehaviorrhythmsweremeasured.Micewerefed10%kcallow-fatdietfor1week andthen45%kcalfathigh-fatdietfor1week.Micetreatedwithoilasneonatesandasadults,andthusapproximatingovariectomized females,hadgreaterbodyweight,adiposity,andfastingbloodglucosethanothergroups.Thesemiceconsumedmorefoodandhad disruptedeatingbehaviorrhythmsduringhigh-fatfeeding.FemalestreatedwithoilasneonatesandE2asadults,approximating gonadallyintactfemales,hadlowerbodyweightsandrobusteatingbehaviorrhythmamplitudesduringhigh-fatfeeding.Females treatedwithE2asneonates,whichnormallyoccursinmales,decreasedtheamplitudeoftheeatingbehaviorrhythm.Therefore, neonatalE2treatmentmaymasculinizetheresponsivenessoftheeatingbehaviorrhythmtohigh-fatdietinfemalemice.

ANEXAMINATIONINNEODIPRIONBODYSIZEINCORRELATIONWITHJULIANDATESANDSPECIES IDENTITY

HadleyCarmichael,VincentZheng,RyanMaynard,andDeniseFoltz

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 21

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CatherineLinnen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Amajorquestioninevolutionarybiologyishowcloselyrelatedspeciesremaindistinctevenwhenlivinginthesamearea.Neodiprion leconteiandNeodiprionpinetumaretwocommonspeciesinKentuckythatpreferdifferentpines:N.pinetumfemalespreferwhitepine andN.leconteifemalespreferVirginiaandothernon-whitepines.Thisexperimentaskedwhethermalesawfliesalsoprefertosearch differentpineswhenlocatingfemales.Becausemalebodysizeaffectsmating,wealsoaskedwhetherbodysizevariesbetweenthe speciesandatdifferenttimesoftheyear.Specifically,wehypothesizedthatthebodysizeoftheN.pinetummaleswouldbesmaller thanthatoftheN.leconteimales,andthattimeofyear(Juliandate)wouldcorrelatewithbodysize.Samplesofsawflieswerecollected fromAprilthroughSeptemberatdifferentsitesinLexington,eachwithatraponawhitepineandVirginiapine.Thenthepreserved malesweremeasuredforbodysize,andthesawflies'DNAwasrunthroughPCRandgelelectrophoresistodeterminewhichspeciesthe sawflybelongedto.TheresultsshowedthatN.leconteimalesweresignificantlybiggerthantheN.pinetummales.Theresultsalso showedN.leconteiandN.pinetumbodylengths'decreasedoverthefieldseason.Lastly,theJuliandatesignificantlypredictedthe speciesbetweenthreegenerations.Ourresultsalignwithpreviousstudiesaboutbodysizebetweenspeciesbecausethespecieshave adaptedtodifferentpineswithdifferentneedlewidths.TherewerealsodifferencesinJuliandateandbodysizethatcouldbedueto potentialfoodsourcevariationsovertheseason.Lastly,differencesinwhenmaleswerefound(Juliandate)mayreducegeneexchange betweenthespecies.Together,thesedatahelpustounderstandhowthesespeciesremaindistinctinnature.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

**THEEFFECTOFZINCONSYNAPTICTRANSMISSIONATTHENEUROMUSCULARJUNCTION

DylanM.Crawford,JackT.Hirtle,MikeyS.Datta,AbigailB.Leach,RebekahD.McIntosh,KatyA.Roemer, LaurenC.Sotingeanu,BreannaD.Vessels,ElizabethR.Elliott

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 7

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooperandSydneySpeed

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Zincisanessentialmetal,whichisacofactorformanyimportantenzymesforcellularfunctions.Animalscanobtainzincintheirdiet,as wellasfromthemediumtheylivein(i.e.water,air).Zincsupplementsarereadilyobtainedfromhealthfoodstoreswithoutregulation ofhowmuchonemayconsume.Thisstudyaddressedtheeffectsofvariousconcentrations(0.1mMand1mM)ofZnCl2exposureon synaptictransmissionefficacyintwomodelpreparations(bodywallmuscleoflarval Drosophila andopenermuscleinthewalkinglegof thecrayfish).ThehigherconcentrationofZn2+rapidlyeliminatedevokedsynaptictransmission,butdidnotblockspontaneousquantal events,whilelowerconcentrationsresultedonlyindepressedtransmission.Thus,thepost-synapticionotropicglutamatereceptorsare notblockedbyZn2+.Wepostulatethatthevoltage-gatedCa2+channelsinthepresynapticnerveterminalsareblockedbyZn+.Ifthe Zn2+israpidlyremoved,evokedsynaptictransmissioncanreturn.Thisstudyisimportantforaddressingtheacuteactionin overexposureofZn2+onthefundamentalsofsynaptictransmission.

PESTICIDEEXPOSUREANDGENEEXPRESSIONINFORAGINGHONEYBEES

Davis,Reid

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 22

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ClareRittschofandDr.StephenTesta

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Foragingisacrucialfunctioninsocialcolonies,likehoneybees.Thereisadelicatebalancebetweenusingknown,qualityresources, andpotentialnewsourcesoffood.Certainbeesaregeneticallyadeptnoveltyseekers.Thesebeesaredeemedscouts.Oncescouts locateanoveltyfoodsource,theywillthenreturntothehiveandinformotherbeesoftheirfindsusingcommunicationmethodssuch asthewaggledance.Thesebeesaredeemedrecruitsastheyarerecruitedtothenewresourcelocation.Despitetheincreasinguseof pesticides,theireffectonscoutsandrecruitsareunknown.Wewillbeanalyzing5genesthathavebeenpreviouslyfoundtovaryor directlyshapetheexploratorybehaviorofhoneybees:DopR1,Eaat-2,Vglut,Glu-R1,Gat-a,andGat-1b.Expressionlevelsbetweenbees whodifferedinexploratorybehaviorinthesamecondition(e.g.,beeswhodidfindthenovelfeedervsbeeswhodidnotfindthenovel feederinthecontroltrials)andbetweenbeeswhoexhibitedthesamebehaviorbutexperienceddifferentpesticideexposures(e.g., beeswhofoundthenovelfeederinthecontrolvsthepesticidetrials)willbecompared. 

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EXPLORINGTHEMOLECULARMECHANISMSOFACTIONOFMW151,ANOVEL

ANTI-INFLAMMATORYDRUGCANDIDATEFORALZHEIMER'SDISEASE(AD)

Ghoneim,Elaf

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 23

Facultymentor(s): Dr.LindaVanEldikandDr.DavidBraun

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Dysregulatedinflammationinthebrain(neuroinflammation)isacontributortodiseasesusceptibilityandprogressioninseveral differentneurodegenerativedisorders,includingAlzheimer'sDisease(AD).MW151isasmallmoleculedrugcandidatedevelopedasa selectivesuppressorofabnormalinflammatoryresponses.However,themolecularmechanismofactionofMW151isstillunknown. MicrogliacellsaretheprimaryimmunecellsinthebrainandthesiteofdysregulatedinflammationinAD.Recentexperimentshave raisedtheintriguingpossibilitythatmodulationofcellularmetabolismmaybeinvolvedinthecurtailmentofinflammatoryresponses:a connectionlongdescribedincancerbiologyandimmunologybutonlybeginningtobeexploredinthefieldofdementiaresearch.The currentprojectaimstoexplorethispossibilitybytestingthehypothesisthatMW151exertsanti-inflammatoryeffectsviaaninhibition ofinducedglycolysisknowntooccurinmyeloidcellsinresponsetoinflammatoryactivation.

UNDERSTANDINGTHEEFFECTOFFUSARIUMHEADBLIGHTRESISTANCEONAGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICSOFSOFTREDWINTERWHEAT.

Gillum,Maggie

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 24

Facultymentor(s): Dr.DavidVanSanford

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Fusariumheadblight(FHB),commonlyknownasheadscab,isamajorfungaldiseaseaffectingwinterwheat(TriticumaestivumL.) productionacrossKentuckyandtheworld.Thecausalagent,Fusariumgraminearum,producesthemycotoxindeoxynivalenol(DON), knowntocausehumanillnessandfeedrejectioninlivestock.SoftredwinterwheatisthemostcommonwheatclassgrowninKentucky andholdssignificanteconomicandagriculturalimportance.Headscabreducesyieldandposesasevereeconomicimpacttoproducers whosegrainisdiscountedforkerneldamageandDON.Throughoutthebreedingprocess,yieldcanbereducedduetheyielddrag phenomenon.ThegoalofthisresearchistounderstandifandhowmuchFHBresistancegenesaffectyieldinsoftredwinterwheat. ParentsforcrossingwereselectedbasedhighyieldpotentialandthepresenceofFHBresistancealleles.Arandompopulationof150 plantsselectedfromtheF2generationofacrosssegregatingforFHBresistanceatseverallociwereplantedinminiplotsforyield analysisduring2023harvest.TissuesamplesfromeachplantwereusedinaPCR-basedexperiment(KASP)todeterminethepresence orabsenceofresistanceallelesatvariousloci,includingFhb1.Thisgeneisthemostcommonandoffersthestrongestresistanceof genescurrentlyknown.Thisgenomicanalysiswillletuscompareeachresistanceallelecombinationfortheireffectsonyield productioninthefield.Asampleofthesamecrosswasplantedintheinoculatedscabnurseryandlevelofinfectionswererated.The harvestedseedwasusedinanopticalsorteranalysistodifferentiatebetweeninfectedandhealthyseedstodeterminethepresenceof Fhb1.In2023,datafromeachexperimentwillbecompiledtoanalyzeforrelationshipsbetweenqualityandnumberofresistance allelescomparedtoyieldproductionandpotential.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

BACTERIALLIPOPOLYSACCHARIDEHYPERPOLARIZESTHEMEMBRANEPOTENTIALANDIS

ANTAGONIZEDBYTHEK2PCHANNELBLOCKERDOXAPRAM

Haddad,Christine

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 25

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooper

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

ExposureofDrosophilaskeletalmuscletobacteriallipopolysaccharides(LPS)rapidlyandtransientlyhyperpolarizesmembrane potential.However,themechanismresponsibleforhyperpolarizationremainsunclear.Therestingmembranepotentialofthecellsis maintainedthroughmultiplemechanisms.ThisstudyinvestigatedthepossibilityofLPSactivatingcalcium-activatedpotassiumchannels (KCa)and/orK2pchannels.2-Aminoethyldiphenylborinate(2-APB),blocksuptakeofCa2+intotheendoplasmicreticulum(ER);thus, limitingreleasefromryanodine-sensitiveinternalstorestoreducethefunctionofKCachannels.Exposureto2-APBproduceswavesof hyperpolarizationevenduringdesensitizationoftheresponsetoLPSandinthepresenceofdoxapram.Thisfindinginthisstudy suggeststhatdoxapramblockedtheacid-sensitiveK2ptandem-porechannelsubtypeknowninmammals.Doxapramblocked LPS-inducedhyperpolarizationanddepolarizedthemusclesaswellasinducedmotorneuronstoproduceevokedexcitatoryjunction potentials(EJPs).Thiswasinducedbydepolarizingmotorneurons,similartotheincreaseinextracellularK+concentration.The hyperpolarizingeffectofLPSwasnotblockedbydecreasedextracellularCa2+orthepresenceofCd2+.LPSappearstotransiently activatedoxapramsensitiveK2pchannelsindependentlyofKCachannelsinhyperpolarizingthemuscle.Septicemiainducedby gram-negativebacteriaresultsinanincreaseininflammatorycytokines,primarilyinducedbybacterialLPS.Currently,blockersofLPS receptorsinmammalsareunknown;furtherresearchondoxapramandotherK2pchannelsiswarranted.

EFFECTOFMP201ONBEHAVIORANDTISSUESPARINGINAMOUSEMODELOFTRAUMATICBRAIN

INJURY

Hewlett,Mason

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 26

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PatrickSullivan,Dr.BradHubbard,andDr.VelmuruganGopalViswanathan

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Traumaticbraininjury(TBI)resultsinshort-termorlong-termcognitiveimpairmentdependingonseverityoftheinjury.Thereare currentlynoFDA-approvedtherapeutictreatmentsforTBIrecovery.Mitochondrialcelldeathisamajortargettodisruptthelossof braintissueandreducethelossofcognitiveimpairment.MP201,aprodrugof2,4-dinitrophenol,isamitochondrialuncouplerthatwas administeredatdifferenttimesafterTBItopreventthemitochondrialcelldeathcascade.Theoptimaltimingofdosageadministration withTBIhasshowntobeimmediate,butifimmediatetreatmentisunavailable,previousstudiesshowitmaybebesttowaitaperiod oftimebeforeadministeringtreatmentforoptimaltissuesparingandcognitivefunction(WBradHubbardetal.,2021).Thecurrent studywasdesignedtodeterminetheoptimaltimeofpost-injurytherapeutictreatmentadministrationfortargetingmitochondrial uncoupling. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

**WHEREDOESALLMYTYLENOLKEEPGOING:THEE. COLI CASESTUDY

O. Hart, S. Johnson, J. Morgan, H. Morton, O. Mowafi, L. Puskas, E. Saylor, M. Shoults, C. Siler, S. Stasel, A. Taul, N. Vittoe, B. Vyas, O. Waldridge

Session 1: 1:00 - 2:30pm

Poster: 8

Faculty mentor(s): Dr. Vincent Cassone and Raneem Ktout

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

This study’s purpose was to test the effects of commonly ingested drugs on E. coli E. coli is a common enteric bacterium that aids in the digestion of food. They are relatively harmless, but certain strains may be infectious and cause illnesses. Certain drugs, especially antibiotics, can have negative effects on these bacteria, and impact the entire digestive system (Marshall). This experiment tested the effects of caffeine, aspirin, and acetaminophen on E. coli. E. coli samples were incubated at 37℃ and shaken for 4 hours. LB growth media was spiked with either aspirin, caffeine, or acetaminophen at 200µM. The bacteria samples were diluted to OD600 of 0.3, and 180µl of the broth-bacteria media were placed into the wells. Two plates (24℃ and 37℃) were incubated for 48 hours. The total biomass, measured by OD600, was collected. The plates were cleaned, dried, and stained with 200µl of 0.1% crystal violet. Biofilm adherence was measured at OD570. Wells were normalized for the biofilm percentage. At 24℃, Acetaminophen results were 0.284∓0.045. At 37℃, Acetaminophen results were 0.605∓0.031. At 24℃ the p value was 0.056 and at 37℃ the p value was 0.0005. There were no significant differences in biofilm formation at 24℃ or 37℃ between the control, caffeine, or aspirin. There was a possible trend towards significance at 24℃ when the control and acetaminophen were compared, but at 37℃ there was significantly lower biofilm formation.

LATITUDINALCLINESINBODYSIZEOFNEODIPRIONLECONTEIANDNEODIPRIONPINETUM

WillHollandandVasavRachan

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 57

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CatherineLinnen,Dr.AshleighGlover,Dr.RyanRidenbaugh

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Latitudinalclinesinbodysizehavebeenobservedinmanydifferentorganismsandisoneofthemostwidespreadgeographicalpatterns innature.However,thecausesofthesepatterns—whethertheyareduetoabioticfactorssuchastemperatureandmoistureorbiotic factorssuchasfoodsources—arenotalwaysclear.Toteaseapartfactorsthatmaygiverisetoclinesinbodysize,wefocusontwopine sawflyspecies,NeodiprionleconteiandN.pinetum,thathaveasimilargeographicdistribution,butdifferinbothhostuseandbody size.Previousworkhasshownthathostneedlewidth(whichconstrainseggsize)andadultbodysizebothincreasewithlatitude.Here, weaskwhetherhostpredictsbodysizeafteraccountingforotherabioticvariables.AdultfemalesofN.leconteiandN.pinetumwere collectedfromvariousgeographicalareasintheeasternUnitedStates.Wingsandlegsweredissectedfromeachfemale,anddigital imageswereproducedforwholefemales,wings,andlegs.ImageJwasusedtoproducemultiplemeasuresofbodysize(totallength, wingarea,leglength).WeobtainedhostinformationfromcollectingrecordsandclimaticdatafromWorldClimdatabase.Wethenused multipleregressiontoaskwhichbioticandabioticvariablesbestpredictedbodysizeforeachspecies.BecauseN.leconteifeedson morepinespeciesthatdifferinneedlesize,weexpectedtoobservelatitudinalclinesamongitshost'sneedlewidth,andthiscline shouldmatchthatofbodysizeinthesepopulationsofN.lecontei.WeexpectedN.pinetum,whichfeedsonasinglepine,tobemore influencedbyabioticfactors.Overall,ourdatahelpustounderstandhowevencloselyrelatedspeciescanshowdifferentgeographic clinesinbodysize.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

HOSTPREFERENCESAFFECTMATESEARCHINGBEHAVIORINMALENEODIPRIONSAWFLIES

TessalynHutchinson,BerinaHalilovic,KayleighDobson,andE.GraceJessie

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 58

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CatherineLinnenandDr.RyanRidenbaugh

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Ecologicalspecializationhasbeenshowntodrivebiodiversityandspeciationinherbivorousinsects.Manyoftheseinsectsare intimatelyassociatedwiththeirhostthroughouttheirlifecycleandaredependentupontheirhostforreproduction.Neodiprion sawfliesarehostspecialistsandmateontheirhost,thus,itislikelythathostpreferencescontributetomatingoutcomesforthisgenus. Femalesawfliesarecurrentlyknowntorelyonhosttypeforreproductivesuccess,withhostcharacteristicsimpactingegg,larval,and adultfitness.Yet,thedependenceofmalesawfliesofthisgenusonhosttypeforreproductivesuccessremainselusive.Here,we furtherexploretherelationshipbetweenNeodiprionsawfliesandtheirhostsbyinvestigatingwhethermalesawfliesusehostcuesto locatefemales.Pheromone-baitedtrapswereusedtocollectmalesawfliesatmultiplesitesinLexington,KYovertwosummers (April-September).Ateachsite,onetrapwasplacedonwhitepine(preferredhostforN.pinetumfemales)andonetrapwasplaceon Virginiapine(preferredhostforN.leconteifemales).Toidentifytrap-caughtmales,weusedadiagnosticPCRassay.Ourresultsindicate thatN.pinetummalesawfliesmaybeusinghostcuestoassesspotentialmates,whereasN.leconteimaleslikelydonot.Definingthe linkbetweenmalesawfliesandtheirhostwilladvanceourunderstandingofhowhost-useadaptationsleadtoreproductiveisolation andspeciationamongplant-feedinginsects.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

MOLECULARBARCODEANALYSISOFCULTURABLEYEASTINKENTUCKYNATIVEPLANTS

Lytle,Isabella

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 59

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CarlosLopez

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Wine'smanyelements—itscolor,flavor,andscent—allhavedistinctivequalitiesthatpeoplelearntonoticeandidentify.Thisiswhat drawsinconsumersandwinebusinesses.Wineisquitepersonal.Eachpersonhasauniqueviewpointonwhatmakesa"greatwine". Therearefactorsthatgointomakinggreatwine,suchasweather,growingofthegrapes,andfermentation.Whilethemajorityof wineriesmaketheirwinefromfruit,suchgrapes.Yeastcanbeusedincertainsituations,whichiswhatourresearchentails. Yeast-producedwineisanuncommonphenomenon.ButyeastderivedfromnativeKentuckyfloraisanevenmoreuncommon occurrence.Itisstillinhighdemandtoproducewine.Forourresearchwewillbebioprospecting,whichistheprocessoflookingfor uncommonyeastinnaturethathasusefuladvantages.Wewon'tbegeneticallymodifyingtheyeast,whichconsumersseemtoprefer.

WeproposetoinvestigatethenativefloraofKentuckytofindinnovativeyeastthatcanenhancethedistinctivenessofKentuckywines. Todothis,we'llcombinemicrobiology,molecularbiology,fermentation,andnext-generationsequencingapproachestofindyeast strainsthatcanfermentalcoholandhavedistinctiveflavorprofilesthatKentuckywinemakerswillfindappealing.

IDENTIFYINGARELATIONSHIPBETWEENOXIDATIVESTRESSANDIMMUNEINFILTRATIONIN PROSTATECANCERPATIENTSWITHHEALTHDISPARITIESUSINGPROSTATETUMORMICROARRAYS

Marcum,Nolan

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 60

Facultymentor(s): Dr.LuksanaChaiswing

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

OurresearchaimstounderstandhowPCaprogressesandbecomesaggressivetohelplowerthatstatistic.Reactiveoxygenspecies (ROS)areknowntocausedamagetobiomacromoleculessuchaslipidsduetotheirunstableoxygenatoms.Studiesbyourlabindicate ahighlevelofoxidativestressbiomarkers(ROSproductionfootprints)correspondwithPCaprogression(fromlowtohighGleason scores)andPCarecurrence.However,thesourcesofhighROSlevelsinPCaarestillunknown.Itiswellestablishedthatimmunecells suchasmacrophages,neutrophils,etc.,canproduceROS.InfiltratingimmunecellshavebeenidentifiedinPCaandcontributedtoPCa pathophysiology.RelationshipsbetweenimmunecellinfiltrationwithROSinPCaprogression/aggressionandhowROScontributesto cancerhealthdisparitieshavenotbeenestablished.WehypothesizethatimmunecellinfiltrationinPCatissuescausesROSbuildupand inducesoxidativestress,whichleadstoPCaprogression.Theprojectutilizedpathologyslideviewingsoftware,AperioImageScope,to identifythepresenceofinfiltrationimmunecellsandtoquantifyROS-inducedoxidativestressmarkersinPCa-tumormicroarrayslides thatwereconstructedfrom152casesofPCapatientsand32casesofnon-PCapatients.Remarkably,expressionlevelsoftwooxidative stressbiomarkers,4-hydroxy-2-nonenaladductedproteins(4HNE)andperoxiredoxinsulfenylation(PrxSO3),aresignificantlyincreased inPCapatientswhohaveimmunecellinfiltration,comparingtoPCapatientswithoutimmunecellinfiltration.Interestingly,PCa patientswholiveinAppalachiaareashowedasignificantlyhigherlevelof4HNE,comparedtonon-Appalachiaarea.Overall,ourresults suggestthat:1)thepresenceofimmunecellsinPCatissuescouldbeacauseofhighoxidativestressinPCapatientsand2)H2O2could bethemediatorforoxidativestresspromotedPCaprogressionsinceproductionofH2O2byimmunecellscancause4HNEandPrxSO3 formations.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

**ROLEOFVITAMINB6ANDGAMMA-AMINOBUTYRICACIDINSTRESSANDELECTRICAL-AND DEFENSE-SIGNALINGINPLANTS

EllieMartin,HaydenCox,MakennaMontgomery,andHuazhenLiu

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 9

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PradeepKachroo,Dr.AardraKachroo,andNaiaPhelps

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

VitaminB6servesasanimportantcofactorforbiosynthesisofgamma-aminobutyricacid(GABA),aninhibitoryneurotransmitter inhumans.TounderstandaroleforvitaminB6andGABAinplantdefense,weassayeddefensephenotypesinmutantsaffected invitaminB6andGABAbiosynthesis.MutantsdefectiveinvitaminB6andGABAbiosynthesiswereconfirmedbygenotype analysisandthenevaluatedfortheirdefenseresponseagainstthebacterialpathogen Pseudomonassyringae.Inadditionto defense,wealsoevaluatedthesemutantsfortheirelectricaloutput.OurresultssuggestthatbothvitaminB6andGABAplaya roleinelectricalsignalingandtheresponseofthesemutantstoplantdefenseisstillbeingevaluated.Targetedanduntargeted analysisofchemicalinvitaminB6andGABAmutantswerecarriedoutusingultrahigh-performanceliquid chromatography-massspectrometry.

**THEEFFECTOFZINCHEARTRATEINCRAWFISHAND DROSOPHILA

RebekahD.McIntosh,MikeyS.Datta,DylanM.Crawford,JackT.Hirtle,AbigailB.Leach,KatyA.Roemer, LaurenC.Sotingeanu,BreannaD.Vessels,andElizabethR.Elliott

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 10

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooperandSydneySpeed

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Zincisamineralinvolvedasacofactorinmanyenzymaticprocesses.Cofactorsarechemicalcompoundsthatserveasan assistanttoenzymes.Exposuretozinciscommonasitresidesinenvironmentalmaterialssuchasmetalpipesandevendrinking water.Specifictohumans,zinccanbeboughtfrompharmaciesandtakenwithoutadministrationbyaphysician.Whilezincis usedinthebodiesofanimals,recentstudieshaveshownthatlargeamountsofzinccanbetoxicandresultinpathological symptomssuchasfatigue,nausea,andepigastricpain.Theacuteeffectsofzinconcardiacdysfunctionareunknown. Experimentswereconductedonlarval Drosophila andcrawfishtoinvestigatetheeffectofzinconheartrates.Wereportthe effectsofzincontheheartratesofcrawfishandlarval Drosophila whenexposedtozincchloride(ZnCl2)atdifferent concentrations.Depressedheartrateswerefoundinbothlarval Drosophila andcrawfishineveryconcentrationofZnCl2,while thecontrolgroupsinsalinewereunaffected.Theoutcomeofthisresearchcanbecrucialtofurtherstudiesregardingzinc exposureandcardiacfunctioninmorecomplexorganismssuchashumans.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

UNDERSTANDINGTHEMECHANISMBYWHICHRICTORREGULATESPFKFB3EXPRESSION

Melgar,Wendy

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 62

Facultymentor(s): Dr.Hsin-ShengYang

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

ThefocusofthisexperimentisonthetumorsuppressorPdcd4andhowitinhibitstumorgrowthandinvasionbyinterferingwiththe kinaseactivityinthemTORC2complex.ThemTORC2kinaseplaysacriticalroleincancercellsurvivalandmigrationtheremakingitan importantroleincancertherapy.IthasbeenrecentlyidentifiedthatPdcd4interactswithanessentialcomponentofmTORC2complex knownasRictorwhichinhibitskinaseactivity.Thisinhibitionleadstothedecreaseoftumorigenesisandrevealsthemechanismby whichPdcd4hindersmTORC2.ByidentifyingthemechanismbywithPdcd4inhibitstumorgrowthandinvasionwiththeirspecific targetsandpathwaysthatareinvolvedinthedevelopmentofcancer,itcanhelpadvancecancertherapyandtreatment.

SMALLMOLECULESASALTERNATIVESTOANTIBIOTICSFORTHECONTROLOFSALMONELLA INFECTIONSINANIMALSANDHUMANS.

Musa,Rami

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 63

Facultymentor(s): Dr.YosraHelmy

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Salmonellaentericasubsp.entericaserovarTyphimuriumisagram-negativebacteriumcausingfoodbornegastroenteritisinhumans withpoultrybeingthemajorsourceofinfections.Thehaphazarduseofantibiotics,suchasfluoroquinolonesandcephalosporins,to treatSalmonellainfectionshasledtothedevelopmentofantibioticresistance.Thus,alternativemethodsareneededtocontrolthe pathogen.Quorumsensingisaprocessofcell-to-cellcommunicationthatregulatesvirulencefactorsofSalmonellasuchasbiofilm formation,andmotilitythroughtheproductionandreleaseofspecializedsignalmoleculescalledautoinducers(AI).Inthisstudy,we screened1712compoundsfortheireffectsonthegrowthandquorum-sensinginhibitionofSalmonellaTyphimurium.Ourresults demonstratedthat33compoundshadaninhibitoryeffect(>80%)onthegrowthofthebacteria.Theculturesupernatantscontaining thedrugswithlessthan20%growthinhibitionwerescreenedfortheireffectinQS/AI-2inhibitionusingVibrioharveyiBB170asan indicatorstrainforbioluminescence.Ourresultdemonstrated25compoundshadhighinhibition(>80%)inbioluminescence(QS/AI-2) production.Infuturestudies,weplantodeterminetheeffectsofthesedrugsonotherresistantserotypesofSalmonella,aswellas theireffectonbiofilmformationanddestructionofpreformedbiofilms.Thestudywillalsofocusontheevaluationofthetoxicityofthe drugstohumanintestinalandchickenmacrophagecells.Additionally,wewillinvestigatetheeffectofthedrugontheexpressionof virulencefactors-associatedgenes.Thesefindingswillfacilitatethedevelopmentofantibioticalternativetherapeuticstomitigate Salmonellainfectionsinhumansandanimals.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

MEASURINGIBA1POSITIVEMICROGLIAINPROXIMITYTOAMYLOIDPLAQUESANDISCHEMIC PENUMBRAIN5XFADMICE

MyreeLindsay,Kai

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 65

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JoshMorganti

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Individually,Alzheimer'sDisease(AD)andischemicstrokerepresentsignificantmedicalchallengesintheagingpopulation.However, incidenceofco-morbidityofbothdiseasesiscommon.ThepurposeofthisstudywastounderstandtheADbrain'sresponsetostroke bycharacterizingtheactivityofmicroglia,thebrain'sresidentmacrophage.AgeneticmousemodelofhumanizedADandasurgical modelofstrokewasusedtogenerateanexperimentalcohortofanimals.The5xFADmouseisacommonlyusedmodelofADwhere fivemutationsofhumanizedgenesareexpressed,resultinginacceleratedplaquepathologywithinthebrain.Themodelofstrokeused isatandemcommoncarotidarteryandmidcerebralarteryocclusion(CCA/MCAO),whereischemiaisinducedforonehourpriorto reperfusion.TheactivityofIBA1positivemicrogliainproximitytobothamyloidplaquesandischemicareawasmeasuredbyusing CD68,ahistologicalmarkeroflysosomalactivity.Tissuewascollectedfromanimalsat7daysand28dayspostinjury,representinga sub-acuteandchronictimepointrespectively.Immunofluorescentexpressionofmicrogliaandplaquesweremeasuredandanalyzed usingthedigitalpathologyplatformHALO.Thistoolmeasuredpopulationsofactivatedmicrogliaandplaques.Italsoanalyzedany spatialrelationshipbetweenthetwointhecontextofdisease.Understandingthemicroglialphenotypeintheseconditionswillallow theidentificationofpotentialtargetsofinterventioninatriskpatients.

DOESGENDERAFFECTTHEASSOCIATIONSOFBREAKFASTSKIPPINGANDNIGHTEATINGWITH METABOLICRISKFACTORS?

AlanaNienaber,RachelHughes,andRieleHolbrook

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 66

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliePendergastandDr.J.MatthewThomas

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Thecircadiansystemoptimallycoordinatesthetimingofnaturalinternalprocessesofourbodieswithenvironmentalcycles.For example,thetimingofmealsshouldoccurwhenweareactivetooptimallyregulatemetabolism.Abnormalmealtiming,suchas breakfastskippingandlate-nighteatingareassociatedwithmetabolicriskfactors.However,theroleofgenderinregulatingthe associationbetweenmealtimingandmetabolicriskfactorsisrarelystudied.Theobjectiveofthisstudyistodeterminewhetherthe associationsofbreakfastskippingandnighteatingandmetabolicriskfactorsvarieswithgender.Wewillrecruit72participantsand collecttheirage,gender,andrace/ethnicity.Participantswillbeineligibleforthestudyiftheyarepregnantorhaveapacemakerandif theydoshiftworkorhavechildrenundertwoyearsold,becausetheselifestylefactorswilldisruptcircadianrhythms.Wewillmeasure mealtiming,mealcontents,andsleeptimingusingtheAutomatedSelf-Administered24-hour(ASA24)DietaryAssessmentTool,which isafoodrecallquestionnaire.Wewillmeasureheightandweighttocalculatebodymassindexandwaistcircumference.Bodyfat percentagewillbecalculatedfrombioelectricalimpedanceandanthropometricmeasurements.Wewilldeterminewhethercalories consumedwithin2hoursafterwaking,definedasbreakfast,andcaloriesconsumedwithin2hoursbeforebedtime,definedasnight eating,areassociatedwithBMI,waistcircumference,andbodyfatpercentage.Wewillthenstratifytheanalysestodetermineifthe associationsofbreakfastskippingandnighteatingandmetabolicriskdiffersbygender.Theresultsofthisstudywillinformthe developmentofgender-specificmealtimingrecommendationsthatcouldimprovemetabolichealth.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CHARACTERIZATIONOFMICROGLIAINAMOUSEMODELOFALZHEIMER'SASSOCIATEDPATHOLOGY

NicoleNunezandChloeEmbry

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 68

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AdamBachstetter

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Alzheimer'sdisease(AD)isaneurodegenerativedisorderinwhichapersongraduallylosestheirabilitytoliveandfunction independentlyduetotoxicchangesinthebrain.Thesechangeshavebeenfoundtopresentthemselvesyearsbeforephysical symptomsandincludethebuildupofproteinsthatformamyloidbetaplaques,neurofibrillarytanglesmadefromtauprotein,and morerecentlymicroglialreactivity.Microgliaareatypeofglialcellthatrespondtoabnormalpathologicalcharacteristicsasawayof protectingthebrainandmaintaininghomeostasiswithinthecentralnervoussystem.Currentresearchhasshownthatthepathologyof ADleadstodeteriorationofmicroglia,thisprojectaimedtovisualizeexactlyhowmicrogliapresentedthemselvesthroughthe progressionofAD.UsingAPP-SAAknock-inmice,amousemodelthathasrecentlybeendevelopedtorepresenttheprogressionof Alzheimer'sdisease,multiplexserialstainingwasperformedusingantibodiesforIBA1,P2Y12,CD45,TMEM119,andThioflavinS.The multiplexserialstainingtechniquewasusedtovisualizemicrogliaonthesamesectionoftissueatdifferenttimepointsofAD progressionintheAPP-SAAmice.Understandinghowmicrogliapresentthemselvesindifferentstagesofthediseaseisimportantto betterunderstandtheroletheyplayintheprogressionofADandtopotentiallytargetthemforfuturetreatments.

EVIDENCEOFMALEHOSTPREFERENCEANDTEMPORALISOLATIONINAPAIROFPINESAWFLY SPECIES(NEODIPRIONLECONTEIANDNEODIPRIONPINETUM)

AmeliaOldfield,LaineCaller,JosephElsoueidi,andPeterSchoenbachler

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 69

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CatherineLinnenandDr.RyanRidenbaugh

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Sympatricspeciation,theevolutionofreproductiveisolationinthepresenceofgeneflow,isthoughttobedifficult,butnotimpossible innature.OnepossibleexampleofsympatricspeciationisinNeodiprionleconteiandN.pinetum,whichareherbivorousinsects believedtohavespeciatedinsympatryviaadaptingtodifferentpinehosts.N.leconteifemalesmateonavarietyofpines,butnoton N.pinetum'spreferredpine:Pinusstrobus(whitepine).Whileitisknownthatfemalesofthesetwospecieshavestrongpreferencesfor differentpines,itisunknownwhethermalesusepinestolocatefemales.Itishypothesizedthatthehostspeciesanddatepredictmale speciesIDbecauseoftheexistenceofmalehostpreferenceandpossibledifferencesinadultemergencetiming.Inthisstudy,sticky pheromone-baitedtrapswereplacedonmultiplePinustreesitesthroughoutLexington,Kentuckyin2018and2019.Eachsitehada traponP.strobus,andoneonP.virginiana(Virginiapine).Thevisuallysimilarmaleswerecollectedthreetimesaweekfrom April-October.ThemaleDNAwasextracted,andadiagnosticpolymerasechainreaction(PCR)assaywasusedtoidentifyspecies.The resultsshowthatN.pinetummalesweresignificantlymorelikelytobefoundonP.strobus,whileN.leconteiwereequallylikelytobe foundoneitherP.virginianaorP.strobus.Thesetrendsdidnotdifferwithdateandbetweengenerations.Theresultsalsoexhibita significantpredictedpositivecorrelationbetweendateandproportionofN.pinetumspecies.Thisstudyproducedvaluabledataon possiblepre-zygoticreproductivebarriersamongN.leconteiandN.pinetumandprovidedinsightintopossibletemporalandhabitat isolationbetweenspeciesthatcanexplainhowtheyspeciatedinsympatry.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CHARACTERIZINGTHEROLEOFGENE356INNEUROTROPICSTRAINSOFLISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

Puderbaugh,Anna

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 70

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SarahD’Orazio

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Listeriamonocytogenesisafoodbornepathogenthatcauseslisteriosis,adiseasethatposesaparticularlyserioushealthriskfor immunocompromisedandpregnantindividuals.Afterreachinghightiterintheblood,L.monocytogenescandisseminatetothebrain tocausemeningitisandencephalitis.However,certainstrainsofL.monocytogenespreferentiallyinvadethenervoussysteminthe intestinesandspreaddirectlytothebrainstemwithoutreachinghightiterintheblood.Thesebrainsteminfections,termed rhombencephalitis,happeninimmunocompetentindividuals,suggestingthatvirulencepropertiesoftheneurotropicbacteriaaremore importantthanafailureoftheimmunesystemtocontainbacterialgrowth.Itishypothesizedthatneurotropicstrainsinvadecranial nervesinthegutandcolonizethebrainstemthroughaxonalmigration,aprocessthatmaybeinitiatedbyinvasionofentericglialcells. Whole-genomesequencingconfirmedthattwoneurotropicstrainsofL.monocytogenesbothexpressed106genesthata non-neurotropicreferencestraindidnot.14ofthesegenesarepredictedtoencodesurfaceproteins,whichlikelyinteractwitha receptoroncellsofthenervoussystemtopromoteentry.Thegoalofthisprojectistodetermineifoneofthesegenes,gene356,is responsiblefortheenhancedabilityofneurotropicstrainstoinvadethenervoussystem.WeconstructedtworecombinantstrainsofL. monocytogenesusingallelicexchange:amutantstrainwithgene356deletedfromthegenome(strainSD9002)andacomplemented strainwithgene356reinsertedintothegenome(strainSD9001).Expressionofthe356geneproductinthesestrainswasquantifiedby qRT-PCR.Nosignificantdifferencewasnotedforinvasionofthemutantinanentericglialcellline.Additionalexperimentationto identifythephenotypesofthemutantandcomplementedstrainswillbeconductedtofurtherelucidatetheroleofgene356innervous systeminvasion.

**THEEFFECTOFZINCONDEATHANDBEHAVIORIN DROSOPHILA ANDCRAWFISH

KatyA.Roemer,AbigailB.Leach,DylanM.Crawford,MikeyS.Datta,JackT.Hirtle,RebekahD.McIntosh, LaurenC.Sotingeanu,BreannaD.Vessels,ElizabethR.Elliott,JeremyNadolski

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 11

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooperandSydneySpeed

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Zinchasmanydifferentfunctionsinthebody.Itisanessentialpartoftheimmunesystem,asitpromotesthegrowthofwhiteblood cells.Zincisalsoacomponentofmanysubstancesthathumansmaycomeincontactwithduringtheirday.Iforganismsare overexposedtozinc,however,effectscanvaryandpossiblybedamaging.Thisexperimentwasconductedon Drosophila andcrawfish totesttheeffectsofzincexposureatdifferentlevels.Totesttheoverexposureofdietaryzincon Drosophila, differentquantitieswere addedtothefoodsupplyatvariousinstarstages.Totesttheeffectofzinconcrawfish,animalswereeitherinjectedwithzinc,orzinc wasaddedtotheiraqueousenvironment.Crawfishwereweighedtoseehowmuchzincshouldbeinjectedintoeach(tokeepbody concentrationconstant),andcontrolorganismswereinjectedwithsaline.Otherswereplacedintoaqueousenvironments supplementedwithzinc. Drosophila exhibitknownbodywallmovementswhenstimulated,whichcanbeobservedtomeasurethe effectsofzincaddition.Therewasaweakpositivecorrelationbetweenconcentrationofzincand Drosophila deathandastronger positivecorrelationbetweentheconcentrationofenvironmentalzincanddeath.Crawfishinjectedwithzincathighconcentrations weremorelikelytodieorbeparalyzedthancrawfishinjectedwithsaline.Thecrawfishbathedinthezincsolutionsweremorelikelyto diethancontrols.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

**THEEFFECTOFZINCONTHENEURALACTIVITYOFTHEMUSCLERECEPTORORGAN

LaurenC.Sotingeanu,BreannaD.Vessels,KatyA.Roemer,AbigailB.Leach,DylanM.Crawford,MikeyS. Datta,JackT.Hirtle,RebekahD.McIntosh,BreannaD.Vessels,ElizabethR.Elliott

Poster: 12

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooperandSydneySpeed

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Zincisanessentialelementforlifethatfacilitatesproperorganfunction,cellgrowth,andimmunefunctioninthebody.Incasesof excesszincpresenceinthebody,zinctoxicitycanoccur,causingarangeofsymptomsfromminoreffects,likenauseaandvomiting,to moresevereneurologicalandcardiovascularcomplications.Ourstudyexaminestheeffectsofzincchloride(ZnCl2)onthenervous system.Morespecifically,wearestudyingthiseffectinmusclereceptororgans(MROs).TheMROisaproprioceptiveorgananalogous tothemammalianmusclespindle.UnderstandingtheeffectsofexcessZnCl2onsensoryneuronsisessentialtounderstandingthe effectsofzinctoxicity.Inthisstudy,acrawfishmodelwasused,ascomparabletomammals.TheMROwasstimulatedbymovingthe jointitmonitorsbeforeandduringzincexposure.Theresultsindicatedthathighconcentrationsofdepressedneuralactivity,butthis neuralactivitywasabletoreturnuponremovalofthezinc.Furtherexperimentationisneededtodetermineifzincisblockingthe stretch-activatedionchannelsinthesensoryendingsand/orelectricalconductiondowntheaxon.Thisdataemphasizestheimportance ofcontrollingzincconcentrationsinwaterwaysanddrinkingwater,aswellasinproductslikesunscreenandfertilizers.

THEEFFECTOFTHERMALEXPOSUREONTRANSGENERATIONALPLASTICITYINDROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER Snyder,Rachael

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 26

Facultymentor(s): Dr.NicholasTeets

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Insectsarecold-bloodedorganismsandare,therefore,dependentontheirenvironmenttoregulatetheirinternaltemperature. However,theseorganismshaveevolvedseveralmechanismsforcopingwiththedetrimentaleffectsoflowtemperatures.Insectsuse phenotypicplasticitytoincreasetheirheatandcoldtolerance.Understandinghowenvironmentaltemperaturesaffectorganisms throughouttheembryonicstagesofdevelopmentisfundamental,consideringthisisacriticalpointofdevelopmentfororganisms.Any damagessustainedfromthermalstresscouldaffectthedevelopmentofcertainbiologicalprocesses.Incertaincases,conditions experiencedbyonegenerationcaninfluencethenextwhichisreferredtoastransgenerationalplasticity(TGP).Itisunknownwhether TGPoccursforthermaltolerance.AmorethoroughanalysisofTGPandthermaltoleranceisneededtoimprovetheunderstandingof insectresponsestoclimaticvariation.Thepurposeofthisresearchprojectwastoinvestigatethegenerationaleffectsofheatandchill injurywhenexposedintheembryonicstage.ThehypothesiswasthatifadultD.melanogastersurviveexposuretothermalstressin theirembryonicstage,thentheywillproducegenerationsofoffspringwhoarelesssusceptibletoatemperaturerelatedinjury,dueto plasticity.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEROLEOFTHEAUTONOMICNERVOUSSYSTEMONCARDIACELECTROPHYSIOLOGYINWILD-TYPE MICE

Stalcup,Rebecca

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 72

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrianDelisle

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Background:Recentadvancesinwearabletechnologyareallowingforthecontinuousmeasurementofheartrateacrossthe24-hour cycle.Thesedevicescancontinuouslyrecordrestingheartrateanddetectarrhythmias.Previousstudiesshowthattimingoffeeding behaviorisanimportantdriverinthe24-hourrhythminheartrate.Thisprojectworkstodeterminethemechanismbywhichfeeding behaviorimpacts24-hourrhythminheartrate.Purpose:Determinehowfeedingbehaviorimpactsthe24-hourrhythminheartrate andarrhythmiassusceptibilityinmice.Methods:Wecontinuouslymeasuredthemouseelectrocardiograms(ECGs)inmicehousedin standardlaboratoryconditionsorafterrestrictingtheirfoodtotheirinactivecycle(theinversetimethattheynormallyeat).Wealso determinehowinjectingwithdrugsthatinhibittheautonomicreceptors(propranololandatropine)ontheheartimpactedheartratein miceafterrestrictingtheirfoodtotheirinactivecycle.Results:Comparedtomicethathadadlibitumaccesstofood,micethathad theirfoodaccessrestrictedtotheinactivecycle(0900-1600)showedashiftinthe24-hourrhythmoftheheartratethatalignedtothe timingoffeeding.Theheartrateincreasedwithfoodpresentationanddecreasedafterthefoodwasremoved.Injectingmicewith drugsthatblockautonomicreceptorspreventedtheheartratefromdecreasingwhenthefoodwastakenaway.Micehousedwithad libitumfoodaccessrarelyhadarrhythmias.However,24-hoursafterrestrictingthefoodintake,thefrequencyofcardiacarrhythmias increased.Thenumberofarrhythmiasassociatedwithfoodpresentation,butnotfoodremoval,decreasedovertime.

Conclusion:Theseresultssuggestthatrestrictingfeedingbehaviortotheinactivecyclemodifiestheautonomicnervoussystemto realignthe24-hourrhythminheartratewithfoodaccessandincreasethefrequencyofarrhythmias.

CASTRATIONHASNOEFFECTONWATERINTAKE,FOODINTAKE,ORBODYWEIGHTINSPINYMICE

Steineker,Madelyn

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 73

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaSantollo

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Whiletheinhibitoryeffectsofestradiol(E2)onwaterintakearewelldocumented,E2'srecentlyidentifiedroleinstimulatingwater intakeisstillbeingunderstood.Fromanadaptivestandpoint,theenhancingeffectofE2onwaterintakemaybeusefulinpreventing dehydration.Thus,itisrelevanttoinvestigatethisphenomenoninaspeciesthatisatincreasedriskfordehydration,suchasadesert adaptedspecies.Ourlabhasrecentlydemonstratedsexdifferencesindailyunstimulatedwaterintakeinspinymice.Weobservedthat femalesdrinkmorethanmalesandpostulatethatthisdifferencecouldbetheresultofE2,makingspinymiceafittingspeciestostudy.

Whileourunderstandingoftheestrogeniccontrolofwaterintakesuggeststhatthissexdifferenceismediatedbyestradiol,itis possiblethatthehighercirculatinglevelsofandrogensinmalesaremediatingthissexdifferenceinwaterintake.Thisalternative explanationisimportanttoruleout.Here,dailybodyweight,water,andfoodintakeweremeasuredintwogroupsofmalespinymice. Onegroupwascastrated,whichremovedthesourceofandrogens,andtheothergroupreceivedshamsurgery.Dailymonitoringbegan 10dayspriortosurgerytoestablishabaselineandcontinuedfor3weekspost-surgery.Aone-hourwaterdeprivationstudywas conductedattheendofthe3-weekperiod.Wefoundthatcastrationdidnotincreaseunstimulatedwaterintakeorrebounddrinking. Furthermore,castrationwasnotassociatedwithanychangeindailybodyweightorfoodintake.Takentogether,theseresultsindicate thatandrogensarelikelynotthegonadalhormoneresponsibleforthesexdifferenceinunstimulatedwaterintakeseeninspinymice. Furthermore,theseresultsprovidesupportforthehypothesisthatthesexdifferenceinunstimulatedwaterintakeismediatedbyE2.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EFFECTOFAGEONDEHYDRATION-INDUCEDMEMORYIMPAIRMENTINMALEANDFEMALERATS

Swanz,Lillian

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 74

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaSantollo

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Dehydrationisassociatedwithcognitiveimpairmentsinhumans.Previousresearchdemonstratesthatundercertaintestingconditions, dehydrationimpairscognitionandmemoryinyoungadultrodents.Itiswell-establishedthatcognitiondeclinesasafunctionofaging. Becauseolderadultsaremostvulnerabletodehydration,itisimportanttounderstandifagingexacerbatesdehydration-induced cognitiveimpairments,yetminimalresearchhasexploredtheseinteractions.Thisprojecttestedthehypothesisthatageexacerbates memoryimpairmentsindehydratedrats.Novelobjectrecognition(NOR)testingwasusedinyoung(3-4months)andmiddle-aged (9-12months)maleandfemaleratstomeasurememoryineitherahydratedordehydratedstate.Ratswerehabituatedinanopen fieldboxonthefirstday.Forthenextthreedays,ratsweretrainedwithtwoidenticalobjects.Finally,testingtookplaceonthefifthday withoneoriginalandonenovelobject.Halfofthemaleandfemaleratswerewater-deprivedfor24hourspriortotesting.Toconfirm dehydration,waterintakewasmeasuredfor30minutesafterthetest.Asexpected,dehydratedratsconsumedmorewaterpost-test thanhydratedrats,p<0.001.Surprisingly,therewasnoeffectofage,sex,orhydrationonperformanceintheNORtest,despite previousresearchusingasimilarparadigmthatfounddehydration-relatedmemoryimpairmentsinyoungrats.Allgroupsspentmore timeinvestigatingthenovelobjectcomparedtotheoriginalobject,p<0.05.Youngratsweremoreactiveandspentmoretime interactingwithbothobjects.Middle-agedfemaleratsweremoreactivethanmiddle-agedmales;thissexdifferencewasnotobserved inyoungrats.Theseresultsmightindicatethatdehydration-inducedcognitiveimpairmentinyoungrodentsissensitivetotesting protocol,andfurtherresearchisnecessarytounderstandthisrelationship.

**HOWPOWERFULISTHESUN?

SophiaTsengandIsaiahHibbert

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 13

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JosephStraleyandSydnee’Lowe

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

HowmuchpowerthesundeliverstoasquaremeterinLexingtonwasmeasuredinseveralways.Todeterminethepowerperunitarea receivedfromthesun,twomethodswereused:heatingeffectandusingelectricalmeasurements.Theheatingmethodsmeasured solarpowerbymeasuringhowthetemperatureofsomethinginsunlightincreaseswithtime.Bothanaluminumblockandasmall containerofinkywaterwereusedbecausewaterandaluminumhavedifferentspecificheatcapacitiesanddifferentwaystospreadthe thermalenergyinthem.Thesetwoexperimentsalongwithseveralcalculationsdeterminedtheaveragepowercomingfromthesun. Thebrightnessofthesunwasalsocomparedtothebrightnessofalightbulbusingaphotoresistor(theresistancedecreaseswithlight brightness);wehadtocalibratethephotoresistor,andsomelight-blockingfilterswereusedtomakethesun'slightlessbright.The voltageandcurrentofasolarcellandvariableresistorweremeasuredtofindtheratioofcurrenttovoltagethatgivesthelargest conversionofsolarpowerintoelectricalpower.Theseexperimentsprovideacollectivemeasureofthepowercomingfromthesun.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ANINVERTEBRATEMODELINEXAMININGTHEEFFECTOFACUTEFERRICIRONEXPOSUREON PROPRIOCEPTIVENEURONS

LoganTurner,MikaelaWagers,AshleyStarks,MayaAbul-Khoudoud,SufiaAhmed,AbrahamAlhamdani, ClairAshley,PatrickBidros,ConstanceBledsoe,KayliBolton,JeroneCapili,JamieHenning,BethanyIson, MadisonMoon,PanhavuthPhe,andSamuelStonecipher

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 75

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooper

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Ironisanessentialelementforplantandanimallifeandisfoundinsoil,freshwatersandmarinewaters.TheFe3+ionisavital prostheticgroupandcofactortomitochondrialelectrontransportcomplexesandnumerousproteinsinvolvedinnormalfunctioning. Despiteitsimportancetolife-sustainingprocesses,overexposureresultsintoxicity.Forexample,ferriciron(Fe3+)accumulationinthe mammaliancentralnervoussystemisassociatedwithvariousneurologicaldisorders.Althoughcurrentliteratureaddressesthe long-termeffectsofFe3+overload,fewerstudiesexistexaminingtheeffectsofacuteexposure.Usingthebluecrab(Callinectes sapidus),weinvestigatetheeffectsofacuteFe3+overloadonproprioceptionwithinthepropodite-dactylopodite(PD)nerve.For proprioceptivestudies,10-and20-mMferricchlorideandferricammoniumcitratesolutionswereusedat5-and20-minexposure times.Exposureto20mMconcentrationsofferricchlorideandferricammoniumcitratereducedexcitabilityinproprioceptiveneurons. Thus,Fe3+likelyblocksstretch-activatedchannelsorvoltage-gatedNa+channels.ThedepressiveeffectsofFe3+arepartlyreversible followingsalinewashout,indicatingcellsarenotacutelydamaged.Gadolinium(GdCl3,1and10mM)wasusedtoexaminetheeffects ofanadditionaltrivalentioncomparator.Gd3+depressedPDnervecompoundactionpotentialamplitudewhileincreasingthe compoundactionpotentialduration.Thisstudyisrelevantindemonstratingthedose-dependenteffectsofacuteFe3+andGd3+ exposureonproprioceptionandprovidesamodelsystemtofurtherinvestigatethemechanismsbywhichmetalsactonthenervous system.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

WHATHISTORICALINFORMATIONDODECISIONMAKERSUSEWHENEVALUATINGMUTUALFUND PERFORMANCE?

Mowery,Tatum

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 76

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AdamCraig

Discipline: Business&Economics

Thepresentresearchbuildsonthefinancialdecisionmakingliterature.Itisanareaofincreasedinterestinrecentyears,asresearchers haveappliedpsychologicaltheoriestofinancialdecisionsandbehaviors.Atthesametime,theincreaseinyoungerretailinvestors' marketparticipationhaspromptedcallsforunderstandingwhatmayinfluencetheirdecisions(Bryzgalovaetal.2022).Inthisemerging area,researchershaveobservedthatspecificchangestovisualinformationpresentationcanshiftinvestordecisions(Romeroetal. 2019).Forexample,Rennekamp(2012)foundthatfinancialdisclosuredocumentsthatareeasiertoread(versusharder)were perceivedbypotentialinvestorsasmoreaccurateandledtohigherfirmvaluationsdespitethesameinformationavailability.Thisleads toabroadquestionastowhatotherpresentationchangestothesamefinancialinformationcanimpactdecisions.Wetestchanges madetothedisplayofmutualfundinformation.Inparticular,weexaminehowthedisplayofmutualfundperformanceinformation affectsdecisionsaboutinvestmentlikelihood.Eye-trackingmeasuresarealsousedtounderstandhowvisualattentiontoparticular performanceinformationcorrelateswithinvestmentlikelihood.Inourstudy,asampleofbusinessundergraduatesevaluatesthe ten-yearperformanceoffortymutualfunds,ratingtheinvestmentlikelihoodforeachfund.Inouranalysis,wecorrelateparticipants' investmentlikelihoodwithseveralmeasuresofactualfundperformanceinordertodeterminewhatmetricsmoststronglypredict investmentlikelihood(i.e.,1,3,5,and10yearhistoricalfundperformance,and1yearforecastedperformance).Ourresultssuggest that,inlinewithbehavioraleconomicperspectivesondecisionmaking,prospectiveinvestorsnaivelyuserecentperformanceandfail toutilizemorecompletehistoricaltrenddata.OurResearchShowcaseposterwilldisplaytheseresults.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CHEMICAL SCIENCES

SUSTAINABLEAVIATIONFUELPRODUCTIONVIADECARBOXYLATION/DECARBONYLATIONOF LOW-COSTANDGEOGRAPHICALLYDISTRIBUTEDOLEAGINOUSFEEDSTOCK

AguilarOrtiz,Asahel

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 78

Facultymentor(s): Dr.EduardoJimenez

Discipline: ChemicalSciences

Severaltechnologieshavebeendevelopedtoproducesustainableaviationfuel(SAF),thehydroprocessingofestersandfatty acids(HEFA)representingoneofthemostmaturepathways.Aprocessbasedondecarboxylation/decarbonylation(deCOx) offersanattractivealternativetocurrentmethods,sinceitrequiresloweramountsandpressuresofhydrogen,feedstocksoflow purityandcost,andsimplesupportedmetalcatalysts.Inthiscontribution,severalgeographicallydistributedoleaginous feedstocks–rangingfrommunicipalwastefeeds(yellowandbrowngrease)topinechemicals(talloilandrosin)andalgaeoil–wereupgradedtoSAFviadeCOx.Quantitativeconversionofthesefats,oils,andgreases(FOG)toSAFwasobtainedoverCu-or Fe-promotedNicatalystssupportedonSAPO-11,withdeCOxandisomerizationtakingplaceinone-pot.Notably,reaction productsincludedalltypesofcomponentspresentincommercialJet-A,namely,n-alkanes,iso-alkanes,cycloalkanes,and aromatics.

SYNTHESIZINGASINGLE-ATOMCATALYSTFORUSEINCLEANENERGYCONVERSIONTECHNOLOGIES

Rector,Jenna

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 134

Facultymentor(s): Dr.DooYoungKim

Discipline: ChemicalSciences

Theelectrocatalystispivotalindeterminingthecostandefficiencyofcleanenergyconversiontechnologies.Currentnoble-metal catalystshavecertainlimitationspreventingthemfrombeingimplementedonaglobalscale.First,thesecatalystsarenotcosteffective duetolowmetalutilization.Second,theyinvolvealargewastageofmetalduetotheoxidationanddissolvingofbulkmetalduring electrolysis.Third,thesurface-levelattachmentofnanoparticlestothecarbonsupportisunstableshownbytheremovalofthe nanoparticleduringelectrolysis.Weproposetocombattheselimitationsbysynthesizingasingle-atomcatalystusingcommon transitionmetalstoreplacenoble-metalcatalysts.Inourexperiment,weusedbottom-upsynthesisandtwodifferentheatstabilization techniquestosynthesizethesingle-atomcatalyst.ThenweanalyzedthestructureandidentityofourcatalystusingXRD,STEM,TGA, andRamanspectroscopy.Ouranalysesconfirmedtheproposedcatalyststructure,andthuswebegantotestthecatalystintwomajor electrochemicalreactions:oxygenreductionandcarbondioxidereduction.Whilewearestillgatheringdata,ourresultsshowpromise ofaneffectiveandeconomicallycompetitivecatalysttobeusedinavarietyofcleanenergyconversiontechnologies.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

TUNINGTHEOPTICALPROPERTIESOFÏ€-CONJUGATEDMOLECULESTHROUGH

MACHINE-INFORMEDDESIGN

Sornberger,Parker

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 135

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChadRisko

Discipline: ChemicalSciences

Whileorganic π-conjugatedmaterialsdemonstrateutilityinenergygenerationandstorage,lighting,transistors,sensors,andother opticalandelectronicdevices,designinganewmolecularmaterialwithprecisepropertiesforaspecificapplicationrequiresthe explorationofavastchemicalspace.Moleculargenerativemodelsshowefficacyforinsilicopropertypredictionanddesignofdrug-like molecules.Giventhissuccess,thesemodelshaveanaturalextensiontothedesignof π-conjugatedmolecules.Here,wediscussthe developmentofgenerativenormalizingflowmodelstotunetheopticalpropertiesof π-conjugatedchromophores.Themodelsare trainedonthemorethan25,000chromophoresandpointsofoptoelectronicdatafromtheOrganicCrystalsinElectronicand Light-OrientedTechnologies(OCELOT)database.Thegenerativemodelsfocusonmoleculesthatcanbeofinterestforsingletfission andcanquicklygeneratestructureswiththeaimoftuningtheenergygapsbetweenlow-lyingsingletandtripletexcitedstates.The modeloptimizesthesegapsthroughsamplingalearnedchemicalspaceandusespretrainedmessagepassingneuralnetworkstrained ontheoptoelectronicdatafromOCELOTtopredictthegapbetweenamolecule’slow-lyingsingletandtripletexcitedstates.Results fromthegenerativemodelsareverifiedviahigh-throughputdensityfunctionaltheory(DFT)andtime-dependentDFT(TDDFT) calculationstoobtaintheiropticaltransitionsandfrontiermolecularorbitalenergies.Thoughthemodelsherefocusonrobustlytuning opticaltransitions,themethodscanbetransferredtooptimizeadditionalelectronicproperties.

COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES

ENHANCEDTOOLFORIMAGESEGMENTATIONOFHERCULANEUMSCROLLS

AthieTeruel,Bruno

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 136

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrentSeales

Discipline: ComputationalSciences

Herculaneumscrollswerecarbonized2000yearsagobythevolcaniceruptionofMountVesuviusandareextremelyfragileasa result.Becausephysicallyopeningthemisrisky,oneofbestchancestoreadthescrollssofarhasbeenthroughtheuseof technologysuchasEduceLab'svirtualunwrappingpipeline,similartotheonedevelopedbySealesetal.2015.Oneofthemost importantstepsofthispipelineisthesegmentationofindividualpagesofascrollthathasbeenCTscanned.However,because ofthenatureofHerculaneumscrolls,theyareextremelyhardtosegment,astheirinnerstructureisverycomplex.Wehave workedtocreateanewtoolforimagesegmentationofHerculaneumscrollsusingpointinterpolation.Thistoolhassofarbeen usedtosegmentthenewestinnerpagesofHerculaneumscrolls.Toimprovethisprocess,Ihavedevisedamethodofnon-linear interpolationthroughedgedetectionalongpointnormals,aswellasadding3Dvisualizationanddifferentperspectivestoour tool.ThisnewtoolcanbeusedbycompetitorsintheVesuviusChallengeaswellasotherresearchersinterestedinvirtual unwrapping.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

VOLUMEWARPINGOFHERCULANEUMSCROLLSFORVIRTUALUNWRAPPING

Chapman,Sydney

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 137

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrentSeales

Discipline: ComputationalSciences

WithinthecitiescharredandburiedbytheeruptionofMtVesuviusin79ADliesextremelyfragilescrollswhichcontainknowledge currentlylosttohistory.Withnowaytophysicallyrevealthescrolls'hiddentext,excludingpermanentdamage,Dr.Sealesandhisteam ofresearchershaveworkedondevelopingamethodtovirtuallyunwrapthecarbonizedscrollsexcavatedfromtheVilladePapyriinthe cityofHerculaneum.Thismaturingmethodprovesethicalasitutilizesanon-invasiveapproachthatminimizesanyharmdonetothe scrolls'integrity.Acrucialpartofthisvirtualprocessisthesegmentationofthescrolls'volumeofCTimages.Thevolumesegmentation isthenabletoproduceameshusedtoidentifyandvirtuallyextractwrapsfromwithinthescroll,whichcontaintextdetectablethrough machinelearning.Volumewarpingisanattemptatexpandingandfacilitatingthecurrentsegmentationmethodbyemphasizingareas ofinterestandhelpingtodistinguishdifferencesinthescrolls'layers.

FUNDNASOFTWAREFORMOLECULARCOMPUTING

Huse,Jackson

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 138

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SayedSalehi

Discipline: ComputationalSciences

MolecularcomputingreferstotheuseofDNAasabiochemicalsubstratetocarryoutarithmeticcomputationsandlogicaloperations. Similartotheelectroniccircuitsthatperformcomputationsintermsofvoltagelevels,molecularcomputingcircuitsuseDNA concentrationsforcomputation.Thatis,reactionsamongmoleculeswithinamolecularsystemareengineeredsuchthatthesystem transferstheconcentrationsofinputmoleculestoconcentrationsofoutputmoleculesaccordingtoadesiredcomputation.

Inmolecularcomputing,therearefourlevelsofdesignandimplementationofmolecularcircuits:TheFunction,Gate,Chemical ReactionNetwork(CRN),andDNAlevels.TheFunctionlevelrepresentsmathematicalfunctions,whicharethentransformedintologic gates,andfinallytransformedintochemicalreactionnetworkstobeusedbythefinallevel,DNA.Softwarehasbeencreatedfor molecularcomputingwiththetaskofeasingtheworkloadforexperimentalanalysis.

FUNDNAisanewsoftwarepackagethatassistsresearchersindesigningmolecularcircuitsforthecomputationofmathematical functions,bridgingtheFunction,Gate,andCRNlevelsofmolecularcircuitdesign,whichallowsresearcherstoanalyzetheirmolecular circuitsattheDNAlevel.OursoftwaretakesinspirationfromsoftwaresuchasNupackandVisualDSDthatdosimilartasksatdifferent levelsinthedesignofmolecularcircuits.Thealgorithmsandmethodsusedbythesoftwareareformulatedintermsofmathematical rearrangementsallowingforgate-likeadaptationofaparticularfunctionwithDNAstrandsinparticularchemicalenvironments.Using thesoftwareandthisadaptation,researcherscancreateaCRNandanalyzeaparticularoutputthatcorrelatestothefunctionthey're estimating.WiththeassistanceofFUNDNA,molecularcomputinghasmanyimplementationswithdigitalsignalprocessing,fractional encoding,andpharmaceuticaldelivery.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CLASSIFYINGTHESPECIALTYSTROKEOFCOMPETITIVEMALESWIMMERSUSINGMACHINE LEARNINGONBIOMETRICS

Zhu,Nathan

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 139

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrentHarrison

Discipline: ComputationalSciences

Competitiveswimmingeventsincludefourstrokedisciplines:butterfly,backstroke,breaststroke,andfreestyle.Inordertoreach maximumpotentialinthespecializedstroke,asupermajorityofprofessionalswimmersspecializeinexactlyoneofthesestroke disciplines.Nocurrentsystematicapproachesexisttohelpswimmersdeterminewhichofthefourstrokedisciplinestospecializein.The objectiveofthisprojectistoprovideasystematicapproachtostrokespecializationthroughtheapplicationofmachinelearning algorithmstopredictaswimmer'sspecialtystrokebasedoneasilymeasuredmetricsofanthropometrics,strength,andflexibility.In doingso,thisstudyalsoanalyzeddiscrepanciesbetweenthestrokeaswimmerisspecializedinandtheirattributes.Datawascollected from2915-18yearoldmalesthatpracticedaminimumoffourtimesperweekinthepast6monthsandachievedtheirpersonalbest timeintheirspecializedstrokewithinthelastyear.Thisdatawasnormalized,featurereduced,andtransformed.Thetarget,specialty stroke,wassplitintotwoclassesinsteadoffour.Butterflyspecialistswerelabeledas1;backstroke,breaststroke,andfreestyle specializedwerelabeledas0.Then,LogisticRegression,K-NearestNeighbors,SupportVectorClassifier,andDecisionTreemodelswere trainedonthedata.Thisprocesswasrepeatedthreetimes,replacingbackstroke,breaststroke,andfreestyleforbutterfly. Leave-One-OutCrossValidationwasusedtodeterminetheaccuracyofeachmodel.Backstrokewaspredictedwiththehighestaverage accuracyacrossallfouralgorithms(83.7%),andLogisticRegression(77.6%)andK-NearestNeighbors(76.7%)algorithmspredictedwith thehighestaverageaccuracyacrossallfourstrokes.Withtheapplicationoflikemodelstrainedonasufficientlylargedataset, competitiveswimmerscanconfidentlyspecializeusingevidencefrompreviousswimmers.

EDUCATION

POSITIVELY-PHRASEDELECTRONICINSTRUCTORTALKISASSOCIATEDWITHFAVORABLE PERCEPTIONSOFANINTRODUCTORYBIOLOGYCOURSE

Murray,Courtney

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 140

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JenniferOsterhage

Discipline: Education

Theuseofnon-content"instructortalk",orinstructorlanguagenotcontainingcontentrelevanttocoursematerial,caninfluence studentmotivationandlearning.Previousstudiesofinstructortalkhavefocusedonverbalin-classinstructortalk;however,noknown studieshaveinvestigatedtheeffectsofelectronicinstructortalk(non-contentlanguageinelectronicwrittenmessages)onstudents' perceptionsofthecourse.Here,weusetheestablishedframeworkofinstructortalktodesignpositively-phrasedelectronicmessages thatweresentthroughthecourselearningmanagementsystem(LMS)toallstudentsenrolledinanintroductorybiologycourseata largepublicinstitution.Usingaconvergentmixedmethodsapproach,wecomparedsurvey(n=226)andfocusgroup(n=12)datato analyzestudents'perceptionsoftheelectronicmessages,thecourse,andtheirinstructor.Sixty-onepercentofstudentsurvey responsesindicatedamorepositiveperceptionofthecourseduetothepositivewrittenmessages.Encouragingly,73%ofstudents viewedthewritteninstructortalkeitherasequallyimpactfulormoreimpactfulthanverbalinstructortalk.Themessageswere perceivedmorepositivelybyfirst-yearundergraduates–68%offirst-yearstudentsreportedanimprovedperceptionofthecourse basedonthewrittenmessagescomparedto54%ofupper-levelstudents.Focusgroupanalysisrevealedthatstudentsenrolledinthe courseperceivedthewrittenmessagesasoverwhelminglypositive,whileparticipantsfromoutsidethecourseweremorelikelyto perceivethemessagesasneutral.Thisstudyillustratestheimportanceofelectronicinstructortalkininfluencingstudentmotivationin undergraduateSTEMcourses.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EFFECTIVENESSOFCO-TEACHING

Musso,Lilly

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 141

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChannonHornandDr.KeraAckerman

Discipline: Education

Collaborationisabsolutelyvitalamongserviceprovidersinthespecialeducationsetting.Effectivecollaborationautomaticallysets studentsupforgreatersuccess,nomattertheirdisability.Inrecentyears,co-teachinghastakenoverclassroomsasawayforteachers toworktogetherinordertobetterservestudents.Duringtheresearchers'practicumsobservationswithinthespecialeducationand generaleducationsettings,theynoticeddifferencesintheeffectivenessofprogrammingforstudentswithdisabilities,specificallythose inaco-taughtsetting.Theresearcherwantedtoknowhowplanningforinstructionimpactsthestudents'programming.Theadvisors ontheprojectprovidedprevioussurveydatafortheanalysis.Atotalof210Kentuckyspecialeducationteacherscompletedasurvey basedontheco-teachingmodelstheyuse,theirmostadequateandleastadequateplanningtimes,andwaysinwhichtheirco-taught classescouldbemoreeffectiveforthemandtheirstudents.Forthepurposesoftheresearchquestions,theresearcherfocusedonthe participants'leastadequateplanningtimesinordertobetterunderstandthedifficultiesteacherswerehavingandthepossible solutionsthatcouldbepresentedwithinthosesettings.

ENGINEERING

CHARACTERIZATIONOFDOMESTICALLANITERAREEARTHORE

DanielDailey,ZacharyBaker,SJLycans,RiannaMueller,andMeganFister

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 130

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RickHonaker

Discipline: Engineering

Rareearthelements(REEs)havesignificantvaluetotechnologiescriticalforenergyinfrastructureandindependence,decarbonization efforts,anddefenseapplications.REEsupplyisheavilyconstrainedtodepositsoutsideoftheU.S.,makingeconomicandsustainable REEandothercriticalmaterialrecoveryfromlow-gradesourcematerialsparamounttoU.S.nationalsecurity.Thegoalofthisresearch istoanalyticallycharacterizeunutilizedREE-containingallaniteoresfromprimarydepositsinHalleckCreek,Wyomingtodefinemajor mineralogicalandelementalcompositions.

HalleckCreekcore(130-kg)andsurface(33-kg)sampleswerecrushedtoatopsizeof4-mmthroughprimaryandsecondaryreduction processes.Mineralogicalandtotalmetalanalyseswereperformedonscreenedsizefractionsandrepresentativecoreandsurface samplesviaX-raydiffractionspectroscopy(XRD),X-rayfluorescencespectroscopy(XRF),andinductivelycoupledplasmaoptical emissionspectrometry(ICP-OES).Amineralliberationstudywasconductedviascanningelectronmicroscopywithenergydispersive X-rayanalysis(SEM-EDAX)toidentifyallaniteandotherREE-containingparticlesinthehostrock.Theresultsofthisresearchwill identifywhatandwherethevalue(i.e.,REEs,criticalmaterials)isinthisuncharacterizedallaniteorealongwithanyintrinsicprocessing constraints.

Thiscomprehensiveoreanalysiswillinformactivitiesrelatedto:REEbeneficiationfromtheallanite-orefeedstockandoutliningaREE biominingandpurificationworkflow.Ultimately,thisresearchwillenablethedevelopmentanddemonstrationofamodular,biobased REEbiohydrometallurgyprocessthroughtheDefenseAdvancedResearchProjectsAgency(DARPA)fundedprojecttitledSynthetic BiologyforBiominingofRareEarthElements(SynBREE).

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

COMMINUTIONANDCONCENTRATIONOFDOMESTICALLANITERAREEARTHORE

DanielDailey,SJLycans,ZacharyBaker,andRiannaMueller

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 131

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RickHonaker

Discipline: Engineering

Rareearthelements(REEs)andothercriticalminerals(e.g.,lithium,cobalt,nickel,manganese)areessentialtotechnologiescriticalfor domesticenergyinfrastructureandindependence,decarbonizationefforts,anddefenseapplications.Thegoalsofthisresearchareto assessgrindabilityvialaboratoryrodandballmillsandupgrade(i.e.,concentration)potentialviawethigh-intensitymagnetic separation(WHIMS).

Asteellaboratorymill(Ø206-mmby263-mm)wasequippedwithsteelrods(7Ø13-mmby232-mm,8Ø16-mmby232-mm,9Ø19-mm by232-mm)orassortedballmedia(125Ø26-mm,161Ø20-mm,410Ø13-mm,664Ø7-mm)forrodandballmillgrinding,respectively. Operatingconditionswereheldconstantinrod(1kgore,50rpm,65%w/w)andball(1kgore,51rpm,30%w/w)milltestswhilegrind timewasvaried.Elementalandmineralogicaldistributionof150-and500-µmP80productswereassessviaX-raydiffraction spectroscopy(XRD)andinductivelycoupledplasmaopticalemissionspectrometry(ICP-OES).Theimpactofmaterialtype(i.e.,core, surface),particlesize,solidloading,andscavengingwithincreasingmagneticfieldstrengthonREErecoveryandmassrejectionwere evaluatedvialaboratoryWHIMSunit(EriezModelL-4-20StyleS-3-9).Externalcollaboratorsquantifiedtheimpactofincreasing magneticstrengthforafixedsolidloadingwithoutscavengingusinganalternativelaboratoryWHIMSunit(EriezModelSSS-I-145,16 mmstroke,60Hzpulse).

Theseresultsinformongoingeffortstooptimizecomminution,concentration,andpurificationpipelinesfordevelopmentofamodular, biobasedREEbiohydrometallurgyprocessthroughtheDefenseAdvancedResearchProjectsAgency(DARPA)fundedprojecttitled SyntheticBiologyforBiominingofRareEarthElements(SynBREE).

COMPARISONOFSULFURICACIDBAKINGANDDIRECTLEACHINGOFALLANITERAREEARTHORE

DanielDailey,MeganFister,RiannaMueller,andSJLycans

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 132

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RickHonaker

Discipline: Engineering

Anewlycharacterizedallanite-bearingoreholdspromiseasadomesticsourceofrareearthelements(REEs)andothercriticalminerals amidstdynamicsupplyanddemandimbalances.Chemicaldecompositionofmineralstructuresisafundamentalpartofprocessingore intoconstituentelements.Sulfuricacidbakingiswell-studiedandwidelyemployedinindustrialprocessflowsheetstoprocessREE mineralconcentratescontainingmonazite,xenotime,andbastnasite.However,acomprehensiveassessmenthasnotbeenreportedfor allaniteREEconcentrates.ThegoalofthisresearchistoassesstheimpactofkeyparametersinsulfuricacidbakingonREEleaching (i.e.,solubilization)performanceandcomparethemtodirectleachingforanallanite-bearingore.

Preliminarytestsevaluatedtheeffectofmaterial(e.g.,core,surface,concentrate),particlesize,andbaketemperatureonREEleaching recoveryunderstandardacidbaking(1:1solid:acid,120minbaketime)andleaching(100mL,500rpm,75°C,2.5%w/wsolids,60min) conditions.Parametricassessmentoftheeffectsofbaketemperature,particlesize,solid:acidratio,leachtemperature,andbaketime onREEleachingrecoveryforthecorematerialwasperformedandcomparedtodirectsulfuricleachingasabaseline.Kineticdata obtainedfromleachingacrossarangeoftemperatureswasusedtoproposeaREEleachingmodel.Theresultsofthisresearchprovide fundamentalassessmentoftheeffectivenessoftraditionalREEleachingmethodsonanallanite-bearingore.

ThisnovelstudyofREEleachingperformanceofallanite-bearingoreinformsconcurrenteffortstooutlineaREEbiominingand purificationworkflow.Ultimately,thisresearchwillenablethedevelopmentanddemonstrationofamodular,biobasedREE biohydrometallurgyprocessthroughtheDefenseAdvancedResearchProjectsAgency(DARPA)fundedprojecttitledSyntheticBiology forBiominingofRareEarthElements(SynBREE).

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

INVESTIGATINGPRECIPITATIONBEHAVIOROFLEACHEDALLANITERAREEARTHOREINSULFATE SOLUTIONSYSTEM

DanielDailey,MeganFister,andRiannaMueller

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 133

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RickHonaker

Discipline: Engineering

Rareearthelements(REEs)areagroupofelementswithunusual,desirablechemical,electronic,andphysicalpropertiesthathave significantvaluetotechnologiescriticalfornationalsecurity,energyinfrastructureandindependence,anddecarbonizationefforts. Recentstudiescharacterizedthemineralogy,assessedthecomminutionandbeneficiationpotential,andcomparedtheREEleaching performanceofdirectsulfuricacidleachingtosulfuricacidbakingforanunderutilizedallanite-bearingore.Purificationoftheleachate typicallyfollowsleachinginmosthydrometallurgicalprocessflowsheets.Thegoalofthisresearchispromotingadeeperunderstanding oftheprecipitationbehaviorofallanitesystemsinsulfatesolutions.

Leachatesgeneratedfromsulfuricacidbakinganddirectsulfuricleachingofadomesticallanite-bearingorewerestudiedunder standardleachconditions.Theimpactofmaterialtype(e.g.,core,surface,concentrate),particlesize,pre-leachtreatment,andleach timeonREEandgangue(e.g.,aluminum,iron,calcium,silicon)recoverywasevaluated.Comparisonofexperimentaldatatosimulated Eh-pH(i.e.,Pourbaix)diagramsprovidesnewinsightintoprocessingprimaryandsecondaryallanite-bearingREEsources.

TheresultsofthisresearchwillinformongoingeffortstooutlineaREEpurificationpipelineusingsequentialprecipitation, re-precipitation,and/orselectiveprecipitation.Ultimately,thisresearchwillenablethedevelopmentanddemonstrationofamodular, biobasedREEbiohydrometallurgyprocessthroughtheDefenseAdvancedResearchProjectsAgency(DARPA)fundedprojecttitled SyntheticBiologyforBiominingofRareEarthElements(SynBREE).

OPTICALMETABOLICIMAGINGSTRATEGIESTOSTUDYMACROPHAGEFUNCTIONSINCHRONIC WOUNDDISEASE

Hart,Madison

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 159

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CaigangZhu

Discipline: Engineering

Over6.5millionpeopleintheUSeachyearsufferfromchronicnonhealingskinulcers,mostcausedbydiabetes,venousstasis,and pressuresores.Withsomanypeoplesufferingfromchronicwoundsandsomanyfailedattemptstreatingthem,itisnotsurprisingthat over25billiondollarsarespentannuallyonchronicwoundcareinUSonly.Unfortunately,therapiescurrentlyavailabletopatients sufferingfromabnormalwoundhealingareofteninsufficienttoensuresatisfactorywoundrepair.Onecannotprovidesufficient treatmentforchronicwoundsisbecauseofthelittleunderstandingofthewoundhealingbiology,whichisduetothelimitedtoolbox forsuchkindsofinvestigations.Accumulatingevidencehasindicatedthatmacrophagesareinvolvedinallphasesofwoundhealing.To restoretheirabilitytoresolveandheal,itiscriticaltounderstandthemacrophagesfunctionstherebypromotewoundhealing.

Therefore,thereisanurgentneedtodevelopnewtechniquestodiscovertheroleofmarcrophagefunctionsanditsroleinhealing woundsprocessinordertodevelopeffectivetherapiesthatrestoretheirabilitytoresolveandheal.Inthisproject,Iwillutilizeoptical metabolicspectroscopyandmicroscopytoinvestigatethemetabolismchangesofmacrophagesanditsroleinchronicwoundhealing treatment.Specifically,Iwillutilizefluorescencemicroscopetocapturethemetabolicchangesofmacrophagepolarizationstatus throughinvitrocellstudies.Iwillalsodevelopnovelopticalspectroscopytechniquestomonitorthekeymetabolicparametersof biologicaltissuemodelswithanlong-termgoalofstudyingmacrophagemetabolismreprogramminginvivo.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

MAGNETICFIELDEFFECTSONHT9STEELDURINGHEATTREATINGPROCESSES

Keaton,Looper

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 142

Facultymentor(s): Dr.HalukKaraca

Discipline: Engineering

Magneticfieldsareknowntoaffectthemicrostructureandphasetransformationofmanyalloysandcouldresultinbettermechanical properties.Theprojectseekstoresearchtheeffectsofapplyingamagneticfieldofmorethan2Teslaatselectedtemperatures.The researchgroupseekstocomparethephysicalpropertiesofsamplesheattreatedundermagneticfieldwiththeonesthatareheat treatedwithnomagneticfieldandinvestigateifthereareanysignificantchangesinphysicalproperties.Thetestsconsistof compression/tensiontests,hardnessmeasurements,andmicrostructureanalysis.Thephysicalpropertiesofsamplesheattreated undernomagneticfieldarecurrentlystudiedandtheresultsarepresented.

SUSTAINABLESOLVENTSFORMEMBRANEPRODUCTION:GVLANDPOLARCLEANWITHPVDF

Mcdermott,Madeline

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 143

Facultymentor(s): Dr.IsabelEscobar

Discipline: Engineering

Membranesaretoolsusedformanypurposes,andtheyareveryimportantwithwaterfiltration.Themostprevalentmethodfor creatingthesemembranesintodissolveapolymerintoasolventandthenthroughnonsolvent-inducedphaseseparation(NIPS),the solventleavesthepolymertocreateamembrane.Currently,n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone(NMP)isacommonlyusedsolvent.Thissolvent canbetoxicandcausedamagetohumanhealthortheenvironmentifitisreleasedintowastewater,whichmayoccursinceNMPisa wasteproductincreatingmembranes.Moresustainablemembranescanbemadefromnon-toxicsolvents.γ-Valerolactone(GVL)and RhodiasolvPolarCleanarealternativegreensolventsthathavethecorrectpropertiestodissolvethepolyvinylidenefluoride(PVDF) polymerandthenfacilitateNIPSleavingbehindamembrane.Thesespecificsolventshavenotbeenthoroughlyresearchedinusewith PVDFandthepurposeofthisstudyistotestthecharacteristicsoftheseeco-friendlysolventsandthemembranestodeterminehow successfulthesolventscouldbeonalargercommercialscale.Dopesolutionsofdifferentpolymermasspercentaretested.Solutions varyingfrom1%-12%PVDFaretestedtodeterminethecloudpointofthedopesolutionsaswellasviscosity.Thecontactangleof wateronamembranehelpscategorizethemashydrophilic.Membranesarealsotestedforpermeabilityandrejectionoftested proteins.Thesemembranesmustbeabletorejecttheproteintoaccuratelyfunctionastheyareintended,buttheymustalsohavea highenoughpermeabilitytofacilitatetherejectioninanacceptabletimeframe.Ifsuccessful,thesesolventscouldprovidegreen alternativestothetoxicsolventsusedandhelpreducetheharmfulimpactontheenvironment.

INVESTIGATIONOFICTALELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM(EEG)SOURCEIMAGINGSTRATEGYTOWARDS

SEIZUREONSETLOCALIZATIONINREFRACTORYFOCALEPILEPSY

Rybarczyk,Jared

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 144

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JihyeBae

Discipline: Engineering

Roughly50millionpeoplesufferfromsomeformofepilepsy.Themostprevalentsymptomofepilepsyistheepilepticseizure,the resultofirregularelectricalactivityinthecerebralcortex.20-40%ofpeoplediagnosedwithepilepsyeventuallybecomerefractory, whereAntiepilepticDrugs(AEDs)arenolongeraviablemeansforcontrollingseizures.Forthesepatients,surgicalresectionor disconnectionoftheirritativezoneisacommonoptionusedtocontroloreliminateseizures.Accuratelocalizationoftheseizureonset zones(SOZs)isessentialtothesuccessofsuchprocedures.EEGsourceimaging(ESI)allowstoestimateSOZsbasedontheEEGfrom refractoryepilepsypatients.Traditionally,interictalEEGdatahasbeenusedinESIforitsconsistentlyhighcongruencewithclinically derivedSOZs.However,theusageofictalEEGdatainESIhasshownpotentialforimprovementupontheinterictalcaseinboth localizationaccuracyandsensitivity/specificity.TheobjectiveofthisstudyistodetermineageneralizedmethodologyforictalEEGthat willyieldhighlevelsoflocalizationaccuracy.ToimplementESI,theforwardmodelisfirstcomputed,basedontheextractedanatomy surfacesfrompatient'sstructuralMagneticResonanceImaging(MRI)andresistancesinconjunctionwiththeEEGchannellocations. Theforwardmodelisusedtosolvetheinverseproblemofestimatingdistributionsofthecurrentsourcesonthecortex,basedonthe scalpEEG.MultichannelEEGandthestructuralMRIfrompatientswithepilepsyareprovidedbyUKHealthCare'sEpilepsyCenter.The estimatedSOZsfromourproposedictalESIwillbecomparedtocliniciandefinedSOZ.ItisexpectedthatSOZlocalizationresultswillbe availablebyearlysummer,withtheendgoalofthisstudybeingajournalarticledescribingthenovelictalEEGpreprocessing methodologyandlevelofaccuracyobtained.

POLY(CAPROLACTONE)OPTIMIZATIONASANEFFECTIVEDRUGCARRIER

Saindon,Hope

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 150

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrittanyGivens

Discipline: Engineering

Endometrialcancerisoneofthemostcommoncancersinwomenworldwide.Thecurrenttreatmentoptionsforthisaresurgery, radiation,hormonetherapy,andchemotherapy.However,thechemotherapyremainsineffectiveformanywomenandstillleadsto unnecessarilyhighratesofdeath.Thisbeggedthequestion:canwedevelopasafeandefficaciousdrugdeliverysystemasanovelform oftreatment?Polymetricdrugdeliverysystemsarediffusioncontrolledandsolventactivated.Becauseofthisandsomeoftheirother attributesliketheirtunablesizeandloadingcapabilities,thisdrugdeliverysystem(DDS)isknowntodecreasesomeissueswithdelivery ofpharmaceuticals,suchasagreateraccumulationatatargettumor.Differentdiseaseshavedifferentsizerequirements:canceris typicallytreatedintravenouslyrequiringparticlesrangingindiameterfrom100-300nanometers,andasthmarequiresinhaledparticles rangingfrom1000-5000nanometers.Polycaprolactone(PCL)isabiodegradable,biocompatible,bioresorbablepolymerthatishighly tunable,witharelativelyslowdegradation.InthisstudywesynthesizePCLparticlesviathedoubleemulsionsolventevaporation methodusingvaryingpolymerandsurfactantconcentrations.Dichloromethaneandchloroformwereusedassolventswithpoly(vinyl alcohol)asasurfactant.ScanningElectronMicroscopy(SEM)andImageJcomputedparticlesizeandmorphology.Wedeterminedthat ourmethodsgenerateparticlesaslargeas3micrometersandassmallas300nanometers,suggestingwecantuneparticlesizefor applicationsinmultiplediseases–includingsolidcanceroustumorsandasthma.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

INTELLECTUALPROPERTYCONCERNSRELATINGTOIMAGE-GENERATINGARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCE

Snyder,Kennedy

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 151

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrentHarrison

Discipline: Engineering

Withtherecentexplosionofimage-generatingartificialintelligence(AI),manypeopleareusingAIbutareunawareofitsworkingsor relatedintellectualpropertyconcerns.Currentlawsdonotaddresstheseconcerns,astheywerewrittenpriortotheadventof advancedimage-generatingAI.Inthispaper,webreakdownthecomponentsofapopularimage-generationAI(StableDiffusion),the legalgreyareascausedbyitandothersimilarAI,andpotentialsolutionstotheseissues.Image-generatingAIwillonlybecomemore powerfulinthefuture,socurrentintellectualpropertylawsmustbeexaminedandupdatedtoprotectcreatorsandtheirworks.

DEVELOPMENTOFBIODEGRADABLEANDSUSTAINABLENATURALCOMPOSITESFORSTRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS

Woolard,Trent

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 152

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AbeethaPeirisandDr.IsaamHarik

Discipline: Engineering

Investigatetheconstructionfeasibilityofnaturalcompositewrapsmadefrombiodegradablefibersand/orcarbonneutralbinding agents.Specimensfromdifferentfiber-bindercombinationswillbetestedforstrength,easeofconstructions,andserviceability considerations.Asetofnaturalfiber-bindercompositeswillbechosenforconcretestrengtheningbeadedonthesetests.Different strengtheningmethodssuchaspre-formedwraps,wet-layupfabrics,andspray/spreadingofdiscretefibersonapplicationsurfaceswill beinvestigated.Standardconcretecylindersconfinedusingthesedifferentmethodswillbetestedtocalculateconfinementstrength gain.Thestrengthofthenaturalcompositewrapswillbeevaluatedagainstcomparablecarbonfibercompositewraps.Theresultsfrom theresearchareexpectedtoprovidesustainablealternativestocurrentconstructionmaterialsandmethods.

USINGFLUORINENANOPARTICLESINMRITOMEASUREBIOMARKERSINRADIOTHERAPY

Yang,Harrison

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 153

Facultymentor(s): Dr.FannyChapelin

Discipline: Engineering

Understandingtumorresponsetocancertreatmentiscriticaltoassessmentofitsefficacy.Magneticresonanceimaging(MRI)isa current,viableimagingtechnologythatimmenselyhelpswiththisassessment.MRIisespeciallyeffectivebecauseofitsnon-invasive naturecomparedtoabiopsythatwouldrequireaprocedure.Moreover,recentadvancementstothismodalitygivemorequantitative biomarkerstoreference.Throughtheuseofisotopefluorine-19asabiocompatibletargetingcontrastagent,thebody'simmune responsecanbemeasuredintandemwithMRI.Afterinjectionoffluorocarbon-containingnanoparticles(PFC-NP),immuneactivitycan bequantifiedthroughintensityandoverlaidwithMRI.Thisisanexcellentindicatoroftreatmentworking.

Previousresearchusedimmunotherapy(IM)astreatmentforcancerbearingmice,whilethisexperimentwillobservetheeffectsof radiotherapy(RT)treatment.Theultimatepurposeofthisexperimentistobetterunderstandtheefficacyandapplicationsofthis imagingmodalitywithrespecttoRT.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

RENEWABLEENERGYREADINESSFORCLIMATECHANGEINKENTUCKYPOWERBYARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Blevins,Alexander

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 146

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PhillipLee

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

AsapersonwhohaslivedintheeasternKentuckyareaformostofmylife,floodsaresomethingthathasbeenaconsistentproblemfor thepeoplewholivethere.Thereisagreatefforttohelpthoseaffectedbynaturaldisasters,butthereisalwaysagreaterstrugglefor thoseimpactedbytheirdiminishedhealthduringnaturaldisasters,likethehistoriceasternKentuckyfloodingin2022.Thefrequency andintensityofheavyprecipitationeventswillbecomemorecommon,exacerbatedbyclimatechange,leadingtothekindsofflooding thatonceskippedgenerationstooccureveryfewyears.

Toensurethesafetyofthepeoplethatneedon-sitepowergenerationfortheirlife-supportingequipmentduringnaturaldisasters,we havedevelopedthepredictionmodelofsolarpowergenerationusingArtificialIntelligence(AI)techniquesandprogramminglanguages suchasPythonandMATLAB.Modelswillbedevelopedconsideringweatherpatternsandclimatevariability,impactedbyclimate change.WecouldanalyzethecorrelationofhistoricaldataonthetimelineofnaturaldisastersthathavehappenedineasternKentucky. Utilizingdevelopedmodels,wecouldpreparepeoplepriortonaturaldisastersbypredictingwhenthenextonewilloccur.

Solarenergyisasafe,environment-friendly,andabundantenergyresourceavailablefordecentralizedandon-sitepowergeneration thatcanreducetheburdenofanelectricpowergrid.Solarpanelswouldworkwellforthelife-supportingequipmentwheneverthe powergoesoutduringnaturaldisasterssinceitmakestheequipmentnotrelyasmuchonthehouse'spowergridconnection.To ensuretheeffectivenessofthesolarpanels,weusedhistoricweatherdatatopredicthowmanysolarpanelswouldbeneededduring thetimeofyearthatthefloodswouldoccur.Usingbatteries,wecouldaccumulateenoughenergyforthelife-supportingequipmentto runallnight.

ANALYZINGTHEIMPACTOFRIPARIANURBANRESTORATIONONSTREAMENVIRONMENTS

WilliamsEllenandAnnaAckerman

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 147

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KentonSena

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

Urbanriparianzonesandreforestedareasareimportantbuffersthatincreasebiodiversity.Streamsinthesezonesaredegradedby urbaninfrastructure,flooding,andpesticidebuildup,leadingtoincreasedsoilerosion,decreasedwaterquality,andlossofaquaticlife.

Urbanriparianrestorationisacriticalmethodusedtooffsetstreamdegradation.Severalrestorationprojectshaveoccurredin Lexington,Kentucky,specificallyinMastersonStationPark,RibbonPark,WolfRun,VeteransPark,andtwostreamsonAlumniDrive neartheUniversityofKentucky.Variousmethodsandintensitiesofrestorationhaveoccurredateachoftheselocations,influencingthe datacollectedforthisproject.Theresearchobjectivewastoreplicatepreviouswaterqualityanalysispracticestocompareresultsto thepreviousyear.Thiswilldeterminehowurbanrestorationinfluenceswaterquality(i.e.,nitrite,nitrate,conductivity,chlorine,sulfate, magnesium,calcium,potassium,sodium,alkalinity,pH,ammonium,totalorganiccarbon,bromine,andfluorine).Macroinvertebrate researchwasalsoconductedusingkicknettingandleafpacks.Thisprojectisanextensionofpreviouslycollecteddatafromthese locations.Thefirstyearofsamplingsuggestssignificantwaterqualityimprovementinsomesites,butnotothers.Thisresearch's continuedsamplingwillhelpelucidatewhyresultsindicateimprovementinonlysomelocations.Thislong-termdataonriparian restorationisrarebutextremelyvaluable.Manyrestorationprojectscollectdataforaperiodof6-12months.However,thisisonlya snapshotofthedataandtherestoration'simpact.Thiscontinueddatacollectiongivesvaluableinsightintothewaterqualityofstreams inLexingtonoveramorerealistictimeframeforchangestooccurandbemeasured.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

HUMANITIES

LETTERSAREALLWEHAVE:AWARTIMELOVESTORY

Simmons,Riley

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 149

Facultymentor(s): CarolStreetandRachelElliot

Discipline: Humanities

AgainstthebackdropofthehorrorsofWorldWarII,U.SNavalpilotTomFieldandAustralianteacherNancieDavismetduringhis serviceinAustraliaandfellinloveforalifetime.Utilizingtheircacheofrecentlydiscoveredwartimelovelettersthatweredonatedto theUniversityofKentuckyLibrariesSpecialCollectionsResearchCenter,thisgraphicnovelvisualizestheirserviceandlovestory.The collectionincludespictures,newspapers,andover500lettersfrom1941to1945.Tomandhisparentsalsowroteoftenwhilehewas awayfromhome.Theirletterstellastoryofaspirationduringdevastation,changeamidchaos,andthestabilizingforceofloveduringa globalwar.Thisgraphicnovelintendstotellthelessonsoflove,loss,andrelocationfromTomandNancie'sstory,lessonsthatarestill relevantinthe21stcentury.Itishopedthereformattingoftheirstoryfromlettersinanarchivestoavibrantandeasilyaccessible graphicnovelwillallowtheirepicromanceamidtheinstabilityofwartobetoldtoawideraudienceinthemodernera.Thisgraphic novelwillinspireaudiencestothinkcreativelyaboutstoriesofrealpeoplewaitingtobeexploredinthearchives.StorieslikeTomand Nancie'sinvitesamorehumanisticapproachtohistoricalpedagogicalperspectivesofwar.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

SEXANDAGE-DEPENDENTCHANGESINSLEEP-WAKERHYTHMSINAPPSAAMICE,ANALZHEIMER'S DISEASEMOUSEMODEL

JaydenAlcorn,JuliaRhorer,WillBriones,andSeforaThaisRodriguezVela

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 154

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MarilynDuncan,Dr.AdamBachstetter,andDr.MichaelMurphy

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Sleepplaysacriticalroleinbrainhealthandisessentialfornormalcognitivefunction,includinglearning,memoryconsolidation, andneuronalrepair.DisruptedsleeppatternsarecommonlyobservedinpatientswithAlzheimer'sdisease(AD)andcaneven precedetheonsetofclinicalsymptoms.FemaleshaveahigherriskofdevelopingADcomparedtomales,andageisthegreatest riskfactor.Inthisstudy,weinvestigatedageandsex-dependentchangesinAPPSAAmicewithwildtype(WT)controls.The APPSAAstrainhasrecentlybeendevelopedandusedinADresearchduetoitsexhibitionofADpathology,including beta-amyloiddepositioninthebrain,neurofibrillarytangles,andneuronalloss.Alongitudinalstudyofmiceofbothstrainsand sexesmonitoreddailysleep-wakerhythmsat2,4,6,8,and10monthsofageusingapiezoelectricsystemthatdetectsvibrations andutilizesmathematicalalgorithmstocharacterizethemassleeporwake.Ourresultsrevealedthattherearesignificantage differences,withanoverall5.96%(p<0.001)reductionintotalsleepfrom2-10months.Additionally,thereareminordifferences betweentheWTandAPPSAAstrains,witha5.25%(p=0.028)decreaseinlight-phasesleepinAPPSAAmicecomparedtoWTat 10months.Therearealsominorsexdifferences,althoughstudiesareongoing.Wewillcontinuemonitoringsleepasboththe WTandAPPSAAstrainsageandcomparetheage-relatedchangesinsleep-wakerhythmswiththeresultsofcognitivetestsand neuropathologybeingconductedinacollaborativestudy.Futurestudiesmayexploremechanismsunderlyingsexdifferencesin sleepanditspotentiallinktothedevelopmentofAD,whichcouldhaveimplicationsforADresearchandtreatmentby representingatargetforearlyinterventionandreductionofneuropathologyandcognitivedeclineinpatients.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

LIMITINGTHETIMEOFFEEDINGINMICERECAPITULATESSOMEPHYSIOLOGICALCHANGES

ASSOCIATEDWITHEATINGDISORDERSINPEOPLE

Baker,Isabel

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 155

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrianDelisle

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Eatingdisordershavethehighestmortalityrateamongpsychiatricdisorders.Thismaybeduetothephysiologicalchangesthat occurinresponsetoalteredeatingpatterns.Anexampleofadangerouseatingdisorderisanorexianervosa.Peoplewith anorexiacansufferadangerouslyslowheartratecalledbradycardia,lowerbodytemperature,andhyperactivity.Thisproject wasdesignedtotestifabnormaleatingbehaviorinmicecouldrecapitulatesomeofthephysiologicalchangesseeninpeople withanorexia.Telemetrywasusedtomeasuretheheartrate,coretemperature,andactivityinmicehousedinstandard laboratoryconditions.Thefoodwasremovedwhenmicenormallyeat,andreintroducedforabriefperiodwhenthemiceare normallyresting.Duringthefirst24-hours,themicehadstandardheartratesandbodytemperatures.However,theydidnoteat muchfoodandlost5-10%oftheirbodymass.Afterremovingthefoodonthesecondday,themiceshowedadramaticslowing oftheheartrateanddropintheircorebodytemperature,despiteeatingmorefoodwhenitwasavailable.Continuedtelemetry monitoringshowedthat,althoughmicebegantoeatthesameamountoffoodastheydidinstandardlaboratoryconditionsand regainmass,theheartratesremainedabnormallyslowandtheircoretemperatureabnormallylow.Thecorrespondingactivity datawasdifficulttointerpret.Limitingthetimingoffeedinginmicetothewrongtimeofdayinitiallycausedthemicetoeatless andlosemass.Afteroneday,themicesufferedbradycardiaandhadlowcoretemperatures.Althoughthemicebegantoeat moreandregainbodymass,theheartratesandcoretemperatureremainedlow.Feedingmiceatthewrongtimeofdaycan recapitulatesomeofthephysiologicalchangesinheartrateandtemperatureseeninpeoplewithanorexia.

DOCOMMUNITIESWITHHIGHOBESITYPREVALENCEBELIEVEOBESITYISAPROBLEMINTHEIR COMMUNITY?

Bandy,Nathan

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 156

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihanandDr.HeatherNorman

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Ruralcommunitiesaredisproportionallyaffectedbysomeofthehighestlevelsofchronic-diseasemorbidityandmortalityinthe U.S.Healthpoliciesandprograms,liketheCDC'sHighObesityProgram,attempttoalleviatetheseburdensthroughPolicy, Systems,andEnvironment(PSE)interventions.Ruralareascanoftenbeaversetooutsideinfluences,anditisimportantto considerwhetherthesecommunitiesagreethattheproblemsthatarebeingaddressedintheircommunityareinfactproblems, andwhetherperceptionoftheseproblemsareaffectedbytheinterventionsoftheprogramsasitprogressed.Differingopinions ordefinitionsmaycauseconflictsoralackofinterestinresearchorinterventionparticipation.AspartoftheCDC'sHighObesity Program,cohortstudieswereconductedtoidentifyprevalenceofobesityandotherenvironmentalfactors.Thesurvey populationsoftimepoint1(n=152)andtimepoint3(n=93)wereallfromMartinCounty,Kentucky.Timepoint2(n=62)was droppedduetolowengagement.Comparedto42%nationally,67.3%(n=101)and62.2%(n=46)ofthepopulationwere classifiedasobeseaccordingtotheirBMIintimepoint1andtimepoint3respectively.78.2%(n=119)ofthepopulationin timepoint1vs.83.9%(n=69)ofthepopulationintimepoint3eitheragreedorstronglyagreedthatadultobesitywasaproblem intheircommunity.Oncontrast,9.8%(n=15)ofthepopulationintimepoint1vs.24.8%(n=23)intimepoint3disagreedor stronglydisagreedthatadultobesitywasaproblemintheircommunity.Whileahighnumberofparticipantsagreedthat obesitywasaproblemintheircommunity,asurprisingnumberdidnot.Moreresearchneedstobedonetodetermineif communitieswithhigherobesityrateshaveeitherdifferingdefinitionsofwhatobesityisordonotrecognizetheburdensthatit placesontheircommunity.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

RENPHOBIASCALEVALIDATIONSTUDY

SarahBanksandHannahKho

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 157

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KyleFlack

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Accuratebodycompositionassessmentisimportantforhealthanddiseaseprevention.TheBodPod©isawell-knownair displacementplethysmograph,involvedinhumanvalidationstudies.However,theBodPod,similartoDual-energyX-rayabsorptiometry (DEXA)isexpensiveandrequiresspecializedtraining.BioelectricalImpedanceAnalysis(BIA)isanon-invasivemethodofestimating bodycomposition.NumerousBIAscalesareavailablethatestimatebodyfatbyestimatingbodywater.ThisstudychosetheRENPHO scale,Amazon's#1seller.ThisstudysoughttoevaluatetheunknownaccuracyoftheRENPHOBIAElis1scaleversustheBodPod.This studywasacross-sectionalanalysisofbodycompositionassessmentsviatheBodPodandRENPHOscale.Eligibilityincluded non-pregnantadults18yearsorolder.Thisstudyincluded80individualswhocompleted2assessments,1fastedand1fed.During each,theBodPodandBIAassessmentswerecompletedconsecutively.TheaccuracyoftheRENPHOscalewascalculatedbyevaluating thebias(Bias=BIA–BodPod)forbodyfat,fatfreemass,andbodyfatpercentage.Results:TheRENPHOscaleismoreaccuratein femalesthanmales.Malespresentedapositivebiasforfastedfatmass(FM)andfastedbodyfatpercentage(BFpct)of2.4kg(SE=1.02) and2.72%(SE=1.13).Malespresentedanegativebiasforfastedfatfreemass(FFM)of-2.86kg(SE=1.12).Femalesreportedpositive biasforFFMof0.46kg(SE=0.58)andnegativebiasesforFMandBFpctof-0.15kg(SE=0.56)and-0.51%(SE=0.83).Thesebiaseswere significantlydifferentfromzero(P<0.05)inmalesbutnotinfemales(P>0.05),indicatingthescalewasonlyaccurateforfemaleswhen assessingFM,FFM,andBFpct.Overall,biaseswerenotsignificantlydifferentfromzeroorinfastedvsfedconditions(allP>0.05). Additionally,heightandweightwerepositivelycorrelatedwithFMandBFpctandnegativelycorrelatedwithFFM.

EFFICACYOFINJECTIONTECHNIQUEINBRACHIALPLEXUSNERVEBLOCKADE Battaglia,Caitlin

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 158

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ElizabethSalt

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:Brachialplexusnerveblockade/blocks(BPBs)areacommonformofpaincontrolofferedbyanesthesiaservicesforahost ofprocedureswithassociatedrisksandcomplications,someofwhichcanbelife-altering.SeveralBPBadministrationtechniquesare available,yetclearlysetforthpracticerecommendationshavenotyetbeenspecified.Oneadministrationapproachissingleversus multiple-injectiontechniques.Duetotherecognizedrisks,itiscriticallyimportantthatevidence-basedbestpracticesaredescribed.

Purpose:Thisliteraturereviewaimedtocomparelidocaineinjectiontechniquesintothebrachialplexusandevaluatetheiranesthetic efficacy.Methods:CINAHLandPubMeddatabasesweresearchedforpublicationsbetween2017and2022usingtheterms"brachial plexus","lidocaine",and"injection*".Studieswerelimitedtoclinical/randomizedcontrolledtrialswithfiltershumanspecies,>18years ofage,andEnglishlanguageapplied.Ninearticleswereselectedforfurtheranalysis-onlystudiesthatfocusedoninjectiontechnique wereincluded.Anestheticefficacyand/orcomplicationoccurrenceweretheoutcomesofinterest.Results:Threestudiesfound increasedeffectivenesswiththeuseofmultiple-injectiontechniques.Otherstudiesfoundsimilarfindingswithbothapproaches.Little differenceswerenotedinprimaryoutcomesevaluated,howevertwostudiesfoundfasteronsettimesandhigherratesofblockagein multiple-injectiontechniques,andonestudyfounddecreasedperformancetimeandlesschanceofadverseeventoccurrencewitha single-injectiontechnique.Anoverallabsenceofastandardizedmeasureofevaluationfora"successful"BPBwasdiscovered.

Conclusion:Findingswerecomparablebetweenuseofsingleversusmultipleinjectiontechniques;leavingalltechniquesavailableat theadministrator'sdiscretionwasawidespreadrecommendation.Futureinquiryintoavailabilityofstandardizedassessmenttoolsfor evaluationofBPBefficacywouldservetoaddresspotentialbarriers.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

INTERACTIONSBETWEENDNAMISMATCHREPAIRANDPOSTREPLICATIVEREPAIRPATHWAYS

Berry,Lily

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 54

Facultymentor(s): Dr.EvaGoellner,KristinMiller,andBreannaG.Knicely

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

OurDNAisbeingdamagedconstantlyduetoenvironmentalexposuresandbiologicalprocesses.Luckily,mostorganismshavemultiple DNArepairmechanisms.DNAMismatchRepair(MMR)isacrucialpathwayforcorrectingmisincorporatedbasesandothersmall mutationsinthegenomethatcanoccurduringreplication.MMRdysfunctioninsomaticcellscanleadtosporadiccasesofcancer. MMRmutationsingermlinecellscauseinheritedcancerpredispositionconditions,suchasLynchsyndrome.Rad5,ahelicaseprotein involvedinasecondDNArepairpathway,Post-ReplicativeRepair(PRR).OurlabfoundRad5tobeanovelinteractingproteinoftwo MMRproteins,MSH2andMLH1.WhileRad5hasnoknownMMRrole,wesoughttoinvestigatetheinfluenceofRad5-MSH2binding andRad5-MLH1bindingonPRRpathwaysusingSaccharomycescerevisiaeasamodelorganism.Wehavedeterminedthephysical interactionsitebetweenRad5andMLH1butnotRad5andMsh2.WeknowthehumanhomologofRad5bindstohumanMsh2inthe first243aminoacids.InthisstudywegeneratedvectorstomeasureinteractionbetweenhumanMMRandhumanRad5homologsina yeast-twohybridvector.WealsogeneratedmutationsinRad5todeterminewhereitbindstoyeastMsh2viayeast-twohybridassay.

ThiswasrefinedbycomparingconservationofaminoacidsbetweenRad5andthehumanhomolog.Weinvestigatedwhetherhuman MMRproteinscouldbindtoyeastRad5giventheirpercentageconservationinaminoacidsequence.Wearealsosettingupdrug sensitivityassaysinyeasttoeventuallydeterminetheimpactoftheseinteractionmutationsonthePRRpathway,bymeasuring sensitivityoftheyeasttoadrug,methylmethanesulfonate.Wehopetoprovideinsightsonfuturecancerresearch,asDNArepairstatus hasclinicalimplicationsonprognosisandtreatmentefficacy.

UNDERSTANDINGBARRIERSTOHEALTHCAREWITHVETERANAFFAIRS:AREVIEWOFTHE LITERATURE

Brammer,Ekaterina

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 55

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KathryneGoldey

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:HealthcarebarriersforveteransisanongoingissueintheU.S.Activedutymembersareguaranteedhealthcarethrough government-fundedservicessuchasTricare,thesameisnottruewhentheygetoutofthemilitary.Veteransmayapplyforbenefits throughtheDepartmentofVeteranAffairs(VA),butthecaretheyreceivemaybelessregulatedandlessaccessiblecomparedto privateinsurance.ThishasledmanyveteranstofeeldiscouragedfromapplyingforservicesthroughtheVA.Inaddition,marginalized groups,suchasthehomeless,women,anddisabledveteransaremorelikelytobedeniedbenefitsthroughtheVA.

Purpose:TobetterunderstandthebarrierstogettingaccesstohealthcarethroughtheVA.

PreliminaryResults:Ofthefemaleveteranpopulation,19%experienceddelayed,orlowerqualityofcarecomparedtotheirmale counterparts.Higherratesaremoreprevalentinyoungerfemaleagegroups.ThemainreasonwomendonotchoosetoapplyforVA benefitsisthelackofOB/GYNandotherspecializedwomen’shealthservicesavailable.VA-onlyusersreportedworsephysicaland mentalhealthoutcomescomparedtothosewhohadcombinedVAbenefitsandprivateinsuranceorprivateinsurancealone. ApproximatelytwothirdsofVA-exclusiveveteransself-reportedatleastonebarriertohealthcarethroughVA.Barriersinclude,butare notlimitedtoconcernsaboutstaff,reputation,stigma,waittimes,andlackofinformationaboutservices.

Conclusion:Whiletherehavebeenstridesmadetoimproveveteranhealthcareasawhole,suchastheMISSIONActof2018,thereisa longwaytogotoimproveveteranaccesstocare.IncreasedfundingthroughtheDepartmentofVeteranAffairswillallowmore specializedservices,suchaswomen’shealth,andmentalandbehavioralhealth..Furthermore,placingmoreregulationsonhealthcare services,suchasthoseinplaceincivilianhealthcare,willhelpimproveoverallhealthoutcomesforourveteransandtheirfamilies.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

NESTINGBEHAVIORINAGEDEPENDENTWILDTYPE(WT)ANDAPPSAADENALIKNOCK-INMOUSE MODELASANINDICATOROFALZHEIMERDISEASEPROGRESSION.

WilliamBrions,JuliaRhorer,andJaydenAlcorn

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 56

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MarilynDuncanandHaleighWhitlock

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Affiliatedbehaviorssuchasnestinginmiceandotherspeciesofferinsightintostudiesofneurodegenerativediseasessuchas Alzheimer's(AD).Nestingiscommonlyshownininstancesofsurvivalbehavior,theonsetofsleep,andindicatorsofcognitiveability suchaslearningandmemory.PatientslivingwithADandthoseearlyintodiseaseprogressionshowdeficitsincognitionandoverall dailyfunction.WhilemajorsymptomsofADrelatetolossoffunctionallearningandmemory,sleepdisturbancesoftenoccurlong beforetypicaldiseasesymptoms.Assuch,brainareassuchasthehippocampus,ventraltegmentalareaandthemedialpreopticareaof thehypothalamuswhichareinvolvedinnestingbehaviorshowlargesignsofneurodegenerationinpatientslivingwithAD.Thepurpose ofourstudywastoseehowageaffectednestingbehaviorintwodifferentmicegroups.Inourstudies,nestingbehaviorwastestedin bothwildtype(WT)mice(n=16)andAPPSAADenalimice(n=16)inalongevitystudyof6months,8months,and10months.The Denaliknock-inmodelusedintestingofsleepandcorrelatednestingbehaviorshowfeaturesofincreasedamyloidpathology, accumulationofamyloidbetaplaques,anddisturbedmicrogliafunction.Aftereachscoringsession,datawasreviewedforeachage andeventuallycomparedatthethreedifferenttimepoints.WhileDenalimiceshowedloweroverallnestingscoresat6months,8 monthsand10months,agedidnothaveasignificanteffectonnestingscoresbetweenmicegroups.Whilemajordifferencesbyage wasnotseenintheDenalimice,nestingbehaviorremainsahallmarkincognitivetestingandsleepfragmentationwithregardstoAD diseaseprogression.

MeganCerar,SydneyClayton,EliasDominguez,GinaHuber,andMeganSimmons

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 51

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MaryJoCooley-Hidecker,Dr.JanineSchmedding-Bartley,andDr.JudithPage

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Thepurposeofthisresearchwastolearnhowto3Dprintassistivetechnologydevicesforaugmentativeandalternative communicationpurposes.Themainfocuswassimplifyingtheuseof3Dprinterssothatanyonehadtheabilitytouseitbyreadingaset ofdirections.Assistivetechnologyandtechnologyusedwithaugmentativeandalternativecommunicationcanbeextremelycostly,and makingitaccessiblecandecreasethepriceburden.TheUKRehabMakerspaceasawholefocusesonassistivetechnologyinseveral areas,includingToyswithaPurpose,interactiveswitches,andkeyguards.Thepresenterwilldiscusshowthegeneralprocessof3D printingworks,benefitsof3Dprinting,andaffordabilityandaccessibilityof3Dprinting.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

HEALTHCAREPROVIDERBIASESTOWARDSINDIVIDUALSWITHDISABILITIES:ALITERATUREREVIEW

KellyChism,HaileyHerrington,MaryAnnNerswick,andMarquesLassell

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 52

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PatrickKitzman

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Over25%ofallAmericanshaveadisability;makingthemthesecondlargestdemographicgroupintheUS.InKentucky,35%ofour populationhasadisability(CDC,2021).Previousworkbyourteamhasshownthatindividualswithdisabilitiesreportmanybarriersto accessinghealthcarethataffecttheirqualityoflife.Oneofthebarrierstheseindividualsreportisaperceivebiasbytheirhealthcare providerstowardspeoplewithdisabilities.Agreaterunderstandinghealthcareproviderbiasestowardspeoplewithdisabilitiesis neededtodevelopandtestaneducational-basedinterventionaimedatminimizingtheimpactofthesebiases.Purpose:Toconducta literaturereviewtogainaclearerunderstandingoftheexplicitandimplicitbiasesheldbyhealthcareproviders(physicians,nurse, physicaltherapy,occupationaltherapy,speechtherapy).Methods:Termsincludingableism,biases,explicit,implicitandeachofthe healthcareprofessionswereusedsearchdatabasessuchasMedline.Results:Studieshaveshownthateachofprofessionalandwellas studentswithintheprofessionalprogramsdemonstratebiases(eitherexplicitand/orimplicit)towardindividualswithdisabilities.A fewstudieshavepilotededucationalinterventionsandwereabletolowerexplicitbiasesbutnotimplicitbiases.

EFFECTOFPLA2-IIAINHUMANSUBGINGIVALORALMICROBIOME

Ghaddafi,Rooz

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 49

Facultymentor(s): Dr.OctavioGonzalez,Dr.VanessaTuberoEuzebioAlves,andDr.RobertDanaher

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Objective:PhospholipaseA2groupIIA(PLA2-IIA)isapotentantimicrobialenzymeassociatedwithintestinaldysbiosis.Although PLA2-IIAlevelsareincreasedwithperiodontitis,itspotentialroleinoraldysbiosisremainsunknown.Wepreviouslydemonstratedthat P.gingivalis(Pg)modulatesantimicrobialresponsesoforalepithelialcellsbyinducinghigherlevelsofPLA2-IIAandthatmonocultures oforalbacteria,butnotPg,weredifferentiallysusceptibletorecombinanthumanPLA2-IIA(rhPLA2-IIA)invitro.Ourgoalistoevaluate theantimicrobialactivityofrh-PLA2-IIAagainsthumanoralsubgingivalplaque.Methods:Subgingivalplaquefromahealthysubject wascultivatedinSHI-mediumandtitratedonblood-agarplatesandincubatedanaerobicallytoquantifytotalcultivatablemicrobiota (CFU/ml).AntimicrobialactivityofrhPLA2-IIAwillbeevaluatedbymeasuringchangesinopticaldensityofculturestreatedwithserial dilutionsofrhPLA2-IIAcultivatedfor24-48hr.BacteriawillthenbestainedusingLive/DeathBacLight-kitandsortedbyFACS.16s sequencingwillbeperformedtoidentifyPLA2-IIAresistantandsusceptiblesubgingivalbacterialspecies.Results:Initialexperiments showedthatbacteriafromdilutedaliquotsofsubgingivalplaquesamplesareviableandcultivatableasdeterminedformationof coloniesonagarplatesandincreasedOD600ofcells.AntimicrobialexperimentswithPLA2-IIAfollowedbyFACSand16ssequencingare inprocess.Conclusion:PositiveresultscouldhelptoidentifysubgingivalbacterialspeciessusceptibleorresistanttoPLA2-IIA. AntimicrobialactivityofPLA2-IIAfavoringpathogenicbacterialspeciessuggeststhatincreaseingingivalPLA2-IIAlevelsmaybe contributingtooraldysbiosisandperiodontaldisease.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

STRATEGIESFORIMPROVINGERWAITTIMES:AREVIEWOFTHELITERATURE

Graves,Sarah

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 121

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KatieGoldey

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

LongwaittimesforEmergencyRoomsisapervasiveproblem,impactingpeopleallovertheUnitedStates.Thesewaittimescan sometimesbeaslongas60minutes.Increasedwaittimesareassociatedwithnumerousadversehealthoutcomes,includingincreased riskofdeathifnotadmitted.Itiscriticalthathealthcareadministratorsutilizeresearchtocreateabetterunderstandingofthecauses andpossiblesolutionstothedangerousproblemofextendedE.R.waittimes.Purpose:Thepurposeofthisstudywastoreviewthe literatureoneffectivesolutionsforreducingE.R.waittimes.Results:•Thereisarelationshipbetweentheraceofthepatientandwait times,indicatingthepossibleroleofracialbias.•Inonestudy,theuseofselfcheck-inkiosksresultedina56%reductioninwaittimes• Interventionstoimprovecommunicationandoverallsystemsmayhelpreducewaittimes.Theseinterventioncomponentsincluded timelycommunicationandutilizingbedsbetter.Conclusion:TherearethingsthatERscandotoimprovewaittimes.Theseincludeself check-inkiosks,utilizingbedsbetter,bettercommunication,andmore.

ASSESSINGTHEIMPACTOFANTISENSEOLIGONUCLEOTIDETHERAPYINALAFORADISEASEMOUSE MODEL

LaikenGriffithandPeytonCoburn

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 122

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MatthewGentry

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

LaforaDisease(LD)isglycogenstoragediseasethatoccursinchildrenandyoungadults,includessymptomslikeseizuresand neurodegeneration,andresultsinthedeathofthepatientwithinabouttenyearsoftheonsetofseizures.LDresultsfrommutationsin eithertheEPM2AorEPM2Bgenesthatencodefortheproteinslaforinandmalin,andisdrivenbytheformationofinsolubleglycogen, whichaggregatesintoLaforaBodies(LBs).Thisstudyexaminedanantisenseoligonucleotidethattargetsglycogensynthase(Gys1)asa potentialtherapywiththegoalofslowingtheformationofLBs.WefoundthattheGys1ASOresultedinasignificantdecreaseinthe formationofLBs,aswellasfewerlargeLBaggregates.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

SOCIALINFLUENCESONRENEWALOFFENTANYLSEEKING

Hales,Joshua

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 123

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MichaelBardo

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:Relapseandcravingcanbeachallengingbarrierforthetreatmentofindividualswithsubstanceusedisorders(SUD) followingrehabilitation.Contextplaysamajorroleinthehighratesofrelapse(Neisewanderetal.,2012).IndividualswithSUDtypically takedrugsinthesameplacewiththesamepeople.Theseplacesandpeoplebecomeassociatedwithdruguseandcanserveas contextualcues(Nambaetal.,2018),whichmayelicitcravingandleadtorelapse.Purpose:Thepurposeofthisstudywastousean ABArenewalparadigmthathasbeenestablishedinourlabwithcocaineandseeifitgeneralizestoopiateslikefentanyl.Another purposewastoassessifthereareanydifferencesbetweensocialandnonsocialcuesduringrenewaltesting.Basedonpreviousstudies inthelab,itwashypothesizedthatthereturntocontextualcues(socialandnonsocial)presentduringdrugself-administrationwould influenceasignificantrenewaleffect.Moreimportantly,socialcueswouldproducealargerrenewaleffectthannonsocialcues.

Methods:AnABArenewalparadigmwasusedwhereSprague-Dawleyratsself-administeredfentanylinContextA(sameage/sexpeer (socialcue)andvibrantwallpaper(nonsocialcue)).Followingself-administration,extinctionwasconductedinContextB(removalof socialandnon-socialcues).RenewaltestingbeganafterextinctionwhereContextAcueswerepresentedasfollows:control(ext), wallpaperalone,peeralone,andwallpaper+peer.Results:Thereissignificantrenewaloffentanylseekingwhenratsarereintroduced totheirpeerwhowaspresentduringself-administration.Interestingly,therewasnorenewalofthenonsocialcuealone.Conclusions: Inthisparadigm,socialcuesovershadownonsocialcuesintherenewaloffentanylseeking.Futurestudiesareneededtolookfurther intotherolesofsocialcuesduringdruguseandrelapse.

CONDITIONINGELECTRICALSTIMULATIONFORSCIATICNERVEINJURYINAMOUSEMODEL

Harris,Alandrea

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 118

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JillWard

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Peripheralnerveinjuriesarecommon,andrecoveryfromnerveinjuryisverypoorleavingvictimswithlifelongdisabilities.Conditioning electricalstimulation(CES)isknowntoproducefavorableoutcomesinperipheralnerveinjurieswhencomparedtoperi-operative electricalstimulation(PES)orPES+CES.CESisconducted7dayspriortoanerverepairandthenerveisstimulatedfor1hour.Aslittleas 10minutesofPESenhancesnerveregenerationandiscomparableto1hourPES.Itisunknownwhether10minofCESalsopromotes regeneration.Wehypothesizedthat10minCESwillincreasethenumberofregeneratingaxons,enhanceelongationofaxonsfromthe siteofinjury,andspeedupthereturnoffunctionalrecoverycomparedtothestandard1hourCES.Twoseparatemouselineswere usedinthisstudy:wildtype(C57BL/6J)andtransgenicYFP-16(Tg(Thy1-YFP)16Jrs).BothweregivenCES,withrespecttothespecific treatmentdurations,7dayspriortonerveinjury.WildtypemicewereutilizedforfunctionalrecoverytestingthroughCompound MuscleActionPotential(CMAP's)analysisafternervetransectionandrepairsurgery.YFP-16micewereusedtomeasureaxon regenerationandreinnervationafternervegrafting.Althoughfurthertestingiscurrentlybeingconducted,wefoundthatat6weeks post-operation,10minCESdidnotenhancenerveregeneration(similartoshams).Thisfindingisclinicallyimportantandindicatesthat CESshouldbeperformedfor1hourandthatthecellularandmolecularmechanismsofCESandPESmaydiffer.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEIMPACTOFSEXUALASSAULTONTHEACADEMICSUCCESSOFCOLLEGESTUDENTS

Hayes,Madison

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 119

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:17%ofwomenand3%ofmenhavebeenavictimofattemptedorcompletedrapeintheirlifetimes.Collegestudentsare moreatriskforsexualassaultastheannualincidenceofrapeisfivetimeshigherforcollegewomenthannoncollegewomen.Thus,itis importanttounderstandhowsexualassaultimpactscollegestudents,includingtheiracademicsuccess.Objective:Thisstudyaimedto determineifexperiencingsexualassaultwhileincollegeaffectstheoverallacademicsuccessofcollegestudents.Methods:Inthis electronicsurveyofcollegestudents,104participantswereaskediftheyhadexperiencedsexualassaultduringcollege.Respondents weredividedintotwogroupsbasedontheiranswers:thosewhosaidtheyhadexperiencedsexualassaulted(n=26),andthosethatdid not(n=71).AcademicsuccessofbothgroupswasmeasuredbyGPA,classattendance,andnumberofwithdrawsontheirtranscript. Thosewhoweresexuallyassaultedwereaskedfurtherquestions.Results:T-testswereconductedtodetermineiftherewasa differenceinacademicsuccessbetweenthosewhoanswered"yes"tobeingsexuallyassaultedduringcollegeandthosethatanswered "no".TherewasasignificantdifferenceinGPA(p<0.05),classattendance(p<0.001),andnumberofwithdrawsonthetranscript betweenthetwogroups(p<0.05).Pairedt-testswerealsocompletedtodetermineiftherewasadifferenceinacademicsuccessthe semesterbeforeandafterthesexualassaultoccurred.TherewasasignificantdifferenceinGPA(p<0.001)andclassattendance (p<0.05)betweenthetwogroups.Conclusion:Sexualassaultthatoccursduringcollegeseemstohaveasignificantimpactoncollege student'sacademicsuccess.However,theresultsarenotgeneralizabletoallcollegestudentsduetothesmallsamplesize.Thisstudy canbeusedtodrawuniversities'attentiontothisissueandguidefutureresearch.

BIRTHDELIVERYOUTCOMESOFGESTATIONALDIABETICMOTHERS Husted,Marissa

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 120

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHouilhan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Purpose:Gestationaldiabetesisatypeofdiabetesthatisdevelopedduringpregnancy.Previousresearchhasshownthat,gestational diabetesduringpregnancyincreasesoddsforwomendeliveringtheirbabyviacesareansectionratherthanvaginally.Acesarean deliverymayposerisksformotherandbaby.Theoffspringisathigherriskofbeingmacrosomia(9poundsormore),beingborn pre-term,havinglowbloodsugaranddevelopingtype2diabeteslaterinlife.Thepurposeofthisstudywastoexplorearelationship amongwomenwhohadgestationaldiabetesduringpregnancyandthedeliveryoutcome.Methods:Apilotstudycollecteddatafrom 191femaleadultparticipants.Datacollectedincludedmotherandbabydemographics,gestationaldiabetesdiagnosisanddelivery methodatbirth.Descriptivestatistics,chi-squareandfishersexacttestswereusedtodescribethestudyparticipantsandanalyzethe relationshipsbetweendiagnosisofgestationaldiabetesduringanyfourpreviouspregnanciesandthelikelihoodofacesareandelivery outcome.Womenwhohavenothadgestationaldiabeteswereusedasacomparison.Results:Inpregnancyone,womenweremore likelyforacesareandeliverywhendiagnosedwithgestationaldiabetes(P=0.034).Inpregnancytwo,womenwithgestationaldiabetes weremorelikelyforacesareandelivery(P=0.049).Inpregnancythree,womenwithgestationaldiabeteswerenotlikelyforacesarean delivery(P=0.415).Thosediagnosedwithgestationaldiabetesinpregnancyfourwerenotlikelyforacesareandelivery(P=0.545).

Conclusion:Thisstudyshowsthatgestationaldiabetesisastrongpredictorforcesareandeliveryinthefirsttwopregnanciesversus threeormorepregnancies.Effortsshouldbemadetofurtherstudytherisksandoutcomesofgestationaldiabetesinmothersto improvethedecision-makingeffortsregardingoptimalhealthduringpregnancy.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

INUTEROMORPHINEEXPOSUREINDUCESHYPERTENSIONASSOCIATEDWITHENDOGENOUS OPIOIDSDYSREGULATION

AlanaKassisandJenaMalone

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 115

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AnaliaLoria,Dr.NerminAhmedandDr.CarolinaDalmasso

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Ithasbeenshownthatopioidusedisorder(OUD)islinkedtoincreasedCVDrisk.However,littleisknownaboutthein-uteroeffectsof opioidsonthemetabolicdevelopmentoftheoffspring.Previously,wehaveshownthatprenatalmorphine(MOR)increasedblood pressureandsympathetictoneinbothmaleandfemaleadultoffspring.TheaimofourresearchwastoanalyzewhetherMORexposure duringgestationandlactationisassociatedwithahighermetabolicriskofthedysregulationoftheendogenousopioidsystem (pro-enkephalin,PENK)intheliverfromtheadultoffspring.Tissuewascollectedin3-month-oldoffspringtoperformRNAextraction andabsolutequantitativereal-timeRT-PCR(AQ-rt-RT-PCR)assaytoquantifyPENK,whichhasbeenshowntomodulateinsulinsignaling andglucosehomeostasisviatheopioidreceptors.PrenatalMORexposuredidnotaffectliverweight,whileadiposetissuevolumewas reducedinmale-exposedoffspring,butnotfemales.In-uteroMORexposureincreasesfastingbloodglucose,normalizedtoleanbody mass(LBM),(F-MOR1.38±0.1vs.F-VEH1.11±0.06mg/dL/gofLBM;M-MOR1.26±0.1vs.M-VEH0.93±0.02mg/dL/gofLBM, n=7-8,p<0.05),decreasesplasmainsulinlevels(F-MOR19.5±5.9vs.F-VEH39.5±10.6IU/mL;M-MOR31.5±7vs.M-VEH65.9±12.5 IU/mL,n=8-10,p<0.05),andincreasesLDL(F-MORvs.VEH~2fold;M-MORvs.VEH~1.5foldmg/dL;n=6-8,p<0.05)infemalesand males.InMOR-exposedoffspring,PENKmRNAexpressionshoweda~2-foldincreaseintheliveroffemaleandmaleMOR-exposed offspring(-2ddCt,n=8,p<0.05)comparedtoVEHfemalesandmales.Takentogether,thisdataindicatesthatmaternalMORexposure increasestheriskofoutcomeslinkedtocardiovascularandmetabolicdiseaseandincreasessympatheticoutflowtotheliverinadult offspring.

EVALUATIONOFTHEEFFICACYOFNEXT-GENERATIONPROBIOTICSINCONTROLLINGSALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUMINFECTIONS.

Kelley, William

Session 1: 1:00 - 2:30pm

Poster: 116

Faculty mentor(s): Dr. Yosra Helmy

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Salmonella isoneoftheworld’sleadingfood-bornepathogenscausinggastroenteritisinhumansglobally. Salmonella isresponsiblefor foodpoisoningoutbreakswithanestimated90millionillnesseseveryyear.Poultryandpoultryproductsaretheprimarysourcesof humaninfection.Thehighprevalenceofsalmonellosiscanbecausedbymultidrug-resistant(MDR)strains.Thus,thereisgreatdemand forantibioticalternativestopreventinfectioninpoultrytopreventinfectionandantibioticresistanceinhumans.Probioticsare beneficialbacteriafoundinthegutthatimproveguthealth.Traditionalprobioticshaveshownmarginalameliorativeeffectstoward manyfood-bornemicroorganisms;however,next-generationprobiotics(NGPs)haveshownpromisingpotentialasnoveltherapeutics tocontrolpathogenicbacteria.Inthisstudy,weaimtoevaluatetheefficacyofprobioticsinpreventing Salmonella growthand pathogenicity invitro.Approximately40probioticstrainsweretestedforinhibitoryeffectsonthegrowthof S.Typhimurium usingan agar-welldiffusionassayanditwasfoundthatmanyprobioticstrainsdemonstratedstronginhibitionforSalmonellagrowth.These candidateswerethentestedfortheireffectsontheinhibitionof Salmonella biofilmformationandpreformedbiofilm,aswellasfor anti-Salmonella activityviaco-cultureassayinliquidmedia.Resultsdemonstratepromisinginhibitionofbiofilmformationand completeinhibitionof Salmonella growthafter24hoursofculturingtogether.Inthefuture,ourstudieswillevaluatetheeffectsof theseprobioticsontheadhesion,invasion,andsurvivabilityof Salmonella inhumanintestinalcells.Inconclusion,probioticsshow promisingpotentialforcontrolling Salmonella infections invitro.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

USINGTHELEARNPROGRAMTOANALYZEFOODRECORDSFORTOTALFATREDUCTION

Kho,Hannah

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 117

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KyleFlack

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:ObesityisagrowingprogramacrosstheUnitedStates,withaprevalencerateof41.9%from2017-2020.Obesityisamajor riskfactorforseveralchronicdiseases,includingcardiovasculardisease,whichistheleadingcauseofdeathintheUnitedStates. The4-monthbehavioralweightlossintervention(LEARN)hasbeeneffectiveatreducingobesityratesinmanyclinicaltrials.Thecurrent "DietaryAdaptionforWeightLossmaintenanceatYale(DAWLY)"trialisthelatesttousetheLEARNprogram.Participants:Adults betweentheagesof18-55withaBMIbetween25-45(overweightandobese),absentofdiabetesorfoodallergies,participatedinthe LEARNprogramforfourmonthsandthentheLEARNmaintenanceprogramfor4months.Assessments:Participantscompleteda weighted3-dayfoodrecordatbaselineandafter8months.ThefoodrecordswereanalyzedbytheNutritionandDataSystemfor Research(NDSR).Thefirst10participantswereanalyzedforthisreport.Results:Decreasesintotalenergyandaddedsugarintake trendedtowardssignificance.Energy,inkcal:1968.8+156.53atbaselineto1575.6+118.59at8months.Addedsugar,ingrams:82.35 +11.04to57.13+8.98)withpvaluesof0.06and0.09respectively.Totalfatintakedecreasedfrom84.45+3.16atbaselineto64.58+ 4.86at8monthswithap-valueof0.02.

MRNAVACCINES:THEFUTUREOFCANCERTREATMENT

Lowe,Grace

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 111

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KarlaLightfield

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

mRNAvaccinesadministeredbyPfizerandModernagrabbedthepublic'sattentionduringtheCOVID-19pandemicandgatheredmore interestinhowthesevaccinesaredeveloped.mRNAvaccinesareanalternativetypeofvaccinetomoretraditionalorconventional types,suchaslive-attenuatedandinactivatedvaccines.SomemRNAvaccineshavebeendevelopedtoprotectagainstinfluenza,Ebola, andofcourse,COVID-19.ThemaincomponentofanmRNAvaccineisthemRNAstrandderivedfromthepathogenthatcodesfora specificproteinormultipleproteinsfromthatspecificpathogen.OncethisstrandofmRNAisinjectedintothehostcell,thecell producesthesepathogenicproteins,initiatinganimmuneresponse,anddevelopingbothhumoralandcell-mediatedimmunity.mRNA vaccinesarenotonlyusedtodevelopimmunityagainstinfectiousdiseases,buttheyarealsousedincancertreatment.ThemRNA vaccinestargetcancertumorsandinitiatecellularimmunity,whichishavingsuccessinseveralclinicaltrialsintreatingvarioustypesof cancers.Someoftheseclinicaltrialsaretestingthesevaccinesinpatientswithmelanoma,pancreaticcancer,lungcancer,prostate cancer,andothers.ThesemRNAcancervaccinesareabletotargettumorsbyinjectingmRNAstrandsthatcodefortumor-associated antigensintohostcellsandinducinghumoralandcell-mediatedimmuneresponses.Thisliteraturereviewaimstoprovideinformation onmRNAvaccineresearchanddescribehowtheyarecurrentlybeingusedtofurthercancertreatments.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

MECHANOTHERAPYINFEMALERATSREDUCESCOLLAGENACCUMULATION,BUTNOTMUSCLE ATROPHY

Mantuano,Alessandra

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 113

Facultymentor(s): Dr.EstherDupont

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:Mechanotherapythroughcyclic-compressiveloading(massage)inducesananabolicresponseinmaleratsduringrecovery fromatrophy,butnotwhenappliedduringdisuse.Femalesshowadifferentresponsetomechanotherapyduringrecoverythanmales, howeverresponseduringdisusehasnotbeenevaluated.Hypothesis:Muscleatrophyinfemaleratswillreducewhenmechanotherapy isapplied.Methods:10-month-oldfemaleBN/F344ratswererandomlyassignedtothreegroups:weight-bearing(WB;n=6),hindlimb suspensiontoinduceatrophy(HS;n=7),andHSwithmassage(HSM;n=7).HSandHSMweresuspendedfor7daysduringwhichHSM received30minutesofmechanotherapyeveryotherdayontherightgastrocnemiusmusclebeginningdayoneofsuspension(total4 bouts).Meanfibercross-sectionalarea(CSA)andfibertypedistribution(MyHC),satellitecellnumber(Pax7+cells),collagenpercentage (picrosiriusred),andmyonuclearnumber(dystrophin-DAPI+)wereanalyzedontherightgastrocnemiusmuscle.One-wayANOVAwas preformedandstatisticalsignificancewasassumedatp<0.05.Results:HSandHSMbodyweightsweresignificantlylowerthanWB.CSA waslowerinHS(2096±127.4ï m2;p=0.0011)andHSM(2228±130.7ï m2;p=0.0050)comparedtoWB(2892±68.26ï m2),withno significantdifferencebetweenHSandHSM.Fibertypedistributionandsatellitecellnumberwerenotsignificantlydifferentbetween groups(p>0.05).CollagenpercentagewassignificantlyhigherinHS(10.4±0.3)thaninWB(8.0±0.2;p<0.0001)andHSM (9.0±0.3;p=0.0040),whileHSMwasnotdifferentfromWB(p>0.05).Conclusion:Mechanotherapypotentiallyreducesfibrosisdueto atrophybypreventingbuildupofcollageninextracellularmatrix,butdoesnotattenuateatrophy.WorksupportedbyNIHgrant AT009268.

FERMENTATIONANDMENTALHEALTHINCOLLEGESTUDENTS

Martha,Aziz

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 114

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Athresholdofeffectofdiversityonandwithingutmicrobiomediversitywasnotfoundinresearch,butitproposedthatanincreased diversitywouldleadtoanincreasedgutmicrobiomediversity,andtherefore,increasedmentalhealth.Across-sectionalsurveystudy aimedtodetermineiftheintakeoffermentedfoodscanincreaseone'smentalhealthwithrespecttodepression.Depressionwas quantitativelyestimatedusingthevalidatedPHQ-9questionnaireandcomparedtothequantitativeintakeofprobioticsand supplementsmeasuredbyaself-reportsurvey.Demographicsfrom29respondentsinclude82.8%beingWhite,6.9%BlackorAfrican American,and3.4%wereNativeHawaiianorPacificIslander,andAsian,respectively.Theaveragedepressionscoreforeachracial group,respectively,were4.583,7,5,and9.Outoftheraces,whitepeoplehadthelowestdepressionscore,comparedtootherraces. Theaveragedepressionscoreforthosewhotookprobioticswas5versusthosewhodidnottakethem,5.29,andwasnotsignificantly differentwithap-valueof0.8.Therewasamoderatecorrelation,witha0.6R2correlationvaluebetweentheamountofdiversityof fruitandvegetable.Themainlimitationswithinthisstudyweresmallsamplesize,dueexclusionparametersandsmallsamplesize.In futurestudies,theeffectoffruitandvegetablediversitycanbestudiedusingvalidatedfrequencytoolstobetterestimateintake.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

MP201LEADINGTODECREASEDANXIETY-LIKEBEHAVIORSANDELEVATEDCOGNITIVEFUNCTION AFTERMBTBIEXPOSURE

Miller,Hannah

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 109

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BradHubbard

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Mildblasttraumaticbraininjury(mbTBI)canresultincognitivedysfunctionandtherearecurrentlynoFDAapprovedmedicationsfor thetreatmentofmbTBI.Aprodrugof2,4-dinitrophenol,MP201,amitochondrialuncouplerwithextendedeliminationtimewas administeredtoSpragueDawleyratsfollowingblastexposuretopreventthecatastrophicsideeffectsofmbTBI.Therewerefortyrats dividedupintofourtreatmentgroups:"VehicleSham","VehiclembTBI","DelayedMP201mbTBI","EarlyMP201mbTBI".Ratswere doseddailywitheithervehicleorMP201viaoralgavageaftermbTBIorshamproceduresfor2weeks.Elevatedplusmaze(EPM)testing wascompletedat6daysafterthembTBIandnovelobjectrecognition(NOR)testingwascompletedat9daysaftermbTBIexposure.. FortheEPMdata,thebodyelongationpatternsoftheratswereanalyzed,aswellascumulativedurationpatternsinbothopenand closedarmstoanxiety-likebehaviors.ToanalyzetheNORdata,recognitionindexes(RI)werecalculatedforthecumulativedurationin secondsspentwithinnose-pointofthenovelobjectcomparedtobothobjectstotestcognitivefunctionandmemory.Itwas hypothesizedthattheratsdosedwithMP201wouldhavehigherRIandlessanxietybehaviorthanthe"VehiclembTBI"rats,similarto shamlevels.WeconcludedwiththeNORtestingthattheratstreatedwithMP201displayedRIabove0.5and,therefore,illustrated memoryofthelearnedfamiliarobject.The"VehicleBlast"groupexhibitedRIsimilarto0.5,showingmemoryimpairment.FortheEPM testingwefoundthattheratstreatedwithMP201performedlikethe"VehicleSham"treatmentgroup,spendinglesstimeinbody contractionandmoretimeintheopenarms.ThissupportsthehypothesisthatwithtreatmentwithMP201aftermbTBIassistsin reducinganxiety-likebehaviorandincreasingmemoryfunctioninrats.

INVESTIGATINGTHECONTRIBUTIONOFPERI-RENALADIPOSETISSUEACTIVATIONININCREASING MEANARTERIALPRESSUREINOBESEMALEMICEEXPOSEDTOEARLYLIFESTRESS

Minor,Olivia

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 107

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AnaliaLoria

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Earlylifestress(ELS)hasnegativelong-lastingimpactsonmentalandphysicalhealth.Inthisstudyweareexploringtheconnection betweenELSandhighbloodpressure,mediatedbyadiposetissue-derivedafferentsignals,amechanismknownasadiposeafferent reflex(AAR).WemodelELSthroughmaternalseparationandearlyweening(MSEW),andthentheanimalsarefedeitheralowfator highfatdiet.TheAARisareflexthatgoesfromadiposetissueupthespinalcord,tothebrain,andbacktotheadiposetissue.Under normalconditions,theAARinduceslipolysisandlipidredistributiontoregulateincreasesinfatmass.Underobesityinduced hypertension,afferentsignalsoverstimulatethecentralnervoussystemandincreasethesympatheticoutflowtoheart,arteries,and kidneys,elevatingbloodpressure.InpreviousstudiesweshowedthatobeseMSEWmalemicedisplayanexacerbatedbloodpressure responsetothestimulationofepididymaltissue(eWAT)withcapsaicin,whilethestimulationofsubcutaneoustissue(scWAT)induceda similarpressorresponseinMSEWandcontrolmice.Thus,theaimofthisstudywastotestthecontributionofadifferentvisceralfat pad,theperirenalwhiteadiposetissue(prWAT),ontheactivationoftheAARinMSEWmice.Thisstudyisdonethroughin-vivo catheterimplantationsurgeriestomeasureMAPandthestimulationoftheAARwithcapsaicin.Additionally,enzyme-linked immunoassay's(ELISA)willbedonetomeasureserotoninlevelsinprWATtofurtheraddtoourunderstandingofhowthisfatpadwill contributetotheAAR,andcardiovasculardiseaseasawhole.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

UTILIZINGCAMPSTIMULATIONTOSTUDYMYELINGENEEXPRESSIONINHUMANSCHWANNCELLS

Moon,Madison

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 108

Facultymentor(s): Dr.GregGerhardtandDr.PaulaMonje

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

ThisstudyutilizedcAMPstimulationtooptimizecell-basedassaysofmyelingeneexpressionusingisolatedhumanSCsobtainedfrom nervetissues.ToinvestigatethecellularimpactsofcAMP,immunofluorescencemicroscopy,livecellvideo-imagingmicroscopy, qRT-PCR,andnext-generationtranscriptomeprofiling(RNA-seq)aresomeofthetechniquescompleted.Thesemethodswere accomplishedutilizingcellcultures(fromPengetal.orMonjeetal.2018),RNAseqandbioinformatics(fromPengetal2020)produce thedataforthisproject.RNAsequencingandbioinformaticsarecrucialelementsfortheanalysisofgeneticexpressionlevelsand hypothesizingmolecularevents.Inthiscase,cAMPisusedtodeterminewhetherSchwanncellswillproliferateordifferentiate.As Schwanncellsarecrucialtomaintainingtheintegrityofmyelinandaxons,itisimportanttoresearchhowmyelingeneexpressionis impactedbycAMPstimulation.TherewillbeadditionaldiscussionintothecapabilitiesofcAMP,whichincludescAMPasa differentiatingfactorforculturedisolatedhumanSchwanncells,anditscapabilitytoincrease/decreaseinmyelingeneexpression.It alsocanaltertheexpressionofgrowthfactorsandtheirrespectivereceptors.cAMPcanalsoreduceproliferationandtheexpressionof somecellcyclemarkers.Findingshaveshownup-regulationofvarioustranscriptsencodingformyelinatingSC-specificproteins(e.g., Egr2,MPZ,PLP1,GAL3ST1andMBP)alongwithanaccompanyingdown-regulationofimmatureSCgenes(e.g.,cJun,Sox2,NES,and NGFR).ThroughRNA-seqanalysis,itwasdiscoveredthatmanygenesthataretypicallyassociatedwithperipheralneuropathieswere transcriptionallymodulatedbycAMP.

FINANCIALTOXICITYANDHEALTHCARETRANSITIONSAMONGADOLESCENTANDYOUNGADULT CANCERSURVIVORS

ElizabethRuschmanandMackenzieCaldwell

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 50

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JeanEdward

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Poorhealthcaretransitions(HCTs)amongAdolescentandYoungAdult(AYA)cancersurvivorscanleadtoharmfulmedical, psychological,andfinancialconsequencesincludingdecreasedtreatmentcompliance,healthcareutilizationandincreasedratesof hospitalizations.ThepurposeofthisstudywastoexaminebarriersandfacilitatorstosuccessfulHCTsamongAYAcancersurvivorsin Kentucky.Thisstudywaspartofalargerresearchprojectexaminingracialdisparitiesinfinancialtoxicity,cost-relatedhealthliteracy, andhealthcaretransitionsinAYAcancersurvivorsinKY.Studyparticipantswererecruitedfromapediatriconcologyclinicand participatedinqualitativekey-informantinterviews.Interviewslastedlessthan60minutesandwereaudiorecorded,transcribed,and analyzedinNVivousingacasestudyapproachusingtheSocial-ecologicalModelofAYAReadinessforTransition.Thefirstcaseisa 33-year-oldmalecurrentlyinremissionfromleukemia;diagnosedin2015;experiencedFT(FinancialToxicity)duetolossofassetsand subsequentlackofaccesstoproperfinancialaid.Thesecondcaseisa22-year-oldnon-binarywhocurrentlyhasrelapsedwith rhabdomyosarcoma;experiencedFTduetocostsofcancercareandsideeffects.Majorthemesthatcameupinbothinterviewswere relatedtoFT,mistrustinthehealthcaresystemandhealthcareproviders,cost-relatedhealthliteracy,andfinancialnavigation.Barriers tosuccessfulHCTsresultedinnoncompliancewithmedicationsandhealthcarefollow-upaftercompletingcancertreatments. Treatmentplanswereimpactedduetobarrierstoaccess,FT,andlackofpatientadvocacy.AddressingbarrierstosuccessfulHCTscould leadtobetterhealthandfinancialoutcomesamongAYAcancersurvivors.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

TREATMENTOFMONOCYTE-DERIVED-MACROPHAGESWITHPLASMATODETERMINEAGEAND APOEEFFECTSONLIPIDDROPLETACCUMULATION

Satish,Diksha

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 124

Facultymentor(s): Dr.LanceJohnson

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Lipiddropletsareorganellesfoundinthecellthatservetostoreneutrallipidssuchascholesterolestersandtriacylglycerols. ApolipoproteinE(ApoE),isalipidtransportproteinmostnotablyproducedinhepatocytesandastrocytes,whereitaidsincholesterol metabolismbyshuttlinglipidsbetweencells.TherearethreepolymorphicallelesforAPOE:ε2,ε3,ε4,whichencodeforthree differentisoformsoftheprotein.TheApoE4isoformaffectscholesteroltransportduetoamutationinitsaminoacidchain.This genotypehasadditionallybeenobservedtohaveincreasedlipiddropletaccumulationinthecell,whichhasbeenimplicatedinthe pathologyofseveraldiseases.Inmice,thosewithatleastoneε4allelearealsopronetothebuildupoflipiddropletsinthebrain, whichhasbeenimplicatedinneurodegenerativediseasessuchasAlzheimer'sdisease.Ontheotherhand,thosewiththeApoE2 isoformhaveadecreasedriskofdevelopingAlzheimer'sdiseasecomparedtoε3homozygotes.Weaimtodeterminetheeffectsof APOEgenotype,sex,andageonlipiddropletsaccumulationinmonocyte-derivedhumanmacrophages.Macrophagecellcultureswere treatedwithhumanserumsamplesacrossagesandgenotypesinordertoquantifythedifferencesinlipiddropletaccumulation.Thus far,ε3macrophagestreatedwithagedε3homozygoteserumsamplesaccumulatedsignificantlymorelipiddropletsinmacrophages thanwhencomparedtoyoungε3homozygoteserumsamples.Inthefuture,weaimtoscaleupthesamplesizethroughanongoing humanstudyinthelab.Ifthelipiddropletaccumulationpatternsofmacrophagescanbeinfluencedbytreatmentwithexogenous APOEinserumsamples,thissuggestsplasmadonationsmaybeusedsimilarlyinatherapeuticsettingtoaffectlipiddroplet accumulationphenotypesinpatients.

SLEEPDEPRIVATIONANDBMIINUNIVERSITYOFKENTUCKYUNDERGRADUATESTUDENTS

Schildt,Megan

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 125

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:Manyfirst-timecollegestudentsexperienceautonomyforthefirsttimeintheirlives,especiallywhendeterminingasleep schedule.Poorsleepqualityinstudentscanleadtohealthconsequences.Thefirstfouryearsofcollegeisassociatedwithanincreasein BMI,whichisfurtherassociatedwithpoorsleepquality.Thepurposeofthisstudyistoseeifchronicsleepdeprivationcomparedtothe recommendedhoursofsleepaffectsBMIinUniversityofKentuckyundergraduatestudents.Methods:Thesamplepopulationwas undergraduatestudents,excludinganyonegraduatedfromcollege,andthosewhodon'tattendtheUniversityofKentucky.Datawas collectedusingaself-reportedquestionnaireviaQualtricssurveysentthroughsocialmedia.Thestudydesignisacross-sectionalstudy. Results:Therewere111totalparticipants.Themeanagewas20.ThemeanBMIwas23.3.Themajorityofparticipantswerefemale andattheseniorclasslevel.MajorityofparticipantswerenotsleepdeprivedandhadalowPQSIscore(averageof7.29).UsingaT-test, thestudyfindingsshowtherewasnosignificantrelationshipbetweenthehoursofsleepandBMI.UsingPearson'scorrelation,there wasaweakinverserelationshipbetweensleepqualityandBMI.Conclusion:Therewasaweakinverserelationshipbetweensleep qualityandBMI.Theparticipants'averagehoursofsleepmettherecommendationofgettingsevenormorehoursofsleepeachnight. Implicationsforfutureresearchshouldexplorecollectingdataofundergraduatestudentsfromdifferentuniversitiesaboutsleep quality,sleepduration,andBMI.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CARDIOMETABOLICDISEASERISKFACTORSINMEXICANAMERICANS

Schildt,Megan

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 126

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliaPlasenciaandDr.NasreenOmran

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

IntheUSapoor-qualitydietcomesfromfoodsthatarehighinsodium,fat,addedsugarsandlowconsumptionoffruitsandvegetables. Healthoutcomesfrompoornutritionareseeninthetop10causesofdeath,heartdisease,cancer,stroke,anddiabetes.Acculturation toUSdietincreasesriskfordiet-relatedhealthdisparitiesforHispanics,likeMexicanAmericans.MexicanAmericansareabouttwiceas likelytodiefromdiabetesthanwhitenon-Hispanics.MexicanAmericansareanunderservedpopulationthatiscontinuouslygrowing withlimitedresearchfocusedonreducingdietrelateddiseases.Thepurposeofthisstudyistoexaminetherelationshipofthedietand lifestyleriskfactorsforCardiometabolicDiseaseamongMexicanimmigrantswiththeaimofreducingthediet-relatedhealthdisparities inKentucky.Asecondarydataanalysisfrom83MexicanImmigrantswascompleted.ACardiometabolicDiseaseriskfactorscorewas computed,andaregressionanalysiswascompletedtoidentifytheassociationbetweendemographicsdietqualityindexscoreand CardiometabolicDiseaseriskfactorscore.Thestudyfindingsshowasignificantpositiveassociation(p=0.037)betweentheadequacy HEIcomponentandhighA1CorType2diabetesdiagnosis,butnotbetweentotalHEI,indicatingthatinthissample,thereisno associationbetweendietqualityandhighA1CorType2diabetesdiagnosis.FutureresearchisneededonthedietqualityofMexican immigrantstoexaminehowthechangesindietandtherecencyofmigrationimpactCardiometabolicriskfactors.

ISCOLLEGEMAJORADETERMINANTOFNUTRITIONALANDPHYSICALACTIVITYGUIDELINE ADHERENCE?

Shelley, Jackson

Session 1: 1:00 - 2:30pm

Poster: 127

Faculty mentor(s): Dr. Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Thereisagapinresearchexaminingtherelationshipbetweenhavingamajorthatis"health-related",andtheabilitytofollowthe diet/physicalactivityrecommendationsforcollegestudents.Thehypothesisforthisresearchproposaliscollegestudentswhoare enrolledinhealth-relatedmajorswilllikelybemoreawareofthedietandPArecommendationsandlifestylechoices(orhabits)will reflectthatare"healthier".Inthiscross-sectionalstudy,UniversityofKentuckystudentshadtobecurrentlyenrolledandanswerall surveyquestions.DatawerecollectedviaQualtricsusingsnowballandconveniencesampling.83.6%oftheparticipantswere Caucasian,while3.64%,3.64%,5.45%,1.18%,and1.18%wereAsian,Black/AfricanAmerican,Hispanic,Mixed,andother,respectively. 36students(65.5%)hadnon-health-relatedmajorsand19(34.5%)hadhealth-relatedmajors.38ofthestudents(65.5%)werefemale and19(34.5%)studentsweremale.Whencomparinghealth-relatedmajorsandnon-health-relatedmajors,at-testwasusedtofind thedifferencebetweenthegroups.Meanswerecomparedforfastfoodeatenfordinnerperweekaswellasthetotalamountof fast-foodmealsperweekwere0.02425197and0.0344040,respectively.Themeannumberoffast-foodmealsfordinnerperweekfor thenon-health-relatedmajorsandhealth-relatedmajorswere2.36and1.37,respectively.Whilethemeannumberoftotalfast-food mealsperweekforthenon-health-relatedmajorsandhealth-relatedmajorswere4.47and2.84,respectively.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

TARGETEDDELETIONOFFOSINOVARIANCELLSRESULTEDINREDUCEDOVULATIONANDTHE EXPRESSIONOFKEYOVULATORYGENESINMICE

Southall,Jacqueline

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 128

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MisungJo

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

FemaleFosnullmicefailedtoovulateanddevelopthecorpusluteumevenwhengivengonadotropins,suggestingthatFosiscriticalfor ovarianfunction.However,theexpressionandfunctionofFOShavenotbeendeterminedintheovary.FOSfunctionsasaheterodimer byformingacomplexwithanyofJunfamilymembers(Jun,JunB,andJunD).TodeterminetheexpressionofFosandJunfamily members,ovarieswerecollectedduringtheovulatoryperiodfromimmaturePMSG-primedmiceandnaturallycyclingmice.In immaturesuper-ovulationmice,theexpressionofallFosfamilymembersincreasedinpreovulatoryfolliclesafterhCGadministration; thefirstpeakwasdetectedat1or3h,followedbythesecondpeakat11hafterhCG.ThesameinductionpatternwasobservedforJun andJunBinpreovulatoryfolliclesafterhCGadministration.AsimilarpreovulatoryinductionofFosandJunfamilymemberswas observedaftertheLHsurgeinadultmice.Next,todeterminethefunctionalsignificanceofFosintheovary,atransgenicmouseline wasgeneratedwhereFosexpressionwasdeletedingranulosacells.Thenumberofoocytesreleasedwassignificantlyreducedin mutantscomparedtocontrolmice.Correspondingtothisdecreasewasthereducedexpressionforkeyovulatorygenes(Pgr,Ptgs2, Ptgs1,andEdn2)inmutantmouseovaries.Thefertilitytestshowedatrendofdecreasinglittersizeinmutantmice.Insummary,these datademonstratedtheincreaseintheexpressionofallmembersoftheFosandJunfamiliesinthemouseovary,suggestingthe presenceofmultipleformsofFos/Juntranscriptionfactorsandtheiroverlappingroleinperiovulatoryfolliclesinmice.ThelossofFos expressioninpreovulatoryfolliclesreducedtheexpressionofkeyovulatorygenesandovulationrates,andnegativelyaffectedfertility, demonstratingthecriticalroleofFOSintheovary.

USINGSOFTWARETOIMPROVEPATIENT-PROVIDERRATIOSINENDOCRINOLOGY:AREVIEWOFTHE LITERATURE

ShayeStoneandChaseDuff

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 129

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KatieGoldey

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:Inourever-changinghealthcareworldtoday,thedemandforendocrinologistshasheightened.Ratesofdiabetesand otherhormone-relateddiseasesintheU.S.haveskyrocketedoverthepastgeneration,yetfewerthan8,000licensedandregistered endocrinologistsexistinthecountry.Itisimportantthatthefutureofhealthcareaccountsforthisdiscrepancyinpatient-provider ratios.UsingtoolssuchasProjectManagementSoftwareandTelehealthcanserveasapossiblesolutiontothedrasticallyinsufficient patient/providerratios.Purpose:Toreviewtheliteratureontheefficacyofsoftwareprogramsindiminishinghealthdisparitiesasit relatestoprovideravailabilitytopatientsinbothruralandurbansettings.Results:Theoverallpopulation-to-endocrinologistratio within20mileswas39,492:1forchildren,29,887:1foradultsaged18–64years,and6,194:1foradultsaged≥65years.Ourfindings suggesttheuseofhealthcare-specificsoftwareprogramssuchasPracticeManagementSoftwareandTelemedicinearebeneficialin reducinghighpatient-to-providerratiosregardingendocrinologists.InanexperimentalstudydoneinIndia,wefoundtheoverall incompletebloodtransfusionrequisitionstobereducedby97.21%afterpracticemanagementsoftwarewasimplemented.These findingsalsohighlighttheimportanceoftrainingstafftousesuchsoftware.Conclusions:Thecombinationoftelehealthandpractice managementsoftwarecangreatlyreducethelowpatient-to-providerratioandhelpkeepahealthcarecrisisfromimpactingour country.Providerswillbeabletocovermoregroundwiththeuseofpracticemanagementsoftware.ImplementingmorePMSsystems inendocrinologyofficesacrossourcountrywillbebeneficialinlimitingthehealthdisparitiesbetweenpatient-to-providerratiosinboth ruralandurbanareas.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ANALYZINGPACKAGEDESIGNOFHEALTHPRODUCTSTODETERMINEMOSTEFFECTIVEMARKETING STRATEGIES:ACROSS-SECTIONALSURVEYOFUNDERGRADUATEUKSTUDENTS

Whitehouse,Rachel

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 79

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Foodproductswithhealthclaimshavetakenovergrocerystores.However,itisamysterywhysomethrivewhileothersneverbecome popular.Whatseparatesthecompetitorsmaybethepackagedesign.Thereisverylittleresearchonpackagedesign,especiallyhealth products;mostresearchcoversonlythegeneralmarketingstrategiesoffoodproductslikeadvertisements.Thisresearchexploresifa neutralcolorpaletteandhealthclaimscauseapersontopreferonehealthproductoveranother,evenwhentheproductsaresimilar. ThestudysampleincludedundergraduateUniversityofKentuckystudentsbetween18and22yearsold.Datawascollectedvia electronicQualtricssurvey.Thestudydesignwasacross-sectionalsurveygathereddemographicinformationandpreferencebetween2 imagesofhealthproducts.Afterselectingtheirpreferredproduct,theywereaskedtochoosethereasonfortheirchoice.56students completedthesurvey,andtheaverageagewas19.4.Otherdemographicresultsinclude75%female,23.2%male,and1.8%non-binary. Themajority,35.4%,weresophomores.Theinferentialtestscompletedincludefrequencytablesdemonstratingthat32.5%ofthe chosenproductswereselectedbecauseofanimage,followedby30.7%colorpalette,28.2%healthclaim,and7.5%USDAseal.The "neutral"productandthe"weightloss"productwerechosenthemostagainstallotherpackagingdesigns.Fisher'sexacttestwasused todeterminedifferencebetweengenderandproductpreferencebetweentheneutralcolorpaletteandfriendimagery;p=1.0finding nodifferencebetweengenderandproductchoice.Inconclusion,thisstudywasapreliminarystudyintothefieldofhealthproduct marketing.However,moreresearchwillneedtobedonetodeterminewhatimpactsconsumersthemost.

ISTHECONSUMPTIONOFCAFFEINEASSOCIATEDWITHIMPROVEDACADEMICPERFORMANCEIN

COLLEGESTUDENTS?

Wilkins,Nicholas

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 81

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Motivation/problemstatement:Whilecollegestudentsingestcaffeineformultiplereasonsitis,uncertainifincreasedcaffeine consumptionisassociatedwithimprovedacademicperformance.Recently,astudyfoundthatapproximately89%oftheadultU.S. populationconsumescaffeineonanyday1.Thisstudysoughttodeterminetherelationship,ifany,betweencaffeineconsumptionand academicrigor,measuredgradepointaverage(GPA).ThehypothesisofthisstudywasthatcollegestudentsattheUniversityof Kentuckythatperceivetheirmajor(s)asmorerigorouswillintakeahigheramountofcaffeinecomparedtothosewhodonotperceive theirmajorasrigorous.Methods:Across-sectionalsurveyaskedparticipantsaboutcaffeineconsumptionfrequency,GPA,and perceptionofcaffeineonacademicperformance.Participantswererecruitedfrominitialdistributionbytheresearcher,andsnowball samplingwasencouragedtoreachagreaterparticipantreach.Results:Thestudygarneredparticipants(n=133)from53different majorsattheUniversityofKentucky.Thepopulationconsistedofmostlyfemalestudents(68.4%).Additionally,themajorityof participantsidentifiedas"White"(92.62%).Therewasa-.052correlationbetweenparticipants'reportedGPAandifparticipants reportedconsistentlyconsumedcaffeine.Conclusion/implications:Fromthisstudy,thereislittletonoassociationbetweencaffeine andacademicperformanceamongcollegestudentsattheUniversityofKentucky.Thus,addressingthegapintheliterature,butfinding noassociation.Researchthatcontrolsforsamplingbiasandincludesmultipleuniversitieswillbeadvantageoustounderstandthe potentialrelationshipbetweencaffeineandacademicperformance.Researchersshouldalsoinquireaboutapproximatequantitative consumptionofcaffeineinparticipants.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

METABOLICPERTURBATIONSUNCOVEREDINMOUSEANDHUMANSAMPLESOFGLUCOSE TRANSPORTER1DEFICIENCYSYNDROME

Williams,Meredith

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 83

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MatthewGentry

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

GlucoseTransporter1DeficiencySyndrome(G1D)isararegeneticdisorderthatwasfirstdescribedinacademicliteraturein19915. MutationsfoundintheSLC2A1genethatencodesfortheglucosetransporterproteintype1(GLUT1)areresponsibleforthesyndrome. PeoplewhohaveG1Dsufferfromimpairedbrainglucosemetabolism.ThenutritiondeficiencyresultingfromthefaultyGLUT1affects brainfunctionanddevelopment,causingpeopletosufferfromseizures,learningdisabilities,andstruggleforindependence.Other physiologicaleffectsofG1Darenotwelldefinedandcurrenttreatmentfocusesonreplacingnutrientsinthebrain.Whiledecreased levelsofglucoseinG1Disrecognized,acompletemetabolicprofilehasnotbeenextensivelystudiedinhumanoranimalmodelsofthe syndrome.Thisstudycomparedhumanandmurinemetabolomestoidentifyadditionalmetabolictargetsfortherapeuticdevelopment. Hence,wecharacterizedthemetabolomesofSLC2A1knockoutG1Dmiceandover100humanplasmasamplesfromtheGlut1 DeficiencyFoundation2022meetingbygaschromatographycoupledtomassspectrometry(GC-MS).Wefoundthatthereareseveral metaboliteswithalteredpresentationslikeglucoseinboththemousemodelandhumansamplesthatmaybecontributingtotheonset andseverityofG1Dpresentations.TheseperturbationsoffernewinsightintoG1Dandallowresearchersandclinicianstoviewthis diseaseasmorethananutritiondeficit.

EFFECTOFCD47ANTISENSEOLIGONUCLEOTIDEINSKELETALMUSCLECELLMITOCHONDRIA FUNCTION

Wilmott,Hannah

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 84

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ShuxiaWangandDr.TaesikGwag

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

AsobesityratesclimbintheUnitedStatesduetoexcessivecalorieconsumptionandlowactivitylevels,theurgencytofindnew treatmentoptionsincreases.PriorresearchhasshownthatCD47knockdownusingCD47antisenseoligonucleotide(CD47ASO)induced weightlossandimprovedglucosetoleranceandothermetabolicdisordersinobesemousemodels.Thisispartiallyduetoincreased energyexpenditureandphysicalactivity,accompaniedbyincreasedexpressionofmitochondriauncouplingproteinsinskeletalmuscle. TheseresultssuggestthatCD47blockingcanaffectthemitochondrialfunctioninskeletalmuscle.However,themechanismisnot knownandwillbedetermined.Inthisstudy,byutilizationofskeletalmusclecellline-C2C12myotubecells,wefurtherinvestigatedhow CD47ASOregulatesC2C12mitochondrialgeneexpressionunderoxidativestressconditions.First,inthisexperiment,theC2C12cellline wasculturedanddifferentiatedintomaturemyotubes.C2C12myotubeswerethentreatedwithcontrolASOorCD47ASOfollowedby treatmentwithH2O2orPBStoinduceanoxidativestressmodel.Inducingoxidativestresstriggersamitochondrialdysfunctionmodel whichcanleadtoinsulinresistanceandobesity.Usingthismodel,whetherornotCD47ASOhasabeneficialeffectonthesecellscanbe tested.Next,thegeneexpressionofseveralgenesrelatingtomitochondriafunctionaswellasoxidativestresswasdetermined.These genesincludedACOX1,UCP2,PPAR2,andAWT1.TheresultsshowedanincreaseingeneexpressionofUCP2,PPAR2,ACOX1,andAWT1 genestreatedwithCD47ASOascomparedtothePBSgroup.Thisincreaseisrelatedtothereductionofoxidativestress.Thisdata demonstratesthatCD47blockingcandownregulateROS,leadingtoimprovedmitochondriafunctioninskeletalmuscle.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EFFECTOFLIFESTYLEHABITSONPHYSICALFITNESSOFARMYROTCCADETS

Wunder,Madison

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 85

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:Thephysicalfitnessofstudentscanbeinfluencedbylifestylehabitssuchastobaccouse,physicalactivity,anddiet.While thesehabitshavebeenstudiedextensivelyamongcollegestudents,littleresearchhasfocusedonROTCcadetsandtheirimpacton physicalfitnessscores.Reportshavenotedthat23%ofArmysoldiersusetobaccowithmostofthesesoldiersbeingundertheageof 25.Althougheffortshavebeenmadetoreducesmokingratesthisprevalencehasnotdecreased.AccordingtotheCentersforDisease ControlandPrevention,5.6millionAmericanswilldiefromasmoking-relateddiseaseifthecurrentincidenceofcigarettesmoking persists(1).OtherfactorssuchasBMIandeatinghabitsarealsosuspectedtoplayaroleinphysicalfitnessofcollegestudents. AlthoughresearchconclusionshavebeenmixedforBMIaffectingphysicalfitnessofcollegestudents(2-3),researchinROTCcadets havenotlinkedBMItophysicalfitness.Thisstudysoughttocomparethelifestylehabits(BMI,tobaccouse,eatinghabits,andphysical activity)andphysicalfitnessofArmyROTCcadetstoothercollegestudents.Methods:Anelectronicsurveywasconductedvia Qualtricsfeaturingacross-sectionalstudydesign.ParticipantswererequiredtobeenrolledintheArmyROTCprogramattheUniversity ofKentuckyandmusthavecompletedatleastonephysicalassessment.Excelwasusedtoconductat-test.Results:Ofthe29survey participants,55%usednicotineproducts,withe-cigarettes/vapesandnicotinepouchesbeingthemostpopular.Nicotineusershad lowertwo-milerunscores(p=<0.05),especiallythoseusingrespiratory-affectingproducts.11outof16currentnicotineuserswere identifiedasnicotinedependentusingamodifiedCAGEquestionnaireforsmoking.Discussion:Thestudyunderscorestheimportance ofunderstandinghowlifestylehabitsimpactphysicalfitnessamongcollegestudents,includingthoseinROTCprograms.

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ASTRONOMY

DESIGNANDFABRICATIONOFAMAGNETICCOILANDFIELDMAPPINGINAMAGNETICALLY SHIELDEDENVIRONMENT

Makumbi,Faith

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 86

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristopherCrawford

Discipline: PhysicalSciences&Astronomy

Canthefoundationallawsofphysicsbereversed?Thegoalofthisresearchistomeasuretheelectricdipolemomentoftheneutron (nEDM),which,ifnon-zero,wouldprovideconvincingevidenceoftimereversalviolation.TodetectannEDM,auniformmagneticfield isrequiredwithhigh-precisioncoilstousherthespinofpolarizedneutronsandhelim-3atomsthroughlayersthemagneticshielding roomintothemeasurementcell.Thedevelopmentprocessoccursinthreephases:the3d-Modellingofthecoil,thecalculationofthe magneticfield,thewindingofthecoils.ThisposterwillfocusonthemodellinginInventorandcomparingthecalculationsfrom COMSOLandMATLABsolutions.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

DEVELOPINGAREADOUTSOFTWAREFORTHENOPTREXEXPERIMENT

Moseley,Aaron

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 87

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristopherCrawford

Discipline: PhysicalSciences&Astronomy

TheNeutronOpticsParityandTimeReversalExperiment(NOPTREX)isinvestigatingviolationsoftime-reversalsymmetryinthehopes toexplainthebaryonasymmetryoftheearlyuniverse.Inpursuitofthis,membersoftheNOPTREXcollaborationareconstructingan arrayoftwenty-foursodium-iodidescintillationgammadetectorstomeasuren-gammaresonancesinheavynuclei.Thissystemwill producealargeamountofdatainamatterofmilliseconds,necessitatingahigh-speeddataacquisitionsystemtoreadtheoutputof thedetectorsanddeliverthedatainausableformat.AcustomfirmwareforaCAENdigitizerhasalreadybeendevelopedthat implementsatrapezoidfilterandchargeintegrationtoensuretheenergyofeachpulseisrecorded.But,thefirmwareislimitedbythe basicreadoutsoftwareprovidedwiththedigitizerandcannotgeneratetherequiredfileoutput.Wehavedevelopedcustomreadout softwareinC++thatreadsoutdatafromthedigitizerfirmwareandanalyzesitinrealtimebeforerecordingittoafileintheROOT formattotakeadvantageofthehighperformancecomputingsoftwaredevelopedatCERN.

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

SELF-ESTEEMANDSOCIALMEDIAUSE

Allender,Olivia

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 88

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristiaBrown

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Earlyadolescenceisanimportanttimeforthedevelopmentofhealthyself-esteemandpastresearchhasfoundthatonaverage adolescentsspendovertwohoursonsocialmediaaday.Importantly,highlevelsofsocialmediauseareassociatedwithlower levelsofself-esteem,particularlyforgirls.Furthermore,duringearlyadolescencethereisoftenanincreaseinself-consciousness forallchildren,butgirlstendtohavesignificantlylowerself-esteemthanboys.Inthisstudy,weinvestigatedhowsocialmedia mayrelatetoself-esteem,moderatedbygender.Wealsoinvestigatedthecontentadolescentsreportedviewingonsocial media.Adolescents(n=142)from11to14yearsold,30.2%ofwhichwereboysand69.7%weregirlsand43.6%white,20.4% black,21.1%Latino/Hispanic,2.8%Asian,and11.9%wereotherethnicities,wererecruitedtoparticipate.Wepredictedthat moresocialmediausewouldbeassociatedwithlowerself-esteem,withthisbeingespeciallyprevalentforgirls,andthat adolescentswhoconsumemoreappearance-basedcontentwouldhavelowerself-esteem.Wefoundthatformostsocialmedia platformstherewasnosignificanteffectforhoursofusewithself-esteem,exceptforYouTube,whichhadasignificantnegative correlation,B=-.258,p=.003.Resultsshowednosignificantdifferenceforamountofsocialmediaconsumptionbetween genders;however,therewasadifferenceforboysandgirlsinthetypeofcontenttheyconsumed.Noboysreportedwatching appearance-basedcontent,but79.1%reportedwatchingentertainmentcontentand16.3%reportedwatchingVlogs.Forgirls, 20.2%reportedwatchingappearance-basedcontent,63.6%entertainmentcontent,and9.1%reportedwatchingVlogs.These resultssuggestthatthetypeofmediabeingconsumedvariesbygender,whichmayhavedifferingimpactsonearlyadolescents. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

GUILTYORNOTGUILTY:HOWDNAAFFECTSJURORS'VERDICTSINADULTSEXUALASSAULTTRIALS

Cleveland,Taylor

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 89

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JonathanGolding

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Priorresearchhasshownfemalestobemorepro-victim(e.g.,moreguiltyverdicts)thanmalesregardingrapetrialsandhasshownthat havingphysicalevidencelikeDNAhasasignificanteffectontheconvictionratesinsexualassaultcases,usuallyleadingtomoreguilty verdicts.HoweverevenwithDNAevidence,wouldthegenderofthejurorimpactwhethertheirverdictisguiltyornotguilty.The presentstudyinvestigatedtheimpactofDNAevidenceinanadultrapetrialasafunctionofmockjurorgender.Weuseda2 (ParticipantGender)x2(DNA/NoDNAevidence)between-participantdesign.Participantsreadasummaryofanadultrapetrialand wereaskedtorenderaverdict.Therewerethreehypotheses.First,therewouldbeamaineffectofjurorgender.Femalemockjurors werepredictedtorendermoreguiltyverdictscomparedtomalemockjurors.Second,therewouldbeamaineffectofthepresenceof DNAevidence--moreguiltyverdictsiftherewasDNAevidencecomparedtoiftherewasnophysicalevidence.Thethirdhypothesiswas therewouldbeaninteractionbetweenParticipantGenderandpresenceofDNAevidence.IfDNAwaspresentinthetrial,bothmale andfemalejurorsshouldrenderanequallyhighpercentageofguiltyverdict,butwhentherewasnoDNAevidencefemales>malesfor guiltyverdicts.TheresultssupportedH3,90%offemalesand84%ofmalesgaveaguiltyverdictwhenDNAevidencewaspresent. However,whentherewasnoDNAevidence,53%offemalesruledguilty,butonly28%ofmales.

PRENATALALCOHOLEXPOSUREIMPAIRSPERFORMANCEONSPATIALANDTACTILESERIAL DISCRIMINATIONTASKINJUVENILERATS

Craig,Ashley

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 90

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MarkPrendergast

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Alcoholusedisorderhasmanyramificationswhich,unfortunately,canbeexacerbatedbyalcoholconsumptionduringpregnancy. Childrenprenatally-exposedtoalcohol(PAE)presentwithlearning,memory,andattentionimpairmentsresultinginexaggerated deficitsinexecutivefunctionleadingtoincompetencyinproblem-solving,conceptformation,andplanningtoachievegoal-directed behaviors.Thesecognitivedeficitsareoftenobservedinhumansusingmethodsincludingworking-memorytasksandneuroimaging techniques.Thesemeasurestypicallypointtodeficitsinthehippocampusandprefrontalcortex,amongothercentralnervoussystem structuresinhumans.Rodentmodelsoffetalalcoholspectrumdisorders(FASDs)particularlyfocusonspatialandworkingmemory tasksbutlessexperimentalattentionisdedicatedtonon-spatial,hippocampal-dependenttasks.Ofthiswork,mostproceduresinvolve conditionedfeartasksrelyingonspatialrecognitionandnegativereinforcement.SomeY-andT-mazetasksincorporatepositive reinforcement,althoughtheseparadigmsarespecificallyspatiallyorientedandrarelyemploynon-spatialdimensions,whichmay permitgreatersensitivitytocognitivedeficitsinFASDs.ToaddressthisgapinFASDsresearch,wedevelopedaT-mazeparadigmthat incorporatesbothspatialandnon-spatialdimensionsinasequentialdiscriminationtask.Specifically,ratsareaskedtodiscriminatethe dimensionthatpredictsaCheeriowhenexposedto4differentstimuli:left-turn,right-turn,sandpaper-floor,smooth-floor.Thistask requiresrodentstotendtorelevantspatialandnon-spatialstimulitoearnaCheerio.Oursequentialdiscriminationtaskrevealsrobust deficitsinratsprenatally-exposedtoalcoholinthehuman2nd-trimesterequivalent.ShiftingcontingenciesappearstodisruptthePAE rats'abilitytotendtotherelevantdimensionswhensimultaneouslypresentedwithallfourstimuli.Wesuspectthatthesesequential discriminationdeficitswillbeassociatedwithhippocampaldysfunction,evidencedbyexaggeratedstructuralcomplicationsofthe microtubule-associated"tau"protein.ThisdiscoveryhasthecapacitytochangehowwestudyandtreatFASDs.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

HASSOCIALMEDIAANDTHEADVANCEMENTOFTECHNOLOGYHADANADVERSEEFFECTONTHE AVERAGEINDIVIDUAL'SABILITYTOFOCUS?

Enderlin,Tavvi

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 92

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JordanBrown

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Theinvestigationofhowsocialmediaaswellastheadvancementoftechnologymayhaveaffectedtheaverageindividual'sattention spanoroverallabilitytofocus.TheAgeofInformationwhichhasallowedanyonetoaccessknowledgewithinthematterofseconds mayhaveadverselyaffectedtheattentionspanofyoungadultsages18-26.Somefeeltheneedtouseoutsidestimuliinordertokeep themselvesfocusedandengaged.Thepresentationwillexplorethisphenomenonaswellaspossiblesolutions.

PTSSANDHRQOLRISKFACTORSINPEDIATRICINJURYPOPULATION

Freese,Katelyn

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 93

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MeghanMarasc

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Sustaininganinjuryimpactschildren'spsychologicalwellbeing,includingthedevelopmentofposttraumaticstresssymptoms(PTSS) andlowerhealth-relatedqualityoflife(HRQoL).SeveralriskfactorsassociatedwiththedevelopmentofPTSSandlowHRQoLin childrenpostinjuryincludeage,sex,socioeconomicstatus(SES)andearlyPTSSsymptoms.RatesofpediatricpostinjuryPTSSvary globally(11.6%-22%)buthavenotbeencloselyexaminedinKentuckypopulations.Thepurposeofthisstudyisto1)examinepotential riskfactorsassociatedwiththedevelopmentofPTSSandlowerHRQoLinaKentuckypediatricinjurypopulation,and2)comparePTSS ratesinthisstudytootherglobalaverages.DataforthisprojectwascollectedaspartofapreviouspilotRCTthatassessed85children (ages8-12;M=10.1years,56.5%male)whoweretreatedforinjuriesinaKentuckymedicalcenter.Participantscompletedmeasuresof PTSSandHRQoLduringinitialinjurytreatment,andat6and12-weekfollow-ups.BaselinePTSSandHRQoLwereusedtoassessage, sexandSESasriskfactorsforPTSSandHRQoL.ToassessearlyPTSSsymptomsasriskfactors,baselinePTSSwascomparedtoPTSSat 12weekspostinjury.Findingsindicatedage,sexandSESwerenotsignificantlyassociatedwithbaselineHRQoL.Similarly,ageandsex werenotassociatedwithbaselinePTSS.However,participantswithhigherbaselinePTSSweremorelikelytohaveelevatedPTSSafter 12weeks,r(16)=.512,p=.030,indicatingearlyPTSSpostinjuryisariskfactorforlaterPTSSoutcomes.Also,PTSSrateswere12.2% after6weeks,whichisconsistentwithpreviousglobalfindings.Thesefindingscanbeutilizedtoimprovepsychologicalscreeningand interventiontechniquesforpediatricPTSSpostinjury.FurtherresearchshouldexamineifotherriskfactorsarerelatedtoPTSSand HRQoLoutcomesinpediatricinjurypopulations.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

IMPACTOFALCOHOLCONSUMPTIONINRAPETRIALS

Gooch,Zoe

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 94

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JonathanGolding

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Sexualassaultandrapearesignificantissuesworldwide,withvictimsoftenfacingstigma,victim-blaming,anddifficultiesobtaining justice.Alcoholconsumptionisinvolvedinonethirdtothreefourthsofallsexualassaultcasespromotingresearcherstoinvestigatethe relationshipbetweenalcoholandsexualassault(Lynchet.al,2013).Societyviewswomenwhopartakeinexcessivedrinkingas risk-takers,breakingtraditionalnorms,andlackinggenuinevictimstatus(Lynchet.al,2013).Moreover,womenwhoconsumealcohol areviewednegativelybythecourtsystem,makingithardforthemtoobtainjustice.Thepurposeofthisstudywastounderstandthe impactofamountofalcoholconsumedonjurordecision-makinginrapetrials,andtousethisinformationtohelpsexualassaultvictims inthecourtroom.Iuseda3(alcoholconsumption:high,low,water)x2(participantgender)between-participantsdesign.Participants readasummaryofasexualassaulttrial,renderedaverdict,andansweredadditionalquestionsrelatedtothetrial(e.g.,victim credibility).Therewerethreehypotheses:(1)maineffectofparticipantgender:femalejurorsmorepro-victim(i.e.,moreguilty verdicts)thanmalejurors;(2)maineffectofalcoholconsumption,withthepatternofpro-victimjudgmentsashighalcohol>water> lowalcohol;and(3)interactionbetweenparticipantgenderandalcoholconsumption,asfemaleswillgenerallyhavehigherlevelsof guiltyverdictsthanmales,exceptwhenthereishighalcoholconsumption.TheresultsfoundsupportforH1.Hopefully,futureresearch canbetterunderstandwhyrapevictimswhoarephysicallyhelplessduetohighalcoholconsumptiondonotleadtomoreguilty verdicts.

THEINFLUENCEOFPREGNANCYONSPOUSALRAPEVERDICTS

Goodman,Chloe

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 96

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JonathanGolding

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Spousalrapeisacrimethatoftenisnottakenseriouslyinthejusticesystem,becausethereisanunderlyingbeliefthatrapecannot occurwithinamarriedcouple.However,researchhasshownthatspousalrapedoesoccur."Approximately10-14%ofmarriedwomen arerapedbytheirhusbandsintheUnitedStates.Approximatelyonethirdofwomenreporthaving'unwantedsex'withtheirpartner." (Bergen&Barnhill,2006).Thepurposeofthepresentexperimentwastoexaminetheinfluencethatpregnancyhasonlegal decision-makinginvolvingspousalrapecases.Weuseda2(PregnantSpouse:wife7monthspregnantornot)x2(ParticipantGender) between-participantsdesign.Maleandfemaleparticipantsreadasummaryofspousalrapeinwhichawifewas7monthspregnantand ascenariowhichshewasnotpregnant,andthentheyansweredvariousquestion(includingrenderingaverdict)aboutthecase.There weretwohypothesesforthisstudy:(1)thereshouldamaineffectofPregnantSpouse—apregnantspouseshouldleadtomoreguilty verdictsthanaspousewhowasnotpregnant;and(2)amaineffectofParticipantGenderwaspredicted:femaleparticipantsshould rendermoreguiltyverdictsthanmaleparticipants.TheresultsfoundsupportforHypothesis1:caseswithapregnantspouseledto moreguiltyverdicts(94%)comparedtowhenthevictimwasnotpregnant(37%).Futureresearchshouldinvestigatespousalrape furtherbymanipulatingdifferentstagesofpregnancy,todeterminewhetherthepresentresultsgeneralizetootherpregnancy timeframes. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EMERGINGADULTS'PERSPECTIVESOFEFFECTSOFDRESSCODINGONTHEIRADOLESCENCE

Graham,Abigail

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 97

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RachelFarr

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Dresscodesinschoolshavelongbeenstudiedunderthelensofhowitimpactsstudents'academicperformance,butthereisstilllittle literatureonhowitimpactsstudents'psychologicalwell-being,especiallywithstudentswhoareracial/ethnic,gender,andsexual minorities.Thus,thisstudyaimedtoinvestigateemergingadults'reflectionsoftheirpsychologicalwell-beinginhighschoolinresponse totheirschoolsdresscodesandbeingwrittenupfordresscodeviolations.Inthisstudy,psychologicalwell-beingspecificallyrefersto sexualobjectification,anxiety,genderaffirmation,andfeelingsofbelongingness.Allofthesewell-beingfactorshaveheavyimplications forhowitcouldimpactstudents'psychologicalstatesandoverallschoolexperience.Thetargetpopulationforthisstudywasemerging adultsages18-22yearsoldwhowenttohighschoolswithin-person,classroominstruction(nothomeschooled).Datacollectionis currentlyongoing,butcurrentlywehaveover250participantswithdiverseidentitiesinregardstorace,sexuality,andgender.

CREATIONANDIMPLEMENTATIONOFA6-WEEKPILOTPROGRAMTOSUPPORTAPOST-BARIATRIC SURGERYLIFESTYLE

Hayes,Maddy

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 99

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MakenzieBarr

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Objectives:Tocreatea6-weekpost-bariatricsurgeryinterventionthatprovidesnutritioneducationandsocialsupport,implementit, andthenaccessitsacceptability.Methods:A6-week,in-person,pilotprogramwasdevelopedbasedonpriorresearchthatidentified areaslackingsupportafterbariatricsurgery.Thisprogramintendedtoprovidenutritioneducationandsocialsupportforpost-bariatric surgerypatients.Programcurriculumincludedtopicsregardingnutrition,physicalactivity,andmindfulness.Participantswererecruited viaemailfromalocalbariatricsurgeryclinic.Allconsentingparticipantsweregivenapre-andpost-programsurveythatrecorded descriptivecharacteristics.Thosethatchosetoattendthein-personinterventionactedastheexperimentalgroup,whilethosethat onlytooktheonlinesurveyactedasacontrolgroup.Followingtheprogram,participantswereaskedtoansweran11-questionsurvey regardingprogramacceptability.Questionsofthestudyweremeasuredona6-pointLikertscaletoavoidneutralresponses.Measures ofcentraltendencywereusedtoexamineprogramacceptabilityamongthein-personinterventionparticipants.Results:Theprogram contentwassuccessfullycreated.Thein-personparticipantsmetonceaweekfor6weeks.Thosewhodidnotattendatleast75%of the6classeswereexcludedfromdataanalysis.Ofprogramcompleters,100%oftheparticipantsstronglyagreedthattheintervention providedsocialsupport,85%stronglyagreedtheyweresatisfiedwiththeprogramsapproachtoprovidenutritioneducationand supportand86%stronglyagreedthattheprogramwashelpfulforaccountabilityafterbariatricsurgery.Conclusions:Theresponses collectedfromthepost-programacceptabilitysurveyshowedfavorableoutcomes,showingacceptabilityofa6-weekpostintervention programforweightmaintenanceandsocialsupport.Althoughthesesamplesizesweresmallandnotrepresentativeofthepopulation, resultsprovideinsightthatcanbeusedtocreatefutureprogramstoimprovepost-bariatricsurgeryoutcomes.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEPARENTALINFLUENCEONEATINGDISORDERS

Jones,Amanda

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 100

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JenniferMcMullen

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Disorderedeatingimpactspeopleallacrosstheworld.Thissystematicreviewlookstoevaluateoneofthepotentialadolescent influencesthatleadstodisorderedeatingbehavior:parents.Thisreviewinvestigatedtheinfluenceparentscanhaveontheirchildrenin thedevelopmentofdisorderedeating.Thearticlesforthissystematicreviewwerefoundthroughanextensivesearchwithspecific inclusionandexclusioncriteria.Therewereatotaloftwelveresearchpapersfoundtobesuitabletoreview.Resultsoverwhelmingly showedtheimpactparentscanhaveonthedevelopmentofeatingdisorders.Aparentingstylewithlesswarmthandmorecontrolwas showntoputachildathigherriskfordisorderedeating.Parentalcommentsrelatedtoshape/weightandeatingleadtodisordered eatingbehaviorsformanyadolescents.Familydysfunctionandnegativefoodrelatedexperiencesfromparentsgrowingupalso increasedtheriskforeatingdisorderpathology.Overall,parentsplayamuchlargerrolethantheymayrealizeinthedevelopmentof eatingdisordersamongtheirchildrenandshouldbemademoreawareofthisinanefforttodecreasedisorderedeatinginfuture generationsofadolescentsandadults.

PERCEPTIONSOFELDERFINANCIALABUSEINTHECOURTROOM

Kaiser,Sayword

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 101

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JonathanGolding

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

In2022,ShellyLeiphamwasfoundguiltyofelderfinancialfraud.Shecalledthevictim,statingtheyhadwononemilliondollars,and defraudedthevictimbydirectingthemtosendmoney(DepartmentofJustice,2022).ThisisoneexampleofaJamaicanlotteryscam. Thepurposeofthepresentstudyistoinvestigatelegaldecision-makingregardingelderfinancialabuse(EFA)inbothcivilandcriminal trialstodeterminetheimpactoftheamountstolenplaysonjurors'perceptions.Thisstudyuseda2(TypeofTrial:CivilorCriminal)x2 (AmountofMoney:$10,000versus$100,000)x2(ParticipantGender:MaleorFemale)between-participantsdesign.Community membersreadoneoffourmocktrialscenariosandansweredquestions(e.g.,verdict,characteristicsofvictim)aboutthetrial, comprisedofan80-year-oldwomanasthevictimandadefendantwhoworksatalifeinsuranceagency.Thehypothesesforthestudy include1)thereshouldbehigherpro-victimjudgmentsinciviltrialsthanincriminaltrials;2)ahigheramountstolenshouldleadto higherpro-victimjudgmentsthanaloweramount;and3)femaleparticipantsshouldhavehigherpro-victimjudgmentsthanmale participants.Theresultsshowednomaineffects.However,significancewasfoundregardingthree-wayinteractions.InCivilTrials, femalesandmalesbelievedthehighamountoverthelowamountshowingnointeractionbetweenvariables.However,inCriminal trials,aninteractionwasfoundbetweenmalesandfemaleswithdifferingamounts.Femalesweremorelikelytobelievethedefendant withthehighamountstolenthanthelowamount,butmalesweremorelikelytobelievethelowamountthanthehighamount. Therefore,moreresearchneedstobedoneonthesevariables'effectonjuror'sperceptions.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EFFECTSOFTHEMENSTRUALCYCLEONATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITYDISORDERAND BORDERLINEPERSONALITYDISORDERSYMPTOMS

Miller,Sarah

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 102

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MichelleMartel

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Areviewofpriorliteraturehasshownthatattention-deficit/hyperactivitydisorder(ADHD)andborderlinepersonalitydisorder(BPD) interactininterestingways,aspeoplewithacomorbiddiagnosistendtohavehigherlevelsofemotionaldysregulationandimpulsivity thanthosewithonlyADHDorBPD.However,therearefewexistingstudiesthatexaminetheimpactoffluctuatingmenstrualcycle hormonesonthesymptomsofADHDorBPD,andevenfewerwithafocusoncomorbidoccurrences.Weaimtoinvestigatetheeffects ofreproductivehormonesonthisclinicalpopulationandthatwehypothesizeismorelikelytobesensitivetotheirfluctuations. Participantsinthisstudywereyoungadults(ages18-25)whowereassignedfemaleatbirth(AFAB).Overthecourseofacomplete menstrualcycle,participantscollecteddailysalivasamplesforhormoneassayandcompletedmorningandeveningself-report questionnairesonsymptomsandaffect.Inadditiontothis,eachparticipantwasrequiredtocompletefourlaboratoryvisitsatdifferent phasesofthemenstrualcycle,duringwhichtheyperformedtaskstoassesstheircognitionandresponseinhibition,orimpulsivity.We expectthatparticipantswhoendorsebothADHDandBPDsymptoms,whencomparedwithparticipantswhodonotsimultaneously reportbothADHDandBPDsymptoms,willreporthigherlevelsofnegativeaffectandimpulsivityduringthephasesinwhichestrogen declines.

ADDRESSINGMEDICAIDENROLLEEUNMETSOCIALNEEDSTHROUGHCOMMUNITYPARTNERSHIPS: EVIDENCEFROMRURALKENTUCKY

Miriti,Kangai

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 103

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RachelHogg-Graham,EmilyR.Clear,andTeresaM.Waters

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Background:Individualswithunmetsocialneedsareatincreasedriskofexperiencingadversehealthoutcomes.Theburdenofunmet socialneedsismoreprevalentamongMedicaidenrollees.Theaimofthisresearchistoexaminepartnershipsbetween community-basedorganizations(CBOs)andMedicaidManagedCareorganizations(MCOs)toaddressunmetneeds.

Methods:TworuralKentuckycommunitieswithhighMedicaidenrollmentwereselected.TheProgramtoAnalyze,Record,andTrack NetworkstoEnhanceRelationships(PARTNER)ToolwasusedtogathergranulardataonthetypesofMCO-CBOpartnershipsthatare happeningineachcommunity.MCOsandCBOscompletedonlinesurveystoindicateservicesprovided,primaryfunction,and frequencyofcollaborationwithotherorganizationsinthenetwork.Datawasanalyzedtoexaminecoredimensionsofconnectivity includingnetworkcompositionandtrustandvaluescores.Results:Bothcommunitieshadacentralizednetworkwithafew organizationsplayingadominantroleintheMCO-CBOscreeningandreferralsystem.WhilebothhadMCOsplayingimportantroles, localpublichealthagenciesandnonprofitswerealsocentral.Healthytrustandvaluescoreswerefoundinbothnetworks,butMCO scoreswerelowerthantheirCBOpartners.Additionally,thereissubstantialvariationinhownetworkmembersviewsuccessin addressingenrolleeunmetsocialneeds,withmostrespondentsperceivingsuccessasonlysomewhatsuccessful.Conclusions:Findings suggestthatvibrantnetworkswithavarietyofpartnersexist,yettherearesomeareasthatmightimprovenetworkstrength.MCOs maywanttoconsiderhowtheyincreasetrustandvalueintheCBOpartnerships.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EFFECTSOFHOUSINGCONDITIONSANDETHANOLCONSUMPTIONINADOLESCENTMALERATSON ADULTDRINKING

Olyha,Lidia

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 104

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MichaelBardo

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Theconcomitantuseofalcoholandnicotinerepresentsthemostwidespreadpolysubstanceuseintheworld.Initiationofalcoholuse oftenbeginsinadolescenceandcanleadtoahighersusceptibilityofdevelopingalcoholusedisorder(AUD)inadulthood.Moreover, stressduringchildhoodandadolescenceisaknownriskfactorfortheinitiationofsubstanceusedisorderslaterinadulthood.While therehasbeenpreclinicalworkindicatingthatexperimenter-deliveredalcoholduringadolescenceincreaseslaterintake,thereislittle informationaboutwhethervoluntaryintakeduringadolescenceproducesasimilarincreaseinvulnerability.Groupandisolatehoused maleSprague-Dawleyrats(n=50)areexposedto20%EtOH(v/v)/0.2%saccharin(w/v)orwaterusinganintermittent24-hour2-bottle choiceduringadolescence(PND28-61).Inadulthood,ratsundergo2-bottlechoicesessions(PND73-86),andthenaretrainedto self-administernicotine(0.03mg/kg/infusion)withEtOHandwaterconcurrentlyavailable.TheFRrequirementareincrementally increasedacrosssessionsfromFR1-135.Group-housedratsconsumedsignificantlylessethanolinadolescencethanisolate-housed rats,suggestingaprotectiveeffectofsocialpeersforadolescentethanolintake.Thecombinedeffectsofisolation-stressandethanol exposureinadolescencedidnotincreaseadultethanolintake.Group-housedratsdisplayedincreasedlevelsofconsumptionand preferredunsweetenedethanoltoagreaterextentthanisolate-housedrats.Regardlessoftreatmentgroup,thereisasubstitutional relationshipbetweenethanolandnicotine,andthisrelationshipisaffectedbyhousing.

EQUITYBEYONDTHEHEALTHCARESYSTEM

Otieno, Christopher

Session 1: 1:00 - 2:30pm

Poster: 105

Faculty mentor(s): Dr. Rachel Hogg-Graham and Emily Clear

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Background:Emergingresearchsuggestsimprovinghealthoutcomesrequiresinterventionsbeyondtraditionalclinicalcare.Amore wholisticapproachthatfocusesonpopulationhealthandpartnershipsthatintegratehealthandsocialservicesmaybeparticularly importantforreducinghealthinequities.Todate,littleisknownabouttheassociationbetweencommunitydiversityandpopulation healthsystemstructure.Thisstudyexplorestheassociationbetweenracialcompositionofacommunityandthemultisectordeliveryof populationhealthactivities.Methods:AretrospectivecohortstudyusingdatafromtheNationalLongitudinalSurveyofPublicHealth Systems(NALSYS)wasconducted.NALSYSmeasurestheconnectednessofcommunityorganizationswhoaredeliveringhealthand socialservicesbyaskinglocalpublichealthofficialsabouttheavailabilityof20corepopulationhealthactivitieswithintheircommunity andtherangeofsectorsthatdelivereachactivity,includinghospitals,primarycareproviders,insurers,employers,schools,and community-basedorganizations.Theythencategorizedcommunitiesintoquartilesbasedontheportionofthepopulationthatisblack. ThendescriptivelyexaminedmultisectorcontributionstotheNALSYSactivitiesbasedoncommunityquartile.Results:Theirresults suggestsubstantialvariationintherelationshipbetweendiversityandmultisectorcontributionstopopulationhealth.Theyfoundthat communityhealthcenters,insurers,governmentagencies,universities,andfaith-basedorganizationsincreasedtheirparticipationin populationhealthactivitiesinmorediversecommunities.Conclusions:Theirfindingssuggestthatasubsetofsectorsmaybefocusing theirpopulationhealtheffortsondiversepopulationsthathavebothcomplexhealthandsocialneeds.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEIMPACTOFSTRESSONCREATIVETHINKINGANDEXECUTIVEFUNCTION:THEMODERATING ROLEOFDISPOSITIONALANXIETY

Parson,Rachel

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 106

Facultymentor(s): Dr.LaurenWhitehurst

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Acuteandchronicstresscanimpaircreativeprocessingandexecutivefunction.However,anxietymaymoderatethisrelationship,with thosewithhigherlevelsofanxietyexperiencingexacerbatedimpactsofdailystressoncognitiveprocesses.Thecurrentstudyexamines howtraitanxietymoderatestherelationshipbetweendailystressandcognition.Wehypothesizedthat(1)highlevelsofdailystresswill impaircreativityandworkingmemoryperformanceand(2)thestress–cognitionrelationshipwillbemoderatedbyhighlevelsoftrait anxiety.Participants(N=28)completedtheBeckAnxietyInventorytodeterminedispositionalanxiety,dailydiarieseachnightfor1 weektoassessdailystress,andcamein-labtocompletecomputerizedcognitivetasks:theAlternativeUsesTask(AUT)tomeasure creativityandtheSpatialShort-TermMemorytasktoexamineworkingmemory.Preliminaryfindingsdemonstratethatparticipants experiencedstresson60.5%ofthedaysinthestudy.Yet,themajorityoftheirstresswasoflowintensity(Mean=1.67;scale:1= slightlyto5=extremely).WearecurrentlyanalyzingthedatausingANOVAandlinearregressionstoassesshowthesestress relationshipsimpactcreativityandworkingmemoryaswellasthemoderatingroleofanxiety.

MENTALHEALTHANDCAMPUSRESOURCESFORTHELATINOCOMMUNITYATTHEUNIVERSITYOF KENTUCKY

Rodriguez,Daniela

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 46

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KimberlyParker

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

ThisresearchstudyfocusesonthementalhealthandresourcesavailabletotheLatinocommunityattheUniversityofKentucky.The goalofthisresearchinitiativeistosupportmembersofminoritygroupsbyunderstanding,listeningto,andassessingthementalhealth ofthecommunitythroughin-depthanalysis.TheLatinocultureandethnicityfacemanyuniquechallenges,andthestudyintendsto listentoandunderstandcollegestudentsbroadly,toidentifythechallengestheyfaceandhowtheirmentalhealthcanbebetter supported.ThestudyisinPhase2,whereresearcherswillcreateacampaignandtestitinfocusgroups,withtheintentionofbetter supportingtheLatinocommunityincollege.Phase1oftheresearchwasconductedbyconductingfocusgroupsthroughZoom,witha totalof32-40participantsdividedinto4focusgroupswith8-12studentseach,wherestudentswereabletosharetheirthoughtsand feelingswiththeresearchers.Thedatacollectedwasanalyzedthroughthematicanalysis,whichallowedustogainanunderstandingof theattitudesoftheLatinxcommunityandcreateanappropriateadvocacycampaign.ThefacultyoftheDepartmentofIntegrated StrategicCommunicationsupportsthisstudy,withthegoalofbetterunderstandingthestrugglesanddesiresoftheLatinxcommunity, andthusprovidingbettersupportfortheirmentalhealthattheuniversity.Insummary,thisstudyaimstoprovideadeeper understandingofthechallengesfacedbytheLatinocommunityincollege,andhowtobettersupporttheirmentalhealth.Theresults ofthisstudymaybeusefulinimprovingthecareandresourcesavailabletotheLatinocommunitytopromoteamoreinclusiveand equitablecampuscommunity. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

COLLEGEATHLETEASDEFENDANTSINRAPETRIALS:THEIMPACTONLEGALDECISION-MAKING

Salyers, Sophia

Session 1: 1:00 - 2:30pm

Poster: 47

Faculty mentor(s): Dr. Jonathan Golding

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

IntheU.S.,adultrapedatashowsthat319,950peopleoveragetwelvewererapedorsexuallyassaultedin2020(Morgan,2021).Rape isdefinedasanyunwantedorforciblepenetrationwithoutconsent(UnitedStatesDepartmentofJustice,2017).Collegewomenare especiallyatriskforbecomingvictimsofsexualviolenceandassaultbymen(Fisheretal.,2020).Itisespeciallyimportanttoexamine malecollegeathletesaspotentialperpetrators,astheyare40%morelikelytocommitrapethantheaveragemalecollegestudent (Johnson,1991).Therearenopublishedstudiesregardingcollegiateathleterapeandlegaldecision-makinginthecourtroom.The purposeofthepresentstudywastoexaminehowcollegiateathletestatusimpactsperceptionsofrapecasesinthecourtroom,usinga 3(collegiateathletestatus:football,hockey,control[non-athlete])x2(status:starvs.no-star)x2(participantgender) between-subjectsdesign.Participantsreadatrialsummary,providedaverdict,andansweredquestionsrelatingtothetrial.Thereare threehypothesesforthisstudy.Thefirstisthattherewillbeamaineffectofcollegeathletestatus,suchthatbeinganathleteshould beassociatedwithlowerpro-victimjudgmentsthannon-athletes.Thesecondisthattherewillbeamaineffectofstarstatus,suchthat starsshouldbeassociatedwithlowerpro-victimjudgmentsthanno-starsandratedhigherforpositivecharacteristics(e.g.,credibility, honesty).Lastly,therewillbeamaineffectofparticipantgender,suchthatfemaleparticipantswillbemorepro-victimthanmale participants.TheresultsdidnotsupportHypothesis1or2butdidstronglysupportHypothesis3.Thefindingsofthisstudywill encourageadditionalresearchsurroundingrapetrialsinvolvingcollegiateathletes.

THEEFFECTOFWEIGHTONJURORDECISION-MAKINGINARAPECASE

Seals,Morgan

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 42

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JonathanGolding

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

WeightissomethingthatishighlystigmatizedintheU.S.Specifically,womenareconstantlyridiculedandjudgedbasedontheirsize. Previousresearchconcludesthatphysicalappearanceandperceivedattractivenesshaveanimpactonthesympathy,resources,and blamevictimsreceive(ClarkeandLawson,2009).Astudydonein2013researchedweightandbothexpressedandactualprejudice againstoverweightpeople.Thisstudyfoundthatonaverage,peopleholdnegativeopinionsofanddiscriminatoryattitudestoward overweightpeople(PenneyandLawsin).Inthecourtroom,thesebiasesandattitudescanhaveharmfulimplications.Thepresentstudy seekstoexploretherelationshipbetweentheweightofthevictimanddecisionsofguiltinarapecase.Iwillusea2(victimweight)x2 (ParticipantGender)between-participantsdesign.Communitymemberswillbegivenafakecasefileaboutarapecase,whichincludes photosofthevictim.Thephotoofthevictimwilleithershowathinorheavyvictim,bothwearingthesameclothes.Participantswillbe randomlyassignedtoeachconditionandaskedtorenderaverdictonwhetherornottheallegedperpetratorwasguiltyornotofrape. Thehypothesesofthisstudyare;(1)Participantgenderwillimpactguiltyverdictsinthatwomenwillyieldmoreguiltyverdictsthan men,(2)Maleparticipantswillvaryintheirverdicts,whilefemaleparticipantswillyieldthesameamountofguiltyverdictsnomatter thevictimweight,(3)Theheavyconditionwillyieldfewerguiltyverdictsthanthethincondition.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

IMPACTSOFDEFENDANTANDVICTIMFRATERNITYANDSORORITYACTIVEMEMBERSHIPONLEGAL DECISION-MAKINGINRAPETRIALS

Sumrall,Emily

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 43

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JonathanGolding

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

TheCentersforDiseaseControl(CDC)reportedthatoneinthreemenandoverhalfofwomenexperiencesexualviolenceintheir lifetime,constitutingapublichealthcrisisofsexualviolence(CDC,2022).Priorresearchsuggeststhatincasesthatlacksubstantial physicalevidence,jurorswillbemorelikelytorelyonextralegalfactors(e.g.,factorsnotregulatedbythelaw)whendeterminingtheir verdict(Winter&Greene,2007).Oncollegecampuses,19%ofallundergraduatewomenexperiencesexualviolence,withthemajority ofthesecasesoccurringonlargepublicinstitutionswithgreaternumbersofstudentsinvolvedinfraternitiesandsororities(Krebsetal., 2007).Thepresentstudyexaminedfraternityandsororitymembershipoperatingasanextralegalfactorinrapecases.AQualtricsstudy wasadministeredusinga2(DefendantFraternityAffiliation)x2(VictimSororityAffiliation)x2(ParticipantGender) between-participantsdesign.Thesurveyconsistedofamockrapetrialinvolvingtwostudentsatafictitiousuniversity,withthe defendantbeingchargedwithRapeintheFirstDegree(KentuckyRevisedStatute510.040).Participantsansweredaseriesoftrial questions(e.g.,verdict,victimcredibility).Basedonpriorresearch,wehadthreehypotheses:H1–maineffectofdefendantfraternity affiliation(adefendantbeinganactivefraternitymembershouldleadtohigherpro-victimjudgementsthanadefendantnotinvolved withafraternity),H2–maineffectofvictimsororityaffiliation(avictimbeinganactivesororitymembershouldleadtolower pro-victimjudgementsthanavictimnotinvolvedwithasorority),andH3–maineffectofparticipantgender(femalesshouldoffer higherpro-victimjudgementsthanmales).TheresultssupportedH3:females(M=70%)renderedmoreguiltyverdictsthanmales(M= 44%).IsuggestfutureresearchinvestigatingstereotypesofGreekmembershipandhowinternalized,group-basedstereotypesaffect perceptionsofindividuals.

ANALYZATIONOFSPRINGBOXARTIFACTSINNEWPORT,RHODEISLAND

Twine,(Sarah)Ruth

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 44

Facultymentor(s): Dr.HugoReyes-Centeno

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

In1639thetownofNewport,RhodeIsland,developedaroundanopeningtothefreshwaterspringthatflowsunderground.Overtime aspringboxwasconstructedtoallowforeasierfreshwateraccess,andacitycenterdevelopedasthepopulationgrew.Inthe1940s,a gasstationandautomotiveservicecenterweredevelopedoverthesiteandutilizeduntil2015.Duringthestation'sdemolitionand removalofthegastanks,alawyeratthefirmbesidesthesitediscoveredalargesurfacefindandpromptedtheNewportHistoric SpringsProject.Sincethediscoveryofthefirstartifact,threefieldseasonshavefocusedonexcavatingandanalyzingartifactsnearthe springbox'sopening.Artifactsincludeceramic,glass,animalbones,shells,andmetal.Therehavealsobeenfeaturesuncoveredduring thisexcavation,includingthespringboxitself,atrashmidden,andstonestructuresresemblinghomefoundations.Inthefallof2022, thesitewilldeveloptobecomeaparktogivethecityaplacetomeet,relax,celebrate,andonceagaincenteritselfaroundthespring box.Theparkwillhavefeaturesthatrepresentthehistoryofitslocation,suchasQRcodesforawebsitethatwillallowthepublicto seethetypesofartifactsuncovered,wherefieldschoolsfoundartifacts,and3Dmodelsoftheartifacts. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

PERCEPTIONSOFHEALTHRISKSOFNICOTINEUSAGEINADOLESCENTS

Vyas,Bhavya

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 27

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PoojaSidney

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Inadolescents,nicotineuseimpairsbraindevelopment,forexample,damagingtheprefrontalcortexandtherewardpathway.To educateadolescentsaboutthehealthrisksassociatedwithnicotineuse,itisimportantthatwebsources,suchastheCDCwebsiteon nicotineeffects,presentinformationinawaythatpromotesunderstanding.Currentlymanysourcesdonotpresentinformationinan evidence-basedway.Pastresearchshowshealthriskstatisticsarebestunderstoodingraphsorvisualaids(Waterset.al2006).Also, ratiosarebetterunderstoodwhenpresentedaspercentages(Fitzsimmonset.al2020).Furthermore,acombinationofnumeric, verbal,andvisualismosteffective(Lipkus,2007).Thisstudyaimstoestablishthebestwaytocommunicatehealthriskstoadolescents bytestingtheirunderstandingofnicotine-relatedhealthstatistics.ParticipantsinintroductorypsychologyclassesatUKwillbe randomlyassignedtofourvisualaidconditions(text,graph,table,orpicture)andwillreportontheirbeliefsandexperienceswith nicotineviaQualtrics.Thissurveywillalsomeasuresubjectivenumeracyandgraphliteracy.Participantswillseehealthinformationfor 10minutesintheirassignedconditionandanswerinterpretationquestions.Iexpectparticipantswillhaveabetterunderstandingof healthrisksafterviewinginformationinagraphortablecomparedtothetextconditionandprefertoviewvisualandnumerical informationovertextualinformation.Ialsoexpectparticipantshighinsubjectivenumeracytoperformbetterinthetablecondition andthosehighingraphliteracytoperformbetterinthegraphcondition.Thesefindingswouldestablishtheneedforhealth informationpresentedbyhealthsourcestoadjusttheircurrentwayofpresentinginformationtopromoteunderstandingofhealthrisks inadolescentsleadingtothenumberofadolescentsusingnicotinetodecrease.

TOBACCOUSEANDTOBACCOTREATMENTUSEAMONGCANCERPATIENTSWHODESIRETOQUIT ONTHEIROWN Wakeman,Katie

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 28

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaBurris

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Background:Persistenttobaccouseafteracancerdiagnosisisassociatedwithmanyadversehealthoutcomes.Cancerdiagnosiscan functionasa"teachablemoment"fortobaccocessation,whenmotivationtoquittobaccoincreases.However,manycancerpatients' quitattemptsareunassisted,suchthattobaccotreatmentisnotused.Itisessentialtoinvestigatethistobaccocessationpreference,as unassistedquitattemptsareoftenunsuccessful.Theaimofthisstudywastounderstandtherationalebehindcancerpatients'desireto quittobaccowithoutassistance.Method:Participantswere35cancerpatientswhowerepastmonthtobaccousersatenrollment,and declinedreferraltothecancercenter'stobaccotreatmentprogrambecausetheywanttoquitontheirown.Participantscompletedtwo semi-structuredinterviewsandthreesurveysthroughouta60-dayspan.Participantsansweredquestionsabouttheircurrenttobacco use,tobaccotreatmentuse,barrierstousingtobaccotreatment,andself-reliance.Results:Onaverage,participantswereWhite, non-Hispanic(85.71%),female(71.43%),highschooldegreeorless(51.43%),haveahouseholdincomelessthan$20,000(54.29%)and 54.43±10.86yearsold.Themostcommoncancertypewaslung(21.62%)andstageswereIII(24.32%)orIV(16.21%).Keythemes emergedfromthequalitativeinterview:self-reliance,willpower,andattitudesandbarrierstowardstobaccotreatment.Onthesurvey, participantsreportedhighratesofself-reliance(21.86±2.79).Throughoutthestudy,XXparticipantsreportedusingmedications (25.00%)and2.70%ofparticipantsreportedusingbehavioraltreatment.Fourteenparticipantsreportedachieving50%smoking reduction(43.75%)and21.88%ofparticipantsreportedachieving3-dayfloatingabstinence.Discussion:Thisstudyidentifiedaffective, cognitive,andpersonalityfactorsrelatedtoquittingonone'sown,andsocialandsystemicbarrierstousingtobaccotreatmentfor cancerpatients.Futureinterventionsmustaddressthesefactorstoincreaseuptakeoftobaccotreatmentinthispopulation.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEEFFECTSOFAPROBLEMSOLVINGINTERVENTIONONIMPROVINGSOCIALDIFFICULTIESIN CHILDRENWITHELEVATEDSYMPTOMSOFADHD

Williams,Alyssa

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 30

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ElizabethLorchandDr.AngelaHayden

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Attention-deficit/hyperactivitydisorder(ADHD)isaneurodevelopmentaldisordercommonlypresentinchildrenandoftenextending intoadolescenceandadulthood.ADHDischaracterizedbyissueswithattention,hyperactivity,andimpulsivity.Theseissuescan negativelyimpactachild'slife,aschildrenshowingsymptomsofthisdisorderoftenexperienceacademicandsocialdifficulties.Socially, childrenwithADHDcanstrugglewithrecognizing,navigating,andimplementingsocialskillsinpeerandfamilialrelationships.Previous literaturehasdiscussedtheimplicationsofdeficienciesinsocialrelationsandpeeracceptanceinchildhood,leadingtothingssuchas substanceabuse,notfinishingschool,andothermentalhealthproblems(Hoza,2007).Toaddressthesesocialdifficulties,childrenwith ADHDmaybenefitfromasocialproblemsolvinginterventionthatwillequipthemwiththeskillsnecessarytoenterandmaintain positivesocialrelationships.Thecurrentstudyinvestigatestheeffectivenessofasocialproblemsolvinginterventioninchildrenwith ADHD.Thestudyexaminedthedifferencesinthechildren'sself-reportedscoresofsocialsituationsbeforeandafterparticipatinginthe intervention.Thisinterventionincluded15lessonsinwhichtheparticipantslearnedsocialskillssuchasenteringagroup,dealingwith negativeemotions,andunderstandingdifferentpointsofview.Thelessonswereledbytwoteachersfromtheschool.Participants selectedwerethirdandfourthgradeboysandgirlsfromlocalelementaryschoolswhoexhibitedelevatedsymptomsofADHD.The childrencompletedapretestbeforetheinterventionandaposttestafterthelastlesson.Iwillreportcomparisonsofpretestand posttestscoresonaself-reportmeasureofchildren'ssocialdifficulties(CBCL-YSR).Ihypothesizeimprovementinperceivedsocial difficulties,suchthatchildrenwillreportlowersocialdifficultiesontheCBCL-YSRafterparticipatingintheintervention.Improving socialproblemsolvinginthesechildrenisimportantinhelpingthemtohavebetteroutcomesinlife.

THEIMPACTOFVICTIMINTOXICATIONANDEMOTIONALEXPRESSIONONLEGALDECISION-MAKING INRAPETRIALS

Wojcik,Samantha

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 31

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JonathanGolding

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Onaverage,thereare463,634reportedvictimsofsexualassaulteachyearintheUS(RAINN,2022).AccordingtoastudybyTjadenand Thoennes(2006),only37%ofcasesofreportedrapeareprosecuted,ofwhich46.2%oftheprosecutedcasesresultedinaconviction. Moreover,itisestimatedthatonly3.4%ofallrapeswillleadtoarapist'sconviction.Thelowpercentageofconvictionsmaybedueto manyoutsidefactorsthatcanimpactlegaldecision-makinginrapecases.Theseinclude"extralegalfactors"(factorsthatarenotwithin thescopeofthelaw;Goldingetal.,2023).Thepresentstudyinvestigatedthesefactorsusinga2(Emotionality:cryingornot)x2 (Intoxication:yesorno)x2(ParticipantGender)between-participantsdesign.Participantsreadarape-trialsummaryandanswered questionsregardingtheverdictandthevictimanddefendant(e.g.,credibility).Thisstudyhadthreehypotheses:H1)thereshouldbea maineffectofintoxication,suchthatifavictimisintoxicated,participantsshouldhavelowerpro-victimjudgments(e.g.,guiltyverdicts) thanvictimswhowerenotintoxicated;H2)thereshouldbeamaineffectofEmotionality,suchthatifavictimcriesincourt, participantsshouldhavehigherpro-victimjudgmentsthanifshedidnotcry;andH3)thereshouldbeamaineffectofParticipant Gender:femaleparticipantsshouldhavehigherpro-victimjudgmentsthanmaleparticipants.ResultsshowedthatHypotheses1and2 werenotsupported,buttherewasstrongsupportforHypothesis3.Inaddition,exploratoryanalysesshowedthatthefemaleshavea morenegativereactionforthevictim(anti-victimjudgements)whensheisintoxicatedvs.notintoxicated,butmalesgenerallydidnot differacrossintoxicationcondition.

SESSION 1: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

UNDERSTANDINGLUNGCANCERSCREENINGRESOURCESANDNEEDSINAPPALACHIANKENTUCKY

Yalla, Sairakshitha

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm

Poster: 107

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PamelaHullandDr.JessicaThompson

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

AppalachianKentucky,anunder-resourcedruralregion,hasthehighestratesoflungcancerincidenceandmortalityintheUS.Aslung cancerscreeningbecomesincreasinglyavailable,inAppalachianKentucky,only14%ofthosemeetingguidelinerequirementsarebeing screened.TheaimsofthisstudyaretoidentifylungcancerscreeninghealtheducationmaterialneedsintheAppalachianKentucky communityandtouncoverthesocialdeterminantsofhealth(SDOH)affectinglungcancerscreeningforthoseinhabitants.Werecruited 5AppalachianKYresidentswhoareeligibleforlungcancerscreeningandnotcurrentlyinahealthcare-basedprofession,toparticipate in60-minutequalitativeinterviews.Here,weshared3lungcancerscreeningmaterialsthatareavailableonlineandaskedthe participantsfortheiropinions.WethenaskedparticipantsaboutspecificSDOHintheircommunityandhowwecanhelpmembersto accessscreening.Theinterviewsweretranscribed,and3independentcodersanalyzedthedatatodeterminerelevantthemes.The insightsgleanedfromthisstudycanhelpcreatebetterandculturallyrelevantinfographicsforthispopulation.TherearemultipleSDOH atplayforruralAppalachianKentuckyresidents,whichwehaveuncoveredduringourresearch,fromaccessingtransportation,tofear ofdiscoveringthattheymayhavelungcancer.Futureresearchcanbeconductedtodeterminehowtoimproveaccessandunderstand thebarrierstolungcancerscreening.Overall,thisstudycanhelpimprovethedisparatelungcancerincidenceandmortalityamong individualsinthisregionthroughgeneratingnew,accessiblehealtheducationmaterialsonlungcancerscreening.

Chellgren Student Fellows Program

The Chellgren Student Fellows Program is designed for second-year students to provide experiences that go beyond the classroom. It cultivates extraordinary academic achievement among UK students.

Academic Honor Societies

The Chellgren Center proudly partners with four honor societies promoting undergraduate excellence across several disciplines.

Student Financial Support

The Chellgren Center provides opportunities for funding assistance for undergraduate students engaged in travel related to research and awards, internships, and more.

Office of Nationally Competitive Awards

The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards assists students in applying for scholarships and fellowships funded by sources outside UK.

Faculty

Top faculty act as mentors for Chellgren Student Fellows, serve as Chellgren Endowed Professors, and receive funding to support projects related to student excellence.

https://chellgren.uky.edu/

WHAT WE DO

Recruit students for prestigious awards

Give feedback on application materials

Provide interview preparation

Coordinate and submit application materials

Publicize award opportunities

Spotlight award recipients

WHY APPLY?

Funding for research, study abroad, and undergraduate & graduate study

Help with professional development

(resume, essays, interviewing)

Clarify career goals

Build a professional network

COMPETITIVE AWARD RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Awardedtojuniorsand seniorsstudyingSTEMwith intenttopursuecareerin research,interestin aeronauticsnotrequired.

CAMPUSDEADLINE:MARCH

Fundsayearofmaster's studyinaSTEMfieldof ChurchillCollegeatthe UniversityofCambridge.

CAMPUSDEADLINE:OCTOBER

Awardeesdesignresearch projectsandworkwithadvisors atforeignuniversitiesorother institutesofhighereducation.

Awardsupto$7,500to sophomoresorjuniorsplanning topursuearesearchcareerin STEM.

CAMPUSDEADLINE:SEPTEMBER

CAMPUSDEADLINE:DECEMBER

Providesfundingforstudents pursuingresearch-based master'sanddoctoral degreesintheU.S.

DEADLINE:OCTOBER

Fundingtoconductresearchata hostinstitutionunderfacultyand otherresearchers.

DEADLINE:DECEMBER-FEBRUARY

EXPLORE AWARD OPPORTUNITIES:

SESSION 2: ORAL ABSTRACTS

"ITBEGGARSALLDESCRIPTION":GHOSTSTORIESOFTHEBATTLEOFPERRYVILLE

Andrews,Elena

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JeanmarieRouhier-Willoughby

Discipline: Humanities

ThisprojectwasconductedusingfundingfromtheCollegeofArtsandSciencesthroughtheSummerUndergraduateResearch FellowshipandwasadvisedbyJeanmarieRouhier-Willoughby,professorofRussian,FolkloreandLinguistics.Inthefieldoffolklore studies,ghoststoriesareclassifiedas"legend",anarrativetoldastruethatreflectscommunityhistory,anxieties,orotherfactors thathaveinfluencedtheidentityofaparticularpeopleorplace.Ghoststoriesconveysocietalconceptualizationsofdeath,violence, memory,landscape,andpersonalrelationships.Thisprojectsetouttodocumentanddemonstratethesocio-cultural,discursive effectofghoststories.TheBattleofPerryvilleinthefallof1862traumatizedPerryville's300residentsatthetimeandhaslefta lastinglegacyinthecommunity.Theghostnarrativesthatexisttodayacrossthetownandthebattlefieldreflectthebattle's continuedmarkontheconsciousnessofthetown;MainStreetPerryvillehasevenclaimedthetitleof"themosthauntedsmalltown intheSouth".Thesestories,wellknownbothtolocalresidentsandvisitorstothebattlefield,allowfordiscourseonviolentdeath, racism,landpreservation,economicdevelopment,thevalueoftourism,andperceptionsoftheCivilWar.Thisproject'sfinalproduct isaninnovativedigitalmapthatmergeselementsofethnography,geography,folklore,history,andresearcherexpertisewithArcGIS.

Tyingthesocio-culturalmeaningsofghoststoriesatPerryvilletospecificlocationshelpstoillustratehowthosestoriesarevehiclesof history,tourism,belief,memory,pain,fear,heritage,andloss.Perryville'smapped-outghoststories,layeredovermodernpark boundaries,revealabrutalbattle,alongrecovery,astruggletopreservethebattlefieldland,andmodernunderstandingofthose events.

AREVIEWOFNONVIOLENTBESTPRACTICESFORBEHAVIORALINTERVENTIONTOREPLACE CORPORALPUNISHMENT

Baron,Olivia

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.EricWeber

Discipline: Education

Thepurposeofmyresearchwastostarttheinitialworkforafuturestudyonthebestnonviolentpracticesforbehavioral interventionstoutilizeineducationalenvironments.Thisisanessentialareaforresearchascorporalpunishmentisstillusedin19 StatesintheUS,thoughthetopiclargelygetsdismissedandisuptoeachstate'sdiscretionastowhetheritstraditionwillbecarried throughtheyears.Thismethodcanhavemanynegativeoutcomes.Theuseofcorporalpunishmentputsschool-agechildrenin dangeroflastingmentalhealthproblems(lowself-esteem,angerissues,etc),physicalharm,anddestroysthedemocraticlearning environmentthatmanyschoolstrytoestablish.Itisalsoimportanttonotethatcorporalpunishmentisdisproportionatelyusedon variouspopulationsofstudents.Itdestroysanyformoftrustthatmayexistbetweenthestudentandtheschoolemployee administeringthepaddling.ThisresearchisNOTcompleteandrequiresfurtherresearchintonewerdisciplinaryinterventionsbeing usedinschools.Additionalgoalsaretodiscusswhatelementsmakeupinterventionsthatarethemosteffectiveandleastharmful. Byreviewingexistingbehavioralinterventionalternatives,schoolscanavoidimplementing"quick-fix"solutionsthatmaybe detrimentalinotherways.

SESSION 2: ORAL ABSTRACTS

MYSELFSHOULDSENDTHEIRHATEFULSOULSTOHELL:CONSTANCYANDPASSIONINEARLY MODERNREVENGEDRAMA

Brown-Terry,Ella

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.EmilyShortslef

Discipline: Humanities

Thispaperwillfocusonthetensionbetweenfeminineconstancyandtheintensepassionconcomitanttovengeanceinearlymodern revengetragedies.Inmuchearlymodernliterature,enduringfaithfulnessandacommitmenttoinvariabilitywerehallmarksof admirablefemininecharacter;remarkably,thesetraitsarestillpresentinwomenwhoseactionsareanathematoadmirability: femalerevengers.WhilerevengewasconsideredfundamentallyeffeminatebyStoicphilosophersbecauseofthepassionate sensitivitynecessaryforitsenaction,theactofavoidingvengeancewascharacterizedasequallyeffeminatebyseveralearlymodern plays,includingShakespeare'sHamlet.InplayslikeThomasKyd'sTheSpanishTragedyandJohnMarston'sAntonio'sRevenge,female conspiratorsembodyexceptionalconstancycrucialforoffsettingtheintensemercurialityandemotionalvigordisplayedbytheirmale counterparts.Ultimately,themostconstantoffemalerevengers,likeTheSpanishTragedy'sBel-imperia,quellthevulnerabilitysown bygrief-bornsensitivityinmaleconspirators,allowingthemtorealizetheirabstractmachinationsbystabilizingthemwith practicalityandconcretethought.Femininityinrevengetragedies,then,muchlikemodernandhistoricalunderstandingsofthe concept,isfraughtwithcontradiction:itisatoncecelebratedandcondemned,virtuousandcowardly.

PARAMETRICSTUDYOFCONTAMINANTSANDTHEIRIMPACTONRAREEARTHPRECIPITATION USINGOXALICACIDINACHLORIDESOLUTIONSYSTEM

Dailey,Daniel

Session1: 1:00-2:30pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RickHonaker

Discipline: ChemicalSciences

Rareearthelements(REEs)areagroupof17elements(i.e.,scandium,yttrium,lanthanoids)usedextensivelyinelectronics, manufacturing,medicalsciencetechnology,andrenewableenergyproduction.Therapidpushtowardcleantechnologies (e.g.,electricvehicles,windturbines)hasspurredsupply-demandimbalancesduetoheavycentralization,andgeo-political weaponization,ofthesesupplychains.Sincethemid2010s,theU.S.hasfundedresearchontherecoveryofREEsfrom coal-relatedmaterialstodevelopcost-effective,environmentallybenignextractionmethodstostrengthenthedomestic supplychain.Precipitationisawell-studiedandpreferredmethodofREErecoveryfromcoal-basedsourcesduetoits simplicityandefficiency.OxalicaciddemonstratessuperiorREEselectivityinthepresenceofcontaminants(e.g.,aluminum, calcium,ferricandferrousiron,sodium)comparedtoalternativeprecipitants.Thegoalofthisresearchistoproducethefirst comprehensivestudyonthesynergeticeffectofcontaminantsonREEprecipitationefficiencyandproductpurityduringoxalic acidprecipitation.

Oxalicacidprecipitationtestswereperformedon100-mLsyntheticsolutionswithelementalconcentrationssimilartotypical coal-basedpregnantleachatesolutions(PLS)at1.5pHand25°C.Preliminarytestsinvestigatedsingle-elementcontaminant precipitationbehavior.Asystematicstudyanalyzed1)theimpactofindividualcontaminantsonREErecoveriesand2) potentialinteractionswithrareearthelementsaswellaswithinthecontaminants.Resultsfromafive-factorcentral compositedesign(aluminum,ferriciron,calcium,andREEconcentration;oxalicaciddosage)wereusedtoconstructasurface responsediagram.TheresultsofthisresearchwillidentifytheeconomiccutoffandoptimumREEprecipitationconditionsfor awiderangeofsolutions.

SESSION 2: ORAL ABSTRACTS

EFFECTIVENEWEMPLOYEETRAININGDESIGNEDFORGENERATIONZ

Hollman,Nyah

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SungHeeKim

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Mostcompaniesandorganizationsrequirefairlyextensivetrainingfortheirnewemployees.Someorganizationsdoalltrainingon site,andsomeusetechnologytotrainnewemployees.Alotofworkenvironmentstakeadvantageoftechnology,especiallyas GenerationZenterstheworkforce.Forinstance,organizationsmayadministeronlinemanuals,presentations,quizzes,orexamsto newhires.ScribeAmericaisacompanythattrainsandhiresmedicalscribesforclinicsallovertheUnitedStates.ScribeAmerica requiresnewemployeestoreadonlinemanuals,completetrainingmodules,andpassmultipleexamsinordertobeconsideredfor hire.Thesemethodsmaybeeffectiveforsome,butformostGenZers,itiseasytogothroughthemotionsduringonlinetrainingand missoutonimportantinformationasaresult.Thisprojectisintendedtoprovideinformationinanengagingandenjoyablewayfor newScribeAmericahires.Itisanonlineinteractivetrainingpresentationthatwillbedistributedtoallnewscribestoteachthem abouttheScribeAmericaScribeAmbassadorrole.ScribeAmbassadorsareresponsiblefortrainingnewemployeesandmonitoring traineeperformance.Thisroleisnotclearlydescribedduringtraining,soitwouldbebeneficialfornewhirestoreceiveanadditional presentationintroducingittothemandprovidinginstructionsonhowtoapply.Consolidatingagreatdealofinformationintoa concisedisplayandallowingthetraineestointeractwiththematerialwillensurethattheyaretrulyabsorbingtheinformation.The goalforthisprojectistogiveknowledgeofthisopportunitytonewscribesduringtraininginawaythatappealstoGenerationZ.

RESIDENTIALIRRIGATIONRESTRICTIONSANDWATERCONSERVATION:AREVIEWOFSTUDIES FROM1978TO2022

Morkel,Stephen

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MehdiNemati

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

Urbanwatermanagersandpolicymakersadoptdemandmanagementstrategiestoreducewateruseandbufferagainstshort-term watersupplyshortfalls.Thisarticleprovidesasystematicreviewofpublicationsfrom1978-2022thatexaminetheeffectivenessof residentialwateruserestrictionsastheprimarydemand-sidemanagementtool.Wealsoreviewwateruserestriction implementation,enforcement,andmonitoringmechanismsworldwide.Ourresultsindicatethesignificantoveralleffectof restrictionsonwatersavings,withanaverageof-12.3%fromthe23studiesreviewedinthisarticle.Whenevaluatingeffectsizeby restrictiontype(mandatory,voluntary),voluntaryrestrictionshaveasignificantlylowereffectthanmandatoryrestrictionsonwater use.Wealsofindaninversecorrelationbetweenthenumberofirrigationdaysallowedandtheestimatedeffectsize.

ATESTAMENTTOJUDAICTENACITY:COMMUNALINVOLVEMENTINJEWISHPUBLICHISTORY

Mortell,Abigail

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RyanVoogt

Discipline: Humanities

Inthesummerof2022,ItraveledtoAmsterdam,Berlin,Prague,Budapest,Krakow,andParistovisitsitesdedicatedandrelatedto theHolocaustandWorldWarII.Thougheachlocationcenteredhistoricalevents,therewasanundeniablesenseofactivityinthese areasthatconveyedthecommunities'modernityandcommitmenttomovingforward.Asaresult,Iconsideredhowcommunal involvementinmemorialsandmuseumsaffectsthehistoricalnarrativelandmarksconvey.DrawingonmyvisitstothePortuguese SynagogueinAmsterdam,theBerlinJewishMuseuminGermany,theDohanyStreetSynagogueinHungary,andAuschwitz concentrationcampinPoland,Iassessedaspectsofeachlocationthatspokestronglytoindividualorcommunalidentities.These sitescapturedpersonalstoriesthroughvariousmeans,suchastechnology,artwork,andguidedtours.ThePortugueseSynagoguein AmsterdamwasimbuedwiththecultureoftheDutchJewishcommunitywhocontinuetousethebuildingforworshipandpermit visitorsonweekdays,whiletheBerlinJewishMuseumdisplayedartworkbyIsraeliartistMenasheKadishmandedicatedtothe memoryofthosemurderedintheHolocaust.HungarianJewsleaddailytoursattheDohanyStreetSynagoguetoensurethestories ofBudapest'sJewishcommunitydidnotgountold.Communalinvolvementisanessentialpartofmaintainingtheintegrityofpublic historyandtheagencyandautonomyofthosetowhomthehistorybelongs.ByconnectingthehistoryofWorldWarIItoextant communities,museumsandmemorialsimpartinformationinaneffectivemannerwhileconservingthecollectivememoryofthe past.

TFAP2:APLAYERINOCULARANTERIORSEGMENTDEVELOPMENT

Patel,Deep

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JakubFamulski

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Thevertebrateeyehastwomaincomponentstheanteriorsegment(AS)andtheposteriorsegment,includingtheretina,withboth beingessentialtopropervision.TheASincludesthecornea,lens,iris,ciliarybody,andiridocornealangle.Itfunctionstoproperly collectandprojectlightontotheretina.AnteriorSegmentDysgenesis(ASD),apotentiallyblindingdisorder,occurswhenthereisan abnormalityinASformation.Thegenefamilytfap2isessentialforthedevelopmentofthevertebraeeye.Thetfap2genefamily encodestheproteinTranscriptionFactorAP-2.ExpressionofthisproteinoccursinNeuralCrestCells(NCC).NCCsarevitalforthe formationofthePeriocularMesenchyme(POM)cells.AStargetedPOMarenecessarytoformnumerousASstructures.Inzebrafish thereare5orthologsoftfap2,tfap2a-e.Tfap2aisrequiredforproperASdevelopmentinmammals.Ouraiminthisstudyisto determinethefunctionoftfap2orthologsduringzebrafishASformation.Temporalandspatialexpressionoftfap2a-ewasconducted usingwholemountinsituhybridization(WISH)duringASdevelopmentin2-5dayspost-fertilizationembryos.Usingcryosectioning wedistinguishedthespatialexpressionoftfap2intheAS.Expressionanalysiswasconductedattimepoints2,3,4,5dpf.Theresults for3dpfshowthattfap2a,bareexpressedwithintheAS.At2dpftfap2a,bASexpressionisreduced.By4,5dpftfap2a-eAS expressionhasturnedoff.Cryosectioningofthe2-5dpfembryosdistinctlyseparatestheexpressionofeachtfap2geneobserved usingWISH.WithCRISPRestablishedmutantzebrafishlines,tfap2b-efunctionisbeingobservedat5,7dpfthroughanalysisofAS physiologyusingToluidinebluestaining(TBS).Overall,weplantoexaminetheresultingASphysiology,POMcellmigratoryeffects, andNCC/POMgeneexpressionintheabsenceoftfap2function.

SESSION 2: ORAL ABSTRACTS

APECULIARINSTITUTION:WHITESUPREMACYANDTHEBLACKGUIDESOFMAMMOTHCAVE

Garcia,Seth

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KathrynNewfont

Discipline: Humanities

IntensivetouristoperationsatMammothCavebeganin1838whenFrankGorinpurchasedthecaveproperty.Hebroughtwithhim StephenBishop,anenslavedpersonwhowouldbecomefamousacrosstheWesternworldforhisexplorationsofthecaveandhis knowledgeofitsgeology.GorinwouldalsoleaseNicholasandMattersonBransford,andthesethreemenwouldbegina100-year historyofblackguidesatMammothCave.Thisessayutilizessourcematerialwrittenbywhitevisitorsindiaries,guidebooks,and travelers'accountstobetterunderstandwhitesupremacyduringthemidtolate19thcentury.Theguideswereinauniqueposition, astheacknowledgementoftheirknowledgeandleadershipwerenecessaryfortheoperationofthecaveduringaperiodinwhich bothoftheseweredeniedformostBlackAmericans.Thisessayarguesthattheguidesatthecavedemonstratedlegitimate environmentalexpertise,butthatthisexpertisewaspartofaracializedperformanceputonforcuriousvisitors,anddespitebeing providedempowermentbytheiroccupationtheguidesstilllivedlivescontrolledbywhitesupremacy.

STALLEDPROGRESS?FIVEDECADESOFBLACK-WHITEANDRURAL-URBANINCOMEGAPS

Holla,Shria

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330A

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JamesZiliak

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Black-WhiteincomeinequalitystandsasamongthemostdurablegroupleveloutcomedifferencesintheU.S.(SmithandWelch 1989;BayerandCharles2018).Whilemuchlessstudied,similargroup-leveldifferenceshavepersistedacrosstherural-urbandivide intheU.S.(LichterandZiliak2017).Thesedifferencesincludeyawninggapsineducationattainment,accesstocapital,and opportunitiesforupwardeconomicmobility,amongothers.Muchoftheextantliteratureamongeconomistshasfocusedon labor-marketoutcomesofemployment,wages,andearnings,especiallyamongBlackandWhitemen.However,becausemany aspectsoftheUStaxandtransfersystemaretargetedtolower-incomehouseholds,itispossiblethattheredistributivefeaturesof thesocialsafetynethaveimprovedthedistributionofafter-taxandtransferincomeofBlackandruralhouseholdsrelativetoWhite andurbanhouseholds,respectively.Toinvestigatethesetrends,weassemblefivedecadesofdatafromthe1976-2022Current PopulationSurveyAnnualSocialandEconomicSupplement(CPSASEC)tomakeacomparativeassessmentofafter-taxandtransfer Black-Whiteandrural-urbanhouseholdincomegaps,accountingforredistributivetaxandtransferprograms.Ourresultsdepicta stunninglackofeconomicprogressforBlackhouseholdsrelativetoWhitesintheU.S.Similarly,thetaxandtransfersystemhasnot offeredanydifferentialredistributiontoruralhouseholdsoverthistimeperiodeither.Ruralresidentswithlowerandmoderate levelsofincomedoimprovetheirrelativerankwithurbanresidents,butnosuchprogressoccurswhencomparingresidentsabove themiddleoftheincomedistribution.

SHIFTSINPERCEPTIONSOFAUTISMSPECTRUMDISORDERASADISORDER/DISABILITY

Perell,Aidan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.TimothyMinella

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

ThediagnosisofAutismSpectrumDisorder(ASD),anditsdesignationasbothamentaldisorderanddisabilityunderTitleIofthe AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA),havelongbeenpointsofcontentionandskepticismfordevelopmentalpsychologists,aswell asthefamiliesandcommunitieswhosupportandraiseautisticyouth.Whiletherehavebeenmanyaccountsovermuchofhuman historyregardingindividualswho,bytoday'sstandards,wouldbeconsideredmentallydisabled,earlyAmericansocietylookedupon the‘feeble-minded'withamixtureofpityandamusement.Itwouldnotbeuntilthelatenineteenthandearlytwentiethcentury thatafascinationwithmentalillnessanddisorderarose,andtheadventoftheasylumturnedthegood-naturedvillageidiotintoa malfunctioningandevenpotentiallythreateningdeviantofsociety.SuchstigmatizationcarriedovertothediagnostichistoryofASD, astheconditionwentthroughaplethoraofcategoricalchangesanddefinitions,startingoffasanoffshootofschizophreniaand eventuallybecomingitsowndiagnosis,withtherecentDSM-VTextRevisionassimilatingrelatedconditions(namelyAsperger's Syndrome)undertheautisticspectrum.IssuesaroundASDpertaintothefactthat,whilelabeledasamentaldisorderandregarded asanintellectualdisabilitybylaw,littletonoobjectivemeasuresexisttoindicatecognitiveorphysiologicalimpairment,inaddition touncertaintiesaroundfactorsthatcontributetoitsdevelopment.Furthermore,thoseoutsideofthepsychologycommunity, includingthosewhothemselveshavebeendiagnosedwithASD,rebukeclaimsofdisabilityorimpairment,insteadpromotingthe conceptofneurodivergence,whichsuggeststhatpeopleareneurologicallydistinctwithoutnecessarilybeingdysfunctional. Regardless,muchconfusionandmisunderstandingremainsaroundASDanditsnature:whatischangingisthewaythosewithinthe neurodivergentcommunitythinkaboutandperceivetheirqualitiesasquirksratherthanimpairments.

PARASITEPOOLPARTY:POOLEDSAMPLINGASANALTERNATIVEMETHODINFECALEGGCOUNT REDUCTIONTESTS

Perrin,Grace

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MartinNielsen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Thereisgrowingresistancetotheanthelminticsusedtotreatgastrointestinalnematodes(GIN)inthehorse.Toevaluateanthelmintic efficacy,afecaleggcountreductiontest(FECRT)iscompletedtocomparefecaleggcounts(FEC)beforeandaftertreatmentby calculatingthepercentreductionofGINeggs.Thisstudyaimedtoassessfecalsamplepoolingasanalternativemethodfor determiningFECRusingtwolowefficacyanthelminticsintwentyadultponiesattheUKNorthFarm(IACUC#2021-3879).Horses wererandomlyassignedintotwoanthelmintictreatmentgroups:oxibendazoleat10mg/kgandpyrantelpamoateat6.6mgbase/kg. ThestandardFECRTapproachwascomparedwiththreestrategiesbasedonpooledsampling:1.Standardapproachbasedon individualFECsbeforeandaftertreatment2.3-4ponyrandomlyassignedpoolsand3.3-4ponypoolsallocatedbypre-treatment FECs.AnthelminticefficacyestimatesobtainedbyeachofthesepoolingapproacheswerethencomparedwiththestandardFECRT method.AhierarchicalBayesianeggCountsanalysisinterfacewasusedtoanalyzetheFECRTdata.Theresultingmodel-estimated standardFECRforpyrantelwas42.9%witha95%credibleinterval(CI)of20.0-71.3%.ThestandardoxibendazoleFECRwas32.9% CI:13.5-57.7%.TherewerenosignificantdifferencesbetweenthepooledgroupsandthestandardFECRestimates.Themean pyrantelFECRscalculatedfromtherankedpoolswere46.2%CI:17.5-79.3%and32.1%CI:12.1-65.5%forpyrantelandoxibendazole, respectively.TheFECrankedpoolestimateswereclosertothestandardFECRestimatesthantherandomizedpoolestimateswhich were31.3%CI:12.1-62.2%and45.4%CI:15.8-74.1%forpyrantelandoxibendazole,respectively.Thisstudyindicatestheneedfor furtherinvestigationwithpossibleusesforrankedFECpoolingonpooledsamplingasatimeandcost-efficientalternativeforFECRT evaluationonhorsefarms.

SESSION 2: ORAL ABSTRACTS

C.SLEWISANDTHEPARADOXOFRATIONALITY:HOMOECONOMICUSIN"THEABOLITIONOF MAN"

Schlake,Luke

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.DanielKirchner

Discipline: Humanities

Atthecoreofneo-classicaleconomicsistheparadoxicaltensionthatexistsbetweenindividualneedsandgroupneeds.Thispaper usesaninterdisciplinarymethodologytoarguethatthisparadoxisnotlimitedtoeconomics,butalsopervadesthefieldsofscience andmoralphilosophy.UsingkeyexamplesfromphilosopherC.S.Lewis'"TheAbolitionofMan",thepaperarguesthattheinstability betweenpersonalgoalsandlargersocialgoalsmaymeantheverydestructionofthecivilizationitinhabits.

Toavoidsuchdestruction,socialleaderswillhavetoestablishnormativeboundariesthattranscendthesystematicconfinesof capitalism,protectingcultureandtraditionfromthedangeroftherationalhomoeconomicus.Writingsfromadiversesetof thinkers–politicalscientistElinorOstrom,authorandenvironmentalistWendellBerry,economistKarlMarx,andtheologianReinhold Niebuhr–willbeusedtoarguethecase.Ultimately,thisthreatshouldconcernallacademicfields:itisnotjustoureconomic livelihoodatstake,butourfreedom,ourfuture,andourveryhumanity.

THEPERSISTENCEOFMEMORYINOTHERMEDIUMS:CREATINGADIGITALAUDIOARCHIVEOF ANASTASIATSVETAEVA

Warkentine,Johnna

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm;Room330B

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MollyBlasing

Discipline: Humanities

InMarch2022,theUniversityofKentuckyLibrariesreceivedadonationofbooks,papers,artifactsandarchivalmaterialsconcerning theRussianwritersMarina(1892-1941)andAnastasia(1894-1993).ThesematerialsweredonatedbyUliZislin,the92-year-old JewishRussian-AmericancuratoroftheWashingtonMuseumofRussianPoetryandMusic,locatedinWashington,DC.Amongthe twodozenboxesofdonatedmaterialsisasetofVHStapesofinterviewsandliteraryeventsthatZislinfilmedinRussiainthelate 1990s.Inthispresentation,Iexplorethebackgroundandcontentofthematerialsaswellasofferanoverviewofthesoftwareand methodologyIusedwiththeaudio-visualmaterialstocatalogandannotatethemaswellasmakethemlegibletoresearchers.Inthis paper,Iexplorethepersonalityandstyleofthevideographer,UliZislin,throughthelayersofmemorycapturedwithinthespecific videomaterials,consistingofeventrecordingsandoralhistoriesbyAnastasiaTsvetaeva'scontemporariesandenthusiasts,aswellas throughthenarrativeconstructionofthematerials.UsingMichaelFrisch'sconceptof"sharedauthority,"Ianalyzetheperformance ofmemoryinspace,oralhistoryandvideoeditingtodemonstratehowsuchmaterialsofferavenuesfornewinsightsintothe practiceofrecoveringliterarymemoryduringtheearlyyearsofpost-SovietRussia.

SESSION 2: TABLE PRESENTATIONS

3D-PRINTEDTAILSITTERUNCREWEDAERIALVEHICLEWITHVERTICALTAKEOFFANDLANDING CAPABILITIES

Corry,Elizabeth

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Table: 1

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SeanBailey

Discipline: Engineering

TheUncrewedAerialVehicleLaboratory(UAV)LabusesUAVstoobtainatmosphericboundarylayermeasurementsundertheBLUECAT project(BoundaryLayerUnmannedExperimentinCharacterizingAtmosphericTurbulence).Potentialapplicationsofthesetypesof measurementsincludereal-timefeedbackofwindconditionsforpredictingwildfirespread,improvedunderstandingoflower atmosphericbehaviorformeteorologicalandclimatemodels,anddispersionofpollutantsfromanthropogenicsources.TheUAVLabis continuallyseekingnewUAVtechnologieswhichcouldimprovetheirmeasurementcapabilities.RotorcraftUAVs(UAVswhichuseonly theirrotorstoprovidelift)cantake-offandlandinsmallspaces,resultinginaflexibleoperatingenvironment.However,achallengewhen usingrotorcraftUAVsistheirlimitedflighttime,particularlywhencarryingapayload.Fixed-wingUAVs(UAVswhichgaintheirliftfrom wings)canflyformuchlongerbutrequirelargeareasfortakeoffandlanding.Recently,thehybridapproachoftheverticaltake-offand landing(VTOL)UAVhasbecomeincreasinglyviableandallowsafixed-wingUAVtotakeoffandlandwithoutarunway.Theobjectiveof ourprojectwastoprototypea3D-printed`tailsitter'UAVwithVTOLcapabilitiesforuseintheUAVLab.Atailsitteraircraftisonethatuses thesamemotorforbothtakeoffandforwardflight,takingoffverticallylikearocketandthentransitioningtohorizontalflightoncethe aircrafthasachievedflightvelocity.SuchaUAVwouldprovidethebenefitsofcombiningthelong-durationflightsofafixed-wingUAVwith verticaltakeoffcapabilities,makingitpotentiallyusefulforcarryingavarietyofsensorpackages.ThisparticulartailsitterUAVdesignhas beenmadepubliclyavailablebyitsdesigner,MarcoRobustini,andisspecificallydevelopedforadditivemanufacturing.Forthisproject, wehavebeenmodifyingRobustini'sdesign,whileincorporatingmodificationsintendedtotailorthedesignspecificallyforUAVlabuse, suchasredesigningcomponentstobetterfittheintendedpayloadandavionicspackages.The3D-printedairframehasbeen manufactured,andanautopilotintegratedintotheairframe,toproduceaprototypeUAVthatisreadyforinitialflighttesting.Aspartof theflighttesting,wewillassessthecapabilitiesoftheaircraft,includingitsflightstability,endurance,andpayloadcapacity.This informationwillallowustoevaluatethesuitabilityoftheaircraftforusefortheUAVlabresearch.ThelowcostandVTOLcapabilities makethisaircraftparticularlyattractiveforuseinsituationswheremultipleaircraftarerequiredtoobtaindistributedsensing.

USINGDEEPREINFORCEMENTLEARNINGTOSOLVEOPENAI'SCARRACINGENVIRONMENT

Dhruva,Jainam

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Table: 2

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrentHarrison

Discipline: ComputationalSciences

Reinforcementlearningisanareaofinterestbecauseofitsapplicationinsolvingsequentialproblems,suchasautonomousdriving. OpenAIGymprovidesvariousenvironmentstotestandbenchmarkreinforcementlearningalgorithms.Inthisproject,wetrytosolve OpenAI's'RacingGym'.Theracinggymisasingleagentracingenvironmentwherethegoalistoteachtheagent—thecar—tonavigate aroundtheracingtrack.Weexploretworeinforcementlearningmethods—DeepQlearning(DQN)andProximalPolicyOptimization (PPO)algorithms—tosolvetheenvironment.Wediscussthealgorithmsandtheirperformanceinthisenvironment,thepersonal challengesfaced,andfutureworkonthisproject.

SESSION 2: TABLE PRESENTATIONS

RESTOREHOPE

Huston,Jackson

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Table: 3

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ElizabethSpencerandDr.DavidStephenson

Discipline: Humanities

OfficerRyanHollandisaneighborhoodresourceofficerattheLexingtonPoliceDepartment.WhilepatrollingneighborhoodsinLexington, OfficerHollandcouldn'thelpbutnoticewhenresidentshome'sneededfixingup.Communitymembersdesperatelyneededthingslike plumbing,roofleaks,anddrywallreplacements.Throughmonetarydonationsandcontractorswhodonatedtheirtime,OfficerHolland hasmadeadifferenceinthecommunity.Ms.BellisoneofthemanycommunitymembersOfficerHollandhashelped.InDecember,he andhiscontractorsfinishedremodelingherhome.TheworkdoneonMs.Bell'shomewouldhavecosther$90,000butthroughthe effortsofOfficerHollandandgraciouscommunitymembers,shedidn'thavetopayadime.Thebeforeandafterpicturesmakeithardto believetheyarethesamehouse.Recently,OfficerHollandwasapprovedfor501(c)(3)statusturninghiseffortsintoanon-profitcalled RestoreHope.Thisresearchprojectservesasawaytoshowcontractorsandothermembersofthecommunityhowtheycanassistin OfficerHolland'smission.

ANINITIATIVETOREHABILITATEDOMESTICVIOLENCEOFFENDERS&PREVENTMOREVIOLENCE

Sosa,Kristina

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Table: 4

Facultymentor(s): Dr.YuanZhou

Discipline: ComputationalSciences

Aprivate,multi-servicecompanycalledCounselingandRecoveryEducationServices(CARES)wascreatedtoinitiateachangeofbehavior andhealingindomesticviolence(DV)offenders.CAREShasbeencertifiedthroughFresnoCountytoprovideDV,substanceabuse,child abuse,angermanagement,andparentingclasses,andthecompanyisapprovedbythestateofCaliforniatoprovidetheseservices. Ultimately,atCARES,theaimwastocreateaproductwhereDVoffenderscansecurelylogintoasynchronousBattererIntervention Program(BIP)andlearnhowtochangetheirbehaviortoendtheviolence.Thecompanywantsoffenders'abusive,intimidating,and violentbehaviortocease.Theirapproachbeganbydevelopingastaticwebsiteandlearningmanagementsystem(LMS).Bothhavebeen createdusingaReactframeworkandhigh-levelcodinglanguagesHTML,CSS,andJavaScript.Inthestaticwebsite,spaceisallocatedfor thecompanytodetailcoursesoffered,CARES'goals,andmotivationsfortheproduct'screation.Furthermore,theLMSwascreated throughTalentLMSandservesasthemainuserportalforDVoffenderstoworkthroughthecontentinasequenceofindependentwork, livegroupZoomsessions,andgradedassessments.Additionally,thisonlineproductservestohelpsaveparticipants'time,gas,and money.Evidenceshowsthatlackofaccesstoreliabletransportationgreatlyimpactsprogramattendanceandthepercentageofdropouts. Throughliterature,CARESexploredthecurrentmarketforonlinedomesticviolencetraining,requirementsforreportingonstudentsto maintaincourtandparoleofficerapproval,andtheexistenceofpaymentsecurityinonlinelearningplatforms.Inthefuture,more administrativeworkisnecessarytogetservicesupandrunning.Inaddition,acleanprocedureforthetransferofthewebsitetoan informationtechnology(IT)teammustbedeveloped.

SESSION 2: VISUAL ARTS PRESENTATIONS

BUILDINGARESILIENTWORKFORCE:SELF-CAREAMONGFUTURECHILDWELFAREWORKERS

Johnson,Jessica

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JustinMiller

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Thereisincreasingrecognitionthatsocialworkeducatorsmustdomoretoensurethatstudentsmatriculatingintochildwelfare practicearepreparedtoengageinself-carepractices.Alackofself-careoftenresultsinburnoutandmentalhealthissuesfor practitioners,whichthereforenegativelyimpactsthequalityofservicestheyareabletoprovide.Studentsoftenhearofthe importanceofself-care,butareseldomencouragedtothinkaboutdifferentaspectsofself-careandhowtheycanincorporate self-carepracticesintotheirprofessionalanddailylives.Inthisproject,studentsthatwillbejoiningtheworkforcewillhear advicefromsocialworkpractitionersregardingself-care.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ARTS,DESIGN,ANDPERFORMINGARTS

ASILENCEHAUNTSME:DEPICTINGBEETHOVEN'SDEAFNESSTHROUGHAMODERNCHORALLENS

Adkins,Jonathan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 21

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JenniferCampbell

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

WhencomposerJakeRunestadwasofferedtheRaymondW.BrockCommissionbytheAmericanChoralDirectorsAssociationin 2019,herecalledhisreactiontohisinitialencounterwithLudwigvanBethoven'sHeilengestaldtTestament,aletterwrittento Beethoven'sbrothersinOctober1802.Inthisdocument,Beethovendetailedhisexperienceofbecomingdeafashecontinuedto writemusic.RealizingthatusingallofBeethoven'swordswouldbetoolengthy,RunestadcontactedpoetToddBoss,whoselected portionsofthisletterandre-imaginedthewordsandphrasesintoanartisticwrittendepictionofBeethoven'sfeelingsabouthis hearingloss.Withpoetictextestablished,RunestaddelvedintoBeethoven'scompositionsasasourceofmusicalinspiration.He selectedmaterialfromwell-knownthemesoftheThird,Sixth,andNinthSymphonies,"TheCreaturesofPrometheus,"andthefirst movementofthe"Moonlight"pianosonata,weavingtogethermusicalquotationandnewlycomposedmusicintoafabricforBoss's poem.RunestadthencombinedtheinspirationsofbothBeethoven'swordsandmusicintoonesingularwork,creatingan experiencethatsimultaneouslytellsthedeeplypersonalstoryofBeethovengrapplingwithhisdisabilitywhileconcurrently showcasinghismusicalgenius.Inmyresearch,IinvestigatehowandwhyRunestadtweaksthetextofBoss'soriginalpoem;Itrace howRunestadalternatesbetweenrecitative-stylesingingandchorale-stylewritingtocreateformalstructure;andIexaminehow RunestadincorporatesmusicalquotationsfromsomeofBeethoven'smostfamousworkstoenhancethemeaningofBoss's—and Beethoven's—words.

INTERIORS:THROUGHTHEDECADES

Bryant,Caroline

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 22

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PatrickLeeLucas

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

Overthepastsemester,Ihavebeenworkingwiththe50thAnniversaryResearchTeamundertheguidanceofPatrickLeeLucas.The teamhasbeenorganizingdifferentwaystoreachouttoouralumniandcreateexposureforfutureeventsandactivitiesofthe SchoolofInteriors.Inaddition,agoaloftheresearchteamhasbeentodocumentthepastasawayofsettingtheSchoolupfor successinphilanthropylookingforward.Iwouldliketocontinuetheseeffortsofhonoringouralumnibycreatinganarchiveto displaytheirwork.TheInteriors:ThroughtheDecadesprojectwillprovidetheopportunitytocollectandanalyzeprojectsfromour alumni,rangingthroughthefivedecadesoftheSchool'shistory.Underthisresearchassistantship,Iwillacquireandcuratevisuals thatrepresentthehistoryoftheSchool,whichtheSchoolofInteriorsdoesnothavecurrently.Significantly,Iplantotracethe progressofteaching/learningstylesandinnovationastheSchool'scurriculumhasevolved.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

MOVINGFROMCONFLICTEDTOCONFIDENT:TRACINGTHEMUSICALJOURNEYOF SELF-REALIZATIONINELAINEHAGENBERG'S"SONGOFMIRIAM"

Douglas,Hannah

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 23

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JenniferCampbell

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

Twenty-firstcenturychoralcomposerElaineHagenberg's"SongofMiriam"isamodernchoralworkcombiningoldandnewmusical vocabularies.DrawinguponRabbiRuthSohn's"SongofMiriam"poemasasourceofinspiration,Hagenbergcraftsa through-composedpieceinwhichthetwoasymmetricalstanzasofthepoemareclearlydelineatedbydifferingmeters,textures, pitchcollections,andharmoniccontent.ThispaperexploreshowHagenbergsetsthepoem'stextinawaythatunderscoresthe poet'sjourneytoself-realization.Thisjourneyisalsodepictedbycreatingmelodiesandharmoniesusingmultipletypesofpitch collections.HagenbergincorporatesWesternandJewishchurchmodes,specificallyalternatingthePhrygianchurchmode (commonlyassociatedwithWesternartmusic)withtheJewishAhvahRabbahmode(sometimesreferredtoasthe"Phrygian Dominant"inWesternmusictheory).Bothofthesemodesincludehalf-stepsrelationshipsnottypicallyfoundinanequal-tempered minorscale,therebycreatingadistinctivemelodicsound.Furthermore,Hagenbergdevelopsthishalf-stepmotionthroughoutthe differentstructurallevelsofthepiece,resultinginamotivicparallelismthroughoutthework.Half-stepmotionisseenfrequentlyin boththeharmonicandmelodicmovementofthispiece.BeginninginFminor,"SongofMiriam"frequentlymovesinhalfsteps betweenFandGb,thetonicandsupertonic,andfromC-Db,thedominantandsubmediant.Thishalf-steprelationshipisalso featuredintheharmonicmotionoftheiv6toVtovi.TheAhvahRabbahmodetakesthePhrygianmodeandraisesthethird,sothis alsodemonstratesthathalf-stepmotion.Thischangingmovementcreatesanunsettlingfeelingasthetonalcenterfluctuates.The finaleultimatelydepictsthepoet'sfinalmomentofself-realization,whenonaIchordinEMajor,itisexclaimed"Ihearforthefirst time,thesonginmyheart."

REVITALIZATIONTHROUGHREUSE:APROPOSEDREPOSITIONINGOFA1960SSHOPPINGMALL INBALCONESHEIGHTS,TEXAS

Gershtenson,Sophie

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 24

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PatrickLeeLucas

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

ThisprojectisaproposalforanadaptivereuseofWonderlandMall,atwo-story600,000squarefootindoorshoppingmalloriginally openedinthe1960sinBalconesHeights,Texas.Onceaneconomicandculturalstapleofthesmallcity,themallisnowover60% vacantandcityofficialsareinthemidstofdevisingaplanforWonderland'sfuture,oneoftheprimarygoalsofwhichwillbeto un-branditasamall.TheintentbehindthisprojectwastoresearchtheexistingpopulationofBalconesHeights-aswellasthe historyofthecityandthemall-inordertocreateadetailedproposalofwhatamenitiesandfacilitiesmayoccupythebuildinginits nextiteration.Theproposedreuse,referredtoasTheCrossings,willbeamixed-usefacilityincludingaffordablehousing,healthcare facilities,retailanddining,governmentoffices,communityspaces,andampleoutdoorarea.Asaunit,TheCrossingswillnotonly offeraself-containedlive,work,playcommunitywithinthecity,butwillalsoactivateandrevitalizethesurroundingareaby providingopportunitiesforeconomicgrowthandfuturedevelopment.Additionally,specialattentiontodesigndetailsand architecturalelementswillensurethepreservationofnotablehistoricelementsofthemall,carryingthemoverintoamodernuse. Deliverablesforthisprojectincludearesearchpaperandliteraturereviewaswellasvisualandgraphicworkproducedduringthe designprocess.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CREATINGCOMMUNITYTHROUGHDESIGNTOCOMBATSOCIALISOLATIONANDLONELINESS

Glenski,Rosalie

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 25

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PatrickLeeLucasandKimMartin

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

IntheUnitedStates,thereisagrowingshifttowardnomadiclifestylesbecauseofpeoplemovingtonewplaces,yetmoreandmore ofthesepeoplearefeelinglonelyandisolated.TheCOVID-19pandemicmadethesituationsassociatedwithmoving,isolation,and lonelinessworseandtheneedforcommunityisgreaterthanever,especiallyinyoungadultswhohavemovedtonewplaces.

However,canthestatisticsoflonelinessanddemographicsrelatedtothispopulationmergewiththeuseofevidence-baseddesign tocreateadesignthatcancombatthesefeelingswithacommunitycenterforthosetogatherandcreateasupportsysteminnew places?Specificallylookingintolocalcultureandtheuseofadaptivereuse,acommunitycenterwouldallowresidentstoexplore theirnewcitybyhighlightingtheuniquecharacteristicsandhistoryofthecitythroughtheoriesofcommunityandsupport.

Overalltheprojectwillbesharedthroughconstructiondocumentstovisualadditions,whichwillallowviewerstounderstandand experiencethespacelayoutandoveralldesignthroughoral,visual,andwrittencomponents.Hopingtoinspireotherstoadvocate fortheneedforcommunityandsupportinnewplaces,HometoAllwillhelppeoplebegintounderstandthegrowingneedfor placesforthosemovingtonewcitiestogatherandlearnwhilesupportingeachothertocombatlonelinessandisolationtogether creatingthatsenseofplace.

DESIGNFORUNHOUSEDWOMANANDCHILDREN

Kresin,Anastasia

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 26

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PatrickLeeLucasandKimMartin

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

Thepurposeofthisresearchistoshedlightontheunhousedpopulationspecificallymotherandchildren.Whendesigningforthis populationthereareseveralobstaclesthatgetintheway,makingahardsituationevenmoredifficult.Theapproachesusedto researchthisproblemaimtofinddesignsolutionsthataidinhelpingthisdemographicgetbackontheirfeet.Thegoalofthis researchistocreateaformofcommunitycenterforthisdemographicinSeattle,Washington.Thereisaneedforaspacethat promotesstabilityandcomforttothosewhomaybestruggling.Thespaceprovideresourcessuchasjobplacementservices,skill buildingclasses,rehabilitationcentersandhealthcareproviders.Thisspacewillaimtomakeallusersfeelwelcomeandaidin reducingthefeelingsofostracism.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CONNECTINGCOMMUNITYTHROUGHARTANDDESIGN

Lattis,Sydney

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 57

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PatrickLeeLucasandKimMartin

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

Artsandculturalfacilities,culturaltourism,andasenseofcommunityarestillrecoveringfromtheirdeclineduringthepandemic. Therehasbeenmorethana20%declineinmuseumsandindependentartistspacesresultinginincreasedunemploymentrates amongcreatives.Becauseofthis,spacesthatbringartistsandcommunitiestogetherareneeded.Thisdeficiencywillbeaddressed throughaboutiquehotelcombinedwithanartist'sresidencyandexhibitspaceforceramicandfiberartiststhatwillconnectthese groupsandallowthemtomutuallysupportoneanother.LocatedinAsheville,NorthCarolina,thiswillprovideworkopportunities forartistsandaspacethatisrichincultureandartforthecommunityandtouriststogather.Themixtureofartistsandcommunity isthecentralgoalofthisprojectduetothebenefitsitbringstobothgroups.Sinceartisakeyfactorinthedesign,researchand conceptualthinkingofhowthedifferentspacesinthebuildingwillcometogethertobenefitandcreateasafeandequitable environmentfortheusersmakesuseoftheideasandtheoriesthatexistinartisticpracticesandspaces.PragmaticArtTheory,art conceptualizedintermsofitseffectsonitsaudiencetoaccomplishpurposessuchasspecificsharedexperiences,isusedto evaluatehowspacesanddesigncancreateexperienceswithinthecommunitythatunitesthemwithartists.Inspirationforthe designandmaterialitywasalsodrawnfromceramicandfiberartpractices,whicharegreatlyvaluedandrespectedinthecityof Asheville,aswellasthecultureandartofthecityitself.Anadditionalfocusisputonsustainability,tosupportthehealthofthe environmentinadditiontooccupantsofthespaces.

DESIGNTHINKING:IMPROVINGSTUDENTCOMFORTINTHECOLLEGEOFDESIGN

GabrielPortugalandRicardoPerez

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 58

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JohnNashandJasonScroggin

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

TheCollegeofDesignattheUniversityofKentuckyisuniqueinitsuseofstudioworkspacesforundergraduatestudents;however, manystudentsfindthesespacesuncomfortable.ThisstudysoughttoimprovestudiocomfortforstudentsintheCollegeofDesign.

Inthisstudy,researchersutilizedtheDesignProcesstofullyunderstandstudents'discomfortandproposestudent-centered improvementstostudiospaces.TheDesignProcessincludedthephasesofDiscovery,Interpretation,Ideation,Experimentation, andEvolution.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

MAKINGACADEMICRESEARCHAPPROACHABLEANDUSEFULTHROUGHDESIGN

EmmeSchumacher,MadisonGuay,andSylviaScheuer

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 59

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AdrianeGrumbeinandDr.KimberlyParker

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

ResearchersatTheUniversityofKentuckyconductedextensiveprimaryandsecondaryresearchtogaininsightintomillennials' perspectivesonwhyandwheretogivemoneywhendonatingtoNonprofitOrganizations.Theteamconductedfocusgroupsand didin-depthresearchoneconomicimpact,fundraising,anddonationtrends.Thegoalofthisdesignprojectwastotakethe researchfoundandorganizeanddesignitinawaythatiseasilyaccessibleandapproachable.Thedesignertooktheinformation andorganizeditbasedonthesectionofresearchtomaketheinformationeasytonavigateanddigest.

NEWHAVEN:REDEFININGSHELTERFORWOMENANDANIMALS

Wilkirson,Madison

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 60

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PatrickLeeLucas,KimberlyMartin,andLindseyFay

Discipline: Arts,Design,andPerformingArts

Shelterdesignisaneededaspectofcommunitiessowomenandanimalsleavingabusivesituationscanreestablishsafety, independence,andsupportsystems.Forwomenfacingintimatepartnerviolence(IPV),shelteristhelastresort.Hotlineswilloften trytoseeifafamilymemberorfriendcanassistintheirescape.Sometimesthechoiceistakenfromthem.Whenleavingthe abusiveenvironment,oneofthemanyfearsofIPVvictimsiswhatwillhappentotheirpets.Inanabusiverelationship,abuserswill oftenusepetsastoolsforcontrollingtheirvictims.SheltersallacrosstheUnitedStatesareamaximumcapacityordonotaccept animals,resultinginthepet(s)beingleftbehindorthevictimstayingforthesakeoftheirpets.Itisdangeroustoleaveanimals behind,asabusersmayusethemtoregaincontrolofthevictim.Therefore,thisprojectexplorestheneedtodesignsheltersfor women,children,andanimalstocreateaspacewithamutuallybeneficialrelationshipbetweenthedemographicsneedingsafety andahome.Itaimstoshowcaseacommunityestatethatsupportsanimal-humanrelationships,health,wellness,andhousing. Fromtheperspectiveofvictimsleavingabusivesituations,theyoftenescapethewarathome.Breakingfreefromthosecages,the victimscanfeelscaredandlost.TheHavenhopestosupportthevictimsduringthetransitionintotheirfuture. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

BIOLOGICALANDLIFESCIENCES

THEEFFECTOFDOXAPRAMONPROPRIOCEPTIVENEURONS:INVERTEBRATEMODEL

AbrahamAlhamdani,JeroneCapili,KayliBolton,LoganTurner,MadisonMoon,MayaAbul-Khoudoud, PanhavuthPhe,PatrickBidros,SamuelStonecipher,SufiaAhmed

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 15

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooper

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Therestingmembranepotentialenablesneuronstorapidlyinitiateandconductelectricalsignals.K2pchannelsarekeyin maintainingthismembranepotentialandelectricalexcitability.TheydirecttherestingmembranepotentialtowardtheK+ equilibriumpotential.DoxapramisaknownblockerforasubsetofK2pchannelsthatarepHsensitive.Weassessedtheeffectsof 0.1and5mMdoxapramontheneuralactivitywithinthepropodite-dactylopodite(PD)proprioceptivesensoryorganinthewalking legsofbluecrabs(Callinectessapidus).Resultsindicatethat0.1mMdoxapramenhancesexcitation,whilethehigherconcentration 5mMmayover-excitetheneuronsandpromoteasustainedabsoluterefractoryperioduntilthecompoundisremoved.Theeffect of5mMdoxaprammimicstheeffectof40mMK+exposure.Verapamil,anotherknownK2pchannelblockeraswellasanL-type Ca2+channelblocker,reducesneuralactivityatboth0.1and5mM.Verapamilmayblockstretchactivatedchannelsinsensory endings,inadditiontoreducingtheamplitudeofthecompoundactionpotentialwithwholenervepreparations.Thesefindingsare notableastheydemonstratethatdoxapramhasacuteeffectsonneuronsofcrustaceans,suggestingatargetedK2pchannel.The actionsofverapamilarecomplexduetothepotentialofaffectingmultipleionchannelsinthispreparation.Crustaceanneuronscan aidinunderstandingthemechanismsofactionofvariouspharmacologicalagentsasmoreinformationisgained.

INVESTIGATINGTHEEFFECTSOFPREGNANCYONTHEFRESHWATERMUSSELLASMIGONA COSTATA'SGUTANDGILLMICROBIOMES

Allen,Hannah

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 16

Facultymentor(s): Dr.DavidWeisrockandMaryFoley

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Amicrobiomeincludesbacteria,archaea,andmicroscopiceukaryoticorganisms(e.g.,fungiandprotists)livingtogetherina community.EnvironmentalfactorslikepH,temperature,andavailableresourcesselectforspecificmicrobialmembers;therefore, microbiomecommunitycompositioncanchangeacrossahost'sbodyanditsspecies'range.Pregnancyischaracterizedbymaternal adaptationsnecessarytocreateawelcomingandhospitableenvironmentforembryoticdevelopment.Inhumans,thisincludesa changeinthemicrobiomecommunityofthegutandvagina;however,littleisknownaboutmaternalchangesinthemicrobiomeof theecologicallyimportantfreshwatermussels.NorthAmericanfreshwatermussels(familyUnionidae)haveadirectrolein improvingwaterqualitybyfilteringmicroorganisms(plankton,protists,andbacteria)andparticledetritusfromwater.Herewe investigatethebacterialcommunityofthemusselspeciesLasmigonacostataacrosstwolocationswithintheLickingRiversystem, lookingatboththegillandgutmicrobiomeofgravidandnon-gravidmussels.Theseresultsareimportantbecausetheyarethefirst toourknowledgetocharacterizethegravidmusselmicrobiome.Weplantofurtherexplorethisareabyincorporatingmoremussel speciesinthefuture.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

POTENTIALSOURCESOFREPRODUCTIVEISOLATIONBETWEENNEODIPRIONLECONTEIAND NEODIPRIONPINETUM

MichaelAsher,BrendenHughes,WinsonLin,WilsonNi

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 17

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CatherineLinnen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Speciation,theprocessbywhichreproductiveisolationevolvesandproducesnewspecies,hasoccurredthroughoutthehistoryof evolution.Manypresent-dayspecieshavedivergedfromacommonancestorundervariousconditions.Oneconditionissympatric speciation,inwhichspeciationoccurswithoutgeographicalisolation.Twopinesawflyspecies,NeodiprionleconteiandNeodiprion pinetum,arebelievedtohaveundergonesympatricspeciation,withadaptationtodifferentpinespeciesplayingakeyrole.This studyaimedtoinvestigatehowpreferencesfordifferentpinespeciesmayhavefacilitatedsympatricspeciation.Todothis,male sawfliesweretrappedonwhitepine(thesolehostforN.pinetumfemales)andVirginiapine(oneofseveralpreferredpinesforN. leconteifemales)indifferentareasofLexington,Kentucky.Subsequently,themalesweremeasured,andtheirrespectivespecies wereidentifiedusingPCRandgelelectrophoresis.WehypothesizedthatNeodiprionleconteiandNeodiprionpinetummaleswould becaughtonthepinespreferredbyconspecificfemales.Wealsoaskedwhetherbodysizeandcollectiondatedifferedbetweenthe species,astheseelementscanalsocontributetoreproductiveisolation.Theresultsofthisexperimentshowedastatistically significantdifferenceinhostpreferencebetweenthetwosawflyspecies,whichsuggeststhathostpreferencescontributeto reproductiveisolationbetweenthesawflyspecies.Additionally,theseresultsshowedthatN.pinetummalespreferredmatingon whitepineswhileN.leconteihadnopreference.ThisisconsistentwiththefactthatN.pinetumfemalestendtobepickierthanN. leconteifemales,whichuseawidervarietyofpines.Togethertheseresultshelpustounderstandhowspeciationoccursinnature. Inconclusion,theresultsofthisstudyshowevidenceofreproductiveisolationbetweenNeodiprionleconteiandNeodiprion pinetum.

EFFECTSOFSODIUMARSENITEONZEBRAFISHANDGEMMA

BradleyBurkeen,TylerMullikin,ConnorNicholas,ConnorPadgett,SayahnaSneethan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 18

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PeterMirabitoandDr.NicholasMcLetchie

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Throughouttheworld,whetheritbeinalab,soil,orgroundwatersource,thereareheavymetalseverywhere.Arsenichasbeen proventohavehighlevelsofprevalencearoundnormalgroundwater,outsideofindustrialfactories,andinhighlevelsinthe countryofBangladesh.Morethanonefactleadstothequestionofhowthesemetalscouldpotentiallyaffecttwoverydifferent biologicalsystemswithinanyenvironment.Sodiumarsenitewaschosentostudyitseffectsonzebrafishembryosandthegemmae (asexualoffspringoftheplantMarchantiaInflexa).Multipleconcentrationswereusedbaseduponnormalgroundwaterlevels, levelsfoundaroundindustrialfactories,andlevelsfoundinahotspotofarsenicinBangladesh.Theorganismswereexposedto theseconcentrationsofthemetalwhileobservingthemortalityoftheembryos,andtherhizoidgrowthofthegemmaewere measured.Zebrafishintheembryonicstageshowednostatisticalsignificanteffectwhileexposedtothevariousarsenitesolutions.

Gemmaeontheotherhand,seemedtoshowtheoppositeofthehypothesizedresult(beingthatarsenicwouldharmthegemmae), whichwasthattherhizoidgrowthofgemmaeinthearsenitesolutionsseemedtobelongerthanthecontrol.Additionalstudies couldbedonetoshowexactlywhythezebrafishhadaresistancetothearsenitesolution,andastowhythegemmaeseemedto flourishinthesamesolutions.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

DEFININGDOMAINSOFARECRUITMENTPROTEININTOMBUSVIRIDAEESSENTIALFORVIRAL

REPLICATIONORGANELLEFORMATION

Eastham,Chase

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 19

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PeterNagy

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Tombusviridaeisafamilyofpositivesense,single-strandedRNAvirusesthatinfectawidevarietyofvegetation,includingfood sourcessuchastomatoandcucumberplants.Duetotherelativelysmallgenomesoftheseviruses,amasterregulatoryprotein (p33)recruitsaplethoraofco-optedhostfactorstoformviralreplicationorganelles(VROs).TheVROsareconsideredviral-induced membranousorganelles,whichprotecttheviralreplicationcomplexes(VRCs)fromhostRNases.TheformationofVROsdepletes thecellofresourcesessentialforvitalmetabolicprocesses.Exhaustingcellscanleadtoleafmottlingandeventuallyresultinplant death.Astheglobalpopulationcontinuestogrow,thedemandforfoodwillincrease.Investigatingtheinteractionbetweenp33and hostfactorswillprovideinformationnecessarytodeveloptargetedantiviralagents.Theseagentswillaidindecreasingcell exhaustionandincreasetheyieldofcropsnecessarytofeedademandingpopulation.Thisprojectfocusesspecificallyonthe interactionbetweenp33andperoxisomes.Thetransmembranedomainsofp33insertintothemembranesofperoxisomes;causing aseriesofeventsleadingtoanirregularaggregationofsaidorganelleswithinthecytosol.Directeddeletionsofdifferentdomainsof p33canhelpdeterminewhichspecificaminoacidsequencesarenecessaryforco-optedrecruitmentofperoxisomes.Itis anticipatedthatanydeletionintheORFgene(ORFencodesthemasterregulator)thatresultsinknockingoutaminoacidsequences locatedineitherofthetransmembranedomainsofp33willresultinfailedVROformation.Muchpreviousliteraturehasconfirmed thenecessarydimerizationofp33proteins.Thus,introducingamutantp33(incapableofformingVROs)tocellsinfectedwitha viruswithinthefamilyofTombusviridaemaypreventwildtypemasterregulatorsfromaggregatingperoxisomesinthecytosol. WithouttheformationofVROs,progenyviralRNAcannotbesynthesized.

EFFECTOFDOXAPRAM(AK2PCHANNELBLOCKER),BACTERIALENDOTOXINANDPHON HEARTRATE:LARVALDROSOPHILAMODEL

Elliot,Elizabeth

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 20

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooper

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Two-P-domainK+(K2p)channelsareresponsibleformaintainingrestingmembranepotential,aswellasbeinginvolvedwiththe actionofanesthetics(e.g.halothane,chloroform);additionally,inadditiontothealreadyvariedexpressionofK2pchannelsin healthyshows,it'sfurtheralteredinunhealthy—thatis,cancerousorotherwisediseased—tissues.Lookingintothesechannels wouldthusexplainalotaboutphysiology.Drosophilamelanogaster—agoodmodelformammaliancardiacfunctionbyvirtueof similarratedistributionandpHsensitivity—expressesaK2pchannelcalledORK1,buttheothersubtypespresenthaven'tfully beeninvestigated.Recentin-labstudiesshowedthatacompoundcalleddoxapramcauseddepolarization,aswellasblocking hyperpolarization;sincedoxapramaffectsacid-sensitiveK2pchannels,it'slikelythatsomeofthesechannelsmightbepresenton theDrosophilaheart.Thissuggeststhatexposuretodoxapramshouldprovokeadose-dependentincreaseinheartrate,savefor tetanipromptedbytoo-robustanincrease.Thefliesweredissectedandexposedtodoxapram,atwhichpointthechangeinheart ratewasexamined.TheywerealsoexposedtosolutionsofvaryingpH,withsimilarheartrateexaminationsconducted.Whilethis projectisstillongoing,somepreliminaryresultshavebeenobtained.While0.1mMdoxapramwasnotfoundtohaveaconsistent effect,0.5mMDoxapramwasfoundtodepresstheheartratewithinfiveminutesofexposure(thoughthebeatreturnedaftersaline wash);5mMdoxapramdepressedtheheartratealmostimmediately,withverylittlesuccessatwashout.Comparedtotheheart rateinsolutionsof7.1,decreasedpH—withtheexceptionofpH6.5,whichincreasedheartrate—ledtodecreasedheartrate; similarly,increasedpHproducedadecreasedheartrateaswell.Moredataarebeingcollectedastheprojectcontinues.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEFUTUREOFCORN:METHODSTOINCREASEYIELDSUSTAINABLYINTHEFACEOFCLIMATE CHANGE

Gibb,Megan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 61

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CarolBaskin

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Cornhasbeengrownforcenturies,havingbeenoneofthemostimportantcropsworldwideforthousandsofyearsandcontinuing toplaylargeroleinmodernagriculture.Itcanbegrowninawidevarietyofelevations,temperatures,andprecipitationranges. Corn'sexpansivegenomehasbeencreatedthroughthousandsofyearsofcultivationandspreadaroundtheglobe.However, moderncornfacesanumberofchallenges,includingwaterstress,peststress,andclimatechange.Luckily,thewidevarietyofcorn allowsforthemanipulationofthegenometohelpbattledroughtstressandimprovepestresistance.Inthepastfiftyyears, droughtshaveincreasedinfrequencyandintensity.Thesedroughtshaveanegativeeffectoncornyield,causingdamagetothe silkingprocessandkernelabortionincorn.Selectingfordroughtresistanceandgeneticmodificationofcropshasallowedforyield tobemaintainedthroughseveredroughts.InNorthAmerica,westerncornrootwormisthebiggestpestimpactingcornyield. Westerncornrootwormishighlyadaptablewhichhasmadealong-termsolutiontothepesthardtofind.Researchersarenow lookingtoimplementhostplantresistanceandbiotechnologicalcontrolstobattlethesepests.Maizeproductiondirectly contributestothenumberofgreenhousegasesenteringtheatmospherethroughoverfertilizationandimproperwaste managementtechniques.Byimprovingthesustainabilityofgrowthmethods,yieldcancontinuetobeincreasedwhilecausingless harmtotheenvironment.

DOESGENDERAFFECTMEALTIMING?

JanieGleaves,LindseyMoffit,TaylorKoerner

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 62

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliePendergastandDr.J.MatthewThomas

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Pooreatinghabits,suchaseatingadiethighinsaturatedfat,areassociatedwithobesityandcardiovasculardisease.Recentstudies haveshownthatthetimeofdayofeatingisalsoassociatedwithmetabolism.Forexample,eatingonlyduringthedaytime,witha long(13-14h)overnightfastingduration,isassociatedwithreducedbodyweight,increasedenergy,andimprovedsleepquality. However,itisunknownwhethertherearegenderdifferencesinmealtiming.Thegoalofthisstudyistoinvestigatewhetherthere aregenderdifferencesinovernightfastingdurationsandmealtiming.Wewillcollectdatafrom72participantswhoare18to99 yearsold.Wewillcollectdemographicinformationincludinggender,age,andraceandethnicity.Wewillexcludeparticipantswho doshiftworkbecausethisdisruptsthetimingofsleep-wakeandeating.ParticipantswillcompletetheAutomated Self-Administered24-h(ASA24)DietaryAssessmentTool,whichcollectsinformationaboutmealtiming,mealcontent,andsleep timinginthe24hoursbeforetheparticipantcompletestheassessment.Wewillanalyzewhetherfastingduration,totaldaily calories,andmacronutrientsconsumeddifferbetweenmenandwomen.Wewillalsoanalyzewhetherthetimeoffirstandlast mealsdiffersbetweenmenandwomen.Theseresultswillhelptodevelopmealtiminginterventionsthataretailoredformenor women.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EFFECTOF2-AMINOETHOXYDIPHENYLBORATE(2-APB)ONHEARTRATEANDRELATIONWITH SUPPRESSEDCALCIUMACTIVATEDPOTASSIUMCHANNELS:LARVALDROSOPHILAMODEL

NicoleHensley,ElizabethElliot,MayaAbul-Khoudoud

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 63

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooper

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Cardiaccontractilecellsdependoncalciuminordertofunction.Understandingregulationofcalciuminflux,efflux,andreleasefrom thesarcoplasmicreticulumisessential.ThefocusofthisinvestigationistoaddresshowareductionoffunctionalCa2+-activatedK+ channel(KCa)byuseofmutationallinemightimpactheartrateinlarvaewhentheSERisalsomodulatedinCa2+loadingand stimulation.Thelarvalhearttubeisexposedin-situandflushedwithsaline.Withaknownsalinecompositionapotential therapeuticpharmacologicalagent,2-Aminoethyldiphenylborinate(2-APB),wasexaminedforitseffectonheartrateaswellasthe contributionofKCachannel.InthisstudyitwasdeterminedthatmutationintheK(Ca)channel(i.e.,Slo)didnotillustratealarge contributioninregulatinginsituheartrate.Exposuretohighconcentrationsof30or50µm2-APBdecreasedheartratetoalarger degreeintheSlostrainthanthewildtypeCSstrain.

BPA'SIMPACTONLIVINGORGANISMS

ShaniaHyman,CourtneyWright,CivicHorn

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 64

Facultymentor(s): Dr.NicholasMcLetchieandDr.PeteMirabito

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

BisphenolA(BPA)isusedtocreatemanyoftheplasticmaterialsthatweusedailysuchasplasticbottles.Companiesusethis industrialchemicaltoimprovetheshelf-lifeofproductsandtoensureefficientpackagingforcertainproducts.BPAgetsintoour bodiesthroughtheuseofplasticmaterialsmadewithBPA.BisphenolAcruciallyimpactstheenvironmentinmanydifferentways. LargequantitiesofBPAhavebeenlinkedtocausingneurologicalproblems,cardiovasculardiseases,andmuchmore.Next,tofind outtheeffectBPAhasondevelopment,weusedzebrafishembryosandtheasexualoffspring(gemmae)ofaplantintestsystems. Intheexperiment,weputgemmaeandzebrafishinsolutionsofwater(gemma)/fishwater(Zebrafish),methanol,andBPA.Methanol wasusedbecauseBPAisdissolvedinmethanol.After50hours,gemmagerminationwasindicatedbythepresenceofrhizoids (root-likestructures)andthemovementwasmeasuredfortheembryosthroughtouchresponse.Welookedateachtubeofgemma andateachzebrafishthatwehadinthepetridish.Theembryoexperimentwasrepeatedbecausewedidn'tseemuchofaresult fromthepreviousconcentrationofBPAthatweused.WeusedahigherconcentrationofBPAforoursecondexperiment.Through thisresearch,itwasfoundthatBPAheavilyimpactsthegerminationofgemma.TheBPAhadresultedinlowgerminationwhilethe methanolandwatertreatmenthadveryhighgermination.Throughthis,itwaspossibletoseethatexcessamountsofBPAcan createissuesinagriculturalsenses. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

SIAH:ASORTINGEXPERTBEHINDTHESUCCESSOFTHEUPS

Jacobs,Grace

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 65

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JakubFamulski

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Theubiquitinproteasomesystem,orUPS,hasrecentlybeenfoundtoplayanintegralroleinregulatingtheexpressionandfunction ofvariousgenesnecessaryforproperretinalmorphogenesis.TheUPSactsbyattachingubiquitinmoleculestolysineresiduesviaan enzymecascade,functionallytaggingtheproteinforcellsignalingordegradation.SeveninAbsentiaHomologue,orSiah,a ubiquitinE3ligaseenzymewasshowntobeacriticalcontributortozebrafishphotoreceptordevelopmentandfunction.Siah targetsvariousproteinsforproteasomaldegradationbydirectinteractionwiththeirdegradationaminoacidmotifs,ordegrons.A zebrafishproteomescreenwasconductedtoidentifyzebrafishproteinsencodingtheSiahdegronmotif.76potentialgeneswere identified.Usingexistingliterature,sevenpotentialtargetswereselectedfromthislistbasedontheirknownorpredictedfunctions: crppa,rtcb,sh3bp4a,rmb42,sh3pdx2aa,phf8,andaurkb.Expressionpatternswereconfirmedatfor24,48,72hpfviawholemount insituhybridization(WISH)assays.Duetortcb'slensexpressionat24hpfand72hpfintheWISHassays,rtcbcDNAwastaggedwith aV5epitopeandclonedintoamammalianexpressionvectorplasmid.Co-expressionofrtcb-V5withSiah-mycwasperformedto confirmSiah-mediatedtargetingofrtcbforproteasomaldegradationusingwesternblotting.Futuredirectionsincludesite-directed mutagenesisofrtcb'sdegronmotifandsubsequentWesternblotaswellasobservationofocularphenotypefollowinginjectionof themutantrtcbmRNAintoembryos.Continuedelucidationofthesegenesandtheirroleinocularmorphogenesiscouldyield resultsofclinicalsignificance.

DENSITYDEPENDENTPROPHYLAXISINTWOSPECIESOFPINESAWFLYLARVAE

ErinJohnsonandSerenaLimberg

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 66

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CatherineLinnen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Acrossanimals,aspopulationdensityincreases,sodoestheriskfordiseasetransmissionbetweenindividuals.However,immunity isalsocostly.Tooptimizeimmunefunction,organismsmayexhibitdensitydependentprophylaxis,meaningthatindividualsinvest moreinimmunefunctionasapopulation'ssizeincreases.Althoughdensitydependentprophylaxishasbeendemonstratedin numerousorganisms,ithasrarelybeencomparedbetweencloselyrelatedspeciesdifferinginsocialbehavior.Thepurposeofthis investigationwastocomparedensitydependentprophylaxisbetweenagregariousinsectspecies,Neodiprionlecontei,anda solitaryspecies,Diprionsimilis.Wehypothesizedthatthesolitaryspecieswouldbemoresensitivetothepresenceofother individualscomparedtothegregariousspeciesthatisusedtobeinginhighdensities.Totestthishypothesis,wemanipulatedgroup sizesofthelarvaeinbothspecies(N=1,3,or18larvae)andmeasuredtheimpactonimmunefunction.After48hoursin treatment,wecollectedhemolymphfromlarvaetomeasureprophenoloxidaseactivity,whichisinvolvedinmelanizationof pathogens.Asaseparatemeasureofimmunefunction,wealsoplacedsmallnylonimplantsinlarvaefor24hours.Theimplants werethenremoved,photographed,andanalyzedformelanindeposition.Wefoundevidenceofdensitydependentprophylaxis:as rearingdensityincreased,sodidthemelanization(immune)response.Wealsofoundthatthisresponsewasstrongerinthesolitary speciescomparedtothegregariousspecies.Together,theseresultshelpustounderstandhoworganismswithdifferentsocialtraits optimizecostlyimmunefunction. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ANONPATHOGENICSIGNALPEPTIDASEMUTANTOFTHEMAIZEANTHRACNOSEFUNGUS

COLLETOTRICHUMGRAMINICOLASECRETESCELLWALLDEGRADINGENZYMESNORMALLY

Johnston,Megan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 67

Facultymentor(s): Dr.LisaVaillancourt

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Colletotrichumgraminicolaisaneconomicallydevastatingfungusthatcausesanthracnoseleafblight,stalkrot,andtopdie-backin maize.Asahemibiotrophicpathogen,C.graminicolausestwomethodsofnutrientacquisition.Thefungusfirstinvadeslivingcells biotrophicallyandlaterswitchestonecrotrophy.Thistransitionfrombiotrophytonecrotrophyisattributedtotheupregulationof genesencodingcellwalldegradingenzymes(CWDEs).CWDEsalsoplayrolesinhost-pathogencommunicationandarecriticalto promotingdiseasesusceptibility.AmutantstrainofC.graminicola(MT)lackspathogenicitytomaizeleavesandstalksduetoa mutationinthe3'UTRofagene(Cpr1)encodingahomologoftheSPC22/23subunitofthesignalpeptidasecomplex.Despitebeing abletogerminateandpenetratehostcells,theMTisinterruptedearlyininfection,soitnevershiftstonecrotrophy,produces lesions,orsporulates.Toinvestigatethemechanismbehindthenon-pathogenicityoftheMT,itwashypothesizedthattheMTis deficientinitsabilitytosecreteCWDEsinplantaduringthetransitiontonecrotrophy.Hydrolaseactivityagainstplantcellwall polymersinculturewasquantifiedandcomparedviareducing-sugarassaysandutilizationofchromogenicsubstrates.Individual CWDEs,suchaspectatelyase,werealsovisualizedasfluorescentfusionsandquantifiedinthewildtype(WT),MT,and complementedMT(C-MT)strainsinlivingorkilledmaizeleafsheaths,andinculture.Pectatelyaseplaysacriticalroleinpectin degradationandwasselectedduetoitshighexpressionintranscriptomestudies.Resultsindicatedthathydrolaseactivityand enzymesecretionbytheMTwereequivalenttothoseoftheWTandC-MT,suggestingthatthelackofpathogenicityintheMTis notduetoaninabilitytosecreteCWDEs.Understandingfungalpathogenicitymechanismsiscrucialtodevelopplantresistanceto fungalpathogens.

THEEFFECTSOFDOXAPRAM(BLOCKEROFK2PCHANNELS)ONRESTINGMEMBRANEPOTENTIAL ANDSYNAPTICTRANSMISSIONATTHEDROSOPHILANEUROMUSCULARJUNCTION

AminKatanbaf,ChristineHaddad,RachaelVascassenno

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 68

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooper

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

TherestingmembranepotentialofmostcellsismaintainedbypotassiumK2pchannels.Thepharmacologicalprofileand distributionofvariousK2pchannelsubtypesinorganismsarestillbeinginvestigated.TheDrosophilagenomecontains11subtypes; however,theirfunctionandexpressionprofileshavenotyetbeendetermined.Doxapramisclinicallyusedtoenhancerespirationin humansandblockstheacid-sensitiveK2pTASKsubtypeinmammals.TherestingmembranepotentialoflarvalDrosophilamuscle andsynaptictransmissionattheneuromuscularjunctionarepHsensitive.Thepresentstudyinvestigatedtheeffectsofdoxapram onmembranepotentialandsynaptictransmissionusingintracellularrecordingsoflarvalDrosophilamuscles.Doxapram(1mMand 10mM)depolarizesthemuscleandappearstodepolarizemotorneurons,causinganincreaseinthefrequencyofspontaneous quantaleventsandevokedexcitatoryjunctionpotentials.Verapamil(1and10mM)paralleledtheactionofdoxapram.These changeswerematchedbyanextracellularincreaseinKCl(50mM)andblockedbyCd2+.Itisassumedthatthemotornerve depolarizestoopenvoltage-gatedCa2+channelsinpresynapticnerveterminalsbecauseofexposuretodoxapram.Thesefindings aresignificantforbuildingmodelstobetterunderstandthefunctionofpharmacologicalagentsthataffectK2pchannelsandhow K2pchannelscontributetothephysiologyoftissues.Drosophilaoffersageneticallyamenablemodelthatcanalterthe tissue-specificexpressionofK2pchannelsubtypestosimulateknownhumandiseasesrelatedtothisfamilyofchannels.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

DENSITYDEPENDENTPROPHYLAXISINTWOSPECIESOFPINESAWFLYLARVAE

SerenaLimbergandErinJohnson

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 69

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CatherineLinnen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Acrossanimals,aspopulationdensityincreases,sodoestheriskfordiseasetransmissionbetweenindividuals.However,immunity isalsocostly.Tooptimizeimmunefunction,organismsmayexhibitdensitydependentprophylaxis,meaningthatindividualsinvest moreinimmunefunctionasapopulation'ssizeincreases.Althoughdensitydependentprophylaxishasbeendemonstratedin numerousorganisms,ithasrarelybeencomparedbetweencloselyrelatedspeciesdifferinginsocialbehavior.Thepurposeofthis investigationwastocomparedensitydependentprophylaxisbetweenagregariousinsectspecies,Neodiprionlecontei,anda solitaryspecies,Diprionsimilis.Wehypothesizedthatthesolitaryspecieswouldbemoresensitivetothepresenceofother individualscomparedtothegregariousspeciesthatisusedtobeinginhighdensities.Totestthishypothesis,wemanipulatedgroup sizesofthelarvaeinbothspecies(N=1,3,or18larvae)andmeasuredtheimpactonimmunefunction.After48hoursin treatment,wecollectedhemolymphfromlarvaetomeasureprophenoloxidaseactivity,whichisinvolvedinmelanizationof pathogens.Asaseparatemeasureofimmunefunction,wealsoplacedsmallnylonimplantsinlarvaefor24hours.Theimplants werethenremoved,photographed,andanalyzedformelanindeposition.Wefoundevidenceofdensitydependentprophylaxis:as rearingdensityincreased,sodidthemelanization(immune)response.Wealsofoundthatthisresponsewasstrongerinthesolitary speciescomparedtothegregariousspecies.Together,theseresultshelpustounderstandhoworganismswithdifferentsocialtraits optimizecostlyimmunefunction.

DOESGENDERAFFECTTHEASSOCIATIONOFABODY'SCLOCKDISRUPTIONANDMEALTIMING?

HaleyLujan,SarahMartin,CourtneyMurray

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 70

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliePendergastandDr.JustinThomas

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Thecircadiansystemcoordinatesinternalbiologicalrhythmswithnaturalcyclesoflightanddarkcausedbysunriseandsunset. However,modernlifestylesdisruptthiscoordination.Forexample,socialjetlagoccurswhenthetimingofsleeponworkdays(days withsocialobligations)comparedtofreedays(dayswithnosocialobligations)aremisaligned.Socialjetlag(>1hour)isassociated withobesityandmetabolicsyndrome.Socialjetlagmaycontributetometabolicdysfunctionbyaffectingmealtiming.Priorstudies haveshownthatdurationoftheovernightfastisassociatedwithmetabolismsuchthatshorterfastingdurationsareassociatedwith metabolicdysfunction.However,theimpactofgenderonassociationsbetweenfastingdurationsandsocialjetlagisunderstudied. Thegoalofourstudyistoinvestigatetheeffectsofgenderonassociationsbetweenfastingdurationandsocialjetlagand chronotype.Wewillrecruit72participantswhoare18to99yearsold.Wewillexcludeparticipantswhoareshiftworkersorwho livewithchildrenunder2yearsold,becausetheselifestylefactorsdisruptcircadianrhythms.Participantswillcomplete2surveys aboutsleeptiming,theMunichChronotypeQuestionnaire(MCTQ)andMorning-EveningnessQuestionnaire(MEQ),and1survey aboutsleepquality,thePittsburghSleepQualityIndex(PSQI).Socialjetlagandchronotypewillbedeterminedfromthese questionnaires.ParticipantswillalsocompletetheAutomatedSelf-Administered24-Hour(ASA24)DietaryAssessmentToolto measuremealtiming.Metabolicmeasures,includingheight,weight,waistcircumference,andbioelectricalimpedancetoestimate bodyfatpercentage,willalsobecollectedfromparticipants.Wewillfirstanalyzeassociationsofsocialjetlagandchronotypewith fastingdurationandmetabolicmeasures.Wewillnextanalyzegender-stratifieddatatodetermineiftheassociationsareaffected bygender.Theseresultscouldinformfuturestudiesofmealtiminginterventionsthataregenderspecific.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

SERUMANDSALIVAINSULINRESPONSESOFINSULINDYSREGULATEDHORSESAFTERANORAL SUGARTEST

Lyle,Ginny

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 71

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AmandaAdams

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

EquineMetabolicSyndrome(EMS)isanendocrinopathicconditionwherehorsesexperienceinsulindysregulation,obesity,and regionaladiposity,increasingtheirriskoflaminitis.Mostcommonly,theoralsugartest(OST),isutilizedtoclassifyahorseasinsulin dysregulated(ID).Horseswithanincreasedinsulin(>45μU/mL)60minutespostadministrationoforalsugar(T60)areclassifiedas ID.Whileserumhasbeenusedtoanalyzeinsulin,littleisknownaboutinsulininequinesaliva.Moreresearchonsalivaryinsulin couldprovidealessinvasiveoptionforIDdiagnosis.Thisstudyaimedtoinvestigate(1)thedifferencesinbloodandsalivainsulin concentrationsbeforeandafteranOSTand(2)theresponsedifferencesintheserumandsalivaofIDandNon-InsulinDysregulated (NID)horses.EightID(T60insulin>90μU/mL)andsixNID(T60insulin<45μU/mL)horseswerestudied.Attime0,pre-OSTblood andsalivasampleswerecollectedafterbeingfasted.Subjectswereadministeredcornsyrup(0.15mL/kgBW).Bloodwascollected attimes60,90,120,and180post-sugaradministration.Atthesametimepoints,asalivaswabwasplacedunderthetonguefor60 secondsandfrozenat–20°Cuntilfurtheranalysis.Seruminsulinconcentrationsweredeterminedthroughradioimmunoassay(RIA), salivaryinsulinthroughELISA,andbothserumandsalivaryinsulinusinganautomatedimmunoassayanalyzer(TosohAIA-360).The resultsshowednocorrelation(r=0.174)betweenthesaliva(ELISA)andserum(RIA)insulinconcentrations.IDhorseshadincreased seruminsulin(RIAandimmunoassay)fromNIDhorses(P<0.001).TherewasnodifferencebetweenIDandNIDsalivaryinsulinpreorpost-OST.Seruminsulin(RIAandimmunoassay)werehighlycorrelated(r=0.98).Seruminsulinisanaccuratewaytodetermine insulindysregulationinhorses;however,moreresearchneedstobeconductedtodetermineifsalivaryinsulincouldbeauseful, non-invasiveIDdiagnostic.

CHARACTERIZATIONOFANOVELR-TYPECALCIUMCHANNEL(CAV2.3)ISOFORM

GraceMartinandEmeliaStricker

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 72

Facultymentor(s): Dr.EveSchneider

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Calciumchannelsareessentialtoolsintheoperationofneuronsastheyallowthefiringofactionpotentialsthatcontroleverything fromthoughts,memories,movements,sensations,andmore.Sensoryneuronsarethebasisofallsensationsandfeelingsonthe skinandinternalorgans.TheseneuronscontainMeissnerandPaciniancorpusclesthatplayaroleinforce-sensingonskinthatis notyetunderstood.Domesticduckshavebeenshowntohavecalcium"spikes,"mechanicallygatedcurrents,intheirformof MeissnercorpusclesthatoccurbecauseofR-typecalciumchannels.AnalternativespliceisoformofCaV2.3,whichhasthegene nameCACNA1E,ispresentinduckskinandhasanunknownfunction.Thisgeneissignificantbothforitsroleintheexcitabilityof Meissnercorpusclesandfordevelopmentalandepilepticencephalopathiesthatcanoccurfromitsmutations.Inanattemptto characterizethisisoform,themethodsusedincludemRNAextraction,gene-specificprimerdesign,polymerasechainreactions (PCR),analyticaldigest,creatingSMARTERRACEcDNA,RACEPCR,gelextractionofbands,cloningofRACEproducts,analysisof transformants,andplasmidDNAextraction.Theresults,atthispointintheproject,areaconfirmationofthesequencefor CACNA1Efromposition296through6760,whichisthe3'endofthechannel.The5'RACEdidnotbeginatthestartcodon,ATG, becausetherewasanalternativestartcodonpresentonthereversecomplementstranddownstreamofthegene-specificprimer. Futureresearchwillbetodesignanewgene-specificprimerthatisupstreamofthisalternativestartcodontoconfirmthe5' sequence.Followingthis,futureworkwillalsogointoamplifyingthecompletechannelfromcDNAtosubcloneintoanexpression vectororsynthesizeandcloneintoanexpressionvector.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CAMERATRAPPINGOFMAMMALACTIVITYPATTERNSANDSPECIES-SPECIFICABUNDANCEIN RAVENRUNNATURESANCTUARY

Samantha McKinley, Robert Lawless, Ashton Collins, Sydney Herman

Session 2: 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Poster: 73

Faculty mentor(s): Dr. Emily Croteau

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Inrecentyears,cameratrappinghasbecomeauseful,non-invasivemethodtodetectwildlife.Inourstudy,weaimedtoelucidate patternsinwildlifedistributionatRavenRunNatureSanctuaryinLexington,Kentucky.RavenRuncovers734acresofamixtureof easterntemperateforest,meadow,andseveralbodiesofwaterincludingRavenRunandChandlerCreek.Surroundedbyfarmland and12milesfromdowntownLexington,itwaspreservedforthededicationoftheKentuckyRiverPalisadesandearlyKentucky history.CameraphotoscollectedinNovember2021,December2021,February2022,andMarch2022usingcamerasattwo locationswereusedtomodelactivitypatternsandspecies-specificabundance.Thecamerasrancontinuouslyfor24hours, resultingin734detectioneventswithatrappingeffortof230trapnights.Eachofourimagesweretaggedwiththedate,time,and temperatureindicated.Detectioneventswereconsideredinminimumthree-minuteintervals.Weexpecttoobserveagreater abundanceofpreyspeciescomparedtopredatorspecies,aswellastemporalindependencebetweenthem.Wealsoanticipatea generalincreaseinactivityduringwarmerseasons,withpeakactivityofpreyspeciessuchassquirrelsoccurringduringthedayand peakactivityofpredatorssuchascoyotesoccurringduringthenight.Thesepatternscreateecologicalseparation,whichwebelieve enablesthecoexistenceofpreyandpredatorspecieswithinthesameecosystem.Theresultsofthisstudywillallowustoquantify mammalbiodiversity,richness,andabundanceatRavenRunNatureSanctuary.Thisprojectalsofunctionsasbaselinedatato documentecologicalchangeinthefuturethroughtheuseofcameratrapping.

EXPLORINGINSULIN-DEGRADINGENZYME(IDE)'SLIPIDTRANSFERPOTENTIAL

LexiNolletti,DarcyAdreon,BrynVargo

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 74

Facultymentor(s): Dr.DavidRodgers

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Insulin-DegradingEnzyme(IDE)breaksdownbioactivepeptidessuchasinsulinandtheamyloid-betapeptide.Thisactivityhas generatedinterestinIDEasapotentialtherapeutictargetfortreatingAlzheimer'sDiseaseandTypeIIDiabetes.Duringprior experimentsonIDE'sinteractionwithphosphatidylinositolphosphate(PIP)lipids,ourlabdiscoveredthatIDEcanbothbindtolipids inmembranesandinternalizetheselipidsintoanallostericmodulatorysite.Giventhisnewdata,wehypothesizethat Insulin-DegradingEnzymemaymoonlightasalipidtransferprotein,movingPIPlipidsbetweendifferentcellularmembranes, includingtheplasmamembraneandmembrane-boundorganelles,suchaslysosomesortheGolgiapparatus.Thisresearchis relevanttoIDE'scellularfunction,asthedistributionofPIPlipidswithinacellisimportanttothereleaseofinsulinandtosignaling pathwaysmodulatedbyinsulin.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EFFECTSOFOXYBENZONEONPLANTANDANIMALEXPERIMENTALSYSTEMS

JoyNtakarutimana,HadelHanieh,DunyaMashni,SiyaPatel

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 75

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PeteMirabitoandDr.NicholasMcLetchie

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Oxybenzoneisanorganiccompoundmostcommonlyfoundinsunscreen.Oxybenzonehasproventocarrypotentialriskstothe healthoflivingorganisms.Recently,studieshavefoundalinkbetweenoxybenzoneandcoralreefbleaching.Raisingconcernsofthe potentialhealthandenvironmentalhazardsofoxybenzone.Weinvestigatedtheeffectofoxybenzoneontheearlydevelopmentof zebrafish(Daniorerio)embryosandtheasexualoffspring(gemma)oftheplantMarchantiainfexa.Developmentinzebrafishis determinedbasedonwhetherthezebrafishembryoswere:hatchedandalive,hatchedanddead,unhatchedandalive,unhatched anddead,ordidnotdevelop.Hatchedandalivemeansthattheembryosdeveloped.Inthegemma,germinationismeasuredbased onwhetherrhizoids(root-likestructures)arepresent.UsingOxybenzonedissolvedinDimethylSulfoxide(DMSO),westudiedhow anenvironmentallyrelevantoxybenzoneconcentrationaffectsearlydevelopmentalresponsesinthetestsystems.Thetreatments weusedwereoxybenzone,DMSO,andfishwaterforzebrafishanddistilledwaterforgemma.Wepredictedthathigh concentrationsofoxybenzonewouldnegativelyimpactthedevelopmentofbothzebrafishandgemma.Inboththeoxybenzoneand DMSOtreatmentsforzebrafish,therewasnosignsofdevelopmentandtheywereassumeddead,whilethecontrolwasmostly hatchedandalive.Forthegemma,thefishwaterresultedingermination,theDMSOhadnogermination,andtheOxybenzonehad verylittlegermination.Thesefindingsarerelevantbecausetheyillustratethattheconcentrationsofoxybenzoneusedincosmetics aredetrimentaltothehealthofusersandexposedenvironments.

TREATMENTOFAPPXPS1MUTANTKNOCK-INMICEWITHTHEY-SECRETASEINHIBITOR SEMAGACESTATALTERSSEX-RELATEDSLEEPDIFFERENCES

Padgett,Samantha

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 76

Facultymentor(s): Dr.Michael-PaulMurphy

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

LossofsleeporsleeppatternfragmentationhaslongbeenassociatedwithanelevatedriskforAlzheimer'sdisease(AD). DifferenceswererecentlydocumentedinsleeppatternsbetweenseveralAD-relatedmouselines,alongwiththeobservationthat femalemicesleeplessthanmales,andmayalsobemorevulnerabletotheconsequencesofsleepdisruption.Itwasobservedthat thesedifferenceswereparticularlystrikinginamutantAPPxPS1knock-inline.Inthisstudy,itwasevaluatedwhetherornotthis effectmayberelatedtothefunctionofgamma-secretasebytreatingthesemicewiththegamma-secretaseinhibitorSemagacestat. WetreatedmaleandfemaleAPPxPS1knock-in(KI)miceonce/daywith12.5mg/kgofSemagacestat(LY-450139),suspendedin 0.5%hypromellose,byoralgavage,for28days.SemagacestatwasrecentlyexploredasapossibleADtherapeuticinphaseIIIclinical trials.Controlmicereceivedvehicleonly.SleepwasrecordedusingthePiezoSleepsystemforthefinal10daysoftreatment,which includeda5dayperiodofmanualsleepfragmentationattheend,asrecentlydescribed(Duncanetal,Neuroscience,481:111-122, 2022).Attheendofthestudy,hemibrainswerecollectedforanalysesbyELISA,immunoblot,andRT-PCR.FemaleAPPxPS1miceare significantlymorewakefulthanmales,aneffectthatisobservedinboththelightanddarkphasesoftheirdailyactivitycycle.Male micethatwerebothtreatedwithSemagacestatandsleepfragmenteddemonstratedasignificantincreaseindarkphasesleep comparedtoanyothergroup.Theseresultssuggestthatpharmacologicalinhibitionofgamma-secretaseaswellassleep fragmentationmayresultinsex-dependentchangesindailysleep.FundingprovidedbyNIH(AG068215).

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

HOST-IDENTITYINFLUENCEONTHEDIRECTIONOFANEVOLUTIONARYTRADE-OFFIN NEODIPRIONLECONTEI

Radcliffe,Wynee

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 77

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CatherineLinnen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Fitnesstrade-offsareubiquitousinnature.Awell-studiedtrade-offinevolutionaryecologyisinvestmentindispersalversus reproduction.Ininsectsystems,relativeinvestmentinflightcapabilityandreproductivepotentialcanbeinfluencedbyconditions duringdevelopment,suchasfoodavailabilityandtemperature.However,plasticityofdispersal-reproductiontrade-offshasrarely beenstudiedinhost-specializedinsects,whichincludethemostdiverseinsecttaxa.Tofillthisgap,wemanipulatedthedietof red-headedpinesawfly(Neodiprionlecontei)larvaeandrearedthemtoadulthood.Wemeasuredseverallifehistoryand morphologicaltraits,including:survival,developmenttime,cocoonweight,andadultfemalebodysize,wingsize,andeggsizeand number.N.leconteilarvaeandadultsattackmanydifferentpinesineasternNorthAmericabuttendtoavoidwhitepine.Wefound thatrelativetolarvaefedfoliagefromapreferredpine(Virginiapine),larvaefedfoliagefromanon-preferredpine(whitepine)had lowersurvival,longerdevelopmenttimes,andproducedsmallercocoons.Morphologicaldatafromadultfemalesalsorevealed differentialinvestmentinbodysize,wingsize,andreproductivepotential(eggsizeandnumber).Together,thesedataexpandour understandingoffitnesstrade-offsinecologicalspecialists.

THESYMPHONYOFTHECELL:USINGDATASONIFICATIONTOENGAGESTUDENTSINMOLECULAR

ANDCELLULARBIOLOGY

ElizabethRice,KaylaHorne,EmilyGuerrero,JadaCovington,LordinaMensah,AlexisSmith,Andrea

Hernandez

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 78

Facultymentor(s): Dr.LukeBradley

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Astechnologyadvancesinallaspectsofourlives,thedemandforcareersinscience,technology,engineering,andmathematics (STEM)hasincreasedexponentially.However,manystudentsfindSTEMchallenging,andfurther,lackkeyexperiencestogaina senseofbelonginginSTEMandconsiderpursuingitasacareer.Thus,providingSTEMlearningmodulesthatintroducekey conceptswhileengagingstudentscanmakeanimpactinaddressingthisneed.Aparticularlydifficulttopicforstudentsto understandistherelationshipbetweencellsandhowthesequenceandstructureofproteinsultimatelycontributestotheir function.Inordertointroducethesebasicprinciplestointroductorystudents,ourteamhasconstructedavirtualauthentic-learning toolthatutilizesdatasonificationinwhicheachaminoacidinaproteinsequenceisassignedamusicalnoteandrhythmicvalue basedonitshydrophobicity.Thisallowsaharmoniousmusicalpiecetobecomposedbasedonthesequenceofafunctionalprotein. Disease-associatedmutationsbecomedisharmoniouswhichallowsuserstoauditorilyidentifydisruptionsinaproteinsequence andunderstandhowitimpactsthecellularsymphony.Wewillpresentourpreliminarysurveydatasupportingourhypothesisthat thisdatasonificationlearningmodulehelpsstudentsgainanunderstandingofthemolecularbasisofdiseasewhileimproving students'attitudestowardsSTEM.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ASTROCYTICCONTRIBUTIONTOMOTORRECOVERYAFTERSPINALCORDINJURY

Rice,Ellie

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 79

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MeifanChen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Spinalcordinjuryresultsinlossofmotor,sensory,andautonomicfunctions.Astrocytes,acelltypeinthecentralnervoussystem, reacttoinjuryinaprocesscalledastrogliosisthatimpactsrepair.Ourlabidentifiedleucinezipper-bearingkinase(LZK)asakey activatorofastrogliosisthatpromoteswoundhealingafterspinalcordinjuryinmice.Thisprojectexaminestheeffectof astrocyte-specificLZKgenemanipulationonhind-limbmotorrecoveryfollowingspinalcordinjury.TodeterminetheroleofLZKon functionalrecoverypost-injury,acompletecrushwasperformedatthoraciclevelT8.Hindlimbfunctionwasmeasuredusingi) BassoMouseScale,anopenfieldtestthatassessesgrossmotorfunction;andii)regularhorizontalladdertestthatmeasuresskilled steppingover2monthsafterinjury.AnalysisdemonstrateddecreasedfunctionfollowingbothLZKgenedeletionand over-expression.DecreasedmotorfunctionimprovementwasseenfortheLZK-knockoutwhencomparedtothecontrolgenotype, suggestingthatLZKisnecessaryforfunctionalrecovery.FurtherresearchmustbedonetodeterminetheroleofLZK-over expressioninmotorrecovery.

SUPPLEMENTALNUTRITIONIMPACTSONVIRALABUNDANCEOFLOCALHONEYBEEPATHOGENS

Rintamaa,Elisabeth

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 80

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ClareRittschofandDr.StephenTesta

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Agriculturalcropsrelyonpollinators,butnativepopulationsaredecreasing.Honeybeesareintroducedtoagriculturesystemsto improvelocalpollination.However,duetoanumberofbioticandabioticfactors,honeybeepopulationssufferfromcolony collapsedisorder(CCD)aroundtheglobe.CCDisarareconditionthathasn'tbeenobservedinKentuckysince2013.Colonydeathis nonethelesshighnationwide,andcausedbyinterrelatedfactorsincludingpoornutrition,pesticides,pathogens,andparasites.Our understandingofhowthesefactorsworktogetherispoor.Thereareover30virusesthattransmitwithinandbetweencolonies globally.AUSDAnationalbeesurveyidentifiedahigherfrequencyofLakeSinaiVirus-2(LSV2)infectionswithKentuckycoloniesas comparedtothenationalaverage,whichmakesitimportanttostudyforthestate.Whilethereisnodirecttreatmentforviral infection,adequatenutritionseemstohelpwithavarietyofissueslikepesticide-inducedmortality,andcoulddecreaseviral morbidity.Thecurrentfocusofthisstudyistounderstandifbeekeeperscanimprovecolonyhealththroughmanagementpractices, suchasnutritionsupplementation,andifso,identifythebeststrategies.Managementstrategiesoftenusedincludenutrition supplementswhichbeekeeperscanprovideintheformofartificialpollen,proteinsupplements,carbohydrates,andlocalpollento increasebroodrearingandoverwinteringsurvival.Thisstudyfocusedonidentifyingifproteinsupplementscanlimitvirus replicationandimproveoverallcolonysurvivalwithconsistentfeeding.LSV2isagut-associatedviruswhichmotivatesitsstudywith respecttonutrition.Samplesfromindividualhiveswerecollectedbeforeandaftertheexperimenttomeasurechangesinviral abundance.LSV2wastestedforviralabundancethroughquantitativepolymerasechainreactions(qPCRs).Thedatacollectionisstill ongoing,andanalysisisincomplete.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

WATERRETENTIONANDHEATSTRESSOUTCOMESINATROPICALLIVERWORTSUGGEST INTRASPECIFICVARIABILITY

Russell,Blake

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 81

Facultymentor(s): Dr.NicholasMcLetchie

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

TropicalliverwortMarchantiainflexahaspreviouslybeenshowntohaveavariabledehydrationtolerancebetweenhabitatsand sexes.Thisdiscoveryinspiredfurtherinvestigationintothewaterretentionbetweengenotypesandtheabilityfordifferent genotypestowithstandheatstress.Additionaldevelopmentscouldprovideinsightintoquantifyingtheextremesofthisliverwort's homeostaticranges.Theapproachforthisinvestigationfocusedontwohabitats,onewhichhadaforestcanopyaboveitand restrictedsunlight,andanotherwhichhadnocanopyaboveandunrestrictedsunlight.Bothsexeswereadditionallystudiedinboth habitats.Inordertotestwaterretentionpotential,anenvironmentintendedtosimulatenaturalhumidityconditionswasdesigned. Atotalof60sampleswereallowedtonaturallyexcretewaterwiththeirweightlossbeingmeasuredeverytwodaysuntildrying out.Additionally,aninvestigationintoresistancetoheatstresswasperformed.2setsof7differentgenotypeswereplacedindirect contactwitha52.5°Cplate,whereonesetofgenotypeshadampleaccesstowaterandtheothersethadnowater.Theplant temperaturesweremeasuredoveraperiodof46minutestogaugechangesovertime.Sampleswithaccesstowaterhada significantlylowertemperaturethansampleswithnowaterattheendoftheexperiment.Thesamplesfromthehabitatwith unrestrictedsunlightaccesswereabletoretainwatersignificantlybetterthanthehabitatwithrestrictedlightsamples.This suggestsfurtherevidenceofintraspecificvariabilitywithinM.inflexa.Examinationofsexdifferencesandintraspecificvariation remainsongoingandisthefocusofcurrentandfutureresearch.

THEIMPACTOFDENND5BONHEPATICLIPIDMETABOLISMINLIVER-SPECIFICKNOCKOUTMICE

Sadr,Sabrina

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 82

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ScottGordon

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Introduction:Plasmalipoproteinlevelsareassociatedwithriskofcardiovasculardisease.Theliverisacentralregulatorof lipoproteinconcentrations.OurlabrecentlyidentifiedaroleforthegeneDennd5bindietaryfatabsorptionbytheintestineusinga whole-bodyDennd5b-deficientmousestrain.However,thisgeneisalsohighlyexpressedbytheliveranditsfunctioninthisorganis notknown.Ourlabrecentlygeneratedaliver-specificDennd5bknockoutmousetoexaminethetissue-specificeffectsofthisgene.

Objective:TomeasureimpactofhepaticDennd5bonplasmalipidsandexpressionofgenesinvolvedlipidmetabolism.Methods andResults:Liver-specificDennd5b-deficientmice(Dennd5bflox/floxAlb-Cre)weregeneratedbycrossingDennd5bfloxedmiceto analbumin-Cremousestrain.Liver-specificdepletionofDennd5bproteinwasdemonstratedbywesternblotting.Wemeasuredthe impactofhepaticDennd5b-deficiencyonpost-prandiallipidlevelswithanoilgavagestudy.Dennd5bflox/floxAlb-Crehadmodest butconsistentincreaseinplasmatriglyceride1-hourpost-gavage.WesternblotdetectionofapolipoproteinBrevealedanaltered apoB/TGratiospecificallyinfemaleDennd5bflox/floxAlb-Cremicesuggestiveofalteredlipoproteinmetabolism.Togaininsight intopotentialmechanismsmediatingthisobservation,weperformedRNAseqonlivertissue.Significantdifferencesweredetected intheexpressionofseveralgeneswithknownrolesinhepaticlipidmetabolismincluding:Trim24,Fasn,andIgfbp2.Conclusions: Thesestudiesdemonstratealiver-specificimpactofDennd5bonlipidmetabolisminmice.Futurestudieswillpursueleads identifiedfromourRNAseqgeneexpressiondataandalsoexpandonthisworkbyexamininglipidmetabolisminhumanlivercells (HepG2)withDennd5Bknockedout.Theseresultswillbecomparedtotheconclusionsdrawnfromthesemousestudies. UnderstandinghowgeneslikeDennd5bimpactlipidmetabolismcontributestoourunderstandingofbasiclipidphysiologyandmay informfuturedevelopoflipid-targetingtherapiesforcardiovascularrisk.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEEFFECTOFTHYROTROPIN-RELEASINGHORMONE(TRH)STIMULATIONTESTANDYEARON PLASMA β-ENDORPHININHORSESWITHANDWITHOUTPITUITARYPARSINTERMEDIA DYSFUNCTION(PPID)

Sanchez,Elliana

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 83

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AmandaAdams

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

PituitaryParsIntermediaDysfunction(PPID)isanendocrinediseaseinagedhorsesthatcausesthedegenerationofneurons, resultinginanexcessreleaseofhormonesproducedbytheintermediapituitarygland.PPIDisdiagnosedbymeasuringcirculating adrenocorticotropichormone(ACTH)atrestorinresponsetointravenous(IV)injectionofthyrotropin-releasinghormone(TRH). ACTHisahormonereleasedfromthepituitarygland.ACTHisusedalongwithclinicalsignsofdisease,includinghypertrichosis,to diagnosePPID;however,ACTHisaffectedbyotherfactorsincludingstresswhichcouldbemisleading. β-endorphin(β-END)isa peptidehormonethatisreleasedfromthepituitaryinexcessinhorseswithPPID.Theobjectivesaretodetermineplasma β-END concentrationsusinganenzyme-linkedimmunosorbentassay(ELISA)beforeandafterTRHstimulation,comparedtoplasmaACTH concentrations,andbetweensamplestakenoneyearapart(2022and2023).Itisexpectedthat β-ENDconcentrationswillbe increasedinhorseswithPPID.12horseswereclassifiedbyTRHstimulationtestaseitherPPID(n=6,T10post-TRHACTH&gt;200 (pg/mL))andnon-PPID(n=6,T10post-TRHACTH&lt;200(pg/mL)).TheplasmasamplesforthestudywerefromTRHstimulation testsperformedinMarch2022andFebruary2023.ToperformtheTRHstimulationtests10mLofbloodwascollectedthrough jugularvenipunctureintoethylenediaminetetraaceticacid(EDTA)plasmabloodtubesatT0beforeadministrationof1mLofTRHIV. Tenminutesafteradministrationasecondbloodsamplewascollected(T10).ELISAwasusedtodetermine β-ENDconcentrationsin equineplasma.ACTHincreasedatT10versusT0inPPIDhorses(P&lt;0.001),buttherewasnodifferenceinACTHconcentrations pre-orpostTRHbetweenyearsfrom2022to2023.WhileACTHisusefulinaidinginPPIDdiagnosis, β-ENDcouldalsobea beneficialanalyteindeterminingwhetherahorsehasPPID..

TESTINGFORTHEPRESENCEOFPATHOGENSINPARTSOFTHEHONEYBEE,APISMELLIFERA USINGPCR

EmilySimpson,JeremyHays,RowannZohary,AidanBrummer,KendallDuncan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 84

Facultymentor(s): Dr.EmilyCroteau

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

TheWesternhoneybee(ApisMellifera)producesathirdofourfoodsupply,createsmedicines,providesfoodforwildlife,prevents soilerosion,andsupportsthegrowthofplants.Honeybeepopulationshavebeendecliningduetovariousenvironmentalfactors includingpathogens.ThepathogensMelissococcusplutonius,Paenibacciluslarvae,Nosemaceranae,Ascosphaeraapis,Acarapis woodi,Prypanosomatids(Lotmariapassim,crithidiamellificae),andVarroadestructor,havebeenknowntocausehoneybee decline.Thegoalofourresearchistodetermineifthesepathogensarepresentinthegutorontheentirebodyofworkerhoney beesfromahiveinLexington,KY.Preliminarily,N.CeranaeandL.PassimweredetectedreliablythroughuseofPCR.Reliably identifyingpathogensthatareknowncausativeagentsofhoneybeedeclineallowsbeekeeperstoidentifytreatmentstheycanuse topreventhivefailure.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ISESTROGENRECEPTOR β NECESSARYTOPROTECTDAILYRHYTHMSFROMDISRUPTIONBY HIGH-FATDIETFEEDINGINFEMALEMICE?

Sizemore,Slayde

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 85

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliePendergast

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

ObesityisanepidemicintheUnitedStatesandincreasestheriskoflife-threateningdiseasessuchasheartdisease,diabetes,and stroke.Itisessentialtostudythemechanismsunderlyingobesitythatcouldleadtonewtreatments.Disruptionofcircadian rhythms,whichare24-hourcyclesofphysiologyandbehavior,contributestoobesity.Specifically,disruptedeatingrhythmsare associatedwithobesityandmetabolicdysfunction.Studieshaveshownthatconsuminghigh-fatdiet(HFD)disruptsthedaily rhythmofeatingtocauseobesityinmaleC57BL/6Jmice.Incontrast,HFDdoesnotdisruptmealtiminginfemalemice,andthis contributestotheirprotectionfromdiet-inducedobesity.Thissexdifferenceisregulatedbyestrogens.Estradiolpreventshigh-fat dietfeedingfromdisruptingthedailyeatingbehaviorrhythminfemalemice,butthemechanismsareunknown.Thegoalofmy studyistodetermineifestrogenreceptorbeta(ERβ)signalingisnecessarytoprotecttheeatingrhythmfromdisruptionbyHFDin femalemice.WestudiedfemaleC57BL/6JERβ knockout(ERβ KO)miceandtheirwild-type(WT)littermatesfedlow-fatdietfor1 weekandthenfedHFDfor6weeks.Bodyweightandfoodintakeweremeasuredweekly.Eatingbehaviorandlocomotoractivity rhythmswerecontinuouslycollected.OurpreliminaryresultssuggestthatbothWTandERβ KOfemalemicehavehighamplitude eatingbehaviorrhythmsthatarenotdisruptedbyHFDfeeding.ThereisalsonodifferenceinbodyweightbetweenWTandERβ KO females.ThisdatasuggeststhatERβ isnotrequiredtoregulatedailyrhythmsthatunderliediet-inducedobesityinfemalemice.

AKARYOTYPE,REFERENCETRANSCRIPTOME,ANDLINKAGEMAPFORTHEFOUR-TOED SALAMANDER(HEMIDACTYLIUMSCUTATUM)

Stewart,Alex

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 86

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JeremiahSmith

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Salamandersserveasimportantmodelorganismsforregeneration,developmentalbiology,andecology,buttheirlargegenomesize haslimitedgenomicsstudiesinthegroup.Plethodontidsalamandersarethemostdiversesalamanderfamilyintheworld,butthey havelimitedgeneticresourceswhencomparedtosalamandergroupslikeAmbystomaandnewts.Toremedythis,wedeveloped thefirstlinkagemapforaPlethodontidsalamanderfromRNAseqofawild-caughtfemaleHemidactyliumscutatumandher47 offspring.Weassembledareferencetranscriptome,constructedalinkagemap,generatedakaryotype,andcomparedthegenome organizationofH.scutatumtofiveotheramphibiantaxaandchicken.Themapcontains13linkagegroups(52.9-329.8cM)–oneless thanthenumberofchromosomepairsobservedinourkaryotype–builtfromthousandsofgene-anchoredmarkers(N=4822). ComparisonsofconservedsyntenicblocksbetweenH.scutatumandotherspeciesrevealedlineage-definingchromosome rearrangementsstemmingfromtheancestralmicrochromosomepool.TheresourcesgeneratedhereforH.scutatumenable populationgeneticsstudies,facilitategenomicswithinthePlethodontidsalamanders,andprovideinsightsontheevolutionofthe vertebratelineage.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

INVESTIGATINGTHEEFFECTOFMAJORMOTIVATIONININTRODUCTORYBIOLOGYSTUDENTS

HopeTschosikandReaganRose

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 87

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MaryFoleyandDr.JenniferOsterhage

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Motivationplaysanimportantroleforundergraduatestudentsuccessandretentioninschool.SituatedExpectancy-ValueTheory (SEVT)predictsthatastudent'sexpectationsofsuccessandthevaluetheyassignataskwillcorrelatewiththeirabilitytoperform thetasksuccessfully.Therefore,studentswithnaturalinterestinatopic(intrinsicvalue),andstudentswhounderstandhowatopic isrelevanttotheircareerfield(utilityvalue),aremorelikelytosucceedinacourse.IntroductoryBiologyforsciencemajorsisa requiredcourseformanyundergraduatesmajoringinSTEMareas,includingbiology,neuroscience,kinesiology,environmental science,andhumanhealthsciences.Thisdiversityallowsustotesttheeffectofmajorsonstudentmotivationwithinan introductorybiologycourse.Arandomized-controlledexperimentwasperformedoveronesemesteracrossthreeIntroductory Biologycoursestotesttheeffectivenessofautility-value-basedreflectiveessayonstudents'motivation.Withinthiscontext,weare investigatingtheeffectsofstudentmajorsonmotivationbyevaluatingtheiranswerstoasurvey.Wearealsoconsideringtheeffect ofmajorontheefforttheycontributedtotheiressays,whicharebeingscoredforwordcountandarticulation.Wepredictthat biologyandneuroscience(bio-neuro)majorswillhavehighermotivationandessayscoresacrossbothtreatmentgroupsthan non-bio-neuromajors.Additionally,wearecomparingtheproportionsofwritingtopicschosenacrosstreatmentgroupsand betweenmajorstoindicateintrinsicinterestandtopicunderstanding.Poorlyrepresentedtopicsmayindicateareaswherelessons couldbetailoredtopromotehigherstudentengagement.Whenstudentsconnecttocoursetopics,especiallyhowtheyrelateto theirlifeoutsidetheclassroom,theywillbemoremotivatedtolearn.OurresultswilldirectlyhelpUKYbiologyinstructorsto understandbetterwhatmotivatestheirstudentsandmaybeapplicabletootherinstitutions'introductorybiologycoursesaswell.

THEEFFECTSOFIRON(FERRIC)ONPHYSIOLOGICALPROCESSES

Wagers,Mikaela

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 88

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooper

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Ironisanabundantandessentialelementthatisfoundinsoil,freshwaters,andmarinewaters.Inplantsandanimals,ferric(Fe3+) andferrous(Fe2+)ironserveasco-factorsandco-enzymesinmanylifesustainingproteins.However,overexposureresultsin bioaccumulationandisassociatedwithneurodegenerativediseasesofthemammaliannervoussystem.Althoughthephysiological effectsofironoverloadhavebeenexamined,thecellularmechanismsunderlyingacuteexposureremainanareaofactiveresearch. Therefore,thepresentstudyseekstoaddresstheeffectsofFe3+onsensoryreceptors,axonalconduction,andsynaptic transmissionusinginvertebratemodels.Usingelectrophysiologicalrecordingtechniques,theacuteeffectsofFe3+wereassessedin fruitflylarvae(Drosophilamelanogaster)andnortherncrayfish(Faxoniusvirilis).At5mMFe3+,synaptictransmissionatthe crayfishneuromuscularjunction(NMJ)is50%blockedwhilea10mMsolutionresultsinacompletelossofactivity.Inthe DrosophilaNMJ,10mMFe3+blockstransmissionmorethan50%whilea20mMsolutionisrequiredtosilencetransmission. AlthoughquantaleventsremainpresentuponFe3+exposure,evokedtransmissionisinhibitedandthusindicatesthatFe3+may blockpresynaptic,voltage-gatedCa2+channels.Theuseofvariousmodelorganismstoidentifythetime-dependenteffectsofacute Fe3+exposurefurtheruncoversthecellularmechanismsbywhichFe3+mayactandoffersthepotentialforimprovementsin clinicaloutcomesforindividualssufferingfromacuteexposure.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EVALUATINGTHEPERFORMANCEOFTHREETECHNIQUESFORDIAGNOSINGEQUINETAPEWORM INFECTION

ShaelinWarnerandHaileyAnderson

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 89

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MartinNielsen

Discipline: Biological&LifeSciences

Tapeworminfectioninequinescancauseserioushealthconcerns.Recently,therehasbeenemergingconcernregardingpossible anthelminticresistanceinthemostcommonspecies,Anoplocephalaperfoliata.Thisstudycomparedtheperformanceofthree diagnostictechniques1)Mini-FLOTAC,2)ProudmanandEdwards,and3)Cornell-WisconsinusedtodetectandquantifyA. perfoliataeggsthroughoutthespringof2023.Eighteenadult,femalehorsesfromtheUniversityofKentucky'shistoricparasitology herd(IACUCprotocolnumber:2021-3879)wereincludedinthisstudy,whichwasconductedfromJanuaryof2023throughApril 2023.Allhorsesweremaintainedonpastureforthedurationofthestudy.Therewerefivecollectiontimepointstwoweeksapart wherefecalsampleswerecollectedfromallhorsesandanalyzedwiththethreetechniques.Topreventbias,sampleswere anonymized,randomized,andoperatorsblindedtotheiridentity.Additionally,theordersofdiagnostictechniqueswererandomized betweentimepoints.McNemar'spairwiseanalyseswereconductedtoevaluatefordifferencesinproportionsofsamplestesting positivewiththethreetechniques.Theywereallperformingsignificantlydifferentlyfromeachother(p<0.05).Theproportionsof positivesampleswereasfollows:Mini-FLOTAC(11%),Cornell-Wisconsin(48%),andProudmanandEdwards(78%).TheProudman andEdwardstechniquecountedconsistentlyhighernumberoftapewormeggscomparedtotheothertwotechniquesthroughout thestudy.ThisstudyshowedthatProudmanandEdwards'techniquewassuperiorindiagnosingA.perfoliatainfection.With increasedconcernsofdrugresistanceinA.perfoliata,havingreliablediagnostictechniquesforthisparasiteiscrucial.Futurework needstoassessthistechniqueindifferentseasons,aswellasdifferentagegroupandequineoperations.

BUSINESSANDECONOMICS

ANOVERVIEWOFHEAD-TO-HEADCOMPETITIONANDCOMPETITIVEINTERACTIONS

Hossain,Faham

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 90

Facultymentor(s): Dr.WalterFerrier

Discipline: Business&Economics

Wheneverafirmentersanindustry,theywillhavetonavigatethroughacompetitivelandscape.Whendifferentfirmsinthesame industrycompetewithoneanother,wegetabusinesswar.Researchershavedevelopedmethodsofhowfirmscanstrategically maneuverthroughthislandscape.Wecanusethechronologicalorderofeventsasdatatoidentifypatternsofcompetitive behavior.Thisresearchintendstoanalyzesomeofthecomponentsofthebusinesswarsinanattempttounderstandhow contrastingfirmscompeteagainsteachother.Inthisresearch,weinvestigatedthroughtheuseofthebusinesswarspodcast, variousresearcharticles,andamasterexcelspreadsheetwiththecompetitiveattacksofanumberofcompaniescompeting throughoutseveralindustries.Whenafirmcompetesdirectlywithacompetitor,theyemployaspecific,direct,andobservable actiontoimprovetheircompetitivepositioning.Theseactioneventsarereferredtoascompetitiveattacksanditmakesupthe battlegroundforthecompetition.Welookatcertaincompaniesandcomparehowtheirstrategicmanagementisaffectedby anothercompany'scompetitiveattacks.Intheframeworkofthisresearch,wehaveperformedananalysisofdifferentpairsof competitorsandhowtheycompeteinotherindustries.Ourfindingssuggestthathead-to-headcompetitionvariessignificantly throughoutdifferentindustries.Thecomponentsofcompetitionareever-changingandgrowingasweimproveuponnew technologiesanddiscovernewuniquemethodstomakeourliveseasier.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

MARKETINGWITHINTHEHORTICULTUREINDUSTRY

Plain,Joshua

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 91

Discipline: Business&Economics

Thesoftwareindustrypresentsawealthofmarketingopportunitiesforthehorticulturesector,andthismarketingprojectseeksto exploreandleveragetheseopportunities.ThroughtheuseofeffectiveSEOandSMOstrategies,weaimtoraiseawarenessof horticulturesoftwaresolutionsandpositionourbrandasaleaderinthisspace.

Thecenterpieceofourmarketingplanisourwebsite,whichwillserveasthehubforallourmarketingactivities.Throughengaging andinformativecontent,wewilleducatepotentialcustomersonthebenefitsofusinghorticulturesoftware,andshowcasethe uniquefeaturesofourproduct.OurSEOstrategywillfocusonoptimizingourwebsiteforrelevantkeywordsandphrases,ensuring thatweappearatthetopofsearchengineresultspages.Thiswillinvolvebothon-pageandoff-pageSEOtechniques,suchas keywordresearch,contentcreation,andlinkbuilding.InadditiontoSEO,wewillalsoemploySMOstrategiestoincreaseouronline presenceandengagewithourtargetaudience.ThroughsocialmediachannelssuchasFacebook,Twitter,andInstagram,wewill createandsharecontentthatresonateswithouraudience,andbuildrelationshipswithpotentialcustomers.Ultimately,our marketingplanaimstodrivetraffictoourwebsiteandconvertthattrafficintocustomers.Byprovidingvaluableinformationand offeringahigh-qualityproduct,webelievewecanestablishourselvesasakeyplayerinthehorticulturesoftwaremarket,and deliverrealvaluetoourcustomers.

ANALYZINGEMPLOYEES'PERCEIVEDPO-FITUTILIZINGNETWORKANALYSIS

Wade,Madison

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 92

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ScottSoltis

Discipline: Business&Economics

Inanever-changingdynamicworkforce,itisimperativenowmorethanevertoimplementandmaintainacohesive,professional environmentinwhichemployeesfeelacceptedandapartoftheircompany'sculture.Theresultofthiscanincludeincreasedjob performance,satisfaction,andasenseofteamworkamongstcolleagues.Increasingamountsofliteraturehavebeenpublished regardingtheconceptofemployees'perceivedPO-fit,butthefactorsthatinfluenceitarenotaswellknown.Withinthisproject, employees'behaviors,traits,andinterpersonalrelationshipsarebeingtestedbyperceivedPO-fit.Thedatawascollectedfroma surveyfromaregionofanemergencyhelicoptercompany,consistingofstaffmemberswithvaryingprofessionsinhealthcare, logistics,andrescue.Thus,itisimportantforthesecolleaguestobeabletoeffectivelycommunicatewithoneanotherto successfullyfulfilltheirroles.Inaddition,thehigh-stressworkenvironmentthatthiscompanyoperatesunderisaparticularly intriguingelementofthisproject,asitprovidesachancetocloselyobservehowworkplaceinteractionstakeplaceundersuchaset ofcircumstances.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CHEMICALSCIENCES

INVESTIGATINGTHEIMPLEMENTATIONOFMACHINELEARNINGFORPREDICTINGINTERACTION ENERGIESINORGANICSEMICONDUCTORS

Eldridge,Kyle

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 93

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChadRisko

Discipline: ChemicalSciences

Theaccuratecomputationofintermolecularnon-covalentinteractionsiscrucialforunderstandingcrystalpackinginorganic semiconductors,buttheircalculationusingabinitiomethodsisrestrictedbyhighcomputationalcost.Toovercomethischallenge, Symmetry-AdaptedPerturbationTheory(SAPT)hasemergedasatheoreticalapproachusedtocalculatetheintermolecular interactionsbetweenmolecules.Bycalculatingtheintermolecularinteractions,SAPTalsoprovidesadecouplingoftheinteraction energyintophysicallymeaningfulcomponentssuchasrepulsion,induction,electrostatics,anddispersionenergies.Theaimofthis researchistointegratemachinelearningtechniquestopredicttheinteractionenergiesinorganicsemiconductors.Ongoingefforts involveusingpythoncodingmethodstorunSAPTcalculationsandobtainprecisedataregardingtheindividualintermolecular interactionsbetweenmolecules.Furtherstudiesintothepredictionofinteractionenergiesareunderwayandanticipatedoutcomes willbediscusseduponthecompletionofthisstudy.

ULTRASOUND-PROMOTEDINTERCALATIONOFPOTASSIUMINTOCARBONALLOTROPES

Keshtvarz,Omid

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 94

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BethGuitonandKathrynPitton

Discipline: ChemicalSciences

Theintercalationofpotassiumbetweenthegraphiticlayersofcarbonmaterialshasbeenusedtopreparematerialswithunique properties,suchasreducingstrength,superconductivity,andenergystoragepotential.Traditionalintercalationmethods,suchas two-zonevaportransport,cantakeseveralhoursathightemperatureandpressure,butrecentstudieshaveimprovedthisprocess. Asonicationmethodhasbeensuccessfullyusedtointercalatepotassiumintographite,reducingthereactiontimefromhoursto minutesatroomtemperature.However,therehasbeenlimitedresearchonintercalatingothercarbonallotropesusingthis method.Thisstudyaimstoreplicatethisprocedurewithaneasier,user-friendlysonicationflask,andtoexpandthemethod's effectivenessintoanothercarbonallotrope,multi-walledcarbonnanotubes(MWCNTs).

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

COMPUTATIONALSCIENCES

HARNESSINGARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCETOPREDICTMOLECULARPROPERTIES

AlAdawi,Shatha

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 95

Facultymentor(s): Dr.QingShao

Discipline: ComputationalSciences

Obtainingmoleculeswithdesirablepropertiesiscrucialforapplicationsinenergy,environmental,andmedicalfields.However, achievingthisgoalthroughexperimentalapproachescanbechallenging.Inrecentyears,artificialintelligence(AI)hasemergedasa powerfultoolforpredictingmolecularproperties,allowingfortheanalysisoflargedatasetsandidentificationofcomplexpatterns thatwouldbedifficultorimpossibletoidentifywithtraditionalexperimentalmethods.Thisapproachcanbeparticularlyvaluable forpredictingthermodynamicpropertiesofmolecules,whichareessentialinvariousfieldssuchasdrugdiscovery,materials science,andchemicalengineering.Inthisresearchproject,transferlearningwasusedtoaugmenttheperformanceofapre-trained GraphIsomorphismNetwork(GIN)modelinpredictingthethermodynamicpropertiesofmolecules.Transferlearninginvolves fine-tuningapre-trainedmodelonasmaller,task-specificdataset,allowingthemodeltoadaptitsparameterstothenewtaskwhile leveragingtheknowledgeandfeaturesacquiredduringpre-training.Thefindingsofthisresearchdemonstratethatthefine-tuned GINmodelishighlyeffectiveinpredictingmolecularproperties,especiallyinrelationtomeltingpoints.Theseresultshave importantimplicationsforthedesignanddevelopmentofnewmaterialswithtargetedproperties,optimizationofsynthesisand processingtechniques,andidentificationofpromisingcandidatesforfurtherdevelopment.

SUBGRAPHISOMORPHISMFORAPPLICATIONDEPLOYMENTINDISTRIBUTEDENVIRONMENT Butcher,Jackson

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 96

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SimoneSilvestri

Discipline: ComputationalSciences

InthisresearchthedesignofservicedeploymentalgorithmsforInternetofThings(IoT)basedsystemshavebecomeofhighinterest intheareasofsmarthomesandagriculture.Inthisenvironmentit'susefultorepresenttheIoTnetworkasagraphofnodes,with edgesrepresentingtheconnectionswithinthenetwork.Inthisscenario,therewouldbeanapplicationgraphfordeploymentona modelIoTnetworkgraph.Thisapplicationgraphwouldbedesignedbasedoffmultipleperformancemetricssuchasaccuracy, energyconsumption,andlatency.Theresearchfocusedaroundfindingaheuristicthatcouldbeappliedtothesubgraph isomorphismproblemthatwouldallowthegraphstobecomparedinpolynomialtime.There'sbeensomepreviousresearchinthe fieldofcreatingaheuristicthatcompletesthesubgraphisomorphisminpolynomialtime.Someofthesetechniqueswillbe expandedupontoreducetheissueofthesubgraphisomorphism.Theproblemwillthenbeexpandeduponinthefutureby utilizingreinforcementlearningtooptimizetheapplicationgraphthat'stobedeployed.Inaddition,thealgorithmswillbetestedon atestbedinvolvingcommunicationwithLoRaWANtechnology.ThetestbedinvolvingLoRaWANtechnologyshowcasesasimilar deploymenttothatwhichwouldbeseeninasmartagriculturescenario.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ASTUDYOFTHECRYSTALLIZATIONDYNAMICSOFRADICALANDNEUTRAL N-ETHYLPHENOTHIAZINE

Lamichane,Shasanka

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 97

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChadRisko

Discipline: ComputationalSciences

WeseektostudythecrystallizationofneutralEPT(N-ethylphenothiazine)andradicalEPTusingTetrafluoroborate(BF4)asacounter ion.UtilizingcomputationalmethodsthecrystallizationofneutralandradicalEPT,usingTetrafluoroborateasthecounterion,is beingstudied.ThecrystallizationisbeingstudiedusingtheConstantpotentialMolecularDynamics,(CuMD)methodcoupledwith PLUMED(anopen-sourcelibrarythatallowsforenhancedsamplingalgorithms),tospeeduptherateatwhichthesimulationis executed.Thestudyutilizesapreexistingcrystaltemplatederivedfromacrystallographydatabasetocreateanaggregateforthe moleculestocrystalizeon.Theeffectsoftheorientationofthecrystalaggregatearealsobeingstudied.Thecrystallizationdynamics ofchargedmolecules,especiallyoneswithacounterion,havenotbeenstudiedextensively,andstudyingthecrystallization dynamicsofEPTcangiveinsightsintohowthesemoleculescrystalize.Additionally,theEPTandotherredox-activeorganic moleculescanbeusedinredoxflowbatteriestostoreagreateramountofchemicalenergywhencomparedtoalithium-ion battery.ThesolubilityofEPTgoesdownwhenitisoxidized,andthusthelikelihoodofitscrystallizationincreases.Thisnegatively affectsthelifespanofaredoxflowbatteryanditscapacitytostoreenergy.ThelikelihoodofEPTcrystalizingwhenoxidizedcanbe modulatedifoneknowsthepackingdynamicsofthemoleculebyblockingcertainregionsofthemoleculewherethecrystallization ismostlikelytostart.

EDUCATION

THEIMPACTOFBIOLOGICALDIAGRAMSONEXAMSOUTCOMES

Konduri,Aakanksha

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 98

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JenniferOsterhage

Discipline: Education

Dualcodingtheory(DCT)saysthathumancognitionisreflectedthroughtheactionofprocessingverbalandnon-verbalpiecesof information,andthatthisprocessinghappenssimultaneouslyandseparatelywithinthebrain.Multiplestudiesthathaveshown thatstudents'retentiononinformationincreaseswheninstructionutilizestheprinciplesofDCT.Despitethesepriorstudies,littleis knownaboutwhetherbiologicaldrawingsanddiagramsareusefulfortesttaking.Inthisstudy,wesystematicallyinvestigatedthe useofstudentdrawingsoncribsheets(i.e."cheatsheets")asastrategyforansweringmultiple-choicequestions.Theultimategoal ofthisstudywastodetermineiftheuseofstudent-generateddrawingsisaneffectivetest-takingtechniqueforundergraduate biologystudents.ThepopulationusedforthisstudywasstudentswhowereenrolledinBIO148,IntroductiontoBiologyI,atthe UniversityofKentucky.Studentsinthiscourseweregiventheoptionofcreatingaone-pagecheatsheettoaidthemduringeachof theirexams.Cheatsheetswerecodedintocategoriesoftables,diagrams,andtext,andtheproportionalamountofeachcategory wasdetermined.Wefoundthatstudentswhoincludedmorethantheaverageareaofdrawingsperformedbetteracrossallthree exams(t-test,p=0.0027).Studentswhoincludedmorethantheaverageareaoftextperformedworseacrossallthreeexams(t-test, p=0.0332).Thebenefitsofdiagramsalsodifferedacrosstheexams,withhigherscoresbeingseenonthesecondandthirdexams (t-tests,p=0.0484&p=0.0361,respectively),whichtestedgeneexpressionandchromosomemovementduringcelldivision.Forthe firstexam,whichcovereddiversityoflifeandevolution,scoreswerestronglyassociatedwithtableusage(t-test,p=0.0181).Taken together,theresultsofthisstudyprovideevidenceforthebeneficialroleofdrawingasatest-takingstrategy.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EDUCATORSTRESSANDBURNOUTLEVELCOMPARISONSOFSINGLEVERSUSMULTIPLETEACHER

SECONDARYAGRICULTURALEDUCATIONPROGRAMSINKENTUCKY.

Tucker,Gage

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 99

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RebekahEpps

Discipline: Education

AgriculturalEducation(AgEd)teachersinstructsecondarystudentsinavarietyofsubjectsandtopicsrelatedtoAgriculture,Food, andNaturalResources(AFNR).AgEdisbasedonathree-componentmodelthatincludesclassroominstruction,work-based learning,andleadershipdevelopment.Educatorsinthefieldhaveasubstantialamountofresponsibilitiesfortheirprogramsand experiencetheeffectsofaheavyworkloadyear-round.SomesecondaryAgEdprogramsoperatewithasingleteacherinthe departmentwhileothersmayhavemultipleteacherswhosharetheresponsibilitiesoftheoverallprogramgoals.Theobjectiveof thisstudywastoseeinwhichprogram-typedoagriculturaleducatorsexperiencehigherlevelsofstress,burnout,and depersonalizationtowardtheircareers.AgEdteachersfromacrossKentuckyparticipatedinasurveytomeasuretheirpersonal ratingsonfeelingsofstress,burnout,anddepersonalization.Thisprovidedinformationonthejobsatisfactionofagricultural teachersandtheiropinionsabouttheircareers.FindingsareimportantforstateAgEdstaff,consultants,andteachereducatorsto bettersupportteachersandprovidethenecessaryresourcesforthemtobesuccessful.

ENGINEERING

TUNABLEMEMBRANE-CLOAKEDHYDROGELNANOPARTICLESFORTARGETEDDELIVERYOF SENOLYTICSTOOSTEOARTHRITICJOINTS

Baur,Lauren

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 100

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RamkumarT.Annamalai

Discipline: Engineering

Introduction:Osteoarthritis(OA)isacommondegenerativejointdiseaseresultinginarticularcartilagedegradation,synovium inflammation,meniscalalterations,andchronicpain.Currenttherapiesaddresssymptomsratherthanthediseaseitself.Recent studiesshowthatsenescentcellaccumulationinthearticularcartilageandsynoviumsignificantlycontributestoOAdevelopment. Senescentcells(SnCs)undergoirreversiblecellcyclearrestresultinginaninflammatoryphenotypenegativelyaffectingadjacent healthycells.SenoylticdrugstriggerapoptosisinSnCs.Here,wedescribeastrategyusingmembrane-cloakedhydrogel nanoparticles(McNPs)forsustainedreleaseofsenolyticsthatspecificallyeliminatesSnCstoreducecartilagedamageandOA progression.Methods:McNPsweresynthesizedbyencapsulatingphotocrosslinkablepoly-ethyleneglycol-vinysulphone(PEG-VS) hydrogelswithinlipidvesiclesmadefromamixtureof5.2μmolDOPC,4.5μmolcholesterol,0.3μmolDSPE-PEG2000,and0.015 μmolDSPE-PEG2000-maleimide.ResultsandDiscussion:Theextrusionofthelipidmixtureyieldedhomogeneousvesicleswithan averagesizeof145±56nmindiameterandapolydispersiveindex(PDI)of0.094.AdditionofPEG-VSmonomers(5wt.%)yielded McNPswithacrosslinkedPEGhydrogelcore.Thepropertiesofthecorehydrogelcanbetunedtosequesterandreleasesenolytics atadesirablerate.TheMcNPs(with5%PEG)hadadiameterof131.8+/-58.5nmandaPDIof0.138,indicatingstabilityatthree weeks.CompressiontestingonthecorePEGhydrogelformulationsshowedthatstiffnessesof11.8kPato42.3kPacanbeachieved byvaryingcrosslinkingdensityandmonomerconcentration.First-orderdiffusionkineticsofbulkhydrogelshighlightedthat modulationstohydrogelcorecompositioncaninfluencetime-dependentreleaseofdrugs.ContinuingworktoassessMcNPs in-vitroperformance.Conclusions:Overall,wehavesynthesizedMcNPsthatarehomogenous,stable,andtunable.Thesearepotent deliveryvehiclesthatcanbeusedasadisease-modifyingtherapytoreducetheburdenofOA.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

COPPEROXIDETOXICITYINCANCERCELLS

Berezowitz,Jordan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 101

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrittanyGivens

Discipline: Engineering

Resistancetochemotherapeuticdrugsiscommonacrosscancers.Paclitaxelandcarboplatinarecommonlyadministeredtogether forendometrialcancer,however,efficacyislimitedbychemotherapeuticresistance.Chemotherapeuticsarevitallyimportanttothe treatmentofendometrialcancerbecausetheyinducetumorcelldeath.Paclitaxeloperatesbypreventingcellsfromperforming mitosisandcelldivision,endingthecellcycle.Theneedforanon-invasiveformofendometrialcancertreatmentisnecessaryfor equitableaccesstotreatment.Apurposedsolutionincludestheuseofcopperoxidealongwithpaclitaxelinananoparticle-based drugdeliverysystemtoincreasetheefficacyofpaclitaxelandleadtoincreasedcelldeath.Toincreasethepotentialasa therapeutic,thisdrugdeliverysystemwillproducedoublestrandedDNAbreaksduetocopperoxideandsinglestrandedDNA breaksduetopaclitaxel.Copperoxidetoxicityhasbeenassessedthroughtheperformanceofreactiveoxygenspecies(ROS)assays onvariousendometrialcancercelllines.Theseassayswerewithvaryingconcentrationsofcopperoxide,coppernitrate, poly(caprolactone)-paclitaxelnanoparticles,blanknanoparticles,andfreepaclitaxel.Synthesisofblank,paclitaxel,copperoxide, andcopperoxide-paclitaxelloadedpoly(caprolactone)nanoparticlesusingthedoubleemulsiontechniquewithsonicationwas performedinthelaboratory.Particleswerespunatvariouscentrifugespeedstoachievedesiredparticlessizeranges.Particlesizes weredeterminedusingmeasurementofparticlediametersusingImageJofscanningelectronmicroscope(SEM)images.AZetasizer usingdynamiclightscattering(DLS)wasusedtomeasuretheparticlesizeandzetapotentialofthebulkcopperoxideusedinthe experiments.Fromtheseexperiments,wedeterminedthatweareaabletogenerateparticlesinadesiredsizerangeforcancer therapy,andthatcopperionsaresuccessfulatproducingROSthatultimatelyleadtocelldeath.

TYPINGSPEEDANDACCURACY

Chen,James

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 102

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrentHarrison

Discipline: Engineering

TypingmasteryisarequiredskillintheInformationAge.Beingabletomasterquicklyandproficientlywouldhaveasubstantial advantageinanyjob.However,withthemodernwaytoimprove,typingcansometimesbechallenging,frustrating,andeven inefficient.Inthisresearchproject,wehavedevelopedatypinggamethatutilizesanomalydetectiontotargetauser'sweakpoints topersonalizehowsomeonecanimprovetheirtypingspeed.Thegamewecreatedassessesthedifferentareaswheretheuser strugglesandgeneratesnewsetsofwordsthattargetandfocusontheproblem.Thisfeatureemphasizesthestruggleanddifficulty thattheusermayhaveandmonitorstheirperformancetoincreaseordecreasethelevelofdifficultyalettercanbe.Throughthis approach,thegameaimstoprovideanefficientwayfortheusertoimprovetheirtypingspeedandaccuracy.Thetoolistailoredto anindividual'sneedsandwillgivetheuseracompetitiveadvantageintheworkplace. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EFFECTSOFMETHYLJASMONATEANDJASMONICACIDLOADEDNANOPARTICLESINHAIRROOT CELLS

Clinch,McKenna

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 103

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BarbaraKnutsonandDr.SteveRankin

Discipline: Engineering

Defensivemetabolitesinplantshelpwithdefensemechanismssuchaspathogeninfectionandabioticstresses,suchasdrought, extremetemperatures,etc.Alongwithpromotingthesemechanisms,metabolitesprovidepossibletherapeuticsforhumans. Methyljasmonate(MeJ)andjasmonicacid(JA)aretwocompoundsthatwillelicitdefensivemetaboliteswhendeliveredtoplant cellcultures.Aminefunctionalizedmesoporoussilicananoparticles(MSNPAs)havetheabilitytoloadthesecompoundsasacarrier fordeliveryintotheplantcell.ThisexperimentfocusesonthedeliveryofmethyljasmonateandjasmonicacidintoLobelia cardinalishairyrootcellsusinghighsurfaceareaMSNPAs(diameterwith2nmpores).Synthesisandaminefunctionalizationof thesenanoparticlesarefirstcomplete,resultinginaporousparticlewithasurfacecharge.Throughevaporativeloadingtechniques, MeJ/JAisloadedintotheporesandquantifiedusingTGA(thermogravimetricanalysis).Hairyrootcellculturesarethentreatedwith differentcombinationsofcompoundandparticle,includingacontrolgroup.Ultrahigh-performanceliquidchromatography (UHPLC)coupledwithElectrospraymassspectrometry(ESI-MS)isconductedinDr.BertLynn'slabintheChemistrydepartment. CellstreatedwithMeJ-MSNPAsandMeJaloneshowthegreatestincreaseinplantmetabolites,dependingonthemetabolite. Currentworkisinvestigatingtheeffectsofjasmonicacidonmetaboliteelicitationandexploringtheroleofnanoparticlesinaltering metaboliteproduction.Forinstance,nanoparticlesmaycarryMeJdirectlyintothecellsoralterthepermeabilityofthecellstoMeJ.

INTERFACINGGREENMEMBRANES

Coffman,Nicholas

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 104

Facultymentor(s): Dr.IsabelEscobar

Discipline: Engineering

Membranesarefiltersthatareusedallaroundusinourdailylivesmostprominentlyinwaterfiltration.Traditionallymembranes usedinindustryareformedusingtoxicsolventsbutwiththerecentbaninEuropeonthesetoxicsolvents,thereisaworldwide pressuretotransitiontomoreeco-friendly,greensolvents.Manyofthesegreensolventscanbejustaseffectiveastraditionaltoxic solventsincertainaspects,butinordertomakemembranesthatareasormoreeffectivethantraditionalones,thereisapushto interfacemembranesofdifferentmaterials.Thebenefitofusingtwoormoredifferentpolymersinasingularmembraneisthatit furtherincreasestheamountandvarietyofcontaminantsthatcanbefilteredout.Thepurposeofthisresearchistocreatean effectivecompositemembranecomposedoftwodifferentpolymersusinggreensolvents.Interfacingmembranesisaconceptthat hasverylittlepriorresearchdoneaboutit,sothusfarmostofourresearchhasbeentryingtosetabaseline.Wehaveworkedon findingthebestcastingmethodstocreateastrongandfavorableinteractionbetweenapolyvinylidenefluoride(PVDF)and polysulfone(PSF)membrane.Wehavebeenmeasuringthetensilestrengthofeachofthesedifferentmethodstofindthestrongest interactions.Afterfindingthebestinteractionswebegantofilterandcharacterizethemembranesandcomparethemtotraditional membranesusedinindustry.Themembranesdevelopedherehavethepotentialtoremoveawiderarrayofcontaminantsfrom waterwhilebeingmoresustainableinmanufacturing.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EMBEDDINGSILVERNANOPARTICLESINTOPOLYSULFONE-POLARCLEAN-GVLMEMBRANES USINGBIO-DERIVEDSOLVENTSTOPREVENTBIOFOULING

Jackson,Maria

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 105

Facultymentor(s): Dr.IsabelEscobar

Discipline: Engineering

Biofouling,thecomplexprocessofaccumulationofmicroorganismsonwetsurfaces,hascontributedtomanyoftheenvironmental complicationswefacetoday.Fromshiphullsandunderwaterpipestomarinelifeeffectsandevenmembraneefficiency,biofouling isanenvironmentalconcern.Thisresearchisfocusedonthepreventionofmembranebiofoulingbyembeddingsilvernanoparticles intopolysulfone-PolarClean-GVLmembranesurfacesusingbio-derivedsolvents.Biofoulingalsodecreasespermeabilityand rejectionwhileincreasingthecostandenergyrequiredforfiltration.Silverhashistoricallybeenusedformedicinalpurposesdueto itsantimicrobialproperties.Studiesindicatethatsilvernanoparticles,onthemembranesurface,inducetheformationofreactive oxygenspecieswhichdisruptsthecellularfunctionofbacterialcells.Threemethodswereusedtoattachthesilvernanoparticlesto themembranes:aprobesonicator,awater-bathsonicator,andastirplate.Previousresearchfoundthatcoatingthesilver nanoparticlesinpolyethyleneglycol(PEG)couldreducenanoparticleagglomerationandleachingfromthemembrane.Therefore, PEG-coatedsilvernanoparticleswereusedforthestirplatemethod.Moreover,thez-averageandzetapotentialweremeasured,in formertrials,andindicatedthePEG-coatedsilvernanoparticleshavealargeraverageparticlesize(33.93+/-0.54nm)thanthe non-coatednanoparticles(29.23+/-0.18nm).Regardingthezetapotential,thedatasupportstheconclusionthatthereisa structuraldifferencebetweenthecoatedandnoncoatednanoparticleswithvaluesof-14.31+/-3.69mVand-10.38+/-0.04mV respectively.TheseresultsprovideevidencethatthePEGcoatingisremainingattachedtothesilvernanoparticlesandcanbetested throughthefiltrationprocess.Additionally,watersampleswereanalyzedusinginductivelycoupledplasmamassspectrometry (ICP-MS)toquantifysilvernanoparticleleaching.Thisstudyintendstodemonstrateanovelmethodforimmobilizingsilver nanoparticlesontopolysulfonemembranestomitigatebiofouling.

DEVELOPMENTOFAPRODUCTCIRCULARITYEVALUATIONMETHODFORCONSUMER ELECTRONICS:PRELIMINARYATTRIBUTESANDMETRICS

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 106

Facultymentor(s): Dr.FazleenaBadurdeen

Discipline: Engineering

Theevolvingconceptofcirculareconomy(CE)isproposedasastrategytoaddressthelimitationsofthelineareconomythatis based on the 'take-make-dispose' practices. Thus, it is vital that products are designed based on the CE concept. However, the description and attributes of the CE remain ambiguous. There are also no clear explanations of what makes a product circular and how to measure its circularity. Therefore, a clear understanding of the CE and core constituent attributes of a circular product is imperative to evaluate its performance. This presentation demonstrates preliminary work to address the above gap to develop a metrics-based approach for product circularity evaluation. This effort begins by analyzing the definitions and key features of the CE as well as a circular product through an extensive literature review. The results indicate that the CE must consider technical and biological elements while accomplishing the closed-loop material flow. Findings from literature are synthesized to achieve a comprehensive list of circular product attributes, which includes extending the lifecycle, performing multiple lifecycles via value recovery strategies, and increasing material as well as resource efficiency. Further, metrics that evaluate the achieved circular product attributes are identified and demonstrated. Based on these outcomes, preliminary observations about the existing product circularity assessment tools are conducted. Shortcomings of existing evaluation tools are also identified and considered in further development of the product circularity evaluation methodology. The outcomes of this research will contribute to improving the circular product design process, thus leading to a more sustainable world.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EFFECTOFPPEDECONTAMINATIONPROCESSESONPOROUSPOLYSULFONE(PSF)FLATSHEET MEMBRANESFABRICATEDVIANONSOLVENT-INDUCEDPHASESEPARATION(NIPS):A COMPARISONWITHTRADITIONALPPE

Myers,Anastasia

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 107

Facultymentor(s): Dr.IsabelEscobar

Discipline: Engineering

Airfiltersarevitalcomponentsofvarioussystems,suchasheating,ventilation,andairconditioning(HVAC),personalprotective equipment(PPE),microelectronics,andautomobiles.TheCOVID-19pandemichasbroughtattentiontotheimportanceofhigh efficiencyparticulateair(HEPA)filtersinfacemaskproductionandHVACsystems,resultinginananticipated7.1%annualgrowth rateintheairfiltermarket,whichisprojectedtoreach$22.15billionby2028.However,conventionalairfiltersaremadefrom non-biodegradable,non-wovenpolymerfabricsthataresingle-usesincefiltrationefficiencycandecreasewithtimeandlose filtrationefficiencyafterregeneration,exacerbatingtheglobalpolymerwastecrisis.Membranetechnologypresentsapromising solutionforsustainableairfiltrationasitachievessustainedhighparticulatefiltrationefficiency(>99.5%)throughmechanical filtrationmechanismsthatdonotcompromisefiltrationefficiencyafterregeneration,makingthemreusable.Thisstudycompared theimpactofcommonlyusedfacemaskregenerationprocesses,suchasisopropanol(IPA),detergent,ultravioletlight,andbleach, onsurgicalmasks,N95masks,andflatsheetPSfmembranes.Highparticulatefiltrationefficiencypolysulfone(PSf)membranes werefabricatedviaNIPSusingpolyethyleneglycol(PEG).ThetreatedPSfmembraneshowednotoxicresidualelementsfrom sterilizingchemicalsandretainedPEGonthemembranesurface,asconfirmedbyx-rayphotoelectronspectroscopy(XPS)analysis andFouriertransforminfrared(FTIR),respectively.Whiletreatmentsresultedina70%reductioninsodiumchloride(NaCl)aerosol filtrationefficiencyforsurgicalmasksandN95masks,therewasnosignificantdecreaseinPSfmembranefiltrationperformancefor 0.3µmparticles.Thesurfacepotentialmeasurementsshowedacorrelationbetweenstaticchargesandfiltrationefficiencyin commercialnon-wovenfacemasks,whichwasnotobservedwiththePSfmembrane,indicatingthatthefabricatedmembrane filtersaerosolsbymechanicalmechanisms.Theseresultssuggestthatflatsheetmembraneshavethepotentialtobeusedasthe reusablenextgenerationofairfiltersforcriticalapplications.

LITERATURERESEARCHONIRONOXIDEFORMULATIONSSINCE1990

Phillips,Andres

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 108

Facultymentor(s): Dr.FannyChapelin

Discipline: Engineering

MolecularResonanceImaging(MRI)andironoxidenanoparticles(IONs)areusedtodorepetitiveimagingoftargetmacromolecules andbiologicalprocessesinthebody.Thefirstclinicaluseofironoxidesasatrackingmethodcanbetracedbacktothe1990swhen Feridexwasapprovedforliverimaging.Thedevelopmentofironoxideformulationsisdrivenbytheneedtohavebetterimaging properties,improvethetargetingofspecificcells,andreducethetoxicityofironoxidenanoparticles.UsingIONsasMRIcontrast agentsopensnewopportunitiesfortargeteddiagnosticsandtherapies.Themainpurposeofthisprojectwastoresearchdifferent ironoxideformulationsthathavebeendevelopedsince1990andhowtheyhavebeenimprovedorremovedfromthemarket.In addition,wetriedtodevelopironoxidenanoparticlesthatcouldbeinternalizedbyspecificcellpopulationsandsubsequentMRI tracking.ThemethodsfortheexperimentwerebasedonliteratureresearchtolearnmoreaboutIONsandhowtheyare synthesized.Whenre-creatingironoxidenanoparticles,mannitol,dextran,ironoxideparticles,anddeionizedwaterwere combined.ForanalyzingthesizeoftheparticlesTransmissionElectronMicroscopy(TEM)wasused.Theresultsshowthatthe particlesaggregateatarapidpace,andoccasionally,theironoxideprecipitatesfromthesolution,makingthemnotviabletobe injectedintocellsforfurtherresearch.Additionalformulationswerepreparedtobetterunderstandthecurrentformulationsonthe marketsotheycanbereplicatedandusedastargeteddiagnosticsandtherapies.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

SYNTHESISOFPOLY(ETHYLENEGLYCOL)MICROPARTICLESASANAPPROACHFOREFFICIENT DRUGDELIVERY

Shaverina,Anastasi

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 109

Facultymentor(s): Dr.GosiaChwatko

Discipline: Engineering

Inrecentyears,microparticleshavegainedincreasingattentioninmodernmedicineasamethodfordrugdelivery.Theuseof microparticlesofferslongerdrugreleasetimeinthebodyandgreaterprecisionintargetingspecifictissues.However,manycurrent particlesynthesismethodscommonlyusetoxic,petroleum-derivedorganicsolvents,whichposesignificantenvironmentaland healthrisks.Theobjectiveofthisstudyistoreplacetheseorganicsolventswithmoresustainableandnon-toxicsolventsanddesign microparticleswithcontrollablesizesrangingfrom100to800nm,makingthemsuitableforawiderangeofdrugdelivery applications.Poly(ethyleneglycol)(PEG)isanFDA-approvedpolymerwithenhancedbiocompatibility.Inthisstudy,PEG microparticlesweresynthesizedusingthewater-in-oilmicroemulsionmethod.Thismethodinvolvesblendingtwoincompatible solutionstoyielddropletsofonesolutioninanother,withTween-20usedasasurfactanttostabilizetheemulsion.Oleicacid,lauric acid,andmyristicacidarebeingtestedasthecontinuousphaseandwaterasthedispersed(droplet)phasetoachieveasustainable synthesismethod.AprocedureforfabricatingconsistentPEGmicroparticlesizesfromW/Omicroemulsionswascreated successfully.Therecoveryratewasapproximately33%withanaveragesizeofparticlesof400nm.Toincreasetherecoveryrate, furtherstudiesarebeingconductedtoinvestigatetheeffectofcuringtemperatureandtime.Thepurificationprocessisalsobeing investigatedtoimprovetheseparationandpurificationofthemicroparticles.Thesefindingsofferapromisingalternativeto traditionalsynthesismethods,creatingthepathforthedevelopmentofdrugdeliverysystemsthatareenvironmentallyfriendlyand non-toxic.

ENVIRONMENTALSTUDIES

PLANTINGANURBANFORESTFORFAYETTECOUNTY'SFUTURE:ANARCGISPROWEIGHTED SUITABILITYAPPROACH

Cottrell,Danielle

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 110

Facultymentor(s): Dr.BrianLee

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

Numerousproblemsplaguetheurbanenvironmentofacitythatcouldbealleviatedwiththeplantingofurbantrees.Studieshave shownthatplantingurbanforestsraisesthealbedoofthearea,interceptsrunoff,savesonheatingandcoolingcostsfornearby buildings,andevenleadstoimprovedhumanhealth.Thebiggestquestionthatisraisedthenbecomeswheretoplantthesetrees. Toaddressthisquestion,ageospatialweightedsuitabilitymodelinArcGISProwasusedinFayetteCountyasacasestudy.By creatingamodel,geospatialdataarecombinedbyweightingtoyieldmultipleresults.Themodelusesseveralfactors,both environmentalandsocial,reclassifiesthem,andcreatesamapofthemostsuitablelocationstoplanturbantrees,dependingon howheavilyeachfactorisweighted.Thismodeldemonstratesawaytoplanurbantreesitingdependingontheindividualized projectgoalsoftheplanner.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

FROMSCRAPSTOBAGS:APILOTSTUDYTOUPCYCLETEXTILESTOBAGSFORDELIVERINGMEALS

TOSENIORSEXPERIENCINGFOODINSECURITY

Goodman,Alina

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 111

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CourtneyLuecking

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

Background:Fastfashionandfoodwastecontributemorethan15%ofannualglobalcarbonemissionsandlessthan1%ofallused clothingisrecycled.Foodrecoveryeffortsthatrepurposeediblefoodcanreducefoodwaste.However,theuseofpaperorplastic bagstodeliverfoodcannegativelyimpacttheenvironment.Upcyclingfabrictobagsforfooddeliverymayaddressthisproblem.

Purpose:Thispilotstudyaimedtoevaluate1)Theprocessofworkingwithvolunteerstocreatereusablebagsfromexcessfabric;2) Theenvironmentalimpactofcreatingreusablebags;and3)Thedurabilityofutilizingthesebagsfortransportingfood.Methods: VolunteersewistsfromtheKentuckyExtensionHomemakerAssociationwereinvitedtousetwopatternstocreatereusablebags fromleftoverfabric.Studentsinvolvedinafoodrecoveryandmealdeliveryprogramthenusedbagstopackanddeliverprepared mealstolow-incomeseniors.Bothgroupswereinvitedtocompletesurveysabouttheirexperience.Environmentalimpactwas measuredbyweightoffabricdivertedfromlandfills.Results:Forty-fourexperiencedsewists(mean49yearsofexperience)created 79bags.Approximately18poundsoffabricwasdivertedfromlandfills.Volunteershadmaterialsneededtomakebags, encounteredminimalissues,andfelt"both[patterns]wereeasy"tomake.Overhalfagreedthisprojectwasavaluableuseoftheir timeandresources.Threestudentspackagedanddeliveredmeals.Allpreferredusingtheflatbottombagasitwasmorestableand couldholdmoremeals.Theyexperiencedfewissuesduringpackinganddelivery.Discussion:Itisfeasibleforexperiencedsewists toupcyclefabricstoreusablebagsthatmeetqualityneedsforfoodpackagingandtransport.Ifdoneonalargerscale,thisinitiative coulddivertanevengreateramountoffabricfromlandfills.Futureresearchcouldevaluatemotivationforlong-termvolunteer participationanddurabilityofbags.

NEURODEGENERATIVERISKINLOWINCOMEPOPULATIONSDUETONUTRITIONALINEQUALITY

Lancaster,Dawson

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 112

Facultymentor(s): Dr.TammyStephensonandDr.KendraOoNorasask

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

Thisresearchprojectwillprimarilyfocusontherelationbetweenloweconomicstatus,lackofaccesstoadequatenutrition,andthe health(particularlyneurological)implicationsofthisnutritionalinequity.Aconnectionhasbeenestablishedthroughneuroscience researchbetweenpoorlifestylechoicesandneurologicalinflammationduetooxidativestress(whichleadtoneurodegenerative diseases).Thesepoorlifestylechoices(stressors)includelackofexercise,druguse,heavydrinking,poornutrition,andnotgetting enoughsleep.Therehavealsobeenconnectionsmadethroughnutritionresearchbetweenloweconomicstatusandlownutritional intake,particularlyinolderpopulations.Theresearcherwillestablishaclearconnectionbetweenthesethreeideasandarguethat low-incomeindividualsareathigherriskofdevelopingneurologicaldegenerativediseasesbecauseoftheirlackofaccesstohighly nutritiousfoods.Tomakethisconnection,theresearcherwillconductaliteraturereviewofpreexistingresearchonlinksbetween thesetopicsofstudy.TheresearcherwillbeworkingwithTheCampusKitchenandFoodchaintoconductasurveyatseveral low-incomesheltersaroundLexington.Thissurveywillprimarilyaskquestionsaboutfoodpreferences,whattheirregulardietis, nutritionalknowledge,andtheirattitudesabouthealthyeating.ThisdatawillallowmetodrawLexingtonspecificconclusions abouthowloweconomicstatusputsindividualsinourowncommunityatriskforhighratesofneurologicalconditionsdownthe road.’

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEIMPACTOFENVIRONMENTALPOLLUTIONONPHYTOCHEMICALQUANTITYANDHUMAN HEALTH

Meyer,Anna

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 113

Facultymentor(s): Dr.HeatherNorman-Burgdolf

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

Aspollutionratescontinuetoincreaseglobally,itisimportanttoexaminetheeffectsofpollutiononthephytochemicalcontentof plants.Phytochemicals,orphytonutrients,arebioactivechemicalsthatservemanyfunctionsforplantsandanimals.Forplants, phytochemicalsservetoprotecttheplantagainstpathogensandtoregulateplantgrowth.Foranimals,humansspecifically, phytochemicalsarebeneficialfortheirantioxidantproperties,protectingthebodyagainstchronicdiseasesandpollutants. Pollutantsareintroducedtotheenvironmentthroughtheburningoffossilfuelsandgarbagewaste,industrialemissions, transportation,andtheuseofchemicalandsyntheticproducts.Sitesthatareheavilycontaminatedwithpollutantsareknownas superfundsites,andcanhavedetrimentaleffectsontheorganismslivinginthatarea.Thepurposeofthisstudywastoexaminethe effectsofpollutiononthephytochemicalcontentofplantsthroughsystematicliteraturereview.Resultsshowedanegative correlationbetweenpollutionandphytochemicalcontent;aspollutionlevelsincrease,phytochemicalquantitiesdecrease.This decreasecouldleadtoareductioninnaturaldefensemechanisms.Notonlydoespollutionaffectplants,butalsohumans, decreasingtheamountofantioxidantsavailableforconsumption.Reducedlevelsofantioxidantspredisposeshumanstoan increasedriskofdevelopingchronicdiseaseandpossibleprematuredeath.Therefore,itisimportanttounderstandtheeffectsof pollutiononthephytochemicalcontentofplantsandthecorrelatednegativeconsequencesonhumanhealth.However,future studiesarestillneededtoexaminethisrelationship.

EFFECTOFNETMETERINGRATECHANGESONNEVADA'SRESIDENTIALSOLARUPTAKE

Neblina,Henri

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 114

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CoryCurl

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

In2015,Nevada'sPublicUtilitiesCommissionannouncedchangestothestate'sresidentialsolarnetmeteringrates.Thesechanges, effectiveJanuary1,2016,effectivelyeliminatedtheincentivespreviouslyavailabletoresidentialsolarcustomersinNevadato investinphotovoltaic(PV)systems.Duetopoliticalandpublicbacklash,thefavorablenetmeteringrateswerepartiallyreinstatedin June2017.TheaimofthisresearchwastoidentifythemagnitudeoftheeffectoftheratechangeonNevada'scustomerbase. UsingdatafromtheUSEnergyInformationAdministration,theresidentialPVnetmeteringcustomercountofNevadaandNew JerseybetweenOctober2014andJune2017werecomparedusingaregression-baseddifference-in-differencesmodel.NewJersey wasselectedasacomparisonstatebecauseitexhibitedsimilartrendsandhadnearlyidenticalnetmeteringpolicies.Theresultsof thisregressionanalysisshowthat,hadNevadanotrepealeditsnetmeteringincentives,thestatewouldhaveaccruedanadditional 6,891additionalPVnetmeteringcustomersoverthecourseofthetimeframeofinterest.Thisleadstotheconclusionthatstate lawmakersshouldavoiddecreasingnetmeteringratesiftheyaspiretoincreaseresidentialsolarcapacity.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

DETECTINGANDCOMPARINGE.COLICONTAMINATIONAMONGSEVERALMININGANDURBAN AREASTREAMSINKENTUCKY

Schlaug,Lillian

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 115

Facultymentor(s): Dr.TiffanyMesser

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

EscherichiaColi,alsoknownasE.Coli,isafecalcoliformbacteriacommonlyfoundinintestinaltractsofwarm-bloodedanimals. Therefore,E.Coliisusedtoindicatesewageoranimalwastecontaminationinwaterways.Whilemostbacteriainstreamsarenot harmfultohumans,E.Colicontaminationposesahuman-healthriskthatcanresultinsevereillnessanddiseaseifconsumed.The firstgoalofthisprojectaimstomeasurecontaminationofE.ColiinavarietyofstreamsacrossKentucky.Thistestwascompletedby a24-hourincubationofstreamgrabsamplesat35degreesCelsius.Afterthesesampleswereread,datawasanalyzedtocompare trendsintheamountofE.Coliforurbanandminingareastreams.Animportantfactorinanalyzingthegathereddataisnotingthe effectofseasonandrecentrainfallevents.Datafromrainfalleventsincloseproximitytosamplecollectionwereintegratedinto partsofanalysistocreateamorecompletepictureofE.Coliinstreams.ThisresearchmaysuggestthetypeofstreamwhereE.Coli contaminationishighest,environmentalfactorsthatmayincreaseE.Colilevels,andwheretreatmentmaybethemostnecessary.

ASSESSINGSOLARIZATIONINHIGHTUNNELSASAVIABLENEWMETHODOFPESTCONTROL

Wilson,Annabelle

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 116

Facultymentor(s): Dr.NicholasTeets

Discipline: EnvironmentalStudies

Hightunnelsaregreenhouse-likestructuresthatareusedtogrowamultitudeofcropsinKentucky.Theyextendthegrowing season,offeroff-seasonproductionofcrops,andincreaseusablecropproduction.Hightunnelsrequirefewermaterialsfor constructionthangreenhouses,aresolar-powered,anddonotrequireaircirculation.Thus,theyaremoresustainableand affordablethanastandardgreenhouse.Likeallcropsystems,hightunnelsaresusceptibletoinsectpests.Becausetheyhave elementsofbothgreenhousesandfields,theypossessuniquepestproblemsthatcannotbepredictedfromeithergreenhousesor outdoorcrops.Solarizationisapesticide-freemethodthathasprovensuccessfulincontrollingweedsandfoliagediseasesinhigh tunnelsthroughtemperaturechanges.However,itseffectsoninsectpestshavenotyetbeenassessed,andtheprecisetemperature changesthatoccurduringsolarizationhavenotbeencharacterized.Thisresearchaimedtostudythepotentialofsolarizationto serveasachemical-freepestcontrolmethodinhightunnels.Thiswasaccomplishedbyassessingtheheattoleranceofvarioushigh tunnelinsects(bothpestsandbeneficials)todeterminethelikelihoodofsuccessforsolarization.ThespeciesstudiedwereWestern FlowerThrips,BrownAphids,andGreenStinkbugs.Thethripswerefoundtohavethehighestheattolerance,whileaphidshadthe lowest.Byimprovingpestcontrolinhightunnels,thisprojecthasthepotentialtoreduceyieldlossesandincreaseprofitabilityfor hightunnelgrowers.Conventionalchemicalinsecticidescanbeexpensiveandharmfultobeneficialinsects,andheattreatmentin hightunnelswillcreateamuchmoreaffordableandsustainableapproach.Reducingrelianceonchemicalinsecticideswillalso contributetowardsecologicalintegritybyreducingoff-targeteffectsforbeneficialinsects.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

HUMANITIES

GAMERGIRLIES:THEEVOLUTIONOFTHEPORTRAYALOFWOMENINVIDEOGAMES

Arjona,Helena

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 117

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KishonnaGray-Denson

Discipline: Humanities

Asplayingvideogameshavegrownintoawidespreadhobby,aswellasamultibilliondollarindustry,it'susecanleadtoalotof positiveoutcomesinsocietysuchasprovidingentertainment,education,andstrengtheningproblemsolvingskills.However,many arequicktopointoutitsaswellastheindustry'sflaws.Althoughvideogameshavethepotentialtorepresentmarginalizedgroups, bringawarenesstoissues,andupliftminorities,manyhaveaccuseditsuseasabreedinggroundforbullying,harassment,and sexistandxenophobiclanguageandrhetoric.Atthesametime,manybelievethattheindustryasawholepromotestheseideals throughtheirharmfulrepresentationofPOC,women,disabledpeople,etc.Giventhisaccusation,thepurposeofthisreviewisto exploreandexaminetheevolutionoftheportrayalofwomeninvideogamesbyanalyzingsignsofobjectification/sexualization, amountofscreentimeincomparisontomen,andpersonalitiesofwomen.

BANKINGWHILEFEMALE:WOMEN'SALTERNATIVEBANKINGSYSTEMSAROUNDTHEWORLD Haider,Leena

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 118

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CarolStreet

Discipline: Humanities

Womenofmanyculturescreatefinancialsystemsthatexistoutsideoftheestablishedmale-dominatedbankinginstitutions.ÂFor somewomen,itisaculturaltraditiontheyinheritedfromtheirmothers.Forothers,itisnecessaryduetodiscriminatorybank practicesthatdenywomenfinancialequality.Theintersectionalityofhistoricalsexismandracismleavewomenofcoloracutely vulnerabletosystemicconstraints,leadingmanytoturntotheirownfemalecommunitiesforfinancialtrustandrespect.Evenin areaswheresexistandracistbankingpracticeshavedecreased,womenoftencontinueoperatingfinancialsystemsoutsideof traditionalbankingandhaveevencreatedadditionalpractices,suchasfemale-ledmicroloans,thatimpactwomenacrossthe globe.Thisresearchwillexploretheconceptsbehindwomen-ledgroupsthatpursuefinancialsecuritythroughinterest-free, internalbankingsystemsforthemselvesandotherwomen.Comparisonswillbemadefromexaminingsimilargroupsfromfive continentstoseehowwomenacrosstheglobeapproachfinancialstabilityutilizingtoolsoutsideofmainstreambanking. Qualitativeanalysisofwomen-ledalternativebankingpracticesthroughtheuseofprimarysourcedocuments,micro-loanwebsites, andliteraturereviewwillexploretheenvironmentsthatcreatebankinginequitiesandexplorehowwomenofdifferentcultures overcomefinancialdisparitiesthroughtheirsocialfinancegroups.Thiswillcontributetoagreaterunderstandingofself-made femalefinancialliteracyandinformstudiesonimmigrantbehaviorandfinancesinimmigranthouseholds.AfterIRBapproval, furtherresearchwillinterviewwomenwhocurrentlypracticealternativebankingforinsightintogenerationalpracticesandhow theyaresustained.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

PROTECTINGCULTURALHERITAGE:THEIMPORTANCEOFTHEPRESERVATIONANDREPATRIATION OFCULTURALBELONGINGS

LeRoy,Pascalle

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 119

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MonicaUdvardy

Discipline: Humanities

Artplaysaroleinformingone'sidentityasanindividualbutalsoinunderstandingone'splaceintheircommunity.Public monumentsandartifactshelpgroundoneselfintheirsurroundingsandweidentifycloselywithsuchpiecesofculturalproperty.Yet theideaofpreservingandprotectingthesemonuments,especiallyinNorthAfricaandtheMiddleEast,isneglectedincurrent Islamicscholarship.Thereisarisinginterestinthetopicofartrepatriationandpreservationbutthereneedstobeagreatercallto dosuchinaccordancewithcurrentpoliticalandsocialneeds.ActsspearheadedbyNativeAmericanssuchastheNativeAmerican GraveProtectionandRepatriationAct(NAGPRA)createdin1990maybeusedasamodelforaglobalinitiativetohelpprotectand returnindigenousarts.IhavestudiedhowIslamiclawhelpsdefendculturalproperty,andhowwecanusetheadviceofindigenous peoplestopreserveandreturnpreciouspiecesofculturalpropertyonaglobalscalebutmorespecificallyintheMiddleEastand NorthAfrica.IwillhavelookedintohowmuseumscanplayabetterroleinreturningstolenartifactsunderthesupervisionofDr. MonicaUdvardy,apioneerandrecognizedauthorityonthistopic,andbylookingattheexampleoftheDenverMuseumofNature andScience.Iwillalsohaveproducedagreaterunderstandingofriskassessmentsandactionsthatpiecesofculturalpropertymust undergowhenharmedbywar,naturaldisaster,andneglectlikeinthecaseofUkraine,TurkeyandSyria,IsraelandPalestine,etc., andwhysuchinitiativesareimportantforissuesofnationalsecurity.Thispaperwillserveasanoverviewofarttheftfrom colonialismtonowandhowtoencouragetheprotectionandrepatriationofculturalheritage.

ADDRESSINGMONEYLAUNDERINGINTHEUNITEDSTATESREALESTATEMARKET

McCormick,Hunter

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 120

Facultymentor(s): Dr.CoryCurl

Discipline: Humanities

TheUnitedStatesfacesthreatstoeconomicstabilityandlegalintegrityfrommoneylaunderingpracticesintherealestatemarket. Legislativeloopholes,complicitenablers,andagingtechnologicalsystemsusedbygovernmentagenciesallowindividualstoflow ill-gottenwealthintotheUnitedStateswithlittleeffort.Asaresultofthesefactors,localeconomiessufferjobloss,once-inhabited propertieslieemptyindecay,andpublictrustingovernmentweakens.Illegalwealthistransformedintoprotectedassetsinthe formofpropertyandcanbestoredtolaterfundterroristorganizationsorinfluencetheAmericanpeople.Approximately$2.3 billionwaslaunderedthroughAmericanrealestateinthelastfiveyears,yetstateandlocalofficialsareoftenunawareofsuch crimesuntilitistoolate.Toaddressthisissue,Iidentifiedpolicyalternativesusingcriteriaofsecurity,technologicalcapability,and lastingeffectiveness.Ialsoprioritizesolutionsthataremorelikelytoproducelong-lastingresultsovertemporaryfixes. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEREPOPULATIONOFELKINTOKENTUCKYANDTHELASTINGEFFECTOFWILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Wyatt,Ronan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 121

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KathrynNewfont

Discipline: Humanities

Poorpopulationmanagement,ambitioushunters,andindustrialminingandloggingpracticesextirpatedtheEasternElkspecies fromtheeasternUnitedStatesbythelate1880s.Kentucky,onceknownforitsabundanceofnaturalresourcesandwildgame,lost itspopulationofEasternElkintheearly1800s,farbeforetherestoftheEast.However,in1996,theKentuckyDepartmentofFish andWildlifeResources,inconjunctionwiththeRockyMountainElkFoundationandtheUniversityofKentucky,launcheda repopulationprogramthatbroughtwildfreeroamingelkbacktothesoutheasternpartofthestateforthefirsttimeinover150 years.TherehasbeenverylittlehistoricalresearchonwildlifemanagementinlandseastoftheMississippi,letaloneKentucky.The westernUnitedStatesoftenovershadowstherestofthecountryinthisregard.YettheEasternElk'sreintroductionintoKentucky offersanimportantcasestudyinthehistoryofwildlifemanagementandenvironmentalhistory.Infact,theEasternElkservesasa "hopespot"forthefutureofKentucky'swoodsandtherestorationofthenaturalenvironmentAsseeninprimary,suchas,The TechnicalProposalforElkInKentuckyandsecondarysources,alsothroughoralhistoryinterviewswiththoseresponsibleforthe successoftheEasternElk'sreintroduction,itisclearthatKentucky'swildlifemanagementpolicieswereabletoaccomplishtheir goalsbydoingthoroughresearchandlearningfromthemistakesoftheirpastendeavors.

MEDICALANDHEALTHSCIENCES

EXAMININGTHEDIETQUALITYANDCARDIOMETABOLICRISKFACTORSAMONGSALVADOREAN IMMIGRANTS

Alvayero,Kaitlyn

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 122

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliaPlasecniaandDr,NasreenOmran

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

CardiometabolicriskfactorsaredisproportionateacrossUSHispanicandLatinoethnicgroups,andasimmigrantssettleintheUS, theirhealthanddietqualitydecline.Therelationshipsbetweencardiometabolicdiseasesanddietareimportanttostudyinthe Hispaniccommunitybecausetheyhaveagreaterprevalenceofthem,includingType2diabetes,comparedtothegeneralUS population.ThisstudyaimstoexaminetherelationshipbetweendietqualityandtheriskofCardiometabolicDiseaseandType2 DiabetesamongasampleofSalvadoreanimmigrants.AsecondarydataanalysiswasperformedfromasurveyofKentucky immigrantsinLouisville,KYoveraperiodof4monthsincluding.Atotalof214Hispanicparticipantscompletedthesurveyandfor thisstudy,onlythosewhooriginatedfromElSalvador,18,wereincluded.Thedatacollectedincludeddemographics,24-hourrecalls (computedintoHealthyEatingIndex(HEI)),andanthropometricmeasures.ThefoodswerecategorizedintoLatine,Western,and universalfoodstoexploretraditionaldietpatterns.Additionally,thestudyparticipantsweredividedintotwogroups,thosewho hadahigheraverageTotalHEIscorecomparedtothosewhohadalowerHEIScore.ThemeanHEIforalltheparticipantswas53.2, themajority(83%)werefemale,andtheiragewas40.8.Thesamplealsohadlowacculturation,withameanof1.5outof5.The findingsshowsignificantdifferencesbetweenthetwogroupsmeanadequacycomponentscores,37.2forthehigherHEIgroup versus21.7forthelowerHEIgroup.ThehigherHEIgroupalsoconsumedasignificantlylargerpercentageoftraditionalLatinefoods comparedtothelowerHEIgroup,indicatingthatthetraditionaldietpatternmaybeassociatedwithincreaseddietquality.Future studiesshouldexamineifthedietqualityoftraditionalfoodsamongimmigrantsisprotectiveofcardiometabolicdiseases.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

FOODSECURITYSTATUSINRELATIONTOCHRONICDISEASEPREVENTIONKNOWLEDGE

Arnold,Sophie

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 123

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MakenzieBarr

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Theobjectiveofthisstudywastodeterminefoodsecuritystatusinrelationtochronicdiseasepreventionknowledgeamongcollege students.Thestudywasconductedusingacross-sectionalexaminationthroughanonlinesurvey.Theparticipantswere undergraduatestudentsattheUniversityofKentucky.AmodifiedUSDAHouseholdFoodSecuritySurveyModulewasusedto determinefoodsecuritystatus.ChronicdiseasepreventionknowledgewasmeasuredusingaChronicDiseasePrevention Knowledgesurvey.Participantsself-reportedhealthmeasuresincludingdietquality,mentalhealth,anddepressionand/oranxiety. Participantswerecategorizedbasedonfoodsecuritystatus.Health-relatedvariables(self-reportedhealthrating,BMI,andcancer screeningknowledge)wereassessedforassociationwithfoodinsecuritystatus.67.9%ofparticipantswerefoodsecureand32.1% werefoodinsecure.Allfoodinsecureparticipantsdidn'tknowthecorrectagetogetapapsmear(p=.0336).Allfoodinsecure participantsansweredtheanalysisoflungageincorrectly(p=.0338).Foodinsecureparticipantshadlowerratesofgeneralhealth, comparatively(p=.0367).Foodinsecureparticipants,onaverage,hadahigherBMIcomparedtothosewhowerefoodsecure (p=.0044).Therewasnosignificantdifferencebetweenthosefoodsecureandfoodinsecureonknowledgeofthetimeframeof whentogetapapsmear,analysisofmammogramageandmammogramtiming,atwhatagetobescreenedforcoloncancer,when tobescreenedforprostatecancer,andknowledgeofcervicalcancerprevention.Foodsecureandinsecureparticipantshadsimilar dietqualityscoresofaround40%,measuredbytheshorthealthyeatingindex.Foodinsecureparticipantshadslightlyhigherstress levels(p=.0580).Participants,foodsecureandinsecure,hadsimilarvaluesforself-reporteddepressionand/oranxiety(p=.8322). Foodinsecurityhasimplicationsonchronicdiseasepreventionknowledge,generalhealth,andBMI.

EFFECTOFPHOSPHOLIPASEA2GROUPIIA(PLA2-IIA)INALVEOLARBONELOSS

Bellamy,Danielle

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 124

Facultymentor(s): Dr.OctavioGonzalezandDr.VanessaTuberoEuzebioAlves

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Objective:TheantimicrobialproteinPLA2-IIAisassociatedwithintestinaldysbiosisandinflammatorydisease(e.g.,rheumatoid arthritis).P.gingivalis(Pg)modulatesoralepithelialcellantimicrobialresponsesthroughupregulationofPLA2-IIAandisresistantto itsantimicrobialactivity.AlthoughPLA2-IIAlevelsareelevatedinperiodontitis,theroleofPLA2-IIAinthepathogenesisofthisoral diseaseremainsunknown.HerewesoughttodeterminetheeffectofPLA2-IIAinalveolarbonechangesusingthePgorallavage model.Methods:BothTg-PLA2-IIAandWTco-cagedlittermates(C57BL/6)werePg-orSham-infectedusingorallavage (n=12/group;6Mand6F).Fourconsecutiveinfectionsperweek,everyotherweekfor6weekswereperformed.Hemimaxillawere harvested,fixedin10%formalin,andpreservedin70%ethanol.SampleswerescannedusingmicroComputerizedTomography (µCT)and3DsurfacesusedtoanalyzebonelevelchangesusingAutodeskMeshmixersoftware.ExpectedResults/Significance:

AlveolarbonelosswillbegreaterinTg-PLA2-IIAwhencomparedwiththeircorrespondingWTlittermatesinsham-infectedmice andPginfectionwouldexacerbateit.ThesefindingswouldsuggestthatelevationsingingivalPLA2-IIAlevelscontributetoenhance alveolarboneloss;however,themechanismsinvolvedinthisobservationwillneedtobefurtherelucidated.Upregulationof PLA2-IIAlevelsbyoralpathogenslikePgcouldcontributetoenhanceoraldysbiosis,inflammation,andboneloss.

Fundingsource:NIH/NIDCRDE029498

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EXAMININGTHERELATIONSHIPBETWEENTHCVAPES&LUNGINJURY:AREVIEWOFTHE LITERATURE

Brown,Hannah

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 125

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KatieGoldey

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

WiththeintroductionofJUULvapingdevicesin2015,therecreationaluseofe-cigarettesamongnon-smokershasbeensteadily increasingoverthepastseveralyears.Nicotine-containingvapingdeviceshaveresultedinhighratesofaddictionanddependence, andhaveassociationswithyouthexperimentationwithotheraddictivedrugs.Whilenicotinevapeshavebeenahealthconcern sincetheirpopularitybegantoexpand,THCvapes,alsoknownasweedpensordabpens,havebecomeasignificanthealthconcern overthepastseveralyearsduetoacorrelationwithlungdisease.E-cigaretteorvapinguse-associatedlunginjury,otherwiseknown asEVALI,hasbeenagrowinghealthconcernandhasoftenbeenassociatedwithhighratesofnicotinevapingdevices.However, variousstudieshavebeguntoshowevidencethatTHCvapingdevices,whichoftencontainvitaminEacetate,aremorehighly associatedwithcausingEVALIinpatients,comparedtostandardnicotinevapingdevices.Thepurposeofthisstudywastoreview relevantliteratureontherelationshipbetweenTHCvapingdevicesandEVALI,andsummarizethefindings.Basedontheevidence presented,itisreasonabletoconcludethatthereisarelationshipbetweenuseofTHCvapingdevicesandincreasedprevalenceof EVALI.ThethickeningagentfoundinTHCdevices,vitaminEacetate,hasthepotentialtoproduceexceptionallytoxicketenegas whenusedinthedevices,whichcanleadtoseverelungdamage.IncreasingconsumerawarenessaboutvitaminEacetateandTHC healthconsequencescanhelplowerindividualcasesofEVALI.

EVALUATINGSNPRS4147914WITHINABCA7ONMODULATINGALZHEIMER'SDISEASERISK

Cain,Kailey

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 126

Facultymentor(s): Dr.StevenEstus

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

SeventypercentofAlzheimer'sdisease(AD)riskisgeneticandunderstandinghowthesegeneticvariantsactmayleadtonovel treatmentstopreventAD.Singlenucleotidepolymorphisms(SNP)swithinABCA7areamongtheADgeneticmodulators.ABCA7isa lipidtransporterexpressedinbothneuronsandmicrogliainthehumanbrain.Here,wehypothesizethattheSNPrs4147914within exon18actstoincreaseskippingofthefirst52bpofABCA7,basedonarchivalfindingsintheGTExportal.ToevaluateABCA7 splicing,IusedcDNApreparedfromRNApurifiedfrombrainautopsiesofacohortofADandnon-ADindividuals.Todate,Ihave foundmultipleABCA7isoformsintheareaofexon18,includingisoformsthatlack52bpfromexon18,thatlackexon19,that retainintron19,andthatretainaportionofintron18.Wearecurrentlyworkingtoquantifyexpressionoftheseisoformsasa functionrs4147914andtheextentofADneuropathology.IamalsogeneratingclonesofthisregionoftheABCA7genethatIwill usetotestwhetherrs4147914isactuallyafunctionalSNP.Infuturework,IwillexpressABCA7proteinarisingfromtheseatypical ABCA7isoforms.Insummary,weareevaluatingwhetherrs4147914maymodulatetheriskofADbyalteringABCA7exon18 splicing.InsightsgainedfromthesestudiesmayidentifythemeanstomodulateABCA7splicingandtherebyreduceADrisk.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ALITERATUREREVIEWOFTHESOCIALDETERMINANTSOFHEALTHANDRISKOF

NUTRITION-RELATEDCHRONICDISEASEINAPPALACHIA

Cates,Grace

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 127

Facultymentor(s): Dr.HeatherNorman-Burgdolf

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:ChronicdiseaseratesinAppalachiahavesteadilyincreasedoverthepastdecades.Thisgeographicregionlacksmany keyfactorsthatsupporthealthasdefinedbythesocialdeterminantsofhealth.Nutritionisheavilyimpactedbythesegapsand playsasignificantroleinthepreventionandriskofchronicdisease.Furthermore,pastresearchhasshownthatthesocial determinantsofhealthplayalargeroleinidentifyingbarrierstoadequatenutrition.Methods:Thissystematicreviewanalyzed differentcommunityoutreachinterventionsandexaminedthesocialdeterminantsofhealththroughoutAppalachia.Manyofthe reviewedstudiesallowforacomparisonoffoodsecureandinsecurehouseholds.Whencomparedtourbanareas,rural communitiesinAppalachiaaremorenegativelyimpactedbythesedisparities.StudieswereidentifiedusingGoogleScholarand PubMedandwerenotpublishedbefore2016.Ofthestudiesanalyzed,theparticipantsweretypicallythemainshopperandfood preparerswithinthehousehold.Householdswerenotdefinedbyaspecificnumberofmembers.Studiesreviewedtookplace acrosstheAppalachianregionwithbroadagerangesoftheparticipantstobestreflecttheentireadultpopulation.Results: CommonissuesfoundamongthoseintheAppalachianregionwerenothavingenoughaccesstogrocerystores,lackofhealthcare, andcomplicationsregisteringforfederalnutritionassistanceprograms.Conclusion:Thebarriersthatwereidentifiedseemtobe interrelatedandcomefromanoveralllackofresources.Toensurethatusefulinterventionsarebeingmadeinthesecommunities, itisimportanttokeepinmindtheaccessibilityandaffordabilityofnutritiousfoods.Futuredirectionsforthisworkincludefinding waystoremedybarriersandtailoringcommunityoutreachprogramstoreflecttheneedsofeachareawiththesebarriersinmind.

IMPROVINGOURABILITYTOIDENTIFYINDIVIDUALSWITHHIGHRISKFORALZHEIMER'SDISEASE USINGPOLYGENICRISKSCORES

Clark,Tiffany

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 128

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JustinMiller

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

PolygenicRiskScores(PRS)areawayofaggregatinggeneticriskacrossvariousdiseaseassociatedloci.Itcangiveindividualsa betterideaofhowlikelytheyaretogetaspecificdisease,whichcanallowindividualstobetterplanforthefuture.Themainissue isthattherearevariousgenome-wideassociationstudies(GWAS)thatoftenhavedifferentdisease-associatedvariants;therefore, geneticriskishighlydependentonthechosenstudy. AnotherproblemisthatmostGWASusepeopleofEuropeandescent; therefore,traditionallyunderrepresentedpopulationsoftenhavedecreasedaccuracyinpredictingdiseaserisk.Thisresearch projectfocusesonfindinghowwecanbestcombinePRStoidentifyindividualswithhighriskfordisease,sotheycanbeprioritized forfollow-upexaminationsandmonitoring.ThePolygenicRiskScoreKnowledgebasefacilitateslarge-scalePRSanalysisthatwill enableustocalculatePRSagainstthousandsofdiseasesandcomparethoseresultstothegeneralpopulation.WeusedGWASfrom theGWASCatalog,andweusedADNI/ADNSPtoquantifydiseaseriskandimprovethevalidityindiversepopulations.Weare currentlyexploringhowthePRSassociatedwithAlzheimer'sdiffersamong3differentGWAS.Weplantocombinethescores throughdifferentmeanssuchastakingtheaverageandthencomparingthecombinedscoretothegeneralpopulationto determineifitismoreaccurate.WeanticipatethataveragingthePRSfromthestudieswillbemoreaccuratethanusinganysingle study,eventhoughtheremightbelargediscrepanciesbetweenindividualstudies.Thisresearchmattersbecauseitwillimprove Alzheimer'sriskpredictionforallpopulationsandenhanceourabilitytodetectindividualswithelevatedriskforthisdisease regardlessoftheirgeneticancestry.Also,itcouldbeusedinconjunctionwithotherclinicalmeasurementstoprioritizeindividuals forfollow-upmonitoring.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

PFAS:DECREASINGEXPOSURETHROUGHEDUCATION

Clark,Amelia

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 129

Facultymentor(s): Dr.DawnBrewer,Dr.JuliePlasencia,andDr.NasreenOmran

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Per-andpolyfluoroalkylsubstances(PFAS)arepollutantsfromasyntheticmaterialusedincommercialproductsforitsoilandwater repellantcharacteristics.PFAShavebeenutilizedsincethe1940'sandareubiquitousintheenvironmentduetotheirresistanceto decomposition.Oftenincludedinitemssuchasteflonpansandfoodpackaging.ElevatedPFASlevelsinhumanserumhavebeen associatedwithanarrayofnegativehealthoutcomesincludingbutnotlimitedto:highcholesterol,thyroiddisease,andimmune dysfunction.IngestionisamajorrouteofexposuretoPFAS.PFAScandirectlycontaminatefoodandwatersourcesandindirectly contaminatefoodfromfoodpackagingmaterial.TheaimofthisstudyistoevaluatethecurrentliteratureforPFASrelatedhealth outcomesandexplorecurrenteducationalmaterialavailabletothepublic.Thisstudyconcludedthatthereareeducationmaterials availabletothepublicbutmorematerialsneedtobedevelopedforKentuckyspecifically.

COLLEGIATESTRESS:COMPARINGSTUDENTATHLETESANDNON-ATHLETES

Clark,Amelia

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 130

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:Manystudentsfaceanincreaseinresponsibilityastheyentercollege.However,studentathletesfaceadditional responsibilitiesallocating33hoursperweektotheirsport(NCAA).Previousstudiesevaluatedstresslevelsinstudentandstudent athletesseparatelybutfewcomparethetwo.Thisstudyhypothesizedthatcollegeathleteswouldreporthigherscoresofstress thannonathletes.Objective:Theaimofthisstudywastoidentifylevelsofstressincollegestudentsandexploresourcesofstress.

Methods:ThiswasapilotstudyconductedattheUniversityofKentuckyonlineviaQualtricsandincludedfreshman-fifthyearsfrom anymajorandsport.Thevalidatedperceivedstressscalewasusedtomeasurestress.83participantswereincluded:24athletes and59nonathletes.Thestudyalsoincludedquestionstoqualitativelyexploregreatestcontributorstostressandpotential interventions.Results:Averagestressscoreswerecalculatedforathletesandnonathletes.AT-testconductedonExceldetermined therewasnosignificantdifferencebetweenathletesandnonathletes(p=0.86)eachscoringinthemoderatestresscategoryofthe perceivedstressscore.Groupshadequivalentclinicaldiagnosesofanxietyanddepressionanddidnotsignificantlyimpactresults.

Conclusion:Whilenosignificantdifferencewasfound,thisstudyraisesquestionsforfuturestressinterventionforbothathletesand nonathletes.Manystudentsindicatetheywouldbemorelikelytoattendnon-traditionalstressinterventions(ex.yoga,mindfulness, dogtherapy).Futureresearchcouldexplorehowteamsupportandphysicalactivitymaymediateathletes'stress.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EATINGDISORDERPREVALENCEAMONGUNIVERSITYOFKENTUCKYNUTRITIONSTUDENTS

Colella,Jordan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 131

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:Eatingdisordersarequicklycomingupinconversationsaroundcollegestudents.Studentsandprofessionalswithina fieldrelatingtowhattoeat,howtoeatit,andwhentoeatit,wouldseemasoneofthemostsusceptiblepopulationstoaneating disorder.Thegoalofthisstudywastoseeifstudentsstudyingnutritioninalargeuniversityweremorelikelytohavedisordered eatingbehaviorscomparedtothosenotstudyingthistopic.Methods:Thiscross-sectionalstudyhadasamplesizeincluded55 studentsoutsideofnutritionand35withinnutrition.71ofallthestudentssurveyedwerefemale,16weremales,and3identified asnon-binaryorathirdgender.Avalidatedquestionnairewasusedtomeasurelikelinessofeatingdisorderbehaviors.Scoresofthe studentsinnutritionandnotwereevaluated,andat-testwasusedtodeterminestatisticalsignificance.Results:Thequestionnaire scoreofnutritionstudentscomparedtonon-nutritionstudentswasnotstatisticallysignificantwithap-valuegreaterthan0.05. Discussion:Thisstudywaslimitedinitssmallsamplesize.Itisconsistentwithmanyothersimilarstudiesdoneatvarious internationalschoolsinthattherewasnotastatisticallysignificantdifferentintheeatingbehaviors,especiallythoserelatingto disorderedeating,ofstudentswithinanutritionfieldofstudentandthoseoutsideofthisfield.Conclusion:Thefindingsofthe studycannotbegeneralizedtothepublicasthesamplesizewassosmall.However,thelackofstatisticalsignificanceinthisstudy mayguidefutureresearchinhowtobesttreateatingdisordersamongthosestudying,in,oraroundthefieldofnutrition.

EXAMININGTHEROLEOFCULTURALCOMPETENCYINNURSINGEDUCATIONANDPRACTICEIN IMPROVINGVETERANOUTCOMES

Conn,Michael

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 132

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ElizabethSalt

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background/Objective:Theabilityofhealthcareproviderstoprovideculturallycompetentcareisessentialforthedeliveryof qualitycaretodiversepatientpopulations.Similarly,effortstoincreasedculturalcompetencyisneededtoovercomehealthcare disparitiesandimproveservicestailoredtomarginalizedgroups.Veteransareadistinctivepopulationwhoexperienceissueswith qualityhealthcareduetoalackoftailoredculturalandpopulation-specificcare,likelyduetothelackofhealthcareprovider understandingoftheirneeds.Veteransareaunique,yetsignificant,populationwhosehealthcareneedsmightnotbeconsistent withthoseofthegeneralpopulation.Thisstudyexaminescurrentliteraturetoidentifyopportunitiesineducationandpracticethat canbeleveragedbynursingprogramsandnurseemployerstoimproveculturalcompetencyandoutcomesforveteransseeking healthcareintheciviliansetting.Methods:AliteraturesearchofmultipledatabaseswereconductedutilizingMeSH-relatedEnglish words,including,"culturalcompetency","veteranhealthcare","patient-centeredapproach"and"healthcareeducation";employing thePreferredReportingItemsforsystematicreviewsandmeta-analyses(PRISMA)guidelines,multiplestudieswereidentifiedand screened.Results:Ourreviewofpublishedliteratureidentified13studiesthatfocusedonbuildingveteranculturalcompetencyin nurseeducationandclinicalpractice;anadditional9articleswerereferencedforsupplementation.Thestudiesinnursingeducation interventionsidentifieddiversecurriculardevelopment;recruitmentoffacultywithmilitarybackgroundsandexperiences; veteran-focuseddevelopmentopportunities;veteransimulations;casestudies;andopportunitiesforindividualizedengagementas keytodevelopingmilitaryculturecompetencyinstudents.Thestudiesonclinicalpracticesettingidentifiedexposuretoveterans, continuoustraininganddevelopmentofnurses,implementationofevidence-basedpracticeprotocols,andgreaterleadership supportasessentialincreatingaculturallycompetentnursingworkforcecapableofeffectivelyservingveterans.Conclusions:The studiesreviewedsupportveteranandmilitary-centricculturalandpracticeeducationasameansforimprovingnurseandprovider preparednessincaringforveteranandmilitarypatientsintheciviliansetting,thusimprovingoutcomes.

Keywords:Veteranhealthcare,culturalcompetence,educationcurriculum,healthcarepractice

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EXAMININGTHEDIETQUALITYANDCARDIOVASCULARRISKFACTORSAMONGGUATEMALAN IMMIGRANTS

Cooper,Heather

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 133

Facultymentor(s): Dr.NasreenOmranandDr.JuliePlasencia

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

CardiometabolicriskfactorsareassociatedwithpoordietqualityintheUS.Thereislittleinformationonthedietqualityandhealth statusofGuatemalanimmigrantsintheUnitedStatesandtheirhealth-relatedriskfactors.Thisstudyexaminestherelationship betweendietquality,measuredthroughtheHealthyEatingIndex(HEI)andcardiovascularriskfactorsincludingTypeIIDiabetes, hypertension,andobesity.Asecondarydataanalysiswascompletedfromdatacollectedinaclinicalsettinginanewsettlement state.Datawascollectedthroughmedicalcharthistory,socio-demographiccharacteristics,andanthropometricmeasures.Two groups,HigherHEIScoreandLowerHEIScore,werecreatedusingthemediantotalHEIScoreanddescriptivestatisticswere performed.The19participantswhoidentifiedasGuatemalanwereincludedinthisstudy.ThemeanTotalHEIwas54.31,whichis slightlylowerthanthatofAmericans,58.Additionally,themajorityoftheparticipants,73.68%,werewomen,andhadcompleted lessthanahighschooleducation.Nosignificantdifferencesbetweendietquality,cardiovascularriskandsociodemographicfactors wereobserved.ThismaybeduetothesmallsamplesizeandhomogeneityoftheGuatemalanparticipantsinthestudy.Future studiesshouldexamineiftherearedifferencesindietqualityandcardiometabolicriskfactorsamongthoseconsumingaWestern dietpatterncomparedtothoseconsumingatraditionalGuatemalandietpattern.

EFFECTSOFSLEEPFRAGMENTATIONONMOUSEMODELOFCEREBROVASCULAR HYPOPERFUSIONANDALZHEIMER'SDISEASE

Cryer,Carlie

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 134

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JoshMorganti

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Together,vasculardementia(VD)andAlzheimer'sDisease(AD)representasignificantdiseaseburdenontheagedpopulation. Experiencingdisruptedorfragmentedsleepisacommonco-occurrenceinbothofthesediseases.Inthisstudy,wesoughtto determineiftherewereadditiveeffectsofvasculardementiaandsleepfragmentationonthesizeand/orspatialdistributionof amyloidplaques,oneofthepathologicalhallmarksofAD.Tomodelthesediseases,weutilizedasurgicalmethodofbilateralcarotid arterialstenosis(BCAS)inmicewithmutationsinfivedifferenthumanizedproteinsassociatedwithamyloiddeposition(5xFAD)that developAlzheimer's-likepathologybeginningat4monthsofage.Wethenmodeledfragmentedsleepbykeepinganimalsawakefor onehour,fourtimesaday,foronemonth.Amyloidplaqueswerephenotypedinthehippocampusandcortexfromcollectedtissue usingadigitalpathologyplatform,HALO.Totalplaqueburdenwasmeasuredinadditiontoquantifyingplaquesofvarioussizes.We foundthattheeffectofarterialstenosisorsleepfragmentationaloneresultedinincreasedamyloidplaqueswhencomparedto controlADanimalsandtakentogether,resultedinthegreatestloadofplaques.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

COLLEGEMAJORANDEATINGDISORDERSINUNIVERSITYOFKENTUCKYSTUDENTS

Day,Bridgette

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 135

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:Astudylookingatcollegestudentsfound13.5%offemalesand3.6%ofmalesscreenedpositiveforaneatingdisorder, howeverlessthan10%ofthemhadbeendiagnosedwithone(Eisenbergetal.,2011).Itisimportanttoidentifystudent populationsatriskofeatingdisordersinordertoeffectivelyintervene.Onewaytoidentifypopulationsatriskistoseeifthereisa connectionbetweencollegemajorandeatingdisorders.Thisstudysoughttodetermineiftherewasadifferenceinpositivescreens foreatingdisordersincollegestudentswithhealth-relatedmajorscomparedtonon-healthrelatedmajors.Methods:Inthis cross-sectionalstudy,276participantscompletedanonlineQualtricssurveyincludingtheSCOFFquestionnaire,avalidated screeningtoolforeatingdisorders.Allparticipantswereundergraduatestudents.Results:59.9%ofparticipantswerefemaleand 43.1%weremale.32.7%wereinahealth-relatedmajorwhile67.3%wereinanon-healthrelatedmajor.Resultsshowedthat27.1% ofstudentsinhealth-relatedmajorsand21.1%ofstudentsinnon-healthrelatedmajorsscreenedpositiveforaneatingdisorder. UsingaChi-squaretest,itwasdeterminedthattherewasnotasignificantdifferenceinpositivescreensforeatingdisorders betweenhealthandnon-healthrelatedmajors(χ2=1.38,df=1,p=0.24).Outofthe66studentsthatscreenedpositive,only10had previouslybeendiagnosedwithaneatingdisorder.Themostcommonbarrierstoreceivingadiagnosiswere"DidnotknowthatI mayhaveaneatingdisorder"and"Stigmaofeatingdisorders."Conclusion:Whilemajormaynotbeapredictorofeatingdisorders, therearestillotherpossiblepredictorsthatneedtobethoroughlystudied.Inthemeantime,screeningforeatingdisordersamong collegestudentsshouldbeincreasedsostudentswitheatingdisorderscanbemoreeasilyidentifiedandtreated.

EXPLORINGTHEROLEOFHYPUSINATEDEIF5AONTDP-43PATHOLOGYAND NEUROINFLAMMATIONINATDP-43TRANSGENICMOUSEMODEL.

Desai,Rohan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 136

Facultymentor(s): Dr.Maj-LindaSelenica

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

AccordingtotheNIH,approximately600uniquebraindisordersimpact50millionAmericans.Thecytoplasmicaccumulationand inclusionsofTARDNA-bindingprotein(TDP-43)arehallmarksoftwodiseasesinparticular:Alzheimer'sDiseaseand Limbic-PredominantAge-RelatedTDP-43Encephalopathy(LATE).EukaryoticTranslationInitiationFactor5A(eIF5A)istheonly eukaryoticproteinthatundergoesapost-translationalmodification:hypusination.Thismodificationoflysine(K)tohypusine (hypk50)occursthroughtheenzymaticactivityofdeoxyhypusinesynthase(DHS)anddeoxyhypusinehydroxylase(DOHH).Our laboratoryhasreportedthatthispathwaydirectlyregulatesTDP-43accumulationinstressgranules,phosphorylationand aggregation.ThisstudyinvestigatestheeffectsofinducedeIF5AhypusinationviaAAV-directedDHS/DOHHoverexpressionon TDP-43pathology,neuroinflammation,andbrainmetabolisminaTDP-43transgenic(TAR)mousemodel.Weobservedinduced hypusinelevelsinADandTDP-43transgenicmousebrains.OuranalysisalsoindicatedinductionofeIF5Ahypusinationfollowing bothAAV-eIF5AandAAV-DHS/DOHHinjectionincortexandhippocampuscomparedtoemptycapsidinjection(p<0.001). ConsideringthepublishedeffectsofhypusinatedeIF5Aonperipheralmacrophages,weinvestigatedtheireffectonIBA-1(+) microglialburden,revealinganincreaseinIBA-1(+)microgliainTAR4micebutnotfollowingeIF5AandDHS/DOHHoverexpression. AnalysisofmicrogliamorphologyshowedincreasednumbersofameboidprofilesfollowingbothAAV-eIF5AandAAV-DHS/DOHH (p<0.01vs.p<0.001).WeobservedvastalterationsinTDP-43cytoplasmicinclusionsinAAV-DHS/DOHHinjectedmicecomparedto ECandAAV-eIF5Amice.TDP-43inclusionpatternswerecomparabletothosedescribedinFTD/ALS/LATEhumandisorders. Mechanistically,wereportthatinducingeIF5AhypK50impairedmitochondrialrespirationandATPproductionviainhibitionof pyruvateentrytoTCAcycle.ThisstudyprovidesevidencefortheneuroinflammatoryeffectsofhypusinatedeIF5AinaTAR4mouse modelandrevealsthemechanismbywhichthismodificationregulatesTDP-43pathology.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

BUPRENORPHINEUSEISASSOCIATEDWITHHIGHERDENTALCARIESACROSSADIGROUPS

Dong,Anna

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 137

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MarciaRojas

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:BuprenorphineiscommonlyprescribedforthetreatmentofOpioidUseDisorder.In2022,theFDAreleasedawarning thatlinkedbuprenorphinetooraldiseases.However,theavailableliteraturemainlyincludescasereportswhicharesubjectto selectionbiasandinadequatepower.Thisprojectaimedtoinvestigatetherelationshipbetweenbuprenorphineanddentalcaries andthechangesinthisrelationacrosslevelsofdeprivationusingtheAreaDeprivationIndex(ADI).ADIisameasureofdeprivation, whichreflectssocioeconomicdisadvantagebasedoncensusblocks.Method:Achartreviewidentified4993patientswhocameto theCollegeofDentistrybetweenJune2021andSeptember2022.Theirdemographic,medicalhistory,andtoothfindingsdatawere extracted.ADIdatawereobtainedfollowinginstructionsbasedontheNeighborhoodAtlaswebsite.IndependentT-test,Chi-square test,andANOVAwereusedtodeterminetheassociationbetweenthevariables.Alinearregressionanalysiswasconductedto determinethevariables(ADI,buprenorphine)thatpredictedtotalnumberofcariescontrollingforageandsex.Results:Themean agewas40.45(13.72)with59.1%beingfemales(n=2952)and64.9%(n=3239)beingWhiteand84.6%(n=4224)beingNotHispanic, Latino/a,orSpanishorigin.Therewere32(0.6%)patientstakingbuprenorphine.ThemeanADIwas4.13(2.7).Themeannumber ofcarieswas4.96(5.02).TherewerenosignificantdifferencesinthebuprenorphinedistributionacrossADI(p=0.94).Caries numberincreasedastheADIincreased(p=0.001).Conclusion:Theeffectofbuprenorphineonoraldiseasedoesnotseemtobe associatedwithADI.However,theextentoforaldiseaseisdirectlyassociatedwithADI.

INVESTIGATINGTHEPATHOLOGICALEFFECTSOFTDP-43ONBRAINMETABOLISMAND NEUROVASCULARCOUPLINGINATDP-43TRANSGENIC(TG)MOUSEMODEL

Gazula,Meghana

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 138

Facultymentor(s): Dr.Maj-LindaSelenica

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:TDP-43proteinopathyisacontributingpathogenicfactorthatcorrelateswithearlycognitivedeclineandseverityof Alzheimer'sDisease(AD)andLimbic-PredominantAge-RelatedTDP-43encephalopathy(LATE).Ourlabdemonstratedthat overexpressionofTDP-43resultedinsignificantinfiltrationofmouseIgG,CD3+,CD4+Tcellsalongwithendothelialandpericytic activation,indicatingblood-brainbarrier(BBB)permeability.Amajorbiologicalquestionishowincreaseddemandforneuronal activityevokesbloodflowandvasculatureresponsesinneurodegenerativediseases.ThisstudyinvestigateshowTDP-43pathology affectsglialactivation,BBBpermeability,neuronalactivity,andneurovascularcouplinginTAR6/6mice.Methods:Animalmodel: TAR6andTAR6/6mousemodelsexpresswild-typehumanTDP-43.HomozygousTAR6/6micemanifestTDP-43cytoplasmic inclusionsandphosphorylatedaggregates,impairedmotorneurons,functionaldecline,andearlymortality. Immunohistochemistry:TotalTDP-43expressionwasmeasuredusingapolyclonalrabbit(Proteintech,1:50,000)antibody. NeurodegenerationwasmeasuredusingBiotinylatedNeuN(EDMMillipore,1:30,000)antibody.Behavior:Sanders-Browncenter onAgingRotarodwasusedtodetermineTARcolonymotordefects.Subjectsbalanceonastationaryrodand,subsequently,a rotatingrodat10rpm.Thelatencytofallundertherotatingrodwasrecorded.MultiphotonImaging:Micewereinjectedintothe BarrelCortexwithAAV9-GCAMP8f,acalciumfluxindicator.Results:IHCanalysisrevealedincreasedTDP-43positivecytoplasmic accumulationinTAR6/6micecomparedtoheterozygousTAR6,non-Tglittermates.TheinclusionpatternsofTDP-43were comparabletoFTD/ALS/LATE.NeuNshowedTAR6/6micehadreducedcorticalandhippocampalneuronallayers.MotorFunction impairmentwasconfirmedbybehaviortestingTAR6/6mice.MultiphotonimagingshowedthatTDP-43pathologyinTAR6/6mice increasedneuronalactivity,andsignificantmutedvascularresponsewasrecorded,suggestingneurovascularuncoupling. Conclusion:DatasuggeststhatTDP-43pathologysignificantlyaffectsneurovascularfunctionnecessaryforbrainmetabolic processesandneuroprotection.ResultssupportfutureresearchinvestigatingtheBBBfunction,includingendothelium,astrocytes, andpericytes.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

SEXDIFFERENCESEXISTINTHEDENDRITICCOMPLEXITYOFADULTBORNHIPPOCAMPAL NEURONS

Glover,Ashley

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 139

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KathrynSaatman

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Followingatraumaticbraininjury(TBI),adulthippocampalneurogenesisisstimulated.Hippocampalneurogenesisislinkedto memoryandlearningperformance.TraditionallyTBIstudieshavealmostexclusivelyfocusedonmalemice.Sexdifferencesexistin theregulationofneurogenesisandneedtobeexaminedasaphysiologicalvariableinposttraumatichippocampalneurogenesis. Therefore,ourobjectivewastofirstexaminenaïve(uninjured)miceforsexdifferencesintheregulationofadultneurogenesisand inthemorphologyofadult-bornhippocampalneurons.WeusedtransgenictdTomatoreportermicetogeneticallylabel Ascl1-expressingneuralprogenitorcells.Naïvemicereceivedtamoxifeninjectionsat8weeksofage.Afterwaiting6weekstoallow neuronstomature,micewereeuthanized.Miceweretranscardiallyperfusedwithfixativeandbrainsremovedandfrozen.The numberofmature,tdTomato-positiveneuronswerecountedinthedentategyrusgranulecelllayerof40-micronthickcoronal sectionstakenfrommale(n=6)andfemale(n=10)mice.Nosignificantdifferencewasfoundintheoverallnumberofmature, adult-bornneuronsbetweenmaleandfemalemice.tdTomato-labelingpermittedvisualizationoftheneuronaldendriticarboras wellastheneuronalsoma.Thus,Schollanalysiswasusedtoexaminedendritelengthandbranchingcomplexity.Adult-borngranule neuronsinnaïvemalemiceexhibitedlessdendriticcomplexityat50-100umfromthecellsomathandidgranuleneuronsinnaïve femalemice.Inconclusion,althoughnumbersofadult-borngranuleneuronswereequivalentformalesandfemales,sex differencesexistinthecomplexityoftheirdendriticarbors.Thismayhaveimplicationsforneuronalconnectivityandisimportantto considerwhenexaminingsexdifferencesinneurogenesisinthecontextofCNSinjuryordisease.

DIETARYINTAKEAMONGSTSTUDENTSATTENDINGAPREDOMINANTLYWHITEINSTITUTION

Gonzalez,Maria

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 140

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:Anindividual'sdietaryintakecanbeimpactedbyavarietyoffactors,suchastheirlocation,thefoodculture surroundingthem,andwhatisaccessible.Dietaryintakeandhabitsofstudentsattendingapredominantlywhiteinstitution(PWI) canleadtodietarychangesforsome,andnochangesforothers.Therehasbeenagapinresearchregardingdietacculturationand itsimpactsonstudentsattendingaPWI.Thestudyaimedtodetermineifthereisacorrelationbetweenastudent'shealth/dietary intakeandtheirrespectedacademicinstitution.Methods:Thiscross-sectionalstudywasconductedintheformofanonlinesurvey fromQualtricsgiventostudentsattheUniversityofKentucky,classifiedasapredominantlywhiteinstitutionbasedonthecurrent demographicsofthestudentpopulation.Participantpool:Theparticipantswereallundergraduatestudents,rangingfromfirst yearstofourthyears.Asurveywasdistributedamongststudentsthatcontainedquestionsregardingtheirdietaryintakeforeach recognizedfoodgrouppriortoandwhileattendingtheUniversityofKentucky.Thesurveyquestionsincludeddairy,grains,protein, fats,vegetablesintakepriorandduringattendance,home-cookedmealsoccurrences,campushousingexperienceandthe participant'sculturalbackground.Results:Duringthemonth-longcollection,67responseswereobtainedandonly55responses wereincludedinthedataanalysis.TheparticipantpoolconsistedprimarilyofindividualsidentifyingasWhite/Non-hispanic,and fourthyears.DatawasanalyzedusingQualtricsandSPSSregression,andconcludedthattherewasnostatisticalsignificance (p-value=.219)betweenculturalbackgroundandoverallchangeindietaryintake.Limitationstothisstudywouldbesamplesize, with55completedresponses.Astrengthofthisstudywouldbethatitisdiverseinitsparticipantpool.Conclusion:Furtherresearch ontheimpactsofdietacculturationoncollegestudentsisneededtobestsupportstudents'health.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEEFFECTOFNANOPARTICLESIZEONIMMUNOMODULATIONFOLLOWINGSPINALCORD INJURY

Hague,EmmaGrace

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 141

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JonghyuckParkandDanielKolpeck

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Traumaticprimaryspinalcordinjury(SCI)initiatessecondaryeventsthatcausepermanentlossoffunctionbelowthelevelof damage.Asakeysecondaryinjury,theinflammatoryresponseininitiatedinpartbyaninfluxofcirculatinginnateimmunecellsto thesiteofinjurywheretheyreleaseinhibitoryfactors,contributingtoadditionaltissuedamageandneuronaldeficitsafterSCI. PreviousdataindicatedthatPoly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid(PLG)-basednegativelycharged500nmnanoparticles(NPs)directinnate immunecellstothespleenandreduceintraspinalinfiltration,whichdirectlydecreasesdamagetoneuraltissue.Inaddition,some NP-positivecellswithintheinjurydirectlypromoteapermissiveenvironmentbyinducingpro-regenerativephenotypesleadingto functionalrecoveryafterSCI.TheaimofthisprojectwastoinvestigatetheeffectsofNPsizeonimmunomodulationafterSCI. Initially,theefficacyoftwosizesofNPs(100nmand500nm)wastestedthroughexvivoexperimentation.Wecreatedaclinically relevantT-10contusiveSCIusinganInfinitehorizonimpactor(50kdyn)inamouse.Bloodwasthencollectedfromthemousevia cardiacpunctureat1,3,or7dayspostinjury(DPI).Immunecellswerethenisolatedfromthebloodandincubatedwitheither controlorNPs(100nmand500nm).TheimmunomodulatoryeffectsofthevariousNPswasexaminedusingqPCR.The pro-inflammatorycytokinesexaminedincludeIL-6,IL-1ï ¢,iNOS,andTNF-ï ¡.Theanti-inflammatorycytokinesexaminedinclude IL-10,IL-13,CD163andCD206.Ourpreliminarydatahasshownagreaterincreaseinanti-inflammatorycytokineexpressionwith theuseof500nmNPscomparedto100nmNPs.Collectively,ourstudywillprovidekeyphysiochemicalparametersofNPsto designclinicallyviableimmunotherapeuticNPsnotonlyforSCIbutforotherimmuneresponsemediateddiseases.

CHARACTERIZATIONOFTHET253IGERMLINETP53MUTATIONIDENTIFIEDINAPATIENTWITH ADRENOCORTICALCARCINOMA

Halilovic,Berina

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 142

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JohnD’Orazio,NathanielHolcomb,andHongPu

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

An8-month-oldpatientwasadministeredatKentucky'sDanceBlueKentuckyChildren'sHospitalHematology/OncologyClinic presentingwithanAdrenalCorticalCarcinoma(ACC).Whenthistypeofcancerisseeninachildofyoungage,itismostcommonly associatedwithLi-FraumeniSyndrome(LFS).70%ofpatientswithLFShaveafamilialmutationintheTP53gene,whichisatumor suppressorgene.WiththesuspicionofLiFraumeniSyndrome(LFS),thepatientwentthroughgeneticscreeningwhichrevealedthe heterozygoticmutationofp53T253I.ThismutationhaspreviouslybeenreportedonClinVar,anNIHrepositoryforgenomic variationsandtheirrelationshipwithhumanhealth.Themutationthatthischildpresentedhasonlybeenidentifiedasavariantof uncertainsignificance(VUS)buthasnotbeenassociatedwithLFSdirectly.Thegoalofthisprojectistoprovetheassociationofthis mutationwithLi-FraumeniSyndrome,sowesoughttoassaythefunctionalconsequenceofp53T253I.Toreplicatethecellsneeded forthisproject,westablytransfectedp53CRISPRdeletedHEK293cellswithp53wildtypeorp53T253Itotesttheirabilitiesto complementthep53deficiency.Thewildtypep53cellsshowedfullcomplementationofp53-dependentDNAdamageresponse, whilethep53T253Iwasunabletocomplementthesecellswhichsuggeststhatitisanon-functionalvariantofp53.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ANALYZINGFREQUENCYOFHOME-COOKEDMEALSANDDIETARYSTATUSAMONGCOLLEGE STUDENTS

Hamilton,Alyssa

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 143

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Purpose:Collegeisapointwheremoststudentshavecompletefreedomoverthefoodstheyeatforthefirsttime.Therehasbeena risingconcernofthecorrelationofobesityandotherdiet-relateddiseaseswiththedeclineineatinghome-cookedmeals,mostly duetoincreasesinconveniencefoodsanddecreasedaccessibilitytowhole,freshfoods.Onepopularfast-foodchainclaimedthat morethan15%oftheirrestaurantswerelocatedoncollegecampuses,andbusinesswasdoingexceptionallywell.Thegoalofthis researchwastodetermineifhome-cookedmealsplayaprotectiveroleindietaryqualityintocollege.Methods:Participantswere assessedthroughaself-reportedsurvey,whichincludedaMediterraneandietscorequestionnaire,avalidatedtooltoassessdiet quality.Datawasanalyzedtoassesstherelationshipbetweenstudentswhorespondedthattheyreceived5ormorehome-cooked mealspriortotheircollegeexperienceincomparisontostudents'dietqualityandfrequencyofhome-cookedmealsduringtheir collegeexperience.

Results:Thissamplepopulationconsistedof51femalesand15males.Amajorityofthesubjectsrecordedthattheyconsumedfive ormorehome-cookedmealsperweekpriortotheircollegeexperience,and3-4home-cookedmealsduringtheircollege experience.ResultswerestatisticallyanalyzedusingthePearsonCorrelationwhereanRvalueof0.2wasestablishedforthe correlationbetweenMediterraneanDietscoreandthenumberofhome-cookedmealsthatrespondentsrecordedduringtheir collegeexperience.Conclusion:Thisstudysuggeststhatcookingmealsathomeposessomecorrelationwithdietaryqualityalbeit weak.However,furtherresearchshouldbedoneusingalargersamplesize.

GREEKLETTERSOCIETIESANDTHEIRASSOCIATIONWITHPHYSICALACTIVITY

Holland,Jackson

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 144

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Greeklettersocialorganizationshavereceivedincreasedmediaattentionassociatedwithnegativeeffectsofinvolvementsuchas druguse,bingedrinking,smoking,andhazing.However,littleattentionhasexploredthepositiveeffectsofinvolvementinaGreek organization.Oneparticularpositiveassociationarethepositivementaleffectsassociatedwithsocialinteractionandfeelingof belonging.Apartfromthis,potentialpositivephysicalhealthbenefits,suchasphysicalactivity,remainsunknown.Therefore,this studywasconductedtoidentifyapotentialdifferenceinphysicalactivity(PA)inGreekandnon-Greekstudents.Demographicand quantitativedatawascollectedviaacross-sectionalsurveyabouttypeandtimeparticipatinginPAandmembershipinGreek societieswithparticipantsbeingundergraduatestudents(n=59)fromtheUniversityofKentucky.Surveylinkwasdistributedonline throughgroupchatsanddirectlyviatextmessage.Thesampleconsistedof25femalesand31males,majoritywhite(n=51),and31 participants(53.4%)claimedmembershipinaGreeksociety.Chi-squaretestswereusedtodetermineassociationinmembership andtypeofPA(vigorous,moderate,andlight).Thevalueswere𠜲2=.013,.003,.171forvigorous,moderate,andlight respectively.Independentt-testswereperformedtodetermineassociationinmembershipandamountofPA.Greekmembers averaged.12hoursmorevigorous(p=.122),.05hoursmoremoderate(p=.566),and1.06hourslesslightactivity(p=.241).Fromthe statisticaltests,noneproducedanystatisticallysignificantresultswhichcanbeexplainedbythelowresponserateandsmallsample size.Nevertheless,theseresultsindicatethatmembershipinGreeksocietiesdonothavearelationshipwithPA.Moreresearchcan bedonewithalargersamplesizeorthroughotherindicatorsofphysicalhealthsuchassleep,dietquality,ornicotineuse.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

C2ANDNRP1ASSOCIATEDWITHWORSEOUTCOMESINISCHEMICSTROKES

Ihsan,Fizra

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 145

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KeithPennypacker

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

DiabetesMellitus(DM)isaleadingcauseofdeaththatcanincreasethechancesofhavinganAcuteIschemicStroke(AIS).C2and NRP1playamajorroleinthepathogenesisofAISandincreaseriskforT2DM.ThegoalofthisstudyistoanalyzetheeffectofC2 andNRP1onpatientswithAISfollowingmechanicalthrombectomy(MT).Thecollectionofsystemicandintracranialbloodsamples wereobtainedthroughtheBloodandClotThrombectomyRegistryandCollaboration(BACTRAC)protocol (www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT03153683)attheUniversityofKentucky.ThesampleswereanalyzedbyOlinkProteomicsforprotein expression.Pearson'scorrelationswereusedtodetermineassociationsbetweenproteomicexpression,A1Clevels,andstroke outcomes.AhigherA1CatadmitcorrelatedwithhighermRS(r=0.30,p=0.01),NIHSSatdischarge,(r=0.25,p=0.04),C2levels (r=0.318,p=0.0043),andNRP1levels(r=0.333,p=0.0027).C2andNRP1expressioncorrelatedwitheachother,(r=0.5185, p0.0001).C2expressionshowedapositivecorrelationwithinfarctvolume,r=0.227,p=0.046.NRP1hadanegativecorrelation withNIHSSatdischarge(r=-0.2256,p=0.057).AgreaterchangeinbloodglucoselevelsfromadmittotimeMRIcorrelatedto increasedNRP1expression(r-0.3743,p=0.0006)andworsecognitionat90days(r=.0.3521,p=0.03).Ourdataindicatesthat patientswithelevatedA1ClevelshadincreasedNRP1andC2levelsandareatanincreasedriskofhavingworsenedstroke outcomes.NRP1levelsshouldbemonitoredcarefullyforpatientswithoutglucoseadherence.C2andNRP1shouldbeevaluatedas potentialtherapeutictargetsforAISinT2DMpatients.

ACOMPARISONOFTHEDEMOGRAPHICSANDRECEIPTOFPSYCHOLOGICALSERVICESINPATIENT WITHAUTISMSPECTRUMDISORDERANDAUTISMSPECTRUMDISORDERWITHCONCOMITANT DEPRESSION

Johannsson,Jessica

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 146

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ElizabethSalt

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:Autismspectrumdisorder(ASD)isadevelopmentdisorderaffectingbehavior,communicationandsocial functioning.[1]ThosewithASDarefourtimesaslikelytoexperiencedepressionwhencomparedtothegeneralpopulation.[2] PsychologicalservicesarearecommendedtreatmentapproachforthosewithconcomitantASDanddepression.Yet,barriersto receiptofservicesexist(e.g.,accesstocare).Purpose:TodescribethedemographicdistributionofthosewithASDaloneandwith concomitantdepression;comparethereceiptofpsychologicalservicesbetweenracial/ethnic,ruralversusurbanresidenceand gender,anddescribepredictorsofreceiptoftherapyinpatientswithASDandASD/Depression.Methods:Usingdeidentifiedclaims dataforpatientencountersbilledtoUKHealthcareusingICD-10codesforASDanddepressionfrom2015-2022.Extracteddata includedgender,age,sex,race,ethnicity,RuralUrbanContinuumCodesalongwithcurrentproceduralterminologycodesfor psychologicalservices.[3]WhitneyMannUtest,chisquaretestofassociationandlogisticregressionmodelingasusedinthe analysis.Results:ThosewithASDanddepressionweresignificantlyolderandfemale(p<.001).Theywerealsomorelikelytoreside inanurbanarea(p<.001;Table1).Older(p<.001)females(p=.012)residinginurbanareas(p<.001)withdepression(p<.001)were significantlymorelikelytoreceivepsychologicalservices(Table2).Predictorsofthereceiptofpsychologicalservicesincludedolder age(p=.006),urbanresidence(p<.001)andconcomitantdepression(p<.001)(Table3).Conclusion:Wehaveidentifiedadisparityin thereceiptofpsychologicalservicesforpatientswithASDanddepressionresidinginruralareas. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ANESTHETICREQUIREMENTSOFRED-HAIREDINDIVIDUALS

Laughter,Judy

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 147

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinCooper

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Anesthesiahasbeenaroundforcenturiestohelpindividualsremainunawareofthesurgicalproceduretheyareundergoing.There aremanyroutesofadministrationanesthesiologistsusetoplacetheirpatientsinaninunconsciousstate.Someoftheseroutes includeintravenouslyandbyinhalation.Everyindividual'sbodyisunique,resultinginthedoseofanesthesiatheyaregiventobe uniquelycraftedtotheirbodyaswell.Morerecently,individualswithredhairhavereportedahighdemandforanincreaseddose ofanesthesia.RedheadshaveamutationintheirMelanocortin1Receptor(MC1R),whichimpactsthetypesofmelaninthey produce.Thismutationultimatelyresultsintheirredhaircolor.Individualswithredhairpossessdifferencesintheirpainthresholds aswell.Proteins,suchasproopiomelanocortin(POMC),havearoleinanindividual'spainthresholdduetotheamountsof hormonestheproteinssynthesize.Studieshaveshownindividualswithredhairrequireanincreasedamountofdesflurane comparedtoindividualswithdarkerhaircolors.Investigationsintothemechanismsbehindpainthresholdshavealsoaidedinthese reportsbyredheadedindividuals.Currentphysiciansinthefieldofanesthesiologydescribethattherearenocurrentclinical implicationsforhowtheMelanocortin1Receptorandproteinslikeproopiomelanocortincouldaffectthenervoussystemandthe amountofanesthesiagiventoindividuals.Understandinghowgenemutationsandproteinsynthesiscanaffecttheamountof anesthesiaindividualsreceiveishighlycrucialforthecarepatientsreceive,aswellasthedoctorswhoareprovidingthatcare.

IMPROVINGHEALTHANDWELLBEINGAMONGSTAFFINKENTUCKYINNURSINGHOMESTHAT FACILITATEBINGOCIZE

Lunsford,Jada

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 148

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MelindaIckes

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganization,burn-outistheresultof"chronicworkplacestressthathasnotbeen successfullymanaged,"andcharacterizedbythreecategories:"feelingsofenergydepletionorexhaustion;increasedmental distancesfromone'sjob,orfeelingsofnegativismorcynicismrelatedtoone'sjob;andreducedprofessionaldeficiency."Burnoutat workcannegativelyaffectsomeone'shomelifebycausingfatigue,headaches,andcontributingtootherhealthriskbehaviors.

Purpose:Basedonself-reportingburnout,healthoutcomes,andinterestinhealthgoalsbystaffmembersatnursinghomes, researchwasconductedtodetermineareasofhealthneededforimprovementintheirhomelifeanddecreasingburnoutatwork. Thesefindingswillbeusedtosupportthedevelopmentofhealthprogramsthatwillimprovehealthandwellbeing.Methods:By partneringwith21nursinghomesthatparticipatedintheBingocizeprogramacrossKentucky,staffdatawerecollectedthroughan onlinesurveypriortoanytraining.Thesurveyincludedself-reportedhealthoutcomes,includingburnout,self-efficacyinchanging healthbehaviors,andoverallhealthgoals.Results:Atotalof42participantscompletedthesurvey.69%ofwhichhavebeenintheir currentposition4yearsorless.Overhalf(57%)ofparticipantsindicatedthatthey"never"or"almostnever"experiencedburnout attheirjobwithinthepastmonth,with43%reporting"sometimes"or"fairlyoften".Mostparticipantsindicatedtheiroverall healthgoaloversixmonthswastoexerciseandloseweight.Conclusion:Whilethemajorityofparticipantsexperiencedminimal burnoutintheworkplace,ahighpercentageindicatedsomeburnoutdependingonhowlongsomeonehasbeenintheircurrent job.Thus,preventingburnoutatworkbysupportingemployeehealthgoalsshouldbeaprioritybecauseofaddedbenefitslike reducingstressanddepressionandcausingemployeestobeenergizedabouttheirwork.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

BLOODPRESSUREMEASUREMENTSNEGATIVELYASSOCIATEDTOAREASOFDEPRIVATIONIN KENTUCKY

McWhorter,Anna

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 149

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AngelaGrubbsandDr.MarciaRojas-Ramirez

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:IntheUnitedStates,47%ofadultshavehighbloodpressureand39.9%ofKentuckyadultsdo.Thesenumberswould beevenhigherifundiagnosedhypertensionwereincluded.Wehypothesizedthatthoseinareasofhigherdeprivationwillbemore likelytohavehighbloodpressuremeasurements.Thisproject'saimwastodetermineiftherewasarelationshipbetweenthearea ofdeprivationindex(ADI)andbloodpressuremeasurementsinKentuckyadultsthatvisitedacommunityclinic.Methods:Achart reviewidentified20,731patientswhovisitedacommunityclinicbetweenJune2021andSeptember2022.Theirdemographics, bloodpressuremeasurements,andmedicalhistorydatawereextracted.ADIdatawereobtainedfollowinginstructionsbasedon NeighborhoodAtlaswebsite.Bloodpressurewasclassifiedas:normal,elevated,stage1hypertension,andstage2hypertension. Results:Themeanageofparticipantswas42.2(13.7)with57.3%beingfemales(n=11,874),over67%(n=13,979)beingWhiteand 84%(n=17,409)beingNotHispanic,Latino/a,orofSpanishorigin.ThemeansystolicanddiastolicBPwas128.1(SD=17.8)and80.7 (SD=11.7)respectively.Over77%ofthesamplehadaBPmeasurementoutsidethenormalrange.ThemeanADIwas4.16(2.7).As ADIindexincreased,sodidtheBPmeasurements(p=0.002).IndicatingthatareaswithhighestdeprivationalsohadthehigherBP measurements.Conclusion:ADIreflectsonmanysocioeconomicdisparitiesthataffecthealthoutcomes.HighBPisamajorrisk factorforchronicdiseasessuchasstroke,heartdisease,etc.Ourstudyhighlightedthelinearrelationshipbetweenincreasesin bloodpressureandADIindex.Thisassociationcanbeduetoaccesstocare,accesstohealthyfood,reducephysicalactivity,and manyotherriskfactorsthatoccurredastheareaofdepravationindexincreases.Inthefuture,moreresearchneedstobedoneon thistopicatalargerscale.

CHARACTERIZATIONOFTHERENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONESYSTEMANDCLINICAL PARAMETERSINPREGNANTWOMENWITHDIABETES

Megibben,Addie

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 150

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobinShoemaker

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:DiabetesMellitus(DM)isassociatedwithadversematernalandfetalhealth.IndividualswithDMduringpregnancyare morelikelytoexperiencepre-eclampsiaandnegativelong-termhealtheffects,butthemechanismslinkingpre-andpost-natal maternalhealtharepoorlyunderstood.Therenin-angiotensin-aldosteronesystem(RAAS)isacriticalregulatorofcardiovascular functionsandplaysasignificantroleinthephysiologyofnormalpregnancy.Thisstudy'spurposewastocharacterizetheeffectsof DMontheRAASandotherclinicalparametersduringpregnancy.Methods:CollaboratingwiththeDivisionofMaternal-Fetal MedicineattheUniversityofKentucky,subjectswereenrolledinthefirsttrimesterandprospectivelyfollowedforthedevelopment ofpre-eclampsiaandotheradverseoutcomes.Weexaminedn=128subjectsandsplitthemintofourgroups:T1DM(n=22),T2DM (n=15),GDM(n=14),andcontrol(n=73).Clinicalparametersandmaternalbloodwerecollectedthroughoutgestationandoutcomes wererecordedatdelivery.Results:ThosegroupsassociatedwithmetabolicdisturbanceshadthehighestBMIthroughout gestation.ThosewithGDMhadthehighestdiastolicbloodpressure(DBP)andsystolicbloodpressure(SBP).Interestingly,T2DM wastheonlygroupexhibitingadecreaseinSBPandDBPbetweenthesecondandthirdtrimesters.Risingreninandaldosteroneare hallmarksofahealthypregnancy.AldosteronelevelsofthecontrolgroupandtheT1DMgroupincreasedatthesamerateover gestationbutwerelowerinT1DM.T2DMandGDMgroupssawlessofanincreaseinaldosteronelevelsbetweenthefirstthird trimesters.Onaverage,reninlevelsdecreasedovertimeforindividualswithpre-gestationalDM,whileincreasingforthosewith GDMandnoDM.TheGDMgrouphadthehighestreninlevelsthroughoutgestation.Conclusions:Ourdatasuggestalterationsin thenormalactivityoftheRAASduringpregnancymayprovideinsightintothehealthofpregnanciescomplicatedbydiabetes.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

CODESIGNCOMPREHENSIVECONNECTEDCANCERCAREPROGRAM:AQUALITATIVEANALYSISOF PARTICIPANTNOTES

GriffinNemeth,PhoebeMcCowan,KailynMoran

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 151

Facultymentor(s): Dr.Ming-YuanChih

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Background:CancerpatientsinKentuckyexperienceavarietyofchallenges.ThisprojectaimstodevelopaComprehensive ConnectedCancerCare(C4)program,consistingofremotescreening,patientandfamilynavigation,andpatientandprovider educationtomeetvariousneedsofcancerpatientsandtheirfamilies.Methods:Thisanalysisisbasedon24participants'responses inaco-designstudioinDec.2022.Participantswereassignedtablestofosterinteractionamongpatients,communitymembers, andproviders.Writtenresponsestoco-designactivityquestionswerecodedandsummarized.Results:Participantresponseswere usedtoanalyzecommonthemesstretchingpatientaccesstoresources,benefitsanddrawbacksoftechnology,andtechnological adaptationsforcancercare.Participantsproposedthatapersonalized,centraldatabaseofresourceswouldbebeneficialfor utilization,andthatnavigatorreferralandeasyaccesstotechnology-basedresourceswasbest.Accessibilityandknowledge deficiencieswerecitedasbarrierstotechnologyincorporation;however,increasedprovideraccountabilityandflexibility,and enhancedpatientautonomy,security,andassistivecommunicationrelievedassociatedstress.Participantsidentifiedanideal applicationasbeingaccessible,easilynavigable,personalized,andvisuallysimple.Thesignificanceof"closingtheloop"ofreferrals wasalsoemphasized.Participantsstressedtheneedforenhancedpatient-providercommunicationinanappcompatiblewithEHR systems.Conclusion:Theco-designstudioenablesprogramdevelopmentaligningwithpatients'idealsandcapabilities,and providerinterests.Futurestudioswillfocusonimprovingrecruitmentandparticipation,andsolicitingideasorganizedfromthis studio.

THEAPPLICATIONSOFDIGITALPATHOLOGYINTHESTUDYOFCEREBRALSMALLVESSELDISEASE:

QUANTIFICATIONOFVESSELMORPHOMETRICS

Phe,Panhavuth

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 152

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PeterNelson

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Cerebralsmallvesseldisease(CSVD)referstoaheterogeneousgroupofconditionsthatadverselyimpactbrainmicrovessels.CSVD pathologygenerallyinvolvesmicrovesselwallthickening,luminalimpingements,anddecreasedelasticity.Thesepathological changesareassociatedwithmanyclinicalmorbiditiesofCSVDincludingcognitiveimpairmentandParkinsonism.Despiteits underlyingassociationwithvasculardementiaanditslargepublichealthimpactontheelderly,researchbreakthroughsregarding CSVDarelagging.WhereasotherdementingdiseasessuchasAlzheimer'sdisease(AD)andLewybodydementiahavewidely acceptedneuropathologicalandclinicalcriteria,lackingconsensuspersistsintheCSVDdomain.Consequently,theabilityof translationalandclinicalsciencetoeffectivelyrespondtothediseasehasbeenimpeded.Thisstudyapplieddigitalpathologic methodstoachieveincreasinglyrigoroushistopathologicalassessmentsofmicrovessels.Digitalpathologyprovidestheadvantages ofwholeslideimaging(WSI),automation,andincreasedthroughput;however,therepersistchallengespreventingitswidespread adoption.Weanalyzedbrains(n=108)fromtheUniversityofKentuckyADResearchCenter(UK-ADRC)autopsycohortbiobank. Hippocampalandfrontalcortical(BrodmannArea9)sectionswereimmunostainedforsmoothmuscleactin(SMA)andCD34. Digitallyscannedphotomicrographswerethenproducedandanalyzedusingimageanalysisalgorithmstoyieldmorphometric parametersforvesseldensity,lumenarea,andvesselwallperimeterandthickness.Thesedatamaybecorrelatedwithclinicaland comorbidpathologicaldata.Weconcludethatdigitalpathologyrepresentsapromisingfuturedirectionforrigorouslyevaluating CSVDpathology. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

FREQUENCYOFCHILDHOODFAMILYMEALSANDPARENT-ADULTCHILDRELATIONSHIPSIN COLLEGE

Piipponen,Elizabeth

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 153

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JessicaHoulihan

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Purpose:Collegeisoftenatimewhenrelationshipswithfamilymembersevolve.Investigatinghowpracticesinchildhoodimpact theserelationshipsisimportanttodetermineifthereisawaytoimprovetheirstrength.Researchhasshownhowfamilymealscan haveanimpactonchildren'srelationshipsandtheirfamily,friends,andpeers.Gap'sexistinintheareaofhowfrequencyoffamily mealsasachildimpactsqualityoffamilialrelationshipslateroninlife.Thepurposeofthisstudyistodetermineifthereisan associationbetweenthefrequencyoffamilymealsthatUniversityofKentuckystudentsatewiththeirfamiliesgrowingupandthe qualityoftheirrelationshipswiththeirparents.Methods:Inthiselectroniccrosssectionalstudyparticipantswererecruitedfrom theUniversityofKentucky.ThesurveyasksquestionsaboutfrequencyofmealsduringchildhoodandutilizestheParentAdult-Child RelationshipQuestionnaire(PACQ)toassessrelationshipsbetweenaparentandanadultchild.Results:The110participants reportedameannumberofmealsperweekeatenwithatleastoneotherfamilymemberof6.4meals.Toanalyzethisdata,a Pearsoncorrelationwascalculatedtoassesstherelationshipbetweenthefrequencyoffamilymealsandparentadult-child relationshipquestionnairescoreresults.WhenresultsoftotalscorefromthePACQandreportedaverageofthenumberofmeals eateneachweekwithfamilywereruninaPearsoncorrelationaRvalueof0.0837wasobtained.Conclusion:Resultssuggestno correlationbetweenthenumberofmealseatenperweekwithfamilyduringchildhoodandthestrengthoftheparentchild relationship.Althoughsamplesizewaslimited,investigatingthistopicwithmoreparticipantsandinalongitudinalstudymay producesignificantfindings.

DOESGENDERAFFECTTHEASSOCIATIONBETWEENMEALTIMINGANDMETABOLICRISK?

DharaniRamaiah,LoganBarber,ShivamPatel

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 154

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliePendergastandDr.JMatthewThomas

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Intermittentfastinghasrecentlybecomeapopulardietaryintervention.Timedeatinginterventionsweredevelopedbasedon studiesshowingthatlongovernightfastsareassociatedwithimprovedmetabolicriskfactors,suchasdecreasedwaist circumferenceandbodyfatpercentage.However,whetherassociationsbetweenovernightfastingdurationsandmetabolicrisk factorsvarybygenderhasnotbeenwellstudied.Thegoalofourstudyistodeterminewhethergenderaffectstheassociationsof fastingdurationandmealtimingwithmetabolicriskfactors.Wewillcollectdatafrom72participantswhodonotparticipateinshift workorhaveaphysicalconditionthatpreventsmeasurementsofbodycomposition(pacemaker,pregnancy).Wewillcollect gender,age,andrace/ethnicity.Wewillmeasuremetabolicparameterssuchasheightandweighttocalculatebodymassindex (BMI)aswellaswaistcircumference.Wewillusebioelectricalimpedanceandanthropometricmeasurestodeterminebodyfat percentage.First,wewillanalyzethewholedataset(allgenders)todetermineiffastingintervalsandtimeoffirstandlastmealsare correlatedwithBMI,waistcircumference,andbodyfatpercentage.Then,wewillanalyzegender-stratifieddatatodetermineif genderaffectstheseassociations.Studyingtheeffectsofgenderonassociationsbetweenfastingdurationandmetabolicrisk factorscanprovidesex-specificrecommendationsforinterventionstoimprovemetabolicrisk.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

DEVELOPMENTOFAGENOMICVARIANTDATABASETOAIDINLOCALPOPULATIONVARIANT ANALYSIS

ColemanReed,LukeOlsen,andCaylinHickey

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 155

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JustinMiller

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Bioinformaticsisagrowingfieldthatisimprovingtheclinicaldiagnosisofrareandlocalizeddiseases,andUniversityofKentucky HealthcareprovidesreportingofpatientsgenomicvariantsthroughtheClinicalGenomicsCorepipeline.Thesereportsareprovided toclinicalphysiciansbutonlyonaper-patientbasis.Whilethisisalreadyhelpfultophysicians,thepipelineismissingawayto analyzehistoricaltrendsinvariantreporting.Large-scaleanalysisofgenomicvariantscanallowformoreefficientandeffective diagnoses.Wearedevelopingadatabaseandassociatedpipelinethatallowsfortheaggregationofthelocalpopulation'sgenomic variants,inordertomaketheClinicalGenomicsCorepipelinemoreeffective.Thisdatabasecontainsallofthegenomicdatafrom patientsofUKHealthcare,processedfromtheClinicalGenomicsCorepipeline.Thedatamaybeuploadedinbulkorasneeded throughauser-friendlywebapplicationprogramminginterface(API),whichhasautilityforgeneticcounselorsandpathologiststo accessthedatabase.MuchofthedatabaseisbuiltonScout,anexistingbioinformaticsdatabaseframework.Scoutwasbuiltforthe analysisofgenomicvariantsandincludesbuilt-indatabasefeatures,userportals,andanalysistools.Thecreationofthedatabase enableslarge-scaleanalysisofvariants,suchaspatternandtrendrecognitioninthelocalpopulation,leadingtomoreefficientand effectivediagnoses.Patientdemographicinformationisalsoincludedalongsidetheirgeneticdata,allowingforfurtherspecific analysesandpersonalizedmedicalcare.ThisdatabasecouldaidintheClinicalGenomicsCorepipelineinthebuildingofvariant reports,reducingtimespentinmanualreviewbyprioritizingputativecausalgenomicvariants.Itwillalsoincreasethe reproducibilityandaccuracyofthesereports.Furtherresearchisenabledthroughthecompletionofthedatabase,asitdevelops infrastructureforqueryingpopulation-specificbiasesuniquetoUKHealthcare.

FUNCTIONALCOMMUNICATIONFORINDIVIDUALSWITHAPHASIA:ALITERATUREREVIEW

TaylorRoberts,StephanieMays,SydneyHopper,KaydenBroking,CarolineHensley

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 156

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristenPage

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Communicatingthoughtstofamily,friends,andacquaintancesisanobstacleforindividualswithchronicaphasia.Day-to-day interactionsoftendiminish,reducingcommunicationopportunitiesandconfidence.Speech-languagepathologistsaimtorestore communicationabilitiestoreducethepotentialforisolationandsocialwithdrawal.However,thesecommunicationobstaclesoften persistafterdismissalfromtherapy.Therefore,additionalinformationisneededtoupdateandguidecliniciansindesigningtherapy sessionsandmeasuringoutcomesoffunctionalcommunicationapproachestoenhancelifeparticipationforindividualswith aphasia.Thissystematicliteraturereviewaddressestheeffectivenessofafunctionalcommunicationapproachtotherapyfor personswithaphasiaafterthefirstsixmonthspost-stroke.Functionalcommunicationinvolvescommunicatingusinganymodality (speech,writing,signing,gestures,drawing)ineverydayreal-lifesituations.Threetrainedresearchersreviewedtheeffectsof functionalcommunicationonpersonswithaphasia(PWA)andcommunication,PWAandqualityoflife,andcaregiversandquality oflife.Weexaminedpeer-reviewedarticlespublishedbetween2012and2022intheUnitedStateswithinthreeelectronic databases.Eachstudytargetedfunctionalcommunication.Thesearchyielded4articleswith161PWAand63caregivers. Interventionsinvolvedgroupand/orindividualtherapyrelatedtonaturalisticcommunication,totalcommunication, multidisciplinarypracticewithphysical,occupational,andspeechtherapy,aswellasexercise,cooking,painting,andmusic.For PWA,outcomesshowedsignificantchangesinlinguisticmeasuresaswellasimprovedqualityoflife.Caregiversreportedless caregiverburden.Resultsshowthatavarietyoffunctionalcommunicationstrategiesimpactlifeparticipationforindividualswith aphasiaandtheircaregivers.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

SIMONSAYS:USINGSECONDARY-TASKREACTIONTIMETESTSTOMEASURECOGNITIVELOAD ASSOCIATEDWITHSPEECHMODIFICATIONS

JuliaSamenuk,RachelWeaver,CorinneWing,OliviaStevens,ChristyKirkham

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 157

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KeikoIshikawa

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Voicetherapyisacommonapproachfortreatingindividualswithvoicedisorders,butcurrently,thereisnowaytomeasurethe attentionaldemandassociatedwithusingtherapytechniques.PreviousresearchhasvalidatedtheSimontaskasatoolfor evaluatingvisuospatialattention,cognitivecontrol,andmotorplanningbasedonreactiontimeanderrorrate.Performanceonthe SimonTaskmayhelpdetermineourpatient'sreadinessforintegratingthetherapytechniquesintotheireverydaycommunication. Thisproof-of-conceptstudyaimstoexaminethefeasibilityofmeasuringtheattentionaldemandsassociatedwithvoicetherapy techniquesusingtheSimonTask.Ourhypothesisisthaterrorrateswillbecomegreaterandreactiontimeswillbecomelonger whenthepersonisusingdifferentvoicetechniques,comparedtocompletingtheSimonTaskinsilence.Theparticipantsofour studyare15collegestudentswithhealthyvoices.ParticipantsareaskedtoperformaSimonTaskwhilecountingnumbersin differentspeakingconditions:silence,conversationalspeech,whispering,andclearspeech.Eachspeakingconditionisrepeated threetimesinarandomorder.Theresultsshowthatthemeanreactiontimeissignificantlylongerinwhisperingandclearspeech comparedtothebaseline(silence)andconversationalspeech.Thepreliminaryfindingsofthisstudysuggestthepotentialofusing secondarytaskreactiontimeasaproxyformeasuringtheattentionaldemandsofvoicetherapytechniques.

EXAMININGTHEINTERACTIVEEFFECTSOFCHRONICPAINANDPOSTTRAUMATICSTRESS DISORDERSYMPTOMSONALCOHOLUSEDISORDERANDMOTIVESFORDRINKINGAMONG INDIVIDUALSENGAGINGINNON-MEDICALPRESCRIPTIONOPIOIDUSE.

Siegel,Zachary

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 158

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristalBadour

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Symptomsofposttraumaticstressdisorder(PTSD)arepositivelyassociatedwithsubstanceusedisorders,specificallyalcoholuse disorder(AUD)andopioidusedisorder(OUD).Additionally,chronicpainhasbeenstudiedatlengthasitrelatestoOUDandPTSD. Specifically,OUDisprevalentamongthosewhoexperiencechronicpainandhavePTSD.Whiletheserelationshipshavebeenfirmly established,furtherresearchisneededtoexplorehowthecombinedeffectsofchronicpainandPTSDrelatetoco-useofalcohol amongpeoplewithOUD.Thisresearchquestionisvitalasthecombinationofalcoholandopioiduseinrelationtochronicpainand PTSDcouldincreaseriskofoverdoseanddeath.Ifwecanbetterunderstandthefactorsperpetuatingproblemalcoholuseamong thispopulation,wecanthenstudywaysinwhichwecanlimittheharmfuleffectsofthesecombinedsubstanceusedisorders.The primaryaimsofthisstudyaretoexamine1)whetherPTSDsymptomsarepositivelycorrelatedwithproblemalcoholuseamong nonmedicalprescriptionopioiduserswithOUDand2)PTSDsymptomsaremorestronglylinkedtoproblemalcoholuseamong individualshighinchronicpain.Thedataanalyzedinthisstudywasoriginallycollectedforaparentstudyinvestigating associationsbetweenPTSDsymptomsandprescriptionopioiduse.Participantsincluded39adultswhohaveclinicalorsubclinical PTSDandOUDasmeasuredbytheClinicianAdministeredPTSDScaleforDSM-5(CAPS-5)andthesubstanceusedisordermoduleof theMiniInternationalNeuropsychiatricInterview(MINI).TherewasnosignificantassociationfoundbetweenPTSDsymptomsor chronicpaingradeandAUDdiagnosisormotivesfordrinkingamongnonmedicalprescriptionopioidusers(allp>.05).Therewas alsonosignificantinteractionfoundbetweenPTSDsymptomsandchronicpaingradeonAUDdiagnosisoranyofthefourdrinking motives(allp>.05).

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

RELATIONSHIPBETWEENDIETQUALITYANDCARDIO-METABOLICRISKFACTORSAMONGCUBAN IMMIGRANTS

Singh,Seema

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 27

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JuliePlasencia

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:Poordietqualityisassociatedwithcardiometabolicriskfactors,suchastype2diabetes,especiallyamongHispanic LatinogroupsincludingCubanimmigrants.Therearemanyfactorsthatimpactdietquality,suchasethnicidentity,genderroles, acculturation,andlifestylefactors.Purpose:Thisstudyexaminedtherelationshipbetweendietqualityandcardio-metabolicrisk factorsamongCubanimmigrants.Methods:Thissecondarydataanalysisuseddatafromelectronicalmedicalrecords, anthropometricmeasurements,and24-hourrecalls.The2015HealthyEatingIndex(HEI),ameasureofdietquality,wascomputed. AcardiometabolichealthriskscorewascomputedusingriskfactorsofoverweightorobeseBMIcategory,highwaistcircumference, ageabove35yearsold,afamilyhistoryortype2diabetes,highbloodpressurediagnosis,andhighlipids.Twogroups,HigherHEI ScoreandLowerHEIScore,werecreatedusingthemediantotalHEIScoreanddescriptivestatisticswereperformed.Results:The studyincluded51Cubanimmigrants.ThedescriptivecomparisonsfoundthatdifferencesbetweenthetwogroupsforAdequacy andModerationHEIcomponents.ThemeanforthehigherTotalHEIScoregroupwas64.23and44.43fortheLowertotalHEIscore. Amongthedemographicfactors,ageandyearsinUSweresignificantlydifferentbetweenthetwogroups,withahigherageand yearsinUSbeingassociatedwithhigherHEIcategory.Therewerenodifferencesbetweenthecardiometabolichealthriskscoreand otherdemographics.Conclusion:FindingssuggestthatdietqualityishigherwithageamongCubanimmigrants,whichisconsistent withtheHEIscoresforallAmericans.Additionally,thelengthofresidenceintheUSwasassociatedwiththehigherHEIcategory, whichisnotconsistentwithliterature.FuturestudiesshouldexploreaspectsofacculturationandimmigrationofCubansintheUS toidentifyfactorsinfluencedietqualityandcardiometabolicdiseaserisk.

OUTCOMESOFHIGH-LOWTRAININGASATREATMENTFORCHRONICSPINALCORDINJURY Stuart,Connor

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 28

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AnnStowe

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:Athletesutilizehigh-lowtraining(H-L)tomaximizeathleticperformance.H-Linvolvesanexerciseregimendoneunder normoxicconditionspairedwithhypoxicexposurewhennotexercising.Individually,exerciseandhypoxiahavebeenbeneficialin treatingspinalcordinjury(SCI)inrodentmodels.RegularexerciseafterSCIpromotedlocomotorfunctionwhilehypoxicexposure facilitatedrecoveryofrespiratorymotorplasticity.Inhumans,oftheestimated302,000peoplelivingwithSCIintheUnitedStates, respiratorydiseaseisaleadingcauseofdeath.ChronicSCIisalsoprevalentasonly0.6%ofpatientsfullyrecoverand30%ofSCI patientsarerehospitalizedpost-SCI.ThegoalofthisprojectwastotestthehypothesisthatH-Ltrainingimprovesfunctional outcomeswhenimplementedchronicallyfollowingSCI.H-Ltrainingwasexecutedbycombiningvoluntaryovernightexercisewith repetitive,sustainedhypoxia.Methods:38SpragueDawleyfemaleratsunderwentbaselinetrainingbeforereceivingaleftC2 hemisectionandbeingrandomlyassignedtoeitherH-Lorcontrolgroups.At6-7weekspost-injury(WPI),theH-Lgroupunderwent 8weeksoftrainingconsistingof5daysofovernightexercisewheelaccessfollowedbya4-hourexposureto11%oxygen.Functional assayswereperformedat5,9,and13WPI.Terminaldiaphragmelectromyographywasperformedat14WPI,andmultipletissue sampleswerecollectedfromallsubjects.Results:AllH-Lratsexercisedvoluntarily,todifferentdegrees.Preliminaryanalysis showedthatH-Ldidnotinduceanxiety-likebehavior(openfieldassay).MonitoredexercisewheelsshowedthatH-Lsubjectstend toincreasevoluntaryexercisedistanceandspeedovertime.Respiratoryfunction(wholebodyplethysmography)wasnotadversely affectedbythehypoxiatreatment.SensorydysfunctionappearstobeattenuatedintheH-Lsubjectsversuscontrol.

Conclusions:H-LwastoleratedbyratswithchronicSCIandshowspotentialasatreatmentforhumanswithSCI.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

HESAID,SHESAID:EVALUATINGTHECOGNITIVELOADOFSPEECHMODIFICATIONTECHNIQUES USINGTHEAUDITORYSTROOPTEST

RachelWeaver,JuliaSamenuk,OliviaStevens,CorinneWing,ChristyKirkham

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 29

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KeikoIshikawa

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Individualswithvoicedisordersaretypicallytreatedwithvoicetherapy,however,theattentionaldemandassociatedwithusing therapytechniquesisnotyetmeasurable.PreviousresearchhasvalidatedtheGenderAuditoryStroopProcedureasatoolfor evaluatinginhibitoryprocesses,executivecontrolandattentionalprocesses.PerformanceontheGenderAuditoryStroop Proceduremayhelpdetermineourpatient'sabilitytointegratethetherapytechniquesintotheireverydaycommunication.This proof-of-conceptstudyaimstoexaminetheeffectsofgenderinformationonattentionalprocessesusingtheGenderAuditory StroopProcedure.Inthistask,participantsarepresentedwithspokenwordsthatareeithercongruentorincongruentwiththe genderofthespeaker'svoice,andtheirresponsetimesarerecorded.Ourhypothesisisthaterrorrateswillbecomegreaterand reactiontimeswillbecomelongerwhenthepersonisusingdifferentvoicetechniques,comparedtocompletingtheGender AuditoryStroopProcedurewithoutspeaking.Theparticipantsofourstudyare15collegestudentswithhealthyvoices.Participants areaskedtoperformaGenderAuditoryStroopProcedurewhilecountingnumbersindifferentspeakingconditions:silence, conversationalspeech,whispering,andclearspeech.Eachspeakingconditionisrepeatedtwotimesinarandomorder.We hypothesizethatthemeanreactiontimewillbesignificantlylongerinwhisperingandclearspeechcomparedtothebaseline (silence)andconversationalspeech.

ACL-INJURYCONFERSROBUSTQUADRICEPSTRANSCRIPTIONALDEFICITSANDLIMITATIONON MYONUCLEARDOMAINTHATISUNRESPONSIVETOREHABILITATION

Weiss,Helena

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 30

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristopherFry

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Anteriorcruciateligament(ACL)tearsarecommonsport-relatedinjuriesthatleadtoprotractedquadricepsatrophyandweakness thatdonotrecoverdespiterehabilitativeefforts.Althoughmyonuclearlossisacommonfeatureofmuscleatrophy,myonuclear abundanceisunchangeddespitequadricepsmusclefibervolumeatrophyfollowingACL-injury,resultinginadeclineinmyonuclear domain.Thissuggestsmyonucleartranscriptionaldysfunctionmaycontributetoquadricepsmuscleatrophy.Satellitecellsare requiredformyonuclearaccrual,andtheirabundancealsodeclinesanddoesnotrecoverfollowingACLreconstructionsurgery (ACLR).WeaimedtodefineputativemoleculareffectorsofatrophyandweaknessfollowingACL-injurybylongitudinallydefining thequadricepstranscriptome.Vastuslateralismusclebiopsiesandisometricstrengthmeasurementswerecollectedfrom ACL-injuredandhealthylimbs(n=26)immediatelypriorto-,andmultipletimepointspost-ACLR.Individualquadricepsmusclefibers wereisolatedandassayedfor3-dimensionalfibervolumeandmyonuclearabundance.Cross-sectionalareaandsatellitecell abundancewereobtainedviaimmunohistochemicalstainingforlaminin,Pax7,andDAPI.Bulk-tissueRNA-sequencingwas performedtoobtainwholemuscletranscriptionalprofile.Neitherquadricepsmuscleatrophy(ACL-injured:-630.66±171.31µm2, 1-weekpost-ACLR:-1185.63±244.38µm2,4-monthspost-ACLR:-1335.48±197.63µm2,all<0.05vsHealthy)norquadricepsisometric strength(ACL-injured:-39.645±8.51Nm,4-monthspost-ACLR:-86.94±12.91Nm,6-monthspost-ACLR-64.34±12.30Nm;all<0.05vs Healthy)recoveredwithACLRandphysicaltherapy.Myonucleardomainalsodeclined(ACL-injured: -31081±10194µm3/myonucleus,4-monthspost-ACLR-52894±13709µm3/myonucleus;all<0.05vsHealthy)alongwithsatellitecell abundance(ACL-injured:-13.20±14.77%p=0.71,1-weekpost-ACLR:-47.13±9.28%,<0.05,4-monthspost-ACLR-49.54±17.47%, <0.05vsHealthy).Transcriptomeanalysisshowed859and2582genesweredifferentiallyup-anddown-regulated,respectively (adjustedp-value&lt;0.05).Notablydownregulatedpathwaysincludedmusclecontraction,musclecelldifferentiation,andmuscle structuredevelopmentwhichlikelyimpedesrecovery.Thesefindingshighlighttheinitiationofastrikingmolecularprogramwithin quadricepsmusclethatlikelydiminishesitsabilitytorecoverfollowingACLinjury.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ACCESSTOCARDIOVASCULARCAREINRURALKENTUCKY:AREVIEWOFTHELITERATURE

AlyssaWickerandCarlyNecessary

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 31

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KathrynGoldey

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:Accesstocomprehensivehealthservicesiscriticalformaintainingqualityoflife.Unfortunately,accesstocarevaries greatlybygeographiclocation.Individualslivinginurbanareasareoftenaffordedmoreopportunitiesforcheckups,specialized clinics,andquickeraccesstocarewhenneeded.Thosewholiveinruralareasmaystruggletofindadequatehealthcare,duetoa lackoffacilities,limitedtransportationtofacilitiesinnearbycities,orlackofinsurance.Thismaybeparticularlytrueofindividuals withcardiovasculardisease(CVD)livinginruralKentucky,whohavehigherriskofdevelopingcardiovasculardisease,butareless likelytohaveadequateaccessrelatedhealthservices.Purpose:Toreviewtheliteraturerelatedtodisparitiesinhealthcareaccess foradultswithcardiovasculardiseaselivinginruralKentuckyascomparedtourbanareas.Results:AdultslivinginruralKentucky arelesslikelytohavehealthinsurancecoveragethansimilaradultslivinginurbanareas.AdultslivinginruralKentuckyhaveless accesstospecializedmedicine,includingpreventativecareandtreatmentforcardiovasculardisease.Adultswithcardiovascular diseaselivinginruralKentuckyshowdisparitiesinhealthoutcomeswhencomparedwithsimilaradultslivinginurbanareasof Kentucky.Ruraladultshavemorephysicallimitationsandgeneralhealthlimitationsincludinglimitedaccesstoexercise spaces/facilities,feweroptionsforgroceriesandhealthyfoodchoices,andlimitedaccesstoprimarycareandhealtheducation services.Conclusion:Researchdemonstratesacleardifferenceincareforadultswithcardiovasculardiseaselivinginruralvsurban areasofKentucky.Trendshaveshownthatruralresidentsoftendonothaveadequatehealthinsurancetocoverappointments, clinicvisits,orthenecessarymedicinerequiredtomanageorpreventtheseverityofcardiovasculardisease.Theyalsomaynothave accesstoadequatefacilitiestotreattheirconditions,resultinginworsehealthoutcomes.

EXAMININGPERCEPTIONSOFHEALTHYANDSUSTAINABLEEATINGCURRICULUM

Wilson,Christina

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 32

Facultymentor(s): Dr.DawnBrewer,Dr.JuliePlasencia,andDr.NasreenOmran

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

TheUnitedStateshasgrownexponentiallyoverthelastcentury,withapopulationof151.3millionin1950,to333millionin2020. Withprojectionsofaglobalpopulationexceeding9.7billionintheyear2050,thereisincreasingconcernofhowtofeedthis growingpopulation,aswellasdevelopandnurtureasustainableenvironmentforwhichthisfoodistogrow.Sincethe1950s, agricultureandfoodsystemshaveshiftedtoaccommodateagrowingpopulation,whichleadtothedevelopmentofhighcalorie, processedconveniencefoodsavailableforwidespreaddistributionformanypeople.Thishasalsocreatedafoodsystemwhich depletesthesoilofnutrients,contributestopollutionandwaste,andexasperatesclimatechange.Thecostofthisconveniencehas showntohavenegativeimpactsonhumanhealththroughtheburdenofchronicdisease,aswellasenvironmentaldegradation. Giventhatdietaryhabitsaredirectlyrelatedtohealthandenvironmentalsustainability,integratingtheseconceptstoimpact behaviorchangeisanimportantsubjectinpolicydevelopmentformanycommunities.However,thereisalackindevelopmentof communityeducationservicesthatattempttoaddresstherelationshipofconsumerfoodchoicesandtheimpactonhealthand environment.Thisstudyaimedtoexaminetheconceptofconnectinghealthyandsustainableeatingthrougheducationandthe perceptionofthiscontentonadultpopulations.Resultsofthisstudyfoundthatincreasingknowledgeofhealthyandsustainable eatingimpactedparticipantsperception,knowledge,andattitudestowardstheseconcepts.Studiesindicatedthatparticipantshad positiveattitudestowardsmakinghealthyfoodchoices,reducingfoodwaste,andoverconsumption.Overall,educationonhealthy andsustainableeatingwaswellreceived.Thisindicatesaneedformoreresearchtounderstandhowincorporatingtheseconcepts intocommunitiesmayimpacthealthandenvironmentaloutcomesforagrowingpopulation.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EXPLORINGTHEASSOCIATIONBETWEENTOBACCO,DENTALCARIES,ANDAREASOF DEPRIVATIONINADULTSINKENTUCKY

Wright,Kim

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 33

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MarciaRojas

Discipline: Medical&HealthSciences

Introduction:Tobaccoisariskfactorfororaldiseaseonsetandprogression.Moreso,itisalsooneofthemostcommondrugsused aroundtheworld.Dentalcariesisthemostprevalentoraldiseaseandinfluencedbymultiplefactorsincludingdrymouth. Individualswhosmokeexperiencereductionsinsalivaproduction.Finally,cariesandtobaccousemayvaryacrossdifferentareasof deprivation(ADI).Theaimofthisstudywastoexploretheassociationofdentalcariesandtobaccouseacrossareasofdeprivation inadultsattendingacommunityclinicinKentucky.Methods:Aretrospectivechartreviewwasconductedtocollectdatafromthe electronicmedicalrecordEPICbetweenJune2021toSeptember2022.Thedataextractedincludedclinicalanddentalfindings, tobaccouseanddemographics.ADIdatawereobtainedfollowinginstructionsbasedontheNeighborhoodAtlaswebsite.

Results:Atotalof13,858patientswhomettheinclusioncriteriawereidentified.Analysesarecurrentlybeingconductedbutwillbe readyforposterpresentation.Conclusion:Findingsfromthisstudycaninformtheinteractionbetweenaknownriskfactor (tobacco)andtheprevalenceofdentalcariesacrosslevelsofsocioeconomicstatus.

PHYSICALSCIENCESANDASTRONOMY

**CONSTRUCTINGMAGNETICCOILSTOMEASURENEUTRONSELECTRICDIPOLE

GracieBurrows,ZackWasson,LukeCross,GabijaZiemyte

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 14

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChrisCrawford

Discipline: PhysicalSciences&Astronomy

OneofthemostintriguingmysteriesincosmologyistheapparentlackofantimatterremnantsoftheBigBang.Ifaspinningneutron hasintrinsicelectricalpolarization,theassociatedtimereversalasymmetrycouldexplainhowtheantimatterconvertedtomatterin theearlyuniverse.AnexperimenthasbeenconstructedatPaulSchererInstituteinSwitzerlandtomeasuretheneutron'selectric dipolemomentbyobservingthefrequencyofitswobblinginastrongelectricfield.Asetofelectromagneticcoilswasfabricatedto preservethespinoftheseneutronsastheypassthroughtheexperimentchamber.Theirdesignandperformanceasinstalledinthe n2EDMexperimentwillbepresented. **DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

SOCIALANDBEHAVIORALSCIENCES

COMMUNICATINGOPIOIDOVERDOSEWARNINGS:NEEDSOFLOCALOFFICIALS

Allran,Olivia

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 34

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SarahVos

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Background:Aspublichealthsurveillancesystemsimproveindetectingreal-timeincreasesinopioidoverdoses,officialsneedtobe preparedtowarncommunitiesandmitigatefurtherharm.TheabilitytowarnmaybeespeciallyrelevantinstateslikeKentucky, whichhasthesecondhighestdeathratefromoverdoses.Inthisposter,weidentifytheresourcesorganizationsandharmreduction servicesneedtomosteffectivelyandefficientlyrespondtoanincreaseinoverdoses.Thefindingspresentedarepartofalarger projectassessingtheacceptabilityandfeasibilityofanopioidwarningsystem.Methods:Weconducted13semi-structured interviewswith16Kentuckystateandlocalofficialsinvolvedinharmreductionandopioidoverdoseresponse,includingpublic healthofficials,governmentofficials,andemergencyresponsepersonnel.InterviewswerecodedinNVivoandanalyzedusingan iterativephroneticanalysisapproachandconstantcomparisonmethodtoidentifycommonthemes.Inthisposter,wereporton themesrelatedtocommunication.Results:Weidentified3overallthemesrelatedtoorganizations'needsforcommunication materials:examplemessages,messagecontent,anddistributionmethods.Examplemessagesfeaturemapsandgraphics.Message contentincludesactionableitemsandbasicinformation.Traditionalandnon-traditionaldistributionmethodswereincluded. Conclusion:Participantscitedaneedtoengagecommunitymembers,promoteharmreduction,andcollaboratewithnearby countiesandlocalorganizations.Havingpreparedcommunicationmessagesandcleardistributionsystemsinplacebeforetheevent happenswouldincreasetheeffectivenessoflocalresponse.Insightsfromthisstudycancontributetothedevelopmentanddesign ofanoverdosewarningsystem.

PINKORBLUE?ARTORMATH?GENDERROLESANDCHILDREN'SIMPLICITTHEORIESOFABILITY INTHEARTSANDSCIENCES

ChristineAntonyandJuliaTodd

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 35

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MattKim

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

INTRODUCTION.Howindividualsthinkabouttheirabilitiescanshapeacademicbehaviorsandoutcomes.Intelligencemindsetis definedasthebeliefsthatindividualspossessaboutthemalleabilityofintelligence(i.e.,growthvs.fixedmindset;Dweck,2016). Althoughresearchonintelligencemindsethasfocusedongeneralconceptionsofability,studentspossessavarietyofbeliefsand preferencesforspecificsubjectareas,suchasmath/scienceandthearts/humanities(Eccles,2002).Moreover,genderstereotypes suchas"boysaregoodatmath"and"girlsaregoodatart"mightfurthershapethesebeliefsandpreferences(Houston,2021). Therefore,itisimportanttoexaminewhetherchildren'sabilitybeliefsmightalsobeshapedbytheirbeliefsaboutgender.

RESEARCHQUESTIONS.Theresearchquestionswere:(1)Howdoelementary-agedchildrendescribeability-relatedbeliefsin differentsubjectareas—mathandart,and(2)Howdoability-relatedbeliefsrelatetogenderstereotypesinthesesubjects?

METHODSANDRESULTS.Interviewsweredonewith23interviewswithchildren(ages5to11)intheLexington,KYarea.Children weretoldastoryabouttwogender-neutralcharactersengaginginamathorartactivity.Then,childrenansweredquestions regardingtheirbeliefsaboutabilitymindset,genderstereotypes,andintelligence.Seventeenchildren(77%)possessedagrowth mindsetforbothSTEMandartsubjects.Althoughitwashypothesizedthatchildrenwouldhavegenderstereotypicbeliefsabout STEMandart(i.e.,STEMisforboys;writingandartisforgirls),resultsindicatedaheterogenouspatternofgenderedbeliefs. Additionally,childrenbelievedthatthosewhodoSTEMaresmarterthanthosewhodoart.Findingsfromthisstudyrevealthat elementary-agedchildrenpossessdifferentgenderedbeliefsaboutabilityandpreferenceforsubject-specificactivities.Future researchcouldemploylargersamplestovalidatetheresultsfromthissmallsamplequalitativeinvestigation.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

QUANTIFYINGBIOLOGICALSEXINANCIENTBRAZIL

AthieTeruel,Bruno

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 36

Facultymentor(s): Dr.HugoReyes-Centeno

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Previousstudieshaveshownquantitativevariablesofthehumanbonylabyrinthtobesexuallydimorphicandthereforeusefulin osteologicalsexestimation.ThearchaeologicalregionofLagoaSantaintheBrazilianstateofMinasGeraisisnotableforitswide occupationtimeframe,rangingfromtheterminalPleistocenetopost-colonialperiods,anditsexpansivehumanosteologicalrecord. ThisstudythususesasampleofbonylabyrinthendocastsfromLagoaSantatosexindividualsbyapplyingdiscriminantfunctions developedfromthreediversecomparativedatasetsandthencomparingthoseresultstosexingbyotherskeletalmorphologyand genomicmethods.Inaddition,weapplygeometricmorphometricsmethodstovisualizeshapevariationacrosstheLagoaSanta series.OurresultsshowthatadiscriminantfunctiondevelopedfromaNativeNorthAmericanpopulationwasmostsuccessfulin predictingthesexforthesampleofindividualsfromLagoaSanta,with88.89%overallaccuracy(85.71%correctbasedon morphologyand100%correctbasedongenomics).Incontrast,functionsfromotherpopulationsorglobalaverageswereless accurateat33%correctclassification.Inaddition,ourshapeanalysisshowsdifferencesinthesizeofthecochleaandangleofthe anteriorcanalbetweenthesexes.Theseresultshaveimplicationsforthedevelopmentandapplicationofsexdiscriminantfunctions basedonthebonylabyrinth,suggestingthatfurthersamplingisnecessaryinordertoaccountforvariationacrosswide geographicalandtemporalscales.

EXPLORINGMETHODSOFSOFTPOWER:HOWGLOBALPOWERSINFLUENCEDEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Bertram,Benjamin

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 38

Facultymentor(s): Dr.StephenVossandDr.MichaelSamers

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Softpowerreferstoastate'sabilitytoinfluenceothercountriesthroughattractionandcooperationratherthancoercionor inducement.Thetopichasgrowninsaliencyduetotheevolvingnatureofstateinteractions,whichlatelyhavediscouraged resortingtohardpowerandencouragedpeacefuldiscussion.Inthispaper,IemployaframeworkdevelopedbyAlexanderVuving (2009)toanalyzehowgloballypowerfulstatesmechanizesoftpowertoinfluencedevelopingnations.Vuving'sframework distinguishessoft-powerproductionmethodsaccordingtowhethertheyrelyonbenignity(whichmakestargetsgrateful),brilliance (whichimpressestargets),orbeauty(whichunderscoreshowthetargetsharesidealswiththeglobalpower).Ihypothesizethat globalpowersmostoftenwillusethe"brilliance"methodwheninteractingwithdevelopingnations,andtestthathypothesisusing acombinationofprimaryandsecondaryresearchmethods.Iconcludethatmyhypothesisispartiallyconfirmed;powerfulcountries doemphasizethebrilliancestrategy.Nonetheless,theydrawuponbenignityandbeautytoagreaterextentthananticipated.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

LEGALDECISIONMAKINGINDOMESTICVIOLENCECASESBASEDONSESANDGENDERROLES

Besinger,Brooke

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 39

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JonathanGolding

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

JurordecisionmakingisacrucialpartoftheAmericanlegalsystem.Juriesareusedtoensurethatallcitizensreceiveafairand impartialtrial.Whilethisprocessisrespectableintheory,itisnotalwayswithouterror.Allpeoplearesusceptibletobiasand prejudice.Itisvitalthatweunderstandhowjuriescanbeaffectedbydifferentkindsofcases.Thepresentstudyexamineshowjuror decisionmakingisimpactedindomesticviolencecasesbasedupontheincomeofthevictimandperpetratorofacouple.Thestudy useda2(VictimIncome:highvs.low)x2(PerpetratorIncome:highvs.low)x2(ParticipantGender:malevs.female)between participant'sdesign.Thehighincomewaslistedas$150,000andthelowincomewas$20,000.Participants(N=197)readatrial summaryofallegeddomesticviolencecaseinvolvingawomanandherhusband.Afterreadingthesummary,participantsrendered averdictandthenansweredratingquestionsaboutthetrial(e.g.,victimcredibility).BasedonpreviousresearchIhadthree hypotheses:(a)Hypothesis1:maineffectthatLowincomeshouldshowlowerpro-victimjudgments(e.g.,verdict,victimcredibility) thanhighincome.(b)Hypothesis2;amaineffectthatthevictim,shouldreceivehigherratingofbelievabilitythantheperpetrator and(c)Hypothesis3;amaineffectthatwomenparticipantsshouldbemorepro-victimthanmenparticipants.Theresultsshowed nosupportforHypothesis1orHypothesis2.However,Hypothesis3receivedsomesupport--femaleparticipantsweremore pro-victimthanmaleparticipants.Moreresearchwillbeneededtounderstandtheimpactofincomeandgenderpowerimbalances indomesticviolencecases.Forexample,researcherscouldmanipulateincomebyfocusingonpersonalcharacteristicsratherthan yearlysalary.

ABILITYMINDSETBELIEFSOFSTUDENTSATTENDINGARESIDENTIALSTEM-BASEDHIGHSCHOOL PROGRAM

Braun,Claire

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 40

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MatthewKim

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Introduction.IntheUnitedStates,thereisanincreasingtrendforstatestoofferacceleratedresidentialhighschoolprogramsto accommodatetheuniquelearningneedsofgiftedstudents(Roberts,2016).However,therearesomepotentialdrawbacks.For example,studentshaveloweracademicself-conceptswhentheyattendschoolscharacterizedbyhigher-than-averagestudent abilitylevels(Marshetal.,2008);thisphenomenoniscommonlyknownasthe"bigfishlittlepondeffect"(BFLPE).These educationalcontextscanalsoshapeabilitymindsets—thebeliefsthatindividualspossessaboutthemalleabilityofintelligence (Dweck,2011).However,lessisknownabouttheabilitymindsetbeliefspossessedbystudentsattendingacceleratedresidential highschoolprograms.Thepresentstudyaddressesthisgapbyexaminingthefollowingquestions:(1)Whatbeliefsdostudents, whoattendahighlyselective,residential,STEM-focusedhighschool,possessaboutthenatureandmalleabilityofintelligence?(2) Howdostudentsperceivetheimpactoftheresidentialandrigorousacademicaspectsontheirabilitymindset?Methods. Participants(N=68)arestudentsatahighlyselective,two-yearresidentialSTEM-focusedhighschoolprogramlocatedinthe UnitedStates(Roberts,2013).Surveydataonstudents'abilitymindsets(Dweck,1989)werecollected.Researchinterviews conductedwithasmallersampleofstudents(N=11)complementedsurveydatabyprovidingamorenuancedunderstandingof whetherandhowtheBFLPEshapesstudents'beliefsaboutabilitymindset.Analysis.Wewilladoptamixedmethodsapproachby generatingdescriptivestatisticsforsurveydataandinductivelycodinginterviewresponses(Braun&Clarke,2021)inorderto identifyemergentthemesregardingtheinfluenceofresidentialcollegepreparatoryprogramsonstudents'abilitymindsetbeliefs.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

FEARGENERALIZATIONASAMODERATORFORTHERELATIONBETWEENCHILDHOODTRAUMA ANDANXIETY

Brooks,Colson

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 41

Facultymentor(s): Dr.TomAdams

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Background:Anxietyiscommon,butthecausesofdisorderedanxietyarenotfullyunderstood.Childhoodtraumahasbeenshown toincreasetheriskforpsychologicaldisorders,andfearlearningisapotentialmechanismmoderatingthisrisk.Specifically, theoreticalmodelsexpectthegeneralizationoflearnedfearstobepertinenttopsychologicaldisorderscharacterizedbysensitivity toperceivedthreat,suchasanxiety.Methods:Adultfemaleundergraduatestudentswhoendorsedchildhoodtraumaatscreening (n=20)wererecruitedtocompleteafearconditioningandgeneralizationtask.Inthetask,fearresponsesweremeasuredwith electrodermalactivityandUSexpectancyratings.Threat-basedtraumawasassessedwiththephysicalandsexualabusesubscales oftheChildhoodTraumaQuestionnaire(CTQ-SF)andanxietysymptomseveritywasassessedwiththeGeneralizedAnxietyDisorder questionnaire(GAD-7).Results:Participantswereexcludedfromanalysesifskinconductanceresponse(SCR)orexpectancyratings didnotshowdifferentialconditioning(n=8).ThePROCESSMacrowasused.Themaineffectoffeargeneralizationexpectancyon anxietywassignificant(B=2.99,95%CI=.05–5.94);themaineffectoftraumawastrendingtowardsignificance(B=.50,95%CI= -.08–1.09).Theinteractionbetweentraumaandfeargeneralizationexpectancyratingswasnotsignificant(B=.34,95%CI=-.20–.88)butassociationsbetweentraumaandanxietyweremarginallysignificant(p=.07)whenfeargeneralizationwashigh(B=1.01, 95%CI=-.09–2.10).ThemaineffectsandinteractioneffectsoftraumaandSCR-basedfeargeneralizationonanxietywerenot significant(ps>0.23-0.48).Conclusions:Theseresultsshouldbetreatedaspreliminaryfindingsduetothesmallsamplesize.As such,theyarepromisinginhelpingtounderstandtherelationbetweenchildhoodtraumaanddisorderedanxiety.Futureresearch shouldseektoextendthisresearchtoalargersampleandindividualswithdiagnosedanxietydisorders.

QUALITYASSURANCEANDQUALITYIMPROVEMENTWITHINCHILDWELFARE

Dickens,Tarise

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 42

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ElizabethRileyandDr.MichaelCull

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Organizations,suchaspublicchildwelfaresystems,oftendedicatealargebodyofresourcestowardsimprovingtheirsystems,often withspecificgoalsfortheirtargetaudience:improvingoutcomesforchildrenandfamilies.However,withinsystemsimprovement efforts,therearetwodifferentapproaches:qualityassuranceandqualityimprovement.Qualityassuranceeffortsoftenrefersto compliance-basedmetricswithinsystemsactivities,andqualityimprovementfocusesmoreontheimprovingtheactivitiesofbroad systemstobemoreinlinewiththeorganizationalmission.TheNationalPartnershipforChildSafety(NPCS)isapeer-to-peer learninganddatasharingcollaborativeofover35childwelfarejurisdictionsintheUnitedStates,andmembersarefocusedon systemsimprovements.Themainobjectiveofthisstudyistolearnmoreaboutthenatureofqualityimprovementeffortsinchild welfaresystems,usingemployeesworkingwithinNPCSjurisdictionsasasample.Themethodsofthisstudyincludesurveysand follow-upinterviewswithqualityimprovementprofessionalswithinthesechildwelfarejurisdictions.Ultimately,thegoalofquality improvementistoimproveoutcomesforyouthandtheirfamilies,toensurethatthemostvulnerablechildren/youtharesafe withintheirpermanenthomes.Thisresearchiscurrentlyinactivedatacollection,thusresultsarestillpending.However,afull descriptionoftheprojectdevelopmentprocess,studygoals,andpreliminarydatawillbepresentedattheshowcase.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

USINGPHOTOVOICETOUNDERSTANDTHEEFFECTSOFCARINGFORAPERSONLIVINGWITH ALZHEIMER'SORDEMENTIA

AshleyFisherandKennediBeam

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 43

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ElizabethSpencer

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Forthisresearch,photovoicehasbeenappliedasamethodfortheinvestigationoftheeffectsthatAlzheimer'sandDementiahave onparticipants.Whiledementiaisachronicillnessthataffectsthepatient,italsoinfluencesallthefamilymembersrelatedtothe diagnosedindividual.Photovoiceisusedinresearchbyhavingparticipantstakepicturesofissues,emotions,orexperiences,and thensharethemingroupstodiscussthemandidentifythemes.Photovoiceisaparticipatoryactionresearchmethodthatengages participantsintheexploration,identification,andanalysisofaproblemthattheyface.Previousliteraturehasshownthattheuseof photovoiceresearchisaneffectivemethodtovivifysubjectiveexperienceswithchronicpain.Weconductedaparticipatory researchstudyusingphotovoicetoelicitthethoughtsandperspectivesofindividualsandfamilymembersofpersonslivingwith dementia,communicatedvisuallythroughtheimages,theysubmitted.Ourgoalistobetterunderstandtheseexperiences,andhow theyarecommunicatedvisually.Ultimately,wehopethisresearchwillofferinsightintoperspectivesofdementiaandcaregiving, andvisualcommunication,tohonortheseperspectivesandimproveaccesstoresourcesandcareforfamiliesnavigatingthis experience.Thevisualinsightgainedfromthisexperiencealsooffersperspectivesonhowvisualelementscanbetterresonatewith thetargetaudiencesofmessagingcampaigns.

INVESTIGATINGPUBLICCOMMUNICATIONOFLOCALBUSINESSES'SUSTAINABILITYEFFORTSAND INCLUSIONOFPEOPLEWITHDISABILITIES

RileyFortandCaileyBingham

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 44

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ErinHesterandDr.SarahGeegan

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Background:Researchhasshownthatconsumersprefertopurchasefromcompaniesthataddressenvironmentalsustainabilityand committodiversity,equityandinclusion.Companiescommunicatetheseeffortstothepublicthroughcorporatesocial responsibility(CSR)messages.However,companiesrarelyconsiderpeoplewithdisabilities(PWD)intheirsustainabilitystrategies andcommunicationoftheseefforts.Objective:ThegoalofthisprojectwastodetermineifcompaniesincludePWDintheir sustainabilityeffortsandhowtheycommunicatethiswithconsumersviapublicforums.Methods:Weanalyzedallownedmedia (websitesandsocialmediaaccounts)fromasampleof10organizationslistedonGreenCheckLexington,aprogramthatcertifies companieswithexemplarysustainabilityefforts.Wesearchedallownedmediafrom2021and2022andcatalogedallcontent(i.e., webpagecontent,newsreleases,blogposts,videos,CSRreportsandsocialmediaposts)thathighlightedsustainabilityandPWDfor eachbusiness.Results:FewbusinessescommunicatedtheirenvironmentalsustainabilityeffortsorinclusionofPWD.Whilesome companiesdiscusseddiversity,equityandinclusionbroadly,theseeffortswereusuallydistinctfromenvironmentalsustainability efforts.Basedonthesefindings,weprovidedrecommendationsforcompanies'inclusionofpeoplewithdisabilitiesandtheirpublic communicationregardingsustainability.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

IMPACTSOFMINDFULNESSANDPOSITIVEFEEDBACKONAFFECTIVEANDPHYSIOLOGICAL STRESSRECOVERY

BrandenGray,LydiaLambert,KaciePeters,ShelbyHarris

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 45

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KateLeger-MarshburnandDr.JessicaMaras

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Everyhumanhasexperiencedsomedegreeofstressintheirlifetime.Differentfactorscanaffecthowpeoplerespondtostressors andtheratetowhichstressrecoveryoccurs.Forexample,mindfulnesshasbeenshowntodecreasestressresponsessuchas reducebloodpressureincertaingroupsandleadtofasterrecoveryfromnegativeemotionalstates.Thereislessliteratureonthe impactofpositivefeedbackwhenfacedwithastressfulsituation.Thecurrentstudyexaminesbothtechniquesasawayof recoveringfromstressors.Participantswereaskedtofilloutaseriesofbaselinequestionnaires.TheyhadtocompletetheTrier SocialStressTaskwheretheyhadtwominutestopreparea5-minutespeechaboutwhytheywereagoodcandidatefortheirideal job.Following,theyhadtopresenttheirspeechtoapanelofresearcherswhojudgedthemharshly.Afterwards,theywereassigned tothemindfulness,positivefeedback,orthecontrolcondition.Inthemindfulnessconditionparticipantslistenedtoafiveminute guidedaudiomeditation.Inthepositivefeedbackconditionparticipantswerepraisedfortheirspeechandthenrestedforfive minutes.Inthecontrolconditionparticipantsrestedforfiveminutes.Stressrecoverywasmeasuredthroughparticipants'negative affectandbloodpressure,whichwasmeasuredperiodically.Participantsinthemindfulnessconditionshowedbetterstress recoveryspecificallyfornegativeaffectthanthoseinthecontrolandbetterbloodpressurerecoverythanthepositivefeedback condition.Participantsinthepositivefeedbackconditionshowedworsestressrecoveryintermsofbloodpressurecomparedto thoseinthecontrolandthemindfulnesscondition.However,theyratedthetasklessnegativelycomparedtothecontrolcondition indicatingbetterstressrecoverycognitively.Thefindingsimplythatmindfulnessimprovesoverallstressrecoverythrough participant'sphysiologicalresponsesandaffectversustheotherconditions.

COLLECTINGFOCUSGROUPDATASURROUNDINGGENZ'SATTITUDES,BEHAVIORS,ANDBELIEFS SURROUNDINGCHARITABLEGIVING.

MadisonGuay,EmmeSchumacher,SylviaScheuer

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 46

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KimberlyParkerandDr.AdrianeGrumbein

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

ResearchersattheUniversityofKentuckyfiveon-campusfocusgroupstogatherdataonGenZ'sattitudes,behaviors,andbeliefs surroundingcharitablegiving-specificallytothenon-profitorganization,MissionHealthLexington.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

SIBLINGINFLUENCESONABILITYMINDSETANDACHIEVEMENTGOALORIENTATIONSIN

RESIDENTIALHIGHSCHOOLPROGRAMS

Gutierrez-Leiva,Susana

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 47

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MatthewKim

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Certainacademicmotivationtypes,specificallyintelligencemindsetandachievementgoalorientation,areassociatedwithbetter academicoutcomes(Farrow,2020;Mattern,2005).Althoughrecentresearchhasexaminedparentalinfluencesinshapingstudents’ motivation(Gonidaetal.,2009),verylittleisknownaboutthepotentialimpactofsiblingsonthedevelopmentofthese motivationalbeliefs(Alfaro&Umaña-Taylor,2010).Moreover,muchofthisresearchhasfocusedontypicalschoolenvironments, neglectingthegrowthandpopularityofresidentialhighschoolprogramsacrosstheUnitedStates(Robertsetal.,2016). Accordingly,toaddresstheseknowledgegaps,thepresentstudysoughttoanswerthefollowingresearchquestions:(1)Istherean impactofsiblingsonmotivation?(2)Howdoestheageofthesiblingaffecttheassociationbetweensiblinginfluenceand motivation?Researcherscollectedsurveydatafrom54highschoolstudentsattendingacompetitive,residentialhighschool programinKentucky;fiveofthesestudentsalsocompletedaone-on-oneresearchinterview.Intelligencemindsetwasmeasured usinganeight-itemscale.Achievementgoalorientationwasmeasuredbyparticipants’responsestothefollowinginterview question,Didyoudecidetoapplytotheacademybecauseyouwantedtolearnandchallengeyourself,orbecauseyouwantedthe recognitionofbeingpartofaselectgroupofstudents?Researchersassessedsiblinginfluenceonmotivationthroughinterview questionssuchas,Hasyourrelationshipwith[siblingname]influencedhowyouapproachschoolattheacademy?Afterinductive codingofinterviewdata,researcherswillexaminethecorrespondencebetweenstudents’surveydataandtheirinterview responses.Findingsfromthestudywillilluminatehowsiblingsimpactstudents’academicmotivationandwillinformstrategiesfor supportingstudentsuccessinresidentialhighschoolsettings.Researcherscanthenutilizethesefindingstoaidfuturegenerations indevelopingpositiveintelligencemindsets,aswellasgoalorientations.

INDIVIDUALDIFFERENCEFACTORSTHATPREDICTSTRUCTURALEXPLANATIONSOFRACIAL DISPARITYINACADEMICS

Hayden,Madison

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 48

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristiaBrown

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

ExtantresearchhasthoroughlydocumentedtheacademicachievementgapbetweenBlackandWhitestudentsintheUnitedStates (Audetal.,2010;Reardonetal.,2019).Suchdisparitiesarelargelyattributabletostructuraldisparities,suchaslowerlevelsof schoolfunding,fewerqualifiedteachers,andfeweradvancedlevelcoursesatschoolswithlargerproportionsofBlackandLatinx studentsrelativetoWhitestudents(Clotfelteretal.,2005;Edbuild.org,2019;Rumberger&Palardy,2005).Anindividuals' endorsementofsocialdominanceorientation,endorsementofmeritocracy,beliefinajustworld,andracialattitudesmaypredict structuralattributions(Jost,2003;Digidiki,2016;Pratto,1994;Toporeketal.,2005).Hence,thecurrentstudyinvestigatesifthe aforementionedindividualdifferencefactorsaffectthelikelihoodofmakingstructuralattributions.Inthecurrentstudy,we investigatedifindividualdifferencefactorspredictedstructuralattributionsforinequalities.Participants(n=500;Black=17.9%; White=66.4%;Other=15.7%)wererecruitedfromanintroductorypsychologycourseinalargepublicuniversityintheSouthern UnitedStates.Studentscompleteda(a)SDO7scale,(b)BeliefinMeritocracyIdeologyscale,(c)BeliefinaJustWorldscale,and(d) racialattitudescale.Weutilizedaseriesofhierarchicallinearregressionmodels,controllingfortheirfamily'ssocioeconomicstatus (SES),gender,andrace.Toteaseapartanyoverlapinconstructs,eachindividualdifferencevariablewasexaminedinaseparate modelfirst;followedbyanomnibustestofallvariables.AlthoughSDO,F(4,408)=2.592,p=.036,R2=.025,andBMI,F(4,408)= 6.170,p<.001,R2=.058,wereasignificantpredictorofstructuralattributionsintheseparatemodels,onlyBMIexplaineda uniqueamountofintheomnibusmodel,F(3,352)=2.658,p=.048,R2=.022.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

HOWRETURNINGTOPHYSICALCLASSROOMSDURINGTHECOVID-19PANDEMICHASAFFECTED UNIVERSITYSTUDENTS'ACADEMICPERFORMANCEANDMENTALHEALTH

Hutchinson,Natalie

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 49

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SeanBurns

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Overthepastfewyears,thestudentsattheUniversityofKentuckyhaveexperiencedcollegethroughtheperspectiveofaglobal healthcrisis.COVID-19forcedtheworldtogointoatemporarystatis,andmanystudentswereheavilyimpactedbythesudden change.Aspreviousstudiessuggest,studentacademicsuccess,aswellasthequalityoftheirmentalhealth,decreasedthroughthe beginningofthepandemic,butwhataboutafter?Acasestudywasconductedtoseehowstudentswerehandlingin-personclasses aftertheUniversityofKentuckystoppedenforcingsocialdistancingandmaskmandates.Studentmentalhealth,self-defined academicsuccess,andengagementwithprofessorswereconsideredwhendeterminingthequalityoflifeforuniversitystudents. TheresultsofthiscasestudywillgiveinsightforhowtheUniversityofKentuckycanbetterallocateresourcesandservicesforboth studentsandstaffifanotherpublichealthcrisisoccurs.

PERCEPTIONSOFDEMOGRAPHICCHANGE,RACIALHOMOGENEITY,ANDSUPPORTFOR ABORTION

Hwang,Rachel

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 50

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AngelaArmenta

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Right-wingextremistsfrequentlyreferencetheGreatReplacementTheorytojustifyhatecrimesanddiscriminatoryactions.The conspiracytheoryspeculatesthattheWhitepopulationisstrategicallyreplacedbynon-Whiteracesthroughimmigrationand higherbirthrates.Withthenon-HispanicWhitepopulationshowingadeclineforthefirsttimeinthe2020census,individualsmay furtherfeeltheurgencytocounterthischangeinfearthattheirracemaydieoff.OurstudyappliestheCulturalInertiaModel(CIM) tothismindsetandrelatedpublicpolicydisputes,particularlyregardingabortion.CIMarguesthatpeoplewillfighttomaintainthe statusquointhefaceofsocietalchange,whichmayberelatedtoconservativeprotestsagainstabortionsandsame-sexand interracialmarriages.WehypothesizedthatWhitepeoplewouldsupportbanningabortionforWhitepeoplebutnotfornon-White peoplebecausethiscanrevertdemographicstoafavorableimbalance.WerecruitedWhiteUScitizens(oversampling conservatives)viaAmazonMTurkforparticipationintheonlinequestionnaire.Ourresearchhopestoreduceintergrouphostility andunderstandthebroaderimplicationsofcurrentpublicpolicydebatesonthefutureoftheUS.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

INSURERPARTICIPATIONINPOPULATIONHEALTHSYSTEMSANDMEDICAREREADMISSIONS RATES

Kwok,Kelsie

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 51

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RachelHogg-Graham

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Insurersareincentivizedtoparticipateinpopulationhealthinitiativesandbuildpartnershipstoaddressenrolleesocialneedsto reduceutilizationandoffsetcosts.Weusearetrospectivecohortdesignthatfollowsover500U.S.communitiesintheNational LongitudinalSurveyofPublicHealthSystems(NALSYS).Publichealthofficialsreportedontheavailabilityof20corepopulation healthactivitiesintheircommunityandrangeoforganizationsthatcontributed.Datafrom2016and2018NALSYSexamined insurerparticipationinpopulationhealthsystemsandtherelationshipwithMedicareall-causereadmissionrates.Totalinsurer contributionstopopulationhealthactivitiesweretheprimarydependentvariable.Weusedgeneralizedlinearmodelswitha longitudinalspecificationtocontrolobservationsovertime.Datawasalsolinkedwithadditionalsourcestocontrolavarietyof marketandcommunitycharacteristics.Communitiesinoursamplereportedinsurerparticipationin46%ofpopulationhealth networks.Readmissionratesare0.226percentagepointslower(p<0.05)incommunitieswhereinsurersarereportedtohave participated.Ourresultssuggestastrongcorrelationbetweeninsurers'participationincommunitiesandareductioninreadmission ratesforMedicareenrollees.Insurerparticipationinpopulationhealthinitiativesmayplayasignificantroleinreducing readmissions.

CROSSINGPOLITICALDIVIDES:LEARNINGFROMCORBIN,KENTUCKYRESIDENTS

Ledford,Cierra

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 52

Facultymentor(s): Dr.AnnKingsolver

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

PoliticaldivisionsarestronglyentrenchedinthecurrentUSclimate.Inthisproject,Iexploredhowsuchdivisionshavebeen reinforcedthroughsocializationandmedia;whatintergenerationalandhistoricalperspectivescontributetounderstandinghow "echochambers"havebecomesoentrenched;andhowindividualsperceivedivisionslocallyandnationallyandhowtolistenacross divides.IconductedthisresearchasanundergraduateAnthropologyandAppalachianStudiesstudentinmyhomecommunityof Corbin,inAppalachianKentucky.Corbinwasaparticularlypertinentcommunityinwhichtodiscusspoliticaldivisionsbecauseof thehistoryoftheracializedviolenceintheCorbinExpulsionof1919andstrongdebatesinthecommunityaboutwhethertowidely discussandlearnfromthateventanditscontextorwhethertosilencethathistory.Iusedsemi-structuredinterviewstotalkwith membersofthecommunityaboutcurrentdiscussionsofracializedinjusticeinCorbinaswellastheirgeneralviewsonpolitical divisionsandcrossingdividesnationally.Ilearneditispossibletolookatnationalandglobaldivisionsthroughthelensofa semi-ruralAppalachiancommunity,andalsotolearnstrategiesofworkingtogetheracrossdifferencesfromruralresidentsthat couldbeappliedtothenationalandglobalarena.Frommyinterviews,Iobservedcertaintrendsinviewsacrossgenerationsand learnedvaluableinsightsoncommunicatingacrossdivides.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

PIVOTINGRESEARCHINREAL-TIMEINRESPONSETOCLIMATE-CHANGERELATEDDISASTERS:

RESEARCHINGEQUITABLESLEEPTIMEINKENTUCKY(REST-KY)STUDY

Loar,Abbey

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 53

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristalBadour

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

AcontinuouspublichealthconcernintheUnitedStatesisinsufficientsleep,definedassleepforlessthan6hours(Coltenetal., 2006;Gardneretal.,2019).Detrimentalhealthoutcomesduetoinsufficientsleepincludecardiovasculardisease,substanceabuse, cardiovasculardisease,mentalhealthdisorders,neurocognitiveimpairment,obesity,etc.,costingtheUnitedStates$299-$433 billioneachyear(Coltenetal.,2006;Hafneretal.,2007);KochanekKDMSetal.,2013;Koobetal.,2020).CentralAppalachia includesseveralofthenation's"hotspots"forinsufficientsleep,buttheresearchonsleepandhealthdisparitiesinruralareassuch asCentralAppalachiaislimited.TheREST-KYProjectaimstodistinguishfactorslinkedtoinsufficientsleepandhealthdisparitiesin6 "hotspot"and6non-"hotspot"countiesinKentucky'sCentralAppalachiathroughatwo-yearlongitudinal,mixed-methodsdesign. Asapartofthisstudy,participantsarerequiredtocompleteaqualitativeinterview,5wavesofonlinesurveys,and5"bursts"of surveysinvolvingsmartphoneassessmentsthroughtheIlluminvumEMAapp.Allparticipantswillbeprovidedwithmaterialsto tracktheirdailyactivityandcollectbiometricdatatomeasurehealthoutcomes,whilesomewillalsobeprovidedmaterialsto examinetheirsleepforonenight.Thehypothesisstatesindividual,social,andsocietalfactorsrelatedtosleepdeficiencieswilldiffer among"hotspot"andnon-"hotspot"countiesandsleepdeficiencieswillmediaterelationshipsbetweenindividual,social,and societalfactorsandhealthdeficiencies.Findingsmayprovideabetterunderstandingoffactorscontributingtoinsufficientsleepand healthdisparitiesinCentralAppalachiaandinformmoreeffectiveinterventionsforsleepandhealthdisparitiesinthisregion.

CULTURALCOMPETENCYINTHEHEALTHCARESYSTEM

Nino,Sandy

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 54

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JoeHammer

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Healthcareculturalcompetencyisabroadareaoffocuspertainingtogeneralculturalknowledgeofphysicians,theirattitudes towardspatientsofdifferentbackgrounds,andskillsetsofcommunicationwithpatients,allofwhichhappentobegrowingissuein theUS.ConsideringthecontinuousdemographicchangeshappeningintheUSthatareprojectedtocontinueinupcomingdecades, culturalcompetencyisanissueofmassconcern.Acceptanceofculturaldifferencesonlypromotesbetterfuturehealthcareaccess andtreatmentforpatientsfrommarginalizedcommunities.Asmentionedbefore,culturalcompetencyisabroadconceptenabling foratotalityofdifferentdefinitionsandconstraints.Thosedifferenceswerefoundtobeoneofthemaingapsintheresearch. Culturalcompetencyisabroadconceptenablingforatotalityofdifferentdefinitionsandconstraints.Thosedifferenceswerefound tobeoneofthemaingapsintheresearch.Moreover,duetothewiderangeoffieldsencompassedbyhealthcarecultural competence,varianceinmeasurementandmethodscancontributetoalackofspecificityinconclusionsacrossprovidertypes, healthcarefields,etc.Toaddressthisconcern,aliteraturereviewwasconductedtodeterminehowscholarsdefinedcultural competencyandhowtheywentaboutmeasuringit.Elevenstudieswereassessed,withinclusioncriteria/exclusioncriteriabeing literaturethatsteeredtowardsstudiesthatfocusedontheconceptinitsentirety,notnecessarilyfocusingonspecificpopulation groupssuchasLGTBQ+communityorHispanic/Latinopopulation.Resultsshowedthatmostofthestudiesdefinedcultural competencysimilarlybutvariedsignificantlyinhowculturalcompetencywasmeasured.Mostofthestudiesusedsurveysintheir experiment,howevertheydifferinwhattheywereassessing.Mostcommonly,studiesassessedpatientsatisfactionofcareand correlatedittoculturalcompetency.Sinceculturalcompetencyisanewissue,thereisalimitednumberofstudiesaccessible.Aswe progresswithtime,wehopetherewillbemoredataontheissuetocreateacohesiveconsensusonwhatculturalcompetencyis andthebestwaytoaddressit.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

DEVELOPMENTANDCOMMUNITYREVIEWOFTEXTMESSAGECONTENTFORBLACK

POST-BARIATRICSURGERYPATIENTMHEALTHINTERVENTION

Nunez,Lauren

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 55

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MakenzieBarr

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Acceptabilityofcommunityinterventionprogrammingcanbeenhancedbypre-implementationexpertreview.Textmessage contentwasdevelopedforapost-metabolicandbariatricsurgery(MBS)mHealthinterventionforBlackpatientstoimprovesupport anddietaryadherence.Messagesweredevelopedbyateamof4researchersandclinicians,andtwostudentresearchers.Asubset ofmessages(20%)weresentviasurveytoMBScliniciansandBlackpost-MBSpatientsforexpertreview.Withbasicdemographics, qualitativefeedbackwasgatheredonlifestylebehaviorsimportanttopost-MBSsuccessandontextmessagecontent.FifteenBlack orAfricanAmericanpost-MBSpatients(1-4yearspost-MBS)andtwoMBSsurgeryclinicians(1RegisteredDietitian,1Surgeon;at least1yearinfield)completedthesurvey.Areasmentionedasimportantforpost-MBSsuccessincluded:mental/socialsupport suchasminority-specificsupportgroups,physicalactivity,mealplanningandeatinghealthy,balanceofdisciplineandpatience,and knowingpersonaltriggers.Fortextmessagefeedback,participantsvaluedexternallinksandvideos,practicalandmemorable resources,andkeynutritionitems(recipes,protein,water,mealplanning).Maincritiquesofmessagesincludedlengthofcontent, unhelpfuldetailedinformation(i.e.micro/macronutrients),additionofmoremotivationalorattention-grabbingcomments,more mealideas,beingthoughtfulofrace-specificlanguage,andinformationonaccessingresourcesmentioned(i.e.airfryer).Toimprove programacceptability,thefeedbackwasusedtoadaptmessagecontentandcreateenoughmessagesforthe8-weekintervention. Thosewhochoosetoparticipateinthestudywillreceive2-4messageseachweekthroughoutthe8-weekperiod.Recruitmentfor thepilotstudywillbegininApril.

POSTPARTUMDEPRESSIONANDCHILDDEVELOPMENT

Paradero,Hayley

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 56

Facultymentor(s): Dr.RobynBrown

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Thestudyreportedhereregardstheeffectsofpostpartumdepressiononinfancyandchilddevelopment.Postpartumdepression affects20%ofwomenandusuallyoccurssometimewithinthefirst6weeksafterhavingachild,butcansometimeslastseveral months(1).Afterbirth,manywomendeveloppostpartumdepressionasaresultofestrogenandprogesteronelevelsfallingvery quickly(2).Womenwithpostpartumdepressiontypicallyexperiencehighanxiety,overwhelmingemotions,andtiredness. Postpartumdepression(PPD)isnotonlyahardtimeforamother,butisalsoadifficulttimefortheinfant.Motherandinfant bondingisakeytimeinaninfant'slife;inthefirstcoupleofdaysandfewweeksamotherandinfantareencouragedtobondwith eachothertocreateanattachment.Iftheconnectionbetweenmotherandinfantdoesnotform,researchshowsthattheinfant willbeatriskoffeedingandsleepingissues,havingdevelopmentissues,amongstotherconsequences(3).Asaninfantdevelops andgrowsthroughitslife,behaviorsmaybecomeviolent,insecurity,andgeneralsocialawkwardness.MotherswithPPD sometimesgountreatedoutoffearofjudgmentfromothersinherlifeandworryaboutprovidershavingdoubtsaboutherability toparent.

**DenotesSTEMCatsproject

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

IMPLICITTHEORIESOFINTERESTAMONGACADEMICADVISORSANDUNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

MeghanPawsat,ClaireBraun,ChellamAntony,JuliaTodd

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 159

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MatthewKim

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Abioecologicalperspectiveonmindsetemphasizestheimpactofkeysocializingagents(e.g.,teachers,parents,peers)onan individual'sgrowthorfixedmindsetbeliefs(i.e.,thebeliefthathumanattributessuchasintelligenceorinterestcanorcannot change).Anunderstudiedsocializingagentisthecollegeadvisor,whohasongoingrelationshipswithstudentsthroughrepeated one-on-oneinteractionswheretheycounselstudentstomaketheappropriateacademicdecisionsbasedonthestudent'sinterests andtheirdesiredcareerpath.Therefore,inourexploratorystudy,wesetouttodeterminethebeliefsthatcollegestudentsand theiradvisorspossessaboutinterest—whatitis(definition),whereitcomesfrom(sources),andwhetherinterestscanorcannot change(malleability).First,usingtheimplicittheoriesofinterestmeasure,wegatheredsurveydatafrom68undergraduate studentsand7academicadvisors;wediscoveredthatbothgroupsexpressedamixedmindset(neithergrowthnorfixed).Tobuild onourquantitativedescriptiveanalysis,weconductedindividualinterviewswith7undergraduatestudentsand6advisorsand engagedinseveralroundsofinductivecodingoftheinterviewdata.Weidentifiedasetofthemesthatreflecttheuniquecontextof academicadvising,characterizedbyvaryinglevelsofagreementbetweenadvisorsandstudentsregardingbeliefsaboutinterestand interestmindset,aswellasdifferingprioritiesthatexistwithintheadvisor-studentrelationship.Thesedatainformfurtherresearch intowhetherandhowtheinterestmindsetbeliefspossessedbyadvisorsimpactthekindsofadvicetheygivetostudentsorshape students'perceptionsoftheiradvisors.

UNDERSTANDINGZEROANDMEASUREMENT:ANEARLYCHILDHOODMATHINTERVENTION

Pechon,Ash

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 160

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PoojaSidney

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Mathematicsisacrucialskillforchildrentobeginlearningearlyintheireducation,butthedevelopmentofunderstandingnumbers asmeasurementandzeroisnotwell-documentedincurrentliterature.Theseconceptsunderliemorecomplexskillsthatinfluence mathachievement,yettheyareoftenneglectedinchildren'searlyeducationinfavorofteachingskillssuchascountingandnumber recognition.Thecurrentstudyimplementedameasurement-basedmathematicsinterventionwithchildreninpreschoolthrough firstgrade(N=39participants)connectingrealnumberstospatialrelationsusingeitherstandard(i.e.,ruler)ornonstandard(i.e., blocks)measurementtools.Aftertheintervention,participantsweretestedonseveralelementsrelatingtotheirunderstandingof thenumberzerosuchaswhethertheyknewwhattheformalterm"zero"meant,whethertheycategorizedzeroasanumber,and whethertheycouldsuccessfullyuseemptysetsinsimplemathematicsproblemstypicalforyounglearners.Itishypothesizedthat usingastandardmeasurementtoolwillbemorebeneficialfortheunderstandingofnumbersasmeasurementandthatchildren willbemoresuccessfulatmathematictasksusingexclusivelypositivenumbersthantasksusingzero.Additionally,weexpectthat childrenwillbemoresuccessfulattasksincludingzerowhenthelanguageisnatural(e.g.,nothing)asopposedtoformal(i.e.,zero). Thisstudyisexpectedtohighlighttheneedforameasurement-basedapproachtomathematicslearningandagreateremphasison teachingzero.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

ABRIEFMINDFULNESSINTERVENTIONANDITSEFFECTONSTRESSRESPONSEANDRECOVERY.

RUMINATIONASAMODERATOR

Peters,Kacie

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 161

Facultymentor(s): Dr.KateLeger

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

It'sinevitablethateveryhumanwillencounterstressorsintheirlife.Therefore,researchonthistopicisgeneralizableandcarriesa heavyweight.Whilefacingonestressormaynothaveasignificantimpact,it'sthedegreeofthestressorsandtheresponsetothem thatcandictateifitleadstoseriousconsequences.Mindfulnesshasbeenshowntobeeffectiveinstressrecoveryspecificallyfrom negativeaffect.Additionally,somepeoplehavehighertendenciestoruminate,andhightraitruminationhasbeenlinkedto prolongednegativeaffectandstressresponses.Thecurrentstudyexaminesmindfulnessinterventionasatechniqueforstress recoverywhilealsoseeinghowanindividual'sruminationlevelaffectsstressrecovery.Participantswereaskedtofillouta questionnaireatthebaselineofthestudymeasuringtraitrumination.ParticipantscompletedtheTrierSocialStressTaskwhere theyweregiventwominutestoforma5-minutespeechaboutwhytheyshouldbeacandidatefortheiridealjob.Following,they presentedtheirspeechtoapanelofjudgesactingharshly.Fortherecoveryperiod,theywereassignedtothemindfulness conditionorthecontrolcondition.Forthemindfulnesscondition,participantswereinstructedtolistentoafive-minuteaudioofa guidedmeditation.Forthecontrolcondition,participantswereinstructedtorestforfiveminutes.Stressrecoverywasmeasured throughparticipants'negativeaffectandbloodpressure,whichwasmeasuredthroughoutthestudy.Participantsinthe mindfulnessconditionshowedbetterstressrecoveryspecificallyfornegativeaffectthanthoseinthecontrol.Participantsrating highontraitruminationshowedworsestressrecoveryspecificallyfornegativeaffectthanthoseinthecontrol.Thefindingsimply thatmindfulnessservesasausefultooltolessennegativeaffectandemotionalstateswhileexperiencingstressors,andthat ruminationcanhaveanegativeimpactontheseexperiences.

MENTAL,EMOTIONAL,DEVELOPMENTAL,ANDBEHAVIORALPROBLEMSANDFOOD INSUFFICIENCY

KendallRussandMaryElizabethPendergrass

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 162

Facultymentor(s): Dr.SarahCprekandDr.AshleyHardin

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Foodinsufficiencyhasbeenfoundtobeacontributortopoorhealthoutcomesinchildrenagedthreetoseventeen.Foodinsecurity hasbeenlinkedtomental,emotional,behavioral,anddevelopmentaldelays(MEDBs),however,littleresearchtodatehasbeen foundregardingtherelationshipbetweenfoodinsufficiencyandMEDBs.Thisstudyaimstodetermineiffoodinsufficiencyis associatedwithratesofmental,emotional,developmental,andbehavioralproblemsinchildrenaged3-17yearsusingdatafrom thenationallyrepresentative2020NationalSurveyofChildren'sHealth(n=35,047).Chisquareanalysisandlogisticregressionwere completedtoassessapotentialrelationshipbetweenfoodsituationandMEDBs.Anxietyproblems,speechorlanguagedisorders, andADHDhadthehighestprevalenceat12.0%,10.2%,and10.2%ofparticipantsrespectively.Chisquareanalysisresultsindicated thatfoodinsufficiencyhadastrongcorrelationwithMEDBsingeneral(p=0.0001).EachMEDBdemonstratedastatistically significantcorrelationwithfoodsituation,includingTouretteSyndrome(p=0.0056),anxiety(p=0.0001),depression(p=0.0001), developmentaldelay(p=0.0001),intellectualdisability(p=0.0001),learningdisability(p=0.0001),speechdisability(p=0.0001), attentiondeficitdisorder(ADD)orAttention-DeficitHyperactivityDisorder(p=0.0001),andautism(p=0.0001).Logisticregression analysisfoundthatwhencontrollingforage,race,sex,povertylevel,adulteducation,andhouseholdlanguage,childrenwho experiencedfoodinsufficiencywere2.8timesmorelikelytoreportoneofthe10MEDBsandchildrenwhoexperiencedfood insecuritywere1.6timesmorelikely.ThedatacurrentlysupportsastrongcorrelationbetweenfoodinsufficiencyandMEDBsin childrenagedthreetoseventeen.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

EXPLORINGFACTORSANDBARRIERSOFSUBSTANCEUSEONCOLLEGECAMPUSES

SafiyahSadekandLizzieNolan

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 163

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JosephHammer

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Althoughattendingcollegeisaprotectivefactoragainstdevelopingsubstanceabusedisorders,datashowsthatsubstanceuseis becominganincreasingproblemoncollegecampuses(Welsh2019).Despitearisingprevalencerateofsubstanceuseamong students,theratesofhelpseekingaresignificantlylower(Caldeira2009).Althoughnotalwayscase,substanceusetrendsincreased withanincreasedunmetneedformentalhealthservices(Marissa2022,Harris2005).Amongthebarrierstomentalhealthhelp seeking,varioustypesofdiscriminationplayamajorroleindevelopingsubstanceuseandanincreaseinmentalhealthdisparities (McCabe2011,Fuller-Rowell2011).Anadditionalpointofinterestinthisstudyinvolvestherelationshipbetweenthesenseof belonginginacampusenvironmentandknowledgeofavailablecampusmentalhealthresourcesinthosewhoadmittosubstance use.Thus,thisprojectwillinvestigatetherelationshipbetweendiscrimination,resourceawareness,andbelongingasfactorsthat impacttheintentiontoseekhelpformentalhealthproblemsamongthosewhoadmittosubstanceuse.Studyingthese relationshipswillhelpcampuscommunitiestoensurethatadequateresourcesforstudentswithmentalhealthandsubstanceuse problemsareprovidedandadvertised.Thiswillalsoprovideinsightonhowtoimprovestudent,staff,andfacultytrainingto supportaninclusiveenvironment.Anationallyrepresentativesamplefromthe2019-2020HealthyMindsStudywillbeusedto examinetherelationshipbetweenexperiencingdiscrimination,awarenessofcampusresources,andsenseofbelongingoncampus inthosewhodoanddonotadmittononalcoholicsubstanceabuseonintentionstoseekhelp.Statisticalanalysisviacomparisonof meansandmultipleregressionanalysiswillprovideinsightintothenatureoftherelationshipbetweendiscrimination,resource awareness,andsenseofbelongingonhelpseekingintentionsbetweensubstanceusersandnon-substanceusers.

THEEFFECTOFNEEDFORCOGNITIONONFEEDBACKTIMING

Shaf,Elizabeth

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 164

Facultymentor(s): Dr.PoojaSidney

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Feedbackfrominstructorshelpsstudentslearnnewmathematicalmaterial(e.g.,VanderKleijetal.,2015),butthewaystudents processthisfeedbackmayaffectitsefficacy(e.g.,Hattie&Timperley,2007).Oneaspectoffeedbackdeliverythataffectscognitive processingisfeedbacktiming(Kulhavy&Anderson,1972).Researchersfocusedontwoindividualdifferencesknowntoaffect mathematicsperformance:mathanxiety(Ashcraft&Kirk,2001)andneedforcognition(NFC;Cacioppoetal.,1996).Other individualdifferencesinvestigatedweretimespentlookingatfeedbackandtaskperformance.Undergraduates(N=78)were assignedtooneofsixexperimentalconditions,ina3(feedbacktiming:delayedfeedback,immediatefeedback,ornofeedback)x2 (knowledgeactivation:relevantornot)between-subjectsdesign.Totheresearchers'surprise,mathanxietywasnotrelatedto timingoraccuracy,butNFCwaspositivelyrelatedtotimespentlookingwhenfeedbackwasdelayed(r(44)=.468,p=.001). However,NFCwasnotrelatedtotimewhenfeedbackwasimmediate(r(39)=.015,p=.926).Therefore,researchersexamined whetherNFCmoderatedtheeffectoffeedbacktimingontimespentlookingatfeedbackwithmultipleregression.Studentswith highNFCspentlongertimelookingatthedelayedfeedback(M=45.88sec)comparedtoimmediatefeedback(M=21.25),b= -24.63,t(77)=-4.67,p<.001.ForstudentswithlowerNFC,feedbacktimingdidnotaffecthowlongstudentsspentprocessing feedback,MImmediate=20.92,MDelayed=26.73,b=-5.82,t(77)=-0.93,p=.356.Thisworkbringsattentiontothepotential roleofindividualdifferencesinmoderatingtheeffectsoffeedbackstructureonhowstudentsprocessthatfeedback.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

THEEFFECTOFCHRONICMETHAMPHETAMINEADMINISTRATIONONNEURALENCODINGOF VALUE

Steen,Slane

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 165

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JoshuaBeckmann

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

In2021,1.6millionpeopleintheUnitedStatesmetthecriteriaforÂMethamphetamineUseDisorder(MUD;SAMHSA,2022)and inAppalachianKentucky,methamphetamineuseisontherise(Havensetal.,2022).MUDischaracterizedbythechoicefordrugat theexpenseofotheralternatives,makingitadecision-makingpathology(Koob&Volkow,2016).Previousstudiesinourlabhave implicatedshiftsintherelativevaluebetweendrugandalternativesasafactorinthisbehavior.Toinvestigatethishypothesis, IntracranialSelfStimulation(ICSS)intheVentralTegmentalArea(VTA),akeybrainregionfortherewardsystem,wasusedasa directmodelofvaluetoexaminevaluationchangesbeforeandafterchronicmethamphetamineinjectionsinarodentmodel. Followingimplantationandcustomizationofstimulationparameters,afrequencythresholdprogramwasadministeredto determinechangesindemandforstimulationusingabehavioraleconomicdemandanalysis.Followingthresholdtraining,a ControlledReinforcementRatio(CRR)programinvolvingisomorphicchoicebetweenastableandsweepingrangeofICSS frequencieswasusedtoassessvalue-baseddecisionmakingbothbeforeandduringmethamphetamineinjections.Oncechoice datastabilized,theanimalsweregivenmethamphetamineinjections(1mg/kg)andplacedinlocomotorchamberstotrack sensitization.Followingeightdaysofmethamphetamineinjections,thefrequencythresholdwasreassessed.Preliminarydata analysisindicatesthatanimalsdidnotshowmethamphetamine-inducedlocomotorsensitizationbutdidshowanacuteincreasein locomotionafterinjection.Therewasnochangeinvalue-baseddecision-makingoftheCRRprogram,butachangeinthedemand forstimulation.Furtheranalysiswiththeexponentiateddemandmodelandthegeneralizedmatchinglawwillallowforamore preciseexaminationofchangesinrodentbehavior.TheseresultssuggestthatdespitechangesintheneuralvaluationofVTA stimulation,theratsshowednoimpairmentsinmakingvalue-baseddecisions.

NATURALDISASTERSANDSTATECOOPERATION

Stockstill,Anna

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 166

Facultymentor(s): Dr.JillienneHaglund

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Theimportanceofnaturaldisastersandtheirimpactonaffectedgovernmentsandneighboringstatescannotbeunderstated. Recognizingpatternsbetweennaturaldisastersandcooperationisnecessarytodeterminehowgovernmentscanbestreactand pre-emptthenegativeeffects.Naturaldisasterscausesomelevelofdistressandpanicwithinstatesduetothesuddendecreasein availableresources,thedamagethatthedisastercaused,andotheralternativefactors.Tocombatthis,statesoftenexpediterelief effortsandreleasepublicstatementscontainingsympatheticmessagesandlooseactionplanstoappeasecitizens.Thispapershows thatnaturaldisastersareassociatedwithagreaterlikelihoodofsigninginternationalagreementswithotherstatesandseeksto understandtherelationshipbetweennaturaldisastersandcooperationamongstatesbroadly.Thisresearchhasimportantpolicy implicationsinthatthemorewecanunderstandthenegativeeffectsofnaturaldisasters,thebetterpositionleadersandlawmakers areintotakeactiontoaddresspossiblenegativeeffects.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

HOWGENDERINEQUALITYABROADAFFECTSU.S.AMBASSADORIALAPPOINTMENTS

Thyne,Emma

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 167

Facultymentor(s): Dr.TiffanyBarnes

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Thoughwomen'sparticipationintheU.S.ForeignServicehasgrownsignificantlyinthepastfewdecades,womenremain underrepresentedincertainambassadorsposts.Thispaperexplainswhywomenareexcludedfromspecificposts,specificallyhow thelikelihoodofwomen'sappointmentisimpactedbythelevelofgenderequalityinahostcountry.Withacomprehensivedataset from1993–2020,threehypothesesaretestedtoexplainwomen'sexclusion.Ifthehypothesesarecorrect,thisstudywillprovide empiricalevidencethatwomenwillbemorelikelytobeappointedasambassadorstocountrieswithhigherlevelsofgender equality.Therelationshipwillalsobeconditionaluponthestate'srelativeimportancetotheUnitedStates,whichismeasuredby indicatorssuchastradeparticipationandmilitarystrength.Thisstudyexpandswhatiscurrentlyknownaboutgenderand diplomacybyshowingtheimportanceofstatecharacteristicsonwomen'sambassadorialappointments.

DEVELOPMENTOFACOMPREHENSIVECODINGSCHEMEFORCOLLEGESTUDENTS'INTERESTS

JuliaTodd,ClaireBraun,MeghanPawsat

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 168

Facultymentor(s): Dr.MatthewKim

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Researchoninterestdevelopmentfocusesontheprocessbywhichindividualsdeveloppersonalintereststhroughengagementover time(e.g.,Hidi&Renninger,2006).Inourresearch,wehavefoundthatstudentstendtodevelopintereststhatvarytremendously (learninganewinstrument,tryingoutdifferentfashionstyles,orlearninganewacademictopic).However,thereisverylittle researchonhowtocategorizetheseinterests.Thisresearchhelpsusbetterunderstandhowtheinterestdevelopmentprocessmay dependonthetypeofinterestortheinterests'contentdomain.Therefore,asateam,weareworkingtodevelopasystemofcodes tohelpcategorizedifferentinterests.Tocollectourdata,weaskedundergraduatestudents(N=1,465)towritedownanewinterest theyhavedevelopedinthepastsixmonths.Ourteamsetouttocodetheseresponsesbasedonpreviousresearch(Akkerman& Bakker,2012)andtheirinsightontopic-basedorevent/activity-basedinterests.Throughacollaborativecodingprocessafter establishingintercoderreliability,weidentifiedtwoparentcodesof"Activity"and"Topic"and11childcodesconsistingof "Academic/Professional,""Arts/Creativity,""Clubs/Organizations,""Consumptivemedia,""FoodandDrink,""Games,""Nature," "Reading,""Self-Improvement/Wellness,""Sports/PhysicalActivity,"and"Other."Theseresultsareimportantbecausethisstudy helpsusunderstandintereststhatarerelevantwithinacollege-agedsampleandcouldhelpeducatorsandadvisorsprovidemore personalizedguidancetostudents.Futureresearchcouldalsoassesswhetherstudentswhoreportaparticulartypeofinterest mayexhibitcertaincharacteristicsthatcouldimpedeorenhancetheirinterestexplorationanddevelopment.

SESSION 2: POSTER PRESENTATIONS

DIFFERENCESACROSSAGEGROUPSINEXPERIENCESWITHANDACCEPTANCEOFSEXUAL HARASSMENTINYOUNGWOMEN

Toole,Mehryn

Session2: 3:30-5:00pm

Poster: 169

Facultymentor(s): Dr.ChristiaBrown

Discipline: Social&BehavioralSciences

Sexualharassment(SH)towardsgirlsandwomenhashistoricallybeenanexperiencethatisassociatedwithnegativepsychological outcomes,butisstillanoccurrencethatmostwomendealwithintheirlifetimes.Peertopeersexualharassmentbeginsasearlyas middleschool,andcontinuesthroughoutadulthood.AlthoughweknowSHiscommon,howtheseexperiencesvaryacrossthe lifespan,andhowexperiencingSHmayrelatetoacceptanceofthisharmfulbehavior,remainsunder-explored.Toinvestigatethis, weanalyzedmiddleschool(n=142),highschool(n=325)andcollegestudents'(n=250)experiencesofSH,endorsementofgender stereotypes,andacceptanceofSH.Wepredictedthat(1)asgirlsgetoldertheirexperienceswithsexualharassmentwillincrease, and(2)theirendorsementofgenderstereotypeswillpositivelycorrelatewithacceptanceofSH.Preliminaryresultsreportthathigh schoolers(M=2.47)endorseSexualizedGenderStereotypes(SGS)significantlymorethanmiddleschoolers(M=2.18)orcollege students(M=2.09),F(2)=32.7,p<0.001.Additionally,experiencingsexualharassmentissignificantlypositivelycorrelatedwith endorsementofSGS,β=0.107,p<0.001.AstheexperienceofSHevolveswithsocialcontextaswomenage,itisimportantforus toexaminetherelationshipbetweenexperienceandtoleranceofthisharassment.

2022 Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Fellowship award recipients

Asahel Aguilar Ortiz - Mentor: Dr. Eduardo Santillan-Jimenez

Alina Goodman - Mentor: Dr. Courtney Lueking

Dawson Lancaster - Mentor: Dr. Tammy Stephenson

Henri Neblina - Mentor: Dr. Rajeev Darolia

Rachael Snyder - Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Teets

Annabelle Wilson - Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Teets

Emily Keaton - Mentor: Dr. Jerrod Penn

Stephen Morkel - Mentor: Dr. Mehdi Nemati

2022 SUSTAINABILITY

POSTER COMPETITION WINNERS

2nd Place - $150 Gretchen Ruschman

People's Choice - $100 Abraham Alhamdani

People's Choice - $100

Rebekah Duke

1st Place - $250 Lucas Bertucci

1st Place - $250

Flavia Pampolini

2nd Place - $150 David Lu

Graduate

Undergraduate

TOP 10 FINALISTS

1st Place: KAYLI BOLTON - Mentor: Dr. Matthew Gentry; Assessing Glycogen Metabolism as a Therapeutic Target in Ewing's Sarcoma

2nd Place: TANNER DURST - Mentor: Dr. Sarah D’Orazio; How Foodborne Bacterial Infections Spread to the Brainstem

3rd Place: PATRICK BIDROS - Mentor: Dr. Yasir Al Siraj; Serotonin 3 Receptor (5HT3R): Role in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Angiotensin II (AngII)-induced Aortopathies

ARTIN ASADIPOOYA - Mentor: Dr. Pavel Ortinski; The Effects of Cocaine Withdrawal on Cognitive Flexibility and Claustrum Activity

ISHA CHAUHAN - Mentor: Dr. Gregory Graf; Molecular characterization of novel Sitosterolemiaassociated mutants of ABCG5 and ABCG8 identified through comprehensive lipid screening and whole genome sequencing

MCKENNA CLINCH - Mentor: Dr. Bryan Beckingham; Phenyl Acrylate Anion Exchange Membranes with Different Salt Solutions

CHASE EASTHAM - Mentor: Dr. Peter Nagy; Defining Domains of the Viral Replication Protein p33 Essential for Viral Replication Organelle Formation

EMILY KEATON - Mentor: Dr. Jerrod Penn; On the Bee Team: Societal and Financial Barriers Preventing Implementation of Pollinator-Friendly Household Lawn Practices

LEXI NOLLETTI - Mentor: Dr. David Rodgers; Using ELISA and Liposome Binding Assays to Understand Insulin-Degrading Enzyme (IDE)-Phosphatidyl Inositol Phosphate (PIP) Lipid Interactions

CAROLINE YOUDES - Mentor: Dr. Zhenheng Guo; Characterization of GLP-1 Receptor Expression in Flox & Knockout Mice

2022 - 2023

Student Category Winners

Biological Sciences

First Place: Artin Asadipooya - Mentor: Dr. Pavel Ortinski; The Effects of Cocaine Withdrawal on Cognitive Flexibility and Claustrum Activity

Second Place: Kayli Bolton - Mentor: Dr. Matthew Gentry; Assessing Glycogen Metabolism as a Therapeutic Target in Ewing's Sarcoma

Honorable Mention: Daniel Dailey - Mentor: Dr. Rick Honaker; Research Proposal to Enable Economic Rare Earth Element Production from U.S. Coal-Based Sources through Bioengineering

Design

First Place: Lucas Carlos de Lima - Mentor: Hannah Dewhirst; A Study on architectural collage and placebo-induced nostalgia

Second Place: Felix Lowery - Mentor: Jordan Phemister; Putting the Cool in Coolavin

Honorable Mention: Katherine White - BODY / ARCHITECTURE

Fine Arts

First Place: Joy Chou - In Honor of Loss and Reclamation

Second Place: Gretchen Ruschman - Mentor: Kathrin Schaefer; Microbial Menagerie: The Unseen Social Inequities within Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Honorable Mention: Audrey Alford - Mentor: Ingrid Schmidt; Obscurity

Humanities: Creative

First Place: Abigail Mortell - Mentor: Erik Myrup; Surviving the Sertão: A Play in Two Acts

Second Place: Savannah Hinton - Mentor: Julia Johnson; Freedom From Within

Honorable Mention: Anna McElhannon - Mercy

Student Category Winners

Humanities: Critical Research

First Place: Abigail Mortell - Mentor: Carol Street; Canonization of Irish Authors: Nationalism and the Popularization of 1920s Irish Literature

Second Place: Riley Droppleman - Mentor: Molly Blasing; The Freedom of Madness: Madness as an Act of Feminine Defiance in Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita and Zenaida Gippius's "The Mad Woman"

Honorable Mention: Colton Barton - A Potential for a Queer Utopia: Queer Futurity and Potentiality in Octavia Butler's Dawn

Physical & Engineering Sciences

First Place: Daniel Dailey - Mentor: Dr. Rick Honaker; The need to identify predictors and perceptions of mental health help-seeking behaviors in engineering communities to address underrepresentation in the STEM workforce

Second Place: Hena Kachroo - Mentor: Christopher Crawford; Designing a Uniform Magnetic Field for nEDM Experiments

Social Services

First Place: Daniel Dailey - Mentor: Sarah Wilson; The need to identify predictors and perceptions of mental health help-seeking behaviors in engineering communities to address underrepresentation in the STEM workforce

Second Place" Colton Barton - Gaymer Avatars: Analyzing the Relationship Between Gay Men and their Created Video Game Avatars

Honorable Mention: Ryder From - The spiral of silence effect on LGBT people and issues

Posters at the Capitol

Lucas Bertucci - Mentor: Jack Groppo; Solar Panel Sustainability: End-of-Life Recycling

Isha Chauhan - Mentor: Gregory Graf; Characterization of novel disease-causing mutations in ABCG5 and ABCG8

Ashley Craig - Mentor: Mark Pendergast; Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Impairs Performance on Spatial and Tactile Serial Discrimination Task in Juvenile Rats

Daniel Dailey - Mentor: Rick Honaker; Hidden in plain sight: Characterization of untapped U.S. rare earth and critical mineral resources

Avery Douglas - Mentor: Dee Dlugonski; Perceptions of Peer and Parental Support: Assessing the Impact of a Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescent Girls

Maggie Gillum - Mentor: David Van Sanford; Understanding the Effect of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance on Agronomic Characteristics of Soft Red Winter Wheat.

SJ Lycans - Mentor: Rick Honaker; Hidden in plain sight: characterization of untapped U.S. rare earth and critical mineral resources

Lexi Noletti - Mentor: David Rodgers; How Does Insulin-Degrading Enzyme (IDE) Gain Access to its Substrates? A Study of IDE-Phosphatidyl Inositol Phosphate (PIP) Lipid Interactions

Deep Patel - Mentor: Jakub Famulski; Tfap2: Role in Anterior Segment Development

Gretchen Ruschman - Mentors: Carlos Rodriguez Lopez and Patrick Hannon; Exogenous alteration of plant DNA methylation affects their ability to assemble soil microbiomes

Caroline Youdes - Mentor: Zhenhend Guo; Characterization of GLP-1 Receptor in Flox & Knockout Mice

2023 Student Presentations

Darcy Adreon - Mentor: Dr. David Rodgers; Using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) to Understand Insulin-Degrading Enzyme (IDE)-Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate (PIP) Lipid Interactions

Jacquelyn Armstrong - Mentor: Dr. Fisher; Shifts in Educators’ Demands as a Result of a Global Pandemic

Abraham Alhamdani - Mentor: Dr. Julie Pendergast; Assessing College Food Security Status and Perceptions of Student-Led Weekly Meal Program Attendees during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bruno Athie Teruel - Mentor: Dr. Brent Seales; Virtual reconstruction of 2000-year-old Herculaneum Scrolls

Lauren Baur - Mentor: Dr. Ramkumar Annamalai; Tunable membrane-cloaked hydrogel nanoparticles for targeted delivery of senolytics to osteoarthritic joints

Alexander Blevins - Mentor: Dr. Philip Lee; Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Prediction Model of Climate Change Impacted Solar Power Generation for Life-Supporting Equipment in Eastern Kentucky During Natural Disasters

Nathan Boyce - Mentors: Dr. Kevin Pearson & Sara Ngo Tenlep; Offspring Exercise Does Not Protect Against Detrimental Health Outcomes Associated with Maternal PCB126 Exposure in a Mouse Model

Alexis Cerise - Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Campbell; Tania León's entre nos: The Art of Underlying Musical Structure

Sydney Chapman - Mentor: Dr. Brent Seales; Virtual reconstruction of 2000-year-old Herculaneum Scrolls

McKenna Clinch - Mentor: Dr. Bryan Beckingham; Investigation of the Relationships Between Membrane Chemistry, Permeability, and Water Volume Fraction for Phenyl Acrylate Anion Exchange Membranes

Daniel Dailey - Mentor: Dr. Rick Honaker; Investing the impact of rare earth element to contaminant ratios on oxalic acid precipitation in chloride systems

Lauren Depa - Mentor: Dr. John McCarthy; Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Striated Muscle Is Related to Muscular Dystrophy

Chase Eastham - Mentor: Dr. Peter Nagy; Defining Domains of a Recruitment Protein in Tombusviridae Essential for Viral Replication Organelle Formation

Kenan Andre - Mentor: Dr. Jessica Blackburn ; Repurposing FDA-approved drugs to re-sensitize TP53 mutant Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma to radiation therapy

2023 Student Presentations (continued)

Sarah Foster - Mentors: Dr. Yuan Wen & Dr. John McCarthy; Microbiome Derived Metabolites and Their Potential Protective Benefits During Sepsis and Immobilization Induced Muscle Dysfunction

Ashley Glover - Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Saatman; Sex Differences Exist in the Dendritic Complexity of Adult Born Hippocampal Neurons

Carrington Goidel - Mentor: Dr. Julie Cerel; Sex Differences Exist in the Dendritic Complexity of Adult Born Hippocampal Neurons

Alina Goodman - Mentor: Dr. Courtney Luecking; A Community Partnership to Upcycle Textiles into Reusable Bags to Deliver Meals Prepared from Recovered Foods

Emily Guerrero - Mentor: Dr. Luke Bradley; The Symphony of the Cell: Using Data Sonification to Engage Students in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Shria Holla - Mentor: Dr. James Ziliak; The Safety Net Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic Recession and the Older Population

Kayla Horne - Mentor: Dr. Luke Bradley; The Symphony of the Cell: Using Data Sonification to Engage Students in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Megan Johnston - Mentor: Dr. Klaas van Wijk; UVR2 and UVR3: Candidate Regulators of the Chaperone-Protease System in Chloroplasts

Hena Kachroo - Mentor: Dr. Julie Pendergast; Designing a Uniform Magnetic Field for nEDM Experiments

Mihir Kale - Mentor: Dr. Yanira Paz ; Linguistic Nationalism in Hispanic Country Constitutions; Mentor: Dr. Stephen Voss; Money Matters: Education Funding Source Inputs on Student Achievement

Steven Lycans - Mentor: Dr. Rick Honaker; Enabling a clean-energy economy from U.S. rare earth resources: characterization of low-grade allanite-based ore from Halleck Creek, Wyoming

Alessandra Mantuano - Mentor: Dr. Esther Dupont-Versteegden; Mechanotherapy Attenuates Collagen Accumulation,

but Not Muscle Atrophy in Female Rats

Hunter McCormick- Mentor: Dr. Cory Curl; Addressing Money Laundering in the United States Real Estate Sector

Luke McKinney - Mentor: Dr. Jamie Sturgill; Ceramide as a novel biomarker in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Krystina Monticello - Mentor: Dr. Michelle Martel; Negative Affect Across the Menstrual Cycle in Individuals with ADHD

2023 Student Presentations (continued)

Abigail Mortell - Mentor: Dr. Jane E Calvert; Dickinson College: How a Denominational Institution Provided Civic Education in the Early American Republic

Aaron Moseley - Mentor: Dr. Christopher Crawford; Readout Software for the NOPTREX Experiment

Caroline Murphy - Mentors: Dr. Rebecca Krall & Dr. Jennifer Wilhelm; Investigating Preservice Teachers’ Understandings of the Causes of the Seasons

Phocheng Ngy - Mentor: Dr. Olga Tsyusko; Effects of Multiple Stressors on Caenorhabditis Elegans

Lexi Noletti - Mentor: Dr. Rodgers; Using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) to Understand Insulin-Degrading Enzyme (IDE)-Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate (PIP) Lipid Interactions

Parker Parrent - Mentors: Dr. Cindy Jong, Dr. Jennifer Wilhelm, Dr. Molly Fisher; Factors that Influence College Students' Mathematical Identity and Perceived Proficiency

Deep Patel - Mentor: Dr. Jakub Famulski; The Function of Tfap2 in the Development of the Ocular Anterior Segment.

Elizabeth Rice - Mentor: Dr. Luke Bradley; The Symphony of the Cell: Using Data Sonification to Engage Students in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Gretchen Ruschman - Mentors: Dr. Carlos Rodriguez Lopez & Dr. Patrick Hannon; Exogenous alteration of DNA methylation affects the plant’s ability to assemble its soil microbiome

Paul Schlowak - Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Rosa; How does alcohol consumption affect life expectancy?

Slane Steen - Mentor: Joshua Beckmann; The Effect of Chronic Methamphetamine Administration on Neural Encoding of Value

Johnna Warkentine - Mentor: Dr. Molly T. Blasing; The Persistence of Memory in Other Mediums: Creating a Digital Audio Archive of Anastasia Tsvetaeva

Sairakshitha Yalla - Mentors: Dr. Hull and Dr. Mannon; Understanding Lung Cancer Screening Resources and Needs in Appalachian Kentucky

Caroline Youdes - Mentor: Dr. Zhenheng Guo; Characterization of GLP-1 Receptor Expression in Flox & Knockout Mice

Gabija Ziemyte - Mentor: Dr. Christopher Crawford; Development of Electromagnetic Coils for UCN Polarization in nEDM Experiments

Student Presentations

Conversations Between Activists Olive T. Dargan and Rose Pastor Stokes

Riley Bryson - Mentor: Carol Street; Pandemic of Hate: Hate Crimes Against Asian and Asian American Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Riley Droppleman - Mentor: Carol Street; An Ethical Dilemma: Developing a New Teaching Model for Culturally-Aware Ethics in Medical Schools

Leena Haider - Mentor: Carol Street; Banking While Female: Women’s Alternative Banking Systems Around the World

Eleni Karelis - Mentor: Carol Street; "We Give Our Sweat, Not Our Blood" The Many Voices of Rural Appalachian Activism in the 20th Century

Christopher Joseph Mattingly - Mentor: Carol Street; Sisterhood and Sanctity: A Reexamination of Colonial Mexican Femininity

Jessamine Michler - Mentor: Carol Street; Admiration of the Violet: Cultivating the Familiar Flowers of Native Woodland and Wayside

Abigail Mortell - Mentor: Carol Street; Canonization of Irish Authors: Nationalism and the Popularization of 1920s Irish Literature

Student Presenter Index

Student presenters are listed alphabetically by last name with Abstract Book page number.

Abraham, Sara, 21, 32

Abul-Khoudoud, Maya, 22, 42,

106, 110

Ackerman, Anna, 53

Adams, Lauren, 22

Adkins, Jonathan, 101

Adreon, Darcy, 115

Agbozo, Princess Magor, 10

Aguilar Ortiz, Asahel, 43

Ahmed, Sufia, 42, 106

Akers, Brandon, 23

Al Adawi, Shatha, 126

Albrecht, Ella

Alcorn, Jayden, 54, 58

Alhamdani, Abraham, 23, 42,

106

Allen, Hannah, 106

Allen, Mallory, 24

Allender, Olivia, 74

Allran, Olivia, 162

Alvayero, Kaitlyn, 139

Anderson, Madeline, 24

Anderson, Hailey, 123

Andrews, Elena, 18, 91

Antony, Christine, 162

Antony, Chellam, 173

Arjona, Helena, 137

Arnold, Sophie, 140

Asadipooya, Artin, 10

Asher, Michael, 107

Ashley, Clair, 25, 42

Athie Teruel, Bruno, 44, 163

Baker, Isabel, 47, 55

Baker, Zachary, 48

Baloh, Anna, 11

Bandy, Nathan, 55

Banks, Sarah, 56

Barber, Logan, 155

Baron, Olivia, 18, 91

Battaglia, Caitlin

Baur, Lauren, 128

Beam, Kennedi, 166

Bellamy, Danielle, 140

Berezowitz, Jordan, 129

Berry, Lily, 57

Bertram, Benjamin, 163

Besinger, Brooke, 164

Bidros, Patrick, 42, 106

Bingham, Cailey, 166

Blane, Emmy, 19

Bledsoe, Constance, 42

Blevins, Allison, 19

Blevins, Alexander, 53

Bolton, Kayli, 42, 106

Bourgeois, Maye, 25

Brammer, Ekaterina, 57

Branstetter-Pike, Gracie, 26

Braun, Claire, 177, 173, 164

Brazel, Rowan, 11

Brazel, Elijah, 27

Brewer, Cameron

Briones, Will, 54

Brions, William, 58

Brock, Kaitlyn, 22

Broking, Kayden, 156

Brooks, Colson, 165

Brown, Hannah, 141

Brown-Terry, Ella, 19, 92

Brummer, Aidan, 122

Bryant, Caroline, 101

Buoncristiani, Michael, 12

Burkeen, Bradley, 107

Burrows, Gracie, 161

Butcher, Jackson, 126

Cain, Kailey, 141

Caldwell, Mackenzie, 67

Caller, Laine, 37

Capili, Jerone, 42, 106

Carmicheal, Hadley, 27

Cates, Grace, 142

Cerar, Megan, 58

Chapman, Sydney, 45

Chen, James, 129

Chism, Kelly, 59

Clark, Tiffany, 142

Clark, Amelia, 143

Clayton, Sydney, 58

Clemons, Emma, 26

Cleveland, Taylor, 75

Clinch, McKenna, 130

Coburn, Peyton, 60

Coffman, Nicholas, 130

Colella, Jordan

Collins, Ashton, 115

Conn, Michael

Cooper, Heather, 145

Corry, Heather

Corry, Elizabeth, 98

Cottrell, Danielle, 133

Coudeyras, Austin, 23

Covington, Jada, 117

Cox, Hayden, 34

Student Presenter Index

Student presenters are listed alphabetically by last name with Abstract Book page number.

Cox, Emily, 25

Craig, Ashley, 75

Crawford, Dylan, 28, 34, 38, 39

Cross, Luke, 161

Crouch, Cadence, 24

Cryer, Carlie, 145

Dailey, Daniel, 19, 47, 48, 49, 92

Datta, Mikey, 28, 34, 38, 39

Davis, Reid, 28

Davis, Katherine, 21

Davis, Mickala, 23

Day, Bridgette, 146

Desai, Rohan, 146

Dhruva, Jainam, 98

Dickens, Tarise, 165

Dobson, Kayleigh, 32

Dominguez, Elias, 58

Dong, Anna, 147

Douglas, Hannah, 102

Droppleman, Riley, 12

Duff, Chase, 70

Duncan, Kendall, 120

Durst, Tanner

Eastham, Chase, 108

Eldridge, Kyle, 125

Elliot, Elizabeth, 22, 28, 34, 38,

39, 108, 110

Elsoueidi, Joseph, 37

Embry, Chloe, 37

Enderlin, Tavvi, 76

Epler, Cayleigh, 26

Eplin, Abigail, 13

Fisher, Ashley, 47, 166

Fister, Megan, 48, 49

Fitz, Addyson, 13

Foltz, Denise, 27

Ford, Ethan, 24

Fort, Riley, 166

Freese, Katelyn, 76

Garcia, Seth, 20, 95

Gazula, Meghana, 147

Gershtenson, Sophie, 102

Ghaddafi, Rooz, 59

Ghoneim, Elaf, 29

Gibb, Megan, 109

Gillum, Maggie, 29

Gleaves, Janie, 109

Glenski, Rosalie, 103

Glover, Ashley, 148

Gonzalez, Maria, 148

Gonzalez Saez, Patricia Angeles, 21, 32

Gooch, Zoe, 77

Goodman, Chloe, 77

Goodman, Alina, 134

Graham, Abigail, 78

Graves, Sarah, 60

Gray, Branden, 167

Griffith, Laiken, 60

Guay, Madison, 105, 167

Guerrero, Emily, 117

Gutierrez-Leiva, Susana, 168

Haddad, Christine, 30, 112

Hague, Emma Grace, 149

Haider, Leena, 137

Hales, Joshua, 61

Halilovic, Berina, 32, 149

Hamilton, Alyssa, 150

Hanieh, Hadel, 116

Harris, Alandrea, 61

Harris, Shelby, 167

Hart, Madison, 49

Hart, Olivia, 31

Hayden, Madison, 168

Hays, Jeremy, 120

Hayes, Madison, 62, 79

Henning, Jamie, 42

Hensley, Nicole, 110

Hensley, Caroline, 156

Herman, Sydney, 115

Hernandez, Andrea, 117

Herrington, Hailey, 59

Heupel, Lauren, 26

Hewlett, Mason, 30

Hibbert, Isaiah, 41

Hickey, Caylin, 156

Hirtle, Jack, 28, 34, 38, 39

Holbrook, Riele, 36

Holla, Shria, 20, 95

Holland, Will, 31

Holland, Jackson, 150

Hollman, Nyah, 21, 93

Hopper, Sydney, 156

Horn, Civic, 110

Hornaday, Justin, 21, 32

Horne, Kayla, 117

Hossain, Faham, 123

Hotko, Jennifer, 24

Huber, Gina, 58

Hughes, Brenden, 107

Hughes, Rachel, 36

Huse, Jackson, 45

Student Presenter Index

Student presenters are listed alphabetically by last name with Abstract Book page number.

Husted, Marissa, 62

Huston, Jackson, 99

Hutchinson, Tesslyn, 32

Hutchinson, Natalie, 169

Hwang, Rachel, 169

Hyman, Shania, 110

Ihsan, Fizra, 151

Ison, Bethany, 42

Jackson, Maria, 131

Jacobs, Grace, 111

Jessie, E. Grace, 32

Jessup, Tyler, 14

Johannsson, Jessica, 151

Johnson, Erin, 113, 111

Johnson, Jessica, 29, 100

Johnson, Sarah, 31

Johnston, Megan, 112

Jones, Amanda, 79

Kaiser, Sayword, 79

Kale, Mihir, 14

Karim, Eeman, 21, 32

Kassis, Alana, 63

Katanbaf, Amin, 112

Katsikas, Andrew, 26

Keil, Erin, 25

Kelley, William, 63

Keshtvarz, Omid, 125

Kho, Hannah, 56, 64

Kirkham, Christy, 159, 157

Kitts, Olivia, 24

Ko, Junwon ,131

Koerner, Taylor, 109

Konduri, Aakanksha, 127

Kost, Grayson, 21, 32

Krebs, Paul, 21, 32

Kresin, Anastasia, 103

Kwok, Kelsie, 170

Lambert, Lydia, 167

Lamichane, Shasanka, 127

Lancaster, Dawson, 134

Lassell, Marques, 59

Lattis, Sydney, 104

Laughter, Judy, 152

Lawless, Robert, 115

Le Roy, Pascalle, 138

Leach, Abby, 28, 34, 38, 39

Ledford, Cierra, 170

Leicht, Ella, 26

Limberg, Serena, 111, 113

Lin, Winson, 107

Lintner, Hallie

Liu, Huazhen, 34

Loar, Abbey, 171

Looper, Keaton, 50

Lowe, Grace, 64

Lujan, Haley, 113

Lunsford, Jada, 152

Lycans, S.J., 47, 48

Lyle, Ginny, 114

Lytle, Isabella, 33

Makumbi, Faith, 73

Malone, Jena, 63

Mantuano, Ally, 65

Marcum, Nolan, 33

Martha, Aziz, 65

Martin, Grace, 114

Martin, Sarah, 113

Martin, Ellie, 34

Mashni, Dunya, 116

Mattingly, Jessica, 25

Maynard, Ryan, 27

Mays, Stephanie, 156

McCormick, Hunter, 138

McCowan, Phoebe, 154

McCubbin, Peyton, 25

McDaniel, James

McDermott, Madeline, 50

McIntosh, Rebekah, 28, 34, 38, 39

McKenzie, Emily, 24

McKinley, Samantha, 115

McKinney, Nikaila, 24

McKinney, Jordon, 26

McWhorter, Anna, 153

Megibben, Addie Lee, 153

Melgar, Wendy, 35

Melton, Alexa, 24

Mensah, Lordina, 117

Meyer, Anna, 135

Miller, Sarah, 80

Miller, Hannah, 66

Minor, Olivia, 66

Miriti, Kangai, 80

Moffit, Lindsey, 109

Montgomery, Makenna, 34

Moon, Madison, 42, 67, 106

Moore, Mariah, 25

Moran, Kailyn, 154

Morgan, Jack, 31

Morkel, Stephen, 21, 93

Mortell, Abigail, 15, 94

Morton, Hannah, 31

Student Presenter Index

Student presenters are listed alphabetically by last name with Abstract Book page number.

Moseley, Aaron, 74

Moss, Karoline, 24

Mowafi, Osama, 31

Mowery, Tatum, 42

Mueller, Rianna, 47, 48, 49

Mullane, Emalie, 25

Mullikin, Tyler, 107

Murray, Courtney, 46, 113

Musa, Rami, 35

Musso, Lilly, 47

Myers, Anastasia, 132

Myers, Daniel, 21, 32

Myree Lindsey, Kai, 36

Nadolski, Jeremy, 38

Neblina, Henri, 135

Necessary, Carly, 160

Nemeth, Griffin, 154

Nerswick, Mary Ann, 59

Ngo, Tuan, 21, 32

Ni, Wilson, 107

Nicholas, Connor, 107

Nienaber, Alana, 36

Nino, Sandy, 171

Nolan, Lizzie, 175

Nolletti, Lexi, 115

Ntakarutiman, Joy, 116

Nunez, Nicole, 37

Nunez, Lauren, 172

Oakley, Maddie, 24

Oldfield, Amelia, 37

Olsen, Luke, 156

Olyha, Lidia, 81

Oneal, Asa

Otieno, Christopher, 81

Owen, Autumn, 26

Padgett, Samantha, 116

Padgett, Connor, 107

Paradero, Hayley, 172

Park, Kennedy

Parson, Rachel, 82

Patel, Deep, 22, 94

Patel, Shivam, 155

Patel, Siya, 116

Patel, Palak

Pawsat, Meghan, 177, 173

Pechon, Ash, 173

Pendergrass, Mary Elizabeth, 174

Perell, Aidan, 23, 96

Perez, Ricardo, 104

Perkins, Anne, 26

Perrin, Grace, 23, 96

Peters, Kacie, 174, 167

Phe, Panhavuth, 42, 106, 154

Phelps, Abigail, 21

Phillips, Andres, 132

Piipponen, Elizabeth, 155

Plain, Joshua, 124

Porchia, Jocelyn, 26

Portugal, Gabriel, 104

Puderbaugh, Anna, 38

Puskas, Lorianna, 31

Rachan, Vasav, 31

Radcliffe, Wynne, 117

Ramaiah, Dharani, 155

Record, Dorian, 15

Rector, Jenna, 43

Reed, Coleman, 156

Reid, Emily, 21, 32

Rhorer, Julia, 54, 58

Rice, Elizabeth, 117

Rice, Ellie, 118

Riley, Hannah, 21, 32

Rintamaa, Elisabeth, 118

Roberts, Taylor, 156

Rodriguez, Daniela, 82

Rodriguez Vela, Sefora Thais, 54

Roemer, Katy, 28, 34, 38, 39

Rose, Reagan, 122

Roshong, Ridge, 25

Ruschman, Gretchen, 16, 67

Ruschman, Elizabeth

Russ, Kendall, 174

Russell, Blake, 119

Rybarczyk, Jared, 51

Sadek, Safiyah, 175

Sadr, Sabrina, 119

Saindon, Hope, 51

Salyers, Sophia, 83

Samenuk, Julia, 159, 157

Sanchez, Elliana, 120

Satish, Diksha, 68

Saylor, Emily, 31

Scheuer, Sylvia, 105, 167

Schildt, Megan, 68, 69

Schlake, Luke, 24, 97

Schlaug, Lillian, 136

Schlote, Addison, 21, 32

Schoenbachler, Peter, 37

Schumacher, Emme, 105, 167

Seals, Morgan, 83

Sermersheim, Zoe, 21

Shaf, Elizabeth, 175

Student Presenter Index

Student presenters are listed alphabetically by last name with Abstract Book page number.

Shaverina, Anastasia, 133

Shelley, Jackson, 69

Shepard, Kristen, 26

Sher, Abdallah, 16

Shoults, Michaela, 31

Shumard, Ross

Siegel, Zachary, 157

Siler, Chloe, 31

Simmons, Riley, 54

Simmons, Megan, 58

Simpson, Emily, 120

Singh, Seema, 158

Sizemore, Slayde, 121

Smith, Alexis, 117

Sneethan, Sayahna, 107

Snyder, Rachael, 39

Snyder, Kennedy, 52

Sony, Neha, 26

Sornberger, Parker, 44

Sosa, Kristina, 99

Sotingeanu, Lauren, 28, 34, 38,

39

Southall, Jacqueline, 70

Speed, Sydney

Stalcup, Rebecca, 40

Stasel, Sarah, 31

Starks, Ashley, 42, 148

Steen, Slane, 176

Steineker, Madelyn, 40

Stevens, Olivia, 159, 157

Stewart, Alex, 121

Stockstill, Anna, 176

Stone, Shayne, 70

Stonecipher, Samuel, 42, 106

Stonecypher, Audie, 25

Stricker, Emelia, 114

Stuart, Connor, 158

Studer, Sierra, 24

Sumrall, Emily, 84

Swanz, Lillian, 41

Taul, Alaina, 31

Taylor, Isabelle

Thyne, Emma, 177

Todd, Julia, 177, 173, 162

Toole, Mehryn, 178

Tschosik, Hope, 122

Tseng, Sophia, 41

Tucker, Gage, 128

Turner, Logan, 42, 106

Twine, Ruth, 84

Vargo, Bryn, 115

Vascassenno, Rachael, 112

Vessels, Breanna, 28, 34, 38, 39

Voisard, Layne

Vyas, Bhavya, 31, 85

Wade, Madison, 124

Wagenheim, Bailee, 21, 32

Wagers, Mikaela, 42, 122

Wakeman, Katie, 85

Warkentine, Johnna, 24, 97

Warner, Shaelin, 123

Wasson, Zack, 161

Weatherbie, Jazdin, 26

Weaver, Rachel, 159, 157

Weiss, Helena, 159

West, Aaron

Westray, Nicholas, 23

Whipp, Bea, 24

Whitehouse, Rachel, 71

Whitten, Chloe, 17

Wicker, Alyssa, 160

Wilkins, Nicholas, 71

Wilkirson, Madison, 105

Williams, Ellen, 53

Williams, Meredith, 72

Williams, Alyssa, 86

Willmott, Hannah, 72

Wilson, Annabelle, 136

Wilson, Christina, 160

Wilson, Olivia

Wing, Corinne, 159, 157

Wojcik, Samantha, 86

Woodcock, Olivia, 26

Woolard, Trent, 52

Wright, Kim, 161

Wright, Courtney, 110

Wunder, Madison, 73

Wyatt, Ronan, 139

Yalla, Sairakshitha, 87

Yang, Harrison, 52

Zheng, Vincent, 27

Zhu, Nathan, 46

Ziemyte, Gabija, 161

Zohary, Rowann, 120

2022-2023 YEAR IN REVIEW