UWA URS Program At A Glance 2024

-University Research Symposium (URS)-

12

th

a n n ua l

U niversity R esearch S ymposium Hybrid (In-person on UWA campus, USA, and Virtually) Co-SPONSOR

March 4-5, 2024 The University of West Alabama LIVINGSTON, ALABAMA

12TH Annual

University Research Symposium (URS) Hybrid (In-person on UWA campus, USA, and Virtually)

March 4-5, 2024 The UNIVERSITY of

WEST ALABAMA LIVINGSTON, AL

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Melissa Haab UWA

Tracy Keener UWA

Danielle Miller UWA

Mustafa Morsy UWA

Chris Theriot UWA

Kaleigh Pate UWA

Saad IbnSouda Koraichi USMBA

Anouar Alami USMBA

2024 University Research Symposium

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SPONSORS Georgia-Pacific LLC is an American pulp and paper company based in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of tissue, pulp, paper, toilet and paper towel dispensers, packaging, building products and related chemicals, and other forest products – largely made from its own timber.[2][3] Since 2005, it has been an independently operated and managed subsidiary of Koch Industries. As of Fall 2019, the company employed more than 35,000 people at more than 180 locations in North America, South America and Europe.

SPONSORS

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) is a nonprofit health insurance company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. The company was founded in 1936, provides coverage to over 3 million people and is a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBS). BCBSAL employs nearly 5,000 people, which includes almost 3,500 people at its corporate headquarters in Birmingham.

SPONSORS Alabama Power Company, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a company in the southern United States that provides electricity service to 1.4 million customers in the southern twothirds of Alabama. It also operates appliance stores. It is one of four U.S. utilities operated by the Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity.

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2024 University Research Symposium

SPONSORS The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) is vital to the UWA campus. Located in Webb Hall, OSPR is a service division assisting faculty, staff, and students seeking external funds through proposal development and aid in managing awarded grants.

OSPR is here to facilitate and enhance the grant writing process with experience and oversight. We want to help you do something that matters!

SPONSORS The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded $1.5M in scholarships to The University of West Alabama (UWA).

The project will directly benefit undergraduate students throughout the next six years. The project title is Biology Opportunities and Scholarships for Success II (BOSS II).

Students accepted in the program will receive an annual scholarship of $8,500, renewable for up to 4 years. The UWA BOSS II scholarship is designed to support students financially and academically to complete their college degree within four years, leading to a career in biological or environmental sciences or joining graduate or professional schools.

SPONSORS UWA CARES (Center for Achievement, Retention, and Enrichment Services) provides students access to centralized advising, mentoring, tutoring, workshops, open study hall, access to technology, and summer leadership camps. These services are provided free of charge to all students and are designed to assist students in overcoming barriers to achieving their academic goals.

CARES uses a student-service-centered approach to provide support services, encourage participation in campus activities, and enrich the students’ overall campus experience. UWA CARES is located in Spieth Hall 200 and is funded through a US Department of Education grant.

2024 University Research Symposium

CARES Center for Achievement, Retention, and Enrichment Services

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SPONSORS The primary purpose of UWA-Teach is to increase the number of STEM teachers in Alabama and diversify the teacher workforce. UWA-Teach offers four-year degree plans that fully integrate students’ STEM content major requirements and UWA-Teach program requirements and allow students to obtain secondary STEM teaching certification while earning degrees in science, computer science, engineering, or mathematics. UWA-Teach prepares teachers with deep content knowledge and inquiry-based pedagogical strategies. The first two one-hour field-based courses allow students to try out teaching in a positive and supportive environment with no demand for a commitment to continue in the program. UTeach programs produce teachers at a lower cost than other leading programs, and our graduates stay in teaching longer, improve student performance in math and science, and influence students to enter STEM fields.

TEACH

OTHER SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS • Sumter County Farmers Federation • UWA Cahaba Biodiversity Center • UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute

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2024 University Research Symposium

MESSAGE FROM THE URS CHAIR

O

n behalf of the organizing committee, I am pleased to warmly welcome all participants to the 12th annual University Research Symposium (URS)! We are thrilled to have you join us for this exciting event, where we will come together to explore the latest advancements, share insights, and foster collaboration in the diverse sciences fields.

To all the budding scientists and researchers joining us from the twenty participating universities in seven countries, your attendance at the URS is a testament to your commitment to furthering science and improving the world. The range of people attending this event demonstrates how various human undertakings, including science and education, can unite people. Whether you are a presenter or attendee, your contributions are integral to the URS’s success, and we thank you for that. Throughout the conference, I urge you to seize this opportunity to learn, collaborate, and grow professionally while sharing your passion for excellence in science, research, and education.

I want to express my profound appreciation to the URS sponsors and exhibitors. Your contribution played a pivotal role in making the URS conference a success. Your support provided a platform for knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities for many students from UWA and around the globe. Further, I am delighted that Dr. Melanin McReynolds is our keynote speaker, and I look forward to her talk. Her science is fascinating, and I am confident she will be a role model and inspirational figure to many of our students.

I wish you all a productive and enriching experience at the URS. May your time here be filled with inspiration, collaboration, and transformative insights that propel us toward a brighter future in science and education.

Warm regards, Mustafa Morsy Chair and co-founder of the University Research Symposium

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MESSAGE FROM THE UWA PRESIDENT

I

t is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to all attendees of the 12th annual University Research Symposium, taking place on March 4 and 5 on our beautiful campus, and virtually.

The URS continues to be a cornerstone in providing invaluable experiences for our students, particularly undergraduates, aiding them in better preparation for graduate programs and enhancing their career opportunities.

We are excited that this year’s symposium was co-organized with the University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah (USMBA), Fez, Morocco, providing a unique opportunity for students from both universities to connect and exchange scholarly and cultural knowledge. We are glad to welcome Dr. El Mestafa El Hadrami, USMBA vice president of research, and his team to UWA’s campus during the URS activities.

We are eager to share the remarkable accomplishments of our students, faculty, and staff, and I extend my sincere thanks to all participants and mentors for their hard work in developing such stimulating and diverse research topics.

A special welcome is extended to our distinguished keynote speaker, Dr. Melanie McReynolds from Pennsylvania State University, and to all graduate schools and exhibitors participating in the event.

In closing, I wish all participants a fulfilling and rewarding experience during this important conference. Thank you for your enthusiastic participation, and I look forward to the success of the 2024 URS, hoping it will mark the beginning of many more conferences on your research agenda.

Warm regards, Ken Tucker President

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2024 University Research Symposium

MESSAGE FROM THE COLLEGE DEAN

I

am delighted to extend a warm welcome to each of you joining us for the annual University Research Symposium in its 12th year at the University of West Alabama’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. This year, we are proud to showcase an impressive array of 103 presentations, delivered through traditional and virtual mediums, by our dedicated undergraduate and graduate researchers. Our symposium is a vibrant platform for the exchange of innovative ideas and groundbreaking research across all disciplines, reflecting our commitment to the advancement of scientific knowledge and its application for societal benefit.

David Epstein, in his insightful book “Range,” asserts that “We learn in practice, not in theory.”

This philosophy is at the heart of our symposium, emphasizing the critical role of hands-on research and the application of the scientific method in cultivating a deeper understanding of our world. By engaging directly with complex problems and exploring diverse hypotheses, our presenters demonstrate the dynamic nature of scientific inquiry and its essential contribution to progress.

This year is particularly special as we welcome our collaborators from the University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah in Fez, Morocco. This partnership not only broadens the scope of our symposium but also highlights the importance of international collaboration in tackling global challenges. Together, we celebrate the spirit of discovery and the relentless pursuit of knowledge that characterizes all fields.

The significance of inquiry-based instruction cannot be overstated—it is the foundation upon which the future is built, driving innovations that transform lives and shape our understanding of the universe. As we proceed with the presentations, let us embrace the opportunity to learn from each other and to inspire a continued dedication to scientific exploration and excellence.

Thank you for being part of this exciting journey of discovery. Your participation and contributions are what make our symposium a cornerstone event for the scientific community.

Best wishes, Jeffery Merida Dean, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Melanie R. McReynolds, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State University, holding the prestigious HHMI Hanna H. Gray Faculty Fellowship. Her research in the laboratory delves into the fascinating overlap between stress-induced metabolic aging and its implications for disease. Melanie is originally from Louisville, Mississippi and obtained her B.S. degree in Chemistry and Physics from Alcorn State University, actively participating in the NIH-funded Alcorn State to Penn State Bridges to the Doctorate Program.

Through this scientific pipeline initiative and institutional partnership, she earned her M.S. degree in Biological Sciences. Dr. McReynolds successfully completed her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology at the Pennsylvania State University in 2017. Notably, Melanie’s exceptional contributions to the field have garnered recognition, including being named a Burroughs Wellcome Fund PDEP Awardee, HHMI Hanna Gray Fellow, and a Rising Star on the CellPress list of Top 100 Inspiring Black Scientists in America during her impactful postdoctoral work at Princeton University. Dr. McReynolds is a biochemist with expertise in unraveling the link between metabolic stress and aging. With over a decade of research, mentoring, and teaching experience, she is enthusiastic about contributing to the broader scientific community. Currently, Melanie is establishing her independent research group, focusing on shedding light on metabolic aging and disease. Her return to Penn State brought her into the role of the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

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2024 University Research Symposium

12 th Annual University Research Symposium (URS) 2024 Program At A Glance All Time is Central Standard Time March 3

Virtual Poster Gallery Opens

March 4

Virtual Meeting (Zoom)

9:00 am

Welcome Remarks and Opening of the 2024 URS - Announcements

9:30 am – 11:00 am

Virtual Poster Session – Competitive

11:00 – 12:30 pm

Break - Poster Session remains open - Networking – Zoom breakout rooms

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Undergraduate Oral Presentations Session A – Competitive

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Undergraduate Oral Presentations Session B – Competitive

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Graduate Oral Presentations Session C – Competitive

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Graduate Oral Presentations Session D – Competitive

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Break

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Graduate Oral Presentations Session E – Competitive

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Graduate Oral Presentations Session F – Competitive

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Professionals Oral Presentations Session G – Non-Competitive

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Professionals Oral Presentations Session H – Non-Competitive

March 5

In-Person Meeting (UWA Campus) Livingston, AL

8:30 am

Registration and poster setup

9:00 am – 11:30 am

Poster session – Competitive

9:00 am – 11:30 am

Graduate School and Career Expo Session

11:30 am

Group Photo (Webb Hall Front Steps)

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Lunch and Networking (Bell Conference and Patio) The poster session hall remains open.

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Graduate Oral talks (Bell Conference) Bell Conference Center

5:30 pm – 5:45 pm

Opening remarks and welcome messages

5:45 pm – 6:15 pm

Dinner

6:15 pm – 7:00 pm

Keynote speech by Dr. Melanie McReynolds Mechanisms of NAD+ homeostasis in aging and disease.

7:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Awards Ceremony and Photos

March 15, 2024

Award announcement for virtual competition (by email)

2024 University Research Symposium

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12 th Annual University Research Symposium (URS) 2024 Program At A Glance

March 4 Abstract no.

Speaker’s Name

Abstract Title

9:30 am - 11:00 am Virtual Poster Session Moderator: Tracy Keener and Chris Theriot 1

Faiçal El Ouadrhiri

2

Slimane Omari

3

Youssra Kanzouai

4

Mohammed Zouiri

5

Sayma Alam

6

Hyunjun Lee

7

Sara Zarougui

8

Yassine Rhazi

9

José E. Lucas-López

10

José F. Sanabria-García

11*

Slimane Mouchou

12*

Aleksandra Machlańska

13*

Chelouati Tarik

14*

Houda Serrar

15*

Younas Aouine

16*

Monika Marat

17*

El Bourachdi Soukaina

Citric acid assisted-hydrothermal carbonization of solid waste from essential oils industry: optimization using I-optimal experimental design and removal dye application The Impact of Using an Educational Robot as an Educational Game on Middle School Students' Motivation to Study the Concept of pH in Chemistry Synthesis and characterization of new chromone-isoxazolines conjugates via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition Vulnerability’s Double Bind: Exploring Climate Change Effects On GenderBased Violence In Morocco Improved Stability and in vitro Bioaccessibility of Lutein in Emulsions Stabilized by Octenylsuccinylated Starch and Pea Protein Isolate Exploration of Mycovirus Content in Fungal Genomes Qsar, dft studies, docking molecular and simulation dynamic molecular of 2-styrylquinoline derivatives through their anticancer activity on wild-type colon cancer cells p53hct 116++.

Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of The Anti- Corrosive Activity of Quinazoline-Derived Heterocycles on Carbon Steel, in 1m Hcl Medium Survey of nutritional management in cattle extensive farms from the tropics (Guayas, Ecuador) Nutritional characterization of tropical pastures used in cattle farms during the dry season (Guayas, Ecuador) Thermoelectric Properties of Heusler Ferrimagnetic Semiconductors CrVTiAl: A Theoretical Investigation using r2SCAN Functional The effect of polyploidization on phenotypic characteristics of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) Study on Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential of Chemically Profiled Essential Oils Extracted from Juniperus Phoenicea (L.) By Use of In Vitro and In Silico Approaches Synthesis of Novel 2-arylidenehydrazinel-5-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-4(5H)-one and the Evaluation of their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities Synthesis and Characterization of a New Precursor of 1,2,3-Triazolic Amino Alcohols via Click Chemistry Study on the mechanisms of increased tolerance of apple tetraploids to drought stress Treatment of textile rejects by the coagulation-flocculation process: comparative study of cactus in the form of juice and powder with lime and optimization using response surface methodology.

11:00 am – 12:30 pm Break – Poster Session remains open Networking – Zoom breakout rooms Moderators: Kaleigh Pate and Mustafa Morsy

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2024 University Research Symposium

12 th Annual University Research Symposium (URS) 2024 Program At A Glance

March 4 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

ndergraduate Oral Presentations Session A – Competitive U Moderators: Danielle Miller and Fallon Plowman

Time

Abstract no.

Speaker’s Name

Abstract Title

12:30

18

Fatima Zahra Chellat

Vaccine hesitancy in the era of COVID-19 in Morocco: Case study

12:45

19

Hasnaa Talimi

A comparative genomics approach reveals a local genetic signature of Leishmania tropica in Morocco

1:00

20

Sneh Patel

Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19 on Global Education in Anatomy and Physiology

1:15

21

Asmae Ben Abdelhadi

A New Eco-friendly and Highly Emitting Mn-based Hybrid Perovskite Toward High-Performance Green Down-Converted LEDs

1:30

22

Safae Er Raouan

Study of the effect of tannic acid, gallic acid and epicatechin gallate on the inhibition of bacterial adhesion on 3D printing materials

1:45

23

Yassine Rhazi

Design, Synthesis and Structural Characterization and AntiBacterial Evaluation of New Isoxazoline Disubstitutes

2:00

24

Ghizlan En-Nabety

Electrochemical Investigations of high voltage cathode Materials for Sodium ion batteries

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Undergraduate Oral Presentations Session B – Competitive Moderators: Chris Theriot and Will Atkinson 12:30

25*

Othman El Kssiri

Deciphering the short and medium range orders in borophosphate glasses: Molecular Dynamics simulation approach.

12:45

26

Lamyae Mardi

Insight into аdsorption mеchаnism, modеling, аnd desirаbility function of mаlаchite green by sediment of Oued Sebou: BoxBehnken design аpplicаtion

1:00

27

Meryem Idboumlik

Desorption Efficacy of Decavanadates for Methylene Blue in Aqueous Solution

1:15

28

Btissam Laghmam

The Spectral idempotents of (b,c)-inverses

1:30

29*

Imad El Mallahi

Progress in Vehicle Detection: Emphasizing Multi-Level Object Detection via Feature Pyramid Network and an Adaptive Hybrid Activation Function

1:45

30

Raini Imad

Evaluating the Potential of Recycled Concrete Aggregates for Enhancing the Physical and Technical Properties of Marl Soil

2:00

31

Ez-Zoubi Amine

Chitosan-grafted cyclodextrin via click chemistry as encapsulating agent to enhance the antibacterial activity of thymol.

2024 University Research Symposium

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12 th Annual University Research Symposium (URS) 2024 Program At A Glance

March 4 Time

Abstract no.

Speaker’s Name

Abstract Title

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Graduate Oral Presentations Session C – Competitive Moderators: Melissa Haab and Anouar Alami 12:30

32

Ahnich Abdelilah

Biological and ecological characterization of freshwater fish in Zat Watershed (Morocco)

12:45

33

Anouar Hmamou

Analgesic, and antidepressant activities of Papaver rhoeas L. root and leaf extracts

1:00

34

Ihsane El Morabet

Study of the dynamics and assessment of the risk of eutrophication of Lake Aguelmam Sidi Ali, Ramsar Site (Morocco)

1:15

35

Khaoula Sebbar

Greening Healthcare: 3D Printed PLA Patches Coated with Mentha Pulegium Essential Oil and Βeta-Ionone Nanoparticles for Revolutionary Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Breakthroughs

1:30

36

Naima Mammate

Evaluation of the anti-lithiasis activity of the methanolic extract of Saussurea lappa (Clarke) in an in vitro and in vivo model

1:45

37

Sara El Mazini

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Leishmania infantum in Morocco as Revealed by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) Approach

2:00

38

Widad Tbatou

Investigation of the antioxidant potential and diuretic effect of Pine Bark of Morocco in Wistar Albinos rats.

2:15

39

Achaimae Kharchafi

The impact of various silica-based compound synthesis methods on carbon dioxide CO2 capture

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Graduate Oral Presentations Session D – Competitive Moderator: LaJuan Hutchinson and Kirsten Cunningham Synthesis and Characterizations of MnTiO3 Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Rhodamine B dye in Aqueous Solution.

12:30

40

Faraz Ahmed

12:45

41

Fathima Fakiha Imam "Development of bacterial consortium for crude oil biodegradation".

Khan

1:00

42

Fatin Tagnaouti Moumnani

Synthesis of an al/zno nanocomposite and its potential application to photocatalysis for the elimination of methyl orange under uv irradiation

1:15

43

Hajar El Mrayej

Triazolopyrimidine Derivatives: A Comprehensive Review on their Synthesis, Reactivity, Biological Properties, and Molecular Docking Studies

1:30

44

Hanane Souhassou

Optimization of basic red 29 dye removal onto a natural red clay using response surface methodology

1:45

45

Sara Hajib

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of the anticorrosive activity of new α-pyrazole amino acid precursors; and study of the antibacterial effect of 5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-tetrazole and its oxime derivative against ATCC reference strains and strains isolated from the hospital environment.

2:00

46

Simranjeet Singh

Enzyme-based biosensor for the electrochemical detection of atrazine

2:15

47

Youssra Kanzouai

Synthesis and structural characterization of new chromoneisoxazoles hybrids via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

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2024 University Research Symposium

12 th Annual University Research Symposium (URS) 2024 Program At A Glance

March 4 Time

Abstract no.

Speaker’s Name

Abstract Title

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Graduate Oral Presentations Session E – Competitive Moderator: Wayne Korzanand and Byron Thetford 3:00

48

Aiza Maqbool

Sonochemical synthesis of TiO2/BiOBr nano photocatalysts for the production of functionalized fabrics

3:15

49

Fasiha Kashif

Electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production using composite metal oxide catalysts.

3:30

50

Jancy Garg

Compost Tea and its Implications

3:45

51

Mohammed Zouiri

Vulnerability’s double bind: exploring climate change effects on gender-based violence in morocco

4:00

52

Noura Ouled Sihamman

Enhancing Agricultural Stand Count Accuracy in Moroccan Sugar Beet Farms through AI-Assisted Drone-Based Remote Sensing,

4:15

53

Sabyasachi Koley

Long term INM effects in a cereal-vegetable-pulse cropping system on phosphorus sorption characteristics in an acid Inceptisol of Eastern India

4:30

54

Bouzammit Rachid

Synthesis and characterization of a new series of chromoneisoxazoline hybrid molecules

4:45

55

Darkaoui Najoua

Study of the impact of climatic factors on the abundance and dynamics of sandfly populations

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Graduate Oral Presentations Session F – Non-competitive Moderator: Catalina Casaru and Emily Stuart 3:00

56

Zunaira Kashif

Study of the photocatalytic response of TiO2/Ag/ZnO multilayer coated cotton fabric for self-cleaning application.

3:15

57

Saoussan Annemer

Optimization of antifungal impact against wood rot fungi using nanoencapsulation of Salvia rosmarinus Speen and Cedrus atlantica Manetti essential oils in Gum Arabic

3:30

58

Azdine El Ouaryaghli

Diversity and dynamics of Coprophagous Scarabeid communities in the Southern Rif region (Morocco)

3:45

59

Souad Maache

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity assessment of the aqueous extract of Salvia Blancoana subsp. mesatlantica (Lamiaceae) in Rodents

4:00

60

Safiya Es-Sehli

PO4- based Polyanion Type of Compounds As Cathode Materials for Na-Ion Batteries

4:15

61

Muhammad Shoaib

Synthesis and testing of MgFe2O4/ZnO/perlite photocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water splitting and Dye Degradation Applications

4:30

62

Bilal Shoukat

Hydrogen and Carbon Nanotubes production strategy from waste plastics through microwave-assisted reactions with magneticbased catalysts

4:45

63

Muhammad Shoaib

Visible light-responsive CdS/g-C3N4/TiO2 ternary heterojunction photocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting and photodegradation of Rhodamine B under visible light

2024 University Research Symposium

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12 th Annual University Research Symposium (URS) 2024 Program At A Glance

March 4 Time

Abstract no.

Speaker’s Name

Abstract Title

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Professionals Oral Presentations Session G – Non-competitive Moderator: Anouar Alami and Julie Traeger 3:00

64

Cankui Zhang

Tissue-specific engineering for crop improvement

3:15

65

Ihsane El Otmani

Evaluating KAP in a Molecular Biology Laboratory of COVID-19 Diagnosis

3:30

66

Ihssane El Bouchikhi

The first assessment of the potential association between Angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) D/I polymorphism and COVID-19 severity in the Moroccan population

3:45

67

Arzine Aziz

Synthesis, In-vitro, In-silico and DFT Studies of Novel Functionalized Isoxazoles as Antibacterial and Antioxidant Agents

4:00

68

Farzin Sheikh

Experimental and statistical evaluation of catalytic valorization of mixed-density plastics for the production of carbon nanotubes and hydrogen fuel through microwave pyrolysis

4:15

69

Khadija Afzal

Production of ZnxMg1-xFe2O4 Magnetic Nano-adsorbents for Removal of Cd (II) and Zn (II) Heavy Metal Ions from Wastewater

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Professionals Oral Presentations Session H – Non-competitive Moderator: Mohamed Zouiten and Gena Robbins 3:00

70

Muhammad Rizwan Khalid

Microwave assisted catalytic co-pyrolysis of plastic waste and cooking oil into liquid fuel

3:15

71

Muhammad Umer Saleem

Amino-functionalization of CoFe2O4@SiO2 nanoparticles for removal of heavy metals from wastewater

3:30

72

Abdelaaziz El Bakkali

Introducing Soft Skills in Modern School Life through Incorporating Project-Based Learning

3:45

73

Elhassane El Hilali

Exploring Students' Knowledge of Soft Skills for Employability: Moroccan Limited Access Institutions as a Case Study

4:00

74

Elhoucine Boualili

Revisiting Women’s Political Empowerment: The Implications of Gender Quota for Women’s Political Representation in Morocco

4:15

75

Mariella ChacónMorales

Evaluation of the welfare of free-roaming cats in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador

4:30

76

Sergine Abdou Khadir Fall

Synthesis by click chemistry and characterization of a new biheterocyclic phosphonic -aminoester by spectroscopic analysis technical

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2024 University Research Symposium

12 th Annual University Research Symposium (URS) 2024 Program At A Glance

March 5 Abstract no. Poster no.

9:00 am – 11:30 am

Presenter Name

Poster session – Non-Competitive

77

1

Aubree Plymale

78

2

Kayla Gold

79

3

Kayla Hardrick

80

4

Taylor Underwood

9:00 am – 11:30 am

Abstract Title

Partners in Action for Integral Solutions (PAIS 3.0) Assessing Seasonal Variability of Black Belt Streams Through Use of Macroinvertebrate Bioassessment Effects of antibacterial drugs on DNA cleavage mediated by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa topoisomerase IV Conducting Bat and Small Mammal Surveys at the Cahaba Biodiversity Center in Central Alabama

Poster session – Competitive

81

5

Audrey Sweten

82

6

Blake Speed

83

7

Bryson Rhodes

84

8

Camille Thompson

85

9

De'Travean Williams

86

10

Faith Onomeh

87

11

Haley Mcatee

88

12

I'Aisha Hampton

89

13

Julie Payne

90

14

Kayley Key

91

15

Layla Moberg

92

16

Nolan Mckibben

93

17

Rashika George

94

18

Sara Ghulamani

95

19

Sterling Spears II

96

20

Yuhua Pang

97

21

Zaria Gulley

98

22

Emilee Paul

99

22

Zouiten Mohammed

2024 University Research Symposium

CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) Technology to Investigate Group B Streptococcal Pathogenesis Characterizing the Influence of Rainfall on Groundwater Microbial Indicator Organisms Fungi’s symbiotic relationship with plants to eliminate the use of agrochemicals A comparison of microplastic prevalence in two disjoint populations of Atlantic mole crab (Emerita talpoida) in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Incidences of Prostate Cancer across the United States and Racial Disparities Variations in Cancer Incidence by Race and Gender Across U.S. States: A Comprehensive Analysis Exploring Strategies to Increase Resistant Starch Content in Pea starch Racial Disparities in Urinary Bladder Cancer Incidence Among Major Ethnic Groups in the United States: A Comprehensive Analysis Efficacy of Optimized Homemade Electrolyzed Water for Pre- and Postharvest Intervention of Bacterial Produce Contaminant The Effects of Second-Hand Electronic Cigarette Aerosols on a Mice Model Increasing Crop Production with Fungal Endophytes Using a Smartphone-Based Fundus Camera System to Analyze the Progression of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Neonatal Rats Cooling Interventions to Protect Agricultural Workers Against Kidney Injury: A Pilot Study Effect of Brewing and Storage on Quality of Teas Evaluating Cost Efficiency of the Salad Spinner Centrifuge as a Possible Alternative in Hematocrit Determination A predictive model for correlating horse thrush and environmental conditions Optimized Isolation, Cultivation, Prevalence, and Biology of Vagococcus lutrae in Raw Seafood.

Evaluating the Impact of Aging on Elderly Health A deep learning classification approach using high spatial satellite images for detection of built-up areas in rural zones: Case study of Souss-Massa region - Morocco Page 7

12 th Annual University Research Symposium (URS) 2024 Program At A Glance

March 5 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Graduate Oral talks (Bell Conference)

Abstract no.

Talk no.

Presenter Name

Abstract Title

100

1

Ethan Brister

Advancing Soybean Seed Protein: Insights from QQS gene exploration

101

2

Omar Hasannin

Two-Phase Cytokinin Response in Delaying Leaf Senescence: Insights from Dark Induced Senescence in Arabidopsis

102

3

Rezwan Tanvir

Taxonomically Restricted QQS Associated 1 (TRQA1): A Regulator of Plant Metabolism Controlling Protein and Starch Content

103

4

Md Imtiaz Kamrul

A Miniaturized Broadband Vivaldi Antenna for Advanced Food Quality Assessment using Microwave Imaging

104

5

Zachary Choffin

P2S2 Joint Angle Detection

105

6

Muzhi Wu

Microwave imaging system

106

7

Abdeen Omer

Sustainable Development in Low Carbon, Cleaner and Greener Energies and the Environment

6:15 pm – 7:00 pm

Keynote speech: Dr. Melanie McReynolds Mechanisms of NAD+ homeostasis in aging and disease.

7:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Awards Ceremony

Page 8

2024 University Research Symposium

GRADUATE SCHOOLS AND CAREER PARTICIPANTS Participants West Central Alabama AHEC

Name

Contact email

Mercedes Lightfoot

mercedes.lightfoot@wcaahec.org

Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Alayna Boling

alayna.boling@adem.alabama.gov

United Rentals

Dave Compton

dcompto@ur.com

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Joshua Harvey

jharvey4@fbi.gov

Fastenal Company

Evelyn Rivera

evrivera@fastenal.com

Alabama Department of Revenue

James Dyer

jasmine.dyer@revenue.alabama.gov

University of Alabama Graduate School

Kaitlynn Beaird

kmbeaird@ua.edu

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health

Richard Bennett

pholt@uab.edu

Jackson State University

Byron Quick

byron.a.quick@jsums.edu

East Tennessee State University

Tom VerDow

Verdow@etsu.edu

Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Katie Rowland Ellis

kellis3@samford.edu

Sherman College of Chiropractic

Will Tucker

Wtucker@sherman.edu

Tuskegee University

Melanee Hester

mhester@tuskegee.edu

The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Linda Goodson

cwesley@acom.edu

2024 University Research Symposium

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We are grateful for the judges and session moderators for their time in supporting students.

Anathbandhu Chaudhuri

Stillman College

Catalina Casaru

UWA

El Ghali Houari

USMBA

Fouad Ouazzani Chadi

USMBA

Frank Roger

UWA

Hoda Hassan

UWA

Jessica Lotz

UWA

Jeffrey Merida

UWA

LaJuan Hutchinson

UWA

Ling Li

Mississippi State University

Mohamed Zouiten

USMBA

Mohammed El Yazidi

USMBA

Sharon Valverde

USMBA

Wayne Korzan

UWA

Fallon Plowman

UWA

Will Atkinson

UWA

Kirsten Cunningham

UWA

Byron Thetford

UWA

Emily Stuart

UWA

Julie Traeger -Research Symposium-

UWA

-Research Symposium-

Don ’ t forget to register for next year!

-Research Symposium-

See you Next year!

Research Symposium

Page 10

Research Symposium

2024 University Research Symposium

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

CARES Center for Achievement, Retention, and Enrichment Services

TEACH

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