Research Symposium

BIO

Hello. My name is Ariana Mendez. I am a second-year Biological Sciences major, and I am from Houston, TX. My research interests vary a lot, just because I feel like there is so much to learn about our world. I particularly enjoy learning about Ecology, Marine Biology, and Medicine and I would say that these are the largest contributors to my interests, but I am hopeful that I am able to expand my horizons in the future.

Female Mating Preference Tied to Negative Frequency Dependent Selection (NFDS)

Abstract

Genetic differences matter because populations can be drastically altered over time through seemingly minor changes in frequency throughout a short period (Hughes et al 2013). In many species, we can see that individual organisms have numerous genetic differences from one another, and we don’t fully understand why. One possible reason for this variation is the idea of negative frequency-dependent selection (NFDS) (Olendorf et al. 2006). NFDS means that rare phenotypes have an advantage. Female mating preference for males with rare traits is one possible cause of reduced genetic variation over time. In our study species, the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata), we are diving into the potential reasoning behind female mate selection. Our prediction is that initially rare-colored males will increase in frequency over time due to biased female mate choice. This occurrence would show that genetic differences can accumulate within a species due to novelty in NFDS and female mating preference.

Keywords: Ecology Evolution Selection

BIO

I am a third-year student from Fleming Island, Florida studying International Affairs while also taking all classes on the pre-medicine route. I am doing so with hopes of attending medical school in the near future and obtaining my MD. While I am open to the wide variety of careers that are available as a physician, I have current interests in pediatrics, international medicine, and emergency medicine. These interests have become passions of mine as I have a spent a considerable amount of time studying and working within the public health realm of less-developed communities domestically and internationally. I hope to one day work as a physician in these less-developed communities, bringing healing to those who may not have access otherwise. The Global Health Collaboration Project (GHCP) with the Florida State University College of Medicine has offered the unique opportunity to work with like-minded peers and professionals to hopefully better the community health of a rural village in Honduras. My work with the Women's Health team of the GHCP is directed towards assisting women, and as seen through this poster, specifically pregnant women by implementing future interventions to gender-based and intimate partner violence.

Global Interventions in Addressing Intimate Partner Violence during Pregnancy

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects ~324,000 pregnant women each year. Abuse during pregnancy can cause serious maternal and fetal health complications including peripartum bleeding, preterm labor, low-birth weight infants, and perinatal death. IPV is especially prevalent for women in low- and middle-income countries, with an estimated 37% of women in the lowest-income countries having experienced physical and/or sexual IPV in their life. Obstetric health visits present a unique and vital opportunity to identify and support victims of IPV throughout and following pregnancy.
A literature review was conducted to evaluate domestic and international methods of intervention in addressing IPV during pregnancy. The results revealed three key strategies: improved IPV screening throughout pregnancy, supportive counseling services for victims of IPV, and male engagement and education against IPV. IPV screening was associated with lower mean danger and recurrence of IPV, as well as improvements in quality of life, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use. Studies demonstrated a 53% acceptance of referrals to community resources and counseling services among women who screened positive for IPV. Supportive counseling was associated with significant reductions in mean danger and acts of violence, and increased use of safety behaviors. Male engagement and education, specifically when started at a younger age, resulted in less perpetration of IPV and improved conflict resolution skills.
Interventions targeted at reducing IPV during pregnancy should be multifaceted and implemented routinely. Effective methods of doing so include IPV screening, counseling services for victims, and male engagement and education programs.

Keywords: Intimate partner violence during pregnancy

BIO

My name is Anghea "Angie" Dolisca and am a second-year in a biomedical engineering major. My hometown is West Palm Beach and I apply on going to graduate school. I have done research on prostate cancer, nephrotoxicity, and I currently research polymer-based artificial muscles. I do research on anything that am interested in learning more about.

Characterizing the Dynamic Swelling of Polymer-Based Artificial Muscles

Abstract

Polymers are substances that have numerous structural units that are linked together using the same type of linkage. Polymer artificial muscle technologies are being developed that produce similar strains to natural muscle and higher stresses using electrostatic forces, electrostriction, ion insertion, and molecular conformational changes.[1] Artificial muscle is a generic term used for a class of bio-inspired materials that can reversibly expand, contract, or rotate due to an external stimulus (such as voltage, current, temperature, or light). [2] Although artificial muscles can mimic specific temporal, spatial, or force regimes seen in biological nature, a single solution that reproduces all these capabilities has yet to be found. This research will aid efforts to identify the best material candidates for practical use as artificial muscle fibers. The purpose of this research is to characterize the dynamic swelling of polymer-based artificial muscles. We hypothesize that conducting polymers will be the best material candidate to use for artificial muscle. Therefore, water sorption and swelling experiments on two types of sulfonated polymer samples were conducted to evaluate their potential to be used as artificial.

Keywords: SPVA, polymer-based artificial muscles, and dynamic swelling

BIO

I am Bryce Denick, and I am a sophomore studying Chemical Engineering. I have one younger brother, who is a future nole and I am lovingly supported by my parents, Stephen and Kristen. I am actively involved in the Catholic Student Union, Air Force ROTC, Theta Chi Fraternity, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. As for my future goals, I desire to be an officer in the United States Air Force and eventually travel to every state in the US. On my free time, I enjoy listening to music, weight training, running, playing sports, and spending quality time with friends and family. UROP has helped me grow in discipline, time management, and knowledge in the field of engineering, and I hope to use these skills to further propel my career.

Friction and Wear of Self-Mated High-Performance Polymer Blends

Abstract

Tribology is the study of friction and wear and helps us
understand how surfaces interact with one another.
Additionally, tribometers measure wear of a polymer across
a sliding surface, which enable researchers to contribute
their work toward the field of tribology. I have incorporated
various methods toward this project such as the computer
application MATLAB, scales accurate to the one-hundred
thousandths place, and tribometers. These devices
contribute to obtaining the wear rate of the samples tested,
each of which consists of a high-performance polymer
proprietary blend. After hundreds of thousands of cycles are
completed by the tribometer, an overall wear rate is able to
be calculated. In materials science, the balance between a
material’s wear rate and rate of friction can give insight into
the effectiveness of a material’s use in industry. This project
contributes toward the goal of improving this balance and
helps enhance the knowledge of materials science through
the action of testing these high-performance polymer
proprietary blends.

Keywords: Tribology Friction Materials Polymer Engineering

BIO

Hello! I am Alexandra Feng but I go by the nickname Lexi! I'm from Jacksonville, Florida but I was originally born in Charleston, West Virginia. I am majoring in Asian Studies with Emphasis in Business because I hope to someday work as an international marketing specialist that focuses on East Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea. I am planning to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea through the Global Exchange Program here at FSU!

The Portrayal of Women in Female-directed Bollywood Films

Abstract

Bollywood films are a popular form of entertainment in India. Producers and directors are recognized all over the world and their films reach places other than India. Our research project analyzes the portrayal of women characters in female-directed Bollywood films. We take into account how Indian cultural contexts differ when analyzing the roles of women. The Bollywood film industry is predominantly patriarchal, male-dominated, and oftentimes views women in society through the male gaze. Many female characters in Bollywood films were created to fit into these paradigmatic social norms. We collected data through watching a series of films and completing surveys analyzing the films. While our results are not finalized, we have noticed patterns depending on the time the film was produced and where the film takes place.

Keywords: Women, Bollywood, Female

BIO

Hi, my name is Aislinn Gonzalez. I am from Boca Raton, Florida. Currently, I am a sophomore majoring in Psychology on a pre-PA track. However, my love for psychology has led me on a more oriented research path. My research interests include studying athletes and their performance using various tools, studying eating disorders and their effects on popular media, and medical research in any area. As of now, I am unsure of what my career goals will be as I have many different interests and am looking forward to continue finding out what I love most. Specifically, I will be working on research in the Fall working in a lab that caters towards athletes.

Portrayals of Mental Health in Video Games

Abstract

Stigmatization can have consequences to how a given society feels about, thinks of, and acts towards others. Stigmatizing portrayals of
people with mental illness as propagated by forms of media such as television have been well documented, but video games remain an area with little research. Building off previous studies, this research project involves compiling video game footage which was then coded for stigmatizing portrayals of people with mental disorders. The study is ongoing, but previous research indicates that portrayals of mental health will be overwhelmingly stigmatizing, relying on stereotypes rather than
informed and accurate depictions. This is concerning as the unique interactive features of video games make such stigmatization especially harmful. However, notable exceptions of individual games with constructive portrayals show implications for positive social change driven by interactive media.

Keywords: mental health, video games, stigmas

BIO

Hi! My name is Jonathan Sullivan. I originally grew up in Sarasota, Florida, but now I'm at FSU pursuing a degree in International Affairs. In my free time, you can find me in the FSU Flying High Circus, at Poetry Club, or Russian Table Conversation Club.

Florida for Sale: Achille Murat

Abstract

Territorial Florida in the 1820s till the 1840s was a historical melting pot of numerous characters from all over the world and of all backgrounds, whether it be indigenous natives, former slaves, old revolutionaries, or royalty. The Florida for Sale Project focuses on bringing these historical characters to life through theater. This particular portion of the project focuses on Achille Murat, born in Paris on January 21st, 1801, as heir to the throne of Naples, now exiled Florida plantation owner and political commentator till his death on April 15, 1847. We use primary sources like letters, journals, and newspaper articles from himself and the people around him to discover as much as we can about him, focusing on key events in his life, like his meeting with Lafayette or marriage with a descendant of George Washington. This project develops a character profile of Murat, using primary sources to probe his personality and motivation, providing the research basis for translating Achille Murat into a theatrical character.

Keywords: History, Florida, Murat, Theater, France

BIO

Hi! My name is Allison Barnes and I am a sophomore studying athletic training on the pre-pt track.

Thermal Manikin Comfort Assessment of Lightweight PPE for Structural Firefighters

Abstract

Heat exhaustion and heat-related illness is a common issue that firefighters experience, due to the strenuous nature of their job. This study evaluates the structure of their personal protective equipment (PPE) to test overall thermal comfort so PPE equipment can be better designed to fit the comfort needs of Firefighters. A turn-out suit manufacturer has introduced a new lightweight material suit to be tested in the ThermaNOLE® comfort lab. This lab is equipped with ANDI®, a state-of-the-art thermal manikin that offers heightened sensitivity to measure heat loss and gain, allowing researchers to simulate human physiology while testing garments. A series of tests will be conducted with the thermal manikin ANDI® to evaluate both the new lightweight suit and a traditional weight control suit. Results will evaluate whether the lightweight structured material of PPE will make any improvements in thermal comfort for firefighters.

Keywords: textiles, exercise, thermal, firefighter, lab

BIO

Welcome! My name is Emanuel Kogan, Born and Raised in Israel and Migrated to America at the age of 10. I am currently a Senior at Florida State University majoring in Public Health & Psychology with a minor in Biology as well as a chemistry.

Oxygen Consumption Varies among Amazon Molly Clones

Abstract

Behavioral and physiological variation within and among clonal lineages has long been assumed to be limited in natural asexual species.
We investigate 2 questions:
Do clones show intra-individual variation in oxygen consumption across three days?
How does this variation compare across five distinct clonal lineages?
We test these questions using Amazon mollies, a small-bodied, gynogenetic fish native to South Texas to North Mexico.
Although one originally clonal lineage occurred from this hybridization event, many clonal lineages now overlap across the entire species range. This diversity among Amazon mollies has occurred through various events (i.e., mutation, complete or incomplete incorporation of male genetic material, etc.).
Here, we investigate how five distinct clonal lineages vary in their metabolic consumption of oxygen, this will allow us to quantify metabolic variation in a clonal species.

Keywords: Amazon Molly, Clones, Oxygen

BIO

Cole Spires is a freshman at Florida State University. Cole is from Homestead, Florida, and is pursuing a double major in International Affairs and Geography.

Exploration of Francis Eppes

Abstract

Francis Eppes was an important figure in early Florida. Eppes came from a prestigious family that included Thomas Jefferson, and like his grandfather Thomas, Eppes did a lot. In the city of Tallahassee, Eppes was one of the founders of the St. John's Episcopal Church in Tallahassee and was tasked with finding a new reverend for the church. Among other things, Eppes also helped found the school that would eventually become FSU (Florida State University) in the “Seminary West of the Suwannee River.” Eppes also served as mayor of Tallahassee. But Eppes was not without controversy. Recently, Eppes’ history of slave-owning was revealed, and the backlash has hurt Eppes’ legacy. This project focused on Eppes’ own writings, along with works from the time period. Today some of Eppes’ letters are still intact and there are some pieces written about him during and shortly after his life. Letters explored his devotion to his faith, his children, and his community. But like all historical figures, there remains much to be explored about Eppes, beyond the same 20- sentence biography.

Keywords: Florida, History, Tallahassee, Francis Eppes

BIO

My name is Lydia Fertil and I am currently a second year student majoring in International Affairs and Cyber Criminology. I have always been intrigued by current events and how the world operates. I am interested in conducting research because it is an effective means to understanding the world around us. Specifically, I was interested in studying wireless networks because I was not familiar with them and wanted a better understanding. Due to this process, I can confidently say that I learned a great deal and will continue to pursue research opportunities. Technology has become an essential part of human beings lives; As technology advances and changes so will our way of life. In the future I hope to conduct research related to cyber security and international crimes. Currently I am interested in women and their roles as in relates to international crimes.

Invisible Danger: To Understand the Security Posture of Wireless Networks Around Us

Abstract

Wireless networks have become an important aspect of cyber infrastructure that impacts everyone’s life in today’s society. Unfortunately, bad actors can set up rouge access points to steal online users’ data. This is known as the Evil Twin attack. An Evil Twin attack is when an attacker acquires the credentials of a legitimate access point to gain entry to a user’s sensitive information by impersonating a legitimate access point. The focus of the research is to conduct wireless network forensics and to learn the behavioral differences among access points to identify rogue access points. Wireshark was used to capture traffic data with the aim of discovering network anomalies. Data was captured and compared between on campus and off campus traffic. Gephi was used to visualize the network traffic data. The findings demonstrate the dynamics of the network traffic, and the possibilities of identifying questionable access points. Wireless traffic and data traveling in the air are invisible; this invisible danger is not observable by physical sight. With the use of technologies and tools, we are capable of gaining cyber situational awareness and better understanding the wireless environment.

Keywords: Cyber Security, Evil Twin, Wireless Networks

BIO

Hi! My name is Joseph Cofer and I'm a first year from Ormond Beach, Florida, studying at Florida State University. While I'm majoring in International Affairs, I have a variety of interests that include Diplomacy, Business Administration, Homeland Security, and many others. I was interested in researching this project due to its relevancy and mobility as the field of algorithms is constantly evolving and becoming omnipresent to a greater degree in each of our lives.

"An Approach to Categorize the Ethical Considerations of Modern Algorithms"

Abstract

A classificatory schema with which to assess the morally salient features of algorithms will be presented. To assess this schema, this project will show how such classifications can capture the moral features of algorithms used by the military as well as social media companies.
By proving how the classificatory schema can provide insight into these different fields, it helps establish the broad applicability of the schema, and allows us to triangulate on the more general ethical questions raised by algorithms (rather than allowing ourselves to get lost in details of a particular sector).
Algorithms integrated into the military tend to focus on more tangible results which may be expressed through the implementation of unmanned technology. The primary focus of social media algorithms, however, is to retain engagement and earn profit.
The intersection of said algorithms can be found in the desire to gain data for external leverage upon others. The United States military has an incentive to acquire data on individuals who may be a threat, and plan accordingly for battle. Social media organizations utilize algorithms that incorporate users’ engagement and interests to leverage their data to advertising agencies, thereby increasing profits through the providing of more bespoke advertisements. 
Through the comparison of seemingly contrasting sectors, we seek to analyze how how different forms of algorithms may be utilized to achieve similar results. Via an analysis of different strains of algorithms across these two fields, we underpin the intentions of algorithms through overarching themes of leverage and access to information.

Keywords: Philosophy, Algorithms, Schema

BIO

My name is Karissa Huggins and I am from Lauderhill, Florida. I am currently a second year student here at Florida State double majoring in Political Science and Criminology and minoring in African American Studies. I teach a class to incoming freshman, I am an Orientation Leader, and I am in UROP. After receiving my undergrad degree I plan on attending law school and receiving my J.D. I then plan on becoming a public defender for juveniles and opening a non-profit organization for underrepresented youth.

Constitutionality of Reparations & Affirmative Action

Abstract

In the city of Evanston, Illinois, reparations became a prominent conversation when policymakers decided it was time to rectify past wrongdoings to the Black community of Evanston. The concept of reparations, affirmative action and their constitutionality is the focus of this project. Affirmative action is the policy that favors individuals in marginalized groups. Both reparations and affirmative action, while separate concepts, spark similar conversations in the same spaces. Prior research highlights reparations in an opinionated context as legal action against or for them proves to be a hard task. This project aims to analyze the discourse surrounding reparations in the city of Evanston. Qualitative methods such as legal analysis, discourse analysis and coding articles are used to achieve this. Findings report that most conversation around reparations falls into categories that can be described as connotations; positive or negative. The significance of these findings lies in the analysis of the discourse that surrounds reparations and affirmative action. The discourse found seems to have heavy ties to the result of policy decisions, not just in Evanston, but affirmative action and reparations cases nationwide.​
​

Keywords: Reparations, Affirmative Action, Qualitative

BIO

My name is Joseph Liberato, I am a first generation immigrant from Colombia and a first generation student as well. I lived in Vero Beach before attending Florida State University. My goal is to work in Space health and medicine after I graduate.

Long-term Effects of Simulated Spaceflight Exposure to the Mesenteric Artery

Abstract

The digestive, or gastrointestinal (GI), system includes the small and large intestines, though our knowledge of GI adaptations from spaceflight exposure is limited. The spaceflight environment subjects astronauts to extreme conditions such as temperature variations, deep-space radiation, and microgravity, and restricted diets. This environment predisposes crew to increased risk of developing medical conditions. To assess these risks and how they may affect the digestive system, we conducted a study of the long-term single and combined effects of simulated deep-space radiation and microgravity exposure on rats. We investigate blood vessel structure of arteries (e.g. mesenteric artery) that supply blood to the digestive system. Biological samples of the mesenteric arteries were collected from rats and are being further processed by cryostat sectioning to conduct immunofluorescence protein analysis for the following markers: eNOS, CD31, and SM22A markers. Indeed as more people travel into space, we have much to discover about the effects of space flight on the cardiovascular system, in particular as we return to the Moon through our Artemis Program. The findings from this study will increase our overall knowledge in the field of space medicine and life sciences as well as improve life on Earth through advancements made in medicine and health.

Keywords: NASA, Physiology, Digestive System, Mesenteric artery, cardiovascular system

BIO

I am a current second-year FSU Honors student from Marietta, GA studying public health, sociology, and statistics. Participating in UROP has allowed me the opportunity to explore my interests in public health regarding research. In the future, I would like to continue medical research on causes of disease and ways to help patients. Upon graduation, I am planning on obtaining a Master of Science in Biostatistics to allow me a deeper understanding of this research!

The Effect of Iron-enriched Aspergillus oryzae on the Growth of Common Bacterial Pathogens

Abstract

The World Health Organization recommends daily iron supplementation for infants and children and women of reproductive age; however, safety concerns have been raised with these recommendations in areas that have a high infection burden. This is because excess unabsorbed iron may select for enteric pathogens and increase the incidence and severity of infectious disease. Aspergillus oryzae (Ao) is a filamentous fungus that can accumulate and
store large amounts of iron, and may be less bioavailable to pathogens compared to traditional ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) supplements. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of iron-enriched Ao compared to FeSO4 on the growth of prominent Gram-negative enteric pathogens known to cause diarrheal disease (Salmonella, Escherichia, Yersinia, and Shigella) and the Gram-positive bacterial strain Lactobacillus. Bacterial strains were grown in media containing no iron or 1 μM elemental iron either as FeSO4 or Ao iron. Bacterial growth was measured at 600 nm every 15 min for 12 h. Growth of each Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella, Escherichia, Yersinia, and Shigella) was greatest when cultured with FeSO4, conversely their growth was reduced when cultured with Ao iron. Iron had no effect on the growth of Lactobacillus strains. These findings suggest that Ao iron may be a suitable alternative
to address iron deficiency in areas with a high infection burden.

Keywords: nutrition; bacteria; iron

BIO

I am a senior from Tallahassee, Florida studying International Affairs. I have found my interests in foreign matters to be complimented by studying urban planning, the topic of my research. I have been fortunate enough to research my own neighborhood as part of my internship with the DeVoe L. Moore Center. After graduation, I hope to work in a setting where I will forecast geopolitical trends.

Creating a Sense of Place in Midtown Tallahassee, Florida

Abstract

American cities are struggling with a public health crisis that includes the negative consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and depression due to feelings of isolation. Planners are looking towards urban design strategies to create a sense of place, increase physical activity, and connect individuals to their communities. Planners in Tallahassee, Florida produced the 2011 Midtown Action Plan in an effort to explore how this sense of place could be developed in the Midtown area. An examination of the plan’s approach by reviewing government documents, and interviewing business owners is included. This study explores the creation of a sense of place by assessing pedestrian infrastructure, features of the built environment, the presence of mixed-use zoning, demographic composition, and feelings of community. Preliminary results reveal that an immediate resident population and pedestrian activity are the primary catalysts in the creation of a sense of place. Observations reveal that some efforts have been made, yet they are piecemeal in nature. Interviews with influential business owners exhibit common beliefs that Midtown’s pedestrian infrastructure is insufficient. Accordingly, interviewees expressed disdain—unprompted—with Midtown’s pedestrian infrastructure. This ongoing study suggests that residents define their neighborhood boundary differently than what is found in government plans. This begs the question, “Does a strong sense of place amongst local residents translate to a high level of place attachment but a low level of resource dependence?” In conclusion, this study recommends the construction of immediate housing.

Keywords: urban planning, pedestrian, walkability, housing, government

BIO

Hey y'all, my name is TJ Hockett and I hail from Sarasota, FL. I am a pre-medical student majoring in Biomedical Engineering. I hope to one day become a physician-scientist who specializes in orthopedic/emergency medicine and helps supplement his medical practice with his expertise in medical devices and biomaterials. I am a firm believer that the blending of engineering technology and medicine is what will drive the future of healthcare.

Missense Mutation Alterations and the Variations Among them

Abstract

Within the realm of biomedical sciences, coding patterns and relationships have been a big advancement in technology. Being able to map miscodings and misfires has been a very pertinent exercise when it comes to gene expression and potential gene therapies. The circadian rhythm is a large mechanism that has been known to regulate chemical processes in the body. The research being conducted looks at specific genes that can affect the period of the circadian rhythm. This clock is an important facet in cell regulation and chemical emission. Out of the numerous amino acid sequences, a missense can cause substantial changes in physiological functionality and other types of debilitation. The future of gene technology is here and now. With the exploration of genetic mapping, scientists and researchers can uncover comprehensive patterns that lead to the solution of systemic dysfunction. The applications of the science could lead to the prevention of impairing genetic sequences potentially In Vivo and In Vitro.

Keywords: Engineering, Medicine, Genetics

BIO

I am a first-year student from Atlanta, GA interested in pursuing fashion design. I am bilingual (English and Spanish) and I plan on minoring in linguistics. In my free time, I enjoy participating in all of the arts including drawing and painting, playing guitar, crocheting, and more.

Ambiguous Relative Clauses in Spanish-English Codeswitching Across Two Bilingual Communities

Abstract

Every language has its own distinct sentence structure in which a verb is assigned to a particular subject depending on its placement within a sentence. For example, in the sentence, “I do not like the boy who demanded an apology’s teacher,” it is clear the boy demands the apology, not the teacher. However, some sentences contain ambiguous verb allocations; These are called ambiguous relative clauses: “I do not like the teacher of the boy who demanded an apology.” In this sentence, it is unclear as to whether it is the teacher or the boy who demands the apology. In the English language, people will generally conclude that the verb is applied to the boy rather than to the teacher. However, in other languages such as Spanish, this same sentence would typically be interpreted as the teacher demanding an apology, not the boy. While there are studies that explore subject to verb assignments in both English and Spanish, this research has only studied bilinguals in unilingual contexts. This dissertation project examines how Spanish-English bilinguals’ code-switching affects verb allocations. More specifically, the project investigates this phenomenon in Tallahassee, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Keywords: Linguistics, Spanish, language, eye-tracking, code-switching

BIO

My name is Emily Nguyen and I am a second-year from Jacksonville, Florida majoring in Human Resource Management and Management Information Systems. As a first-generation college student, it has been so important for me to be involved on campus in order to receive the support needed to feel more integrated with other students, as well as succeed in college. Beyond being involved in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, I will be serving as an Orientation Leader for the 2022-2023 school year, I am a member of the Vietnamese Student Union, and I am involved with the Southern Scholarship Foundation. I am grateful for this opportunity to showcase our research on women in Bollywood films since this has grown to be a passion for me over the course of the year, and I am so excited to present our research with my co-hosts this afternoon!

Portrayal of Women in Bollywood films and What Does it Mean?

Abstract

Bollywood films are most popular in India but due to the expansion in the global market, we have seen a rise of such films in the United States especially. While our research is primarily on how female characters are being portrayed by female directors, it is important to understand why such research is relevant. Most commonly, women are portrayed as distressed damsels or submissive to their male counterparts in historical Indian cinema. Not only does this reinforce negative stereotypes, but it does not provide a positive image of women to potentially young and impressionable audiences. Despite these harmful depictions, the Bollywood industry has a mass following and continues to be a lucrative asset--proving its global impact. Suffice to say, the impact of how women are portrayed in Bollywood films is crucial to shaping how they are perceived outside of the cinema. In analyzing several films directed by female directors, our research has illuminated whether or not these depictions are maintained or changed and how that has impacted future perceptions of women.

Keywords: Bollywood, Women, Film

BIO

I am from Miami, Florida. I transferred to Florida State University last spring from Florida International University. Currently, I am majoring in chemical engineering. Hopefully, after graduation, I can have a career that involves a mixture of chemical engineering and sustainability.

Automated Activity Identification for Sustainable Demolition Management and Operations

Abstract

The reusability and recyclability of demolition waste are significantly affected by the demolition operations, which are largely driven by productivity considerations. As such, investigating the productivity of demolitions operations is key to understanding the decision-making processes affecting the recyclability and reusability of demolition waste. Traditional approaches for tracking the duration of demolition operations and thereby monitoring the productivity can be costly and time-consuming. To enable more effective and efficient productivity monitoring, this research aims to develop an automated demolition activity identification model. Small-scale heavy equipment is used to simulate the demolition operations. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors are attached to the small-scale heavy equipment to collect angular and linear acceleration data. Time-stamped collected sensor data are labeled based on the performed demolition activity (i.e., leveling, grabbing, swinging, dumping, or moving) using video footage of the simulated demolition operations. Labeled data are subsequently used to train and test a classification model using different machine learning algorithms. The output of the developed model will facilitate the delivery of real-time productivity information to the demolition equipment operator. This will enable informed decision-making and resource management in favor of recycling and reuse of demolition waste.

Keywords: Sustainable Demolition Management