Research Symposium

BIO

Maya Cabal is a second-year pre-law student from Oviedo, Florida pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a French double major. Her on-and-off campus involvements include serving as The Finance Director for The Big Event Tallahassee, the Marketing and PR Coordinator for The Heritage Retreat, working at The Bobby E. Leach Center, and participating in the Undergraduate Research Program and the Global Scholars Program at FSU. During her time as a Global Scholar, she conducted an investigative research project that assessed human rights and social service programs through the lens of the late 20th century Argentinian dictatorship, where she piloted a Spanish-to-English translation database to increase the accessibility of the lived experiences of affected individuals to global audiences. Her research concentrates on developing nuanced understandings of local, national, and global communities to identify key areas of need within them and drive beneficial policymaking. She is passionate about elevating underrepresented voices and promoting collaborative engagement across diverse communities. After she graduates, she aspires to earn her Juris Doctorate degree at a top university and become an international business attorney. Two of her lifelong goals are to start a nonprofit and open her own restaurant. In her free time, she likes to run and surf, read and draw, and cook.
Email: maya.cbal@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-cabal-959021328/

Relocation and Resilience: Educational Challenges and Experiences of Refugee Students in Florida Schools​

Abstract

Since 2024, over 500 refugees have arrived in Old Town. Strengthening Experiences for Refugee Young People, Families, and Their Teachers in Old Town seeks to understand the lived and educational experiences of refugee people and their teachers and peers in Old Town. Financial burdens, lack of community support, hindrances in language, culture, academic progress, and feelings of isolation are a small portion of the vast amount of issues that refugees face on a daily basis, especially in the United States where no further refugee families will be welcomed.
The study conducts over 80 structured, on-site interviews with refugee children and adults from Afghanistan, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to gain insight on the different perspectives among refugees adjusting to a new life in the U.S. Through certified thematic coding, the study analyzes interview data to generate broad themes emerging about the refugees regarding their attitudes and interconnected experiences at school, home, and work. Highlighted issues include bullying, social exclusion, language barriers, and struggles with identity.
The study’s long-term implications will share vital data about the population, origins, and school experiences of Old Town refugees through an intervention model that will hopefully drive future educational policymaking, inform local stakeholders, and address the social and relational needs of refugee young people and their peers. Through meeting refugee children and young adults in their homes and understanding their experiences, this study hopes to pinpoint places of improvement to strengthen both current and future refugee experiences.

Keywords: Refugees, Education Systems,

BIO

Mira is a first-year studying Biological Sciences with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science. She is from Gainesville, Florida and is interested in conservation biology and ecology. Mira aims to complete a post-graduate degree in these fields, with the goal of becoming a researcher and professor within the natural sciences.

Is there evidence of maternal investment in a gynodioecious endangered plant?

Abstract

Sizes of viable seeds were compared from both hermaphroditic and female varieties of the gynodioecious Conradina glabra (Apalachicola rosemary) to study resource allocation. Listed as federally endangered, C. glabra is a mint endemic to Liberty County, Florida and was previously thought to be completely hermaphroditic. Given the evolutionarily unstable nature of gynodioecy, broader research is being conducted on known populations of C. glabra to determine the impact of a male-sterile (effectively female) morph of the plant. To this end, seeds collected from marked C. glabra plants at Torreya State Park were photographed under a microscope and measured using ImageJ processing software. Seeds were categorized by their size (large or small) and color (dark or pale). The length and area of each seed were measured in millimeters. Sizes of seeds taken from hermaphroditic and female plants were analyzed using a statistical regression to find that there was no significant difference in seed sizes. While this did not support our hypothesis that female plants would have larger seeds because of more resource availability to concentrate as maternal investment, the experiment shifted our focus to other seed characteristics, such as color and viability. Patterns among these characteristics could potentially serve as different indicators of maternal investment between the two sexes and contribute to future research to improve conservation methods for this species.

Keywords: Plant ecology, reproductive ecology, gynodioecy, resource allocation, maternal investment

BIO

Camila Catano-Caballero is a cell and molecular neuroscience major and a current freshmen working towards her Bachelor of Science. She aspires to go to law school to become a Patent Lawyer. She is particularly interested in the intersection of science, innovation, and intellectual property.

From BOUBA to KIKI: Cross-Linguistic Sound Symbolism

Abstract

This study investigates how linguistic background influences the semantic attribution of novel speech sounds by comparing how Spanish-English bilinguals and English monolinguals perceive pseudowords. We use a corpus of pseudowords that are categorized into neutral, sharp, and round phonetic groups and established a baseline of English-centric word associations using ChatGPT. The current phase of the project utilizes Qualtrics surveys to collect responses from human participants to determine if Spanish-English bilinguals attribute different meanings or emotional valences to these pseudowords compared to monolinguals. We specifically examine whether bilinguals associate these sounds with real words in their secondary language due to phonetic or morphological similarities, acting as interlingual homophones. By analyzing these cross-linguistic associations, the research aims to uncover how a secondary lexicon provides a unique filter for processing novel language and whether these associations override universal sound-symbolic patterns. 

Keywords: Neuroscience, AI, Chat Gtp

BIO

Alex is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. His academic interests include machine learning applications in cyber-physical systems, power system monitoring, and smart infrastructure. Alex is an undergraduate research assistant in the Cyber-Physical Machine Learning Lab at the Center for Advanced Power Systems. His research focuses on applying machine learning methods to detect and localize cyberattacks in smart energy systems. He has worked on projects involving anomaly localization in electric vehicle charging stations and attack detection in UAV networks. Through this work, he applies and evaluates both shallow and deep learning models to analyze system behavior using real-world data. Alex is also interested in technologies that support the transition to renewable energy and the modernization of power systems. His broader interests include the integration of hardware and software systems to improve the reliability of modern infrastructure.

Machine Learning-Based Detection of Cyberattacks Against UAVs

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are now widely used for package delivery, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response. However, their reliance on network communication and onboard sensors for safe operation makes them vulnerable to both cyberattacks and physical disruptions. An estimated 40% of commercial UAV platforms contain at least one cyber-related vulnerability, highlighting the need for automated detection systems. This project evaluates the effectiveness of machine learning models for detecting compromised UAV behavior. Drone flight measurements containing normal operation and four simulated attack types, including false data injection, denial of service, evil twin, and replay attacks, were analyzed. The data was organized into three categories: cyber data from communication and control signals, physical data from onboard sensors, and a combined cyber-physical set. Five machine learning models, consisting of two classical and three neural network-based approaches, were trained and evaluated using detection accuracy and false alarm rate (FAR). Under ideal testing conditions, models trained on physical data performed best, achieving an average detection accuracy of 99.8% with FAR peaking at 0.7%. To better reflect real-world measurement uncertainty, controlled deviations from expected values, known as noise, were introduced during testing. As noise increased, performance declined unevenly across datasets; models trained on combined cyber-physical data maintained high performance, while single-measurement models degraded more rapidly. In summary, these findings establish reproducible baselines for UAV detection systems and highlight trade-offs between model performance and reliability.

Keywords: Machine Learning, Cyber-Physical Systems, Cybersecurity, Drones, Attack Detection

BIO

Sophie Guillet-Robertson is a first-year presidential scholar student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Production and Humanities. Her on- and off-campus involvements include: media marketing assistant at the Center for Leadership and Service and community service through the Presidential scholars program. She has experience making short films and documentaries, and wishes to pursue a career in the film industry.

Ungentlemanly Warfare: The Women of the SOE

Abstract

The women who contributed to the intelligence gathering during World War II are often overlooked, despite the crucial roles they played in the Allied operations. Our project examines the women of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) in France (F Section), and how their lives differed from their male counterparts. Historically, information gathered on these operatives has been reported through biased lenses such as sensationalism, propaganda, and misogyny, therefore muddying their achievements. We investigated this question by reading, transcribing, and analyzing primary documents, as well as academic writing. Our results found that there were significant differences between the men and women of the SOE in terms of how they were treated and discussed, yet they were given equal responsibilities and put in situations of comparable danger. Our project contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the Allied war effort and a reconsideration of gender, memory, and reputation in this context.

Keywords: history, feminism, WWII, spies

BIO

Pre-Medical Pre-Surgerical Undergraduate Student

The Relationship Between Alcohol Use and Suicidal Behavior Among Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescent alcohol use and abuse have long been recognized as contributing factors in suicidal behavior, yet their relationship remains a critical public health concern. High school adolescents warrant attention due to the illegality of underage drinking and the limited research addressing this issue. Moreover, alcohol-related impairment during a critical period of cognitive and neurodevelopment is understudied. This research study examined the relationship between alcohol use and suicidal behavior (ideation, planning, and attempt) among adolescents in Florida. Using data from the 2023-2024 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS), a cross-sectional survey design, we analyzed responses from a statewide sample of high-school adolescents (M = 16). Alcohol use was measured through self-reported frequency, while suicidal behavior was assessed using self-reported presence of suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts in the past year from high school students. Logistic regression in SPSS was conducted to evaluate the associations and significance between alcohol use and suicide risk factors. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between higher levels of alcohol use and increased reports of suicidal behavior. These findings suggest that alcohol use is a significant risk factor and may play a more substantial role in adolescent suicidality than simply contributing to general physical harm. Implications extend to research, practice, policy, and identification in youth and adolescents.

Keywords: alcohol, suicidal behavior,

BIO

David Margaryan is a Pre-Law student at Florida State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, with a Double Major in History. He is originally from Boca Raton, Florida. Off-campus he has interned for Personal Injury Lawyer Chris Marzwanian.

Educational Privatization and School Choice: The Case of Innovative Financing Mechanisms

Abstract

Innovative financing mechanisms have emerged as a key feature of New Public Management since the 1990s, emphasizing performance-based funding to address social sector inefficiencies. This study examines how these mechanisms operate within education, evaluating their effectiveness in aligning incentives between funders and agencies through principal–agent theory (Saltman, 2017; Heinrich & Kabourek, 2019). Utilizing systematic keyword searches via the Florida State University Library and Google Scholar, peer-reviewed articles were synthesized across regions including the United States, Turkey, Brazil, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Findings indicate that innovative financing can enhance accountability and attract private capital when supported by strong institutional capacity and clear performance metrics (Temple & Reynolds, 2015; Saltman, 2017). However, evidence also reveals mixed results, including challenges in capturing long-term impact and regional variability driven by local political structures (Esper & Acosta, 2023; Güngör Göksu & Altundemir, 2019). These results suggest that while such tools address financing gaps, they are not universal solutions and may reinforce structural disparities if capital funding is inequitable. The study highlights the necessity of contextual adaptation, rigorous evaluation, and equity considerations. Future research should prioritize longitudinal and comparative analyses to better assess long-term outcomes and inform the design of hybrid financing models.

Keywords: Education, Policy, Privatization, Social Impact Bond, Pay for Success, Innovative financing

BIO

Sophia Antoni is a second-year pre-law student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, with minors in Communications and General Business. Her on- and off-campus involvements include FSU PIRG’s Visibility Coordinator and Textbook Affordability Campaign Member, Women in Government Membership Chair, Phi Alpha Delta Member, The League of Women Voters of Tallahassee Political Communications Intern, and Kids Club Counselor at Maclay School.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-antoni

Accessing Florida’s Teen Court Procedures: Leon County

Abstract

Teen Courts are a diversionary program meant to provide juveniles with an alternative route to that of the traditional justice system, which prioritizes punitive means. The hope is that through a restorative justice approach, including peer involvement to promote accountability and reflection, the juvenile will come to understand the harm they have caused to society, leading to a lower recidivism rate among juveniles. In our research project, we aim to identify the innovative practices and procedures that take place across Teen Courts in Florida and view the mechanisms through which they reduce recidivism. To achieve this, a comparative analysis of Leon County and Alachua County Teen Courts was conducted, focusing on qualitative data gathered through observation reports from various site visits to Teen Court sessions. The observations showed that Leon County employs a “Quality over Quantity” approach to handling Teen Court cases, by taking on one case per session, having teen attorneys who were trained by a Teen Attorney Supervisor, as well as modifying their process to a Tribunal-style teen court session to accommodate sensitive cases. Considering these findings in conjunction with Alachua’s as well as future observations of other Teen Courts in Florida, we seek to pinpoint optimal procedures for Teen Courts nationwide to adopt.

Keywords: Teen Court, Political Science, Sociology

BIO

Amanda Glynn is a second year student at FSU studying biology on a Pre-Med track. Amanda is involved in the American Medical Women's Association, an Emergency Medical Responder for the MRU, and is a UROP leader in training. Amanda has goals to become a physician who specializes in geriatrics.

Self-Regulation Strategies and Social Media Use Intensity Among College Students

Abstract

Social media has become a central part of young people’s lives as over 90% of young adults in the United States use social media. As social media has become more popular, user intensity has also increased. However, people have found that increased social media use makes balancing their academic obligations and social life challenging. Social media seems to affect mood and wellbeing, so it's important to know what factors shape social media experiences. In this study, we focus on self-regulation, which refers to strategies people use to guide, monitor, or limit their social media use in order to maximize positive experiences. In our study we created an online survey through the Qualtrics platform. This survey was distributed in a research participation pool and advertised through flyers around campus. The survey asks students questions about their demographics and their social media usage and self-regulation strategies. Survey items include 10-point agreement scales and open-ended responses.. While data collection is still in progress, we expect to find that people with more self-regulation strategies have positive experiences using social media. Additionally, we expect that people with fewer self-regulation strategies may have more negative feelings about their social media use We plan to explore the relationship between intensity of social media use, the number and types of self-regulation strategies used, and emotional experiences related to social media. This is important as social media becomes more prevalent in our society. This will help us understand our communities better, and form more genuine connections with peers.

Keywords: Social Media, Emotions, Regulation

BIO

Nancy Chen is a second year student at Florida State University, majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. She has experience in managing the referral process between physicians, specialists, and insurance providers to better aid patient's healthcare coordination. To further explore her interest in patient care, she is involved in the FSU eHealth Research Lab, supporting the development of AI-assisted platforms to better support collaborative medical decision making and patient engagement. She has achieved the President's List for 3 consecutive semesters (Fall 2024–Fall 2026) for sustained academic excellence. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a Master of Science in Anesthesia to become a Certified Anesthesiology Assistant.

Evaluating Hallucinations in Large Language Models to Detect Fabricated Laboratory Tests from Clinical Vignettes

Abstract

Patient health portals have become the leading way by which people access their healthcare data. Accessing and understanding this data is vital to making the most of preventative care available. However, many patients, especially older adults, struggle not only to access their results but also to understand the implications of their lab data. LabGenie, the focus of this project, is an AI-powered tool that is designed to aid older adults who struggle with health literacy to utilize their lab data to the best of their abilities. The LabGenie tool utilizes Large Language Models (LLMs) to interpret data to patients. This study aims to test the hallucination levels of LLMS with fabricated and clinical entities in real world clinical vignettes. This study aims to quantify, analyze, and compare various levels of hallucinations across multiple models, using both default and mitigation prompts for the LLMs. The evaluation framework established represents the reproducibility and alignment of the models in real-world clinical settings for patients accessing their lab results through LabGenie. The results showed variation in hallucination rates between the models tested, fluctuating across different LLMs and prompt types. These results suggest that hallucination is observed consistently. Different LLMs responded to mitigation prompts differently, though, prompt-based mitigation can reduce hallucinations but only a limited amount. These results call for increased alterations and integrations of other external laboratory tests to reduce hallucinations and increase the usability of the generated data.

Keywords: Lab Results, Large Language Models, Patient Portal, Hallucination, Clinical Vignettes

BIO

Natalia Figueroa is a sophomore Cell and Molecular Neuroscience major, with a collateral minor in Chemistry. Through UROP she works with the Wagner Lab in dyslexia research, and does DIS with the Varela Lab to research memory consolidation and sleep. Outside of classes she's an active member in the Neuroscience Undergraduate Student Association, as well as the Rural Med Collective. In the future she aspires to go to medical school, as well as continue being an active member in the field of research.

Meta-Analysis of Dyslexia Indicators

Abstract

Developmental Dyslexia is a multifaceted neurobiological learning disorder that is characterized by a large array of symptoms that vary in severity from case-to-case. Primarily caused by phonological deficits, which has a significant effect on word level reading and spelling; though secondary deficits are also observed in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and background knowledge that could be traced to the foundational phonological deficit. With this study, our research question is how does the prevalence of the traits of dyslexia correlate with one another? This research is vital to provide an improved common understanding of the disorder, as well as identify deficits that correspond with one another for easier identification of developmental dyslexia in children for early intervention. Utilizing the program Covidence, a model-based meta analysis will be done using research articles and dissertations sourced by PRISMA. Sorting through approximately 9,000 papers, screening first distinguished appropriate abstracts, then full text review was done. Currently 2155 studies are approved for data extraction to be used for the model-based meta-analysis, but due to how expansive this study is, results have yet to be established. Expected results are the correlations of the prevalence of dyslexia symptoms to one another. This study in the future will provide a clearer understanding of symptom correlation with developmental dyslexia, which in turn can improve the diagnosis of dyslexia, as well as reading intervention programs that aid in improvement in observed deficits.

Keywords: Dyslexia, Learning Disorders, Meta-Analysis, Psychology, Neuroscience

BIO

Kate is a second-year student at FSU majoring in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience. She is from Oviedo, FL and is currently on the pre-medical track. This is her first research experience as an undergraduate student and has enjoyed getting to be part of a research team and see how research can have real-world impacts.

Cognitive Skills Model for Predicting Alzheimer Disease

Abstract

Dementia is an ongoing health crisis that affects many older adults around the world. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a pre-diagnosis for Dementia/Alzheimer's, with symptoms mirroring those with dementia, although milder. One indicator for MCI in older adults is spatial navigation, with the focus of this meta-data analysis being the differences in the cognitive function in spatial navigation between patients who had Mild Cognitive Behavior (MCI) and patients who were cognitively healthy (CH). Extraction of data used for this study included screening abstracts of articles focused on MCI, then full-text reviews of those articles, and finally in the most recent stage has included encoding of the data in the articles that passed the first two rounds of screening. As of writing this, our team has had 1,824 articles screened at the title/abstract stage and 1,020 articles for the full text review stage. This is the largest meta-data analysis study regarding cognitive skill constructs for people with MCI. This meta-data analysis aims to show the significance and relationship that cognitive skill constructs have on diagnosing MCI.

Keywords: Alzheimer's, navigation, meta-data, analysis, cognitive

BIO

Angelina Davis is a second year FSU student from Ocala, Florida. Angelina is pursuing a dual degree in both Human Development & Family Sciences and Psychology, with a minor in Biology. She sought a research experience outside of her field, landing her in a study examining horror video games' various elements that contribute to fear and decision making. Outside of UROP, she is apart of Global Scholars, Relay for Life, FSU Bodybuilding & Fitness Club, and Phi Eta Sigma. Angelina enjoyed her experience in UROP so much that she is now a UROP Leader in-training. She hopes to continue her journey in research before attending graduate school to become a physical therapist.

Is It All Jumpscares?

Abstract

The horror video game genre is a niche media form that instills fear in its players. This research discusses and explores the gameplay of Until Dawn to demonstrate the various types of horror that video games utilize to enhance a player’s reactions and feelings towards the media. Specifically, through analysis and content coding of various aspects of Until Dawn, this project examines how specific atmospheric and story choices alter the amount of fear and horror a player feels. The Elaboration Likelihood Model provides a lens for viewing the decision-making process and its effectiveness in horror games. The research facilitators then developed a codebook, following coding analysis standards to ensure inter-coder reliability and consistent coding, and tracked the results in an Excel sheet. Coding guidelines included marking when lore, jumpscares, character dialogue, or decision-making would occur, describing interactions, and including exact timestamps. Results are pending as research and coding are still underway. The results are expected to showcase a wide variety of horror interactions through character choices, environmental elements, and storytelling. However, it is expected to rely on atmospheric fear and decision-making rather than jumpscares to enhance the fear-based encounters. Additionally, it can be inferred that the horror video game setting exerts a greater influence than one might expect, shaping how the genre is viewed.

Keywords: Video games, jump scares, horror, decision making

BIO

Galatea Vodovozov is a junior Biochemistry major at FSU from Queens, New York City. Since Spring 2025, she has conducted research in the lab of Dr. Qian Yin at the Institute of Molecular Biophysics, studying adaptor protein complexes involved in vesicular trafficking. She also interns at Biotools Inc. and tutors Organic Chemistry and Calculus at the Academic Center for Excellence. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Protein Biochemistry.

Mapping the Minimal MEA1 Binding region for AP1 and AP2

Abstract

Adaptor protein complexes are essential for vesicular trafficking, yet the mechanisms governing their assembly and stability remain incompletely understood. The chaperone protein Male Enhanced Antigen 1 (MEA1) is known to interact with β and μ subunits of adaptor protein complexes 1 and 2 (AP1 and AP2). The C-terminal region of MEA1 interacts with the β subunit, facilitating the assembly of mature heterotetrameric adaptor complexes. Previous studies demonstrated that MEA1 residues 122-185 retain binding to AP1β and AP2β. In order to further refine the minimal binding region, GST-tagged MEA1 truncations spanning residues 164-185 and from 154-185 were generated and co-expressed with His-SUMO-tagged AP1β and AP2β in E.Coli BL21 (DE3) RIPL using a T7 expression system. Following cell lysis and centrifugation, the supernatant was divided between GSH and Ni-NTA affinity columns to assess co-purification and confirm independent protein expression in absence of interaction. GST pulldown assays showed that MEA1 residues 122–185 co-purify with both AP1β1 and AP2β1 subunits, whereas truncations containing residues 154–185 or 164–185 did not retain detectable binding. These results indicate that the critical adaptor-binding region lies between residues 122 and 154 of MEA1.

Keywords: Biochemistry Structural-Biology Biophysics Protein

BIO

Drue is a sophomore from Jacksonville, Florida, working toward her Bachelor of Science in Biological Science with minors in Interdisciplinary Science and Chemistry. She is a member of the honor societies National Society of Leadership and Success and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Throughout her sophomore year, Drue has worked as a research assistant under Dr. Brenda Wawire, where she helped compile a literature review matrix and analyze data for Dr. Wawire’s study, Individual Variability among Learners at Risk of Reading Failure: Evidence from Kenya. Following graduation, Drue plans to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist assistant.

Language Practices and Learning Experiences of at-Risk Learners from Kenya: Parent and Teacher Perspectives 

Abstract

Youth literacy rates in Kenya are severely low compared to the global average, creating lifetime educational and economic hindrances. Our research examines the language experiences/practices of children at risk of reading failure in Kenya and the barriers faced by parents and teachers in supporting children with reading difficulties. By understanding these experiences, we can identify how to provide a supportive learning environment and help future generations avoid reading and comprehension difficulties. Our team interviewed 70 parents and teachers in Kenya using Key Informant Interviews that gathered in depth information about their learning settings, home and school language and literacy practices, challenges and barriers, and support of learners. Interviews are currently being analyzed using the Dedoose Software guided by a codebook designed for this research project to identify data trends. Although data analysis is ongoing, several trends have appeared. Many parents and teachers acknowledge students face reading challenges, exacerbated by economic and resource constraints. This research - when shared with education stakeholders - can help find solutions such as educational programs supporting literacy development and suggests the need for future research on intensive schooling programs and targeted resources.

Keywords: Kenya, literacy development, language experiences

BIO

Shannon Smekle is a 2nd-year Cell and Molecular Neuroscience major with a minor in Chemistry on the premedical track. She is in the Honors Program and hopes to serve underrepresented communities in the future as a gynecologist. The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program has given her the chance to step into academic research, which she conducted with Dr. Ransome Eke and Dr. Ericka Horne, focusing on public health and patient outcomes in underserved and underrepresented communities. She hopes to continue her pursuit of research in health disparities and women's health to ensure equitable care for all patients.

Examining Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Clinical Outcomes in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a rare, allergy-induced, chronic inflammatory condition in the esophagus. White patients are more likely to be diagnosed with EoE and have private insurance, while non-White patients tend to either not have insurance or be on Medicare/Medicaid. This study examined how race and socioeconomic status influence disease severity in patients with EoE. By identifying disparities in EoE and outcomes, we aim to contribute to efforts to improve access to care and to develop targeted interventions for underserved populations to improve patient outcomes.
A literature review was conducted from December 2025 to January 2026 to identify the differences in health outcomes among minority populations and different income brackets. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using EoE hospitalizations from 2016 to 2023 from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS); the major outcome was disease severity, and the major predictive variable was race and income. A predictive regression analysis on race and socioeconomic status on EoE severity and hospital outcomes was conducted using Statistical Analysis System On Demand (SAS ODA); covariates accounted for age, gender, elective admission, length of stay, insurance, and complications.
Race showed a partial impact, while income showed no impact on EoE severity. Covariates of gender, elective admission, insurance, and complications were shown to be significant predictors. This indicates a need for more equity-based approaches and increased accessibility to improve outcomes.

Keywords: Eosinophilic Esophagitis Clinical Outcomes

BIO

Kaitlyn Harrison is a second-year student at Florida State University, purising a Bachelor's of Science in Athletic Training, with minors in Chemistry and Physiology and a Certificate in Leadership Studies. She works under Dr. Jacob Brown in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences on the impacts of disuse-atrophy on neuromusclar junctions. Outside of the classroom, Kaitlyn is a Resident Assistant for Ragans and Traditions and a Clinical Medical Assistant at Patient's First. Her goal is to attend medical school and become a physician at a research hospital.

Disuse-Atrophy Exacerbates Denervation in Aged Rats

Abstract

Older humans fail to recover skeletal muscle mass and function after muscle loss due to bedrest, which contrasts with young and adult humans, leading to muscle loss and an increase in morbidity and mortality in the aged population. Disorders disrupting the neuromuscular junction, the synapse where motor nerves meet muscles, are associated with age-related muscle atrophy and dysfunction. We hypothesized that periods of disuse-atrophy will exacerbate neuromuscular pathologies in aged rats. 28-month-old rats were hindlimb unloaded, a condition where the rats cannot put weight on their hindlimbs, for 14 days to induce disuse atrophy. 28-month-old weight-bearing rats were used as controls. Muscle wet weights were measured at sacrifice. Via immunofluorescence, we assessed acetyl choline receptor endplate area, acetyl choline receptor endplate fragmentation, and denervation of the neuromuscular junctions. Oxylipins, oxidized lipid signaling molecules, were measured in gastrocnemius muscle. We performed a student’s t-test for statistical analysis. Muscle wet weights were 20-40% lower in rats that were hindlimb-unloaded compared to controls. Acetyl choline receptor area and fragmentation were 20% higher in gastrocnemius from hindlimb-unloaded rats compared to controls. Denervation was 30% higher in the gastrocnemius from hindlimb-unloaded rats compared to controls. The muscle oxylipin profile in aged weight-bearing and adult hindlimb-unloaded rats were significantly altered when compared to adult weight-bearing rats. However, muscle oxylipin profile was not different when comparing aged and aged hindlimb unloaded muscle. These data show that hindlimb-unloading exacerbates neuromuscular pathologies in aged rats. Therapies that protect neuromuscular junctions may help improve recovery following disuse-atrophy in aged subjects.

Keywords: Disuse-Atrophy, Neuromuscular Junction, Muslcular Atrophy

BIO

Isaac Reyes Bardales is a second year Cell and Molecular Neuroscience Major Born and raised in Costa Rica. With ample experience in analyzing patient behaviors/diseases and the necessary psychotropics needed to treat them through clinical and shadowing experience in psychiatric, neurological, and surgical settings, he aims to attend Medical School and become a Physician, with a particular interest in Psychiatry and Neurology.

Cognitive Skills Model for Predicting Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Dementia is an ongoing health crisis that affects many older adults around the world. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a pre-diagnosis for Dementia/Alzheimer's, with symptoms mirroring those with dementia, although milder. One indicator for MCI in older adults is spatial navigation, with the focus of this meta-data analysis being the differences in the cognitive function in spatial navigation between patients who had Mild Cognitive Behavior (MCI) and patients who were cognitively healthy (CH). Extraction of data used for this study included screening abstracts of articles focused on MCI, then full-text reviews of those articles, and finally in the most recent stage has included encoding of the data in the articles that passed the first two rounds of screening. As of writing this, our team has screened 1,824 articles at the title/abstract stage and 1,020 articles for the full text review stage. This is the largest meta-data analysis study for spatial navigation for people with MCI. This meta-data analysis aims to show the significance and relationship that cognitive skills related to spatial navigation have on diagnosing MCI.

Keywords: Alzheimers, MCI, Neuroscience,

BIO

Andrew is an Exercise Physiology second year hailing from Stillwater, Oklahoma. He is an aspiring physician hoping to provide high-quality and compassionate emergency care to rural populations. He is particularly interested in furthering the current scientific body in the realms of cardiac dysfunction treatment and traumatic wound treatment.

Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping Patterns In Young Adults With Preclinical Obesity

Abstract

As global obesity rates rise, identifying early physiological precursors is crucial for proactive interventions. Clinical obesity is linked to blunted nocturnal blood pressure (BP) dipping (<10%), which is prognostic for greater all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. However, it remains unclear whether these patterns emerge in preclinical obesity (PO), defined as body mass index (BMI) 30-40 kg/m2 and elevated waist circumference, without chronic health conditions. We hypothesized that adults with PO have blunted nocturnal BP dipping.

We compared 24-hour ambulatory BP data between individuals with PO (n=17, 8 females, age: 24[7] years, BMI: 34±3 kg/m2, Waist: 105±9 cm) and without obesity (control; n=18, 7 females, age: 23[7.0] years, BMI: 23±2 kg/m2, Waist: 74±5 cm). Groups were compared using Welch’s t-tests (mean±SD; Cohen's d (d)) or Mann-Whitney U test (median[IQR]; rank biserial correlation (rbc)) based on normality.

Awake systolic BP (PO: 119±10 vs. control: 116±9 mmHg, p=0.41, d=0.28) and diastolic BP (PO: 73±6 vs. control: 72±7 mmHg, p=0.87, d=0.05) did not differ. However, PO exhibited significantly higher nocturnal systolic BP (PO: 105[11] vs. control: 99[7] mmHg, p=0.03, rbc=0.43) but not diastolic BP (PO: 59[8] vs. control: 55[7] mmHg, p=0.10, rbc=0.33). Systolic (PO: 12±7 vs. control: 15±6%; p=0.12; d=0.54) and diastolic BP dipping (PO: 22[11] vs. Lean: 24[5]%; p=0.22; rbc=0.25) were numerically, but not statistically, lower among participants with PO.

Data suggest PO may manifest with nonoptimal cardiovascular function via elevated nocturnal systolic BP, despite no differences in daytime BP readings. Larger groups are needed to understand whether PO is associated with altered dipping.

Keywords: Physiology, Cardiovascular, Exercise, Obesity

BIO

Christian is majoring in exercise physiology with the goal of attending dental school. He is from Port St. Lucie, Florida and is a member of the FSU Pre-Dental Society and Anne’s College Student Leadership Council.

Searching for Regions Under Selection in Turkeys with Different Levels of Human Association

Abstract

Domestication exposes animals to a variety of novel environments, including differences in the diseases they encounter. Studying the evolutionary processes involved in domestication is important as many modern wild animals are experiencing some degree of pressure to adapt to human-dominated landscapes. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes must rapidly evolve as they play an important role in immune responses and are shaped by pathogen exposure. This project investigated selection in wild versus domesticated turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and whether the amount of human interaction influences allele frequencies. We used a Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) dataset of turkeys that experienced different levels of human association (wild, urban, feral, backyard domestic, and commercial domestic populations). After identifying genetic variants, we used VCFtools to analyze allele frequencies on Chromosome 18. We used FST, a measure of population differentiation, to identify regions with the greatest divergence. We expect differences in MHC-related allele frequencies between domesticated and wild turkeys, suggesting human environments influence immune-related genetic variation. Identifying these regions may highlight genomic regions shaped by selection. Overall, this project helps explain how domestication affects immune gene diversity. Future research could analyze additional turkey populations from different environments and examine allele frequencies on other chromosomes. Further work could also explore genomic differences in other domesticated avian species to better understand the impact of domestication on immune responses.

Keywords: Turkeys, selection, domestication, genomics, association