Research Symposium

BIO

I am a second-year student studying Exercise Physiology on a pre-dental track! My research interests include human health, wellness, and physiology. Here at FSU, I am actively involved in FSU Campus Recreation, the Honors Student Association, and Chi Omega Sorority. I am passionate about spending time with my friends and family, staying active, and traveling! I was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa; in the future, I would love to return to my roots for dental school!

Impact of Creatine Supplementation on Cognitive Performance and Mental Health in Geriatric Populations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Creatine monohydrate supplementation is associated with improved ATP turnover rates and energy metabolism. This pilot study assesses the impact of creatine monohydrate supplementation on neuropsychological performance in geriatric populations, a group at high risk of neurological diseases. METHODS: Twelve older adults (M = 5, W = 7; Mean ± SE: 66 ± 1 years) randomly consumed creatine monohydrate(CM) or placebo (PL) for 4 weeks. Both pre- and post-supplementation, participants completed The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, a comprehensive evaluation of 5 cognitive domains. Some participants completed questionnaires: Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). After 4 weeks, independent samples t-tests (p < 0.05) were used to assess group differences in score changes. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in mean delta change in scores for Immediate Memory, with CM group improving more drastically than PL group (CM = 15.33 ± 2.42, PL = -2.67 ± 3.81), t (10) = 3.99, p = 0.003. Similar improvements were noted for Language (CM = 9.67 ± 1.73, PL = -3.33 ± 2.75, t (10) = 4.001, p = 0.003) and Total Score (CM = 12 ± 3.4, PL = -0.67 ± 3.48, t (10) = 2.61, p = 0.026). No significant differences were found for other subcategories or questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that 4 weeks of CM supplementation shows promise in alleviating cognitive decline in geriatric populations, capable of enhancing cognitive disciplines including immediate memory, language, and overall cognitive performance.

Keywords: Creatine, Cognition, Mental Health, Geriatric

BIO

Hi! My name is Jill Patel and I'm a sophomore from Nashville, TN. I plan to attend law school after college and am interested in pursuing corporate or international law. My other involvements include Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, the South Asian Student Association, and Delta Zeta. I am researching critical thinking in the higher education context and am interested in social science and psychology research.

Measuring Critical Thinking In College Courses

Abstract

Critical thinking is an essential part of learning in higher education, but still lacks a sense of consensus around its meaning. There isn’t a clear definition of the concept as it can be interpreted in several ways. The present study conducted a literature review to define critical thinking and how to measure it in college students. The findings uncovered currently available assessments of it and challenges that researchers face when trying to assess critical thinking in students. It was concluded that the lack of clarity surrounding critical thinking causes confusion and debate on how to conduct measurement of the concept and leaves gaps in the literature as a whole, causing a need for further research. 

Keywords: critical thinking, higher education, social science

BIO

Alexis is an aspiring Data Analyst from Naples, Florida interested in research involving Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Cloud Computing. Currently, she is actively involved as the Finance Chair of the Filipino Student Association, an expected inductee for the Garnet and Gold Society, and a member of the Association for Computing Machinery. She intends to pursue a Master of Computer Science at Florida State University under the Degree in Three/More in Four Program as well as the Combined Pathways program.

What Makes a High-Quality Programming Video Tutorial?

Abstract

In order to improve knowledge acquisition from video tutorials by professional software developers and computer science students, our project seeks to understand what makes a high-quality programming video tutorial that viewers enjoy and can easily learn from. For this purpose, we gather data on the habits, behaviors, and opinions of programmers of various experience levels related to their use of video tutorials. We conducted a survey sent out to a variety of programmers and computer science students across a broad range of demographics to identify how they seek out useful video tutorials, as well as the importance of various video tutorial characteristics in their decision to choose one tutorial over another. Participants also commented on aspects they believed would improve video programming tutorials. We also performed a series of interviews with programmers and students that helped us further our understanding of programming video tutorial preferences and potential general improvements to this kind of resource. Future work includes performing an observational study in which participants are given programming tasks of varying difficulty and are monitored for what resources each participant seeks out for aid. These participants will then be questioned on their actions and resource preferences. Our work is limited in that the majority of our responses are from open-source software developers and students from the Computer Science Department at Florida State University, therefore showing that this survey may suffer from selection bias. Future work will seek to expand the participant population.

Keywords: Computer Science, Education, Tutorials, Video, Programming

BIO

Rania is a second-year undergraduate student in the Honors program pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and International Affairs, with a minor in Law and Philosophy and a concentration in Religion. As a first-generation Lebanese-American, she strives to conduct research and pursue academics that allow her to interject her cultural identity and experiences into her work, highlighted by her UROP project on female figures in Sufism. She currently serves as a Student Senator for the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy as well as the Activism Chair of a Student Government party, utilizing her understanding of political affairs in both roles to effect change at the University level while allowing her voice as an Arab-American woman to take up space in policymaking and advocacy. Rania hopes to pursue a career in international law as a lawyer for the International Criminal Court, working to uphold standards of human rights across the globe.

Female Sufism in the Medieval Abbasid Era

Abstract

The presence of female saints in available recorded history of Medieval Arabia is limited. Though often outshone on paper by their male counterparts, the role of women Sufi saints in the Islamic Golden Age undeniably contributed to the development of the religious movement in conjunction with cultural advancements in linguistics, the arts, and politics. Sufism is a body of Islamic mysticism promoting ideas of personal interactions with God and manifesting in traditions of separating oneself from materialism and vanity. The work of Sufi saints in the 8th and 9th centuries was accompanied by a vibrant climate of literature and music. Work on this project involved performing research on the Sufi movement around this time as a whole with a concentration on the roles of brothel women. Women working in royal harems had close physical proximity to male elites of Muslim societies and as a result played an integral part in the interactions between politics, linguistics, art, and religion that are retrospectively observed as defining features of the time. The conjunction of these otherwise polarized demographics provides a unique point from which to observe the developments of early Islamdom, focusing on how women working as musicians and dancers (primarily in present-day Iraq) were able to develop intellectual movements at the forefront of the region’s notability. In particular, this project’s focus on Rabiaa Aladawiyya, a woman saint of Sufism and brothel musician often attributed to the ideology’s foundation, effectively encapsulates this message.

Keywords: Sufism, Women, Islam, Iraq, Abbasid

BIO

I am a freshman psychology major from North Carolina planning to double major in biology. I hope to pursue a career in psychiatry and am primarily interested in furthering my knowledge and experience with the clinical prevention and treatment of mental disorders.

Can Parent Reports Predict Youth Suicidal Ideation?

Abstract

Interest in suicidality and sleep deprivation research in youth, including through the lens of the parents who raise them, has increased on a large scale, especially with the adaptations of smart phones for adolescents and children and even more so after the introduction of COVID-19 and a more virtual world, altering the parent-child relationship. This analysis investigates the results of a recent therapy trial done on an intervention that focused on perceived burdensomeness (PB) in youth ages 10-17 years at-risk for suicidal ideation. The intervention worked on subject’s PB by having them complete tasks for others and reevaluate their relationships, especially the subjects’ positive effects on others. The analysis focuses on the youth-reported depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation and their correlations with parent-reported child depressive symptoms and sleep quality metrics utilizing R code. The results showed that parent-reported sleep and depression measures (and the lagged versions of these variables) all did not predict youth-reported suicidal ideation over time. The implications of this study could be used in analyzing current depression treatments and preventative measures, especially in adolescents and children, perhaps with changes to parent and guardian-based-reporting/data collection.

Keywords: psychology clinical youth depression suicidality

BIO

My name is Bojana Vukovic and I am an international student from Serbia. I was born and raised in Serbia and came to the U.S. in 2019 to attend university. My major is B.S. Psychology with a minor in Interdisciplinary Humanities (concentrating on philosophy and linguistics). My main research interests focus on deception in relation to nonverbal, verbal, and physiological cues. In my current HITM thesis, I am specifically examining eye movement behavior and facial clusters as potential cues for deceit. Another domain of research I find particular interest in are cross-cultural studies. I am currently preparing another research project about identity and belonging in relation to family and nationality on a cross-cultural level. I am fluent in English and Serbian, and I am also currently working on improving my French and Russian language knowledge. In my spare time, I enjoy weight lifting, attending classical music concerts and theater plays, reading classical literature, watching experimental and independent production films, painting, photography, and travelling. The four main values I live by are dedication, perseverance, honesty, and integrity, which I strive to incorporate in my life's work and all my personal and professional relationships.

The Impact of Early Tallahassee Land Sales on the Capital's Development

Abstract

Land sales played a crucial role in the development of many U.S. cities, including Tallahassee, Florida. The present study examines the impact of early land sales on Tallahassee's development through political, economic, and social lenses. It aims to answer two research questions: (1) How did land sales influence Tallahassee's development, and (2) Why were the specie-paying banks in Georgia and South Carolina banned from purchasing land in early Tallahassee, while the specie-paying banks from other states, such as New York, Louisiana, and Alabama, were not? The study draws on primary and secondary sources to qualitatively analyze the data and answer the research questions. The findings suggest that land sales brought new wealth and economic opportunities to the city, spurring the growth of new industries such as cotton and tobacco production, transportation, and trade. Land sales also contributed to Tallahassee's political power and influence by establishing the city as the capital of Florida. Additionally, land sales led to the development of new social institutions and cultural practices in Tallahassee. However, the study is inconclusive about the exact reasons why the specie-paying banks in Georgia and South Carolina were excluded from purchasing land in Tallahassee. The study's limitations include its reliance on historical records that may not be fully comprehensive or accurate. Future research could examine potential reasons for the exclusion of specie issued by banks in Georgia and South Carolina, including political tensions, currency stability concerns, historical and cultural factors, and economic and political interests.

Keywords: Tallahassee, early Tallahassee, Tallahassee history, Tallahassee development, Florida capital, Tallahassee land sales, land sales, early Tallahassee economy, early Tallahassee politics, early Tallahassee society, Florida, frontier Florida, specie-paying

BIO

Junior student majoring in Psychology and Criminology. Research interests include characteristics of social injustice in the U.S., prejudice, and analyzing risk and protective factors of juvenile delinquency.

What do Racial minorities think of White allies?

Abstract

The current work investigates racial minorities’ suspicions about White people’s antiracist motives. Believing White people’s nonracism (i.e., their refrainment from racist behavior) is externally motivated by social pressures (rather than internally motivated by egalitarian values) affects how racial minorities perceive Whites’ positive interracial behaviors. For example, a sample of Latina women reported greater uncertainty, threat, and worsened self-esteem after receiving positive feedback from a White person when they believed White people’s nonracist motives were more external than internal (Major et al., 2016). Similarly, our primary hypothesis was that perceiving White people’s antiracism (i.e., their promotion of racial equality) as increasingly externally motivated would produce negative perceptions of White allies. Using a series of self-report measures, we asked Black, African American, Hispanic, and Latino participants to report their perceptions of White people’s antiracist motives, the source of those motives (internal vs. external), their perceptions of White allies, and their beliefs about White people’s collective action for racial equality, amongst other measures.

Keywords: Emmerich,Intergroup relations, white allies

BIO

Hello, my name is Madelyn Lester. I am a Psychology major and a Child Development minor. I am from West Palm Beach, Florida. I have loved having the opportunity to work on the RECALL Paired with Play lab. It has shown me how passionate I am about children and education, and taught me so much about research. I know that in my future career and endeavors, I definitely want to work with children and adolescents.

Reading to Engage Children with Autism in Language and Learning (RECALL) Paired with Play

Abstract

This research study is on Reading to Engage Children with Autism in Learning and Language (RECALL) paired with play in order to gauge improvements on target vocabulary and retention rates. The children in the study will range in ages 3-5 and be separated into dyads. In this study, researchers will use RECALL paired with toys and playtime to see if the intervention aids children in learning these target words while playing with the toys. Previous research has been conducted with just the RECALL element where only shared intervention reading occurred in order to see if the children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) would learn the target vocabulary and baseline studies did show improvement in the children with ASD (Whalon et al., 2015). Therefore, the hope with adding the play element to the RECALL is to see target vocabulary utilized in appropriate play contexts. There are eight children - four with ASD, and four typically developing children - and they will be reading a series of books that highlight seven target words. After reading, both at baseline and with the intervention, they will play with corresponding toys and will be observed to see if target vocabulary is used in the appropriate context. While research has not been completed, researchers expect to see that children with ASD will learn these target words through their interaction with the words in the books and during playtime.

Keywords: Reading, Play, Autism, Children

BIO

I am a second-year student, originally from Belize, who loves math and physics. I particularly like these two fields because physics tries to understand how our universe works and functions, using the language of mathematics, and math has always been interesting to me from a young age. Moreover, there are a lot of unexplained phenomena in space and the universe, which further motivated me to pursue astrophysics. I try to seek out physics research opportunities to build my experience and prepare for graduate school; however, I am always open to maths research.

Measuring the Temperature Variations of the Early Universe

Abstract

Cosmology is a unique field of physics that asks questions such as, “How was the universe created?”, “Why does it have the cosmological structure it does?”, and “What is the evolution of our universe in the future?” Although these are tough questions to answer, the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) discovery in 1965 ushered in a new era for cosmologists (Penzias and Wilson). The CMB provides data on the light from the universe when it was 300,000 years old (Hu and Dodelson) and by mapping that light, we can get an accurate picture of the early universe that can be analyzed by computing a power spectrum over the map. Gathering CMB data also comes with unwanted information from sources such as ground obscuration or galactic contamination (Hivon et al.). As a result, we would only be able to compute a power spectrum over the uncontaminated part of the sky. Fortunately, Hivon et al. have already described a method to convert the pseudo-power spectra (the power spectrum of the partial sky) into a power spectrum for the whole sky using the MASTER (Monte Carlo Apodised Spherical Transform EstimatoR) method.

Keywords: Cosmology, Temperature Variations, CMB, Early Universe

BIO

I'm a third-year Biological Sciences major from South Florida with an interest to get a Master's in Public Health with a focus on Global Health and Infectious Diseases.

Analyzing Stereotypes for Low Prescription Rates of PrEP in Rural Honduras

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, more commonly referred to as HIV is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks itself. HIV is spread through the exchange of bodily fluids. An effective method for HIV prevention is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a prescribed pill people at risk can take to prevent HIV contraction from sex or injection drug use. However, the availability of PrEP in rural areas prevents citizens from being adequately protected. The low availability of PrEP in rural areas is due to several factors that ultimately affect increased HIV rates. This study aims to identify and analyze the central stereotypes in rural areas causing the low prescription rate of PrEP. Using this data, a survey was prepared to identify the prevalence of the researched stereotypes in rural Honduras. Questions aimed at gathering information about healthcare structure, education, and community were included. Surveys will be sent to Honduras to be filled out by healthcare workers. This data will further be compiled and analyzed to get a better understanding of the predominant stereotypes in rural Honduras. Ultimately, the goal is to place preventative measures for these barriers against the low PrEP prescription rate.

Keywords: global health, tropical medicine, HIV

BIO

Nadia is a first year student pursuing a dual degree in History and Editing, Writing, and Media with minors in Museum Studies and British Studies. She loves anything old and is always trying to learn more about the past. Her favorite area of history is late medieval to early modern English history. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, and creating a family tree of British monarchs. She looks forward to studying abroad in London in the Fall to visit places she’s only read about, such as the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace. She is interested in continuing research related to history.

Hester Pulter and the Depiction of Vermin in Early Modern Culture

Abstract

This project began by taking a close look at seventeenth-century woman poet Hester Pulter’s emblematic poem, “The Bishop and the Rats” (Emblem 46), as part of the larger, ongoing Pulter Project. This poem included particular emphasis on rats and other vermin to serve as metaphor. Thus raising the question: how were rats and other vermin depicted in early modern culture? I will pay extra attention to fables and emblem books which would have served culturally significant roles and were recognized by many people throughout the period. In addition to primary emblems and fables, my research will draw from contemporary sources, such as Mary Fissell’s “Imagining Vermin in Early Modern England,” to distinguish between our modern notion of vermin as compared to how those of Pulter’s time would have understood vermin. The difference between how one in the early modern period would have thought of vermin and how we think of vermin today is an important distinction in framing our thinking about the culture connected to the depiction of such creatures.

Keywords: English, Poetry, Vermin, Rats, Emblems

BIO

Hello there, I am Analisa Roy. I have loved to get my hands dirty since I was a little girl, and that love has only blossomed as I aged. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I have always had a connection to the environment around me. I plan to combine my love of hands-on work and my passion for the environment into a long-lasting career surrounding Environmental Science. I'm still figuring out what I want to research, but so far, I like studying living organisms and their interactions with the environment around them.

The Influence Pore Water Transport has on Sargassum Macro-Algae Degradation when embedded in Submerged Coastal Sands

Abstract

Large blooms of the macroalgae Sargassum threatens coastal environments in Florida as well as the Caribbean. For this project, we seek to quantify the influence pore water flow has on the degradation of Sargassum buried in submerged permeable marine sands. Ripples on these sands force water currents through the sediment and urge the transportation of oxygen into the bed and trapping of large amounts of red tide algae, bacteria, and other small particulate materials into the pore space of the sediments. This increases microbial decomposition processes in the seabed, including Sargassum degradation, and causes higher sedimentary oxygen consumption. As oxygen consumption increases, oxygen penetration depth into the sediments decreases while carbon dioxide release from the sand increases. Our project investigates Sargassum macro-algae degradation in fine silicate and carbonate sands. I focus on determining Sargassum algae decomposition rates within column reactors, simulating submerged sand, using oxygen consumption, and observing the resulting carbon dioxide production. Silicate sands are typical on colder beaches, dissolve slower, and have a white quartz-like appearance, while the biogenic carbonate sands are typical for subtropical and tropical environments. In an initial reference experiment testing Sargassum decomposition in seawater, we observed a strong correlation between Sargassum algae mass and oxygen consumption. We plan to share our findings with local officials that can use the information to determine whether the Sargassum algae should be removed from the nearshore environment to prevent harmful hypoxic conditions in the shallow water.

Keywords: Sargassum, Degradation, Transport, Algae, Sands

BIO

I am from Orlando, Florida. My main research interests are anything within or adjacent to political science or environmental policy. I am involved with the Asian-American Student Union on campus, and you can generally find me in the Student Union. Currently, I am interning at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection during the 2023 Florida Legislative Session. My future goal is to be involved in environmental policy, so I am currently contemplating applying for law school to study environmental law.

Can 8 Wait? A Review of Police Use of Force Policies in Florida

Abstract

The project seeks to answer the question, "does the presence of '8 Can't Wait' policies in law enforcement protocols decrease incidents of police use of force?" This project conducts a systematic review of police use of force policies across different city and county police jurisdictions in Florida, collected via email and public records requests. It evaluates which jurisdictions have adopted the “8 Can’t Wait” policy proposals, as well as an additional policy mandating the provision of emergency medical services in the event of physical harm. Once this systematic review is complete, an analysis will be done for possible statistical correlations between policies and reported incidents of police use of force, as well as any demographic trends in the areas where policies have been adopted.

Keywords: Geography, Law Enforcement, Policy

BIO

Hi! My name is Laura Obermaier and I'm a 20 year old Computer Science major at FSU. I chose FSU because it's a great school and the campus is beautiful! My current plan is to graduate early this fall, to stay on the Dean's list, and to pursue a Masters in Sofware Engineering at a somewhat reputable college. I'll also be basing my college choice on how the campus looks, of course. I'm most interested in research concerning Artificial Intelligence and Health/Wellbeing. My hometown is Windach, Germany; although I spent the latter half of my childhood in Beijing, China and south florida. I love to hit the gym, watch a Studio Ghibli movie, or eat comfort foods in my free time.

Key Concepts Of App Design For A Client

Abstract

This aim of this project is to outline the conceptual elements of app design. Because of this, we will focus on ideas and planning rather than the coding of an app.
A user-centered methodology was used with experiences garnered from designing an app in Unity, consulting fellow computer scientists within MLab, and researching both computer science(CS)-specific and general techniques.
Frequently mentioned techniques included in this project are setting expectations, effective pitching, storyboarding, flowcharting, and personas.

Keywords: Computer Science, App/Software Design, Presenting

BIO

I am majoring in behavioral neuroscience at Florida State University with research interests in learning disabilities in higher education. I am from Chapel Hill North Carolina but would love to attend a graduate school in California.

The Love that Moves

Abstract

Dante Today, a website curated by Elizabeth Coggeshall and Arielle Saiber. The website serves as a living archive of “ citings ” and “sightings” of Dante’s work and influences in the 21st century. Examples include art, literature, architecture, and other creations. The site has been active since 2006. Inspired by the students in her Dante’s Divine Comedy ” Arielle Saiber (John Hopkins University ) created the site to archive the references to Dante and his works that her students kept finding and bringing to her. In 2012, Elizabeth Coggeshall Florida State University, formerly Stanford University joined the editorship of the project, after teaching a course entitled “Dante and the Modern Imagination.” Dante Today stands to function as a crowdsourced archive of Dante’s presence in our lives and our world and in contemporary culture.

Keywords: Dante, Dante's Inferno, literature, Italian

BIO

Hannah is a freshman Presidential Scholar from Jupiter, Florida, majoring in Biological Sciences and pursuing a Specialized Study in Applied Economics. She is a member of the Lemmon Lab at FSU, under the mentorship of Dr. Emily and Dr. Alan Lemmon. Hannah is currently involved in neurogenomic research, but she hopes to experiment in the future with a variety of biological research. As of now, Hannah's career plans remain undecided, although she is heavily considering a career which combines her love for science with her interest in business. She looks forward to continuing her research with the Lemmon Lab next semester through a Directed Individual Study.

The Evolution of the GABA Receptor in Pseudacris and its Contribution to Speciation

Abstract

This project analyzes candidate Pseudacris (chorus frog) genes associated with the neurological GABA-A receptor in order to identify protein variation that could potentially cause differences in mate preferences across sex and geographical variables. In this study, we focus on the alpha1 subunit of the GABA-A receptor to determine and analyze amino acid variation in that region. We translated and aligned reads from seventeen Pseudacris individuals varying in sex and origin and compared these with one another and to the translated human alpha1 subunit of the GABA-A receptor. Our hypothesis was confirmed: although nucleotide variation was discovered across Pseudacris individuals, there was no amino acid variation in the alpha1 subunit across individuals, and there was little significant variation between Pseudacris and human amino acids for the alpha1 subunit. The few sites of variation between the Pseudacris and human alpha1 subunit include locations near the α1-β2 GABA binding site, which must be explored further. In future analyses, we will test other subunits of the GABA-A receptor for protein variation and locate those variant sites on the GABA-A receptor to determine their effect on function. We do not expect to find amino acid variation in important regions of the GABA-A receptor because that would potentially alter other critical neurological functions. Subsequently, the excitatory neurotransmitters AMPA and NMDA must also be analyzed for amino acid variation. This project’s future goal is to determine whether amino acid variation contributes to different mating call reception and selection, an important step in understanding chorus frog speciation.

Keywords: Neurogenomics, Speciation, Biology, Bioinformatics, Frogs

BIO

Maria Perez-Torres is a second-year student majoring in Finance and part of the Honors program at Florida State University. Maria has always been interested in the research process, especially within the field of business. Through her time working with Dr. Chapa, she has explored consumer behavior, service operations, and market research techniques. As part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, she has gained incalculable experience that she will continue to implement in the future.

Calculating the Effectiveness of Integrated Hispanic Marketing Campaigns

Abstract

The research project explores which type of Hispanic-targeted advertisements, digital or televised, is more effective on Hispanic consumers. Three (3) integrated marketing campaigns that specifically target Hispanic consumers were examined: Mcdonald's, Mattress Firm, and Walmart. Concurrently, interviews with account planners, account directors, and creative teams were performed. Preliminary findings suggest a positive relationship between Hispanic consumers' responses to Hispanic advertisements that utilize different modes of media versus just one, as it emphasizes the importance of using cultural cues and bilingual elements. In addition, companies that employed and prioritized a social media aspect in their campaigns were more effective in connecting with Hispanic consumers; thus, companies that highlight the convenience and efficiency of the shopping experience process of the brand tend to perform more profitably. As well as increasing engagement, social media reaches the gap between accessibility and economically feasible advertisements.

Keywords: Integrated marketing, Hispanics, Consumers

BIO

Hi, my name is Lauryn, I am a sophomore on the pre-medical track. I joined UROP to break into undergraduate research and try something new. I am also involved with AMWA, HerCampus, and MRU and will be a UROP Leader next semester!

Testing for the Presence of HIV-1 Proteins Associated With vRNPs

Abstract

HIV-1 proteins are incorporated into virions as an initial precursor of Gag/GagPol proteins. Following virus exit from the plasma membrane, a dimer of the protease (PR) domain of GagPol precursor cleaves itself from the rest of the proteins and then cleaves specific amino acid residues in the Gag/GagPol precursor proteins to release individual viral components, namely: matrix (MA), capsid (CA), SP1 and SP2 spacer peptides, the nucleocapsid (NC), p6 peptide, PR, reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN). This step of proteolytic processing is called virus maturation, as the vRNA is now condensed by NC, RT, and IN to form the viral ribonucleoprotein complex (vRNPs). As the vRNPs are formed a conical capsid shell made up of 1600 CA proteins must polymerize in such a way that the vRNP is enclosed inside the cone-shaped capsid. While vRNA, NC, RT, and IN are known partners of the vRNP - whether other viral proteins also associate with the viral core remains unclear. Here we will incorporate fluorescently tagged HIV-1 proteins (SP1, SP2, NC, p6, PR) and incorporate these into virions and study their individual association with the vRNP complex. Our goal is to define the vRNP components and test for its presence, including function in target cells following HIV infection.

Keywords: Virus, HIV, Proteins,

BIO

Hello my name is Kiara Videla and I am a proud first-generation Argentinian-American! My hometown is Jacksonville, Fl and I love going to the beach with friends. In my free time I like to paint, sculpt, or bake as I enjoy the creativity that I can put into these activities. My career goal is to become a lawyer, in either corporate or immigration law because I want to help people reach their goals.

Reading to Engage Children with Autism in Language and Learning (RECALL) Paired with Play

Abstract

This research study applies Reading to Engage Children with Autism in Learning and Language (RECALL) paired with play in order to gauge improvements on target vocabulary and retention rates. The children in the study will range in ages 3-5 and be separated into dyads. In this study, researchers will use RECALL paired with toys and playtime to see if the intervention aids children in learning these target words while playing with the toys. Previous research has been conducted with just the RECALL element where only shared intervention reading occurred in order to see if the children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) would learn the target vocabulary and baseline studies did show improvement in the children with ASD (Whalon et al., 2015). Therefore, the hope with adding the play element to the RECALL is to see target vocabulary utilized in appropriate play contexts. There are eight children - four with ASD, and four typically developing children - and they will be reading a series of books that highlight seven target words. After reading, both at baseline and with the intervention, they will play with corresponding toys and will be observed to see if target vocabulary is used in the appropriate context. While research has not been completed, researchers expect to see that children with ASD will learn these target words through their interaction with the words in the books and during playtime.

Keywords: Education, Play, Autism

BIO

I am a first year undergraduate student from Illinois. My research interests lie in chemistry and chemical engineering, specifically within solid-state chemistry. I intend to attend medical school or graduate school in a field relating to my research interests after completion of my bachelor's degree.

Exploring Magnetic Phase Boundaries in Half-Heusler Intermetallics

Abstract

In this project, we explore the interphase space between the crystal structures of two half-Heusler alloys, MnFeGe and MnFeAs. The former belongs to the hexagonal Ni2In structure type, while the latter has been reported to exhibit two types of structures, either Fe2P or Cu2Sb. We investigate the relationships between these structures as a function of composition and temperature. To investigate the intermediate phase space between the two parent alloys, we carry out doping of As for Ge, which vary by one valence electron. We hypothesize that the change in the number of valence electrons will trigger the change in the structure type, thus resulting in a structural phase transition. Coupling this structural transition to magnetic ordering can make these Half-Heusler alloys promising materials for magnetocaloric applications, such as magnetic refrigeration. Unusual spiral or helical spin textures that can develop in the region of structural instability are also of interest in the context of using these materials in spintronic devices

Keywords: Solid State Chemistry