BIO

I was born and raised in Brazil, but I have lived in Miami since 2017. I aspire to become a well-known, successful CEO as I continue my education as a business student pursuing a dual degree in Accounting and Finance at Florida State University. My areas of interest include executive, management, controlling, operations, and investments within the sports business. However, I enjoy indulging in different opportunities across various business fields to expand my overall knowledge, reflected in my collaboration with this insightful insurance exchange project.

An Evaluation of the Affordability of ACA Health Insurance Exchange Coverage

Abstract

The Affordable Care Act established state-level marketplaces where individuals could obtain health insurance coverage. This project will evaluate the performance of these state marketplaces after ten years of operation. My research peers and I have compared differences across states in various characteristics, such as enrollment and health plan competition. We have developed a repository for research literature that addresses multiple outcomes of these mechanisms and a visual representation of such findings. Our main objective was to identify features associated with the success of the marketplaces in providing health insurance and, consequently, necessary healthcare services to the population.

Keywords: ACA, insurance, premium, issuers, exchange

BIO

Hello! My name is Amina Hasan and I'm a freshman from Orlando, FL. I'm studying Behavioral Neuroscience on the Pre-Med Track. I'm very excited to be presenting my research at the Annual Symposium. Over the past couple of months, I've worked with Cre mice, learning how to inject an anterograde virus into a specific region of their brain - the A8. This is the first step to understanding the function of this region - A8 is composed of a group of dopaminergic neurons and currently we hypothesize that it deals with functional control and motivational behavior. I'm very grateful to have been a UROP student this past year - it's allowed me to gain experience in research relevant to my major and learn more about my personal interests as well. In the future, I hope to continue neuroscience related research at FSU and eventually apply to medical school, with the goal of becoming a neurologist.

Identification of a Potential A8 Dopamine Projection​ for Functional Control ​in Cre Mice ​

Abstract

My research seeks to understand the function of the A8 region of the brain in mice. Currently, we believe it plays a role in functional control and possibly food motivation as well as other motivational behaviors. Motivational behavior is a fundamental part of life because it controls how driven an animal will be for certain tasks, such as food, water, or and things necessary for survival. In mice, the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and Nucelus Accumbens (NAc) are two structures in the brain already known to regulate motivational behavior already. The VTA is known for regulating reward consumption and the NAc is a mediator of motivational and emotional processes. Dopaminergic neurons – which synthesize the important neurotransmitter dopamine which modulates motivational behavior – make up more than 65% of the VTA’s neurons (Bouarab et al., 2019). Past research of dopaminergic neurons found they play an important role in behavioral processes such as reward, addiction, and stress (Chinta & Andersen, 2005). In this study, we will be stimulating the A8 region of the brain in mice to study its effect. A8 is in the midbrain reticular formation and is dorsolateral to the substantial nigra. It's of particular interest because it contains a substantial collection of dopaminergic cells in the central nervous system. In order to visualize these dopaminergic cells and their connections, we will be using Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH), which is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of dopamine and norepinephrine.

Keywords: Brain, Science, Behavior, Neuroscience

BIO

I'm Jake Nilsson, a Computer Science student who grew up in Deerfield Beach, FL. I enjoy puzzles (I can solve Rubik's cubes and play chess, albeit infrequently), music (listening - and when I have time, creating), programming, and reading in my free time!

Positive and Negative Qualities in Computer Science YouTube Tutorials: A Review of Current Research

Abstract

Computer Science is a field that is constantly and rapidly evolving alongside new technology - and those working in the field must grow with it. To broaden their scope on pre-existing content or learn new material, many in the industry turn to YouTube video tutorials. This increased demand creates variable outcomes: some videos may teach effectively and lead to high quality products, while other videos may be ineffective and cause poor results. While previous research has taken place regarding multimedia learning, research where that multimedia is used for Computer Science has yet to be created. With this project, our mentor attempts to fill this gap by using previous research and collected data to illuminate the positive and negative qualities of a Computer Science YouTube tutorial. The results of this study could be used to improve the overall quality of Computer Science tutorials and subsequently improve the quality of the work produced from programmers watching them.

Keywords: YouTube, Tutorials, Computer Science, Education, Learning

BIO

Lauryn is a first-year sophomore, double majoring in International Affairs and Political Science with minors in German and Philosophy. In her short time here at Florida State, she has already gotten involved with SGA and currently holds a leadership position in the Student Senate. When she's not doing research, you can probably find her training for her latest triathlon or reading in her hammock. Lauryn also works as a Trip Leader for Outdoor Pursuits, FSU’s outdoor recreation program, where she gets to combine her love for hiking and the outdoors with her passion for connecting with others. Lauryn plans to further her research career this summer at University College London, where she will be intensively studying Foreign Policy and Human Rights in the heart of England. After graduating in the Spring of 2025, Lauryn is planning to do a few years with the Peace Corps before attending law school.

The Relationship between the Women’s Rights Movement and Collegiate Education

Abstract

Abstract
In elementary, middle, and high school literacy instruction in America, female teachers and administrators make up a large majority of the workforce, and historians of higher education topics can, more or less, access their work, However, when it comes to recovering the careers of women in literacy instruction at the collegiate level, records are harder to come by if the women did not publish. Moreover, fewer than 10% of female educators in literacy instruction at the college level were women of color between 1890 and 1950, without even representation or stable archives. Linked Women Pedagogues (LWP) is a data discovery tool that uses several workflows to trace the intellectual influence of underrepresented women and women of color who taught in literacy studies from the late nineteenth through the middle twentieth centuries. While the LWP workflows consider various ways of searching born-digital tools, they do not yet consider correlations between women’s intellectual mobility and other national events, such as Women’s Suffrage. To contribute to the LWP project workflows, I used broad-reaching data tools such as the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) and WorldCat, in order to locate information about the institutions where pedagogues taught, whether and where they published, and where their work might have circulated beyond their initial place of work, in and around the American Suffrage movement. I then mapped this information onto a timeline with selected women's rights events in order to observe the correlation between pedagogues and Suffrage activity.

Keywords: digital research, feminism, data analysis

BIO

I am a second year civil engineering student. I am originally from Bowie, Maryland. I have a passion for structural sustainability field.

Simulation-based Heavy Equipment Planning for Mass Rescue Operation

Abstract

The success of mass rescue operations, such as in the aftermath of a building collapse, requires effective use of limited resources to search for more people on time and expedite the debris removal process. However, the two major processes of rescue operation, debris removal and survival search, have different objectives (i.e., removal of debris and search for survivors, respectively) but share resources, such as excavators and trucks, thereby making resource planning for mass rescue operation challenging. We propose a novel approach to optimize heavy equipment planning for mass rescue operation through discrete event simulation (DES). Debris collection and survivor search operations are simulated as two distinctive processes that share excavators and trucks. One key challenge in developing a simulation model of rescue operation is the lack of productivity data for each process. To overcome this issue, we conduct small-scale experiments in which students operate 1:14 scale heavy equipment for debris removal and rescue operations, while their productivity for each operation is recorded. The measured productivity data from the small-scale experiments are used in the developed simulation model in order to identify bottleneck resources within these two processes. The use of equipment is planned in a way that address such resource bottlenecks and thus expedite the overall mass rescue operation. Our findings have important implications for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of rescue operations in the aftermath of a disaster.

Keywords: infrastructure, rescue, disaster

BIO

I am currently interested in research on sensory receptors and how it advances our understanding of the brain as I am a Cell and Molecular Neuroscience major. I aspire to continue this passion for pursuing knowledge of the brain in medical school as I study to become a neurosurgeon.

Measuring the relationship between liquid- and vapor-phase concentrations for esters diluted in mineral oil using a photoionization detection-based approach.

Abstract

Esters, such as ethyl tiglate and methyl butyrate, are colorless liquids that have a sweet, fruit-like odor. The volatiles from this chemical class are commonly used as olfactory stimuli to assess odor perception and probe odor coding in the brain. To manipulate vapor-phase concentrations, researchers often rely on liquid dilutions. However, the relationship between liquid dilution and vapor concentration is dependent upon the odor / solvent pair and can significantly deviate from predictions based on ideal gas laws. In other words, a 10-fold liquid dilution does not always result in a 10-fold decrease in vapor concentration. Unfortunately, the relationship between the liquid dilution and vapor-phase concentration of an odorant cannot be predicted based on their chemical features and thus, must be empirically determined. The goal of my study was to assess the relationship between liquid and vapor-phase concentrations of various esters using a photoionization detector (PID) based approach. Using a simplified olfactometer, the volatiles from different liquid dilutions (0.01% in mineral oil to the pure odorant) were delivered to the PID. Inside the PID sensor, these volatile molecules were ionized by exposure to high-intensity ultraviolet light, creating a current that is proportional to the vapor phase concentration of the odorant. The resultant data were fit with a power function, yielding liquid-/vapor-phase equilibrium equations that can be used by olfactory researchers to obtain more accurate depictions of the vapor-phase odorant concentrations used in their experiments.

Keywords: PID, Esters

BIO

My name is Karina Frey and I am a senior majoring in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience. I am originally from Tampa, Florida and have taken part of UROP for two years now as a student myself and a UROP leader. My research is concentrated in molecular biology looking at different cellular pathways that mediate with toxic/misfolded protein degradation. I have enjoyed every moment of the research process and have gained a lot of wisdom from my research mentor. Beyond research, I also am part of a medical fraternity, Phi Delta Epsilon, Dance Marathon and am on Level Dance Company's team! I look forward to the future in pursuing a career in medicine as I am on the pre-med track and hope to apply to medical school!

The role of SUMOylation in Cdc48 mediated stress granule clearance

Abstract

SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) is a protein that can be added to substrate proteins in a process called SUMOylation, which is a cellular post translational modification. SUMOylation functions in protein translocation, DNA replication, stress response, and protein degradation. Stress granules (SGs) are condensates of mRNA and misfolded proteins that form during stress. This promotes cell survival by sequestering inactive mRNAs and toxic misfolded proteins from the cellular environment until the stress is resolved. Stress granules are cleared by various mechanisms, but we focus on Cdc48 complex mediated clearance. The Cdc48 complex is an ATPase that serves as a segregase/unfoldase that can unfold misfolded proteins before targeting them to the proteasome. The Cdc48 complex consists of three subunits: the Cdc48 core particle, Ufd1, and Npl4. While Npl4 contains a ubiquitin interacting motif, Ufd1 contains a SUMO interacting motif (SIM). This allows for the recognition of SUMOylated substrates. The protein components of SGs can be SUMOylated and ubiquitinated, which aids in their clearance. However, the role of SUMOylation in Cdc48-mediated clearance is unknown. My research lab evaluates the relationship between SUMOylation, ubiquitination, and the cytotoxic stress response in an S. cerevisiae yeast model. After being exposed to stress, such as treatment with arsenite or heat shock, we observed how the Cdc48-mediated clearance was affected in various SUMOylation and ubiquitination mutants. We found that SG clearance was negatively affected in mutants where SUMOylation and ubiquitination were impaired. In addition, we found that SG clearance was impaired in Cdc48 complex mutants.

Keywords: SUMOylation, Cdc48 complex, stress granule clearance

BIO

Sydney Neibert is a current second year student majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Computer Science in the Honors College at Florida State University. She is from Atlanta, Georgia where she has worked under psychiatrists and has developed a focus into the relationship between sports and the brain. She is interested in the research side of medicine and clinical psychopharmacology.

The Slow Regard of Silent Things: Building Mental & Emotional Resilience in Dancers

Abstract

This study evaluated an educational intervention targeted at building mental and emotional resilience in dancers and documents the prevalence of mental health stress in a university dance environment.  Five BFA dance majors completed the intervention: six modules in an application developed by a clinician who works with dancers and one-hour weekly meetings. This study observed the influence of mental resilience training on behaviors relevant to dance performance. Training was evaluated using a multiple-baseline-across-dancers experimental design with secondary measures of the RAND Mental Health Inventory, a Mental Health Knowledge Base Questionnaire, and Social Validity ratings. Results show targeted behaviors improved for every dancer who completed training with mean improvement of 50%. Scores on the RAND and Knowledge Base questionnaire improved by averages of six and thirteen points respectively. Results support previous research, corroborating that dancers are facing mental stress. Findings also suggest that completing six application-based, individually coached, weekly mental resilience training sessions improved the quality of pre-professional dancers' interactions with their training environments and self-reported mental health levels. This study was run as a systematic replication of the study done in the 2021-2022 school year with similar results expected. 

Keywords: Dance, Mental Health, Resilience

BIO

My name is Yoonseo Lee and I go by Clara. This is my first year at Florida State University studying in Marketing. I am planning on double majoring in Marketing and Art History. In the future, I want to become an art museum curator where I get to travel the world and work in museums in other countries. In high school I was a part of the International Baccalaureate Program as well as the National Honors Society. At Florida State I am still trying to find my interest and explore the many career paths I can take to a successful future.

Is There a Significant Difference In The Amount Of Open Call Opportunities In The Northern States Than The Southern States?

Abstract

In the United States there are some states that are more widely known for art. But that does not necessarily mean that artist are also located in those cities. Artists can be found all over the country whereas the open calls for artists are known to be more focused in certain locations. Since the cities like New York are more globally known to have high amounts of artists along with galleries and museums, many will say that along with the number of artists the open calls in these locations will be significantly higher than the cities that are not. In the research, I have divided the United States to compare the southern and northern states. The two southern states are North Carolina and Texas as the northern states that are compared are New York and Northern California. The data was graphed onto a map to easily spot where the open calls are more focused. When I first started the research, I did not expect states like North Carolina to have a large amount of open call available. But in general, it was more difficult to find open calls for artists to find open calls in southern states. But through the research, it was found that even though there are generally more opportunities in the north but there are many open calls in the south through out the year as well.

Keywords: Art, artist, museum, art opportunity

BIO

Benjamin Garcia is an undergraduate first-year at Florida State University. From Coral Springs, FL, Benjamin is majoring in economics and political science. He started his research journey whilst in high school, earning the AP Capstone diploma. A member of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and the University Honors program at FSU, Benjamin likes to be academically challenged and involved.

How Have Streaming Companies’ Marketing Efforts Responded to the Growing Hispanic Population in the United States?

Abstract

Hispanics' economic impact in the U.S. of $2.7 trillion has attracted companies' interest, specifically those of the entertainment industry (Hamilton et al.). Hispanics in the U.S. lead all ethnic groups in percentage streaming when on TV at 43.6%, and more than half at 58% are under the age of 34. Compared to the 42% of non-hispanic whites (Nielsen). This has caused streaming platforms to not only create content for hispanic audiences in the U.S., but to invest in quality products and marketing campaigns. Netflix spent $200 million in the 2020 fiscal year in order to produce content in Mexico alone, an amount that is expected to continue to grow (Faughnder). Streaming company Hulu even included a ‘Hispanic & Latinx Stories’ hub on their platform. Adding content praised by the hispanic community such as The Valet and Vida. They have not been the only ones to receive praise, Netflixs’ Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado has also seen positive reviews. But what has driven their successful marketing campaigns? We found that increase in budget for minor hispanic films and series has increased revenues and propelled the creation of new hispanic content.

Keywords: Hispanics, Marketing, Entertainment, Statistics, and Economics.

BIO

My name is Kaylee Sunderlin. I grew up in Wellington, Florida and am studying Public Health with a minor in General Business. I plan on furthering my education at Florida State University's Master of Public Health Program with the hope of pursuing a career in Health Policy.

Literacy Gaps of Long- Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)

Abstract

The United States has the highest percentage of unintended pregnancies among developed countries at an inflated 45%. Unintended pregnancies have been shown to be correlated to risks including the mother experiencing postpartum depression and the child scoring lower than average on development tests. These unintended pregnancies are typically the result from the misuse or failure of contraceptives. The most commonly used contraceptive methods (oral contraceptive pills and condoms) have around a 10-20% failure rate whereas less commonly used long-active reversible contraceptives (LARCs) have around a 0.8% failure rate. Previous research found that women who obtained and currently use LARCs had experienced multiple barriers before beginning their LARC use. The goal of this study is to examine the most prominent barrier, which was healthcare providers passing recommendations to patients that were not supported by clinical contraceptive guidelines. This barrier is why LARCs are less commonly utilized compared to other, less efficient modes of contraceptives. To gain a better understanding for healthcare providers’ health literacy of contraceptive guidelines, quantitative surveys were sent to hundreds of OB/Gyn, family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatric resident programs across the country. Residents were targeted for this study as they will be the future generation of healthcare providers that will pass recommendations regarding LARCs. These surveys will consist of 30 questions regarding contraceptive guidelines that will take 10-15 minutes to complete. The data received in the surveys will be interpreted through a statistics software (SPSS) in order to assess and compare resident’s understanding of guidelines.

Keywords: Contraceptives, Sexual Health, Health Literacy

BIO

Hello. My Name is Simone Eloi. I am a second year majoring in Biomedical Engineering. I am from Broward County, Florida and a lover of home. My research interests include tissue engineering and cellular therapies.

The Omnipresence of Black Joy

Abstract

Often in the media and the news, Black people are painted in a negative light. This research project aims to redefine these negative stereotypes and offer positive narratives that are associated with Black people and Black joy. To redefine the understanding of the Black experience, the researchers of this project first used the cumulative knowledge from academic based literature reviews to create a website that disseminates research and stories of Black Joy. While using the Kujima Theory of Collective Self-Motivation, this platform plans to include surveys completed by Black students at Florida State University to better understand what Black Joy means to them. Finally, by synthesizing information from academic literature, people's lived experiences, music, and the previously mentioned surveys, this project will be used to inform the development of a new curriculum used in public universities. This curriculum will be focused on Black Joy as a path to physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. The research method for this project is ongoing, as the researchers continue to gather academic literature and garner responses to their survey.

Keywords: Black Joy

BIO

Hello! My name is Simon Hart and I am an Electrical Engineering undergraduate student at Florida State University. I enjoy reading and going to the gym when I am not studying for my classes or researching on campus.

Superconducting Power Distribution Design for Zero-Emission Aircraft

Abstract

Integrated Zero Emission Aviation is a project that is partnered with NASA through the NASA University Leadership Initiative (ULI) and is a 5-year spanning project that began in June 2022 that holds the centric goal of developing zero-emission aviation in electric aircraft. The design of these aircraft requires a detailed and accurate schematic design that clearly emulates its physical and practical implementation. In particular, the cryostatic connector that provides connections to the motors of the aircraft requires a unique arrangement that must be originally created to fit correctly while simultaneously providing the desired energy transfer. In order to precisely manufacture these components, prototypes of each module must be created. The 3D CAD software Creo was used to create a visual representation of each modular piece of the cryostat. The resulting models represent the creation of the cryostat that connects to the motor as well as a complete layout of the electric aircraft to provide an overview of how the specific design models fit into the aircraft’s structure.

Keywords: Aircraft, NASA, Superconducting, Zero-Emission, Power

BIO

I'm a Tallahassee native who has always had a passion for anthropology, history, and the pursuit of knowledge. When I'm not in school at FSU I own my very own cleaning company, All American Maid, and being a business owner while continuing my education has been equal parts challenging and unbelievably rewarding. My long term goals range anywhere from traveling the world and potentially working in the field of paleoanthropology and prehistory, or immersing myself in art history and becoming involved with something similar to Khan Academy - an online learning tool that has aided me since I first started pursuing a higher education back in 2017. I'm a bit of an enigma in that I can go out and thrive in any environment, but also love staying home and reading any book I can get my hands on. UROP has been a wonderful experience for me so far in both encouraging my love for learning, and allowing me to participate at FSU in ways I never thought I'd be able to - especially as a woman with PCOS that required disability help. I look forward to this being the first of many more research projects to come!

Ceramics As a Story: What They Tell Us About Mission Sites

Abstract

Ceramic typologies have been prominent in North American archaeological research since the inception of the field. The various types of ceramics can give archaeologists insight into diet, social practices, religious ceremonies, and a wealth of knowledge about the locations in which they were found in. Ceramics found at Spanish mission sites in La Florida can tell us of the native tribes that made their homes here—such as the Apalachee—their eventual assimilation into Spanish culture, and of Spanish culture itself and how it was counter-influenced by the local population. During the summer of 2022, Dr. Tanya Peres of Florida State University led a field school at the Bryan site (8LE6256) for the purpose of locating the lost mission of San Antonio de Bacuqua—home to the Apalachee Revolt of 1647. Over the course of my research in Dr. Peres’ Archaeology Lab where we rough sorted the material that was excavated, we discovered a multitude of potsherds ranging from olive jar, majolica, Leon-Jefferson clay earthenware, and complicated stamped pieces.

My research will discuss the three main ceramic types that are most likely to be found at mission sites in Florida and their uses during the seventeenth century as well as the specific ceramic types found at the Bryan site and what they can further tell us about the Apalachee and Spanish peoples. This analysis will utilize pre-existing databases to determine type, potential dates, and the functionality to aid in discovering the vessel form and what it was used for.

Keywords: anthropology, ceramics, archaeology, native americans, analysis

BIO

I am a second-year student from Jacksonville, Florida. I am studying International Affairs with a concentration in Public Administration. With this, I am pursuing a certificate in U.S. Intelligence Studies. My research interests include global affairs, U.S. intelligence, and issues related to gender and race/ethnicity. In the future, I hope to pursue a master's degree in International Affairs, a law degree, or both.

What is Out There? A Practical Review of Race/Ethnicity Coding System Beyond IPEDS

Abstract

Post-secondary institutions record data on race and ethnicity to enhance the diversity, equity, and inclusion of students, faculty, and staff. The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is the current system used for coding race and ethnicity for the majority of United States postsecondary schools. IPEDS was last changed to include alternative racial and ethnic categories in 2010 and has yet to be altered. Prior scholars and practitioners have identified that the current IPEDS coding system skews the percentages of individuals from certain racial and ethnic populations. This is due to there being a lack of specific categories provided for these individuals during the data collection process. The goal of this project is to contribute to the current literature and work of the Florida State University (FSU) Office of Institutional Research to compare different race/ethnicity coding systems. Concurrently, this proposal intends to posit changes that could be implemented in internal university assessments.

Keywords: Race, ethnicity, coding, IPEDS

BIO

I'm a sophomore from Orlando FL, and am an art and geography dual major here at FSU. I was drawn towards this project because I was interested in what working with GIS is like, as it's commonplace in the geography field of work .

GIS Analysis of Heavy Precipitation Events & Contamination in Lake Munson

Abstract

In the past month, nearly 40,000 gallons of contaminated wastewater has spilled into Tallahassee waterways as a result of aging infrastructure. Although these spills have harmed community health and water supplies, the City of Tallahassee is not required to test for contaminants past a certain distance from the point source of the spill. However, independent tests by the Tallahassee Sewage and Wakulla Basin Advocacy Group have suggested that these contaminants travel far beyond the bounds of municipal testing. Tallahassee’s average heavy rainfall and waterway interconnectedness could suggest a correlation between heavy precipitation events and these contaminant flows. To assess potential relationships, average annual rainfall data was compared against nitrogen, phosphorus, and turbidity concentrations. An R2 value was then calculated to evaluate correlation. Finally, HPEs and contaminant concentrations were mapped onto a GIS of Lake Munson to visualize any correlations between heavy rainfall and contaminant concentrations. Results showed a weak correlation between rainfall and contaminant concentration; the strongest relationship was between nitrogen and rainfall. This preliminary data could indicate the success of recent wastewater cleanup initiatives.

Keywords: GIS, rainfall, pollution, contamination, environment

BIO

Hello, my name is Oluwatomi Onikeku! I am a second-year Junior here at Florida State University. I am majoring in Human development and family sciences on the Pre-PA track in hopes of becoming an Obstetric Physician's assistant. In the future, I am hoping to take strides to ease health inequities for mothers in minority groups. I am Nigerian, but I was born in Massachusetts. I currently live in Tampa, Florida where I have resided for the past 7 years.

Domestic Violence Discourse As Political And Civic Engagement: A Textual Analysis Of Comments On Social Media

Abstract

Domestic violence continues to be an issue around the globe, particularly in Africa; this research study works to analyze the role of online discourse as a form of political and civic engagement when talking about topics such as domestic violence. Social media platforms encourage the mass sharing of ideas, views, and opinions that may influence behavioral changes on a societal level. This study explores the factors that make online discourse an effective medium by analyzing language use. Using NVivo software, reactions and actions in these comments are coded by highlighting the use of adjectives and verbs, respectively. Qualitative discourse analysis allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of language use in particular contexts on social issues, which in the case of our study is domestic violence. Given how recent this form of data collection is in analyzing language use in domestic violence discourse, grounded theory is adopted to give way for themes to emerge naturally from the discourse. We gathered data from the comment sections of thirteen discussion threads on a Nigerian news and information blog on Instagram, Instablog9ja. Two thousand of these comments were cleaned, collated, and eventually analyzed to understand how these comment sections serve the purpose of being a space for dialogue and their potential as catalysts for cultural and religious reforms. 

Keywords: Qualitative Discourse analysis, Domestic Violence

BIO

Hi, my name is Alyah and I am from miami, Florida. I have a passion for sports and the medical field so this research project was perfect for me.

"What About Me”: IER On The Regulator in Dyad Sports

Abstract

Interpersonal Emotion Regulation, IER, is often used by athletes and when done
effectively may positively relate to motivation, affect, team performance outcomes, sport
commitment, and enjoyment (Tamminen & Crocker, 2013; Tamminen et al., 2016).
Despite knowledge of numerous IER strategies athletes employ, minimal research has
explored the impact of IER on the regulator, although findings from Foti et al. (2022)
suggest there may be an interrelationship of providing IER between the regulator and
target teammate, with the regulator’s emotions receiving more predominant impacts.
However, emotions are subjective (Wagstaff & Tamminen, 2021) and the contextual and
social factors that impact IER experiences must be interpreted. This study aims to (a)
explain how the regulator’s emotions, ego depletion, and effort are impacted by
providing IER, (b) explore how athletes perceive the receipt of IER to impact their
emotions, (c) understand the relationships and team dynamics involved in IER, and (d)
understand the factors that contribute to IER strategy selection and implementation.
Multi-level descriptive interviews are being conducted with five dyads, 10 competitive
adult beach volleyball and tennis athletes, from an interpretivist position focused on
recognizing subjective meaning (Goldkuhl, 2012) within the athletes’ experiences.
Results are anticipated in March/April 2023. The results will inform athletes’ utilization
of IER resources in an effective manner both for themselves and their teammates. This
will prompt the ability to conduct future experimental studies to determine causation
between constructs for practitioners to use evidence-based practice to advocate for the
most effective and least detrimental IER behaviors in sport.

Keywords: sports, tennis, regulator

BIO

I am from Cartersville, Georgia, and I came to Florida State to study marine biology. After graduating with a B.S. in Biological Sciences, I plan to pursue both a Master’s and Doctoral degree focused on marine research. After finishing school, I would love to conduct field research all around the world to help better understand our oceans and how to protect them. My ultimate career goal includes being the head of my own research lab that is dedicated to conservation and public education of marine life. I also hope to travel the world and understand the different roles marine ecosystems play socially, economically, and culturally.

Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Demographics in Alligator Harbor

Abstract

Oyster populations in Apalachicola Bay, Florida have seen significant decline in recent years, prompting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to place a moratorium on harvesting oysters within the Bay until 2025. During this time, there is ongoing research undertaken by the Apalachicola Bay System Initiative (ABSI), which will be utilized to further determine sustainable management suggestions and ongoing restoration efforts. In comparison to sub-tidal oysters, there is little research regarding the demographics of intertidal oysters in Apalachicola Bay. My research aims to further monitor oyster populations in Alligator Harbor, an ideal region for assessing intertidal demographics due to its proximity to the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory. Monitoring oyster condition, spat recruitment, spat settlement, predation, and localized water quality parameters aim to assess oyster population demographics within the intertidal areas of Alligator Harbor. Additional studies focusing on intertidal regions in Florida have found increased levels of salinity contribute to larger populations of adult oyster predators, such as crown conchs (Melongena corona) and lightning whelks (Busycon perversum), as well as a decline in intertidal oyster populations, further validating my research aims. The data collected and analyzed from this project will ultimately be used to further understand both Alligator Harbor and Apalachicola Bay aiming to develop and implement strategies to improve the overall health, restoration, and conservation efforts of the region.

Keywords: Marine, Biology, Conservation

BIO

Chioma Uchegbu is a third year student at Florida State University majoring in Biological Sciences. She was born in Nigeria and raised in Orlando, Florida. Her goal is to pursue a career in medicine. She aspires to work as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist.

Changes in Adult Behavior Following Prenatal Fentanyl Exposure

Abstract

Opioid abuse and addiction are among the most prominent public health crises in the United States, with a significant increase in the use of more potent, synthetic opioids like fentanyl. However, the long-term effects of fentanyl exposure during pregnancy have not been fully explored. This study investigates the biological and physiological implications that prenatal fentanyl exposure has on the development of mice. To address this question, a number of behavioral assays were performed on control and fentanyl-treated mice. Findings showed a significant difference between the litter sizes between control and fentanyl treatment groups, as well as a sex-specific difference in body weight following fentanyl treatment. Fentanyl-exposed mice exhibited greater anxiety-like behavior and showed a deficit in social dominance. These data indicate that in utero fentanyl exposure has long-term effects on behavior.

Keywords: opioid crisis, fentanyl, social dominance, anxiety