BIO

I am a freshman psychology major from Charlotte, North Carolina. I am a part of the FSU Circus, performing on the Spanish Web.

Montage: The Tallahassee Theatre Index

Abstract

This project is a culmination of theatre programs and companies in both the direct and greater Tallahassee area. It is created in the form of a digital library and contains both a theatre index and a calendar. The theatre index lists all of the companies in forms of profiles, each containing the same formatting. The information included in this format are the company’s social media sites and a summary of what the company does. The calendar is an extension of the profile’s information, for it lists any upcoming events for the companies included in the index. This is all found on a Wix website and was created for simple and direct access to the arts in Tallahassee. Through this index, we are hoping to incorporate more theatre in the area and allow for more direct communication between companies, thus enhancing a positive theatre morale in the city. If theatre companies are able to be in contact with one another, it is with hope that more cohesive projects can be created and initiatives in which societal issues are focused on can be developed. This will change the impact of theatre and showcase that there is more to the arts than one can simply perceive.

Keywords: Theatre, Tallahassee, Montage

BIO

Hi! My name is Elizabeth Weck and I’m from Tampa, FL. I am a second-year Public Health major with a Psychology minor. After graduating, I plan on earning a Nursing degree and eventually becoming a ARNP in Women’s Health. At Florida State, I am a member of Sigma Delta Tau Sorority and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society.

Exploring Apparel Options for NICU Mothers: Development of a Nursing and Kangaroo Care Garment System

Abstract

Kangaroo Care and breastfeeding are important steps in a mother’s postpartum journey with her infant. There are numerous physical and psychological benefits to both the mother and infant when initiating this type of care. In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), these benefits are even more important as NICU infants often require extra medical intervention to become healthy, and these interventions can sometimes isolate them from the mother. When facilitating this care, mothers sometimes struggle due to the infant’s more fragile state. Few garments exist to help facilitate both breastfeeding and kangaroo care for premature infants. To understand the aspects such a garment would require, we researched current products on the market and compared them to past research conducted on breastfeeding and kangaroo care. From this data, we designed a prototype garment via the 4 stage design process. This process included the problem identification, conceptualization, prototype, and solution of a garment. We then constructed this final garment based on the user needs we concluded were most important: compression fabric with the ability to stretch, temperature cooling, durable and weight bearing, adjustable sizing, access to breasts, and compatibility with medical devices. By creating an easy to use breastfeeding and kangaroo care garment, more mothers will take part in this important postpartum step improving the physical and emotional health of future generations of mothers and their infants.

Keywords: Nursing, Women, NICU, Newborn

BIO

My name is Melanie and I am a behavioral neuroscience major. I plan on attending medical school with the hopes of becoming a Neurologist.

Do Early Childhood Educators Have a Positive or Negative Perception on the Implementation of a Social-Emotional Curriculum

Abstract

This mixed-methods (i.e., quantitative and qualitative) study is aimed at exploring early childhood educators’ perceptions and experiences with the social-emotional curriculum Rebound Recovery, focusing on preschool-aged children. Early childhood is a critical period for development that can help to build foundational skills that influence social and academic development.. Early education teachers who implemented the social-emotional curriculum will complete several survey instruments related to managing challenging behavior as well as their self-efficacy and other perceptions of working with preschool age children. They will then be placed in groups of four to participate in a focus group interview. Data from the survey instruments and focus groups will be analyzed to answer the following research questions: What are the experiences, perceptions, and opinions of early childhood educators after implementing the Rebound and Recovery curriculum with preschool age children? What is the relationship between teacher (1) self-efficacy, (2) perceived relationships with students in their classrooms, (3) stress, and (4) priorities and beliefs about behavior, teaching practices and children, and their continued use of Rebound and Recovery?

Keywords: Education, Social-Emotional, Preschool

BIO

Hi! My name is Emma Dracand I'm from Boca Raton, Florida. This is my second year at FSU and I am seeking a major in Biology with an integrated chemistry minor. I am primarily involved with the UROP and Honors Program. Additionally, I am on the Pre-Medical track with hopes of working in women's health. I like to go to concerts, bake, and spend time with my family.

Changes in Experimental Pain Sensitivity from Using Home-Based Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) involves a directed low-amplitude electrical current to affect the activity of the motor cortex and supraorbital region in the brain. Increasing ranges of literature support that mindfulness-based meditation (MBM) assists in providing analgesia-like effects for pain. In this study, 30 subjects with chronic osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain aged 50 to 85 years utilized self-administered tDCS and performed meditative exercises to treat their pain symptoms. Combining MBM and tDCS has rarely been studied, despite knee OA being the most prevalent joint disease. On every weekday for two weeks (10 days), subjects remotely participated in 20-minute sessions of tDCS at a constant current intensity to the motor cortex and supraorbital regions along with MBM exercises. Researchers measured the subjects' heat, pain, and pressure tolerances using a visual analog scale, pain questionnaires, quantitative sensory testing, and current stimulation devices for 3 days within 10 days, in addition to their pain symptoms. Pain levels and OA symptoms were measured using a Numeric Rating Scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. The results indicated improvement in osteoarthritis pain symptoms and sleep quality, no effect on anxiety or depression, and no adverse effects caused by tDCS. Self-administered tDCS monitored remotely was found to be successful with older patients. tDCS combined with MBM decreased results on the Numeric Rating Scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.

Keywords: knee osteoarthritis, meditation, transcranial direct current stimulation

BIO

Taylor Kaminsky is a third-year psychology undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida State University. With a keen interest in clinical psychology, Taylor is actively involved in research with FSU's Anxiety and Behavioral Health Clinic by working as a Research Assistant on topics relating to anxiety sensitivity, threat responding, post-traumatic stress disorder, and tonic immobility. As a Research Assistant, Taylor has gained valuable insight into academic processes surrounding the publication of academic research, as well as technical skills such as accurately preparing and operating electroencephalograph equipment which he believes will serve as a strong foundation for future endeavors in the realm of academia.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Taylor has worked as a Laboratory Assistant at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare's Surgical Pathology Laboratory for the past two years. This position has provided him with direct exposure to a clinical laboratory where he has worked closely with various healthcare professionals and their roles in patient care.

Taylor's ultimate goal is to attend medical school and become a psychiatrist. He believes that the combination of research and clinical exposure will prove invaluable in a future career as a medical professional.

Examination of Tonic Immobility in a Lab-Based Experimental Paradigm

Abstract

Humans engage in a large variety of behaviors that stem from our evolutionary history. One key aspect of human behavior is threat responding, including fight, flight, and freeze responses. Tonic immobility is a type of freeze response experienced when a threat or danger is perceived as inescapable, causing the organism to become frozen or immobile. Research on individual differences in threat responding suggests that individuals with higher anxiety sensitivity scores may be more prone to experiencing tonic immobility. Anxiety sensitivity is a measurement of the fear of anxiety-related symptoms and their consequences. It is made up of three components, including the cognitive, social, and physical aspects of anxiety. The aim of this current study is to further examine the link between anxiety sensitivity and tonic immobility. Trauma-exposed, English-speaking adults (N = 98) were recruited using the FSU psychology subject pool. Participants completed an informed consent form, Tonic Immobility Questionnaire, and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index - 3. The participants also completed an image viewing task involving neutral, positive, and mutilation images. The results showed that both low physical anxiety sensitivity and a high cognitive anxiety sensitivity were associated with prior tonic immobility experiences. Additionally, high anxiety sensitivity scores in both cognitive and social domains predicted self-reported immobility during the image-viewing task. These findings provide evidence that there is a consistent link between higher cognitive anxiety sensitivity and the likelihood of experiencing immobility in response to threat. However, the potential effects of physical and social anxiety sensitivity may be context-dependent.

Keywords: psychology, anxiety, TI, AS

BIO

I am currently a junior majoring in Public Health with a minor in Biology. I am from Saint Petersburg Florida and I love to run and go to the beach. I plan to get my masters in public health after I graduate.

Undergraduate Research Scholars’ Reflection: What we Learned about Sexual Health Among College Students

Abstract

The goal of this project is to gain an understanding of the most recent literature on college student sexual health practices and wellness by performing a systematic literature review. PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar were the databases used to search for articles between 2010 and 2022. In addition, we searched the Journal of American College Health for articles which met the selection criteria. The selection criteria consisted of the following parameters: written in English, research was about undergraduate college students (ages 18-22) attending 4-year institutions in the United States, research could be quantitative or qualitative, interventions studied could be focused on safe sex workshops, campus sexually transmitted infections (STI) screenings, health promotion items such as condoms, and informed consent. Research outcomes could include rates of STIs, pregnancies, HIV, or sexual assault/rape. Research outcomes could also be about increases in sexual health knowledge because of interventions applied. The search criteria also focused on any sexual practices occurring at college campuses, not limited to heteronormative ones.

Keywords: college student, sexual health

BIO

My name is Hinah Ehtisham. I am from Dallas, Texas. I have a love for all things healthcare and hope to pursue medical school.

Age Differences in Depression and Anxiety Levels of Open-Heart Surgery Patients

Abstract

Age and gender are demographic measures important in cardiac patients.Additionally, depression and anxiety have long been established to be heart disease (HD) comorbidities. This study aims to examine the impact of age and gender on preoperative depression and postoperative anxiety symptoms in patients with HD receiving open heart surgery (OHD). Two waves of surveys were collected along with medical implications from patients at a prestigious heart center (n = 481, mean age = 62.18 ± 12.04, female 42%). One survey analyzed the differences in anxiety and depression in ages, while the second analyzed the gender differences. The collected survey data included socio-demographic information (age, gender, race), religious affiliation, general health and health behaviors, medical comorbidities, cardiovascular health indices, dispositional optimism, hope, social support, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Statistical analysis was carried out using hierarchical linear regression analyses. Findings support that higher age correlates with increased levels of cardiac symptoms. In comparison, younger age was associated with higher levels of postoperative depression, while older age was associated with higher levels of postoperative anxiety. Higher levels of dispositional optimism were consistently associated with lower levels of both postoperative depression and postoperative anxiety regardless of age. Female gender had an impact on depression scores but not on anxiety levels. Findings suggest that medical professionals might benefit from being more attentive to non-medical conditions such as mood states, dispositional optimism, and general positive expectations about the future in post-OHS life.

Keywords: Cardiac Disease, Mental Health, Aging, Gender Disparities

BIO

I'm Drake Rydberg, from West Palm Beach, Florida. In the past academic semester, I've been introduced to chemistry research and have been fascinated by the ways in which I can apply the knowledge I have and the knowledge I learn on a daily basis. I plan on being a research oriented professional in my field once I've done all the schooling I can. Outside of school and the lab, I spend most of my time reading books, hanging out with my girlfriend, playing chess, and playing video games.

The Synthesis of Spin Crossover Complexes for Covalent Attachment to Inorganic Substrates

Abstract

Spin crossover (SCO) is a property that is present in 3d transition metals with electronic configuration of d4-d7. Under an external stimulus, such as temperature, light, or pressure, the SCO complex switches between the high spin (HS) and low spin (LS) states, which leads to large changes in magnetic, structural, and optical properties. This type of behavior has been studied extensively in bulk materials, but there is a strong current interest to investigate SCO in thin films on different substrates to implement them in electronic and sensing devices. There are different ways to prepare thin films such as vapor diffusion, exfoliation, deposition from solution or by a reaction between the target molecule and some anchor molecule pre-deposited on the substrate. Taking advantage of chemistry, we will use a click reaction to link our iron (Fe) SCO complex to a surface. The click reaction is a Nobel prize winning reaction between an azide (N3) and alkyne (triple bond) groups. It works under mild conditions and results in good yields of desired products. In this work, we synthesize the complex Fe[qsal(N3)]2 and then deposit it on a substrate via click chemistry, taking advantage of the terminal azide groups in the structure of the complex. We also report the structural and magnetic properties of these SCO materials.

Keywords: SCO, Chemistry, 3DMaterials, ClickChemistry

BIO

Lauren Ayala, a Sociology student from Orlando, FL, first developed an interest in research in high school through the AP Capstone program. While at Florida State, she hopes to deepen her understanding of societal structures and their impact on individuals and communities. Upon completing her undergraduate education, Lauren aspires to attend law school and ultimately become a lawyer, where she can utilize her sociology background to understand social patterns in law.

Latinx Education in the State of Florida

Abstract

This poster session will showcase what three undergraduate students learned during their year-long Research Apprenticeship. The students learned introductory research skills, including writing a literature review and how to collect and code qualitative data. In addition, students learned how to perform content analysis and run preliminary descriptive statistics. These students are part of the FSU Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) which provides high-achieving students an opportunity to explore their interest in research. Preliminary results of the research project will also be presented.

Keywords: Education, Latinx, Content Analysis

BIO

My name is Joshua Mallay. I am a junior majoring in Meteorology from Oviedo, Florida. Some research interests that I do have would be to either research storms such as hurricanes or tornadoes, or to do research with atmospheric chemistry. My career goals would be to either be a broadcast meteorologist working in a big market or to become a research meteorologist.

Vulnerability of Panama City, Florida to Hurricane Michael

Abstract

Panama City, Florida had always been vulnerable to hazards because of its location, coastal geography, and socio-economic characteristics. Hurricane Michael exposed this vulnerability when it hit its shores on October 10, 2018, as a Category 5 Hurricane and it left behind catastrophic damage in Panama City. This research aims to study the recovery process of the citizens of Panama City to understand the resilience that the city has or lacks, factors of vulnerability and their causes, as well as how the citizens have recovered, and what processes they utilize in that recovery process.

Keywords: Recovery, Vulnerability, Resilience, Community, Hurricane Michael

BIO

Victoria is a first-year student from central Florida with a love for both the social sciences and the arts, intending to pursue a career in psychology and social psychology research, and also considering additional career paths in art therapy and illustration.

Intentionality, Love Languages, and Relationship Quality

Abstract

Gary Chapman proposed the concept of the five love languages, stating that there are five ways that humans communicate and receive affection within relationships. Chapman says that for the highest relationship satisfaction, the love languages should match or go together in some way, but amidst the few instances of research on the theory, results vary. This study hypothesizes that the congruence or matching of love languages doesn’t especially matter, but that the intentionality behind the actions within the partnership serves as the foundation for the connection that the love languages are proposed to build. Therefore, this qualitative study investigates three main questions: what is intentionality, how does intentionality impact romantic relationships? And what is the relationship between intentionality and the five love languages? Over forty-five undergraduate students at Florida State University were asked nine questions and the results were analyzed through thematic analysis to answer the primary research questions. Intentionality was described to be the purpose behind the actions of an individual and plays a key role in relationship maintenance through the communication of love, willingness, and the desire to develop a relationship further. In this way, the five love languages rely on intentionality to fuel romantic relationship satisfaction.

Keywords: romantic relationships, intentionality, love languages

BIO

Hi, my name is Alex Trbovic, I am from Vero Beach Florida and currently pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Economics. I have always been fascinated by the intersection of these two fields and how they can be leveraged together to create meaningful and impactful solutions to real-world problems.

Over the course of my studies, I have honed my skills in Python and C++ and have developed a firm understanding of economic principles. I am particularly interested in using machine learning, financial markets, and econometrics to create innovative solutions that contribute to economic growth and societal well-being.

Looking ahead, I aspire to work in product management, where I can use computer science and economics knowledge to develop innovative solutions that contribute to economic growth and societal well-being.

Design and implementation of LabVIEW-based Spectroscopy Software on A Ocean Optics Spectrometer

Abstract

Spectroscopy is a fundamental tool for investigating properties of matter through the analysis of the interaction of light with materials. In this study, we describe the development of LabVIEW spectroscopy software, which facilitates the acquisition and analysis of spectroscopic data. The software enables users to quickly and easily set up and control the Ocean Optics spectrometer. A user-friendly interface makes it easy to access absorption across the visible and near-infrared spectrum (350 – 1100 nm) as well as acquire data. The LabVIEW spectroscopy software saves significant time for researchers in acquiring and analyzing data, making it a powerful tool.

Keywords: Spectroscopy, LabVIEW, Chemistry, Physics, Semiconductor

BIO

My name is Delaney Cole and I am a second year Exploratory major, who hopes to get a nursing degree and eventually graduate medical school with a degree specializing in pediatrics. My research is focused on finding solutions to our justice system's pressing issues, such as the school-to-prison pipeline, mass incarceration, and high recidivism rates. During this research, I've enjoyed working under my mentor on such an important topic that I've always had a passion for, while learning from my mentor in many different ways. Outside of research, I am currently in the first responder's class on my way to achieving acceptance in the Medical Response Unit on campus. I also spend my time volunteering as a part of the Animal Society on campus.

Incarceration Prevention and Restorative Justice

Abstract

High incarceration rates are characteristic of our American Justice System. The War on Drugs, and the mass incarceration following it, has necessitated a movement to identify intervention programs and alternative forms of justice. Within our research, we are exploring the restorative justice movement as one such alternative; restorative justice utilizes the idea of engaging people in the community and providing options for victim to get closure, while additionally providing the space for criminals to learn from their crimes. Currently, we are exploring these options, specifically in the context of our own Leon County Sheriffs Office, which is currently receiving funding for a restorative justice program. Our research suggests that restorative justice is viable and effective within communities and schools. Restorative justice works to reduce the recidivism rates in the community and may also work within public schools (Maryfield et al, 2020). Similarly, victims also find satisfaction through this form of justice as they receive closure and feel involved in the process; 85% of victims are satisfied by this process (Restorative Justice Program). Our findings suggest that restorative justice is more efficient than traditional justice and may be successfully implemented in different institutions. Future research should focus on how restorative justice enhances communities and if restorative justice can work as a strategy within schools to address the pressing school-to-prison pipeline.

Keywords: Restorative Justice Incarceration Recidivism

BIO

My name is Kelsey Strigler, I was born and raised in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts and moved to Tampa, Florida when I was about 10. My research interests include biomedical topics considering I want to go into dentistry. My career goals include after dental school continuing to build and open my own pediatric dentist office in Tampa.

Do Early Childhood Educators Have a Positive or Negative Perception on the Implementation of a Social-Emotional Curriculum?

Abstract

This mixed-methods (i.e., quantitative and qualitative) study is aimed at exploring early childhood educators’ perceptions and experiences with the social-emotional curriculum Rebound Recovery, focusing on preschool-aged children. Early childhood is a critical period for development that can help to build foundational skills that influence social and academic development. Early education teachers who implemented the social-emotional curriculum will complete several survey instruments related to managing challenging behavior as well as their self-efficacy and other perceptions of working with preschool age children. They will then be placed in groups of four to participate in a focus group interview. Data from the survey instruments and focus groups will be analyzed.

Keywords: Rebound, Recovery, Early Education

BIO

I am a junior in the Behavioral Neuroscience major here at FSU from Citrus Springs, FL. I am a member of Women in Math Science and Engineering (WIMSE) and hope to continue onto graduate school for an M.S. in a Pathology Assistant program after graduation.

Mapping the Connectivity of Oxytocin Receptor Neurons in the Dorsal Tenia Tecta of Mice

Abstract

The dorsal tenia tecta (DTT) is an understudied region of the primary olfactory cortex implicated in psychosocial stress responses. Analyses from our laboratory have indicated this region is interconnected with regions involved in stress, memory, and olfactory processing. The goal of this project was to analyze the connectivity of oxytocin receptor expressing neurons within the DTT. Previous studies determined the DTT exhibits a high density of oxytocin receptors. At postnatal day 7, oxytocin-receptor expression is higher than 95% of other brain regions (Newmaster et al., 2020). Since oxytocin plays a significant role in regulating endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral stress responses, mapping the connectivity of the DTT cell-type is a critical step to understand its function. A flexed AAV viral tracer was injected into the DTT of a transgenic mouse strain expressing cre recombinase in all oxytocin receptor expressing neurons. This Cre-Lox approach allows us to specifically label the cell body and processes of this cell group with a fluorescent reporter. After a three-week incubation period, mice were transcardially perfused, the brain was removed and serially sectioned on a cryostat. The resulting slides were counterstained with a fluorescent nissl stain (Neurotrace) and imaged using an epifluorescent microscope. Images were registered to the Allen Brain Atlas using ABBA (Aligning Big Brains and Atlases) software. The registered brain sections were imported into QuPath, and analyzed for the presence and density of fibers in each brain region. These connections will play a role in developing hypotheses regarding the function of oxytocin in the DTT.

Keywords: Oxytocin receptor, Dorsal Tenia Tecta, Oxytocin

BIO

My name is Summer Caliri, I am from Miami Florida. I have many career interests, but find most interest in child cognitive development. My main interest within this would be learning which also focuses on memory and attention. I hope to provide more resources to children and families that have learning disorders allowing their children to have better outcomes.

The Effect of Narratives On Recognition Memory

Abstract

Retrieval practice has been shown to strengthen future recall of practiced information, a concept known as the testing effect. Past literature has also shown that retrieving one memory can cause forgetting memories that share a similar context. Retrieval-induced forgetting is driven by inhibition, as we must suppress competing memories. However, in some instances, studies have detailed that retrieving information can strengthen non-tested material, sometimes known as retrieval-induced facilitation. Moreover, recent research has shown that narratives can integrate related information. We aim to understand when we encounter retrieval-induced forgetting, when we experience retrieval-induced facilitation, and how narratives influence these phenomena. We will present participants with two episodes of the television sitcom “Seinfeld.” Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: the coherent narrative condition, which consists of two unaltered episodes, or the incoherent narrative condition, which we created using multiple, unrelated scenes from various episodes. Participants were given retrieval cues for episode 1 during the practice phase, which were short descriptions of specific scenes. After a one-week delay, we will test participants on a recognition task using 36 three-second clips. Amongst these, 6 were practiced on day one (RP+), 6 are different scenes from episode 1 (RP-), 12 are from episode 2 (NRP), and 12 are from an unwatched episode (lure episode). Participants in the CN condition will experience retrieval-induced facilitation and IN condition will experience retrieval-induced forgetting. Such research can help us better understand how retrieval interacts with memory, informing future work to improve or impair memory performance.

Keywords: Memory, Seinfeld, Retrieval-induced forgetting

BIO

I am Julia Dent, a first-year Cell and Molecular Neuroscience Major here at Florida State, originally from Ormond Beach, Florida. I am a student in the Honors Program and in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). This is my first time on a research project, though I am eager to continue participating in undergraduate research at Florida State in my upcoming semesters. Outside of research, I involve myself in reading and creative writing, weightlifting, and being an avid FSU athletics fan. Post-graduation, I plan to attend medical school, residency, and fellowship to become a Pediatric Oncologist specializing in Neuroscience.

Effect of Contact Pressure on the Wear and Friction of PTFE-PEEK Composites

Abstract

This experiment sought to understand the relationship between a 20-wt.% Polytetrafluoroethylene filler (PEEK) composites at three different normal loads and its ability to lower the wear rate of PTFE in vacuum, as well as determine which is the most suitable and effective filler to maximize the remarkable potential of PTFE as a lubricant polymer. It is an extension of research being conducted by the Krick Lab at the College of Engineering and work that took place at Leigh University in 2014. This experiment consisted of synthesizing a polymer mixture and machining it into a pin that, when placed on a tribometer, ran thousands of cycles at three different load volumes across a stainless-steel counter-sample. The samples were massed and re-massed before and after each set of cycles to calculate the volume lost and how it applies to calculating the polymer’s wear rate. The data reflected that the pin under the lowest load displayed the best wear rate, as expected, and there was a consistent correlation between load and wear rate. This research provides the science community with a greater understanding of the behavior of PTFE in all of its applications, and how that can be maximized by the introduction of PEEK into the polymers.

Keywords: tribology, materials science, wear rate, polymers

BIO

A second-year student at Florida State University, Ethan is graduating this spring and pursuing a master's degree in Public Administration this fall. Ethan volunteers off campus through Tallahassee's Second Judicial Guardian ad Litem Program and is a Managing Editor for Florida State University's Political Review. This summer, Ethan is interning for Florida House on Capital Hill, enriching himself further regarding nonprofit management.

An Analysis of Local Resilience Challenges in the United States

Abstract

This project analyzes the prevalence of multiple resilience challenges within local U.S. governments. These challenges can be broken down into five different classifications: Natural Environment Resilience and Climate Change (E), Natural Disasters (D), Socio-Economic Resilience (SE), Built Environment and Infrastructure Resilience (I), and Government and Institutional Resilience (G). In order to identify the incidence of these challenges, a survey was emailed to 11,148 local government leaders from 1,246 cities with a total population of more than 30,000 residents. The survey received 496 responses with 254 complete responses. The results were analyzed utilizing Excel and basic statistical measures to determine which challenges are most prevalent in local communities. Results are preliminary; however, it appears that the most frequent responses include those concerning economic inequality and climate change. Local governments struggle to cope with manifestations of these issues, such as rising carbon emissions and a lack of affordable housing.

Keywords: Local Government Sustainability, Resilience

BIO

Genevieve Boisvert is a Sophomore at Florida State University earning a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Urban and Regional Planning. She is originally from Washington D.C., but she currently resides in Sarasota, FL. She is the Public Relations Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta at FSU as well as research assistant working through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. She is currently a research assistant in Dr. Richard Water's Gender and Social Analysis of Garbage Pail Kids.

Gender and Social of Garbage Pail Kids

Abstract

The current study uses content analysis to analyze the visual design components and character traits of the first 16 series of Garbage Pail Kids cards. Garbage Pail Kids is a series of sticker trading cards, originally released in 1985 and designed to parody the wholesome Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Garbage Pail Kids cards feature characters that suffer from abnormalities or torturous actions and also feature names that reference their unique condition. For this analysis, a systematic random sample was used so that every third card in the series was analyzed for a specific list of criteria in Qualtrics. Using Jamovi statistical software, the results revealed an interesting relationship between gender of the depicted on the stickers and the child’s age, which potentially points to the infantilization of women through pop culture. There was also significant evidence of the physical orientation of each card in relation to gender. The social elements of bullying/social isolation were also apparent in the quantitative results of the study.

Keywords: Pop Culture, Gender, Social

BIO

An aspiring Latina Psychology student from Miami graduating in May 2023. I am actively seeking post-grad employment and internship opportunities. I hope to one day earn a PsyD in Clinical Psychology.
I have worked most recently at Canopy Cove Eating Disorder Treatment Center. I have experience with patient care, mental health treatment, case management, patient intake, performance evaluations, crisis intervention, and individual and group counseling.
Still, I am eager to learn as much as I possibly can to better support those seeking treatment and care in the future.

The Neural Basis of Facial Recognition in Older Adults

Abstract

The ability to recognize a personally familiar face, such as a loved one, is a cognitive function used in everyday life. However, adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) experience an impairment of this ability, which contributes to the negative impact AD has on quality of life. Here, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging to characterize differences in neural activity related to face recognition in older adults with and without indications of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a clinical precursor to AD. More specifically, we examine differences in brain activity evoked by recognition of personally familiar faces, experimentally familiar faces of strangers, and novel faces of strangers. Participants used a digital camera to capture standardized images of people with whom they are personally familiar (i.e., spouses, children, close friends). Experimentally familiar faces were learned in a series of lab-based encoding tasks. All participants were asked to discriminate between the three categories of faces (personally familiar, experimentally familiar, and novel) during functional neuroimaging. We will use a pattern-based similarity analysis to quantify representational change among recognition signals for the different faces. We anticipate that recognition in cognitively healthy older adults will be characterized by brain activity that reliably differentiates between each stimulus category, whereas people with MCI will show a restricted representational space such that faces from all categories evoke similar activity patterns. If obtained, this difference between cognitively healthy aging adults and those with MCI would help us to determine a key neural system impacted during AD progression.

Keywords: face recognition