BIO

I am a first year Honors student at FSU born and raised in Miami, Florida. In addition to the Honors Program I am also in the Quest Scholars Program. Through language and literature I first discovered how stories communicate knowledge and connect people. There are a million ways to tell a story, and those are the vehicles through which I understand the world around me and myself. That is why I wish to pursue a career in writing and media.

Florida’s Pocahontas: Evolving Narratives of Milly Francis (1803–1848)

Abstract

Native Americans do not exist solely in the annals of history likewise our language lives on and evolves and through analysis of said language we can better understand societal attitudes and biases towards Native Americans both past and present. Through focusing on the lives of prominent members of the Red Stick Creek: Milly Francis and her father prophet Josiah Francis (Hillis Hadjo) and the language used in forming their narrative in history we gain insight in the evolving U.S. attitudes on Native Americans. Though Milly was born in Alabama and lived out most of her life in Oklahoma she is best remembered for her actions while living in northwest Florida. Milly Francis went on to be known as a modern “Florida Pocahontas,” after her act of mercy in rescuing a white soldier from execution by her community in 1818 was publicized in newspapers across the United States. Later in the same year on the Wakulla she witnessed the execution of her father at the hands of Andrew Jackson. Analyzing the evolving vocabulary used in relation to the Francis family offers us understanding of the parallel evolving perspectives of the U.S. regarding Native peoples. The sources gathered to assemble the information in the project were found using digital archives and references to books that cover relevant topics.

Keywords: History, Language, Native Americans

BIO

My name is Skylar Ruffner, and I am a junior and Behavioral Neuroscience major at FSU. I am from San Clemente, CA, and was recruited to FSU as a 10-meter platform diver. I am a part of the FSU Honors Program and am currently completing my Honors in the Major Thesis project under Dr. Elizabeth Hammock and Alicia Gonzalez. My research interests are in social and developmental neuroscience, and my project focuses on oxytocin (OXT) as a modulator of experience-dependent development through social touch circuitry. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Neurobiology where I intend to study the effects of early life stress on microglia activity and postnatal neural circuitry development. While I am at FSU, I plan to continue investigating the effects of OXT on postnatal neurodevelopment through my Honors Thesis, and ultimately continue pursuing research under Dr. Hammock.

Evaluation of oxytocin and touch on neonatal thalamus c-Fos activity in mice

Abstract

Maternal-offspring interaction highlights key moments in which social bonding and somatosensory experience are combined to allow for proper maturation from infancy into juvenile life stages. The purpose of this project is to evaluate circuit-specific mechanisms of maternal touch in infant brains. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has been implicated as a critical factor in the development of infant social and sensory circuitry. OXT may act as a modulatory agent in the periphery through maternal-offspring interactions, and may modulate touch activity within the thalamus during social touch. We used a model of social touch in rodents that includes anogenital stimulation, which emulates the maternal licking of infant rodents, required in neonates to induce micturition. Male and female postnatal day 8 mice (P8) were stimulated in the anogenital region with a paintbrush dipped in 1μm solution of either saline, OXT, or atosiban (OXT receptor antagonist). Brain tissue was processed and analyzed via light microscope for c-Fos activity within the following thalamic nuclei: VPL (ventral posterior lateral), VMpo (ventral medial posterior), and RT (reticular thalamus). c-Fos density was obtained with Image J. An analysis for main effects of sex or treatment or their interaction will be conducted through a 2-way ANOVA. We predict a difference in treatment groups, with decreased c-Fos density for the OXT treated groups within the examined VPL and VMpo nuclei relative to atosiban groups. Ultimately, this experimental model may lead to a better understanding of touch-based mechanisms of experience-dependent development, with implications for developmental disorders with atypical sensory system function.

Keywords: social neuroscience, developmental neuroscience, oxytocin, somatosensory

BIO

I am a sophomore from Niceville, Florida, studying cell and molecular neuroscience and computational science. This is my second year working in the Hammock Lab, and this project has been my first opportunity to work independently on a project through DIS. Last year, I conducted a project through UROP on oxytocin as an anti-inflammatory to microglial cells. My research interests include social neuroscience, neurodevelopment (especially social development), computational neuroscience, and neurotoxicology. I plan to go to graduate school and go into a career in neuroscience research in the future. Come talk to me about this project or any other neuroscience topic!

Expression of oxytocin in mouse vaginal cells over the estrus cycle.

Abstract

Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide which is heavily involved in the regulation of social behavior, including reproductive activity and maternal behavior. Decreased or absent oxytocin expression has been associated with social deficits, such as changes in maternal behavior, social recognition, or increased aggression. Oxytocin is primarily produced in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, but some studies have suggested that oxytocin is also expressed in skin cells. Due to the apparent importance of maternal Oxt genotype on social behavior, the potential role of oxytocin as a protective molecule for offspring during birth, and the overall role of oxytocin in reproduction, we are specifically interested in the expression of oxytocin and the oxytocin receptor in vaginal cells. We hypothesize that expression will change throughout the estrus cycle. To test this hypothesis, we are collecting cell samples by postmortem vaginal lavage in mice. Estrus cycle is determined via vaginal cytology and the expression of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor are measured using quantitative RT-PCR. We predict higher levels of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor expression will be evident during pro-estrus/estrus.

Keywords: oxytocin, neuroscience, microscopy, qPCR

BIO

My name is Paige Boykins. I am a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Information Technology. I am from Tampa, FL. I enjoy playing tennis, reading, and hanging out with my friends in my free time. In the future, I would like to pursue a career involving data analytics and/or cybersecurity.

Content Creation Over Degree Completion

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand how Florida State University undergraduate students perceive their relationships with social media influencers and whether that is changing their intention to pursue their degrees. Six focus group discussions were conducted with 15 undergraduate students using a semi-structured interview guide. A thematic analysis of the data identified 10 common themes to address their motivations and realities in becoming an influencer. Parasocial relationships were formed with social media influencers by participants identifying and bonding with them through personality traits. What drove the participants’ interest in becoming a social media influencer were the benefits, such as money, freedom of time, and the lifestyle portrayed. Perceived social norms of social media influencers had no effect on the participants’ academic decisions. Participants had many uncertainties about pursuing becoming a social media influencer, such as mental health and job stability. Nearly all participants in the study agreed that they would balance pursing their degree program along with becoming a social media influencer. As suggested by the findings, the following is recommended: meet with university marketing and discuss ways in which students who wish to be social media influencers can be an asset to the university in student recruitment and other marketing purposes.

Keywords: Social Media, Influencers, Content Creation, Degree Completion

BIO

Blake is a first year Presidential Scholar studying STEM Entrepreneurship and Finance. Campus involvements include being an active competitor on FSU's Varsity Intercollegiate Debate team, the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, and FSU's Interfraternity Council and Judicial Board. At home, he enjoys spending time with his brothers and parents fishing, spearfishing, and scuba diving. Blake's career goals will incorporate his aptitude for debate with his passions for technology and finance, as he plans on applying to law school to pursue a specialization in either intellectual property or fiscal law.

Improving the Efficacy of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with the use of Organic Dyes

Abstract

Due to advancements in technology over the past three decades coupled with the increasing demand for sustainable energy practices, more types of solar cells have been constructed and utilized in recent years. One example of these solar cells is the Dye-sensitized Solar cells (DSSCs), which utilize organic dyes for greater photon absorption. The organic composition of dyes within the dye-sensitized solar cells is less efficient than synthetic solar cells, however, they are cheaper and easier to construct on a small scale. Different dyes used can influence the efficiency of DSSCs because their chemical structures differ (carbazole, coumarin, cyanine, and hemicyanine). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of different organic substances on photon absorption within DSSCs. We hypothesize that the best-performing organic substance will be the juice of raspberries because they contain the chemical anthocyanin which has been shown to increase photon absorption in past studies. We will also be testing dyes with chlorophyll and beta-carotene to make a comparison between the three chemical compositions. If this hypothesis holds, more DSSCs will be constructed with anthocyanin to increase energy conversion efficiency.

Keywords: Photovoltaic, Electric, Electricity, Solar Cell,

BIO

I am Lauryn Fox, a Junior Meteorology Student from Saint Petersburg, Florida. I've really enjoyed the research processes that I've had the opportunity to take part in so far in my student career, and I hope to pursue research in applications of meteorology in renewable energy some day.

Application of the Cloud-based Data Match-up Service to examine the dependence of surface wind speed and wind curl on the intensity of marine heat waves.

Abstract

We used spatially and temporally matched SST and wind data to examine the SST anomalies in a North Pacific marine heat wave. We examine if the value of SST is dependent on the wind speed and curl. The Cloud-based Data Match-up Service (CDMS) has been developed to match observations spatially and temporally from two satellite data sets. We demonstrate this using the ASCAT-B-L2-Coastal scatterometer wind and MUR-25km-JPL-L4-Global SST datasets. It has been previously demonstrated that low wind speeds are associated with large diurnal changes in SST and in variations in surface heat fluxes in the Indian Ocean. We first examine if the probability distribution function (PDF) of SST during a North Pacific marine heat wave changes as a function of wind speed. We find that the PDF of SST is independent of wind speed and concluded that (for the case examined) that variations in wind speed cannot explain the variations in SST. Alternatively, the curl of surface wind is an indicator of larger scale weather patterns (higher or lower pressure systems) and of the direction of advection due to these patterns. Similarly, we examine the dependence of the SST pdf on the curl of surface wind. We will present details and examples of the match up service, and the two studies related to marine heat waves.

Keywords: Meteorology, Vorticity, Marine Heating, Satellite Data

BIO

A motivated student with a strong work ethic and a commitment to engage in learning and research activities to improve health care for medically underserved populations. Experienced in behavioral research with caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, and community church-based breast cancer prevention education for African American women. Dedicated to continuing academic pursuits at the college level in preparation for a career in health care and research. Pursuing a bachelors degree in Psychology with plans to attend medical school.

Breast Cancer Prevention Education Needs of Church-based African American Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine breast cancer prevention needs of African American women with the specific research objective of identifying nutrition, physical activity, and healthcare use needs of African American women. This study is a secondary analysis of the Breast Cancer Education and Wellness (BE Well) Project which involved data collected from American adults (>18 years of age, n=421) recruited from six churches in a North Florida county. For this study, baseline data from the females in the sample are analyzed (n=323). The results showed that the majority of the African American women were between the ages 18-42 (64.8%) and had at least some college (42.3%). The highest expressed needs to learn about nutrition were through hands-on activities (63.5) and through organized physical activity (66.6%). Additionally, the majority regularly conducted breast self-exams (68.6 %), yet mammogram screenings were equally split between never (44.1%) and regularly (46.5%). These results suggest that further analyses are needed to determine possible differences between age groups (younger, midlife and older) and to examine possible confounding factors. The next steps of this research will delve deeper into understanding these potential differences.

Keywords: breast cancer, african american, church-based, women

BIO

My name is Isabelle Custer, and I am a sophomore Criminology student from Charleston, South Carolina. I am particularly interested in research within the criminal justice and forensic science fields, and I aspire to become a detective in the future.

Where Are They Now? A Content Analysis on the Twitter Accounts Reinstated by Elon Musk

Abstract

This research project examined the aftermath of Elon Musk’s takeover of popular social media platform “X”, formerly known as Twitter. Following his acquisition of the app, hate speech and conspiracy theories began to circulate incessantly through Twitter through means of reinstated accounts that were previously banned. In March 2023, over 5,000 of these previously banned Twitter accounts were randomly sampled and we gathered their most recent 100,000 tweets. Next, we utilized a combination of content analysis and Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling to pinpoint common topics/themes and investigate them for content containing hate speech and conspiracy theories. The reinstated accounts displayed nodes of both sexual and racial discrimination while pushing a far-right extremist viewpoint; moreover, several accounts spread conspiracies regarding significant current events, such as the COVID-19 vaccination, Big Pharma, and the Russo-Ukrainian War. Notably, most of the sampled tweets came from bots, or automated social algorithms intended to communicate on social media. Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter aimed to reduce the app’s prior censoring of users which limited their free speech. After obtaining ownership of X, record high numbers of conspiracists and bigots were recorded among the app, spreading extensive misinformation and hate speech.

Keywords: social media, qualitative data, communications, sociology, content analysis

BIO

Hello, I am from Tampa. I enjoy doing hands-on experiments in the lab. I am currently working on a microbiology lab. I am hoping to go to graduate school for CRNA or medical school after I graduate.

Identifying Novel Genetic Pathways for Toxin-Triggered Immune Recognition

Abstract

Syringomycin E is a lipopeptide (toxin) secreted by plant pathogen Pseudomonas Syringae. This toxin inserts into plant cell membranes and forms small pores causing leakage of water and nutrients from plant cytoplasm - facilitating bacterial entry, ultimately killing the host plant. We are interested in examining how Syringomycin can support/exemplify the notion of toxin-triggered immunity, which is a multi-step process. Our results showed that swapping out the most expensive nitrogen source (Histidine) with another organic source of nitrogen (Yeast extract) proved to be the cheapest and most efficient for inducing our toxin. The next steps are to purify our toxin and then run plant-dependent immune assays to find the genes within mutated plants that are responsible for preventing host (plant) death from the Syringomycin - ultimately supporting the idea of toxin-triggered immunity. Understanding the intricacies of plant innate immunity is not only crucial for unraveling the mysteries of plant-pathogen interactions but also holds significant implications for agricultural practices, biotechnology, and ecological balance. 

Keywords: microbiology, innate immunity, toxin, syringomycin

BIO

My name is Nitya and I am a freshman double majoring in neuroscience and public health. I am currently on a pre-dental track and hope to attend dental school after graduating FSU. I enjoy participating in psychology-based research, however I have recently become interested in laboratory research. Outside of academics, I enjoy going on runs, beach trips, and hanging out with my friends.

Optimal Excavator Efficiency on Demolition Sites

Abstract

Sustainable demolition operations are the careful processes used to minimize waste being sent to landfill sites. The increasing amount of waste being sent to landfill sites, as opposed to being recycled, has become a major concern within the construction industry. It is important that these operations are reformed in order to preserve the health of the environment. In an effort to improve the design of excavator buckets and find the most optimal method of operating heavy machines, this experiment conducts small-scale operations. These operations involve small-scale heavy equipment being used to simulate a demolition operation. Various operations are performed to track the relationship between efficiency and number of excavators, time used to completely separate types of debris, and other aspects of demolition operations. The findings are then analyzed in order to identify any correlations that may exist between variables. Even though data is still being collected, results reflect a moderate to strong correlation between efficiency and each of the aforementioned variables.

Keywords: construction, excavator, demolition

BIO

I am a second-year student at Florida State University from Jacksonville, Florida majoring in Biological Sciences, my aspiration is to attend medical school and become an anesthesiologist. Currently, I am involved in research with my mentor, Dr. Bryce Morsky, conducting a literature review on epidemiological models and how human behavior can influence epidemiological dynamics.
I am eager to continue exploring the world of research as I pursue my academic goals. I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to work under the guidance of my mentor and to be a part of this program.

Human Behavior and Epidemiological Dynamics

Abstract

Epidemics are worldwide catastrophes that claim many lives each year. To be able to model multiple variables affecting the spread of these diseases could help us understand how to better deescalate the impacts by effectively implementing safety measures and precautions. This literature review covers some variables that affect the rate of infection in a population using compartmental modeling to analyze the dynamics of the epidemic. These show which implementations are most effective and at what time in order to be able to predict which measures can best control the spread of the disease. Using the SIR model (Susceptible, Infected, and Recovered) and SEIR models (Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Recovered), researchers created differential equations using many different variables representing the possible protective measures people may take to protect against the disease. These equations are then processed into programs that produce graphs showing the oscillations and trends of the epidemic. These trendlines and where they intersect help predict which protective measures would hypothetically be the most effective and at what “amounts” they would best prevent the spread of the disease. The results of this research could help guide us to the right direction as to how to prevent the spread of many infectious diseases and minimize their impact on the general population.

Keywords: Mathematics, Epidemiology, Epidemics, Mathematical Modeling

BIO

I am pursuing a degree in Biology to either continue in Vet school or continue working in conservation. I grew up hiking and spending my time outdoors and I have a large heart for preserving the beauty and animals around me. I spend my weekends on walks with my dog Finn or paddle boarding up local springs and bays.

Eastern Oyster restoration project success metrics and goals in the Florida Gulf Coast

Abstract

The Gulf of Mexico had been the oyster capital for years before the recent climate and man-made events led to population collapse. Over-harvesting is prevalent within Eastern oyster fisheries (Crassostrea virginica) and has reduced natural production to less than half of what it was historically. As a response, communities and state departments throughout the United States have taken the initiative to restore these oyster reefs. Multi-million dollar projects are conducted to restore these reefs but the effectiveness is unassessed, and how success is defined is still being determined. The goals and success metrics of current oyster restoration projects from 2000 to the present were evaluated. A database was created to code many projects for different characteristics and information. We identified over 30 cases from the literature, which information was extracted from and analyzed. The main restoration goal was to increase oyster populations. These results were compared to assess the effectiveness, successes, metrics, and similarities. The majority of cases with the primary method of substrate placement formed more oyster reefs and had defined metrics. Reefs constructed ranged from 0.008 acres to 1001 acres. Only large-scale cases that ranged for more than a couple of acres followed with monitoring. The most successful projects had the same elements, substrate placement, recorded number of acreage, and recycled shell. Future community restoration projects can reflect on these statistics and take the most effective routes when planning future restoration projects. It can be referenced to plan cost-effective projects.

Keywords: Oysters, Conservation,

BIO

My name is Devon Mclean and I am excited to have had the opportunity to participate in UROP this past school year and fulfill my research interests and goals. I am from Boca Raton, Florida and am currently completing my sophomore year at Florida State. The UROP program allowed me to join a team of amazing research mentors and students who helped me to grow academically and gain new skills and knowledge that I can confidently say I will carry with me into my future.

Assessing Social Validity of Educational Interventions for Children with Autism

Abstract

Autism affects an estimated one in thirty-six children in the US. This highlights the importance of conducting research pertaining to effective instrumental practices with the intention of bringing an increased focus to this subject field. The project at hand conducts a scoping review of the social validity relevant to ASD intervention studies. As such, the research project will undergo four stages of a scoping review, including identification, screening, eligibility, and a quantitative synthesis. Many evidence-based instructional strategies have been proven helpful, but ultimately, these interventions are only useful if consumers are willing to use them and are socially valid. Consumers can include educators, caregivers, and the children themselves. The reason for social validity assessments is to anticipate if an intervention is going to be rejected before it is used. This study aims to determine what proportion of studies include social validity assessments, what methods researchers use to assess social validity, and whose perspectives are represented in the social validity assessments. The results of this research project are currently ongoing as we conduct the data extraction process.

Keywords: Social Validity, ASD, Autism interventions

BIO

My name is Madeline Mason, I'm a second-year student from Nashville, TN majoring in Clinical Professions. My future career plans include attending a postgraduate program to become a Physician Assistant specializing in Dermatology. Some of my extracurricular involvements include being a member of the FSU Pre-Physician Assistant Club, and a member of the Gamma Phi chapter of Alpha Phi.

Assessing Social Validity of Educational Interventions for Children with Autism

Abstract

Autism affects an estimated one in thirty-six children in the US. This highlights the importance of conducting research pertaining to effective instrumental practices with the intention of bringing an increased focus to this subject field. The project at hand conducts a scoping review of the social validity relevant to ASD intervention studies. As such, the research project will undergo four stages of a scoping review, including identification, screening, eligibility, and a quantitative synthesis. Many evidence-based instructional strategies have been proven helpful, but ultimately, these interventions are only useful if consumers are willing to use them and are socially valid. Consumers can include educators, caregivers, and the children themselves. The reason for social validity assessments is to anticipate if an intervention is going to be rejected before it is used. This study aims to determine what proportion of studies include social validity assessments, what methods researchers use to assess social validity, and whose perspectives are represented in the social validity assessments. The results of this research project are currently ongoing as we conduct the data extraction process.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Validity

BIO

I am working towards a dual degree in Management Information Systems and Finance. The research I have been involved in surrounds understanding resource accessibility at FSU for First Generation/Low Income students.

Caring More for Our First-Year, First-Generation, and Low-Income Students: Perceptions of Barriers and Transitional Success

Abstract

The experiences of first-generation and low-income (FGLI) college students during their first year are unique to every student. FGLI students are bound to deal with societal and institutional barriers that affect their daily lives. Although there is extensive literature on FGLI students, they focus mostly on whether programs offered at these universities effectively aid student’s success. This literature lacks comparison between the population of FGLI students that are receiving services to the population of FGLI students who are not. By putting a focus on this comparison, this study will be able to contribute to the research gap in this topic and identify what kind of obstacles explain why some students are not able to utilize these services to the fullest. This study is focused on specifically using the voices of Florida State University FGLI students to answer three questions. First, what support systems do CARE students utilize outside of Florida State University compared to non-CARE students? Second, how do the perceptions of CARE students differ from non-CARE students about transitioning to college? Lastly, how does the perception of CARE students differ from non-CARE students on which obstacles are in the way of accessing transitional support services? This study uses a phenomenological qualitative method that focuses on comparison groups in individual interviews that reveal specific themes in each FGLI student's experience as they transitioned to college. This research is valuable as it can assist universities in developing effective programs to overcome the obstacles that FGLI students often encounter.​

Keywords: First Generation, Resources, Student Success

BIO

My name is Nicole Moll, and I am from Miami, FL. I am a sophomore majoring in Psychology on the Pre-Med track. I want to attend Medical School with the goal of having my own psychiatric private practice. My research interests include neuroscience and psychology.

ADHD Medications' Connection to Sleep Problems and Puberty

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty regulating attention, behavior, and emotion. Youth with ADHD often have sleep problems which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Stimulant medications have been shown to significantly reduce ADHD symptoms. Considering the high frequency of both stimulant use and sleep problems among adolescents with ADHD, it is important to understand how medication use impacts sleep in youth with ADHD. Pubertal stage may also impact medication use, given that ADHD symptoms typically decrease in later stages of development. It is important to understand the relationship between medication use, sleep problems, and puberty in order to create treatment plans that effectively minimize symptoms. To examine this, we will use data from 10,000 youth 9-10 years old enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Using ANOVAs, we will examine how medication use and pubertal status relate to sleep problems in a subsample of youth with ADHD (N = ~1,000). We will also examine whether stimulant use changes with pubertal status. We predict that individuals who take stimulants will see increased sleep problems. Further, we predict that individuals with more advanced pubertal status will exhibit less medication use compared to their peers earlier in puberty. Preliminary analyses indicate that medication use and pubertal stage have significant effects on sleep problems. The results of this study can improve the understanding of how ADHD treatment can affect sleep in an important developmental transition period.

Keywords: ADHD Adolescents Sleep Medications Puberty

BIO

Welcome! My name is Ross Ellis and I am currently an undergraduate student at Florida State University majoring in Cyber-Criminology through the College of Computer Science. I'm a Presidential Scholar Award recipient and un addition, I am a research assistant at FSU working to understand the extant A.I. controls our society. Through this project I was able to learn new skills, overcome challenges, and collaborate with talented teams, specifically in cyber security and data analytics.

Intergenerational Influences on Conspicuous Consumerism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: AI's Role in Retail Consumer Behavior

Abstract

his project evaluates the relationship between consumerism and artificial intelligence (A.I), how cutting-edge technologies affect consumer experiences, and the ethical quandaries associated with their integration. The study looks into how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are changing the consumer industry, specifically in relation to machine learning, natural language processing, and recommendation systems. We explore how artificial intelligence (A.I.) algorithms improve personalization, speed up decision-making, and influence consumer behavior by closely evaluating the corpus of current research and case studies. The ethical ramifications of artificial intelligence applications in consumer goods are discussed in this paper along with technological breakthroughs. We examine issues such as potential bias in A.I. systems, privacy concerns, and transparency in algorithmic decision-making. The ethical issues surrounding data gathering and use are also covered in the study, along with the role stakeholders have in guaranteeing impartial and equitable application of A.I. Through the integration of present-day patterns, scientific discoveries, and ethical discussion, this study aims to achieve a more all-encompassing comprehension of the correlation between artificial intelligence and consumerism.The knowledge obtained from this research should help future scholars, legislators, and business executives understand how the ethical landscape of artificial intelligence is changing in consumer contexts and what that could mean for the future of trade.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Consumerism

BIO

My name is Anna Watson, I am currently a sophomore studying Communications at Florida State University. I was born and raised in Tallahassee Florida and enjoy learning new things throughout my college career!

ART FACILITATING COMMUNITY BUILDING TO ALLEVIATE ALIENATION IN CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Art holds a fundamental role in art therapy, distinguishing it from other mental health professions. The primary objective of this dissertation project is to examine how art can facilitate community building and foster connectedness — concepts that have gained significant recognition in recent years (Lowe, 2000). Chinese International Students (CIS) have to forgo immense change in culture in pursuit of advancing their education. This change and lack of familiarity often leads to alienation. Throughout this research, the primary focus is how the art community helps aid alienation within the Chinese International students and how it creates community. While existing research has examined various strategies for helping these students cope with feelings of isolation, there remains a noticeable gap in the literature regarding a comprehensive exploration of the underlying cultural factors within the Chinese context. This study will employ the data triangulation method to investigate the potential role of art in facilitating community building among CISs. The procedures for data collection include written artifacts from WeChat (an international messaging and social media platform) , group interviews after each art session, and observations during two art sessions. The research is ongoing, with a hypothesis that art will help alleviate Chinese students’ alienation.

Keywords: Art, Chinese, International

BIO

Joaquim Ribeiro is a Sophomore dual degree student. They are involved in a number of programs at the university, including Noles Undergraduate Fellows Program, and the Global Scholars Program. They would like to continue participating in research in their fields of study.

Legacy in Motion: Exploring the Bond between Miss Florida Seminole and FSU Homecoming

Abstract

This research examines the special origins and history of the
relationship between Florida State University (FSU) and the Seminole
Tribe of Florida, with a specific focus on how the Miss Florida
Seminole Pageant was included in the university's homecoming
celebrations. This tradition, which dates back many years to the
Seminole Tribe, has developed into the most enduring bond between
the Tribe and the University. Through the examination of tribal media
like The Seminole Tribune, online newspaper databases, FSU
Flambeau, and archival papers housed in the FSU archives, researchers
hope to learn more about the historical significance of this cultural
exchange. To shed light on the untold stories of Seminole women and
their families, researchers are closely studying photos, letters, and
documents related to Miss Florida Seminole's participation in FSU's
homecoming. The purpose of this project is to improve our
understanding of the special relationship that exists between the
Seminole Tribe and Florida State University. It will also offer important
insights into the cultural, social, and historical consequences of this
relationship.The goal is to create a consistent story that will be studied
for many decades by carefully going through tribal newspapers and
other historical documents. This strategy will highlight the historical
development of the Miss Florida Seminole legacy and emphasize the
value of cross-cultural collaboration in creating a mutual
understanding.Our research seeks to close historical gaps, support
\
cultural preservation efforts, and highlight the longstanding connection
between Florida State University and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Keywords: History, Homecoming, Tribe

BIO

My name is Rolando Sucena and I'm a first year undergraduate student majoring in Biology. My passions include the sciences as well as history. I have always been fascinated by museums so my project was a perfect fit since it meshes archaeology and anthropology with biological sciences and museum style exhibition creation.

Zoo-Anthropology Exhibition

Abstract

Anthropology, often described as the science of man and its relationships with distribution, origin and culture, contains a number of branches including the relatively recently coined zoo-anthropology/anthrozoology. Anthrozoology focuses on the interactions between humans and non-human animals, it is invaluable to science as a whole as it gives insight into the diet, culture, habits and taboos of ancient communities under study. To shed light on how this information is gathered and analyzed by anthrozoologists, we are collecting information from a number of anthrozoology sources and compiling them in preparation for an exhibit to be displayed in FSUs anthropology building. FSU’s resident zooarchaeologist was consulted and a number of sources were analyzed including annual reviews of anthropology and books detailing the methods used by archeologists that tie zoology to archaeloogy. The goal of this project is to educate the public on anthropology and one of the ways it interconnects with other sciences, in this case zoology.

Keywords: anthropology zoology exhibit anthrozoology