BIO

Hello, my name is Karsyn Baughman and I am from West Palm Beach, FL. I am a sophomore in the Honors program at FSU pursuing a degree in biology with a minor in psychology. My goal is to attend medical school to later become a forensic psychiatrist. I am currently working in the Learning Brain Lab as a research assistant for my mentor Dr. Nugiel to investigate sleep problems among adolescents with ADHD. Additionally, I am the Health & Wellness Coordinator of FSU Yoga Club and a leader for the FSU Hiking Club.

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, sleep, adolescents, medication, puberty

BIO

I am a current 2nd-year from St. Louis, Missouri. I am studying Accounting, and I hope to graduate with my Masters of Accounting in May 2026. My research combines principles of economics and sociology. My current career goals include working in public accounting upon graduation.

Finance in the Age of Influence: An Analysis of Social Media's Money Mentors

Abstract

In the age of digital media, social influencers have emerged as key players in
disseminating information on a wide range of topics, one of which is finance.
This research delves into the role of six financial influencers on YouTube. By
analyzing content from leading finance influencers on YouTube, we aim to
categorize the types of information disseminated, assess its quality, and
evaluate its potential impact on public financial literacy and decision-making.
By bridging the domains of digital media studies and economic sociology, this
research aims to contribute to our understanding of digital financial culture
and the broader implications for financial literacy in the modern age.

Keywords: finance, sociology, social media

BIO

My name is Morgan Gahan, and I am a second-year student from Fort Myers, Florida pursuing a dual degree in International Affairs and Religion, along with a certificate in US Intelligence Systems. My academic and futher research interests lie in understanding the intersections of religion and extremist radicalization. After graduation, I hope to work in the Intelligence field, specifically in countering acts of religious terrorism. On campus, I am involved in the Mental Health Council, Honors Program, and COSSPP Communications team.

Development of a Remote Sensing and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Handbook for Disaster Response

Abstract

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) are important technological tools that have emerged in the last 30 or so years, with many potential and groundbreaking uses in emergency management. Emergency management is a broad and emerging field that tends to have differing standards of operation and techniques based on region and location. The purpose of this research was to compile some of these new techniques in differing areas of emergency management and create new standardized workflows from them through a combination of literature reviews of case studies and other guidebooks, and an analysis and test of these methods through expert experience. This is all used by the team to create a multi-dimensional handbook to include each potential method of disaster response using UAS and GIS technologies. The primary contributions to this research included analyzing academic papers on the subject, identifying the necessity of standardized disaster response methodology, and writing workflows to be embedded into the final handbook. The research was split between the applications of GIS & UAS in both hazmat and urban search and rescue situations on top of generalized Emergency Management.

Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Disaster Response.

BIO

I am a first-year humanities student, with concentrations in History, Modern Languages, and Anthropology.

Black Americans in the Soviet Union: an Analysis of Newspapers

Abstract

The 1920s-1930s witnessed an increase in African American interest in the Soviet Union. Prominent Black Americans, including actors, authors, musicians, and political leaders, travelled, or even moved to the Soviet Union.
Newspaper coverage of their lives and travels differs significantly between the Soviet and American press. This tension is especially interesting because this was a time when the two nations collaborated.
In this ongoing project, I am comparing how Black Americans in the USSR were perceived in both U.S and Soviet Press.
So far, I have studied coverage of the Robert Robinson trial – a Soviet trial of two white workers who assaulted a Black colleague. Coverage of the trial in the Soviet press was much less extensive than I expected and nonexistent in the mainstream American press. As I continue my research, I will expand to include more figures and more newspaper sources. I hope that this research will allow for a better understanding of Soviet-American tensions in the pre-cold war era.

Keywords: History, Soviet Union, Race, Communism, Civil Rights

BIO

Hello, I am Kaile Martin and am currently a Nursing major at Florida State University. I hope to one day work in the ICU and eventually progress into becoming a Nurse Practitioner. I was born and raised in Miami, Fl and hope to further my future career there.

“What does it mean to parent?” A Qualitative study of parenting group perceptions

Abstract

TIPs for Parents is a free 8-week parenting group intervention study aimed at parents of five- to ten-year-olds in Tallahassee. The group is led by trained marriage and family therapists and aims to provide trauma-informed parenting support and tools. The 8-week program consists of a 1.5-hour group session per week and emphasizes a different parenting topic each week. Using data from interviews before the group started, the present study uses qualitative methodology to explore seven parents’ reasons for seeking a parenting group, as well as expectations and hopes for treatment outcomes. Most parenting group studies focus mainly on post-group experiences and quantitative data. This study adds to the current literature by assessing possible barriers to treatment or ways to increase interest in parenting groups.

Keywords: Parenting group

BIO

My name is Olivia Alintoff and I am a freshman from Jupiter, FL. I’m studying Cell and Molecular Neuroscience here at FSU! I am currently doing research in the Maner Lab and plan to explore additional research opportunities as an Undergraduate. I intend to attend medical school and pursue a career in Pediatric Neurology.

Mechanisms that Promote Cooperative Behavior in Groups

Abstract

Cooperation is crucial for human success. People cooperate with close friends and family, their community, and even complete strangers. One mechanism that promotes cooperation is punishment. The consequences associated with punishment include the prevention of future wrongdoings and setting a precedent of unacceptable behavior. Another (understudied) mechanism is reward, which can redeem the victim and increase downstream cooperation. The current work used the dual strategies framework of dominance and prestige to understand when and why people punish selfish others or reward cooperators.

Keywords: Dominance, Prestige, Cooperation, Punishment, Reward

BIO

I am a sophomore from Hollywood, Florida. I have been doing research in Biochemistry since the second semester of my freshman year under Dr. Wen Zhu. After graduation, I plan on attending law school.

Expression and Purification of a Radical S-adenosyl-L-Methionine Enzyme

Abstract

With antibiotic resistance on the rise, new antibiotics are in high demand. Many naturally occurring antibiotics are biologically synthesized by radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (rSAM) enzymes. Our goal is to gain a better understanding of how rSAM enzymes synthesize naturally occurring antibiotics to uncover new routes for creating synthetic mimics that have antimicrobial activity. In this study, we expressed and purified a rSAM enzyme using Escherichia coli. Successful enzyme production lays a foundation for further studies on the biosynthesis of antibiotics.

Keywords: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Enzymes

BIO

Hi, my name is Samantha Marston! I am a junior at Florida State University, and I have been doing research on Spatial Navigation in Parkinson's Disease alongside some amazing and inspiring people. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I was given to do research throughout this school year, especially on Parkinson's since it has minimal research. I am currently a biology major, but I start the nursing program in the fall of 2024. I have always had a deep interest in anesthesia, and I plan to get my bachelor's in nursing and go on to Nurse Anesthetist school. I am excited to see how my research on Parkinson's and other forms of dementia will serve me as I further my career in medicine.

Spatial Navigation Skills in Parkinson's Disease – A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty moving. Studies show Parkinson’s affects "an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide...and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S." (Study Reveals Roots of Parkinson’s in the Brain, 2019). Studies reveal that frequently Parkinson's disease patients have compromised spatial skills because of abnormalities in the brain areas in charge of motor control and spatial cognition. In addition, "around a third of people with Parkinson’s eventually develop dementia." (Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, n.d.). The quality of life for those who have the illness can be greatly impacted by these impairments, which can make it difficult for them to drive, walk, or navigate new places. Spatial navigation is crucial to retaining independence.

Keywords: parkinsons dementia medicine science

BIO

Hi everyone! My name is Anastasiya, and I am a sophomore double majoring in marketing and finance. I am originally from Europe and have lived in Boston since I was 9. In my free time, I am the risk manager for the club tennis team here on campus, am currently training to become a UROP leader next fall, and have recently joined the FSU belly dance team.

The Effect of Eco-Anxiety on Sustainability-Related Nonprofit Organizations Employees Turnover Intentions

Abstract

The nonprofit sector faces a troubling turnover rate of 19%, significantly higher than the all-industry average of 12% (Strub, 2022). Within the environmental nonprofit (NPO) community, the term "eco-anxiety" has gained recognition. Defined as a chronic fear of environmental doom (APA, 2017; EcoAmerica, 2017), eco-anxiety may explain the high turnover rates. However, existing research primarily focuses on measurement (Hogg, 2017; Ágoston, 2022) rather than its impact on NPO employees. This paper proposes a reconceptualization of eco-anxiety as mission-based rather than practical anxiety. We hypothesize that eco-anxiety influences turnover intentions, with factors like emotional labor, organizational culture, and coping mechanisms playing mediating and moderating roles. Our qualitative approach aims to understand how eco-anxiety affects NPO employees and their decisions to stay or leave. We challenge the notion of eco-anxiety as practical anxiety, suggesting it revolves around mission-related concerns. While practical anxiety aids in decision-making, eco-anxiety pertains to existential questions about the viability of one's cause. Understanding eco-anxiety's distinct nature is crucial in addressing the rising turnover rates in environmental NPOs.

Keywords: eco-anxiety, nonprofits, turnover intentions

BIO

Hello! My name is Sophia Deitrich. I am a first-year student from Colts Neck, New Jersey. I am an Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions major with aspirations of becoming a trauma surgeon. During my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, watching Jeopardy, and hanging out with my friends and family.

Spatial Navigation Skills in Parkinson's Disease – A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background:
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by tremors, stiffness, and difficulty in movement. Research indicates that Parkinson’s affects approximately one million Americans and 10 million individuals globally. It stands as the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. Moreover, many individuals with Parkinson's disease eventually experience the onset of dementia. Research indicates that individuals with Parkinson's disease often exhibit compromised spatial skills due to abnormalities in brain regions responsible for motor control and spatial cognition. These impairments can significantly impact the quality of life for those affected, making tasks such as driving, walking, or navigating unfamiliar places challenging. Retaining independence is particularly reliant on intact spatial navigation abilities.

Methods: This study investigates the differential performance of older adults with Parkinson's Disease and cognitively healthy older adults in spatial navigation tests. Factors such as the year of publication, the country of research, and demographic details including age, gender, and level of education among participants are being examined.

Results: We are in the process of collecting and extracting the data.

Keywords: Parkinson's Disease, Spatial Navigation, Spatial Cognition

BIO

Jesse James Valdes specializes in economics and statistics with a passion for big data and its applications to societal challenges. With experience as a World Bank Group intern and as a research assistant, Jesse is adept in data collection and statistical analysis, particularly in classification. Committed to learning advanced data collection and analysis techniques, Jesse aspires to leverage big data insights for impactful decision-making in economics.

Construction of a Historical Infrastructure Price Index

Abstract

This research project aims to develop a comprehensive historical construction price index spanning from the 20th century onwards, recognizing significant shifts influenced by factors such as inflation, technological advancements, and efficiency improvements.

In the early 20th century, the pricing of American infrastructure construction lacked digitization. To address this, microfilms from the Engineering News-Record are digitized through scanning microfilm and processing to make them machine readable. Leveraging microfilm provides access to a historical journal with weekly editions dating back to the 19th century, enabling an examination of prices for various construction elements, job-related salaries, and awarded contracts. After processing the aggregate microfilm data, images are corrected for transcription errors, and weights are assigned to individual projects. The organized aggregate data is then categorized at the city-year-infrastructure type level.

The extraction process employs text parsing and image formatting techniques to unveil relevant construction pricing information. This involves identifying monthly awarded construction contracts based on regional parameters. Specifically, machine learning methods, including Amazon Textract and Python data scraping syntax, are utilized to efficiently extract construction pricing from thousands of pages at a time.

The findings from this project hold the potential to assist policymakers and those involved in constructing new buildings in estimating potential costs. By identifying trends among historical decisions, this information contributes to more informed decision-making regarding future construction expenses.

Keywords: Economics, OCR, Construction, Inflation, Infrastructure

BIO

I am currently a sophomore here at Florida State University majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Computer Science. At FSU I am involved in Pickle-ball Club and in Leon County I am an Administrative Volunteer at Stems4girls, a local nonprofit. I am from Daytona Beach where I have a seasonal job and conduct most of my shadowing. I am so grateful for this Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program where I got to delve into topics of microbiology where I expanded my laboratory skills and scientific inquiry. I hope to one day work in a health profession where I can apply these skills that I've acquired during my undergraduate years.

Identifying Novel Elicitors of Toxin-triggered Immunity

Abstract

A healthy microbiome is essential for the optimal growth and well-being
of plants and animals alike. However, beneficial microbes and pathogenic
bacteria are often phylogenetically alike and how a host is able to distinguish
between the two is not yet understood. In plants, we understand that the
pathogenic Pseudomonas fluorescens N2C3 strain induces a novel potent
immune response while the beneficial Pseudomonas fluorescens WCS365
does not. Moreover, this pathogenic immune response is caused by both
syringomcyin-dependent and syringomcyin-independent elicitors. To identify
the syringomcyin-independent elicitors, an oxidative burst assay with Col-O
and BBC triple mutant type plants was performed to measure the ROS
(luminescence) response of various Ox-burst treatments via a ROS protocol.
The results depict that there is a strong non-syringomycin dependent and
MAMP independent immune response being induced by the pathogen
suggesting that the novel compound of toxin-triggered immunity is a
complex unknown molecule. Looking forward, additional replicates of this
experiment will need to be conducted to substantiate these preliminary
findings.

Keywords: Biology, Molecular, Immunology

BIO

My name is Juliana Perez-Soto and I am from Miami, Florida. I am currently a sophomore and I am interested in researching neuroscience, medicine, and nutrition.

The Impact of Depression on Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Having depressive symptomology can greatly affect management of cardiovascular diseases and thereby increase the likelihood of adverse outcomes. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between depressive symptomology and its impact, if any, on participants with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Data for this study comes from the 2017-March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Analyses were conducted to determine possible associations between the comorbidities. These results have the potential to positively inform health care for individuals who experience these comorbid conditions.

Keywords: depression, cardiovascular

BIO

Harper West is a freshman Presidential Scholar at Florida State University majoring in History and Environment & Society. Through the intersection of these two majors, she is interested in the field of environmental policy and hopes to practice environmental law. She has research interests in both the sciences and the humanities to observe both the natural landscape and its interaction with humans.

Observing the Optimal Salinity Level for Algae Survival

Abstract

Oysters are filter feeders, which means they derive their nutrients from phytoplankton or algae by filtering through ocean water. Algae have varying survival rates dependent upon abiotic factors in the environment, such as water temperature and salinity. In this study, we will observe the optimal salinity level for algae (the salinity level at which the most algae survive) in order to determine what salinity level is best for oysters to feed at. In future experiments, this knowledge of the best salinity level for algae survival will help reduce salinity as an extraneous variable when experimenting with oysters, since the salinity at which their food is most abundant will be known. To determine this, lab-grown algae will be diluted into seawater samples of varying salinity levels. Individual cell counts of the algae will be taken with a digital automatic cell counter at multiple periods over the course of 24 hours. By the end of the testing period, the salinity level with the highest algae cell count (ppm) will be determined as the optimal salinity level for the survival of the lab-grown algae. These results will be crucial for use in future experiments involving oysters, such as determining feeding patterns of oyster predators and measuring the optimal salinity level for juvenile oyster growth.

Keywords: salinity regime, algae survival, marine biology

BIO

My name is Sydney Wald. I am an undergraduate student at Florida State University and originally from Orlando, Florida. I am pursuing a double major in Psychology and Human Development and Family Sciences. I plan on attending graduate school to receive a PhD in Clinical Psychology and become a child psychologist. I have always had a passion for working with kids. The BabyTok project has given me the opportunity to explore my interests in child development and build critical research skills.

BabyTok: A TikTok Intervention to Support Caregivers' Knowledge of Early Communication Development

Abstract

A child’s early language learning begins as soon as they are born. Caregivers hold a critical role in their child’s acquisition of language. Developmental science has indicated poverty as a risk to early language development. There is a need for the elimination of early language disparities in children who face poverty and other economic instabilities. This intervention was aimed to educate caregivers on early language learning in infants through a light-touch social media intervention. The study consisted of a mixed methods design. The experiment investigated whether a social media intervention supported parent knowledge of early communication skills. The participants were caregivers who had a child between 0 and 18 months old. Parent knowledge, self-efficacy and interactional strategies were then examined through caregiver interviews. The findings demonstrated increased parent knowledge, confidence in a parental role, and greater child communication with the application of the social media intervention.

Keywords: Language, Infants, Communication

BIO

I am a Presidential Scholar in the Honors Program at FSU and originally from Prairieville, Louisiana. I am currently researching in the eHealth Lab on large language models in health informatics. I aim to continue exploring health informatics in the future to understand how artificial intelligence will influence medical care and diagnosis as more people start to rely on this technology. I am currently on the pre-medical track and involved in the following student organizations: Alpha Epsilon Delta, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, the Filipino Student Association, and the Asian American Student Association.

Evaluating Large Language Models for Accurate Lab Test Question Interpretation

Abstract

The LabGenie project aims to address the challenge of patients, especially the elderly, in understanding medical lab test results and acting upon them. Even though generative AI models such as ChatGPT can answer questions, patients may not know what questions to ask, and they may also generate answers with inaccurate information or hallucinations. In the eHealth Lab, we are developing informatics strategies to augment large language models (LLM) by 1) identifying credible health sources for lab test result interpretation, and 2) curating these sources to computable format. As such, they can be used for question prompt enrichment with human input and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). The ultimate goal is to integrate the RAG-based LLMs with a user-friendly patient interface. LabGenie seeks to allow patients with low health literacy to ask contextualized questions and confidently make informed health decisions with their providers. The research involves literature reviews on LLM capabilities in clinical settings, converting lab result interpretation into a table format, and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different LLMs in answering lab result questions. These procedures aim to provide meaningful results to train LLMs and contribute to the creation of LabGenie.

Keywords: Large Language Model, eHealth, Artificial Intelligence, Lab Test

BIO

My name is John Stainbrook and I am from Sarasota Florida. I am passionate about fitness and love spending time outdoors. I continue my interest in public health related research due to its focus on positively impacting the health of people and the communities they are a part of. I am pursuing a career as a physician to have an active role in saving and impacting lives.

F-Sand for Lake Munson

Abstract

The over 100-year history of pollution at Lake Munson has continued into modern day with sewage spills and contaminant runoff continuing to pollute Munson and the Munson Slough. This long history of pollution and neglect has negatively impacted the health of community members many of whom are suffering from cancer diagnoses and severe health and quality of life complications. My previous research with Terry Ryan and Ali Bell found statistically significant evidence (p=0, n>50) that the census tracts encompassing Lake Munson and the Munson Slough had lower life expectancies than the Leon County average. F-Sand is an affordable and naturally produced cationic filter media that has been successfully used in Rwanda to remove negatively charged E-Coli and Polystyrene particles from drinking water. F-sand utilizes the cationic protein from Moringa oleifera seed serum extract to reverse the charge of sand and bind to negatively charged molecules. Nitrate and phosphate anions are some of the most common eutrophicating agents leading to harmful algal blooms, common place at Lake Munson. I have created a calibration curve comparing log-Absorbance at 198 nm wavelength to NO3-N PPM (m=1.2012, b=0.3721, R^2=.9092) on a Cary 60 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer to quantify experimental results. If my hypothesis that F-sand can remove eutrophicating anions from the water column is true, then harmful algal blooms could be reduced at Lake Munson with an affordable “sandbag filter” design. If successful, a litany of other applications such as fertilizer run off induced red tide could be explored to positively impact health.

Keywords: F-Sand, Lake Munson, Nitrate

BIO

Hello, I am a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering. My research interest includes prosthetics, pharmaceuticals and maybe a step into biotechnology. Some of my hobbies include reading, crocheting and watching soccer.

Habitat Characterization of a Mid-Pacific Mountain Across Depth

Abstract

The deep sea is one of the least explored ecosystems on Earth. Only about 5% of the deep ocean is examined in detail, often through deep-sea ROVs documenting the sea floor thousands of meters below the surface. Our research aims to analyze one site within the Mid-Pacific Mountains to determine the overall substrate size, composition, and species diversity at differing depths.
Our research focused on two dives, which explored parts of the east side of these underwater seamounts. A ROV collected video transects across site Mid-Pacific Mountain #3 (MPM3) at different depths. Each video transect was converted to 30-second interval screen grabs, and we annotated characteristics of habitat that are known to affect deep-sea coral and megafauna assemblages on seamounts. Singular images from different transects were observed and annotated for the approximate surface area, rugosity, and laser points. Lastly, we randomly selected 15 points from each image and identified different types of substrates and marine life found on and around these seamounts. While there is still extensive data left to annotate, this study has found that the habitat characteristics of site MPM3 can range in various places. Numerous filmed locations contain different types of substrates, rugosity, etc., indicating a diverse underwater ecosystem.
Our experiment contributed to characterizing relatively unexplored seamounts in response to depth. Analyzing these vulnerable marine ecosystems at different depths will help with future research on the deep sea, which should continue to be investigated, as our data only covers one small section of the Mid-Pacific Mountains.

Keywords: Seamounts, mid-Pacific, sea exploration

BIO

Hi, my name is Tiffany Salinas and I am from Miami, Florida. Early on in my undergraduate career, the mind, specifically, the brain fascinated me and uncovering its mysteries was a goal I was set on doing. I plan on going to graduate school to pursue my PHD in neuroscience. FSU, being a prestigious research institution, has provided me with opportunities to explore my career passion. From zebra finches, to mice, to humans, I have been a part of different labs gaining skills, building connections with professors and grad students, and exploring the different aspects of what it means to be a research scientist.

Lateral Septum GLP-1R Neuron Effects on Feeding Behavior​

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a neuropeptide made in neurons in the hindbrain that project to many other brain areas. GLP-1 act at its excitatory G-protein coupled receptor (the GLP-1R) expressed throughout the brain to suppress food intake. We focused on the lateral septum (LS), which contributes to feeding behavior. We have shown that injection of GLP-1R agonists into the LS reduces chow, sugar, and high fat food intake, and blocking GLP-1Rs increases intake. To further investigate how GLP-1R effects are mediated, we used a virally-mediated synaptic silencing approach to prevent GLP-1R-expressing neurons in the LS from releasing neurotransmitter. This involves injection of an adeno-associated virus to manipulate gene expression in transgenic mice. One group received intra-LS injection of the silencing virus (n = 6 female, 4 male) and a control group was injected with a control virus (n = 3 female, 4 male). We hypothesized that silencing GLP-1R neurons in the LS would increase food intake and promote weight gain because this would prevent these neurons from mediating the satiating effects of GLP-1. After AAV injection, body weights and food intake on chow and then high-fat diet were monitored. There were no significant differences between groups for body weight, food intake, or meal patterns, but mice did gain significant body weight on HFD. We also observed that the GLP-1R agonist Exendin-4 was still able to suppress food intake in these mice. Neurotransmitter release by these neurons may not be crucial for normal control of food intake and body weight.

Keywords: Feeding, GLP-1R, Mice

BIO

Lydia Shackelford is currently pursuing a Bachelor's of Science degree in Dietetics, with the goal of receiving her Didactic Program of Dietetics verification and moving on to a graduate program. She is interested in research involving human behavior and food, as there are very prevalent psychological connections involved in human eating attitudes and behaviors. She has greatly enjoyed providing assistance in this research project and has gained valuable knowledge and experience. With the rising integration of technology into the food industry and as well as the dietetics field, she hopes that she can partake in more research such as this and increase conversations surrounding this topic.

The Influence of TikTok on the Attitudes of Young Adult Towards Eating Behavior

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of TikTok on young adult eating behavior. The objectives consisted of analyzing the algorithm that TikTok utilizes for promoting food-related videos, evaluating the various video formats that include food in some form, and gaining an understanding of the effect that this social media app has on the eating behaviors of young adults. The study process began with an in-depth analysis of the current literature on social media and eating behaviors of young adults. A qualitative research approach was then used and a number of participants were interviewed on their social media usage, eating habits, and interaction with food-related posts. This study is significant in its promotion of an understanding on how technology, particularly social applications such as TikTok, impacts college students’ eating behaviors and self perception of their physical appearance. We hope to find evidence that supports our beliefs that social media plays a role in eating habits and perception of self. The implications of this study allow social media platforms and its users to consider the risks of benefits of frequent usage of food related media.

Keywords: TikTok, Eating, Young Adults