BIO

I'm a third year biology major minoring in chemistry. I am an international student, and transferred to Florida State University for my second year in fall 2022 from the University of Ottawa, Ontario. My hometown is Milton, Ontario, located in the greater Toronto area. When I'm not studying or volunteering with research I can be found at work with the FSU Special Collections Library as a Metadata Assistant or playing beach volleyball with the FSU Club Team. My post graduate aspirations include attending Chiropractic College.

Evolutionary Constraints Associated with Color and Aggression in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

One long standing question in evolutionary biology is whether single genes that control multiple traits (pleiotropy) result in limitations on adaptive evolution. If it does, then our ability to predict adaptation (e.g., in the face of changing environments) is compromised. We are using a much-discussed correlation between body coloration and aggressive behavior as a system to address this question. In Drosophila, this correlation is possibly attributed to dopamine being a precursor to melanin production. Higher melanin production would then result in less free dopamine, possibly resulting in more aggressive behaviors. To test the prediction that darker individuals were more aggressive, we selected for darker and lighter flies (D. melanogaster) and periodically tested for aggressive behavior. Every 5 generations, we tested for aggression and photographed each individual. We used ImageJ to measure the color of the thorax of the fly. We found that the darker flies are more aggressive, suggesting a pleiotropic effect. Our results suggest that dark-selected flies evolved to be more aggressive. The next step in this study is to identify candidate genes underlying the correlation and test for pleiotropic effects using transgenic approaches.

Keywords: genetics, evolution, melanin, drosophila melanogaster

BIO

Isabella Hamm is a Junior History major from Jacksonville, Florida. Isabella hold a minor in Law and Philosophy, and is passionate about U.S government and political history. She wishes to pursue a PhD in U.S History after graduating from Florida State and pursuing a career in historical research or government. Isabella joined this research project in hopes to gain newfound knowledge on the history of indigenous tribes, starting with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. She had the best time working with Dr. Andrew Frank and her research partners on this project and is forever grateful for this research opportunity.

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, Seminole Tribe, Homecoming

BIO

Hi, my name is Evan Chisolm, and I'm from Pensacola, Florida. Currently, I am a senior at Florida State University, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. My future career goal is to become a pediatric neurosurgeon. Beyond the clinical aspect of neuroscience, I also enjoy the research aspect. The research project I'm working on is aimed at determining how object perception, utilizing tracking tools, can be sensitive enough to detect early cognitive decline and subtle brain changes. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, listening to music, going on nature walks, watching movies, playing football or soccer, and working out.

Hand and eye movements during object categorization discriminate between younger and older adults

Abstract

The ability to flexibly categorize objects is an essential aspect of adaptive behavior. In complex environments with rapidly changing task demands, accurate categorization requires the resolution of feature-based interference. Recent neuroimaging and neuropsychological evidence suggest that perirhinal cortex allows us to group objects based on either their semantic or visual features when faced with cross-modal interference. We build on these findings by asking whether hand and eye movements made in the context of categorization tasks with cross-modal interference discriminate between younger and older adults. We additionally examined whether these behavioral indices track overall cognitive status in older adults. Three objects were presented on each trial: a referent, a target, and a distractor. Targets in the visual categorization task were visually similar to the referent, whereas distractors were semantically similar to the referent. Targets in the semantic categorization task were semantically similar to the referent, whereas distractors were visually similar to the referent. Categorization decisions were made by touching targets in our motion-tracking experiment and with a button press in our eye-tracking experiment. We found that reach trajectory and gaze, which are continuous measures of decision making, reliably discriminated between younger and older adults. In both cases, older adults were influenced by the distractors to a greater degree than were younger adults. Most interestingly, reach and gaze were significant predictors of overall cognitive function in the older adult group. These findings suggest that hand and eye movements may reveal subtle age-related changes in cognitive functions supported by perirhinal cortex.

Keywords: Motion Tracking, Eye-Tracking, Memory, Alzheimer's Disease, Object Categorization

BIO

Dianna is currently a freshman from Tampa, Florida studying biochemistry, and she hopes to pursue medical school for psychiatry after graduating from Florida State University.

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance investigation of plasmonic In: CdO nanoparticles

Abstract

A plasmon is a phenomenon that occurs when an electron oscillates on the
surface of a conductor. Localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) refer
to free carriers oscillating at a frequency of light. Historically, experiments
exploring LSPR characteristics have focused on gold (Au) and silver (Ag).
However, these noble metals have limited LSPR tunability and are costly.
Metal Oxides can be tuned via doping, size, and shape, while noble metals
can only be tuned via size and shape. This means that LSPRs can be
observed in metal oxides across a wide range of frequencies, from visible
(Vis) to far-infrared (FIR), which is useful for telecommunication (MIR-
FIR), photothermal therapy (NIR), and electrochromic windows (UV-Vis-
NIR). This project examines indium doped cadmium oxide (In:CdO)
nanoparticles and how relationships between the structures and properties of
different concentrations of indium in cadmium oxide lattice.

Keywords: chemistry, synthesis, nanoparticles, plasmon, EPR

BIO

As a student studying Political Science and Art History, social themes and human interaction are foundational concepts when it comes to solving current and future challenges. My career goal is to work within immigration law or arts administration. Under the mentorship of Dr. Karina Donald I have been introduced to the intricacies of research and its affects on real-world experiences.

Artistic Expressions of Caribbean Family Resilience Before and After COVID-19

Abstract

Families are population units that behave in distinct ways. Caribbean families are not the same as the Western idea of family.
Cultures define family in ways that don't necessarily include only those who share the same blood. Mom, dad and their daughters and sons are not the only members included.
Considering the distinctions in culture before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic, families respond to stress factors differently and can carry such experiences through art-making.
Arts-based research aims to reconsider and at times distance the research process from traditional-western research methodology.
Traditional methodology does not consider cultural distinctions, the subjectiveness of the human participant, and how the researcher's own background affects the process.
Each Caribbean family was invited to create visual art about how they cope with stress as a family unit. Various art materials were provided, and they were allowed to express their approach freely.

Keywords: Caribbean

BIO

I am currently pursuing a BA in English along with a minor in Psychology. My assistantship with Dr. McKiernan inspired me to submit an application for one of FSU's IDEA grants, which will culminate in an 8 week long creative research project over the Summer semester. Over the course of these 8 weeks, I hope to create a personal non-fiction piece centering on the politicization of sadomasochism in tandem with new radical feminist rhetoric.
Upon completion of my undergraduate studies, I intend to apply to several MFT graduate programs. My ultimate goal is to combine my interest in literature and psychology into a career in Marriage and Family Therapy with an emphasis on sex therapy.

Adult Survivors’ of CSA Experiences with Parent Disclosure Response

Abstract

Sexual abuse during childhood is extremely rampant in American societies. While this experience is inherently traumatic, disclosure experiences between victims and their parental figures offer an opportunity for healing. Despite the potential for understanding and acceptance, experiences of sexual abuse disclosure also have the potential to induce harm. This study was interested in understanding how parents’ and parent figure’s responses to adult disclosures of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) impacted their children’s perception of the disclosure experience. It further evaluated the ability of parent’s responses to either strengthen or hinder the relationship with their child. The studies’ goal was then to apply these results to a theoretical framework and describe the most helpful ways for parents to respond to their children’s disclosures. In depth semi-structured interviews with fifteen participants revealed specific responses that hindered and strengthened relationships. In developing the theory, five themes emerged. The five themes included statements, questions, behaviors, positionality, and follow up questions. Additionally, wished for responses, familial context, and ongoing CSA discussions were emphasized. Parents’ specific approaches to each of these themes contextualized the impact of the CSA. In future CSA disclosures, parents can apply the in-depth theoretical framework developed by this study to inform responses to CSA disclosure.

Keywords: mft, csa, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse

BIO

Olivia Cornelius is a second year student at FSU majoring in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience. At FSU, she is involved in the American Medical Student Association and Delta Zeta. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending medical school to pursue a career as a physician.

A Behavioral Analysis of the Impacts of Chronic Sleep Deprivation

Abstract

Sleep deprivation is a global health issue that is especially prevalent during the work week. A significant amount of the working population restricts their sleep to seven hours or less a night during the work week. This sleep restriction has been linked to cognitive impairment during the workday, leading to issues related to memory and performance. We have developed a chronic sleep paradigm to mimic the sleep deprivation experienced during the 5-day work week. We hypothesize that the mice will progressively get sleepier earlier in the day as the week goes on. For this experiment, mice were split into individual cages containing water, food pellets, and shredded filter paper bedding. Transition from water bottles to water gel packs occurred after one of the preliminary chronic sleep deprivations to avoid wetting the cage bedding. Each chronic sleep deprivation experiment lasted five days for 5 hours a day with two independent experiments performed. The method used to prevent sleeping was gentle handling through cage taps and cage shakes. After the experiment, brain tissues were collected from each mouse in order to perform future molecular studies. We found that the mean cage taps and shakes did not show any significant difference throughout the experiments. The results indicate that the mice were getting sufficient rebound sleep in between the days of sleep deprivation. Further directions include performing a molecular analysis of changes in gene expression using qPCR.

Keywords: Sleep deprivation, Neuroscience, Behavioral

BIO

My name is Charlie Sipple and I was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. After I graduate, I plan on attending law school. My hobbies include weightlifting, reading, and watching movies.

Managing Social Media Use

Abstract

Social media use has become ubiquitous among young adults. With the widespread popularity of apps like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter), there is no shortage of data regarding the many negative outcomes that result from using social media. There is, however, a severe lack of data regarding the positive experiences that people have on social media. In this study, data has been collected from 1-on-1 interviews that questioned college-aged students about their social media use, as well as the positive and negative emotions that arise from that use. Participants were also asked how they mitigate negative outcomes associated with social media usage, and how they promote positive outcomes. Preliminary results suggest that many college-aged students experience negative emotions concerning the amount of time they spend on the app TikTok. However, some data also suggest that many people experience positive emotions through the use of social media.

Keywords: Social media, emotions, time

BIO

My name is Andrew Jones and I am from Ligthouse Point, Florida, a small town in Broward County. I am interested in researching politics, history, and law. My career goals are attending law school and becoming an attorney.

Governor Nullifies Election: A Study of Florida’s 1831 Congressional Delegate Race

Abstract

This project focuses on a political rivalry in early Tallahassee between William Pope Duval (Governor, 1822-1834)  and Joseph Mills White (Congressional Delegate, 1825-1837). While conducted in Florida, this feud is reflective of a national rivalry because of Duval’s association with Andrew Jackson (President, 1829-1837) and White’s association with John Quincy Adams (President, 1825-1829). The White-Duval feud culminated in the election of 1831, where Duval nullified the U.S. Congressional Delegate election  that White had won. This project analyzes the results of the election and its coverage in newspapers at the time. There were various vote totals reported that differed and the press and public were unsure of the results until a month after the election. This election gives us insight into Florida’s electoral process and shows how Florida had election controversies with national implications, even before its statehood.

Keywords: history, Florida, politics, election

BIO

Timothy is a Sophomore honors student majoring in Finance. Timothy is originally from New Haven, Connecticut and currently resides in Tampa, Florida. After getting his undergraduate degree, Timothy would like to attend Law School and pursue a career in financial law.

Intergenerational Influences on Conspicuous Consumerism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence greatly improves the collection and analysis of personal data from online users. With more accurate data, companies are better able to advertise to users according to their interests. Targeted advertising creates a personalized experience for the user, catering posts and advertisements that encourage consumerism. In my team’s research, we aim to understand how different generations (Generation Z, Generation Y, Generation X, and Baby boomers) behave when provided with personalized advertisements on social media. We are interested in understanding how personalized advertisements influence conspicuous consumerism, where consumers purchase goods in search of social validation. Conspicuous consumerism is a term coined by Thorstein Veblen, who argues that consumers impulsively make purchases depending on how others in their social group perceive the item. With personalized advertisements on social media, consumers will have greater exposure to products that are highly valued within their social group, possibly leading to more purchases. We distributed a survey to members of each generation to collect data on social media habits, shopping behavior, and familiarity with A.I. technology. The results were compared to determine intergenerational differences in online shopping habits. Since older generations are more susceptible to online advertisements than younger generations, we would except older consumers to make more impulsive purchases. This study will provide insight into the application of AI technology in marketing and how different generations react to a personalized experience on social media.

Keywords: Marketing, Business, AI, Advertising, Social Media

BIO

Morgan Braun is a sophomore, majoring in Finance and minoring in Business Analytics at Florida State University. She is from Virginia, Beach, VA. Some of her research interests include topics within insurance and risk management and behavioral finance, relating to investment decision-making. She aspires to pursue her education past undergraduate studies by obtaining an MBA in the future. In addition, she is seeking a career in financial consulting upon graduation.

Changes in Average Premiums Based on Insurance Regulator Characteristics

Abstract

The insurance industry in America is responsible for employing nearly 3 million individuals. This includes each state’s Department of Insurance and Insurance Commissioner position, whose role is to uphold regulations, licensing, and consumer protection. These regulators can have varying characteristics and employment history, ranging from working in the private sector to being a politician. Additionally, political preference and elected/appointed status are important traits that differ across commissioners. Aside from the typical reasons that homeowner premiums fluctuate, such as weather conditions, population density, and risk assessment, the background of an insurance commissioner is a crucial factor to consider when exploring how homeowner premiums, or the payment one makes to ensure policy coverage on their residence, varies across states.

The purpose of this analysis is to determine how the background of an insurance commissioner correlates to each state’s premiums and loss ratios. More specifically, this project focuses on how political leanings may influence premium rates. Data on state insurance commissioners from 2012 – 2020 was collected through researching LinkedIn profiles and individual state news resources. This data was then compiled, organized, and cleaned within Excel. Stata, a statistical software package, was used to perform a series of linear regression tests that could predict the strength of a correlation between average premiums, political affiliation, and elected/appointed status. This project aims to provide consumers with more information about the insurance rates they encounter and to help predict future changes in premiums.

Keywords: insurance, political, government, characteristics, premium

BIO

I am a second year student from Largo Florida; I am currently pursuing my bachelors in Behavioral Neuroscience and

Emotion Regulation Strategies Among Students in STEM

Abstract

Undergraduate students pursuing majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) tend to experience higher levels of stress compared to students pursuing less academically intensive majors: in order to deal with this excess stress these students employ numerous stress coping mechanisms to varying degree of success. Previous research has been dedicated to discovering the optimal way of dealing with stress through emotional regulation, as well as positive stress coping mechanisms. The most effective strategy showed include emotional regulation through the use of a change in condition as well as a change in circumstance. While previous research has shown emotional regulation as an effective way to deal with stress it has largely excluded a direct impact on the student’s grade point average(GPA). This research used a Self-Report Survey that combined the diagnostic measures from numerous emotional regulation and stress management surveys in order to accurately gain an impression of what strategies our subjects use in their academic careers. The research then cross referenced this with their current GPA, as well as their expected GPA, in order to measure the effectiveness of these strategies on academic performance. Based on the trends within our raw data the research expects to see a positive correlation between a student’s use of affective emotional regulation strategies and their GPA; similarly, the research expects there to be a negative correlation between the student’s use of ineffective stress coping mechanisms and their GPA.

Keywords: Psychology, Emotional-Regulation, Education

BIO

My name is Nina Miguez and I’m a freshman at Florida State University, originally from Miami, Florida. I'm studying Health Management Policy and Administration as part of the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences degree program. I'm passionate about exploring gender representation in healthcare. Specifically, my research interests revolve around understanding how gender influences healthcare access. My career goals are to work in healthcare, particularly focusing on women's health. I'm committed to addressing the healthcare needs of women and ensuring inclusive access to quality healthcare services.

Gender Stereotypes in Media Advertisements​

Abstract

Although women’s hair in magazine advertising has evolved throughout the years to include multiple ethnicities and hair textures, in the beginning, there were trends of stereotypes being portrayed. Previous literature about advertising and magazine advertisements show the presentation of women’s image and societal position, there is a movement towards “racial grammar” and the overall shape, texture, and style it presents. The analysis involved gendered representations of nonverbal behaviors from print advertisements. The textual analysis was performed through the framework of Erving Goffman’s gender advertisement with representation. For some, hair is an exceptional identifier and something that represents people’s identity and image. The different categories were: relative size, feminine touch, function ranking, family scenes, ritualization of subordination, and licensed withdrawal. With this framework, the research team was able to quantify and analyze the advertisement through a specific set of ideas. There has been an analysis of the current presentation of women in advertisements but not in concentration on hair. Some of the current trends seen in the preliminary stages of the research were black women’s natural hair in association with difficult situations, blond women shown as always relying on someone, and brunettes as independent with expertise. In communications, working towards more diversity and realizing what messages are being sent to the public will be beneficial to lead. Through analyzing and identifying these trends, advertisers can be more conscious of what is being shown and have a previous screening of bias and gender advertisement.

Keywords: gender, stereotypes, women, media, advertisment

BIO

Hi, my name is Ashley Lawlor. I am from northern Virginia. I am studying environmental science, hopefully engineering soon, and love learning in general.

Algae Bricks

Abstract

Marine algae are used as an ingredient in varieties of clay bricks and cement to increase the sustainability of these materials. However, the physical and chemical properties of these bricks are not fully understood. The properties can improve or worsen depending on how much algae is added and which species of algae is used. The types of clay used can also affect the strength of the material. This study examines the flexural and compressive strength of bricks incorporating macroalgae species. We created clay bricks containing no algae, Sargassum filipendula, and Agardhiella subulata. The algae are added at varying percentages of the brick’s total volume. The samples are cast to ASTM or industry standard dimensions for testing. The samples are placed into instruments that test their flexural and compressive strength. While the experiment is ongoing, we expect the flexural and compressive strength of the algae bricks to be lower than traditional bricks. However, algae bricks can still have applications. These results would indicate that algae bricks are not ideal for high-stress scenarios but could be used in low-stress conditions. Some examples include new walkways and parking infrastructure.

Keywords: Algae, Bricks, Engineering

BIO

Grace Donnelly is a second year student at Florida State University with a double major in International Affairs and Finance. She has spent the past two semesters working with the Rosenstrasse Foundation in order to discover information about the women that demonstrated civil courage in Nazi Germany. Throughout this process, she learned how to utilize various research platforms in order to gather information, create a well developed project, and present these findings in a comprehensive manner. She will take these skills with her throughout the rest of her undergraduate career at Florida State University, law school, and future occupation.

The Rosenstrasse Foundation: Finding the Women that Demonstrated Civil Courage in Nazi Germany

Abstract

The Holocaust will remain a somber chapter in human history which included the loss of roughly eleven million lives (“Holocaust Misconceptions”). Adolf Hitler—the leader of the country spearheading this genocide—could commit this travesty because he “controlled the populace through social norms, not just through force” (Stoltzfus, 117). However, in February of 1943 a demonstration within Berlin proved this philosophy wasn’t infallible. While the Nuremburg Laws stated intermarried Jews—or Jewish people wed to non-Jewish spouses—were granted a deferral from deportation, on “February 27th, 1943 […] out of 10,000 Berliners arrested, around 2,000 were married to non-Jewish women [and held] in a collection center at Rosenstrasse in central Berlin” (Rosenstrasse Protest). Subsequently, the wives of these prisoners protested their apprehension and succeeded in freeing their spouses. The Rosenstrasse Foundation is a nonprofit organization that celebrates this courage. They utilize records of the protestors and conduct genealogical research to learn more about their identities and relatives. This is utilized to produce testimonials highlighting their roles which are published on the website alongside a database with similar stories. This project helped advance these efforts. Using the resources the Rosenstrasse Foundation compiled, this research assisted in learning more about one participant and their relatives. This is in hope of eventually producing a testimonial to add to the work the Rosenstrasse Foundation has conducted. This protest was a testament to the bravery of these women, and this research in collaboration with the Rosenstrasse Foundation will highlight their courage.

Keywords: History, Rosenstrasse, Germany

BIO

Hi, my name is Chase Horton and I'm from Pensacola, Florida. I am a second-year student at Florida State University majoring in Biological Science. I am on the pre-dental track with aspirations of becoming an orthodontist.

A Behavioral Analysis of the Impacts of Chronic Sleep Deprivation

Abstract

Sleep deprivation is a global health issue that is especially prevalent during the work week. A significant amount of the working population restricts their sleep to seven hours or less a night during the work week. This sleep restriction has been linked to cognitive impairment during the workday, leading to issues related to memory and performance. We have developed a chronic sleep paradigm to mimic the sleep deprivation experienced during the 5-day work week. We hypothesize that the mice will progressively get sleepier earlier in the day as the week goes on. For this experiment, mice were split into individual cages containing water, food pellets, and shredded filter paper bedding. Transition from water bottles to water gel packs occurred after one of the preliminary chronic sleep deprivations to avoid wetting the cage bedding. Each chronic sleep deprivation experiment lasted five days for 5 hours a day with two independent experiments performed. The method used to prevent sleeping was gentle handling through cage taps and cage shakes. After the experiment, brain tissues were collected from each mouse in order to perform future molecular studies. We found that the mean cage taps and shakes did not show any significant difference throughout the experiments. The results indicate that the mice were getting sufficient rebound sleep in between the days of sleep deprivation. Further directions include performing a molecular analysis of changes in gene expression using qPCR.

Keywords: Neuroscience, gene expression, sleep deprivation

BIO

I am from West Palm Beach, Florida and I love my hometown dearly. My research interests include health disparities among minorities. This aligns with my career interests in nursing to create a positive impact in decreasing health disparities.

Physical & Mental Health Disparities Among ALICE Families

Abstract

ALICE (Asset-Limited Income-Constrained Employed) families, although earning just above the Federal Poverty Level, struggle to afford basic necessities, leading to significant physical and mental health disparities. This literature review aims to shed light on the physical and mental health disparities among ALICE families and the factors contributing to these health challenges. We searched three databases, including ProQuest, Google Scholar, and PubMed, and gathered evidence from peer-reviewed articles and gray literature published or reported within the last ten years. ALICE families, particularly those of racial and ethnic minorities, face difficulties accessing necessities like housing, food, and health insurance. Rising costs have exacerbated food insecurity, leading to fatigue and weakened immune responses, while lack of insurance hinders chronic condition management. Poor mental health outcomes are common among this population, with disabilities, economic fluctuations, and housing quality exacerbating these issues. Policies addressing minimum wage, healthcare accessibility, and government assistance are crucial to mitigate these challenges and improve the well-being of ALICE families.

Keywords: health disparities, minorities, ALICE

BIO

Sara Casimiro is a second-year student originally from Daytona Beach. She enjoys developing her analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through her research project. Outside of academics, Sara enjoys spending time at the beach, reading, and watching comedy. She looks forward to using the skills gained from the program to succeed in her future endeavors.

Hydrogen Energy: Production of Electricity using Fuel Cells and Hydrogen-burning Generators

Abstract

This project is an exploratory study of the use of hydrogen for sustainable energy systems. The use of hydrogen as a green and sustainable fuel produced from renewable energy sources is one of the solutions being developed for addressing the global warming challenge and moving our energy systems to sustainable platforms without losing the modern comforts of life. While hydrogen has a lower volumetric energy density (kJ/L) than fossil fuels such as coal, diesel, and jet fuel (kerosine), its gravimetric energy density (MJ/kg) is greater. Hydrogen produces electricity in two ways: fuel cells and hydrogen-burning generators.
The primary benefit of hydrogen is that it is generated from water by electrolysis using electricity, and when it is used to generate electricity, water is the only product released. Hydrogen is attractive because it can serve as a mass energy storage medium to bridge the gap between the production and demand of electricity when we depend on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy, which are intermittent. Fuel cells and hydrogen-burning generators generate electricity. Fuel cells use hydrogen to be the source of electricity for 1 MW-level loads and to produce electricity in hydrogen-fueled electric cars, delivery vans and semi-trucks.
The project explored hydrogen as a green energy carrier and a large-scale energy storage medium to enable the rapid integration of renewable energy sources into the electric grid. The goal of this project is to explore, learn, and share the knowledge of the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable green fuel.

Keywords: Green Energy, Hydrogen, Net Zero

BIO

My name is Morgan Brown and I am from Boca Raton, Florida majoring in behavioral neuroscience! Currently, I am interested in internalizing disorders specifically depression and trauma-related disorders. Specifically, my focus lies in utilizing neuroimaging tools to dive into the intricate mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders. This year, I have had the ability to work in a lab focusing on externalizing behaviors such as alcohol use and how excessive use may pose as a detriment to one's cognitive processes. In the long run, I would like to continue my work in the psychology department as well as working in patient care at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. All in all, I plan to pursue an MD-Ph.D. dual degree with the hopes of advancing the field of clinical psychology while simultaneously providing compassionate patient care.

Interactions Between Anxiety and Alcohol Sensitivity: Alterations in Brain Response to Monetary Loss

Abstract

Low alcohol sensitivity robustly predicts concerning alcohol use behaviors. The mechanisms underlying harmful drinking and low alcohol sensitivity have been clarified by event-related potentials (ERP). Prior research shows a small P3 response to natural reward cues is linked to more severe drinking, while a larger alcohol-cue P3 indicates greater alcohol use. Studies show youth at genetic risk for harmful alcohol use exhibit reduced P3s to monetary feedback, suggesting diminished attention to evaluative cues. Conversely, anxiety symptoms correlate with enhanced P3 responses to negative stimuli, and relate to alcohol use for distress relief. This study investigated associations between self-reported anxiety and P3 responses to gain/loss feedback in a gambling task, among undergraduates with high (N = 30)—compared to low (N = 26)—alcohol sensitivity. The findings indicate loss P3 amplitude was similar across alcohol sensitivity groups. Additionally, anxiety did not relate to loss P3 in the hypothesized manner. Overall, our study suggests low sensitivity to alcohol may not relate to salience of losing monetary reward. Future studies should aim to further investigate the connections between alcohol and reward sensitivity, especially in populations with reward pathway dysregulations such as anhedonia.

Keywords: EEG, Alcohol Sensitivity, P3, Anxiety

BIO

Hello my name is Sofia Lara, I am an 2nd year undergraduate in Environmental Science from Miami Florida. I hope to minor in Biology and have an academic focus in Marine Biology. I am specifically interested in coral reef biology and ecology and I want a career path related in conservation, restoration and preservation of marine habitats as well as the protection and rehabilitation of marine organisms.

Comparing threespot damselfish behavior on coral types Acropora cervicornis and Orbicella spp

Abstract

Farmer damselfish (family: Pomacentridae) are a functional group of territorial herbivorous coral reef fish. They create algae farms by chasing away other herbivores and biting at live coral tissue to expand their territories. Damselfish can vary in how aggressively they defend their territories based on habitat quality. In the Caribbean, the endangered branching coral Acropora cervicornis is considered the preferred habitat for the threespot damselfish Stegastes planifrons. Our objective was to determine if threespot damselfish exhibit different farming behaviors on A. cervicornis versus a common non-branching coral Orbicella spp. To do this, a group of 2-3 divers placed cameras 1m away from damselfish territories across 9 sites in Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands. These cameras recorded 30 minute videos that were then annotated on the behavioral observation software Boris. We found that there was no significant difference between coral types on either their territory maintenance behavior or their aggressive territoriality behavior. We also found that there is a positive correlation between damselfish density and both territory maintenance and chase behaviors. Damselfish are considered, by many restoration groups in the Caribbean, as stressors for the reef. Therefore we care about the relationship between damselfish and the coral because we can try to determine how their presence may affect coral such as Acropora cervicornis, a critically endangered species.

Keywords: coral reef, behavior analysis