Research Symposium

BIO

Hello!, I am Austin DeBrun, a pre-dental student from Venice, Florida. My passion for dentistry stems from a blend of science and artistry, aimed at promoting holistic health. My research interests lie in innovative technologies for enhanced patient care. Outside academics, I enjoy photography and volunteer work. My goal is to establish a dental practice dedicated to community service and advancing dental care.

Promoting Belongingness: An Inclusive Approach for Students with Disabilities

Abstract

The sense of belonging is crucial to individuals as it creates emotional support,
security and validation. For students with disabilities, a lack of sense of belongingness
can make students feel isolated or excluded. This study investigates the factors which
affect the sense of belongingness which affect students with disabilities.
• In order to identify these gaps, students first compiled a conceptual list of factors that
could affect sense of belongingness among students with disabilities.
• Next, Studies related to the sense of belongingness among this population are
identified and analyzed. After the completion of this process, existing research is
comparted to the conceptual list of factors
• By identifying the certain factors which are considered to affect belongingness,
further research questions will be formulated as a means to study this topic more.

Keywords: Disability, belongingness, students

BIO

Hi, my name is Pia Rugel, and I am from the 305 - Miami, Florida. I am currently a sophomore studying psychology and minoring in criminology. My research interests include mental health, clinical psychology, and social psychology. In the future, I plan to continue my education through graduate school to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. After obtaining my PhD, I aim to become licensed and begin practicing therapy.

Emotion Regulation Strategies Among Students in STEM: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Undergraduate students pursuing majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields tend to experience higher levels of negative emotions compared to students in other fields. Previous research has been dedicated to discovering the optimal way of dealing with negative emotions through the use of emotion regulation strategies. While previous researchers have found emotional regulation as an effective way to cope with negative emotions, little research investigated multiple emotion regulation strategies and their association with academic performance (e.g., course grade, GPA) and mental health (e.g., levels of anxiety and depression). To fill this gap, we used a self-report survey to measure students’ levels of emotion regulation strategies, academic performance, and mental well-being to gain a deeper understanding of the strategies students use to navigate their academic challenges and their impacts. Based on the trends within our raw data, we expect to see a positive correlation between a student’s use of adaptive emotional regulation strategies, their GPA and mental well-being; similarly, we expect to observe a negative correlation between the students use of maladaptive strategies, mental health, and their GPA. These analyses can help optimize the performance of students in STEM and find better strategies to deal with their negative emotions, without trading off academic performance nor mental health.

Keywords: STEM, Emotion, STEM students, Emotion Regulation

BIO

I am a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science at Florida State University. In spring of 2023, I played a role as a researcher and solutions architect in developing our university's pioneering pilot program, focusing on enhancing hybrid and virtual learning. Since September, I have served as a learning assistant for introductory programming courses. Additionally, I am participating in Florida State's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. My research project focuses on data visualization of extreme heat in 2023 USA using cutting-edge statistical techniques. I am working under the guidance of Dr. Eunsaem Cho on this project titled "Visualization of Extreme Heat in 2023 USA: A Data-Driven Approach Using Cutting-edge Statistical Technique.”

Visualization of Extreme Heat in 2023 USA: A Data-Driven Approach Using Cutting-edge Statistical Technique

Abstract

This study is an in-depth data analysis of extreme heat patterns in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Texas, over a 30-year period from 1993 to 2023. Results were obtained through annual maximum air temperature, exceedance probabilities and return periods calculated by fitting generalized extreme value distributions. Maximum likelihood estimation was utilized for parameter estimation, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was conducted to confirm goodness-of-fit. In 2023, Dallas experienced a record temperature of 110.1°F, estimated to have a return period of 32 years. Houston reached a record 108.3°F with a 17-year return period, while San Antonio's annual maximum was 109.9°F, with a return period of 6 years. These findings indicate a significant variation in the extremeness of heat events across these cities. This variability highlights the need for city-specific adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the unique challenges posed by escalating temperatures in different urban environments.

Keywords: Extreme Heat, Data Science

BIO

FSU Presidential Scholar also involved with:
- SGA through Forward FSU Blazers
- FSU IFC through the Rush Mentor Pogram
- Registered Student Organizations (RSO's) including the FSU Hiking, Surfing, and Wake Clubs, as well as Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity

Perception of General Music Education

Abstract

Colleges around the US feature many robust programs
in the field of music education. Additionally, there has
been increased research recently into the new question
of the benefits of studying music such as increased
executive function and improved problem-solving skills.
Despite this, the US continues to face the issue of a lack
of support of music education programs which is
potentially one of the contributing factors causing many
teachers to leave the profession within the first five
years. The purpose of this study was to examine
preservice and in-service music teachers' perceptions of
general music education. Participants in this study
consisted of preservice teachers enrolled in an
undergraduate music education degree and in-service
teachers with at least one year of employed music
teaching experience. All respondents completed a
Qualtrics questionnaire that measured their perception
of general music education. 94% of participants believed
that general music courses should be required and 76%
of those who thought it should be required, mentioned
every year in Elementary school and at least twice in
both middle and high school.

Keywords: Music, Education,

BIO

I'm currently a senior at FSU pursuing a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience with a focus on a pre-medical track. Currently I work in the Gratton lab under Dr. Caterina Gratton where we use fMRI as well as EEG tests to establish areas of specific functionality within the brain. The brain fascinates me and as such, I am a huge advocate for mental health, especially amongst the youth population. I strive to help this population by obtaining a medical degree to work with children with psychiatric and/or developmental disorders. Our differences are what make us human! Heavily involved in campus activities including holding a President position in Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-health honor society. Currently serving as Health and Safety Officer in Alpha Chi Sigma and providing free tutoring for FSU students in various levels of chemistry.

Internalizing Psychopathology Correlates with Emotion Regulation, but not IQ in Subclinical Undergraduates

Abstract

The comorbidity of multiple psychiatric disorders can have a substantial effect on an individual’s treatment outcome. One commonly studied dimension of psychopathology are internalizing disorders, which generally encompass the experience of negative affect and include symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. Here, we sought to replicate the presence of an internalizing dimension in a sample of young adults and examine its relationships with IQ and emotion regulation strategies. Past research suggests that emotion regulation strategies have different outcomes on mental health, with cognitive reappraisal generally associated with better health outcomes versus expressive suppression.  The current study included 79 participants 18-35 years old recruited from Northwestern and Florida State University. We replicated previous work using the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, the depression scale of the 7-up 7-down measure, and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. A significant negative correlation was observed between internalizing symptom severity and cognitive reappraisal, r(77) = -0.35, p=0.0009, but a non-significant positive was present for expressive suppression, r(77) = 0.19, p=0.0938. Thus, individuals who preferred cognitive reappraisal had lower levels of internalizing symptoms, and vice-versa for expressive suppression.  Additionally, there was no significant relationship between IQ and internalizing symptoms, r(77) = -0.11, p=0.3548. As hypothesized, a clear internalizing factor was present in our data and it was associated with one’s choice of emotion regulation strategy. However, the IQ measure did not show a hypothesized negative correlation with internalizing symptoms. Future research should further examine the relationship between IQ and internalizing symptoms in young adults.

Keywords: Psychopathology, IQ, Emotion Regulation

BIO

Hi I am Nicholas Montano. I am a Colombian-American who is interested in Developmental Economics and Urban Planning. Outside of research, I intern at the Reason Foundation as a policy analyst. Outside of my professional life, I play bass in my band No Parts, I co-run a pop-up restaurant on the weekends called Chino Latino, and have just started rock climbing. For my professional career, I can see three different directions: owning a restaurant, becoming a respected urban planner, or leading an economic revolution in less-developed U.S. urban centers.

Quantifying the relationship between attrition rates and health outcomes in the Florida Medicaid system.

Abstract

The consensus amongst the medical community is that consistent medical coverage leads to better health outcomes. Florida recently removed its continuous Medicaid coverage and readopted the medical redetermination requirements before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Medicaid enrollees must reapply annually for eligibility to continue their coverage. Using data from the Florida Medicaid system between 2014-2019, This study explores how Medicaid attrition rates in coverage affect health outcomes. The data will be compiled by merging existing Medicaid eligibility files with their corresponding services. Then, we will create a regression determining the extent of the relationship. Our findings find a substantial disparity in health outcomes with inconsistent covered patients treated for more severe cases than consistently covered ones.

Keywords: Medicaid, Healthcare, Policy

BIO

Hello, my name is Arin, and I'm a sophomore at Florida State University, majoring in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences. Im originally from Brooklyn, New York but currently live in Tampa, FloridaCurrently, I'm honing my skills as a medical assistant at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where I actively engage in patient care and support. Beyond my clinical role, I'm deeply passionate about research, and I'm proud to contribute as an undergraduate researcher in areas that hold the potential to impact healthcare positively.

Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Production: Comparing the Efficiencies of AI-1 and AI-2​

Abstract

While Quorum Sensing (QS) is performed by virtually all bacteria, the three main classifications of QS pose limitations to different species of bacteria. While primarily Gram-negative bacteria utilize Autoinducer-1 (AI-1) systems and only Gram-positive bacteria utilize Autoinducing Peptide (AIP) systems, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria utilize the Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) systems. We are interested in comparing the efficiencies of AI-1 and AI-2, particularly in the mechanism of biofilm production. Our experimental design consists of a computer-modeled simulation of biofilm production in AI-1 and AI-2, followed by an analysis of the efficiency and stability of the resulting biofilm. We hypothesized that biofilm formation would prove to be most efficient in AI-2 as opposed to AI-1, as AI-2 primarily relies on complex proteins to carry QS signals in and out of cells, reducing the prevalence of transcription errors.

Keywords: Bacteria, Quorum Sensing, Mathematical Simulation

BIO

Hello!
My name is Surabhi Nair, a second-year Cell and Molecular Neuroscience student on the pre-med track. I am originally from Canada but currently reside in Tampa, Florida. My research interests include the study of neurodegenerative diseases, epigenetics, and environmental sustainability. I aim to dedicate my future to preserving the health of individuals and our planet.

Exploring the use of Hydrogen and Superconductivity in the Healthcare Industry

Abstract

As people across the world are becoming more aware of the consequences of their carbon footprint, we are seeing a major shift to more sustainable energy sources to support our needs. Hydrogen as an energy carrier is gaining traction. The use of liquid hydrogen (boiling point 20 K) has gained traction. The healthcare sector is considering hydrogen to support its technology. Through the process of combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, hydrogen fuel leaves water and heat as by-products, rather than carbon dioxide. Engineers have been studying the use of liquid hydrogen to cool superconducting devices of MRI and other medical machines; hydrogen is a cost-effective and abundant cooling agent, rather than the expensive and scarce liquid helium that is currently used. In the pharmaceutical side of healthcare, NMR spectroscopy is also beginning to explore new superconductors and higher temperature operation supported by liquid hydrogen to expand the accessibility and lower cost technologies for drug discovery and studying protein structures. While hydrogen is not a panacea when it comes to sustainable fuel, it is certainly a step in the right direction to kick off this conversation on fueling our world to continue its productivity in the right way.

Keywords: Sustainability, Hydrogen Fuel, Healthcare, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BIO

My name is Victoria Adelina Montalvo (preferred name Vicky) and I am a first year student pursuing Cell and Molecular Neuroscience Degree with a minor in Sociology at Florida State University. I am from Miami, Florida and am currently on the pre-medical track, with aims to attend medical school and become a doctor. My vast research interests include but are not limited to: microbiology, prions, cognitive psychology, eating disorder studies, space medicine, ophthalmology, molecular cloning, microsociology, and foreign language study.

Protein engineering of alpha-actinin mutant proteins to test biological role in the heart muscle

Abstract

The heart has the ability to grow in size to a healthy caliber, similarly to the growth seen in many athletes and gestating woman. However, many different cardiovascular diseases and pathologic causation’s such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), prolonged bed rest, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have the potential to cause an inimical physiological discrepancy between the mechanical capacity of the heart, and the human body’s hemodynamic demand. We ultimately seek the understanding as to how cardiac muscle cells recognize, process, and respond to internal and externally-driven stimuli fluctuations produced by mechanical stimulation for short, as well-as prolonged terms. Specifically, we will be studying the role of post-translational modification of the structural protein α-Actinin within cardiac muscle cells in response to mechanical unloading. The approach is to introduce pseudo-phosphorylation sites in an α-Actinin plasmid to subsequently express these constructs into cardiomyocytes. We have identified that the plasmid pAcGFP-N1 is the most suitable for our work. We will continue with identifying the primers needed to induce mutagenesis to introduce the following pseudo-phosphorylation’s: Ser50, Ser147, Thr43, and Thr237 for Aspartic Acid. The primers to induce the listed pseudo-phosphorylation sites were identified. Our results will help understand the mechanisms of sarcomere assembly driven by phosphorylation of α-Actinin.

Keywords: Cardiac, Plasmids, Molecular Cloning, Cardiovascular, Muscle, Cell growth

BIO

Maddox Goodman is a freshman majoring in English: Editing, Writing, and Media, and Philosophy and is from Hollywood, Florida. Following his time at Florida State, Maddox plans on attending law school.
Born and raised in South Florida as Jewish, Maddox was drawn to this project as he felt a personal connection to it. Working with the Rosenstrasse Foundation, Maddox conducted research on the women who bravely protested for their husbands during the Rosenstrasse Protests.
Maddox also has experience as the Head of Alumni Relations at his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and will have an internship this summer at Cole, Scott, and Kissane, a law firm in South Florida.

The Rosenstrasse Protest: Remembering the Brave Women Who stood up for their Jewish Husbands

Abstract

From 1933 to 1945, the Nazi Regime ruled Germany, and eventually conquered various other territories in Eastern Europe. On September 15th, 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were instituted throughout Nazi Germany, and amongst many other things, banned Interfaith marriage. Interfaith marriage involved Jews marrying Aryan (Non-Jews) spouses. Noncompliance of these interfaith couples created social instability, which disturbed propaganda for the Nazi regime. This forced them to defer the fate of Jews in interfaith marriages. As the Holocaust progressed, Nazis’ began arresting Jews into Ghettos and Concentration Camps. On February 27th 1943, the Nazi regime implemented the “Final Roundup” which arrested Jews in interfaith marriages. The oppressors arrested 2,000 Jewish men in interfaith marriages, and took them to Rosenstrasse 2–4, a Jewish community center that the Nazis’ used to hold the Jewish men. The next day, the wives of these men gathered outside of Rosenstrasse, and chanted “Give us our husbands back”. Despite threats of death, these women bravely stood in honor of their husbands and continued to demand freedom. The goal of this research in collaboration with The Rosenstrasse Foundation is to remember these courageous women who stood by their Jewish husbands. By cross referencing a database of names provided by the Rosenstrasse Foundation, along with genealogical records, the research seeks to use qualitative analysis to recount, remember, and memorialize the stories of these women. The research aims to ensure their stories are told, passed down for many generations, and for an event like the Holocaust to never happen again.

Keywords: Protest, Judaism, Religion, Women, Holocaust

BIO

My name is Daniella Flores and I am from Miami, Florida. I am a junior at FSU in the biological science major. I am drawn to the idea of conducting research that could potentially lead to medical breakthroughs and understanding how viruses reach their replication centers within the nucleus of of living cells. I hope to pursue a career in medicine after graduating from Florida State.

HIV-1 Interaction with Nuclear Pore Complex

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus remains a major global health issue, with over 1.3 million people newly infected in 2022 alone. HIV is a virus that attacks vital cells in humans, weakening the immune system. While HIV has been studied for many decades, there are still gaps in this area of research. HIV infection of cells depends on its ability to enter the nucleus of non-dividing cells (Fig. 1A) and integrate a copy of its DNA into host cells. How HIV passes through the nuclear pore complex remains unclear (Fig. 1B). In this project, we look at HIV-1 interaction with the nuclear pore complex, which depends on the interactions between the viral capsid protein and nuclear pore-associated NUP358, NUP153 proteins. During my UROP project, I performed image analysis to determine the ability of HIV capsid to dock at the nuclear pore. Fluorescent imaging and processing of HIV-1 infected cells were conducted using ICY bioimage analysis. The results show that our method for docking determination works well and can report the block of HIV-NPC interactions by small molecule inhibitors PF74 and LEN. Future studies are being conducted to understand HIV nuclear entry and to develop additional inhibitors targeting this crucial step.

Keywords: Virus, HIV, Virology, Nuclear pore complex

BIO

Danielle is currently in her 2nd year at FSU, double-majoring in Psychology & Criminology on a Pre-Law track. She is interested in pursuing civil rights/public interest law, as she is passionate about protecting and supporting underrepresented people in her community. She is also very passionate about psychology and understanding people, with her current research interests being understanding the underlying motivations for certain behaviors amongst different groups and individuals. Her current UROP endeavors display this with her involvement in Jose Martinez’ lab in the Department of Psychology under Dr. Jon Maner. In this team, she assists in conducting and analyzing group behavior studies that examine trait-linked reasons for performing certain punishment and/or restorative behaviors. Danielle believes that motivations play a big part in the legal system, so she wishes to gain psychological insight on such decision-making factors in order to tie study analysis into real-life problems/solutions in her career journey.

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: Decision-making, traits, cooperation, punishment, reward

BIO

I am a freshman form Windermere, Florida. I am a Presidential Scholar and UROP student, and in my free time I enjoy playing basketball, and making music. I enjoy psychology, especially social psychology, and what motivates us to do the things we do. My research is investigating how teens perceive their time spent on social media and what emotional relationship they have with social media.

The Technology Time Trap: Managing Social Media Use

Abstract

“Social media use has become ubiquitous among young adults. With the widespread use of apps like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter), there is no shortage of data regarding the many negative outcomes that result from social media use. There is, however, a dearth 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 use, 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,

BIO

Hi my name is Eva Rucinski and I am from Beverly Hills, Florida. I hope to go on to medical school someday and study psychiatry. My research interests are centered around GLP-1 and how that affects the intake of food in Gcg-Knockdown rats. When I am not studying, I love to run, play soccer, or stay home and play with my cats!

Gcg-Knockdown Rats Overconsume a Palatable Western Diet

Abstract

The peptide product of the gene encoding glucagon (Gcg) is processed to form Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the intestine and in hindbrain neurons. GLP-1 acts in the brain to reduce intake of palatable, rewarding foods. We developed a homozygous Gcg-Cre knock-in Sprague-Dawley rat model, and discovered that these rats have markedly reduced expression of Gcg and very low levels of GLP-1 (Zheng et al., 2022). The purpose of this experiment was to determine if homozygous Gcg-Cre rats (here, called Gcg-KD rats) display altered food intake compared to wild type (WT) control rats. We hypothesized that Gcg-KD rats will eat more of a palatable “Western Diet” (WD; high in fat and sugar) than WT rats, since Gcg- KD rats have reduced levels of GLP-1 in the body and brain. Home- cage intake of regular chow and WD was assessed every day for 8 weeks, and rats were weighed three times a week. EchoMRI scans were performed before and after the experiment to measure body composition (lean and fat mass). Gcg-KD rats consumed more WD compared to wild type controls, and displayed greater preference for WD vs. chow. This effect was larger in female vs. male rats. Gcg-KD rats also gained more weight and had higher fat mass at the end of the study compared to WT controls. Thus, lower levels of GLP-1 in Gcg-KD rats may lead them to overconsume palatable WD.

Keywords: Gcg, Western Diet, GLP-1

BIO

My name is Quentin Adkins and I am from Oviedo, FL near Orlando. I am a second year student at Florida State where I am currently studying sociology and starting Nursing School this fall.

An App-Based Approach to Addressing HIV and Associated Stigmas

Abstract

Progress has been made towards ending the HIV epidemic as new resources and educational tools have significantly decreased HIV incidence. However, in the United States young Black and Latinx men who have sex with men and transgender women (YBLMT) continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. According to the CDC more than 40% of all new infections occurred amongst Black people in 2019. Historical and ongoing intertwined stigma and discrimination around race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation all contribute to higher HIV incidence and lower rates of receiving care. The HealthMpowerment (HMP) study delivered an app-based intervention to address stigma, discrimination, and increase engagement with HIV prevention and care. The app provides a platform to build a diverse community and provide resources and educational tools for HIV health and wellness. This study aimed to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness by understanding changes in feelings of stigma and discrimination and changes in engaging in prevention and care behaviors.

Keywords: LGBTQ+, Public Health, Digital Health

BIO

Hi! My research interests include NMR, organic chemistry, and medicinal chemistry. I am originally from Miami and enjoy working at the MagLab.

Probing Hydrogen Atom Positions in Organic Salts and Co-Crystals Using Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

Abstract

Organic salts and co-crystals play a key role as matrices that encapsulate active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), influencing stability and solubility for enhanced efficacy. Acid-base salts and cocrystals are frequently distinguished based on the position of a hydrogen atom between a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor. A precise determination of the hydrogen atom position will allow the accurate identification of the protonation state of such systems. However, it is challenging to precisely measure the hydrogen atom positions using standard X-ray diffraction techniques.
Here, we focus on determining hydrogen atom positions in organic salts and co-crystals using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Specifically, we measure N-H bond distances to clearly distinguish the protonation state of a base using a model system involving pyridine and a series of acids. Nitrogen-14 is an attractive isotope for probe N-H bonds and interactions due to its high isotopic abundance (99.6 %). However, 14N is a spin-1 quadrupolar nucleus which results in broadening of 14N solid-state NMR spectra. Here, we use fast magic angle spinning proton detection solid-state NMR experiments to measure 1H-14N bond distances in these salts and cocrystals. Solid-state NMR can be used to measure dipolar couplings between two spins (in our case 14N-1H bonds) which corresponds to the distance between the two spins. Our experimental results will be supported by density functional theory calculations. Ultimately, a combination of solid-state NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and quantum chemical calculations, in an NMR crystallography approach, will provide an atomistic picture of hydrogen bonding interactions in pharmaceutical salts and cocrystals.

Keywords: NMR, Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals

BIO

I am a current Florida State University sophomore and will be starting in the College of Nursing in the Fall. I am originally from Orlando, Florida, and decided to pursue this field of research because psychological health has always been an interest of mine and the future implications of this study and area of research as a whole could have a profound impact on both the longevity and quality of life for those who are diagnosed with mental disorders and diseases.

Spatial Navigation and Mental Rotation Skills in Older and Younger Individuals

Abstract

Background: Spatial navigation skills, including mental rotation abilities, play a vital role in everyday life. These skills can be influenced by various factors, with age being one of the key determinants of individual variations in mental rotation proficiency.
Methods: This study investigates differences in mental rotation skills between younger and older adults. The participants will undergo two one-hour test sessions on the Qualtrics and PsyToolKit platforms, comprising a set of cognitive tests such as the Cardinal Points Task, Left-Right Task, and Mental Rotation test. The tests will measure participants' accuracy and the time taken to complete each section.
Results: We are in the process of recruiting participants. We predict that individuals in the younger group will display higher accuracy scores across the series of tests, with faster average times of completion when compared to the older group. It will be useful to utilize the information gathered from this study for further research into the mechanisms that drive any differences in mental rotation skills between age groups.

Keywords: psychology, mental rotation, aging

BIO

Karsyn Lang is a first-year student at Florida State planning to study Finance and Economics. Her research primarily focuses on mutual funds and their performance in the market, building foundational research of the different assets. She has been conducting the research under the mentorship of Dr. John Kim, who has provided research and financial guidance throughout the project. Karsyn is also involved in many other clubs on campus, including Women in Business and Security Societies.

Understanding the Competitive Landscape of the Mutual Fund Industry

Abstract

Mutual funds are a popular investment vehicle for retail investors to diversify their portfolios. Mutual funds tend to hold hundreds of stocks, and to actively invest in the financial markets, mutual funds purport to beat the market. With thousands of different mutual funds, understanding the landscape of competition, how many funds are available, the many available investment styles, and how dispersed fees are is paramount to ensuring that investors receive good risk-adjusted returns that fund managers claim to deliver. In a study with Dr. John Kim, researchers are in the process of building a panel dataset of actively managed mutual funds. The study first accessed data on mutual funds from Morningstar, a cloud-based financial software system that, and examined some summary statistics that include investment styles: allocation, equity, and fixed income. Each investment style is catered to different investors, allowing for an individualized strategy depending on the type of investment they want. Researchers have compiled over 80 different key snapshot data points (data points identified at the most recent point in time). Plans in the future include incorporating historical data on fund returns and fund assets (i.e., dollar amount managed by a given fund at a given point in time).

Keywords: Mutual Funds, Assets, Finance

BIO

I am a part of the Honors and Presidential Scholars programs at Florida State. I am also involved with the Theta Chi fraternity and the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity.

Museum Educational Practices in China

Abstract

Museums across the globe demonstrate different cultures and events of significance throughout our history through spectacles of different art, relics, monuments and memorials. Despite this commonality throughout all museums, the cultural significance and the methods of demonstration vary from different nations. With China’s elaborate and and extended history, museums are very common and assumed to be of high cultural significance. Through the examination of the nation’s most influential museums and displays, this research aims to identify the different educational programs and opportunities offered to the community within these exhibits, as well as the methods of advertisement and the attraction of the audience to the museums. These factors are examined through both the modernization of exhibits, the use of technology within these exhibits, as well as the resources provided to visitors to further their understanding of the demonstrations. In addition to these factors, this research will also examine the influence of the government within these museums through both the continuous funding and the regulations placed on the exhibits. This abstract offers a brief overview of the multi-faceted examination of museum culture and its significance within China.

Keywords: Chinese Museum Culture

BIO

Loa Markarian is a history and theatre major from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Her research interests include medieval societies, religions, magic, and queer culture and history. They hope to continue working in research in the future.

Federal Investigation of Polygamous Mormons Under White Slavery Act

Abstract

With the hopes of describing the history and story of those engaging in polyamory as members of the FLDS, who have been marginalized by society, our research delves into FBI files from the 1930s to 1970s during the period of the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910. We aim to uncover various findings of the FBI by decoding reports, letters, and numerous other primary sources. Concurrently, we annotate Excel documents with all of the information we find to construct a timeline tracing the evolution of the group. These FBI files give insight into why some of the individuals involved in the FLDS have been surveilled throughout history and simultaneously provide enlightenment of the contrasting beliefs of different members of this group. Early discoveries in these files consisted of the names and actions of individuals involved in these practices as well as revealing leaders in the group. In this presentation, our focus is on the images and newspapers procured from these files as well as any additional compelling information associated with the FLDS.

Keywords: religion, mormons, mormonism, polygamy