Research Symposium

BIO

My name is Camila Munante and I am a first-generation student from Broward County, Florida. I came to Florida State to pursue my dream of being a School Psychologist. My research interests involve academic achievement, the importance of early literacy, and effective intervention strategies.

Effects of Early Literacy on Reading Comprehension: ​ A Longitudinal Analysis on the Differential Impact on LEP students

Abstract

This study examines how early literacy indicators, specifically phonological awareness (measured by Phoneme Segmentation Fluency, or PSF), in kindergarten would later predict reading comprehension (SAT10) & vocabulary (PPVT) skills in second grade. Using Florida’s Progress Monitoring and Reporting Network database, we will analyze information from a longitudinal dataset following the same students from kindergarten to 2nd grade to identify how measures of phonemics are associated with reading comprehension in later academic years when controlling for demographic characteristics including English language ability and socioeconomic level. Gaining an understanding of these connections is essential to creating focused treatments that help students from varied linguistic backgrounds become proficient readers.

Keywords: Phonological Awareness, Limited English Proficiency (LEP), Differential Impacts, Diverse Populations, Academic Achievement

BIO

I’m a first-year, pre-law student at Florida State University majoring in Political Science and Economics, working through certificates in U.S. Intelligence Systems & Emergency Management and Homeland Security. My interests focus on public interest law, civil liberties, and national security. I’m involved with Service Scholars, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Mock Trial, and UROP on-campus. My hobbies include playing jazz, running and weight-lifting, investing, and most sports. Through my work and research, I aspire to advocate for marginalized communities and advance meaningful policy change.

Assessing the Impact of North Carolina Teen Court on Recidivism

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency, particularly recidivism, is a persistent societal issue as young generations continue to reoffend and stunt their potential. Reversing trends of recidivism becomes a crucial component to breaking generational cycles of youth convictions. This research expands upon its inception through North Carolina, revealing that teen court programs reduced juvenile recidivism by nearly 50%. Expanding those analyses into Florida, this study seeks to understand innovative practices used in teen court and its effectiveness as it relates to recidivism.

Teen court offers a constructive alternative to traditional juvenile justice systems, encouraging restorative justice principles to rehabilitate first-time offenders. This study hypothesizes teen court participants to exhibit lower recidivism rates in Florida when compared to those who undergo traditional court systems.

To corroborate analyses, qualitative data was gathered from juvenile court records, interviews, and teen‬‭ court program records. Identifying patterns for recidivism exhibition, comparative analysis was conducted through a matched pair of a teen court participant and a traditional court participant. Finally, statistical‬‭ methods were applied to assess the likelihood of either group to recidivate.

Conclusively, results demonstrated teen court to reduce youth recidivism. As a pre-law student, high recidivism rates are consequential to public administration, yet preventable when considering alternatives such as teen court. These findings consist of invaluable insights to develop policies and bolster teen court to sway juvenile delinquency into a decline, fortifying youth growth. On a greater scale, this study pertains to the favorable rehabilitative practices, as opposed to more widely accepted retribution for offenses.

Keywords: recidivism, teen court, youth rehabilitation

BIO

I'm a Computer Science major passionate about doing research in computer vision and machine learning.

The Use of Synthetic Media in Autonomous Aerial Search and Rescue

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, drowning claims approximately 300,000 lives globally each year. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) integrated with machine learning (ML) have shown promise in drowning victim search-and-rescue efforts. However, ML models depend heavily on diverse and annotated datasets, which are challenging to obtain due to financial and ethical constraints. This study evaluates the effectiveness of synthetic visual data, generated from 3D models and backgrounds, for training a YOLOv9 object detection model. The synthetic dataset, combined with real images, will be tested and compared to results from “The use of drones and a machine-learning model for recognition of simulated drowning victims—A feasibility study.” Model performance will be assessed based on recognition rates, detection accuracy, and combined ML-human identification accuracy.

Keywords: Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Unmmaned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV), Search and Rescue (SAR)

BIO

Hello, I'm Alexandra Hatzidakis and I'm from Ft. Lauderdale. I'm currently a sophomore studying biology on a pre-dental track. My project focuses on LARP1, a lupus antigen related protein involved in mRNA regulation. Specifically we've been looking at the interactions between the intrisincally unstructured region (IUR) and the MLLE domain. Through studying these interactions we aim to gain new insights into LARP1's role in regulating the translation of mRNA.

Investigating the Interaction Between the Intrinsically Unstructured Region (IUR) and MLLE Domain of LARP1 Using Biophysical Approaches.

Abstract

LARP1 (La-related protein 1) is an RNA-binding protein involved in translational regulation, particularly in the 5′TOP mRNA pathway. The intrinsically unstructured region (IUR) of LARP1 is thought to play a crucial role in modulating interactions with RNA and other proteins, including the MLLE domain. However, the molecular details of this interaction remain unclear. In this study, we purified recombinant IUR and MLLE domains of LARP1 using affinity and size-exclusion chromatography to ensure high purity and homogeneity. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays (EMSA) were performed to assess the RNA binding of these domains, revealing key differences in their affinities. Additionally, NMR was used to quantify the binding interactions between IUR, MLLE, and RNA. Our results suggest that the IUR influences RNA binding in a manner dependent on its interaction with MLLE, providing new insights into the dynamic regulatory role of LARP1.

Keywords: LARPs, RNA, NMR

BIO

Rachelle Metayer is a second-year student from Orlando, Florida, pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and Marketing. In her free time, she enjoys designing graphics for student organizations, reading, and exploring new skills. After completing her undergraduate studies, Rachelle aims to pursue a career as a marketing specialist.

Teacher Preparation for Teaching Mathematics to Students with Disabilities

Abstract

Skills related to mathematics are important concepts for all people to understand, including individuals with disabilities. Despite the importance of mathematics, special education teachers report feeling unprepared to teach mathematics and general education teachers report feeling unprepared to teach students with disabilities, despite the fact the majority students with disabilities receive instruction in general education classrooms. The primary goal of this nationwide survey is to elicit the opinions of subject matter experts (SMEs) to see what practices and approaches, including course hours and practice-based learning opportunities are recommended when preparing preservice teachers and what practices and approaches are happening within Institutions of Higher Education. The responses of general education and special education faculty who are preparing preservice were compared to see what differences exist between their perceptions of instructional responsibilities, teaching practices, and practice-based learning opportunities that are provided.

Keywords: Redefining Teacher Preparedness

BIO

I'm a first-year student majoring in psychology. My plans for the future include a PhD in either developmental or clinical psychology. I'm originally from Orlando, where I worked with children and developed a desire to find a career where I could help them. I'm currently minoring in child development as well for that purpose.

Identifying Dyslexia: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Dyslexia is widely prevalent. Hundreds of millions of people around the world receive a diagnosis. While thousands of researchers have conducted studies to learn more about it, whether they focus on the gender gap among childhood dyslexia diagnoses or the most helpful accommodations available to dyslexic students at school, results vary widely. This is especially the case when it comes to dyslexia predictors. The existing literature is ample. Yet, results are scattered. There is no one measure or indicator for dyslexia. This meta-analysis intends to compile and analyze thousands of studies to find the best measures to predict dyslexia.

Our search revealed over 3000 studies. We have screened the abstracts. Our next step is full-text screening, which will unveil more specific information and allow us to extract data from the studies that meet the inclusion criteria.

Although the project is not over, the results will certainly be important. They could lead to better screening practices at school for students with potential dyslexia, more observant parents at home, and more cognizant adults with dyslexia themselves. Once the meta-analysis is finalized, it could also inspire more general research on dyslexia, investigating questions the meta-analysis didn't address. For instance, one element we didn't analyze was culture. Perceptions of dyslexia can undoubtedly be affected by culture, and they can thereby impact the educational system. This is only one example. This meta-analysis can inspire more research and innovation on this subject.

Keywords: Dyslexia. Meta-Analysis. Predictors.

BIO

I am an first-generation undergraduate student at Florida State University, originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Social Work, and I am heavily interested in the topics of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder

I aspire to become a clinical psychologist, aiming to aid those dealing with mental struggles and provide them with the necessary care and treatment. I am actively involved in the Peruvian Student Association (PERSA), Realizing Everyone's Need for Emotional Wellness (RENEW), and 211 Big Bend. Aside from academics, I enjoy watching and playing soccer, watching movies and tv shows, baking, sleeping, eating and simply being outside.

After graduation, I plan to pursue graduate school, primarily in clinical psychology with a focus in counseling psychology. I am excited to present my research at the FSU Undergraduate Research Symposium and share my findings with the academic community.

The Fear You'll Be the Same Person When You Go Home and the Fear You Won't: First Generation in College Students' Experiences of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship

Abstract

This research project aims to study how study-abroad opportunities impacted former FSU first-generation college students (FGCS) who received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. FCGS have faced prevalent underrepresentation within study-abroad programs. It is crucial to identify the effects to demonstrate a greater emphasis on assisting FCGS interested in study-abroad programs. The research aims to see how FCGS understands their experiences with the Gilman Scholarship and how the program has affected their post-graduation lives. The research pool comprises former FSU FCGS who received the Gilman Scholarship. A survey questionnaire will be sent to all qualifying participants, and from that, two focus groups of ten alumni will be comprised. From that, the pool will be narrowed down to five students who will then participate in creative reflection activities: Cabinet of Curiosities, Timeline, and Individual Interviews. Past research demonstrates varying definitions for FCGS dependent on different factors: family (parents vs grandparents/siblings), type of education (no high school diploma to bachelor’s), and duration of college experience (2-/4-year). Furthermore, past research indicates that students greatly benefit from study abroad experiences: learning to interact with diverse environments and learn to understand themselves, leads to increased graduation rates, shorter time to their degree, and higher GPAs. This research is based on Transformative Learning Theory, where explanations are acquired for how people understand and obtain meaning from the events they experience. This research project calls for more attention to be directed toward FCGS with the hopes of providing them with greater support with participating in study-abroad programs.

Keywords: First-Generation in College Students (FGCSs), study abroad, transformative learning theory, Gilman Scholarship

BIO

I'm a sophomore from Selbyville, Delaware and I hope to pursue a career in psychology and law. I'm interested in conducting research pertaining to social psychology, religion, and criminal law.

The Organization, Economics, and Investigation of the Minutemen Terror Group in the 1960’s: Race, Religion, and Culture

Abstract

Amid the Red Scare, the American populace was fearful of a wave of communism. This led to a wave of hyper-nationalism that was fueled by fear, religion, and culture. All of these factors together led to the creation of the extremist minutemen militia group in the early 1960’s. This militia was founded by Robert DePugh based upon anti-communist and nativist ideals that charged membership fees to fund their actions but as they scaled up, they enacted insurance fraud and extortion rackets. The Minutemen used these funds to stockpile weapons all over the U.S. in the case of a communist attack or if they believed they must take government infiltrated by liberal or communist ideals into their own hands. They believed there were communist spies everywhere and they must root them out through whatever means necessary. The group at it’s origin started as a couple of extremists who believed they were fighting the good fight but, through the use of extensive propaganda such as DePugh’s monthly magazine “On Target” their members grew significantly. When weapons and evidence of arms trafficking were discovered, the FBI launched a full-scale investigation that revealed a command and organizational structure far beyond what they could have imagined. Our research was entirely obtained through archived FBI documents on their investigation of the Minutemen. This project explores the organization, economics, and investigation of the minutemen terror group in the 1960’s and how their creation was influenced by race, religion, and culture.

Keywords: Religion, Surveillance, FBI, Minutemen, Anti-Communism

BIO

I am a current senior seeking a degree in Biological Sciences and have been involved in research with Drosophila as a model organism in the last two years. I am very interested in the field of behavioral genetics and neurobiology, particularly in genetic influences on sleep. I am currently completing an internship with the Brown Lab in the InternFSU program.

YBX1 functions in the Drosophila fat body to regulate sleep

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated stetatoic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver condition caused by excessive fat buildup in the liver due to factors outside of alcohol consumption. While the exact causes and mechanisms underlying MASLD development are still not entirely understood, sleep dysfunction is associated with MASLD and increasing sleep may contribute to MASLD prevention. Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) is a highly conserved multifunctional DNA/RNA-binding protein that modulates many important cellular functions and previous research suggests that hepatic expression of YBX1 increases significantly in patients with MASLD and in mice exposed to a high-fat diet. Flies, like humans, develop symptoms associated with MASLD, including dysregulation of lipid and glucose metabolism, and many genes and metabolic pathways involved in human hepatic diseases are conserved in Drosophila, including YBX1. Ypsilon scachtel (YPS) is the Drosophila ortholog and is expressed in the liver-equivalent fat body. To determine the effects of YPS expression on sleep duration, we manipulated expression of YPS in the fat body and compared their sleep patterns to control flies. Silencing YPS in the fat body significantly increases both sleep duration and the length of individual sleep episodes, suggesting YPS may mediate sleep quality. To further understand the relationship between YPS expression, MASLD, and sleep, we are currently measuring sleep duration in flies fed a high-fat diet when YPS expression is manipulated in the fat body. Overall, this work will inform our understanding of how YPS expression in the fat body mediates MASLD development and its effects on sleep duration.

Keywords: Drosophila, Genetics, Sleep

BIO

I am a second-year undergraduate student majoring in biology from Pembroke Pines, Florida. I am currently working under Dr. Amy Baco-Taylor in the Earth, Oceans, and Atmospheric Sciences Department studying seamount habitats. My academic and professional interest is primarily in marine biology and conservation. In my free time, I enjoy reading, drawing, and binging shows.

Habitat Characterization of Seamounts in the Central and Western Pacific

Abstract

Despite advances in technology, the deep sea is still largely under-characterized and unexplored. Habitat characterization of seamounts in the Central and Western Pacific (CWP) is essential as baseline information of the habitats can provide insight into how substrate may influence benthic megafauna composition on the seafloor. The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian conducted quantitative replicate survey transects at 1500m on 7 different seamounts within the Mid-Pacific Mountains, Necker Ridge, and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The video footage was converted to still images at 30-second intervals, and 15 randomly generated points were overlaid on each image. Photos were annotated within the BIIGLE software for features such as rugosity, substrate size, and substrate composition. Preliminary results indicate that a majority of sites are comprised of hardpan and basalt/manganese crusts. While outcrop was rare across the study, the Mid-Pacific Mountain seamounts had more than any other sites. Future results can be used to investigate the correlation between substrate and biodiversity, which may be at risk due to potential deep-sea mining activities.

Keywords: Oceanography, Environmental Science, Seamounts

BIO

I'm a first-year psychology major on a pre-medical track. I grew up in Miami, Florida, and hope to return to attend a Medical school in South Florida after graduation. My goal is to pursue a career in psychiatry, as I find mental health fascinating and have a passion for helping others. I also hope to participate in psychology or medical-related research in the future.

The “Girl Dinner” Trend: A Social Media Content Analysis Exploring Potential Themes Related to Eating Habits & Mental Health

Abstract

The social media trend “girl dinner” features convenient, spontaneous, and often unbalanced meals consisting of random food combinations. Popular among young women on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, it has been criticized for normalizing under-eating and reinforcing associations between femininity and low-calorie meals. The present study systematically analyzes Instagram’s “girl dinner” trend to identify potential themes related to disordered eating behaviors and mental health. A content analysis was conducted by collecting 250 Instagram posts tagged with “#girldinner” over five days. Posts, including captions but excluding comments, were recorded and screened for duplicates. Research assistants coded the first 50 posts using an objective coding scheme evaluating demographic characteristics of people in the video, types of foods and beverages consumed, aesthetic quality, disordered eating, and mental health-related themes. Interrater reliability was assessed using Krippendorff’s alpha (α), with α > .667 considered acceptable. Frequencies were calculated for all acceptable variables, and mean and standard deviation were computed for the number of foods per post. Due to approximately 44% of coded variables lacking acceptable interrater reliability, findings are limited. No definitive themes related to disordered eating or mental health emerged, but we obtained demographic insights into trend participants and common food choices. Since “girl dinner” content is subjective, raising awareness of its potential unintended negative messages is crucial, particularly given younger audiences' susceptibility to social media influence.

Keywords: #girldinner, Instagram, Social Media, Eating disorders, Mental health

BIO

Hi, I am Joziah Burnett and I am from Pembroke Pines, Florida. I love meeting new people, going out with friends, and staying active.I have a strong passion for politics and social injustice issues. My career goal is to become a litigation attorney. I am beyond excited to present my research on the impact of teen court of recidivism.

Assessing the Impact of North Carolina Teen court on recidivism

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is a persistent societal issue and reducing recidivism among youth offenders is essential for breaking a generational cycle of crime. This research builds on findings from a past study, which found that the teen court programs reduce juvenile recidivism by nearly 50% in North Carolina. The current study applies similar methodologies to assess the effectiveness of Teen Court in Florida

Teen court offers an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system, emphasizing restorative justice principles to rehabilitate first-time offenders. This study hypothesizes that Teen court participants in Florida will exhibit lower recidivism compared to those processed through traditional court systems.

Data for this project were gathered from juvenile court records, interviews, and Teen court program records. A comparative analysis was conducted between Teen court Participant and a matched pair of a participant processed through traditional court. Then, statistical methods were applied to assess the likelihood of either group to recidivate.

As stated, results showed that Teen court does in fact reduce teen recidivism. High recidivism rates are not only a strain on public resources but also represent a preventable issue. These findings could provide valuable insights for policymakers. In addition, this research highlights the need for continued investment into alternative sentencing methods that focus on rehabilitation over punishment.

Keywords: Recidivism, Teen Court, Juvenile Justive

BIO

My name is Christopher Mondesir, I am a third-year undergraduate at FSU from West Palm Beach, FL. I’m currently studying Psychology and Child Development, with a primary interest in Clinical and Counseling Psychology and Research. I’ve had a love for psychology since I was a freshman in high school, and that love has only flourished as I’ve progressed through my studies. I hope to continue my path and focus my interest further in the future by obtaining my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. One day I’d like to work as a Mental Health Counselor. Outside of psychology and counseling, I also have a great interest in classic movies, professional wrestling, and tabletop board games.

Exploring School Counseling's Impact on Child Reading Anxiety

Abstract

Reading anxiety is a significant barrier to academic development in children, often resulting in avoidance, low confidence, and poor reading performance (Ramirez et al., 2019). School-based counseling services aim to address these challenges by providing emotional support and coping strategies to help students manage anxiety and improve reading outcomes (Zhang, Wang, & Zeitzel, 2022). The present study conducted a secondary analysis of the National Project on Achievement in Twins (NatPAT) dataset to investigate the relationship between school counseling participation and reading anxiety among elementary school students (K-6). A linear regression model was used to examine this relationship, with analyses conducted in RStudio. Contrary to our hypothesis, results showed no significant relationship between school counseling services and reduced reading anxiety (p = 0.061). However, exploratory analyses revealed that parental reading anxiety and children’s general anxiety were both positively associated with child reading anxiety. Furthermore, the impact of general anxiety on reading anxiety was more pronounced for students from families experiencing financial hardship. These findings suggest that while school-based counseling services alone may not significantly reduce reading anxiety, factors such as parental anxiety and socioeconomic challenges play a critical role. Future research should further examine family and environmental contributors to reading anxiety and assess interventions that address both school- and home-based supports.

Keywords: Reading Anxiety, School Counseling, Counseling, General Anxiety, Elementary

BIO

I am an undergraduate student at Florida State University, double majoring in International Affairs and Editing, Writing, and Media. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, I am passionate about advocacy and representation for the Latinx community through policy and creative expression. My research interests are policy accessibility and comprehension among global citizens, aiming to bridge gaps in civic understanding across diverse populations.

Public Perception of Latin America's Judiciaries

Abstract

What factors impact Latin American citizen’s opinions of the legitimacy of their respective high courts? Tracking citizen’s perceived legitimacy of their respective high courts opens a pathway to more insight on patterns in civil interactions with the judicial system and knowledge of civil rights and civil responsibilities. Understanding citizen’s relationship with their respective judicial systems helps foment and strengthen Latin American democracies. Our data collection consisted on reviewing LAPOP AmericasBarometer and in the next step of this research we will empirically test our hypotheses

Keywords: Judicial legitimacy, Public perception, Latin American courts, High courts trust, Judicial system evaluation

BIO

I'm Morgan Walker and I am from Palm Beach, Florida. I am on a Pre-Law track and working towards a dual-degree, with plans to go to law school. I am interested in all legal and criminology-related research, specifically hate crimes, law enforcement, and court systems. I am interested in working for the Public Defender's Office after law school.

Modern Indicators of Historical Injustices: A Dataset of Structural Bias in the Policing of Racialized Violence in Sundown Towns

Abstract

A substantial component of racism in American history manifests as residential segregation and exclusion. Yet, few works have explored the deep history of sundown towns—places that enforced the absolute exclusion of Black people and other marginalized groups. The research builds from the foundation of historical sociologist James Loewen, who identified more than 2,000 racially restrictive communities, exploring variation in intergroup violence. Specifically, the research examines hate crimes—offenses committed because of a victim’s perceived or actual identity—in these communities, compared to areas not identified by Loewen. There are three phases of analyses. First, the study compares sundown towns to other communities by the prevalence and frequency of hate crimes. While there are tests included for all hate crimes, there is a specific focus on offenses committed because of a victim’s racial identity. Second, the research validates these quantitative tests through qualitative accounts of direct or vicarious experiences of targeted violence/threat of violence, social prejudice, and official discrimination. Generally, these findings suggest a mismatch between the “official” and “people’s” stories of hate crimes in these historically racist communities. Third, in light of this disjuncture, it examines structural bias in American law enforcement’s reporting of hate crimes in racially exclusive communities relative to communities not identified in the original Loewen dataset. The results point to systematic omissions of hate crimes in towns with pasts of official exclusion through sundown ordinances and practices. This illustrates the long-lasting effects of racism on the community and place, signaling immediate attention from policymakers and academics.

Keywords: Hate crime, Sundown towns, Criminology, Law enforcement

BIO

I am a second-year Applied Mathematics major with an interest in the optimization of complex real-life system through mathematical tools. I lived in Virginia my whole life, and I moved to Florida for school. I like to play soccer, watch and rate films, go hiking and camping, and working out. In the future, I hope to work in operations research and logistical systems. I am learning Italian, with a goal of working in Italy.

Modeling Human-Software Interactions in Modern Recommender Systems

Abstract

Today, the spread of information is facilitated primarily through social media platforms, and the heart of these platforms are what we call "the Algorithm," recommendation systems that mediate the interaction between users and the platform. At the core of this system, platforms curate content from a set of sources, using complex machine learning models to estimate individual user preferences in order to maximize user engagement, while the users aim to maximize their utility, leading to potential misalignments between the two objectives. Much research has been done to construct models of recommender systems that quantify and represent this misalignment, allowing us to observe complex user/platform behaviors. In this project, we conduct a literature review of existing models of recommender systems, highlighting key insights, strengths, and limitations of different model methodologies, while we also introduce a new game-theoretic model that incorporates communication constraints, capturing how platforms optimize content distribution under asymmetric information conditions.

Keywords: Recommender systems, algorithm, social media, communication networks, optimization, game theory

BIO

Derionna Blidgen is a Freshman at Florida State University majoring in behavioral neuroscience on a pre-medical track and aspires to become a psychiatrist. She was born and raised in Vero Beach, Florida, and received an Associate of Arts in Biology from Indian River State College. She has been working as a research assistant under the mentorship of Dee Selmore, investigating the effect playing characters with traumatic stories has on Black actors. Derionna is interested in exploring the convergence of environmental and genetic factors in behavioral science and implementing the data found in various therapeutic settings.

The Black Artists Way

Abstract

While theatre has been in practice since Ancient Greece, there has
been little research about the psychological effects of portraying certain traumatic roles on actors. This is especially applicable to black actors, whose experiences were not taken into consideration by performance theorists such as Richard Schechner, the first theorist to begin recognizing a need for the implementation of de-roling techniques in the rehearsal space. Thus, leaving black actors vulnerable to negative impacts like boundary-blurring and vicarious trauma. De-roling is a set of processes actors use to disengage from the character they are portraying and return to themselves. Through working with actors and conducting research, a method of de-roling can be implemented into rehearsal practices to prevent such negative impacts. While there have been strides made to aid actors in separating themselves from traumatic roles in which method acting has taken place, these efforts neglect to recognize racial differences. Finding de-roling techniques tailored to black actors is imperative to creating a safe environment for black actors to engage with their characters without sacrificing their own identity in the process. While acting in August Wilson’s Fences, participants were given curated de-roling techniques that they used throughout the play's production. Participants were then interviewed on their experience using the de-roling techniques and surveyed on how often their character seemed to resurface after the production end. Although the data is still being analyzed, the results are expected to suggest that the curated de-roling techniques improved the participant's experience when disengaging from their character.

Keywords: Theater, Black, Actors, Black Performers,

BIO

I’m a second year student double majoring in Environmental Science and Statistics. I grew up in Boulder Colorado and spent a lot of time outside in nature which helped spark my interest in environmental science. Getting involved in environmental research seemed like a great way for me to combine all my academic and personal interests and work towards my long term career goals. Data analysis, especially when it pertains to the environment, is a field I'm very interested in pursuing for my future. I really enjoyed participating in this project and learning so much about studying water quality.

Mass Balance of Nutrients (N &P) along St Johns River: Contributions of Urbanization and Agricultural Practices in the watershed

Abstract

Urbanization and agricultural runoff are primary contributors to nutrient loading, making identifying nutrient sources along waterways critical to inform targeted management strategies. This study investigates the temporal fluctuations of nitrogen and phosphorus in the St. Johns River watershed over 30 years to identify potential nutrient sources and driving factors. Data from six U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring sites with comprehensive records were analyzed, focusing on key parameters: dissolved inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and nitrite as N), total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and total phosphate-phosphorus as P.
These datasets were integrated with water quality information from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Watershed Information Network (WIN) to assess spatial and temporal nutrient trends. Long-term changes in water quality were evaluated using the Weighted Regression on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) model to quantify nutrient load variations to discharge patterns, seasonal dynamics, coastal wind influences, urban development, and agricultural activities. Additionally, shifts in land use over the study period were examined to assess their impact on nutrient levels.
We hypothesise that areas experiencing more urban development will exhibit higher nutrient concentrations compared to regions dominated by natural wetlands. Furthermore, we expect that nutrient levels will show an upward trend over the next 30 years, corresponding with the expansion of developed land within the watershed.

Keywords: Nutrients, Water Quality, St Johns River

BIO

Hi, my name is Maya Ford and I am from West Palm Beach, Florida. I am a freshman at FSU, majoring in Biological Sciences on a Pre-Med track. My goal is to become a Doctor.

Representation of Women in Female Directed Bollywood Films

Abstract

One main way that cultural expectations and social norms are depicted in society is through film. Women are often depicted differently in movies depending on the gender of the director. To understand this phenomenon, this project analyzes women characters in women-directed films from Bollywood, the commercial film industry in India. Gender roles in Bollywood films are defined by the Indian culture, religion, and social norms. The goal of this study is to collect qualitative and quantitative data that may provide more information on how cultural expectations are portrayed in films produced by female directors. This project uses survey coding to determine types and frequency of female representation. Each female character within the films is examined in aspects including clothing, religion, relationships, education, and taboo behavior and are coded accordingly into the system. As undergraduate research assistants, we are trained to accurately code the data from each female character in each film into Qualtrics surveys. We are put into groups of at least two research assistants to ensure each character is coded more than once. After inputting the data, we compare survey answers to ensure the most correct data is being submitted. This project is still at its initial stages; therefore, we do not have conclusive results. However, we can begin to see trends across the films we have finished coding. Further research is necessary to better understand how women are being represented in Bollywood films, directed by women, because it provides insight into how women are perceived in India.

Keywords: Bollywood, Female Representation, Films

BIO

My name is Ellie Mordujovich, and I am a first-year Psychology major from Gainesville, Florida. I'm on a pre-med track with the goal of becoming a psychiatrist, and I have a strong passion for the healthcare field. I'm especially fascinated by human behavior and love exploring why people think and act the way they do, which is what drew me to research. Outside of academics, I love listening to music, hiking, and talking to people.

Tracking the Unseen: Implicit Factors that shape False Memory formation

Abstract

False memory is defined as the distortion of certain events leading to a false recollection of memory. This research study aims to investigate implicit factors that may influence the encoding and retrieval of false memories. Additionally, it will explore how non-invasive brain stimulation can modulate false memory formation and recall. We are examining implicit factors such as demographic influences and pupil dilation measured through eye tracking. Within demographic research proposes a theory known as ‘own-race bias’ explaining that those who identify most with the people in stimuli will more accurately identify people of their own race compared to other-races. Research has shown that pupil dilation can be a potential identifier between false and correct memories. In this study, we will use noninvasive brain stimulation—transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)—to modulate the hippocampal-cortical network (HCN), a key system involved in memory encoding and consolidation. Our task includes a naturalistic stimuli phase (a video) and a test phase (multiple choice, audio, visual questions). TMS will be delivered at the left parietal cortex – which indirectly increases the HCN – pre-video, post-video, pre-test, or none to potentially increase accuracy with questions.We hypothesize that TMS will diminish own-race bias and increase recall accuracy. Prior to running the full study we conducted a pilot study which tested the difficulty of the questions we will use in our simulation-based study. Results from this study will increase our understanding of false memory and provide insight as to how implicit factors play a role in the encoding of those memories.

Keywords: Memory, TMS, Demographics, False Memory