Undergraduate Research Conference Spring 2025 Panel Presentations

Room 308 

9am -10:30am 

Panel Chair - 

Erin Willete - Strange Girls Make Stranger Women

Roderick Wilson - Navigating Broken Systems: A Memoir

Kayla Jones - Black Southern Culture: An Autoethnography

Dafne Campos - How Hurricane Harvey Impacted Thornwood

Room 306

9am - 10:30am

Panel Chair - 

Gisselle Lopez - Cell Cycle Regulation and Cancer: The Emerging Role of KIAA1143

Nikki Ziaei and Angelina Cao - Investigation on the Conversion of Dialkynylpyrazoles to Pyrazolylpyridines

Kylie Hedge - An Exploration of the Protein Kinase p38α

Room 306 

10:30am - 12pm

Panel Chair - 

Addyson Hobson - How Phages Interact with Antibiotic Resistance Biofilms

Andrea Iturbe - Hydrogels vs. Bacteria: Potential Applications of Hydrophilic Polymers in Chronic Wound Treatments

Sebastian Velez - Experimentally Testing Computational Predictions of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separating Proteins in Yeast

Room 306 

12:30pm - 2pm

Panel Chair - 

Case Henson - Bright Lights and Flight: Moonlight Effect on Insectivorous Bat Activity in Texas

Louis Oviedo - Using a Multi-omics Approach to Investigate Immune Regulation of Host-symbiont Dynamics

Ava Puente - Investigating Eye Regression in Eurycea latitans: Apoptosis and PAX6 Expression

Room 306 

2pm - 3:30pm

Panel Chair - 

Brooklyn Poultra - On the Fate of Marsh Mermaids: An Investigation into Estimating Carbon Sequestration in the Virginia Coastal Reserve Long Term Ecological Research Station Through Remote Sensing Techniques

Hannah Madler - Seasonal Patterns of Leaf Litter Decomposition and Benthic Invertebrate Community Composition Across Biome and Hydrological Gradients

Racheal Andrews - Bridges over Troubled Waters: A Comparative Study of Japanese and Texan River Conservation in the Face of U.S. Deregulation

Room 305 

10:30am - 12pm

Panel Chair - 

Maria Castro Doumolin - Validating Two Long Bone Stature Estimation Methodologies: Comparing KS: Stature & FORDISC 3.1

Taylor Keesee - An Analysis of the Utilization of New DNA Technology in Police Investigations

Rana Ghaffaripour - AI and Its Effects on Criminal Law

Brooklyn Crawley - Safety for All: A Review of Law Enforcement Management Strategies For Improving Cultural Competence in Agencies

Room 310

10:30am - 12pm

Panel Chair - 

Jeremiah Houston - Economic Development and Social Equity in American Cities 

Katherine Hughes - From Local Legacy to National Register: Ethical Issues in Preserving Cultural Heritage in East Austin

Elizabeth McNamara - Equity in Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Dallas: Lessons from the Mockingbird DART Station 

Braiden Touchette - The Geography of Opportunity: Neighborhood Context and Socioeconomic Mobility

Room 305 

12:30pm - 2pm

Panel Chair - 

Jamie Gee - Bodies, Bias, and Medical Deserts: A Multidisciplinary Look at Women’s Health Access

Sophia Mares - Resilience in the Face of Change: The Past, Present, and Future of Female Hispanic Doctors in the United States 

Eunice Rodriguez - From Lab Notes to Global Knowledge: Overcoming Linguistic Barriers in Research

Jordan Rochlitz - Barriers to Accessing and Receiving Cleft Care in Latin America

Room 305 

2pm - 3:30pm

Panel Chair - 

Kylie Jo Yarbrough - Autism in Classrooms

Alexandrea Ricks - Proposing the Observation Of the Application of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions in a Primary Classroom Setting

Cody Michalik - Investigating School Resource Officers and Other School Safety Programs’ Relationship with Student Disciplinary Outcomes 

Soobeen Ahn - Introductory to Teaching English Abroad to Young Children

Room 308 

3:30pm - 5pm

Panel Chair - 

Shelby Breda - Engaging Audiences in the 21st Century: A Case Study for Immersive Theatre 

Meagan Majors - Loggerhead Ruse

Alyssa Rodriguez - The Power of Perception: Addressing Body Image Issues Through Reasons to Be Pretty

Room 308 

10:30am - 12pm

Panel Chair - 

Miranda Trevino Grauzas - Visualizing Aura: A Cinematic Adaptation of Carlos Fuentes’ Gothic Novel

Austin Cook - Devil Town, Texas: A Southern Gothic Twist on The History of San Marcos Through Television Writing

Jackson Brown - Nobody’s Fault but Mine: A Film Production from Script to Screen 

Room 310

3:30pm - 5pm

Panel Chair - 

Charlie Perez - Drug and Alcohol Use in Undergraduate Students at Texas State University

Desiree Gomez Hyde - Exploring the Impact of Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Gym Intimidation on Physical Activity Levels Among Female College Students

Ryley Bricker - Cutting Through the Clutter: Demystifying Texas State University Parking Resources 

Gabrielle Gaubert - The Influences of Humor Styles and Dark Triad Personality Traits on Malevolent Creativity in College Students

Room 308 

2pm - 3:30pm

Panel Chair - 

Olivia Smith - Unburdened and Becoming: A Movement Piece

Chloe Meinershagen - One Little Weed: A Concept Album

Ella Reynolds - Whispers in the Shadows: A Novel

Room 310 

2pm - 3:30pm

Panel Chair - 

Miranda Orr - The Psychological and Social Factors Contributing to Para-Social Relationships

Faith Swanson - Mate Value Discrepancies and Conflict Among Partners in Consensually NonMonogamous Relationships

Ryan Blais - Cross-Race Effects of Typicality and Attractiveness

Caroline Adams - From Empathy to Efficiency: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Workplace Culture

Room 408 

10:30am - 12pm

Panel Chair - 

Xiaoming Wang - Neural Radiance Fields for 3D Scene Reconstruction With Saliency Detection and Object Recognition

Muhammad Qassim - Researchbuddy - AI Powered Research Assistant

Andrew McMeans - Developing Solar War

Room 310 

9am - 10:30am

Panel Chair -

Erin Bates - Home Is Where the Heart Is: Resident Satisfaction in Long Term Care

Stephanie Small - Bridging the Gap: Enhancing LGBTQ+ Competency in Healthcare Social Work

Grace Garrison-Tate - Residential Communities From the Volunteers’ Perspectives

Trinity Lopez - From Stigma to Advocacy: Examining Legal and Policy Changes in Response to Evolving Societal Attitudes Toward Mental Disability

Room 408

9am - 10:30am

Panel Chair - 

Reed Pilcher - Epigenetic Impact of Maternal One-Carbon Methyl Donor Nutrient Supplementation and Trimethylamine N-oxide on Metabolically Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Lauren Lewis - Fructooligosaccharide: A Potential Dietary Strategy for Obesity Prevention

Emily Butler - Suppression of Renal Pro-inflammatory Cytokines by Fructooligosaccharides Is Associated With Renal Vitamin D Signaling in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6 Mice 

Room 408

2pm - 3:30pm

Panel Chair - 

Jessie Beck - Using Ice Packing with Body Bags to Treat Hyperthermia

Allison Drinnon - Prevention, Punishment, and the Pipeline: A Journalistic Investigation on How a District of Innovation Tackles Vaping Addiction

Kylie Burke - Child Flourishing & Family Resilience in Emergency Department Settings: Moving Beyond Social Determinants of Health

Cassidy Sneed - The Positive Impacts of Consistency and Decreased Screen Time on Sleep and Health - An Observational Case Study

Room 310 

12:30pm - 2pm

Panel Chair - 

Jacquelyn Burrer - The Antipolitics Legacy: Militarism and its Cyclical Role in Chilean History and Political Culture

Zayna Abdel-Rahim - From the Hill Country to the Holy Land: How Texans Shape and Are Shaped by the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Ashli Evans - The Legal Definition of Genocide vs the Common Understanding of Genocide

Dylan Holmes - Stories Matter & Japanese Stories Matter More: A Literature Analysis on Anime & Manga’s Influence on American Culture and a Measure of Japan’s Soft Power

Room 306

3:30pm - 5pm

Panel Chair - 

Jonathan Del Rio Gonzalez - The Infinite Ladder in Mathematics: Transfinite Induction

Eric Pinteralli - Automating a Pump Plunger System

Eirian Whitson - Exploring the Non-Uniqueness of Nonograms

Room 310

12:30pm - 2pm

Panel Chair - 

Meelena Spikes - From Canvas to Market: A Guide to the Business of Art

DJ Ross - Creative Liberation: The Transformative Power of Black Art

Celeste Medrano - Similar Things: A Collection of Zines

Sophia Joseph - Snapping Into Success: Analyzing Snapchat’s User Base and Strategic Recommendations

Room 305 

9am - 10:30am

Panel Chair - 

Jacquelyn Burrer - From Caudillos to Congress: Tracing the Rise of Antipolitics in the United States

Isabella Rohlik - Contemporary Political Theory Exemplified through Political Discourse

Marcus Cortez - Dead Presidents to Represent Me? Hip-Hop’s Conflicted Legacy of Power and Protest

Room 408

12:30pm - 2pm

Panel Chair - 

Sam Burzinski - A World Apart: Observation of Christianity as it was Interpreted by and for Slaves

Luke Rubenstein - Enigmatic Whispers: The Occult's Veiled Presence in A24 Films

Mason Strohmeyer - The Problem of Psychedelics and More: Renovating Religious Belief

Room 310 | 12:30pm - 2pm

From the Hill Country to the Holy Land: How Texans Shape and Are Shaped by the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

This podcast aims to share the stories of citizens throughout Texas Hill Country and how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict plays an integral role in their lives. Accompanied by a research paper on the role of U.S. public opinion toward the State of Israel and the Palestinians, this podcast seeks to illuminate the diverse perspectives that exist within this region, exploring how history, faith, political ideology, and personal experiences inform individuals’ views on the conflict. Through interviews with activists, religious leaders, students, and policymakers, the series examines the ways in which Texas Hill Country residents engage with this issue—whether through advocacy, faith-based initiatives, or policy influence. Additionally, the podcast contextualizes these local perspectives within broader national and international discussions, analyzing how public sentiment in the United States shapes foreign policy decisions and vice versa. By blending personal narratives with political analysis, this project offers a nuanced exploration of the dynamic relationship between local communities and global conflicts."

Supervisor: Jordan Morille, Honors College

Room 310 | 2pm - 3:30pm

From Empathy to Efficiency: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Workplace Culture

With the recent influx of research on Emotional Intelligence (EI), it is important to evaluate how it can be applied and studied in different fields. The application of EI to the field of Industrial Organizational Psychology is still blooming, and underexplored. This systematic review explores how Emotional Intelligence is applied in organizational cultures. Additionally, this review is intended to provide a comprehensive collection of different implementations of EI in workplaces and evaluate the success or failure of each study. A search through the PsycINFO database through Texas State University’s Alkek Library was conducted for studies published within the last 10 years. Eligible studies were centered around the application of EI in organizational culture and were conducted in workplaces. The review followed PRISMA guidelines, and 16 articles met the criteria for analysis. Key findings from these articles were that (a) EI fosters effective and meaningful communication within organizations, (b) Leaders/Managers with higher EI were found to cultivate more positive work environments and (c) EI also affects counterproductive work behaviors. This review proposes that EI should be implemented more frequently in organizational culture. Future studies within Emotional Intelligence and Industrial Organizational Psychology should consider remote workers, as well as examine the long-term effects of EI on organizational culture.

Supervisor: Hannah Collazo, Department of Communication Studies

Room 305 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Introductory to Teaching English Abroad to Young Children

Teaching English abroad means teaching English to people from around the world where English is not the primary language. At least, that’s what most people think teaching English abroad is all about, in truth, there is far more to it than just that. Just like how there are basic requirements to be able to teach in Texas, there are also some requirements for those that want to be able to teach English abroad. Through my research, I have found that there are many different requirements and ways to be able to do this, so I will be focusing on the two most common programs that people use: Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA). In order to get a better understanding of teaching English abroad, I will be researching how it’s done for young children through trusted resources such as the Cambridge University Press and Assessment, as well as with journal articles centering the topic from the TXST Research Databases. I will be presenting the results of my research through a website and will be covering three subtopics there. These subtopics are the basic requirements to teach, the difference between TEFL and CELTA, and teaching strategies to help support your future students. The goal of this research is not only to benefit me by letting me learn more about my future dream job, but to also be able to share it with those interested in the occupation, but don’t know where to start and are feeling daunted.

Supervisor: Minda Lopez, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Room 306 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Bridges over Troubled Waters: A Comparative Study of Japanese and Texan River Conservation in the Face of U.S. Deregulation

This research explores how river conservation strategies from Japan’s Kawabe River can inform sustainable management of the San Marcos River in Texas. The majority of the research details the governmental differences between the U.S. and Japan and the differences in environmental policy. Japan’s approach integrates ecological restoration, community-led governance, and adaptive floodplain management, offering a model for resilient conservation. Policies such as participatory river basin councils and long-term habitat restoration have proven effective in balancing human, environmental, and economic needs. In contrast, U.S. river management is often shaped by shifting federal policies, leaving local conservation efforts vulnerable to deregulation and inefficiency. This study also considers the impact of both the first and second Trump administrations on U.S. river management, closely following most of Trump's second one hundred days in office. The second Trump administration has already weakened federal environmental protections with no end in sight, reducing oversight on water quality and ecosystem health. This study examines how Japanese conservation strategies—many of which emphasize local autonomy over federal mandates—could be adapted to protect the San Marcos River despite potential regulatory rollbacks. Through comparative policy analysis and case studies, the research identifies practical strategies that align with the ecological and governance structures of Texas. By leveraging successful elements of Japan’s river management, this study aims to propose adaptable conservation solutions that can endure political shifts while ensuring the long-term health of the San Marcos River.

Supervisor: Blake Farrar, Department of Political Science

Room 310 | 9am - 10:30am

Home Is Where the Heart Is: Resident Satisfaction in Long Term Care

Resident satisfaction in long term care (LTC) is a crucial indicator of the quality of life and care received by individuals in residential settings. This literature review studies different theories on improving residential life such as person-centered care models, environmental elements, intergenerational interactions, and staff-resident dynamics. Additionally, it explores the methodology behind measuring satisfaction, comparing traditional assessment tools with consumer-centered approaches. This review also examines contemporary models of residential care such as the Eden Alternative and Preference-Based Care, focusing on how they have been implemented in recent years. These models focus on human spirit and personal autonomy, which distinguishes them from past residential models and has led to case studies and results not seen in past LTC research. This review ultimately aims to assess the level of care LTC residents are receiving and present a course of action for further improvement. The findings suggest an overall higher level of care than LTC residents have historically received. However, ongoing improvements are still needed in LTC environments. More emphasis should be placed on quality of life as opposed to life expectancy, which is the key focus contemporary models are seeking to address. These models are often still being implemented, and many have not been active long enough to gather comprehensive, long term results. However, current research indicates positive improvements across all factors of LTC under these models. Future research should continue to focus on these alternative care philosophies and further refine assessment tools to best capture and improve the lives of long term care residents.

Supervisor: Maria Czyzewska, Department of Psychology

Room 408 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Using Ice Packing with Body Bags to Treat Hyperthermia

Cold Water Immersion (CWI) is the gold standard treatment for exertional heat stroke (EHS) because it reduces rectal temperature (Trec) at rates consistently demonstrated to favorable prognoses and survival. Body bag cooling is a technique used in substitution of ice tub cooling filled with large volumes of ice water (151L-208L). The body bag device exhibits cooling rates of .18°C/min-.28°C/min. We are examining if the effects of three different amounts of crushed ice (5, 15 or 30 gallons) and no additional water are capable of cooling at expert-recommended “acceptable” rates for heat stroke victims in comparison to the use of cold water. We hypothesize the cooling rates will differ between conditions with 5, 15, and 30 gallons of ice. We hypothesize the 30-gallon condition will cool at an ‘ideal’ rate, but the 5 and 15 gallons will only be ‘acceptable’ to the expert-recommended rates. Subjects will undergo 3 trial days, consisting of either 5, 15, or 30 gallons of ice used for cooling. Subjects will exercise within a hot room (heat chamber) set to ~40°C (~104°F) and ~40% humidity on a treadmill in a plastic rain poncho. Subjects will walk for 3 minutes (3mph and 0% incline) followed by sprinting for 2 minutes at 90% of age-predicted maximum heart rate (Max Potential HR = 220-age * 0.9). They will repeat intervals until core body temperature reaches 39.75°C (~103.55°F). Subjects will then enter the body bag cooling device and be cooled with the designated amounts of ice across the three separate trials. Upon reaching Trec of 38.25°C (~100.85°F), subjects will be removed from the device and recover within the heat chamber to ensure safety of the subject until dismissal.

Supervisor: Kevin Miller, Department of Health and Human Performance

Room 310 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Cross-Race Effects of Typicality and Attractiveness

The other-race effect refers to the finding that human observers more easily recognize faces that belong to one's own racial or ethnic group(s) (i.e., one’s in-group) relative to racial/ethnic outgroups. However, the effect of race during the perception of the typicality and attractiveness of a face is still poorly understood. This study investigated cross-race effects during the perception of the facial typicality and attractiveness of adult female Caucasian and Latina faces. Both sets of faces were viewed by Caucasian and Latino groups of observers, who rated the faces for their typicality and attractiveness on a 7-point scale. Data collection for this study is still ongoing; preliminary results suggest that the two groups of observers perceived faces from their respective in-groups as more typical and attractive than the corresponding out-group faces.

Supervisor: Logan Trujillo, Department of Psychology

Room 308 | 3:30pm - 5pm

Engaging Audiences in the 21st Century: A Case Study for Immersive Theatre

This project seeks to explore and understand the levels of engagement with audiences through immersive and interactive theatre compared to traditional theatre. Since COVID, theaters have struggled to maintain audience retention, causing many nonprofit theaters to go on an extended hiatus, or shut down entirely. One solution to this problem is immersive and interactive theatre that aims to completely immerse audiences into the world of the play, and requires audiences to be active participants in the narrative. For this project, I will use the nonlinear structure of the play BRIGHT HALF LIFE to my advantage by turning it into an immersive walkthrough experience in Lampasas Hall. Each scene will be put on loop in a different room, requiring active participation from the audience by asking them to move from room to room in order to see the full story. To monitor audience engagement, I will collect quantitative data through an audience survey, measuring their engagement with traditional theatre before the performance, and then with immersive theatre after. I will present my findings at the Undergraduate Research Conference as an argument in favor of implementing immersive theatre into educational and regional settings as a solution for how to engage modern audiences in the 21st century.

Supervisor: Linda Nenno Breining, Department of Theatre and Dance

Room 310 | 3:30pm - 5pm

Cutting Through the Clutter: Demystifying Texas State University Parking Resources 

As of Fall 2024, the University Police Department (UPD) at Texas State University absorbed the parking services department and now enforces Texas State’s parking regulations. Only very involved faculty, staff, or students who pay attention to parking regulations regularly would have noticed that this merger occurred because the announcement was not made public. Texas State is known for keeping faculty, staff, and students up to date on new changes, so it was odd that changes to parking enforcement weren’t as celebrated as the other updates occurring in the Fall 2024 semester. I began to question why Texas State didn’t want to draw attention to parking. A quick glance at the public Texas State University parking services website began to answer some of my questions. Most of the website hasn’t been updated since the Fall 2022 semester, which makes the data completely irrelevant to any student looking at it. Comparing it to other university parking websites like that of the University of Houston, which has received rewards for how successful their parking program is, I quickly realized Texas State is struggling to quantify and reflect on their parking data, and the sudden merger of UPD and parking services may be why. For my project, I would like to verify the 2022 parking data by hand counting parking spots and double-checking maps. To support the verification of the 2022 parking data, I will also be creating audiovisual media that interprets Texas State’s parking data and regulations. My audiovisual media is intended to be in a more digestible format than the current parking website for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. After my collection, I will have a more useful resource for faculty, staff, and students that could be shared on the parking website.

Supervisor: Erika K. Nielson, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education & School Psychology

Room 308 | 10:30am - 12pm

“Nobody’s Fault but Mine”: A Film Production from Script to Screen 

"Nobody’s Fault but Mine" is a short film written and directed by Texas State Honors student Jack Brown. The film is a dark comedy thriller that follows Cal, a lazy stoner who starts selling drugs. The story tracks Cal’s journey through San Marcos, Texas, as he encounters eccentric characters like Jet Jixon, Drew the Drug Dealer, Party Rock Brock, Handy, and the Red Man. Through a series of events, Cal ends up exactly where he started, urging him to rethink who he is. This film is my love letter to San Marcos, reflecting my thoughts and experiences of growing up at Texas State University. In my presentation, I will break down what it takes to make a film, from pre-production to production to post-production—the 3 P’s. I will also showcase the “Nobody’s Fault but Mine” trailer and reveal details about the film premiere.

Supervisor: William Kaufold, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Room 408 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Child Flourishing & Family Resilience in Emergency Department Settings: Moving Beyond Social Determinants of Health

Previous research of children experiencing frequent emergency department (ED) visits examines children with specific illnesses (Nabors et al., 2021), their pain-management experiences (Krauss et al., 2016), healthcare utilization (Fuller et al., 2020), and social determinants of health associated with increased emergency department visits (O’Malley et al., 2016). Although it is important to prevent children from repeated exposure to emergency department settings, it is also critical to identify promotive factors that could help children and families flourish within emergency department experiences. In existing literature on family resilience and coping within hospital settings, much of the literature focuses on chronic illness (Nabors et al., 2018), older or more generalized age groups (Gruescu et al., 2024), and patients outside the emergency department setting (Nikkhah et al., 2022). As such, there is limited research examining how frequency of contact with emergency department settings relates to children’s flourishing and family resilience. The present study addresses previous literature gaps by using data from the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health to examine how frequency of contact with emergency departments impacts child and family well-being above and beyond social determinants of health, and encourages flourishing by identifying protective measures for children experiencing repeated ED visits. The present study first examined (1) the association between increased contact with ED on child and family ability to flourish, (2) social determinants of health that impact increased ED visits, and (3) mechanisms that protect families and children from the negative relationship between ED visits and flourishing. "

Supervisor: Priscilla Goble, School of Family and Consumer Science

Room 310 | 12:30pm - 2pm

The Antipolitics Legacy: Militarism and its Cyclical Role in Chilean History and Political Culture

For many Latin American countries, the pursuit of lasting political, social, and economic stability has been a central historical challenge. In Chile, fluctuating political power structures have historically led to the perception of the military as the sole stable institution, leading citizens to prioritize military solutions while weakening civilian and political institutions. This paper examines the long-lasting effects of militarized political and social structures in Chile through the lens of the antipolitics theory, which is a framework that requires the rejection of “traditional politics” and is often accompanied by a hyperpoliticized military. By analyzing the cyclical nature of Chilean governance, this paper will broadly examine how antipolitics has shaped Chilean political and military institutions from the 19th century to the present. Although this paper will provide historical context of the caudillo legacy and the German military missions in the 19th century, the primary focus will be on the influence of antipolitics from the 1973 2025. In addition to tracing the persistence of militarized antipolitics, this article will examine how popular resistance movements have countered and reinforced these dynamics. Furthermore, it will analyze the impact of growing economic and political instability in Chile, with a specific focus on the role of antipolitics in constitutional reform efforts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and political protests. The methodology will involve a close reading of primary sources from archival collections, including government documents and military records. This research will also draw on additional primary sources such as newspaper reports, letters, and speeches, offering insights into how Chile's political and military landscape evolved. By utilizing these sources, this study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how antipolitics continues to shape Chile’s political and social landscape, offering a lens to interpret ongoing governance challenges and the role of resistance in shaping alternative political futures. 

Supervisor: Ellen Tillman, Department of History

Room 305 | 9am - 10:30am

From Caudillos to Congress: Tracing the Rise of Antipolitics in the United States

By the end of the 1970s, American citizens’ distrust in their government and institutions had rapidly widened. As distrust and instability grew throughout the decade, the Reagan Revolution of the 1980s only deepened this sentiment, with former President Ronald Reagan pinning Americans’ problems on the government itself. As the United States continues to face growing economic, political, and social instability, working to better understand modern issues by analyzing historical patterns of institutional distrust becomes increasingly important. This article applies the antipolitics theory—a framework that requires the complete rejection of “politics” and the vilification of the government—to the context of the United States to highlight the influence of militarized political and social structures on contemporary issues. The persistent lack of faith in government has directly contributed to the rise of antipolitics, driving the rejection of “traditional politics” to the forefront of American government. While antipolitics has traditionally been applied to Latin American countries, this article seeks to use the theory as an analytical lens rather than a direct assertion to offer a diversified perspective on the challenges facing Americans. Specifically, this article explores the potential implications of applying the antipolitics framework to U.S. political and social instability, focusing on the role of religion, the military, and popular resistance in shaping contemporary issues and discourse. This paper will employ a close reading of primary and secondary sources, such as political speeches, government documents, and newspaper articles. While the paper centers on the rise of antipolitics in the U.S., the analysis focuses on the years of 2015-2025, specifically examining how key modern events, including the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, have contributed to growing economic, political, and social instability and the spread of antipolitics in traditional political structures and institutions in the United States.

Supervisor: Ellen Tillman, Department of History

Room 408 | 12:30pm - 2pm

A World Apart: Observation of Christianity as it was Interpreted by and for Slaves

This paper details the variations in Christianity between how it was observed by enslaved people in the southern United States and how, at other times, it was prescribed to them by their masters in a differing manner from the exact teachings of the Bible. The research comes from firsthand accounts of former slaves, collected by the WPA in the 1930s in the effort to catalog the slave experience, as well as transcripts of the music that was often used in religious proceedings by slaves on their own time. There was a clear disparity between these two modes, as religion as weaponized by slave masters often referred to teachings from the Bible about minding one's master and not stealing livestock lest the wrath of God be incurred. Conversely, much of the accounts of worship services carried about by slaves for themselves tell of life-affirming music and teachings, deviating from how the ritual of slavery transformed a person into property and instead insisting on one’s own personhood. Additional research came from the works of authors and historians like Albert J. Raboteau, who wrote of the religious practices of enslaved people in the pre-Civil War South and how these underlying concepts of freedom provided a reprieve from the innate horrors of the institution of slavery. Ultimately, the conclusion synthesizes these primary sources with historiographical research to document and understand the complicated, and often troubled, triangular relationship between slave, master, and God.

Supervisor: James McWilliams, Department of History

Room 408 | 9am - 10:30am

Suppression of Renal Pro-inflammatory Cytokines by Fructooligosaccharides Is Associated With Renal Vitamin D Signaling in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6 Mice 

Low vitamin D (VD) levels are often observed in individuals with obesity and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Studies indicate that 24-34% of kidney diseases are linked to obesity, a frequent cause of mortality in lupus patients. Prebiotic fiber is effective against diabetic nephropathy, yet the effect of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on obesity-related kidney complications remains unclear. We hypothesized that FOS could normalize obesity-induced kidney dysfunction by restoring VD status in obese mice. Male and female C57Bl/6J mice aged five weeks were randomized into four groups (n = 10/group) to receive 1) an AIN-93G control diet (CON), 2) a high-fat diet (60% kcal from fat; HFD), or 3) HFD + 5% FOS (HFD-FOS) for 10 weeks. VD status was evaluated by measuring circulating 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25D) in serum. VD levels were significantly lower in HFD mice compared to control mice. However, FOS treatment did not improve VD status among the HFD mice. Impaired kidney function, indicated by increased urinary protein and decreased urinary creatinine, was unaffected by FOS interventions. mRNA expression of VDR was decreased in HFD mice compared to CON mice. FOS further reduced renal VDR expression in HFD mice by about 50% compared to those on HFD alone (P<0.01). While FOS did not affect CON-fed mice (CON-FOS), it reduced the expressions of Il-1b and Tnfa by twofold (P < 0.01) and 1.4-fold (P < 0.01), respectively, in HFD mice (HFD-FOS) compared to those on HFD alone. Furthermore, a positive correlation was noted between renal Vdr and Il-1b (r = 0.73; P < 0.01), Il-6 (r = 0.69; P < 0.01), and Tnfa (r= 0.88; P < 0.01). Overall, FOS may suppress kidney inflammation in HFD-fed mice, likely through mechanisms regulated by VD activation. FOS may offer a novel approach to optimize VD status for preventing obesity-related kidney complications.

Supervisor: Gar Yee Koh, School of Family and Consumer Science

Room 308 | 9am -10:30am 

How Hurricane Harvey Impacted Thornwood

In 2018, Hurricane Harvey devastated a large part of Houston Texas. While the flooding
lasted less than two weeks, the physical impact of the hurricane remained present. It was clear to see the flooded houses, molded wood, and the destruction of trees and other personal property. Even greater than physical destruction, there was a massive financial, social, and political toll that overtook most Houstonians, especially those directly impacted. My research will explore how Thornwood, a small neighborhood in Houston that was one of the most impacted by the hurricane, experienced the hurricane and, importantly, the recovery. I will be interviewing people who were in the area and including their memoirs of during and after Hurricane Harvey. I will synthesize the information in an ethnography and will also write a personal journal of how the interview process goes. The presentation will fully be in written format. This research can provide a better understanding of how much hurricanes impact lives but specifically how Thornwood was affected.

Supervisor: Justin Williams, Department of Philosophy

Room 305 | 10:30am - 12pm

Validating Two Long Bone Stature Estimation Methodologies: Comparing KS: Stature & FORDISC 3.1

In forensic anthropology, stature estimation is essential for identifying unknown skeletal remains. Programs such as FORDISC 3.1 rely on adult data for references, resulting in often inaccurate stature estimations for subadult populations due to developmental differences. KS: Stature was developed as a tool to address this limitation. It takes into account different age-specific growth patterns with the goal of increasing accuracy in subadult stature assessments. This study evaluates the effectiveness of KS: Stature compared to FORDISC 3.1 in their subadult stature estimation. The methodology involves acquiring computed tomography (CT) scans of subadult individuals from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database (NMDID) and skeletal remains from the Texas State University (TXST) collection, targeting a total of ten samples of individuals between the age of 16-25. Using 3D Slicer software, 3D models of long bones are created and measured. The long bones (humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, and fibula) of both the 3D models and TXST skeletal remains will be measured following the guidelines in the Data Collection and Procedures for Skeletal Material 2.0 manual. These measurements are then input into both FORDISC 3.1 and KS: Stature to obtain stature estimations, which are subsequently compared to assess accuracy. It is anticipated that KS: Stature will produce more accurate results than FORDISC 3.1 in stature estimation of individuals between 16-25 years-old, underscoring the need for tools that consider the unique developmental characteristics of younger populations. Implementing more accurate subadult stature estimation methods can greatly improve the precision of biological profiles, thereby enhancing the identification process of unknown juvenile remains.

Supervisor: Elaine Chu, Department of Anthropology

Room 308 | 10:30am - 12pm

Devil Town, Texas: A Southern Gothic Twist on The History of San Marcos Through Television Writing

Devil Town, Texas is a serialized TV drama of supernatural thriller and southern gothic suspense that takes place in the fictionalized town of Sanctuary City, Texas, which is based on San Marcos, Texas, through its rich culture and history, as well as its religious and mythological influences. The pilot episode focuses on Dante McCallum, a college student at Sanctuary City University with near prophetic visions after a near-death experience from his childhood triggered some otherworldly presence to hunt him. After the murder of one his friends, Marcus Sanders, Dante and his other roommates, Zion Church and Erik Lawson Jr., start to uncover the twisted and supernatural forces at work within this town. The purpose of this project was to develop my craft in dramatic writing through new mediums and utilize the environment and culture around me to strengthen my storytelling. I have always drawn my inspiration from epic legends and folktales from other cultures that end up shaping the world around them after attempting to explain the impossible and inconceivable. However, recently, I have also been able to gather my writing style through the southern part of the world that I live in and believe that it has been an integral part of my growth as a writer. Stories can change the course of civilization as we live in them and I strive to reinvent the world around me by asking how it can be seen through other lenses, what stories can be told as we move through life, and what can be discovered with imagination.

Supervisor: Jordan Morille, Honors College

Room 305 | 9am - 10:30am

Dead Presidents to Represent Me? Hip-Hop’s Conflicted Legacy of Power and Protest

Hip-hop has long served as a voice for marginalized communities, addressing issues such as systemic racism, economic inequality, and political oppression. From its early days with artists like Public Enemy, 2Pac, and N.W.A. to its modern mainstream dominance, the genre has shaped and been shaped by political discourse. This project examines hip-hop’s evolving relationship with politics across three distinct presidential eras: the Bush administration’s antigovernment sentiment, the hope and skepticism surrounding Obama’s presidency, and the complex shifts in artist allegiances during the Trump era. By analyzing key songs, artist statements, and cultural moments, this research highlights the ways hip-hop has both challenged and conformed to political shifts, questioning whether the genre still upholds its activist roots or has succumbed to commercial and ideological shifts.

Supervisor: Eric Leake, Department of English

Room 305 | 10:30am - 12pm

Law Enforcement Management Strategies in Four U.S. Cities With Differing Crime Rates: A Comparative Case Study

The success of the criminal justice system falls heavily on legal standards and adherence to those standards. As follows, the management techniques used in a law enforcement agency, which are often created in accordance with local policies, may have an impact on the system’s level of success. According to the Bureau of Justice, crime rates are a critical measure of performance for the United States criminal justice system (Diiulio et al., 1993). Thus, for the purpose of this research, crime rates will be used as a measure of success for all cities that are analyzed. In this study, I propose to conduct a comparative case study of law enforcement management in Baltimore, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Pensacola. The purpose of this project is to examine the differences between local law enforcement management in major U.S. cities with some of the lowest national crime rates and some of the highest crime rates. From there, I aim to identify possible patterns between crime rates and the success of management. To do this, I will conduct a document analysis on law enforcement management sites and collect publicly available crime statistics. The major cities that will be used for this study were purposefully sampled based on crime rate and region.

Supervisor: Bryan Reyes, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Room 306 | 3:30pm - 5pm

The Infinite Ladder in Mathematics: Transfinite Induction

This project explores the mathematical proof method of transfinite induction. However, one must first understand techniques of set theory, such as The Principle of Mathematical Induction. If a statement holds true for all natural numbers, then we used The Principle of Mathematical Induction. Transfinite induction is mathematical induction beyond the natural numbers. These numbers are called ordinals, denoted by Greek letters, with their own properties which will be a major portion of this thesis. If a statement holds true for all ordinal numbers, then we use transfinite induction. My objective for this thesis is to introduce fundamental concepts of set theory, starting from the formal definition of natural numbers. By building definitions and theorems sequentially with examples and visual representations, I aim to provide a clear development of set theory. This structured approach will ensure that unfamiliar and familiar readers can follow the logical progression leading to transfinite induction. At the end, I want to use transfinite induction and the world I built in the thesis to prove major theorems used in different mathematical contexts highlighting its relevance beyond basic mathematics.

Supervisor: William Boney, Department of Mathematics

Room 408 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Prevention, Punishment, and the Pipeline: A Journalistic Investigation on How a District of Innovation Tackles Vaping Addiction

Initial efforts to combat vaping focused on abstinence, but educators and researchers have shifted toward prevention and support methods, particularly in primary schools, to help students overcome addiction. Addiction threatens students' futures by weakening academic performance and increasing the risk of harsh punishment that enforces the school-to-prison pipeline. In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 1825, allowing school districts to qualify as “districts of innovation,” which exempts them from specific sections of the Texas Education Code. These exemptions include severe state mandated punishments for vaping outlined in H.B. 114, passed in 2023. This journalistic study investigates Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District’s (GCCISD) approach toward qualifying as a district of innovation and the resulting changes to its disciplinary policies regarding vaping. By analyzing Texas Education Agency data and conducting interviews with experts in GCCISD, Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth, Texas State University, and more, this journalistic study highlights how effective prevention and support methods combat vaping addiction and mitigate harsh punishments that jeopardize students' futures. Graphs created with Tableau provide visual context and scale.

Supervisor: Eraldo Chiecchi, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Room 310 | 12:30pm - 2pm

The Legal Definition of Genocide vs the Common Understanding of Genocide

The goal of this document is to look at the definition of genocide through the lens of its legal definition and try to give an understanding of what it means to commit the crime of genocide. The research for this document uses the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide from the United Nations General Assembly to give a definition of the crime. This project also uses documents from scholars, and specific news sources to decide how much the public’s concept of genocide is different from the actual legal definition of the crime.

Supervisor: Franziska Newell, Department of Political Science

Room 310 | 9am - 10:30am

Residential Communities From the Volunteers’ Perspectives

Grace Garrison-Tate will stay on site at Camphill Kimberton to collect interviews and gain deeper insight into how the community functions. The project primarily provides insights into how volunteers talk about and experience the Camphill Movement’s philosophy and ideals. These findings will be shared with the public in the form of a podcast. The publishing of this project seeks to fill the gap in research that addresses the perspectives and experiences of volunteers in residential care communities. The format of a podcast aims to make the research and storytelling accessible and relatable to a larger audience. The hope is that this podcast will contribute not only to the needed research in this area, but also to a forum where volunteers and caretakers can share information.

Supervisor: Michelle Edwards, Department of Sociology

Room 310 | 3:30pm - 5pm

The Influences of Humor Styles and Dark Triad Personality Traits on Malevolent Creativity in College Students

Malevolent creativity (MC) refers to the application of novel and useful ideas to cause deliberate material, mental, or physical harm to others. The current study examined the potential contributions of humor styles and dark triad (DT) personality traits to MC in college students.  An anonymous, online survey was administered to 299 undergraduate students (81.9% female; 41.5% Hispanic; Age Mean = 20.3) and included validated scales assessing MC (Hurting People, Lying, and Playing Tricks), Humor Styles (Affiliative, Self-Enhancing, Aggressive, and Self-Defeating), and DT personality traits (Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Machiavellianism).  Pearson correlations showed significant relationships between malevolent creativity subscales and humor styles, with Machiavellianism and Psychopathy having the strongest associations. For the Hurting People MC subscale, significant relationships were found with Aggressive Humor (r=.284), Self-Defeating Humor (r=.191), Narcissism (r=.263), Psychopathy (r=.350), and Machiavellianism (r=.435). The Lying MC subscale was related to Affiliative Humor (r=-.181), Aggressive Humor (r=.245), Narcissism (r=.238), Psychopathy (r=.290), and Machiavellianism (r=.403). The Playing Tricks MC subscale showed relationships with Aggressive Humor (r=.340), Self-Defeating Humor (r=.132), Narcissism (r=.234), Psychopathy (r=.329), and Machiavellianism (r=.349). For Hurting People MC, Aggressive (B=.133, p<.001) and Self-Defeating Humor (B=.061, p=.023) were significant initially, but only Machiavellianism (B=.044, p<.001) remained. Regression analyses showed Machiavellianism remained significant for Hurting People and Lying MC (B=.044, p<.001; B=.059, p<.001), and both Aggressive Humor and Machiavellianism were significant for Playing Tricks MC (B=.198, p<.001; B=.033, p=.005). In our sample, Machiavellianism was the most significant predictor of MC across all subscales. This finding supports prior research linking it to harmful creative acts. In addition, our study extends previous research by documenting the significant contribution of aggressive humor to MC among those who play tricks or pranks on others.

Supervisor: Krista Howard, Department of Psychology

Room 305 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Bodies, Bias, and Medical Deserts: A Multidisciplinary Look at Women’s Health Access

Medical deserts are areas with limited access to adequate healthcare. Structural violence is a form of violence that occurs when social institutions harm people by limiting their basic needs. While medical deserts impact several groups of people, women face sex and gender specific barriers. This research focuses on answering questions about policy and misinformation related to women’s health and how those have contributed to limited options for this demographic. I will use a multidisciplinary research strategy: historical diaries, historical medical and government documents, historical books and articles, with modern government documents, articles, books, medical research, and additional sources to support this argument. Historically, the social and medical constructs of gender, lack of access to health insurance, and inadequate medical research into women’s health issues has meant women in medical deserts have few options. Additionally, how class and race divides increase in relation to medical barriers. This will connect the ideas between the historical issues, and modern policy and misinformation, which create the structural violence against women in the United States. I will shed light on the connections between the structural violence and medical deserts.

Supervisor: Allision Robinson, Department of History

Room 305 | 10:30am - 12pm

AI and Its Effects on Criminal Law

My project will be covering AI and its role in the future of criminal law. I want to cover the broader field of law at first, then focus the majority of my research on how AI will be implemented in criminal law and trial proceedings. My project serves the purpose of bringing attention to how a job as a criminal attorney can look vastly different now than in the future. My purpose matters because having AI take over essential and detailed attorney roles can not only cause issues in trial proceedings but also damage the job market for attorneys and legal assistants. As a current criminal justice student and a future law student, I do believe I have the qualities and experiences to speak on this topic. My project covers a topic which has not been heavily researched. It is a new debate in the field of law. As I have come across various studies, I have realized my topic is catered towards an audience that is involved in the field of law and criminal justice. However, my goal is to have my audience cater to anyone who is at risk of their future career to be largely altered due to the implementation of AI. I want my topic to expand past people who are focused on law, and I hope to do so.

Supervisor: Michelle Evans, Department of Political Science

Room 310 | 3:30pm - 5pm

Exploring the Impact of Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Gym Intimidation on Physical Activity Levels Among Female College Students

Physical activity (PA) is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure (WHO, 2024). Engaging in PA reduces the risk of all cause mortality and chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease while also lowering the risk of cancer. Additionally, PA provides several mental health benefits, including improved sleep quality, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, decreased stress levels, and enhanced concentration (Sharma, 2006). In a university setting, Student Recreation Centers (SRCs) serve as a primary resource for student health and wellness. SRCs promote PA by offering diverse facilities and programs, ensuring that students of all backgrounds have opportunities to engage in PA. Despite the well-documented benefits of PA and the resources available through SRCs, limited research has explored the factors influencing PA participation among college students—particularly female college students. This study examines the relationship between self-efficacy, gym intimidation, and social support in relation to PA participation at SRCs among female college students, as well as the types of physical activities they engage in. This study hypothesizes that female college students with higher self-efficacy and greater social support will report higher PA levels at their SRC, whereas gym intimidation will negatively predict PA participation. The research employs a correlational design using a one-time survey. Participants include female college students currently attending Texas State University who are 18 years of age or older. To date, approximately 70 female college students have completed the survey. Of these participants, about half reported attending the SRC, while the other half did not. Additionally, a large number of participants identified time and motivation as primary barriers to PA participation, while fewer cited knowledge and financial constraints as barriers. When data collection is complete, data will be analyzed to address the hypothesis, and results will be reported and discussed.

Supervisor: Lindsay Kipp, Department of Health and Human Performance

Room 306 | 9am - 10:30am

An Exploration of the Protein Kinase p38α

Many autoimmune diseases are caused by an overactive immune system, resulting in the attack of healthy tissues and produces extreme inflammatory responses. There are natural remedies that present some relief to symptoms, including the African potato plant (Hypoxis hererocallidea). The compound rooperol is attributed to the plant’s medicinal properties. The overall goal of this project is to investigate if rooperol inhibits the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38α. Previous research suggests that there are interactions between rooperol and p38, which leads to the inhibition of the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. This inhibition consequently reduces the stress responses induced by the pathway. The ERK pathway is mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), which are essential regulation proteins. These kinases operate by transmitting signals from external stimuli into cells. The signal cascade that occurs causes the phosphorylation of the MAPK p38, fully activating the protein. Active p38 then transmits a signal to transcription factors in the nucleus, which causes the alteration of gene expression. This results in the return to homeostasis through physiological shifts, including inducing cell death, signaling additional proteins, and promoting inflammatory and immune responses. This report is preliminary and includes partial results to a greater project. Research was conducted by inserting the MKK6, p38, and AFT2 plasmid DNA into the DH5α ultra-competent cells to be cloned. The cloned plasmids were then isolated to be transformed into Rosetta competent cells. During this process, a challenge with the competent cells arose and halted the advancement of the project. After some trial and error, successful competent cells were prepared, and transformations were achieved. The cells were then expressed on a small-scale, using isopropyl ß-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), and protein production was verified through an anti-GST western blot. Additional experiments are currently being conducted to further progress the project.

Supervisor: Karen Lewis, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Room 306 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Bright Lights and Flight: Moonlight Effect on Insectivorous Bat Activity in Texas

Lunar phobia is a species-specific trait which causes some bat species to decrease activity in response to increased moonlight. Using data from NABat, an acoustic monitoring program for bats across North America, we investigated the activity of eight Texas bat species to see which expressed an aversion to moonlight. Morphology differences, predation changes, prey availability, and different foraging strategies are all possible explanations for lunar phobic behavior, yet no conclusion has been reached for its true cause. Texas is home to 29 regularly occurring bat species which serve as natural insect population control and offer large economic benefits to the agricultural industry. However, wind farm fatalities, White-nose syndrome, and pesticide usage are all actively depleting bat populations in the state. Understanding bat response to changing moonlight levels can lead to management changes to conserve Texas bat populations. 

Supervisor: Sarah Fritts, Department of Biology

Room 306 | 10:30am - 12pm

How Phages Interact with Antibiotic Resistance Biofilms

Antibiotic-resistant biofilms pose a significant challenge in modern medicine, as their protective extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) limits antibiotic penetration, making infections more difficult to treat. These bacterial communities require higher doses and prolonged antibiotic exposure, further driving resistance. Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that specifically target bacteria, offer a promising alternative. Lytic phages destroy bacteria by hijacking their replication machinery and causing cell lysis, while lysogenic phages integrate into the bacterial genome and remain dormant until triggered into the lytic cycle. Although phage therapy was largely abandoned in the West following the discovery of antibiotics, renewed interest has emerged, particularly in the use of phage cocktails—combinations of different phages designed to enhance effectiveness against various bacterial strains. Phages have shown potential in disrupting biofilms by degrading the EPS and lysing embedded bacteria. However, challenges such as bacterial resistance to phages, immune system interactions, and regulatory hurdles remain. This review examines biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, phage-biofilm interactions, and the advantages and limitations of phage therapy as a viable alternative to traditional antibiotics.

Supervisor: Robert Mclean, Department of Biology

Room 310 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Stories Matter & Japanese Stories Matter More: A Literature Analysis on Anime & Manga’s Influence on American Culture and a Measure of Japan’s Soft Power

Storytelling has always been a principal human experience factor and massively shaped cultural attitudes and beliefs. Each area of the world has developed its niches and unique forms of storytelling, none with quite the same impact as Japan’s. In this project, the focus will be on Japanese culture and storytelling and examine how the advent of manga and anime (a colloquial term describing Japanese animation) since World War II have had a massive impact on American culture and are a clear and rising indicator of Japan’s international influence and soft power. Through compiling various literature sources that examine and analyze the multiple aspects of anime and manga’s effect on the West, such as the icon of Hayao Miyazaki and his impact and legacy on the medium, combined with public data sets on American media consumption this project will seek to understand and explain why Americans and Western culture at large consume Japanese media so ravenously and its ramifications on American culture and attitudes. Through this research and analysis, it can be determined that Japan's storytelling mediums of anime and manga are one of the most influential forms of media and storytelling in today’s popular culture.

Supervisor: Peter Siegenthaler, Department of History

Room 310 | 10:30am - 12pm

Economic Development and Social Equity in American Cities 

How can we restructure modern economic development programs and plans in U.S. cities to prioritize and achieve social equity? The goal of the research is to analyze contemporary economic development strategies in American cities and offer alternative approaches that would better prioritize social equity. The article investigates the extent to which four Texas cities address social equity and redress historic inequities, exploring the frameworks each city uses to tackle these critical issues.

Supervisor: Rosalie Ray, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Room 310 | 10:30am - 12pm

From Local Legacy to National Register: Ethical Issues in Preserving Cultural Heritage in East Austin

This project explores the ethical challenges of practicing local historic preservation through research and reflection on the nomination of San Bernard Street to the National Register of Historic Places. This project consists of two main components: first, a detailed investigation of a specific property on San Bernard Street, The Alice Foster House, which will contribute to the nomination of San Bernard Street as a National Historic District to preserve Black history in East Austin. This research involves an in depth analysis of the property’s historical significance and the role of the Foster and Woodward families within the local community. The second part of the project involves a supplementary essay that critically examines the broader process of historic preservation, focusing on the inherent biases that shape decisions regarding what is preserved, how history is interpreted, and whose stories are prioritized on the National Register. Through contributions to a grant-funded districting project and a theoretical exploration, this project aims to contribute to ongoing discussions about the complex and often contested nature of preserving cultural heritage.

Supervisor: Ruby Oram, Department of History

Room 306 | 10:30am - 12pm

Hydrogels vs. Bacteria: Potential Applications of Hydrophilic Polymers in Chronic Wound Treatments

Supervisor: Tania Betancourt, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Room 308 | 9am -10:30am 

Black Southern Culture: An Autoethnography

This project is a personal reflection on my heritage as a young Black woman in contemporary culture, viewed through the lens of my family across four generations. Given the current state of the country with removal of Critical Race Theory in classes, I believe it is more important than ever to share these stories, ensuring that the history of those who came before us is neither erased nor altered to fit a specific narrative. This project aims to reach not only those who share similar family dynamics or belong to the Black community but also those who may not fully understand what Black southern culture entails. Many African Americans have deep connections to their ancestry, culture, and history in the South. Even today, the South continues to influence Black identity by merging the struggles of the past with modern expressions of resilience, creativity, and community. To gain a deeper understanding of Black Southern culture, I am conducting an autoethnography to reflect on my personal experiences as a Black Southerner and correlate them with the broader Black experience through qualitative research. My goal is to create a timeline that illustrates how my family has evolved and adapted over time through the form of a magazine. I plan to interview specific family members from different generations, each of whom has experienced being a Black Southerner in unique ways. The outcome of the interviews is to create a story that goes from start to finish. Starting with the beginning of how my family came to be and leading to what has shaped my family into what it is now. Ultimately, leading up to the current generation, me. I have six different concepts that I hope to explore in the magazine regarding spirituality, womanhood, motherhood, heritage, traditions and self-reflection.
 

Supervisor: Cosette Joyner Martinez, School of Family and Consumer Science

Room 310 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Snapping Into Success: Analyzing Snapchat’s User Base and Strategic Recommendations

This project focuses on the customer profile breakdown of Snapchat users and non- users, delving into the psychology behind their decisions. In my Strategic Management and Business Policy course, we emphasize the "big picture" view of organizations and how top managers can implement company-wide strategies for success. This topic aligns closely with the course's instruction and is of great interest to me. The project will cover several subtopics, including an analysis of customer motivations, the demographics that make up the customer profile, reasons certain demographics do not embrace Snapchat, and previous customers' reasons for loss of interest.  To conduct this research, I will utilize MRI Simmons Catalyst, which meticulously breaks down consumer demographics, providing quantitative data for the initial stages of my study. Additionally, I will conduct small surveys to gather qualitative data, helping to conceptualize the "why" factor behind some of my proposed questions. After thorough research, I will use this data to develop a marketing strategy aimed at increasing Snapchat's user base while reducing turnover rates. I will also propose targeted advertising ideas. The entire project will be presented as a "pitch" to Snapchat, showcasing my findings and strategic recommendations.

Supervisor: Maurizio Turri, Department of Management

Room 305 | 10:30am - 12pm

An Analysis of the Utilization of New DNA Technology in Police Investigations

This paper explores the application of new and emerging DNA technologies in modern police investigations, with a focus on the usage of genetic genealogy and genetic phenotyping. Genetic genealogy involves utilizing DNA data from genealogy databases to trace family trees, while genetic phenotyping analyzes genetic markers in DNA to predict physical traits of individuals. Both techniques have been highly effective in criminal investigations, especially when the traditional methods such as CODIS and fingerprinting fall short. This paper highlights new forensic technologies, such as the Snapshot Forensic DNA Phenotyping System and Rapid DNA, which provide advanced capabilities in identifying suspects and solving cold cases. Through research on criminal investigations including the case on the Golden State Killer, this paper shows how these technologies have been utilized and have been successful in solving high profile criminal cases. This analysis concludes by discussing the future potential of these technologies and their ethical implications in law enforcement practices.

Supervisor: Kim Rossmo, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Room 408 | 9am - 10:30am

Fructooligosaccharide: A Potential Dietary Strategy for Obesity Prevention

According to 2017–2018 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) more than 2 in 5 adults (42.4%) have obesity. Fructooligosaccharide (FOS), a common prebiotic fiber, has previously been shown to suppress high-fat diet induced fat accumulation and body weight gain. However, the mechanism by which FOS modulates glucolipid metabolisms during the progression of obesity remained unknown. Here, we hypothesized that FOS can attenuate body fat gain and improve glucolipid profiles in high-fat diet-induced obesity.  Male and female C57BL/6J mice at 5-week-old were randomized (n=10/group) to receive 1) standard AIN-93G control diet (CON), 2) CON + 5% FOS (CON-FOS, 3) HFD (60% kcal from fat), or 4) HFD + 5% FOS (HFD-FOS) for 10 weeks. Body weight, visceral fat, serum triglyceride (TG), blood glucose, and serum insulin levels were collected and examined for analysis of the effect of the FOS. Both male and female HFD mice exhibited significantly higher body weight compared to CON mice. FOS attenuated body weight gain in HFD male mice, but not female, compared to HFD mice. Visceral fat and serum TG level were significantly lower in female HFD mice compared to male HFD mice. Administration of FOS further suppressed the visceral fat gain in male and female HFD mice by 25% and 50%, respectively. Similarly, serum TG was 25% and 12% lower in FOS-treated male and female HFD mice, respectively, compared to HFD alone. FOS did not affect the level of blood glucose in HFD mice. Yet, serum insulin was about 2-fold lower in FOS-treated HFD mice, regardless of sex, compared to HFD mice. Furthermore, HOMA-IR in HFD mice was normalized by FOS indicating that insulin resistance in HFD mice was alleviated by FOS interventions. Taken together, our study demonstrated that FOS prevented weight gain, improved lipid profiles, and alleviated insulin resistance in HFD-induced obese mice. While further investigations on the mechanism by which FOS impact glucolipid metabolisms in obesity remain to be investigated, our data suggest that FOS may be a promising prevention strategy for prevention of obesity and its associated complications.

Supervisor: Gar Yee Koh, School of Family and Consumer Science

Room 306 | 9am - 10:30am

Cell Cycle Regulation and Cancer: The Emerging Role of KIAA1143

Proper regulation of cell cycle checkpoints is essential for ensuring the accurate progression of each phase. When abnormalities occur in the proteins governing these checkpoints, diseases such as cancer frequently arise. These checkpoints include the G1/S transition, where cancerassociated mutations are most prevalent, the G2/M transition, and the spindle checkpoints. In this study, we characterize the novel gene KIAA1143 and explore its potential implications in cancer development and progression in relation to these checkpoints. Our study demonstrates that the KIAA1143 protein localizes to the nucleoplasm, specifically at the cytokinetic bridge, and exhibits peak expression during the S/G2 phase of the cell cycle. Many of KIAA1143’s identified transcription factors are associated with functions in the cell cycle. Data also reveals differential expression of KIAA1143 across cancer tissue types including Panc-1 and HT29 cancer cell lines. Prognostic summary data highlights the overexpression of KIAA1143 posing favorable for patient survival in both renal and colon cancer. In conclusion, KIAA1143 plays a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle and its expression is observed across all cancer types, with its presence or absence influencing patient survivability outcomes. While KIAA contains multiple transcription factors that regulate other cell cycle proteins, our findings also highlight protein-protein interactions linked to cell cycle regulation. To gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of KIAA1143 and assess whether it functions as a cytokinetic checkpoint, RNAi knockdown will be utilized to examine its expression within the same cancer cell types.

Supervisor: Micaela Vargas, Department of Biology

Room 310 | 9am - 10:30am

From Stigma to Advocacy: Examining Legal and Policy Changes in Response to Evolving Societal Attitudes Toward Mental Disability

The attitudes and understanding of mental incapacitation have shifted greatly through the 20th and 21st centuries. Such a paradigm shift heavily influenced the legal regime and standards that aided in protecting this vulnerable population. This literature review is a comprehensive examination of the historical evolution of rights, regulations, and laws in relation to intellectually disabled individuals in the United States. Further emphasizing the societal and analytical approaches to their well-being, safety, and the protection of human rights. The information provided within this review will be structured in a topical format broken into five chapters. Focusing first on an overview of why having laws and regulations are necessary and of significance to the intellectually disabled community’s overall state of being and protection. Moving into a synopsis of the historical context and early legislation. As well as creating a premise for early societal attitudes towards mental incapacity and other ethical implications in the United States before the 21st century. Then, the exploration of the shift from early perspectives to contemporary viewpoints and modernized laws/regulations will be examined with special attention to the events that led to this change. Furthermore, there will be a comparison of Texas’s laws and regulations pertaining to intellectually disabled individuals and how they parallel and/or differ from other state-level applications of these laws. To close, a discussion about key findings, personal reflection, and the potential for change will follow.

Supervisor: Maria Czyzewska, Department of Psychology

Room 306 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Seasonal Patterns of Leaf Litter Decomposition and Benthic Invertebrate Community Composition Across Biome and Hydrological Gradients

Decomposition of organic matter (OM) is a critical ecosystem function; terrestrial OM (i.e., leaf litter) deposited in rivers are decomposed by benthic macroinvertebrate communities. OM decomposition is partially controlled by water temperature, in that temperature directly affects consumer metabolism rates and indirectly affects decomposition rates through seasonal variation in the community biomass in rivers. Understanding how water temperature directly and indirectly affects terrigenous OM decomposition will provide insight into the relative importance of abiotic (i.e., water temperature and flow regimes) versus biotic (community composition and structure) parameters and how this ecosystem function responds to future climate changes. Using a stream biome and hydrological gradient across the Guadalupe River basin (central Texas), I utilized data from 11 sites to examine seasonal patterns of leaf litter decomposition and benthic invertebrate composition communities on leaf litter and assessed the importance of abiotic and biotic parameters determining OM decomposition rates. The sites represented seasonal temperature, flow variability and water chemistry. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) leaf litter packs were seasonally deployed at each site for ~30 days and were composed ofreplicate leaf packsin large aperturemesh (1-cmaperture) and finemesh (1-mmaperture);the differentmesh  sizes allowed me to assess decomposition due to benthic invertebrates. I estimated mass loss of leaf packs and preserved and identified the macroinvertebrates found on packs. In addition, I collected continuous water temperature data during leaf pack deployment using HOBO loggers. Hydrology data were obtained from nearby US Geological Survey gaging sites. Overall, I found that OM decomposition rate was greater with increasing water temperature and that macroinvertebrate community composition varied among sites and across seasons. My study highlights the need for regional-scale research that spans ranges of abiotic conditions and biological composition to understand how ecosystems may respond to future climate change and alteration of hydrological regimes.

Supervisor: Martin Nowlin, Department of Biology

Room 308 | 3:30pm - 5pm

Loggerhead Ruse

Loggerhead Ruse is an immersive, devised theatrical experience set in a post apocalyptic world, where trust is a dangerous gamble. As a devised piece, the story is built collaboratively by the ensemble, guided by the director’s vision and thematic specificity. As an immersive production, the audience is fully surrounded by the world set, lighting, and actors drawing them into the same space as the story unfolds. At its core, Loggerhead Ruse explores self-interest, paranoia, and the unknown. Misunderstandings can spiral into chaos, and at worst—murder. Blending thriller and horror elements, the story unfolds across three distinct timelines, each dictated by audience choices at pivotal moments. Each timeline uses the interplay between scripted scenes and improvisation. This experience is like a live-action video game, shifting course in real-time, making audience members think on their choices. With a limited audience size, the intimacy heightens the tension, amplifying both fear and excitement as participants navigate who to trust. Loggerhead Ruse is designed to keep its audience on edge—immersed in a world where every decision matters and survival is never guaranteed.

Supervisor: Jordan Morille, Honors College

Room 305 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Resilience in the Face of Change: The Past, Present, and Future of Female Hispanic Doctors in the United States 

"This work examines the prevalence of female Hispanic doctors in the United States. While it appears that there is a lack of Hispanic women in the medical field currently, Hispanic women were providing, and still are providing, health care services to the Hispanic community through several traditional intervention strategies of medicine. With a multi-disciplinary approach, I explore the history of Latin American women in medicine, the social/psychological barriers for Latinas in medicine today, and the need for Hispanic women in medicine in the future. Data was collected from historical books and articles, as well as psychology journals and medical/physician data to assess the role of Hispanic women in medicine over time, and the need for them in our society. Evidence from these sources provides insight to current gaps in serving Latina healthcare needs. Hispanic female doctors are needed to help address the many growing health concerns of Hispanic women which include neural tube defect risks, cervical cancer rates, and diabetes. This paper also addresses the barriers and challenges that Hispanic women going into the medical field face, and how this will possibly evolve in the future.

Supervisor: Roque Mendez, Department of Psychology

Room 408 | 10:30am - 12pm

Developing Solar War

I will be talking about the 5-year development process for Solar War, a space-themed, shoot-em-up bullet hell arcade style game where players shoot and dodge hordes of enemy planets in a bid to survive just a little bit longer. I will be talking about the game itself, as well as my accomplishments, difficulties, setbacks, and opportunities that I experienced along the road to getting my game published on Steam.

Supervisor: Anne Winchell, Department of English

Room 310 | 10:30am - 12pm

Equity in Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Dallas: Lessons from the Mockingbird DART Station 

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) regional transit agency that serves the metropolitan area and its surrounding 13 cities. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is a planning strategy that focuses on creating compact, walkable communities around public transportation systems like train stations or bus hubs, encouraging mixed-use development. However, equity within TOD has become a rising issue as gentrification continues to displace working-class families from areas where public transit and economic opportunity is easily accessible. This study aims to dissect whether the TOD around the DART, specifically Mockingbird Station (the first TOD project in Dallas) provides equal opportunity for all races, genders, and social classes to live near, shop, and benefit from its proximity to a crucial transit system. An extensive literature review will be done to define TOD, equity, and equity in TOD to create a list of criteria to run against Mockingbird Station. A deep dive into the planning documents leading to the creation of the development will be executed, as well as a history of how the DART was established in the city to determine whether Dallas used the development as a means of inequity and separation in the area. This study is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the equity implications of TOD around the DART system in Dallas. As well as identify areas of concern and potential disparities in access, benefits, and displacement, and develop a set of evidence-based recommendations for the City of Dallas to promote more equitable TOD development.

Supervisor: Eric Sarmiento, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Room 310 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Similar Things: A Collection of Zines

Zines are a tool historically for spreading information and sharing your interests with others. Zines are often called “little magazines”. They are made by creatives for a ton of different reasons: personal, informational, promotional, expressive and even just silly. They are not limited to art and sometimes include poetry/writing, comics, interviews, and political messages. They usually are made in a “do it yourself” style and self published. With this project I explored me and my sibling’s own passions coming together with zines. My sibling is a nonfiction writer and I’m an artist. For a while we have wanted to explore our work and how we work together. We grew up very close and when we both ended up in creative fields. This project is the first of hopefully many together. Through this process we discovered that we both work really well together. Our work and how we work. For these zines we took inspiration from my paintings and didn’t change my sibling’s writing style. His more serious writing with my whimsical illustrations were a great fit together. It makes more serious topics more approachable. While this project may not have any significance to anyone but us this project was a great first collaboration with my sibling.

Supervisor: Michael Villarreal, School of Art and Design

Room 308 | 2pm - 3:30pm

One Little Weed: A Concept Album

One Little Weed is a concept album centering a relationship’s start and end, using folk/singer-songwriter music intertwined with nature metaphors and acoustic sounds. There are seven songs that will peer into feelings experienced at different stages of grieving a relationship. My inspirations are storytelling aspects of Taylor Swift’s “folklore” and Lizzy Mcalpine’s “Five Seconds Flat”, with production styles of Phoebe Bridgers and Beabadoobee. This will be long form storytelling, from start to finish of an album, covering a singular experience. As a BFA Musical Theatre Major at TXST, I have been moved by the theatrical narrative through music, and wanted to merge the idea of a long form journey over the course of an album. I have been writing songs for 4 years, and this album is a culmination of pieces from my time at Texas State. The process from concept to final product has been riveting, challenging, and so worthwhile. I will be releasing these songs on streaming platforms, as well as performing a set of the songs live. My goal is to invite the listener to relate to their own experiences of pain and resentment and awkwardness post a relationship through this singer-songwriter story and sound. I am excited to share and connect with listeners, and hopefully leave them humming melodies of the weeds and waves of the human experience.

Supervisor: William Henry, School of Music

Room 305 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Investigating School Resource Officers and Other School Safety Programs’ Relationship with Student Disciplinary Outcomes 

This research investigates the relationship between School Resource Officers (SROs) with student disciplinary outcomes. Since their widespread adoption in the 1990s, SROs have been deployed in schools nationwide to enhance safety and deter crime. However, concerns have arisen regarding their impact on student disciplinary measures such as suspensions, expulsions, and police referrals. Drawing on restricted-use data from six waves of the School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS), this study employs regression analysis to explore how the presence of SROs correlates with reported incidents of crime and bullying. Additionally, it examines how this relationship is influenced by school enrollment size and urbanicity, as well as other controls. Preliminary findings suggest a positive correlation between SRO presence and reported incidents, yet underscore the stronger influence of urbanicity and enrollment demographics on disciplinary outcomes. The study aims to provide nuanced insights into the effectiveness and implications of SRO programs in school safety strategies, contributing to ongoing policy discussions and practices aimed at optimizing school environments for student well-being and security. 

Supervisor: Li Feng, Department of Finance and Economics

Room 310 | 2pm - 3:30pm

The Psychological and Social Factors Contributing to Para-Social Relationships

The present study aims to assess the extent to which different social and psychological factors play a role in the formation of parasocial relationships. A parasocial relationship is an imagined connection between an individual and a celebrity, public figure, or otherwise influential person whom the individual does not personally know. These relationships can be romantic, platonic, or simply centered around high levels of admiration.  I aim to fill a gap in research surrounding mental health and social support specifically, as well as the interaction between these factors and their implications on parasocial relationships. 200-300 students will be surveyed with questions pertaining to their levels of social support, anxiety, depression, empathy, self-esteem, personality, and parasocial relationships to analyze the correlations between the mental health factors and parasocial relationship scores. The scales of measurement used in this study will be the Celebrity Persona Parasocial Interaction scale (CPPI), the Empathy-Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), a patient health questionnaire screening for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Pearson correlations will be used to assess the potential relationships between perceived social support, anxiety, depression, empathy, self-esteem, personality, and parasocial interaction. A multiple linear regression analysis will also be run to assess whether there is any interaction between variables. Data collection for this study will begin in March and will continue past the end of the semester. The results reported will be preliminary.

Supervisor: Krista Howard, Department of Psychology

Room 306 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Using a Multi-omics Approach to Investigate Immune Regulation of Host-symbiont Dynamics

Astrangia poculata is a temperate coral model system that engages in a facultative relationship with its algal symbiont meaning that it can exist in states of high symbiont density (brown), and low symbiont density (white) with no apparent cost to its fitness. Astrangia poculata can also be found in mixed forms which have brown and white polyps on a single individual, however the effects of symbiont density on immunity is poorly understood. Fortunately A. poculata’s facultative nature makes it an ideal model for studying how symbiont density affects immunity. In this project, we split mixed A. poculata colonies into high and low symbiont density portions for the purpose of understanding the physiological differences between symbiont state in a single individual. RNA are to be extracted and processed for sequencing, and those data are going to be analyzed to identify differences in gene expression between brown and white sides of colonies. The data gathered from this study has and will continue to contribute to an understanding of how symbiont density contributes to the coral's immune system, which is vital for informing conservation and restoration efforts on coral reefs.

Supervisor: Lauren Fuess, Department of Biology

Room 310 | 3:30pm - 5pm

Drug and Alcohol Use in Undergraduate Students at Texas State University

Texas State University has had a long-running reputation of being referred to as a “party school”, a school students attend to prioritize drinking alcohol and doing drugs over academic studies. This study investigated how much students are drinking and using drugs as well as if the perceived “party school reputation” influences how much students utilize the consumption of alcohol and drugs on campus. The data was collected from XX undergraduate students via a survey they could take as extra credit for their class. This survey included several questionnaires not limited to drinking, drug use, mental health, and coping styles. This survey also featured custom questions asking if the perceived “party school” reputation influences students’ decision to attend classes at the university. Preliminary analyses were run in SPSS revealed that most students have decreased or have not changed their alcohol intake while increasing their drug intake. The most common drugs seen are nicotine products, such as tobacco and vapes, cannabis, and, to a lesser extent, stimulants and psychedelics. These analyses also found that there was no significance in the “party school” name affecting students’ decision to attend the university. It can be implied that factors outside of the university’s reputation are more responsible for increased drinking and drug use. More analyses with a larger sample size will need to be done in order to come to a better conclusion.

Supervisor: Reiko Graham, Department of Psychology

Room 408 | 9am - 10:30am

Epigenetic Impact of Maternal One-Carbon Methyl Donor Nutrient Supplementation and Trimethylamine N-oxide on Metabolically Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Maternal methyl-donor nutrient (MDN) supplementation has been proven to affect gene expression of offspring via methylation pathways. This study examines the effect of MDN supplementation on lipid catabolism genes, in relation to TrimethylamineN-Oxide (TMAO) and Homocysteine (Hcy) biomarkers, focusing on their implications on Metabolically Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). After mating, female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 10/group) were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary groups during pregnancy and lactation: four diets: Control (CON), CON with methyl-donor nutrient (MDN) supplementation (CON-Supp), High Fat High Sucrose (HFS), or HFS with MDN supplementation (HFS-Supp). After weaning, offspring (n = 10/sex/group) were separated into two groups fed with either the CON diet or HFS diet (n=5/sex) and were sacrificed at 15 weeks of age with blood and tissue samples collected. Genetic expression was performed using qt-PCR via liver tissue sample. Choline, betaine, and TMAO levels were quantified using HPLC-MS methods while homocysteine was measured using a fluorometric assay. Maternal HFS diet’s may increase serum levels of Hcy, but lower serum levels of free choline and betaine. Findings suggest HFHS diets promote TMAO via alterations in the human gut microbiome, with MDN potentially suppressing these effects via methylation of FMO3. MDN supplementation may also alter methylation of lipid catabolism genes (CPT1A, PPARα), impacting metabolic regulation of fat in the liver.

Supervisor: Jie Zhu, School of Family and Consumer Science

Room 306 | 3:30pm - 5pm

Automating a Pump Plunger System

CGT Limited is a company in New Braunfels that, among other things, produces the material used for car seats for major car companies such as Ford. The process involves the use of Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP), commonly known as plasticizer. The plasticizer is dyed, then heated, then poured and spread across various materials, then cooled at a specified rate. At the dye station, new plasticizer is mixed with used plasticizer to make it suitable for use, while dyes are added to make the final liquid different colors for different car seats. Previously, the process was done manually, so I was tasked with leading a team of 6 people in creating a pump plunger system that could make this station automated. We designed and implemented the automized system, which involved 3 subprojects: building a frame that could hold the container, pump, and other parts; programming the pump to start and stop at different points in the process; and creating a wiring harness system that could put the wires in one place and convert the program into physical actions. This thesis will cover the several-month long process required to complete these tasks. All the details will be included in this final report, from how our team found out about the project, to the major steps taken, to the successes and setbacks, to the ultimate result.

Supervisor: Meysam Khaleghian, Department of Engineering Technology

Room 306 | 2pm - 3:30pm

On the Fate of Marsh Mermaids: An Investigation into Estimating Carbon Sequestration in the Virginia Coastal Reserve Long Term Ecological Research Station Through Remote Sensing Techniques

Coastal Blue Carbon Ecosystems (BCE) are major carbon sinks that can become major carbon sources when disturbed. Coastal BCE are understudied and underutilized ecosystems, especially as they relate to the global carbon budget. The salt marshes of the Virginia Coastal Reserve Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) can serve as a model to study carbon fluxes in a tidally driven coastal ecosystem. Utilizing various remote sensing methods, spectral analyses of various cover types within the VCR LTER ecosystem were studied for carbon flux potential. In this study we consider how various cover types in the VCR saltmarsh influence the salt marsh's ability to sequester carbon, and how this can contribute to climate change mitigation. Various muds, grasses, trees, and debris were detected, and the spectral signatures were analyzed to better understand their individual role in the global carbon cycle. Different methods of remote sensing were considered, including handheld spectroradiometer spectra, drone spectra, and satellite spectra to better understand how different remote sensing methods can provide different data and context and lead to different conclusions when studying salt marshes in tidally driven BCE. Results of this project will include a land use/land cover map for the VCR over the last 40 years, as well as an assessment of different remote sensing techniques used to map coastal BCE. The results of this project will be important for implementing conservation strategies in coastal BCE as sea level rise and climate degradation continue.

Supervisor: Samantha Krause, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

 

Room 306 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Investigating Eye Regression in Eurycea latitans: Apoptosis and PAX6 Expression

Cave-dwelling species often exhibit regressive traits, such as eye loss, driven by developmental and genetic mechanisms that are not well understood. The Cascade Caverns salamander, Eurycea latitans, is endemic to the Edwards Plateau of Texas and lives in the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers. Being a cavedwelling species, their sight is unnecessary, and they are considered blind. However, during development, they initially form features of a functioning eye including a retina and lens, but these features regress during development. The same phenomenon is observed in the Mexican cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus) where eye regression results from apoptosis following downregulation of PAX6 expression. To test whether apoptosis drives eye reduction in E. latitans, we are examining various developmental stages ranging from one-month post oviposition to three-months post-oviposition using a TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling) assay. Other studies are underway to evaluate the localization of the transcription factor protein PAX6 by using immunohistochemistry and validating antibody specificity via immunoblot analyses. These studies contribute to a broader understanding of functional eye loss across salamanders and the genetic and developmental mechanisms governing regressive traits. In the future, this study will allow us to compare eye regression in various types of salamanders. Our research provides insights into convergent evolution and the basis of eye degeneration in subterranean environments.

Supervisor: Dana Garcia, Department of Biology

Room 408 | 10:30am - 12pm

Researchbuddy - AI Powered Research Assistant

Research Buddy is an AI-powered research assistant that generates comprehensive summaries and insights for specific topics. The project integrates RAG, prompt engineering, and fine-tuned language models to deliver structured responses. These include summaries of research papers, insights from YouTube videos, relevant GitHub repositories, Stack Overflow FAQS, and related topics. Key features of the research buddy are embedding and retrieving content from multiple sources (such as research papers, videos, repositories, and forums). Summarizing content using fine-tuned models. Presenting data in an organized format to ease the research process. This project delivers clear and detailed summaries by using full research papers. It also summarizes GitHub repositories, making it easier to understand and use practical code. Answers to common questions are taken from Stack Overflow and simplified for better clarity. It serves as a one-stop solution for all research needs, saving users time by gathering relevant information in one place instead of visiting multiple websites.

Supervisor: Ted Lehr, Department of Computer Science

Room 308 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Whispers in the Shadows: A Novel

Whispers in the Shadows is a high fantasy novel where trust and manipulation play integral roles. Nya Bellis is forced to pretend to be the Holy Prophet even though she is only human, and is left to fend for herself against assassination attempts and the brewing possibility of war. Despite her prominent role, she feels powerless to stop the impending dangers, and humankind's further subjugation at the hands of the magical Celesti. When given the chance to make a move of her own, she must decide to protect her own family or humans as a whole. This theme is furthered through the relationships she develops; everyone has ulterior motives but Nya is forced to rely on others to further her own goals. In the end, she utilizes the power she has as a trusted figure to save those she cares for, only to realize that those who made her the Prophet were always two steps ahead. But could Nya’s effort have been enough to spread the revolution?

Supervisor: James Reeves, Department of English

Room 305 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Proposing the Observation of the Application of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions in a Primary Classroom Setting

The use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in daily life plays a vital role in preventing and slowing the spread of germs, illnesses, and diseases. These measures include covering coughs and sneezes with an elbow, using tissues properly, washing hands frequently with soap and water, and regularly using hand sanitizer. In a classroom setting, NPIs are especially important for protecting students and those around them from illness. There has been extensive research on the effectiveness of NPIs to reduce the spread of illness, but my literature review highlights the gap in post COVID stuides focusing on their use in the primary classroom. My literature review proposes an observational analysis of primary school-aged children’s willingness to use NPIs on their own volition. Specifically, I will suggest collecting data on whether they use an NPI independently, use an NPI only after being prompted (e.g., by a teacher), or do not use an NPI at all, even after prompting. I anticipate that primary-aged children will use NPIs inconsistently, likely neglecting them more often than using them. I believe this is due to a lack of understanding about how these simple actions help prevent illness and protect those around them. The findings of a study like this will contribute to future research on effective strategies for educating young children about NPIs. By improving awareness and reinforcing these habits in the classroom, we can work toward reducing illness related absences, especially during cold and flu season.

Supervisor: Jennifer Ahrens, Department of Health and Human Performance

Room 305 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Barriers to Accessing and Receiving Cleft Care in Latin America

Approximately 1 in 700 to 1 in 1,000 babies are born with a cleft lip/palate. Existing research shows that there is a higher prevalence of cleft conditions among those of Asian, Native American, and Hispanic Descent. Access to cleft care services is important for children to meet their nutritional needs, to ensure appropriate speech & language development, and to reach other developmental milestones. In the United States, a comprehensive cleft care team usually consists of craniofacial surgeons, orthodontists, dentists, speech-language pathologists, otolaryngologists, geneticists, psychologists, and social workers. A holistic, multidisciplinary approach to care goes beyond surgery and it includes family support, nutrition and feeding, speech therapy, psychosocial support, and genetic counseling. In Latin America, patients and families often face barriers to accessing and receiving these components of comprehensive cleft care. Using secondary data analysis, this study identifies the most common obstacles to receiving comprehensive cleft care in Latin America, along with the factors that influence treatment quality and accessibility. Though there is limited research on this subject, this study seeks to compile all of the findings of existing studies. The results of this research show that the most reported barriers to care include finances & expenses and an overall lack of awareness of available resources. Cleft palate surgery is costly, and children may receive up to 10 surgeries depending on the type and severity of the condition. While many medical mission organizations seek to provide free or low-cost surgeries to families, the costs of transportation, lodging, and other services must be taken into consideration when considering financial barriers. To address these major barriers, this study highlights the importance of training local clinicians as a sustainable model of providing care and proposes government involvement in the sharing of available resources and services.

Supervisor: Maria Resendiz, Department of Communication Disorders

Room 308 | 3:30pm - 5pm

The Power of Perception: Addressing Body Image Issues Through Reasons to Be Pretty

This Honors capstone project, a production of Reasons to Be Pretty by Neil LaBute, examines the impact of societal beauty standards on self-worth and interpersonal relationships. The production engages the Texas State University community in critical discussions surrounding body image, verbal harassment, and the pressures of conforming to idealized appearances. With rising concerns about self-image among young adults, this project highlights the urgency of these conversations. On September 27, 2023, The University Star released an article with alarming statistics from the 2023 Annual Security Fire and Safety Report. The report claimed a 135% increase in reported rapes and a 200% increase in hate crimes. These realities, combined with the increasing pressures surrounding body image and self-worth, highlight the need to address these concerns through impactful storytelling. By using theatre as a tool for reflection and discourse, this production encourages audiences to examine harmful societal norms and consider the value of individual identity beyond physical appearance.

Supervisor: Vlasta Silhavy, Department of Theatre and Dance

Room 305 | 12:30pm - 2pm

From Lab Notes to Global Knowledge: Overcoming Linguistic Barriers in Research

Scientific exploration knows no borders, yet language barriers continue to hinder the global exchange of knowledge. Effective translation is essential for ensuring the accuracy, accessibility, and collaboration across linguistic and cultural divides in scientific research. This presentation examines the role of language translation in scientific communication and highlights the challenges and advancement in translation methodologies. In addition to discussing broader areas in scientific translation, I will be sharing my experience writing and translating a thesis from English to Spanish over the research I conducted in a laboratory that works with biomaterials. The aim of this project was to foster greater awareness of the depth and complexity required to not just translate words, but ideas across a very specialized field. Through this, we will explore the risks of mistranslation in research, the importance of linguistic precision in preserving scientific integrity, and impact of translation on international collaboration. The need for precise and culturally sensitive translation in research is great, and by breaking down language barriers we can promote a more inclusive and interconnected scientific community that drives innovation and ensures that discoveries are accessible to researchers worldwide.

Supervisor: Tania Betancourt, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Room 305 | 9am - 10:30am

Contemporary Political Theory Exemplified through Political Discourse

This project is a written dialogue articulating an example of substantive political discourse between hypothetical characters—who function as paradigms of political theory throughout the dialogue—on questions of contemporary political thought. Exclusionary incivility has become an increasingly dangerous byproduct of political rhetoric within American politics, which has obscured the importance of public discourse within a well-functioning democracy. The past decade of American politics in particular has witnessed an oversaturation of uncivil and divisive rhetoric resulting in an increasingly polarized electorate who can find no common ground with those across the aisle. It is rare that any attempt at civil discourse on controversial political topics will evade the devolution into fallacious arguments that undermine the importance of discussions on substantive questions of political theory. This project will be devoted to articulating key arguments central to historical political discourse and emphasizing both their importance and relevance within contemporary politics.

Supervisor: Paul Dehart, Department of Political Science

Room 310 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Creative Liberation: The Transformative Power of Black Art

As an artist, it has always frustrated me to see people downplay the importance of creatives to society. When looking at the civil rights movement and its effect on culture, I know that there was a shift in the culture and the attitude of African - Americans. Oftentimes, this shift is marked by the music, poetry, art, and films of that day. This has led me to conclude that black artists always could shape, mold, and define not only a moment, but a generation but also inspire pride within the people that their art showcases. Like many minority groups, African Americans have found solace within their art. The ability to reflect on their daily lives, escape from reality, and encourage people to rethink the systems of racism and sexism found within our society. In this book, I aim to showcase the pivotal black artists of the '60s and '70s and how they became leaders within their community as motivation to generations to come. It is no surprise that the civil rights movement will always be an important time in the history of America, but it is my goal to shine a light on the neglected voices of the black arts movement that served as the heartbeat of the culture laying the groundwork to motivate and support A new wave of black consciousness. I also expect to use examples of how the influence of black consciousness in art has inspired many generations who were born way after the black arts movement took place. In addition to that, we know that artists were pivotal to the community due to comments made by political leaders, such as Malcolm X when questioning why black performers, artists, and poets are considered leaders of the African American community. Proving that it is undeniable the impact that these artists had during this time.

Supervisor: Shannon Faseler, School of Art and Design

Room 408 | 12:30pm - 2pm

Enigmatic Whispers: The Occult's Veiled Presence in A24 Films

The occult refers to supernatural beliefs, practices, and phenomena that transcend the natural world, often associated with hidden knowledge and mystical powers. It encompasses various esoteric traditions, such as witchcraft, pagan rituals, alchemy, astrology, and the study of symbols and rituals believed to access hidden realms or tap into unknown forces. Historically shrouded in secrecy and often perceived as forbidden and in some cases harmful knowledge, the occult has fascinated and intrigued humanity for centuries. Its themes often explore the intersection of the spiritual and material worlds, the attempts of humanity to connect through cults, and the reflection of the spiritual on mankind's psyche. In investigating the influence of the occult on modern film culture, I delved into four significant films: Midsommar, The Lighthouse, Hereditary, and The Witch. In the film Midsommar, the occult outlines the tension between tradition and modernity, illustrating how ancient beliefs and rituals can both bind and control individuals within a community. From The Lighthouse the occult's presence highlights the thin line between reality and madness, emphasizing the psychological and existential struggles of individuals isolated from society. Hereditary uses the occult by intertwining family dynamics with occult practices through which the film explores themes of inherited trauma and the inescapable influence of past generations on the present. In The Witch the film's exploration of witchcraft and religious fanaticism reflects the historical and cultural fears of the unknown, and how these fears can lead to hysteria and persecution. After reviewing and comparing elements found in each film and understanding of the occult I came to the conclusion that modern media has incorporated and embraced the occult as it serves to explore the depths of human experience, psyche, and modern society in a unique and understanding manner.

Supervisor: Louie Dean Valencia, Department of History

Room 310 | 9am - 10:30am

Bridging the Gap: Enhancing LGBTQ+ Competency in Healthcare Social Work

Social workers in the healthcare system work with diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals, and the social workers' code of ethics highlights the importance of cultural competence. However, many social workers report feeling unprepared to serve the LGBTQ+ community due to an educational gap in the Master of Social Work (MSW) programs and limited on-the-job training. Improving cultural competence could help decrease the marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals in a healthcare setting. A systematic review will examine relevant research methods and employ thematic analysis to identify individual, educational, and policy aspects of the issue. The analysis will provide curriculum recommendations for MSW programs, recommendations for future research, and policy changes to strengthen LGBTQ+ competency within the social work profession.

Supervisor: Shannon Drier, School of Family and Consumer Science

Room 308 | 2pm - 3:30pm

“Unburdened and Becoming”: A Movement Piece

I’m interested in what can occur when we prioritize play and imagination with movement and dance. When we take a process over product approach to our artistry, can more authentic and fulfilling art emerge? Dance began as a communal and often ritualistic activity, used to express culture and emotion within communities. Since then, we as a society have strayed from some of these original purposes. Through mindfulness exercises, guided movement exploration and improvisation, and story based choreographed pieces, I believe anybody can find respite, catharsis, and comfortability in dancing and movement. I began running my own experiments with this theory and ideology by hosting free dance classes for my fellow peers. Through these pro bono dance classes, I have lead college students of varying majors through my movement exploration classes with very positive reviews. The feedback I have received is reflective of my intended goal of helping people get out of their heads, and into their body & imagination. This approach to my movement & exploration classes has yielded promising results and I am optimistic in utilizing the same approach for my two-week project, “Unburdened and Becoming” - a movement piece to music from Bon Iver’s 22, a Million. By allowing individuals to release expectation of a perfect or pretty end-product and inviting them into their bodies and imagination, we can connect to dance and movement in a more authentic and fulfilling manner.

Supervisor: Megan Moss, Department of Theatre and Dance

Room 408 | 2pm - 3:30pm

The Positive Impacts of Consistency and Decreased Screen Time on Sleep and Health - An Observational Case Study

Sleep is a crucial factor in our health, and research has shown that poor sleep quality negatively impacts our overall well-being. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the impact of changing two health behaviors—reducing screen time and setting a consistent sleep schedule—on sleep quality and overall well-being. To do this, a sleep journal will be used to collect personal data on sleep habits, barriers, facilitators, and any biopsychosocial factors that hindered/helped the change in behavior. In this observational case study, the health belief model will be followed, which is a health behavior change theory that states that perceived consequences, ease, and effectiveness determine a person's ability to change health behaviors. The effectiveness of this model and its ability to predict change will be critiqued based on the results/experiences of the study.

Supervisor: Brooke Bryson, Department of Psychology

Room 310 | 12:30pm - 2pm

From Canvas to Market: A Guide to the Business of Art

Turning creativity into a sustainable business is a challenge many artists face, as much of the available information is fragmented and lacks a comprehensive approach. Existing resources often cover only parts of the process, making it difficult for artists to build a financially stable and well-managed business. This project explores the foundational aspects of starting and managing an art business, providing a comprehensive resource for artists transitioning from hobbyists to entrepreneurs. Through firsthand experience, industry research, and an analysis of insights from established artists and business professionals, this study examines key topics such as business laws, tax requirements, marketing strategies, pricing structures, shipping logistics, and website development. The goal is to document the learning process and compile insights into an accessible guide that demystifies the business side of art. By testing various strategies in real-time, this project identifies best practices and common pitfalls, offering practical solutions for artists looking to establish their businesses effectively. The findings will be shared through a digital format, equipping aspiring artists with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the art industry with confidence.

Supervisor: Alexandra Hampshire, Department of Accounting

Room 408 | 12:30pm - 2pm

The Problem of Psychedelics and More: Renovating Religious Belief

This paper identifies the potential blindspots in the religious ethics of psychedelic usage with the help of Charles Upton’s critique of them in Drug-Induced Mysticism. In addressing them, further inquiry into the Perennialist and Traditionalist schools becomes necessary. After establishing an objective religious base, psychedelics are closer to being understood in their proper place and rank in accordance with Upton’s critique of them.

Supervisor: Norma Velasco, Department of Philosophy

Room 310 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Mate Value Discrepancies and Conflict Among Partners in Consensually NonMonogamous Relationships

Mate value discrepancies (MVDs) in monogamous relationships predict greater conflict and jealousy because lower-value partners are seen as more easily replaceable. This study examines whether MVDs likewise elicit conflict and jealousy in consensually non-monogamous (CNM; e.g., open or polyamorous) relationships. Participants in CNM (n = 200) and monogamous (n= 312) relationships reported their and up to two partners’ mate value, conflict, jealousy, and intrasexual competitiveness. Participants who rated their mate value (MV) higher than their partner’s reported more conflict. People with more CNM experience reported more positive reactions to a partner’s extra-pair interactions. Participants who reported more disclosure of their extra-pair attractions to a partner, more comfort communicating about jealousy, more compersion, and more shared extra-pair sexual experiences with a partner reported less conflict and jealousy. Meanwhile, those endorsing more partner hierarchy reported more conflict and jealousy. Intrasexual competitiveness predicted less: disclosure of attraction, comfort communicating jealousy, willingness to invest in partners’ children, compersion, sexual health maintenance, and more partner hierarchy. We conclude that MVDs are similarly related to conflict in monogamous and CNM relationships, but intrasexual competitiveness, experience with CNM, and engagement in CNM relationship maintenance practices, may attenuate or exacerbate jealousy and conflict.

Supervisor: Rhonda Balzarini, Department of Psychology

Room 310 | 10:30am - 12pm

The Geography of Opportunity: Neighborhood Context and Socioeconomic Mobility

This research examines how neighborhood context impacts socioeconomic mobility in urban residents within the United States from the 2010s to the present day. I hypothesize that neighborhood context has a negative impact on socioeconomic mobility. The paper will determine the connection between neighborhood context and socioeconomic mobility by investigating three primary variables: neighborhood context impact on resources, systemic factors within neighborhood context, and the influence of the individual and the family on socioeconomic mobility. This paper takes a mixed methodological approach. By utilizing existing scholarly material like The Truly Disadvantaged by William Wilson, the paper orients the direction of research toward policy prescription. By investigating the extent to which neighborhood context impacts socioeconomic mobility, the more effective policy can be in mitigating the implications of this relationship.

Supervisor: Lauren Rowlands, Department of Political Science

Room 308 | 10:30am - 12pm

Visualizing Aura: A Cinematic Adaptation of Carlos Fuentes’ Gothic Novel

Visualizing Aura: A Cinematic Adaptation of Carlos Fuentes’ Gothic Novel is an adapted screenplay based on Aura, a short novel by Mexican writer and essayist Carlos Fuentes. Originally published in 1962, Aura blends horror, Mexican Gothic literature, and magic realism, incorporating elements of witchcraft and the supernatural. The story follows Felipe Montero, whose life takes an unexpected turn after responding to a newspaper job listing. He soon meets his employer, Consuelo, a decaying old woman, and her mysterious niece and caretaker, Aura. As Felipe delves deeper into their history, he gradually uncovers the unsettling truth, Consuelo and Aura are not who, or what, they appear to be. This screenplay is highly visual, written entirely in Spanish, and stylistically aligns with Avant-Garde and Art film traditions while preserving the novel’s horror and magic realism. The adaptation reinterprets Aura as a subversion of traditional purity and Marianismo ideals imposed on women in Mexican society, intertwining these themes with the rich cultural history of witchcraft among Mexican women. Additionally, it critiques the societal demonization of aging in women, using horror and pagan imagery to expose the damaging notion that a woman’s value diminishes with age leading to extreme measures to preserve their youth. The adaptation process involved multiple close readings of the novel, extensive research on film projects and screenplays for inspiration, and meticulous outlining using flowcharts and notecards. Drafting and restructuring were carried out under the supervision of a thesis/script advisor to ensure a compelling translation of the novel into visual media. Audiences can expect an immersive, suspenseful screenplay that keeps them on the edge of their seats. As the mystery unravels, they will encounter striking visuals, unexpected jump scares, and a shocking plot twist that brings the story full circle.

Supervisor: Jordan Morille, Honors College

Room 306 | 10:30am - 12pm

Experimentally Testing Computational Predictions of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separating Proteins in Yeast

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a phenomenon in which a single homogeneous solution de-mixes and forms two distinct solutions. In biological systems, LLPS is demonstrated by particular proteins and their substrates de-mixing from the cytoplasm and forming droplets enriched in these biomolecules. LLPS is implicated in a variety of processes, such as cellular stress responses and disease progression. Despite the importance of LLPS, it is difficult to predict whether a protein can undergo LLPS from its sequence alone. Recently, researchers at Texas State have developed an algorithm that can make such predictions. The goal of this project is to develop a screening assay to test the predictions made by this algorithm as well as to test whether poorly studied proteins demonstrate LLPS. To test these proteins, they will be expressed with a green fluorescent protein tag in order to be visible under a fluorescent microscope. This way, cytoplasmic, non-LLPS proteins appear as a uniform fluorescent signal throughout the cell, while LLPS proteins appear as bright fluorescent spots dispersed throughout the cell. To account for the possibility that proteins only undergo LLPS as part of cellular stress responses, the proteins of interest will be expressed in two different strains of yeast: a wild-type strain, and a stress response-incompetent strain unable to respond external stress factors. Thus far, proteins have been identified for the development of the assay, and the screening assays are expected to be done soon this semester.

Supervisor: Dr. Karen Lewis, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Room 408 | 10:30am - 12pm

Neural Radiance Fields for 3D Scene Reconstruction With Saliency Detection and Object Recognition

3D scene representation is a key enabler for emerging technologies such as autonomous driving, remote surgery, and immersive entertainment. Traditional methods, including point clouds, light fields, and holography, often impose assumptions on the scene structure and require expensive hardware. Neural view synthesis (NVS) offers an alternative by generating new viewpoints from a set of input images, enabling realistic 3D reconstruction with minimal equipment. In this project, we implement a Neural Radiance Field (NeRF)-based algorithm to reconstruct a full 3D environment from mobile camera captures. On top of this, we integrate 3D saliency detection and object recognition to enhance scene understanding. The saliency detection leverages 3D saliency models developed for point clouds and 360-degree videos, while object detection is based on a YOLO-based system. Our framework captures real-world scenes using standard cameras, reconstructs them into an interactive 3D environment, identifies significant areas, and labels key objects (e.g., people, furniture). The proposed system provides a low-cost, high-fidelity solution for 3D scene visualization, industrial imaging, gaming, cultural heritage, and virtual commerce. Compared to traditional methods, our approach simplifies setup while improving accessibility to photo-realistic, interactive 3D environments.

Supervisor: Rodion Podorozhny, Department of Computer Science

Room 306 | 3:30pm - 5pm

Exploring the Non-Uniqueness of Nonograms

Nonograms, also known as Hanjie, Griddlers, Paint by Numbers, or PIcross, are logic puzzles where a grid must be filled with black and white squares according to numerical clues, ultimately revealing a hidden picture. While typically solved as recreational puzzles with unique solutions, nonograms can exhibit non-uniqueness or multiple solutions, and even have no solutions depending on the constraints. This study explores these properties, analyzing conditions that lead to ambiguity or infeasibility in solutions. Understanding these structural aspects is essential when considering nonograms beyond entertainment, particularly in cybersecurity applications. We investigate potential uses of nonograms in encoding and interpreting data structures such as networks and affinity matrices. The constrained nature of nonogram solutions may provide a novel approach to secure data transmission and pattern recognition in cybersecurity contexts.

Supervisor: Ivan Ojeda-Ruiz, Department of Mathematics

Room 308 | 9am -10:30am 

Strange Girls Make Stranger Women

I spent a lot of time labeled the weird girl in childhood, and I both resented and loved the role I was cast into. It was isolating of course. There weren’t easy social circles I fit into, and I longed for the connection that others seemed to make so simply. I watched the friendships and childhood experiences I’d always thought I’d have play out in front of me while I couldn’t seem to find a way to break in. As adolescence came, I watched as everyone became different. Their circles and the socially complex games of young teenage-hood seemed so far beyond my comprehension, and I gave up all hope of ever figuring out how to integrate myself. I fell headlong into the title I had been casting aside for so long, and I found comfort in being the weird girl. I didn’t need anyone’s company besides my own. I didn’t understand them, they didn’t understand me, so why shouldn’t I indulge my own strangeness? It was comforting, until it became unbearable. I grew up, and the feeling never left, but I became better at pretending. I played along as best I could, but there was always a lasting oddness to me. I didn’t know anyone could see it in me, but once I got to college I was very harshly made aware of reality. I hadn’t abandoned my weirdness. I had been a strange girl and I had grown into an even stranger woman.  This collection of stories are for the former and still very weird girls. I know I have not left behind my weirdness, but I also know there are so many more strange girls out there who have grown into even stranger women. These stories are ones of lonely girlhood and of reclamation of our strangeness from the clutches of those twisting it into insult, when really it is our biggest strength. 

Supervisor: Kale Hensley, Department of English

Room 308 | 9am -10:30am 

Navigating Broken Systems: A Memoir

This presentation shows my memoir-in-progress, which examines the intersections of personal experience, systemic failure, and advocacy. Attending unregulated boarding schools and later working within legal and social systems, I witnessed firsthand how institutions meant to protect often fail the most vulnerable. Through personal narrative and some contextual research, my work interrogates the long-term consequences of these failures and the power of resilience in forging a new path. From rediscovering a love of learning to shifting into legal advocacy, my story underscores the necessity of systemic change and the role of personal agency in driving it. By connecting lived experience with broader structural issues, this memoir aims to offer insight into reform, accountability, and the pursuit of dignity in marginalized spaces.

Supervisor: Rene LeBlanc, Department of English

Room 305 | 2pm - 3:30pm

Autism in Classrooms

This study investigates the training that is provided to general education teachers regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Methods of information gathering are surveys through email that ask teachers about professional development offered within three public school districts, Northwest ISD, Decatur ISD, and Fort Worth ISD as well as searching through college course catalogs to determine if any classes are provided related to disabilities, specifically ASD. ASD is identified as persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts. Furthermore, instructional strategies will be pulled from other studies to create an in-service that provides General Education Teachers with the knowledge they need to be prepared for ASD in their classrooms. Studies show that one class was consistently offered to cover a broad spectrum of disabilities for general education majors in universities. It also showed that out of the 13 teachers that responded 12 saw a need for more personal development regarding autism in the classroom. Because of the area of deficit and the high population of autism found in the education system we have created a professional development seminar that addresses the various aspects of ASD in the classroom such as characteristics, instructional and behavioral strategies.

Supervisor: Jennifer Ahrens, Department of Health and Human Performance

Room 306 | 9am - 10:30am

Investigation on the Conversion of Dialkynylpyrazoles to Pyrazolylpyridines

There is no known method for creating substituted pyrazolylpyridines from dialkynylpyrazoles. Dialkynylpyrazoles, the first reagent, are not easily accessible. This implies that in order to investigate their potential to create pyrazolylpyridines, they must first be synthesized. The development of novel synthesis techniques for these potential novel drug cores will contribute to future discoveries. Since they serve as the building blocks for more intricate synthesis, future researchers will find it easier to apply the methods and circumstances that have been improved to get a high yield.

Supervisor: Sean Kerwin, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry